Tag: Houston
Moving Out of an Apartment: Ways to Manage the Dreaded Task
Moving: typically a term that that is said before or after a long sigh. We get it, taking hours to search for the perfect complex and moving into a new apartment can be stressful. Packing only to unpack, organizing only to remember you need the one thing at the bottom of the box – and the worst of all, having to clean your living space before turning in your apartment keys.
While moving into a new apartment is a chaotic process, you certainly are not alone. According to moving.com, 32 million people in the US move to a new residence throughout the year. To put that into perspective, that is over 10% of the population that are packing up and relocating each year. Even more so, those in the millennial generation are reported to be on the move to a new living space once every two years on average.
Why are people moving so much, you ask? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are various reasons why Americans tend to relocate, a few being:
- Wanting a new or better home/ apartment (17.4%)
- Establishing own household (12.2%)
- New job or transfer (10.8%)
- Cheaper housing options (8.2%)
- To be closer to work/easier commute (6%)
Knowing these statistics, it is clear that the moving process is not going away anytime soon. What can be alleviated, however are the headaches that come along with moving into and out of a new apartment community. The sections below will outline ways that you can make your relocation the easiest one yet!
Find the right time to move
Different times of the year call for changing rates, availabilities and moving benefits within apartment management companies – and ultimately the decision you make on timing will depend on what you value as important. For instance, are you more interested in saving money on monthly rental rates and moving company costs, or would you rather have the option to choose from a wide range of available floorplans? While it may sound silly, going through the exercise of asking yourself questions like these can point you in the direction of the values you want to prioritize.
After determining your top priorities, visit apartments.com, which has created an entire outline of the drawbacks and benefits that fall, winter, spring and summer moves offer so that you can make an informed decision to move in and out at a time that best fits your specific needs.
Outline your moving timeline
After you’ve weighed the options, and made the decision on what time of the year you want to move into a new apartment complex, you may start to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to “get done” before your move out date: think changing your address and decluttering the items in your closet. To stay on track during this chaotic time, it may be useful to create your own moving timeline with an itemized checklist to help you save valuable time when it comes to managing your productivity, while keeping you organized so you don’t miss any important tasks when the big day comes.
Research moving companies
If you choose to go the route of using a moving company, the options can seem endless – and with good reason, as the American Moving and Storage Association counts around 7,000 companies just in the U.S alone. Instead of spending hours on Yelp, Google and other platforms to compare pricing, check out and download the MoveAdvisor: Moving App. By using the app, you will have access to thousands of reputable moving reviews and performance ratings based on real customer experience at your fingertips.
Move out efficiently
If you’ve followed your timeline and checklist, one of the last remaining items will be to clean the apartment after everything is packed up and moved out. At Venterra, we know this is one of the most dreaded tasks – getting on your hands and knees to clean small crevices after a long day of packing or, even worse, taking the time-consuming task of calling to get quotes for an affordable maid service to clean your residence.
Luckily, if you have chosen to reside within a Venterra property, our CLEANMOVE initiative allows you to sit back and relax once everything is all packed up and ready to go! CLEANMOVE, a new addition to our move-out process, guarantees that our team handles the following*:
- wiping down of surfaces and appliances
- cleaning fans, vents or baseboards
- vacuuming carpets or mopping
Not only will CLEANMOVE save you the energy of cleaning, according to the average price of a maid service plus added gratuity, you can save upwards of 22% through CLEANMOVE.
“I love CLEANMOVE! I’m a single mom, and my recent move was very stressful for me. Going back to clean was the last thing I wanted to do. I love knowing that my Apartment at Ventana will be just as clean as when I moved in 4 years ago with little effort required.” Johnna, Ventana San Antonio Resident 2016 – 2020
At the end of a long moving day, the CLEANMOVE process helps you save time so that you can focus on the next phase of your life… and clean less!
*CLEANMOVE does not cover: apartment damages, furniture or trash left behind, odor or pet treatment, paint pro-rate charges or sheetrock repair, or any heavy cleaning.
Consider a Venterra property for your next home
It is clear that the moving in and moving out processes are not something that can necessarily be avoided; however, they can always be improved. Venterra Realty is dedicated to making the process as seamless as possible, and even provides a 30-Day Live It. Love It. Guarantee™ which provides new residents the option to move out if they aren’t completely satisfied with their apartment for any reason.
If you’re in the midst of looking for a new apartment property, consider browsing through one of Venterra’s communities located in 15 cities across the U.S. and contact us if you have any questions on the move-in or move-out process.
What’s New at Silverbrooke Apartments This Fall
Starting this fall, in Stafford, Texas, we’re ready to pre-lease Silverbrooke Community’s newly-built apartments. These luxury apartments offer some of the best living spaces in Texas, and have access to a wide range of amenities and extras to enjoy.
Let’s take a look at all the features that make our Silverbrooke apartments so attractive.
48 New Apartments Now Leasing at Silverbrooke in Stafford, Texas
There are more than 48 new units available, which range from 750 to 1,113 square feet, and offering 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 1-bedroom with office options.
Apartment Features
These are some of the best features we have to offer:
- New construction. Be the first to live in this luxury apartment.
- Full sized washer and dryer. You’ll have exclusive access to an onsite washer and dryer, so you won’t have to fight with anyone to get your laundry done.
- Grey Quartz countertops. This touch of luxury in your kitchen will make you feel like you’re living in the future.
- Outdoor storage options. If your apartment doesn’t offer enough room to store all your belongings, we’ll have you covered.
- A beautiful view. Many of our apartments overlook the courtyard and/or the pool, giving you a peaceful view whenever you want it.
- Wood plank vinyl flooring. Easy to clean and offering a beautiful modern style, our wood plank vinyl flooring is found in the kitchen and throughout the apartment.
- Garden Tub. Enjoy a relaxing bath.
- Patios. Enjoy some company with a large patio, or just hang out with the family.
- Walk-in closet. If you’ve ever wanted more closet space, you’ll surely enjoy our full-sized walk-in closet.
- A private yard. Enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends.**
- White Shaker-Style cabinets. Store your belongings in some of the nicest cabinetry you’ll see.
- Breakfast bars. Enjoy a meal or some conversation with your favorite people.
- SMARTHOME technology. Our apartments come equipped with a variety of smart home features, including smart lock, smart thermostats, and smart outlet—all of which can be remotely controlled from your mobile device.
Community Features
Of course, the Silverbrooke Community is about more than the individual apartments that make up this neighborhood. Part of the draw is the ability to regularly see and interact with your neighbors. Socialize and enjoy the benefits of the community, such as our:
- Business center, where you can get some important work done and network with others.
- Coffee bar, where you can grab some complimentary coffee as a resident.
- Luxury parking, where you can guarantee yourself a covered, reserved space.
- Fitness center, where you can stay in shape and meet other people pursuing the same goals.
- Social space, where you can walk around outside and meet new people.
- Billiards hall, where you can explore your competitive side.
- Spa, where you can unwind from a tough day or destress.
- Swimming pool, where you and the kids can cool off in the summer. There’s even a poolside grilling area so you can make food.
- Resident lounge, where you can relax and meet some of your neighbors.
Additional Community Support
The Silverbrooke Community also offers a variety of extra services and support to its residents, including:
- Emergency maintenance, available 24/7, so we can issue a fix as quickly as possible.
- Package delivery services, so you never have to worry about a stolen package.
- Pet acceptance, so you can have up to 3 pets onsite.
- Mobile rent and account management, allowing you to make payments, issue maintenance requests, and manage your account with the convenience of your smartphone.
- A DVD library, so you’ll never run out of things to watch.
- A car care station, keeping your car in the best possible shape.
Surrounding Options
There are also lots of places to enjoy in your nearby surroundings. For starters, Silverbrooke residents will have the option to attend a highly regarded Fort Bend ISD school; there’s a bus pick-up and drop-off area in front of the community.
There are also dozens of premier shopping, dining, and entertainment options throughout Stafford and its surrounding neighborhood. In Silverbrooke, you’re just a few minutes of driving away from all the action.
Prices
Moving sooner than later? You’ll love our traditional 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom apartments, in a variety of different styles and layouts, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Our 1-bedroom apartments start at $869 per month, with 2-bedrooms starting at $1,139 per month.* Check out our current pricing and availability to find your perfect home.
Are you interested in learning more about the Silverbrooke Community? Or are you ready to take a guided tour? Schedule a self-guided, virtual, or in-person tour today!
*Prices are subject to change
** Select apartments
How to use Venterra’s Touchless Package Management
It’s no surprise that package deliveries have increased with more people working remotely and children attending school from home. Managing online shopping and package deliveries efficiently has resulted in the need of a more seamless and safe experience.
As the pandemic shifts the multifamily industry and how we offer amenities, there have been some unique opportunities to provide innovative and seamless ways to provide package management services. Venterra’s SMARTPACKAGE lockers now offer a safer and easier way for residents to retrieve their packages with a touch-less experience.
There are two contact-free package pick-up methods available to properties with our SMARTPACKAGE lockers:
- Barcode: Scan the barcode included in your delivery notification (email or text) to open the locker door without having to use the touchscreen.
- Mobile App: Download the Parcel Pending mobile app (available for download on the App Store or Google Play Store). By scanning the barcode or pushing the button in the app notification, the locker door will open without having to use the touchscreen.
Celebrating Venterra’s Healthcare Heroes
Venterra Realty, a property management company that owns and operates 60 apartment communities in the US, is home to over 5,000 Healthcare Heroes. Whether a doctor, nurse, EMT or pharmacist, medical professionals have risen to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their contributions to keeping us safe have not gone unnoticed. As we navigate the difficulties and stressors the pandemic has plunged upon us all, we are so grateful for the sacrifices Healthcare Heroes are making and, as an organization, we want to say Thank You!
To support medical professionals needing to move, we waived deposits for new leases with approved credit in June. Now, we are celebrating our current Venterra residents in the medical field by sharing their stories, providing residents with honorary “Health Care Hero” t-shirts, and offering over $50,000 in gift cards as our way of simply saying, Thank You.
Online Reputation Specialist, Johnna Bacak said, “When we asked our residents to nominate a Healthcare Hero within their community, I never expected we would get over 500 submissions. Each nomination was full of intimate details about the Healthcare Hero, and I was humbled after reading each submission. I felt such a connection with them!”
According to Johnna, “Some of my favorite nominations were spouses nominating each other, expressing their love and gratitude. One of my favorites is Juan, from Northbridge in Orlando, Florida, nominating his wife, Nicole. He said, ‘Nicole an amazing and caring human being. She started her career as a medical assistant, and now she is pursuing her physician assistant masters. She is devoted to helping others and I am proud of her for that. She is passionate about her job, and it reflects in her personal life. I am proud to call her my wife. She looks just as good in her scrubs as she did in her wedding dress.’”
Here are some of our other favorite stories.
Paramedics, nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, hospice caretakers: we are so privileged that these Healthcare Heroes call our communities home and we are honored to surprise them with special Healthcare Hero t-shirts and gift cards! Check out some of their pictures below.
Looking for a way to thank the medical professionals in your community? Here are some great ideas to consider!
Looking for a great place to live amongst heroes? Visit us at Venterraliving.com.
Convenient Self-Guided Apartment Tours and Contactless Move-In Experience
Self-guided apartment tours available at Venterra communities.
While some restrictions are being lifted as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we understand it can still be unsettling to be in public, while being respectful of social distancing orders. This fear may cause people to postpone major life decisions, including moving into a new apartment home. Now more than ever, it’s imperative to embrace technology in order to offer a wider variety of convenient touring options, including self-guided apartment tours.
At Venterra, we have you covered. We’re excited to now offer a no-contact, self-guided apartment tour option at many of our communities. Future residents can now use their smart devices to schedule and perform tours of our available apartment homes.
We are also taking extra steps to ensure your safety and the safety of our employees and residents at our apartment communities. Aside from implementing enhanced cleaning protocols, we are using LAST™, a hospital grade disinfectant and antimicrobial coating on our hard surfaces, providing an extra layer of protection for up to 30 days.
If you aren’t interested in a self–guided tour, we are also offering in-person tours with our award-winning customer experience leaders by appointment.
Here’s How to Schedule Your Self-Guided Tour
- Visit Venterraliving.com & select a property
- Select the apartment that you are interested in, and click on Schedule a Tour
- Choose your Guided-Tour option
- You’ll receive a link to complete verification and confirm scheduling details
Once you take a tour and choose an apartment that you have fallen in love with, don’t forget to take advantage of SMARTMOVE, our contact-free way to gain access to and move into your new apartment. Ask your Better Living Consultant for details.
Venterra Realty applies LAST™ advanced disinfectant at communities
As apartment community managers reassess cleaning protocols to ensure the health and safety of our residents, the adaptation of intensive disinfecting and cleaning methods remains a high priority. With a strong focus on high-touch surfaces in common areas, such as door handles, mailboxes, desks, vending machines, and more, anything that gets touched frequently in common areas is a prime candidate for disinfecting.
Venterra Realty uses LAST™ from Dis.In.Fx. LAST™ to aid in protection from COVID-19 in common areas and apartment amenities. Going beyond our gold standard of cleanliness, applying LAST™ disinfects hard surfaces and provides protection for up to 90 days.
Venterra is now offering LAST™ treatments to our residents at specific communities. Sign up for your LAST™ treatment on the Venterra SMARTHUB.
Sign Up for LAST™
See our teams in action!
“93% of residents would prefer their new unit to be sanitized when they move in.” “90% of residents would feel safer knowing that common areas and amenities are regularly sanitized by a certified company with approved equipment and chemicals.”
– RentReady.com
At Venterra, we have applied LAST™ disinfectant at our properties in the following cities:
Georgia – Alpharetta, Atlanta, Newnan, Peachtree City, Canton
Florida – Clearwater, Fleming Island, Jacksonville, Orlando, Orange Park, Tampa, Winter Garden
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Cypress, Richmond, Stafford, Houston, The Woodlands, Humble, Kingwood, Katy, La Porte, League City, Pearland, Pasadena, Fort Worth, Dallas, North Richmond Hills, The Colony
Tennessee – Nashville
North Carolina – Cary
Dis.In.Fx. have served the following clients: San Antonio Spurs; Dallas Cowboys; Houston Texans; various Day Care Services; Various Schools Districts; Various Fitness Centers; Various Medical Facilities and US Military Training Centers. To learn more about Dis.In.Fx. and their disinfectant visit their website or see the below testimonials on how LAST™ works.
Testimonials:
Residents Cash Out on Venterra’s $10K Giveaway
Almost 4,000 residents recently participated in Venterra’s $10K Giveaway, earning them a spot in the drawing for $1,000 in rent credit. Ten lucky residents were selected and thrilled by the news that rent would be one less thing to worry about in the month ahead.
To be eligible, residents were to set up Auto-Pay via the resident portal and successfully pay their rent by June 3. The resident portal, known as the Venterra SMARTHUB™, puts everything residents need at their fingertips. Residents can pay rent, submit maintenance requests, voice concerns, and stay updated all in one central location. It’s free and easy for residents to join and set up a recurring or one-time payment.
With Venterra’s leasing offices temporarily closed or on reduced staff due to the Coronavirus pandemic, paying online provides residents a safe, contact-free way to pay rent. Although many of our leasing offices have since opened, The Venterra SMARTHUB™ remains the fastest and most convenient way to pay.
The giveaway contest began June 1, 2020 and ran through midnight June 3, 2020. Residents who were already set up on Auto–Pay through The Venterra SMARTHUB™ were automatically entered into the contest. Our Regional Managers were also on standby to assist residents with signing up for Auto-Pay.
Stephanie Burns, an eight-year veteran at Venterra, has a reputation for WOWing residents through Venterra’s WOW Matters program where “We care more. We listen better.” is a way of life. With Venterra’s WOW Matters program, Experience Leaders know how to listen for even the unspoken needs of residents and will go out of their way to personalize their experiences at Venterra.
“I’m so surprised and shocked but happy.” Jonathan at Cobblestone (Fleming Island, FL)
“WOW! That is such great news!” Siva at Estancia at Morningstar (The Colony, TX)
The drawing for the winners of the giveaway took place on Friday, June 3. Winners were publicly announced on Venterra’s Facebook page as well as all 60 community pages on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Venterra continues to look for ways to support and encourage residents and looks forward to coming up with more creative ideas for future resident contests soon!
Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austin, Canton, Cary, Clearwater, Cypress, Dallas, Fleming Island, Flowery Branch, Fort Worth, Houston, Humble, Jacksonville, Katy, Kingwood, La Porte, League City, Louisville, Nashville, Newnan, Orange Park, Orlando, Pasadena, Peachtree City, Pearland, Richmond, San Antonio, Stafford, Tampa, The Colony, The Woodlands, Webster, Winter Garden
Hey Houston, Need Movers?
Great local Houston moving companies
As many companies close or shift to remote environments amid the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many businesses who continue to operate and provide essential local mover services to customers. Housing is very much an essential need, and we understand that moving during this time can be stressful. No need to worry! Here are a few of the most trusted local Houston moving companies, available to help those looking to relocate.
150 Movers is an affordable, licensed and insured, local moving company option, servicing customers in the greater Houston, Texas area and offering competitive rates. They are currently open and operating as an essential business ready to help you and your family safely move your belongings into your new home.
150 Movers offer the following Houston moving services:
- Apartment/House Relocation
- Deliveries
- Loading Crews
- And More!
About Houston:
Houston is a large metropolis in Texas, extending to Galveston Bay. It’s closely linked with the Space Center Houston and the coastal visitor center at NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, with 19th-century architecture and upscale restaurants. This sprawling metropolis hosts several neighborhoods catering to a variety of interests.
Nearby Neighborhoods:
Katy,League City, Kingwood, Pasadena,
Webster, Stafford, The Woodlands, Pearland,
Richmond, Humble, Cypress,
La Porte, Humble
Some Tips for moving to Houston:
- Check with the CDC or local health department to learn about any restrictions, curfews or guidelines during Coronavirus COVID-19.
- Houston is a diverse city that is growing quickly
- You will need a car and commutes can be long
- There is an abundance of restaurants and food choices
- Summers are hot, but there are plenty of water attractions to cool you down
- Learn more about Houston’s growing economy and living stats here.
Midtown Houston is the Place to Be
Midtown Houston Apartments
Midtown is becoming one of the trendiest and ever growing areas in Houston. Sandwiched between Downtown Houston and the hipster neighborhood of Montrose, Midtown Houston creates an urban vibe that’s sustainable, walkable to many restaurants, parks, and in the heart of a thriving arts and entertainment scene. And with a 50% increase in growth since 2012 (according to Midtown Houston), it continues to attract new residents and visitors. And since it’s one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Houston, it makes sense why people are flocking here.
Here are some of the top reasons people choose Midtown:
- Walkable
- Bikeable
- Excellent Transit Options
- Awesome Restaurants & Bars
- Entertainment
- Modern Apartment Communities
Walkable
When people think of Houston or Dallas, the term Concrete Jungle often comes to mind. These cities are commuter cities and often require a vehicle to get around. Public transit is an option, but you can spend half your day in the car depending on where you’re going. The best part about Midtown Houston is that it’s very walkable. According to Walkscore.com, most errands can be accomplished by foot in Midtown. With a walkscore of 86/100, you’re close to great restaurants, parks, gyms, and stores. This sets Midtown apart from many neighborhoods in Houston. Grab your Fitbit, and enjoy how many steps you’ll get in each day!
PRO TIP: Calais Midtown is within walking distance of many awesome restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and even the Light Rail. Save some gas and instead set off on foot.
Bikeable
If you enjoy biking or wish to go somewhere a little farther than walking distance, Midtown is very bike friendly. In fact many people will rent a shared bike or grab their own and hop on over to Montrose area, which is another cool eclectic neighborhood in Houston. According to Visit Houston, the area’s street grid, historic districts, and eclectic architecture make it a fun (and easy) place to peruse by bike. And if you make it to Montrose or another neighborhood and don’t feel like biking back, simply grab your bike and head to the B-Station to ride the light rail back.
PRO TIP: Grab your bike and ride over to Baldwin Park or Discovery Green for some nice relaxing green space.
Excellent Transit Options
When you don’t feel like walking, biking, driving, or getting a ride share, Midtown has many transit options to choose from. With more than 28 bus route options and a light rail, you can get to Downtown, Montrose, Uptown and other neighborhoods in 30 minutes or less. The METROrail is the light rail option in Midtown. With access to 3 different lines, you can get to where you go with little fuss and cost.
PRO TIP: Calais Midtown is only a 10 minute walk from the Ensemble HCC or McGowen METROrail stops.
Awesome Restaurants and Bars
Midtown is home to nearly 216 different restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. And according to Walkscore, people in Midtown can walk to an average of 10 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in 5 minutes. Whether you’re looking for waffles, tacos, burgers, or Vietnamese cuisine, Midtown has no shortage of options to ignite your palette.
PRO TIP: Calais Midtown is close to some of the best restaurants in Midtown. Enjoy being right across the street from JINYA Ramen Bar, Brennan’s, Maple Leaf Pub, and Gaslamp Gastropub.
Entertainment
Midtown is home to an array of entertainment options. Enjoy live music at The Continental Club, check out a show at The Ensemble Theatre, or enjoy some comedy routines at Howl at the Moon. There are also a variety of museums to spend a rainy afternoon. You can also test your detective skills and enjoy an outing to the Escape Room.
PRO TIP: Calais Midtown is within 10 minutes of all of these entertainment venues.
Modern Apartment Communities
So you’ve had some time to scope out Midtown and you’re ready to call it home. Awesome! You’ve picked the right neighborhood. Midtown has more than 200 apartment communities to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a luxe high rise or mid rise apartment or something a little more vintage and seasoned, Midtown has an impressive selection to choose from for your next home.
PRO TIP: Don’t feel like spending hours on end looking? Look no further than Calais Midtown. Calais Midtown is a mid rise that offers one, two, and three bedroom apartment homes with full size washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, city views, upscale interiors, and more. Community features of Calais Midtown include garage parking, a resident pavilion, a dog park where you can host up to 3 dogs, fitness center, SMARTPACKAGE Lockers for storing your packages when they arrive, swimming pool, fitness center, and more.
And the best part about living at Calais Midtown is that is part of the Venterra Realty family. 100% of Venterra’s apartment communities are Top Rated on ApartmentRatings.com, and Calais Midtown is high above the city score!