Walden Pond Apartment Homes Blog

Even though gas prices have fallen before Memorial Day in the Lynchburg area, prices are still too high for all the summer driving we do. One of the biggest challenges drivers who live in apartments in Lynchburg, VA face each summer is maximizing fuel mileage.  Good driving habits and basic car maintenance will help get you better gas mileage all summer long.

Spend less time at the pump by following these fuel saving tips:

1) Have your air filter changed regularly: Your engine needs to breathe to create maximum power and efficiency. Usually you should replace your air filter every 7,500 miles.

2) Proper tire pressure: Tire pressure has a huge influence on fuel economy.  Required tire pressure is written on the tire, and on the drivers’ side door post. Check the pressure on all four tires weekly. Tires that are under inflated create dramatically more rolling resistance.

3) Use synthetic oil at your next oil change: Synthetic oil reduces internal engine friction, lubricates better, and reduces engine operating temperatures, all creating a more efficient power process and helping with fuel mileage
4) Minimize idling, you’re getting zero mpg.

5) Reduce the weight of your car by eliminating excess cargo, such as extra tires, equipment, bike or ski racks; this saves gas. For every 200 pounds of extra weight in a vehicle, fuel mileage is reduced by approximately one mile per gallon.
 
6) Keep fuel injectors clean by using an injector cleaner once or twice a year. Add injector cleaner to the fuel tank a few times each year.

Anything that impedes the movement of the vehicle costs you fuel economy. Going easy on the accelerator and turning off the air conditioner can be worth an extra 1-2 miles per gallon.

Tips from Business Wire

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, the summer spirit begins to kick in. If you haven’t grilled out yet, this surely is the weekend to start.  This week, Walden Pond, apartments in Lynchburg, VA, is going to give you ideas and tips on the all-American hamburger.

Today, ground turkey and ground chicken are perfect for lower fat burgers. And certainly, veggie burgers (a combination of ground vegetables, beans and bulgur or rice) have prided a lower fat and meat-free option.

For beef burgers, a few simple suggestions provide the best results. Most experts agree that adding to the meat itself detracts from the flavor of a good burger. Rather, use toppings to get creative. For the best results see the following tips:

• Buy 85-90% fat free meat for optimal taste. For each 6-ounce burger, one pinch of kosher salt should be mixed into the patty.
• Preparation on a grill (or in a grill pan) at medium heat will give you the perfect charred grill marks.
• Don’t constantly flip and press them with a spatula.  5 minutes on each side results in a medium-well (slightly pink) burger, so go from there based on what temperature you enjoy.
• If you want to get creative, toppings and bread choice can really set you apart. Burgers go to a whole new level when served on focaccia bread, a flavored bagel, Portuguese sweet rolls or a toasted multi-grain English muffin.

  And for toppings, the possibilities endless. Here are a few ideas:

• Asian Burger: For the last minute or two of grilling, brush the burger with Asian sauce like 3T hoison sauce/ 1T soy sauce with a pinch of ginger.
• Italian Burger: tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella.
• BBQ Burger:BBQ Sauc, cheddar and cold slaw.
California Burger: Guacamole, sliced tomatoes, and sprouts.
• Mexican Burger: 2T of salsa and a slice of pepper jack cheese, refried beans and shredded lettuce.
• Bacon Cheddar Burger: add cheddar cheese, and thick sliced smoked bacon.
• Black & Bleu Burger: Burger with, black pepper and bleu cheese.
• Brie Burger: Brie warmed and placed over granny smith apples with a hint of honey mustard.

Enjoy a great holiday weekend from Walden Pond Apartments.

In the American mind, renting has long symbolized striving rather than achieving. But as we climb our way out of the Great Recession, it seems something has changed. Americans are getting over the idea of owning the American dream; increasingly, they're OK with renting it.

Homeownership is on the decline, and renting is on the rise. But the trend isn't limited to the housing market. Across the board, Americans are increasingly acclimating to the idea of giving up the stability of being an owner for the flexibility of being a renter. This may sound like a decline in living standards. But the new realities of our increasingly mobile economy make it more likely that this transition from an Ownership Society to a Rentership Society.

The unsentimental fact about the American dream is that Americans never really owned it in the first place. For the past three decades, especially, consumers haven't so much bought their quality of life as they've borrowed it from banks and credit card companies.

Now consumers are following the example of corporations, becoming more efficient. And it starts at home.

Housing is the biggest single component of consumption in the U.S. economy and the source of much of our present misery. The typical consumer spends about 32% of his or her budget on shelter. In the last decade, that generally meant borrowing a lot of money to take "ownership" of a home.

During the boom, the homeownership rate grew steadily, peaking at a record 69% in 2006.

Ownership-boosters failed to note that homes purchased in 2005 and 2006 with no-money-down, interest-only mortgages weren't really bought. They were simply rented until the "owner" flipped them or walked away from the mortgage.

In the post-bust climate, renting has emerged as a much more economically efficient way to pay for housing. A one-year lease represents a far less onerous financial obligation than a 30-year mortgage. It's difficult to get into too much financial trouble as a renter. The homeownership rate has fallen from its peak in 2006 to 65.4% today.

For an increasing number of Americans it makes more sense to rent. According to Moody's, by late 2011 it was cheaper to rent than to own in 72% of American metropolitan areas, (such as Lynchburg) up from 54% a decade ago. And the more people who do it, the more socially acceptable and desirable it becomes. The decline in the ownership rate means that about three million more households rent today than did at the height of the bubble.

It's tempting to view the rise of renting as an economic step backward. But many would argue the rise of renting is a sign of a system adapting to new realities.

The U.S. economy needs the dynamism that renting enables as much as, or more than, it needs the stability that ownership engenders.

And the rising popularity of renting an apartment is hardly contained to the housing market.

Finally, perhaps, Americans are absorbing a piece of wisdom from Thoreau: "And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him."

For information on renting an Apartment in Lynchburg, contact Walden Pond Apartments.

Wall Street Journal

Low mortgage rates and more affordable home prices in the Lynchburg area are creating an interest in homeownership by those who live in apartments. However, potential buyers who are unprepared for the true cost of owning a home may be shocked by the bite home ownership can take out of their wallet in addition to their mortgage payments.

Inspection and Appraisal Fees
Before you purchase a home you need to pay for a home inspection, and an appraisal, possible even inspections for pests or radon. The costs of these inspections are borne by buyers and are a necessary protection to avoid buying a flawed property or paying too much.

Closing Costs
Buyers need to be prepared with the cash for anywhere from 2% to 4% of the mortgage balance depending on your area.

Taxes
As a homeowner, you'll need to pay property taxes, which are generally part of the escrow you pay into each month. Remember, even if you have a fixed-rate home loan, your property taxes could go up and increase your monthly housing costs.

Insurance
Your lender will require home insurance, the cost of which depends on factors including the construction materials of your home and the location. Even if you have renter's insurance, you'll find that home insurance costs more because you are paying for the ability to rebuild your home in addition to replacing your personal possessions. Insurance costs will rise over time, and you will need supplemental insurance if you live in a flood zone.

HOA and Condo Fees
If you buy a home within a homeowners' association or a condominium association, you'll be required to pay a monthly or quarterly fee. These fees can rise, or your association may need to charge a special assessment for projects such as repaving the parking lot or repairing a roof.

Utility Bills
Depending on where you live, your costs for electricity, gas and water could be higher when you move into your own home than when you live in an apartment in Lynchburg, VA. You may also need to pay for garbage collection along with your Internet, cable and phone bill.

Furniture
While this is essentially a discretionary expense, most people who move from an apartment to a larger home need to buy at least some new furniture.

Lawn Care
Whether you handle your yard work yourself or hire a professional, you will have to pay something to keep your landscaping in check. Lawn equipment can be costly and you may need a leaf blower and other yard tools, too.

Maintenance
Home maintenance costs time and money. While you may be able to change your furnace filters, clean your gutters and keep your appliances running smoothly yourself, you may also need to hire a contractor to clean and inspect your chimney and to keep your heating and air conditioning system in top shape.

Repairs
While maintenance tasks can be predictable, the most costly part of home ownership typically comes with unexpected repairs such as replacing or repairing the roof, removing a tree, or paying for mold mitigation in a damp basement. The list of possibilities is endless, so homeowners should set aside savings for an emergency. Experts suggest budgeting for 1% or 2% of your mortgage balance as a yearly maintenance and repair fund.

The Bottom Line
Buying a home costs more than you think. If you don’t expect to stay in your home for at least seven to 10 years, contact Walden Pond Apartment Homes.

SF Gate

Everyone has heard about having a window herb garden. There is nothing more delicious than fresh rosemary, basil and parsley in your home cooked recipes. Bright and airy apartments in Lynchburg, VA are the perfect place to set up your own little garden inside. Not only will you have fresh ingredients, but you will bring light and cheer to your home.

While any herb is easy to grow indoors, you don’t have to stop with herbs. Did you know there are several vegetables that are easy to grow indoors or in containers too? Leaf lettuces such as Boston and Bibb are very easy to grow from seed in a small window box.  Spinach and Kale work well also. You can pick off the leaves as you need them and enjoy a fresh salad at lunch or dinner.

Vegetables like tomatoes can be grown inside as well.  Cherry tomatoes are best but you can grow any size tomato. The larger tomato plants do need a larger pot with more soil, but the rewards are worth it for a nice, fresh tomato in your sandwich. Give tomatoes a spot in your apartment home that gets about 6-8 hours of light and the soil should remain moist.

Believe it or not, green beans and peppers are also great plants for indoor gardening. They both have lots of beautiful foliage and it is fun to watch the initial flowers turn into edible veggies. Be creative with your indoor garden, and give it a try. Add a burst of color and life to your apartment home and enjoy picking and eating fresh herbs and vegetables.

As you know, Walden Pond, an apartments in Lynchburg is a pet friendly apartment community. We love our resident dogs and we want you to have a great dog park.

May is going to be a busy month for dog lovers in Lynchburg. The city is going to once again participate in the Bark for Your Park contest, in which money is awarded to the city with the most votes.

That money will go toward funding a dog park.

The Friends of the Lynchburg Dog Park will be busy putting up a fence in what will be the new dog park, so they are asking a group in the community to head up the efforts for that competition.

You can also get your picture taken with your pet on May 6 at the Blackwater Creek Athletic Area.

WSET

Having renter’s insurance can be very helpful if ever a situation arises where you would need to replace or repair your belongings in your  apartment in Lynchburg, VA. Here are a few basics about the benefits of purchasing renter’s insurance.

It’s affordable - The National Association of Insurance Commissioners estimates the average monthly cost of renter’s insurance between $15 and $30, or about $200 to $350 annually.
 
You may want to add more coverage - Many policies don’t cover damage caused by natural disasters, such as floods or tornadoes. When you’re shopping for a policy, see what conditions might be excluded. You might choose to pay more to add additional coverage. You may also want to pay more to ensure your expenses are covered if you had to move out of your apartment while repairs were being made.

Your landlord’s insurance isn’t enough - Any insurance held by the company owning your apartment community will cover the building itself, not the possessions within it. So if something happens to your apartment, you won’t be able to make a claim for your damaged goods if you don’t have your own policy.

Coverage when you are not home - Depending on your policy, you might be able to make a claim if insurance-covered items get stolen out of your car. If this is the type of protection you want, be sure you have it when shopping for renter’s insurance.

All your possessions will be insured - Instead of listing individual items, you’ll be insured for a lump sum. Because of this, it may be a good idea to update the value insured on your policy when you make significant new purchases. For a higher premium, you may also be able to choose insurance which covers actual replacement cost. Consider this option based on the potential cost of replacing your most expensive and valuable possessions.

Renter’s insurance covers more than just your belongings - If someone trips and falls in your apartment, renter’s insurance will provide coverage of your potential liability. Even if you don’t have much stuff to insure, liability coverage may be reason enough to consider renter’s insurance.

Moving Today

When you moved into your apartment in Lynchburg, VA, it took you some time to adjust. You had to get familiar with the space, the city, and your new neighbors. And just like you, your pet needs time to become accustomed to a new home and the new faces all around too.
 
If you’ve just moved into a new apartment with your pet, using your pet's favorite food bowl, bedding and toys will help in getting your pet to feel at home. If your pet will have free-roam of your apartment, let him/her come out of the cage or crate whenever possible by leaving the crate open.

Try to keep your pets routine as normal as possible during as much of the move as possible. If you regularly feed, exercise or play with your pet at certain times, continue to do so while you are moving. This may help reduce the chances of your pet getting upset or stressed out.

Hopefully you have been able to get a recommendation for a veterinarian in your new location from your previous vet. If not, and you have any other questions; feel free to ask us at Walden Pond Apartments. We are a pet-friendly apartment community.

When spring arrives people start to feel good. Homeowners and those who live in apartments in Lynchburg, VA find themselves doing spring cleaning. Why? Spring is a time for rebirth and regeneration for ourselves, our homes and the outdoors.

Flowers and plants in indoor gardening and outdoor landscaping are now more common parts of our everyday lives. With fresh cut tulips or other flowers we can bring fun and color into our homes. By bringing flowers and plants into your home, you can change the interior look of your home, make your balcony into a retreat or turn your bathroom into a spa.
 
Make your own arrangement.  Choose a few bunches in different shades of the same color or flowers with lots of contrast. Display your bouquet in a decorative or interesting container like a mason jar or pretty teapot.

Flowers aren’t the only way to add color to your home. Vegetables and herbs are beautiful too being able to eat what you grow is very rewarding and fun.
 
Plants and flowers have something for everyone. Flowers give us a “feel good” feeling that is nice when we come home from a long and busy day.

You have probably heard by now that gas prices will be going up and as we approach summer and they are expected to reach $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Lynchburg, VA and you like visit the Blue Ridge Mountains on your summer weekends, gas mileage is very important.

You can improve your car’s gas mileage. If you do them all, you can increase your gas mileage by 50%. When you bought your car you had a specified number of miles per gallon, but you may not be seeing that mileage today. Why?

Do not neglect regular car maintenance.  If it has been awhile since you have had a tune up on your car, schedule one! Be sure to keep up on your car’s regular maintenance. Regularly maintained cars get the best gas mileage. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Check your tire air pressure. Your tires can directly affect your gas mileage. As the temperature changes, so does the pressure in your tires. Regularly check that your tires have the required PSI. When the pressure in your tires is too low, your tires no longer work efficiently, they work like water balloons. With too much surface on the road, there is too much friction causing your car to work harder. Your gas mileage can be dramatically affected by poor tire pressure.

Believe it or not, changing your driving habits can affect your gas mileage. The way you drive affects how much gas you burn. Not planning to stop, revving up and slowing down and driving over the speed limit all use too much gas.  By changing your behavior behind the wheel, you can increase the gas mileage in your car.

Enjoy the ride, and keep money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.