We recently published a blog with a list of 35 Things to do While Staying Home. Here’s a more detailed piece on 10 non-work-related ways to be productive during this extended time at home:

1. Trying New Meals. Since we're dramatically reducing how often we go out, this is a perfect time to try new meals at home. Experts are encouraging us to limit our trips to the grocery store, so make a detailed list of all the new foods you want to try and pick them all up in a single trip. Once you've got all the ingredients you need, create a fun menu for the week, and plan out which meals you're going to try each day. Consider printing out the recipes and writing notes on ithem about what you liked, what you didn't, and whether or not you'd make it again. Who knows? You may discover a new favorite meal! 
2. Organizing. Many of us have the best intentions when it comes to getting rid of clutter and organizing our home, but we can never seem to find the time to make it a priority. Now we have the time, and you'll be surprised at how refreshed you’ll feel when you finally get rid of the clutter in your space. Tackle a small space first, like a linen closet or under the bathroom sink. You'll be able to see the difference immediately, it won't take a lot of time, and it'll help you get excited about tackling other projects. Some helpful guidelines for getting rid of clutter include:

3. Cleaning. Having everyone at home means more dishes, more clutter, and more mess. Use this time at home to put together a cleaning routine and perhaps a chart to split the duties to help you stay on top of the mess. When you do these things each week, they become much less daunting. A clean home will make you feel calmer and more relaxed.
4. Learning a New Skill. Since we can't go out with our friends, and we're spending a lot more time at home, we have the perfect opportunity to try something new. Is there a talent or skill you've always wanted to try but never made a priority? With infinite information at your fingertips (aka the Internet), you can search for how-to videos for almost any skill or talent you want to learn. This is an excellent way to break up the monotony of the day, keep your brain active, and can help give you a sense of accomplishment and control when the circumstances surrounding you feel uncertain. 
5. Starting a Workout Routine. It can be tempting to sit back and binge-watch your favorite shows during this time at home, and doing that occasionally is perfectly fine. At the same time, it’s also wise to find ways to stay active and include some kid of intentional movement into our days. If you usually go to the gym, it’s time to find ways to get your workout in at home. Going for walks and runs is still okay as long as we’re practicing social distancing, and many virtual fitness companies are unlocking workout videos for trial periods so people can work up a sweat in their living rooms. Start a yoga routine if you are looking for a low-impact way to challenge your body and your mind. There are lots of guided yoga sessions on YouTube, so start experimenting with them and see which ones work for you.
6. Creating A New Budget. Income and expenses are some of the biggest concerns people have right now during this extended time at home. Many people are out of work, but still have to find a way to pay their rents and mortgages and other utilities. It may be scary, but sit down and take a good look at your finances. Where could you cut spending? Are you paying for a monthly membership to something you could put on hold? Most of us are adjusting to a “new normal” when it comes to our finances. If needed, reach out and contact the organizations you do business with to learn about ways they are helping their customers out during this crisis. You might be pleasantly surprised at their willingness to help.  
7. Reading. Another way to stay productive during this time at home is to read. Reading fiction can help you escape into a new reality, and non-fiction can open up your mind to people and places you want to learn more about. If you don't have a physical book (and it may be hard to get one since most libraries and books stores are closed), there are plenty of great audiobooks you can listen to. Podcasts are another way to expand your mind and learn something new, and you can listen while doing many of the things we mentioned above.
8. Waking Up Early. While it can be tempting to hit the snooze button if you don't have to go into work, it is recommended to still wake up at a decent time to get started on your day. If you are a parent with kids at home, consider waking up 30-60 minutes before your kids to have time for yourself. You can use this time to get a load of laundry folded, do some picking up around the apartment, check emails, or just have quiet time for yourself. Staying on a routine will help you feel more in control during these next few weeks, and can help you stay productive and on track. 
9. Spending Time on Your Taxes. This is another option that, while not the most exciting, can help you set yourself up for success in the coming weeks. Since the tax deadline has been extended, there’s no huge rush to get everything together and turned in by mid-April. However, this extension gives you the time to go over your taxes a little each day instead of trying to do it all at the last minute.  
10. Focusing on Self-Care. This is an unprecedented time. Many people are struggling with anxiety and lack of control in an uncertain time. Self-care can help us relax and recharge. Taking long naps, reading a good book, luxuriating during a long bath, or having a great conversation with a good friend may not "feel" productive, but they can all be good for your mental health. It’s okay to focus on your mental health and emotional well-being during this time and spend time doing nothing if that helps you feel better. We’re all doing what we can to get through this.  

Social distancing doesn't mean we aren't in this together. This chaotic time around the world may make us feel isolated, but it’s essential to remember that you aren't alone. Although we don't know exactly when things will be back to normal, consider doing some of the things above to stay productive at home during this challenging time. 

What Weidner Is Doing to Help 
At Weidner Apartment Homes, we’re going above and beyond minimum requirements to keep all of our communities clean and sanitized. We are thinking about our residents and hope this blog helps everyone to find safe, healthy and productive ways to stay busy until we can hang out together again!

What are you to stay productive at home? Share your ideas below.  

The post 10 Creative (And Non-Work Related) Ways to Be Productive at Home appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

First of all, congratulations on all the hard work it takes to become poised and ready to go out on your own and find your first apartment! This is a big moment. Celebrate!

Finding your first apartment home can feel like a daunting task, so we thought we’d put together some basic tips on how to land and love your first apartment.

• Review your finances. Before you embark on your apartment search, you must first decide what you can afford in your current budget. Ideally, your income should be approximately three times the amount of your rent. Consider what other larger monthly expense you have including car payments, insurance, credit cards, etc. Once you determine what you can afford to pay in rent, you’ll want to check your credit report. The higher your credit score, the better when it comes to apartment hunting. Be prepared for extra expenses in addition to the first month’s rent including a security deposit, utility deposits, moving expenses, and stocking up your fridge!
• Know what you want. It’s a good idea to make a list of what you want in your first apartment home. Do you want a patio or balcony? Do you want a community with a pool and an on-site fitness center? Do you prefer a washer and dryer in the unit? Are you looking for a studio or a one bedroom apartment? Do you want to cozy up by the fireplace? All these wants and needs go on your list. You should know you might have to make a few compromises, but chances are, if you begin your search with knowing what you want, you’ll get it – or close to everything on your list.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The leasing manager is there to help determine if the apartment they have for rent is a match to what you want, so make sure to ask questions about the apartment, the community, the leasing document, and policies including pets and parking. They probably have some fun tips and information about the neighborhood, too! Leasing managers are a great resource in helping you find your ideal apartment home.
• Decide what neighborhood you want to live in. It makes your search so much easier if you know ahead of time what area of town you want to live in, especially since the apartment listing sites are organized by neighborhood and zip codes. Take into consideration how far your work commute will be, what the public transportation is like, and what’s within walking distance. Search apartment homes that are in alignment with what you like to do and where you spend your time. If you spend a lot of your time on the trail and in parks, see if you can live near your favorite park for at or under your budget. Same thing goes for downtown or your favorite coffee shop.
• Measure your space and furniture. Moving day just got a lot harder if you find out that your brand new couch or your favorite desk doesn’t fit in your new space. Make sure to measure your furniture and your space and plan out where the larger items will go.
• Be prepared to sign the lease and bring these items! Chances are, there will be other people looking at the same vacant apartment you are, so come prepared. Have your identification with you, your printed out credit report (the management company may do their own credit pull, but if you have your report, it’s helpful), your bank information, current pay stubs, and the ability to make a decision on the spot, if need be.

Renting your first apartment home is something you’ll never do again – so enjoy every step of the journey!

-The Weidner Team

The post How to Find and Love Your First Apartment! appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

1. Make a wish list! Make a list of everything you’ve ever wanted in an apartment and don’t be shy. Dreams are free, after all. It’s not dreaming that can get expensive, especially if you settle for an apartment that doesn’t really speak to your needs. Once you’ve made your list, then go through the list and put asterisks next to the deal-breakers. If you must have a built-in microwave, great. Or if an on-site fitness center is your thing, make sure you get it. That way, in the heat of the excitement (and stress) of apartment hunting, you can keep yourself grounded, focused, and on track with your ideal vision.
2. Determine your budget. Don’t be afraid to talk about money – with yourself, or with your partner or roommate, whichever is applicable. If you’re relocating from another part of the city or from another state, do some research on the area, review your rent-to-income ratio and see what you can reasonably afford. Financial professionals advise that rent or mortgages should not exceed 30% of your take-home pay. In larger, densely populated cities, that might be more of a challenge, but just know what you can afford and be honest with yourself. It’s great to live in the apartment of your dreams, but not if it means Netflix is your only affordable luxury and you can’t afford to leave your couch. Also, take into account that if you were previously paying $50 per month for your gym, and the new apartment community has a stellar fitness center, that amenity might just offset higher rent costs. Or, perhaps your commute is shorter, saving on gas, tolls, and car repairs.
3. Decide what neighborhoods you prefer, and start there. This is especially important in larger cities where it can take hours to get from one neighborhood to the next, just to view one apartment. Try to narrow down your search to the neighborhoods you like best, that best fit your personality, the things you like to do on the weekends, how you shop, how you dine. Again, where we live is personal. Make sure the neighborhood has the basics to meet your needs. If you’re a gourmet chef and there isn’t a grocery store with fresh herbs for 30 miles, well, that might get annoying after the initial “honeymoon” period is over at your brand new apartment home. If you love to hang out at parks on the weekends with the kids and the nearest park is two bus rides away, that’s not going to work in the long run. Neighborhoods are our community, so make sure you are ready to embrace yours.
4. Measure your furniture. Nothing says a doomed apartment relationship like having to give up your favorite furniture piece because it simply won’t fit. Measure your furniture and carry a tape measure with you. Sometimes when the excitement is high, it’s easy to eyeball a wall and think your heirloom dining table will fit just fine. Carry the measurement tape. Carry your wish list!
5. Visualize yourself living there. There you are getting up for work. That’s you lounging around on the weekends, throwing a dinner party, hanging out at the pool, or doing laundry. How’s it feel to live there? Does it feel like home? Is this place as close to your wish list as it can get? Does it fit into your budget? Do the neighbors look happy? If you have pets, are they a pet-friendly community? (Never try sneaking in a pet- it never works, and the stress isn’t worth your peace of mind.) Is it within a reasonable commute to work? Are they close to public transportation? Does it have all the interior and community amenities you want? If all these factors align, this might be your home sweet apartment home! If there are too many deal-breakers, keep looking. Your ideal apartment home is out there.

Whether you’re relocating from across the country, across town, or this is your first-ever apartment, we’re pleased to help you find the apartment home that best fits your needs. Weidner Apartment Homes offers convenient and attractive homes for rent in both the US and Canada. Come home to a Weidner community in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Washington, or across Canada in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. We offer a variety of apartment and townhome styles to suit any taste. Whether you are looking for a traditional apartment or a luxury suite, smoke-free or pet-friendly, we would love to welcome you home. What matters to you, matters to us! -The Weidner Team

The post 5 Tips for Finding Your Ideal Apartment Home appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.