What CodeNEXT Could Mean For Austin’s Apartment Market

The year 2015 saw monumental growth for Austin in the apartment market. From south Austin to Leander expansion has been the name of the game. Last year over ten thousand new units were added. Occupancy rates rose and stayed steady at 94.8%, and rental rates went up by 4.5% overall.

As a result of this growth, the city has seen an explosion in building projects, and will undoubtedly continue to in the future,. The question has come up as to whether we are developing and planning in the best way possible. Currently, Austin is relying on a 30 year old land development code that has been in effect since the early 1980’s. Moreover, new amendments have been added to the existing code over 100 times to try and fit the city’s growing needs. This has resulted in an unwieldy and unnecessarily complex code.

In an effort to shape the current development code, and to see how the amendments have affected each other, city planners and code consultants came together to propose CodeNEXT in November, 2015. The backbone of CodeNEXT can be rooted back to Imagine Austin, a detailed vision the city developed in 2012 as to what planners want the city to look like in 30 years. CodeNEXT would be the physical implementation of Imagine Austin and would help put a solid development timeline in place.

This could mean big news for the apartment market as CodeNEXT looks to encourage more creative solutions in housing development. Specifically, this could be true in regards to building multi-family units at affordable prices in the more sought after areas of town.

Currently residents have to consider places outside the city limits such as Round Rock and Hutto for affordable multi-family housing, to meet their needs and budget. As such, a common theme throughout resident proposals to the CodeNEXT panel members was affordability in Austin housing. One suggestion it to allow duplexes and fourplexes to be built on lots zoned for single family residences. This would allow for four homes to be built where one or maybe two homes would normally go, allowing for multi-family living spaces with modern conveniences, and layouts, at more affordable prices.

To increase compatibility between current architecture and new construction, form-based zoning is also on the table. Dan Parolek, lead consultant of CodeNEXT, was quoted in Austin’s Community Impact Newspaper as saying; “The city should embrace form-based zoning, a more nuanced method that pays particular attention to how buildings relate to streetscapes and the physical form and scale of the buildings, rather than their uses.”  This could ultimately affect the size and scale of multi-family housing that is erected near neighborhoods where one and two story homes dominate in an effort to make a more natural visual transition between the two adjacent structures.

Of course, none of these solutions would mean a quick transformation for Austin, even when CodeNEXT does come into play, it will take continual evaluation and work to keep it current. But, the hope is that it will set a standard for a cohesive development of the city and therefore a better future for Austin and it’s residents.

Apartment Experts is one of Austin’s top apartment locating services. We are experts at finding our clients apartments that fit their needs, wants, and budget. We pride ourselves in strong rental industry relationships and staying current on Austin’s apartment market. If you have questions concerning this article or for general questions regarding our expertise, please contact us at 512 339 4411.

How To Move And Keep Your Sanity

If you are moving from one apartment to another, even if the move is a short distance, it is still a monumental task. What’s more, hiring a moving company is a luxury most people cannot afford. A quick estimate from www.moving.com shows that the costs for moving a three bedroom apartment, for a distance as small as 3 miles, is almost $6,000 dollars. So, the question is: how can you pack and move from one place to another, and still keep your sanity? Well, we’ve put together a list of the best tips and tricks that will answer this question and alleviate stress during the process.

1. If you don’t want to unpack it, don’t pack it - This first step can be done weeks in advance to your move and will make the actual process of moving and unpacking so much easier. Purge from your closets, appliances, furniture, and anything else that has added up over time that you simply don’t need or want anymore. Make two piles, one for trash and recycle, and one for donating. Only pack and move what you want to unpack later.
2. Get the technical stuff out of the way - The second step is one that you can do in the days before the move, but is often one people don’t think about until the move is over and they are up to their eyeballs with boxes to unpack. Call and change your address on all legal forms. This can include, but is not limited to: credit cards, driver's license, utility bills, insurance and car bills, and bank info such as checkbooks and debit cards etc. Don’t forget to call your local USPS office and leave a forwarding address, as well as switch over your internet and magazine subscriptions to your new address.
3. Order packing boxes ahead of time - This company ships boxes right to your home. As an added benefit, they are boxes made out of recycled material so you are not harming the environment. They come at affordable prices, and you can purchase ‘moving kits’ based on the size of home that you are moving to. Let’s just say, we wish we knew about this sooner.
4. Pack a ‘move-in’ box - How many times have you moved and completely forgotten about the ‘essentials’ that you take for granted at home? We’re talking about the things that would make the first night and day in your new home uncomfortable to go without. Our suggestion is to put together a move-in box that has all the essentials you will need in one place. This could include a toothbrush, toilet paper, shower curtain, towel, clean sheets, coffee maker  etc. Bring this box with you in your car, or keep it easily accessible and separate from the rest of the other boxes so you can easily retrieve it.
5. Pack an item list for each box - Finally, take time to pack your apartment in the most organized way for unpacking it later. You can do this by labeling each box with a number, and a general label of what it contains, and what area of the house it comes from. Then, on a notepad make a list of exactly what is in the box according to the number on the box. This way you won’t create havoc when unpacking, or looking for certain items before you can completely unpack.

We hope you found these suggestions useful for your next move. If you are in the process of looking for a new apartment to call home, Apartment Experts would love to help! Our experienced apartment locators answer phones 7 days a week and are extremely knowledgeable about the Austin apartment market. Call 512 416 8100 today!

Affordable Thanksgiving Decor For Your Apartment

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we know it can be a challenge to get your apartment looking cozy and festive when you’re working on a budget. That’s why we are here to remind you that you don’t need to spend big bucks to enjoy a holiday themed apartment. Scroll down for a list of our favorite budget-friendly places to shop this holiday season!

Michaels Arts and Crafts - Michaels always dedicates a large section in their store for products that are 40% off the original price. There, you can buy wreaths, artificial Christmas trees, lights, yard and home decor. You can find just about anything you could possibly think of when putting together a holiday look for your home. If you want further discounted prices, download the app for coupons and deals.

The Dollar Tree - If you are the type that loves to put together your own craft station for the holidays, you will love this place! Flowers, vases, candles, beads, and ribbons are a few of the many affordable items that you can do so much with. Plus, everything costs a dollar or less.

Goodwill - Here, you can find beautiful holiday decor in very good condition, with second hand price tags. Each Goodwill carries different items, so the more you check out, the more you will find! There are over 2 dozen stores in Austin alone. If you have the time, and interest, it can be your own personal treasure hunt to find unique, and affordable, items for your apartment.

We hope you have found these suggestions helpful. Apartment Experts has been leading the way in helping individuals in Austin find apartments for almost 20 years. Our experienced apartment locators are available 7 days a week to help you find an apartment that meets your needs, location, and budget. Our service is free, call today at 512 416 8100!