Abberly Crest Blog

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.

Home ownership 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 Southern Maryland) 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 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 Lexington Park, MD, contact Abberly Crest.

Wall Street Journal

It is always fun when a holiday falls on a Saturday and this year Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday which is perfect for a party with the kids.  Are you throwing a Cinco de Mayo party at  your apartment in Lexington Park this year? If so, here are some ideas.

Invite a few other families and let the kids get involved in the planning and decorating.
 
A pinata filled with candy or treats, streamers, maracas, and great food make the perfect party.

Kids and parents will have fun with a taco and burrito bar.  Kid-friendly rotelle cheese dip, doritos or nacho chips, and a seven layer dip, make a buffet everyone will enjoy.  For drinks, you can serve strawberry coolers and you are sure to have a fiesta.

Taco Bar
Brown 2 pounds of ground beef with 1/4 cup chopped onion until cooked through.  Add 2T of chili powder, 1/2t of garlic salt, and a 16-ounce can of tomato sauce.  Keep taco meat warm in a crockpot.  Serve with hard shell tacos and soft shell burritos.  Add bowls of salsa, grated cheese, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes on the side.

Rotelle Cheese Dip
Cube a 16-ounce package of Velveeta and mix with a 10-ounce can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies.  Heat in a small crockpot for an hour or in the microwave for several minutes until cheese is melted.  Serve with nacho chips or Doritos.

Strawberry Coolers
4C of fresh, rinsed strawberries.  Place two cups of berries in a blender, adding one cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar.  Puree until smooth.  Pour into pitcher.  Repeat with remaining strawberries, cup of water, and 1/4 cup of sugar.  Refrigerate one hour and serve cold.  Makes six servings. (Add rum for the adults if you would like).

Have fun and Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Recipes from the Examiner

Low mortgage rates and more affordable home prices in  Southern Maryland are creating an interest in home ownership 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 Lexington Park, MD. 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 or other yard equipment, 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 Abberly Crest Apartment Homes.

SF Gate

Abberly Crest, is a pet friendly apartment home in Lexington Park, MD. So of course we want you to take the best care of your dog as you can.  Are you concerned about your dog’s diet? Here is an easy dog food recipe for you to follow that will satisfy your dog’s taste buds. But best of all, it is a healthy alternative.

Dog Food Recipe

• 5 lbs Ground Beef
• 4-6 Cloves of Garlic
• ¾ Cup of Canola Oil
• 32 Cups of Water
• 2 Cans of Kidney Beans
• ½ Cup of Molasses
• 45oz Quick Oats
• 10 Cups of Mixed Vegetables (carrots, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, potato)

Follow the cooking instruction on the video below. Your "best friend is sure to love this gourmet treat!

It is a perfect time to live in an apartment in Lexington Park, MD and to be an NHL fan. Are you routing for the Washington Capitals?

Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals make it again to the quarter finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Again with a formidable opponent, last year facing the Rangers, this year they are facing the Boston Bruins. The Bruins, of course are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. However, the Capitals have been tough on the Bruins this year.
 
The Washington Capitals have earned themselves this spot, and are again on a quest to have their most successful season in awhile, they haven’t made it through the second round of the playoffs since 1998.

How are you celebrating and watching the game on Thursday and for the rest of the quarter finals? Let us know! Don’t forget to show your spirit by wearing your Capitals jersey around Abberly Crest.

Our apartments in Lexington Park, MD would like to share with you the Southern Maryland Community Calendar for the week. Are you looking for something to do? Here are some ideas:

Friday, April 6
Lenten fish fry, sponsored by Sons of Squadron 82. 5-8 p.m., American Legion Post, 6330 Crain Hwy., La Plata.

Shrimp and grits dinner, hosted by the Legion auxiliary. 5:30-7 p.m., American Legion Post 206, 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd., Chesapeake Beach.

Saturday, April 7
Household hazardous waste collection, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Charles County Department of Public Works.

Children’s Easter party, 1-3 p.m., American Legion Post 206, 3330 N. Chesapeake Beach Rd., Chesapeake Beach. Free.

Open skate night, for all ages. Sponsored by St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks. 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Leonard Hall Recreation Center, 23145 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown.

Monday, April 9
Dog obedience classes, for puppies and for advanced-level and tracking dogs, offered by the Department of Recreation and Parks. St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, 42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonardtown. $45-$75.

Monday morning movies, stories, songs and movies for children and their caregivers. 10-11 a.m., Calvert Library Prince Frederick branch, 850 Costley Way. Free.

Book discussion, “The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt,” by T.J. Stiles. 6 p.m., Lexington Park Library, 21677 FDR Blvd. Free.

Pax River Quilters Guild meeting, new members are welcome. 6:30 p.m., Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, 20850 Langley Rd., Lexington Park. Free.

Books discussion, talk about any books that you have read recently. 7-8:30 p.m., Calvert Library Twin Beaches branch, 3819 Harbor Rd., Chesapeake Beach. Free.

Tuesday, April 10
Tri-County Job and Career Fair, representatives of employers will discuss openings and future opportunities. For information, go to www.csmd.edu. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., College of Southern Maryland.

Nature Time, “Meet Our Horses,” a program for children and their families. Take a picnic lunch. 10-11:30 a.m., Greenwell State Park, 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood. $5 per child.

Résumé and cover letter workshop, bring documents for review and guidance. 10 a.m.-noon, Calvert Library Prince Frederick branch, 850 Costley Way. Free; registration required.

Pastel arts workshop, explore color and light in a special medium; bring supplies and a photograph to work from for a final painting. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Small wood State Park (Mattawoman Creek Art Center).

Books and more, discussion and coffee. 1 p.m., Leonardtown Library, 23250 Hollywood Rd. Free.

Public issues forum, hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners. 5:30 p.m., Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata.

Local history discussion, “Footprints of a Black Man: The Holy Land,” by William S. Brooks, a Calvert County native for whom the school system’s administrative center is named. 7-8:30 p.m., Calvert Library Prince Frederick branch.

Wednesday, April 11
Computer class, how to use library databases. 2-3 p.m., Calvert Library Southern branch, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby. Free; registration required.

Washington Post

Searching for a new apartment in Southern Maryland is not easy. Before you begin your apartment search, consider if you want a small apartment community or a larger one? Which apartment floor plan would work best for you? Think about which apartment amenities are important to you in an apartment community.

Here are some suggestions on how to simplify your apartment search.

Consider location

Try pinpointing an area in or around Southern Maryland that you want to live near such as your workplace or your favorite neighborhood, and search within a 1-mile or 5-mile radius of that location for apartment communities. Apartments in Lexington Park offer an easy commute and a wonderful community setting.

Use tools on online listings

Many apartment communities post floor plans and photos online. Looking at images of floor plans and apartment amenities and features may help you decide what communities you want to visit.
 
What don’t you like about where you live now

When you make a list of what you don’t like about your apartment now, this will help you keep priorities top of mind. Don’t look at apartments that have those same features.  Do you need more space? A larger kitchen? Do you need a community that allows pets? Do you need extra storage space? Or a pool? A well-kept fitness center?
 
Keep track

Make a spreadsheet that lists each community’s name, rent, amount of space, most important apartment amenities, and any other important facts or notes.

For more information on apartments in Lexington Park, MD contact Abberly Crest Apartment Homes.

It has become painful to gas up your car, and that pain at the pump is only going to get worse. You have probably heard that as we approach summer gas prices get as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Lexington Park, MD and you like to drive in and around Southern Maryland and D.C. on your summer weekend, 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?

Don’t neglect regular maintenance and tune ups.  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 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 summer and enjoy the ride. Keep money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.

St. Patrick’s Day is next weekend, are you having a “luck of the Irish” party in your apartment in Lexington Park, MD? If so, your St. Patrick’s Day menu needs to embrace the Irish and be easy so you can entertain and enjoy. Since St. Patrick’s Day is just a great excuse to have a party, and the Irish know how to celebrate, here is a great appetizer idea. Best yet, you get to cook it in a slow cooker which gives you more time to get ready to party!

First go out and get the (green) beer, green beads and some fun leprechaun hats. Download some Irish music, and grab some gold foil covered chocolate coins to toss around your apartment home. What’s on the menu? Here is an idea.

Paddy's Reuben Dip
Ingredients

• 4 packages (2 ounces each) thinly sliced deli corned beef, finely chopped
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
• 1 can (8 ounces) sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• Rye bread or crackers

Directions

In a 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker, combine the first five ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours or until cheese is melted; stir until blended. Serve warm with bread or crackers. Yield: about 4 cups.

For an extra fun Irish touch, use a shamrock cookie cutter and cut shamrocks shapes out of bread. Lightly brush with olive oil and broil lightly for Shamrock shaped toast points to serve with this delicious dip.

Recipe and Photo - Taste of Home

Having renters insurance can be very helpful if there is ever a disaster in your apartment in Lexington Park, MD. Here are a few basics about the benefits of purchasing renters insurance.

It’s affordable - The National Association of Insurance Commissioners estimates the average cost of renter’s insurance between $15 and $30 per month, or about $200 to $350 annually.
 
But you may want to pay more - 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.

Be sure you are covered when not at your apartment - 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 together -  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.

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