Smart homes and smart appliances are all the rage. They make life easier and a little more fun, but when you’re renting you’re limited on what you can change about your apartment. Here are a few renter-friendly ways to make your apartment home a smart home!

Smart Plugs 

While you can’t swap out the sockets in your apartment, you can add smart plugs. These easy-to-use plugs plug straight into the existing socket and you plug your items into them. You can buy single plugs, double plugs and even smart power strips. 

In the bedroom, plug-in items like lamps and televisions for easy on and off from your phone or smart home device. In your living spaces you can plug-in lamps, televisions and gaming systems. In the kitchen utilize your smart plugs for slow cookers, coffee makers and other small appliances. 

Smart Bulbs

Give your home some smart lighting with smart bulbs. Simply swap out your existing bulbs for ones that are compatible with your lamp or light fixture and enjoy. Smart bulbs can often be controlled from your phone and you can change things like the color and hue as well as put them on timers to turn on and off. 

Smart Home Devices

Having a smart home device or system, like an Alexa or a Google Home, will make utilizing your new smart features all that much easier. Set routines and reminders, play music and control your smart plugs all with the sound of your voice. 

Smart TV

Having a smart TV means you will be able to control it from your phone or other devices, connect easily to other items like gaming systems or speakers and have access to a host of entertainment options. 

Small Smart Appliances 

Just because you can’t have a smart fridge or smart stove in your apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have some smart appliances. Look for high-tech gadgets that complement your smart home and allow you to control them from your phone or smart home device. 

In the kitchen, things like toasters, air fryers and coffee machines have come a long way in smart technology. Have a robot vacuum clean up after you! Wireless smart vacuums are perfect for apartments because they can cover the space quickly and they don’t create much noise to bother you or your neighbors. 

South Pointe Apartments and Homes is located in Foley, Alabama. Whether you’re looking for an apartment or rental home, we can help! Join our beautiful community today and see why our resident’s never want to leave. To schedule a tour, give us a call at (251) 971-3800.

When you’re looking to rent an apartment one of the most daunting parts can be filling out the rental application and then waiting for it to be approved. When your worst fears come true and your application is denied, what should you do? A denied rental application isn’t the end of the world and it doesn’t mean you can’t rent an apartment. Here are some steps to take if your application gets denied when trying to rent an apartment.

Find Out Why You Were Denied 

If your application was denied it was because you didn’t meet one of the criteria necessary to rent the apartment. Your leasing agent can tell you why the application was denied. Some common reasons for a denied application are: 

• Not meeting the income requirements 
• Not having adequate or existing credit
• Having poor rental history 
• Not filling out the forms properly 

If one of these things is the reason you were denied it is still possible to rent an apartment, but it will take a little more work on your part. 

If You Don’t Meet Income Requirements 

When renting an apartment you must meet a certain income requirement, meaning your income is a set amount of times more than your rent. This ensures the person renting to you that you can afford to pay your rent. If your income falls short of that requirement, we offer the option to pay your lease in full to be able to rent. You could find a roommate to split rent with or even look at a lower-priced unit. 

If You Don’t Have Adequate Credit or You Have No Credit 

Some people have poor credit but are working to fix it, and others have no credit at all. Having poor or no credit doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when renting an apartment. Ask your leasing office how you can still get an approved application. Sometimes it’s as simple as paying an extra deposit or having a guarantor on your lease. 

If You Have Poor Rental History 

Having poor rental history is a big red flag when renting an apartment, but it doesn’t mean you can’t rent at all. You may have to pay an extra deposit, do some extra paperwork or have someone with good rental history on your lease. Talk with a leasing agent to find out your options, and make sure when you do rent you are paying rent on time and being a good tenant to build a good rental history.

If You Filled Out the Forms Incorrectly 

If you’re an inexperienced renter, you might be confused by the forms and what is required of you. Improperly filled out forms is not the reason you want to be denied a lease on an apartment. If you have questions when filling out the form, talk with your leasing agent. They are happy to help you. 

To avoid having your rental application denied, it is best to be honest about your budget, situation and questions. Leasing agents want to get you into a new home and they hate having to deny your rental application just as much as you do. Read over all the rental criteria before applying and make sure you have all your questions answered before submitting the application. 

————– 

At South Pointe Apartments & Homes we know everyone’s home needs are different and that’s why we offer six apartment floor plans in both one and two bedrooms as well as seven house floor plans all with three bedrooms. With that many floor plans there’s bound to be one that fits you and your needs. Plus, no matter which one you choose you’ll be in a welcoming community that offers great amenities, professionally landscaped grounds and great neighbors. Give us a call today to find out more, 251-971-3800!

When deciding on a new home you have a variety of options. What is a good size, what is the ideal location, what is my budget and most importantly, should I rent or should I buy? Making the decision between renting and buying is not an easy one. There are pros and cons for each option, and it’s a decision to take seriously because of the amount of money involved. Let’s talk about some of those pros and cons to help you decide what’s right for you.

Cost 

One of the biggest factors that comes into play when discussing renting versus buying is the cost. At the end of the day you could end up with a mortgage that’s the same price as your rent. However you have to consider all the additional costs that go into buying. When you buy you need a large chunk of change upfront for your down payment. When renting you will need to pay things like deposits and move in fees but the upfront cost is much less. 

Maintenance 

One of the great things about home ownership is it’s all yours! However that can also be a downside. When something breaks in a home you own it’s your responsibility to find a trusted professional and get it fixed. Home repairs can come with a lot of headache, cost and anxiety. When you are renting, the majority of repairs are going to be covered by the company you lease from and they have professional repairmen onsite. We have repairmen on-call after hours for any emergencies you may have.

Amenities

When you buy a home you buy the building, the land and whatever is on it. You aren’t getting much else besides that. If you want extra amenities like a gym or a pool you have to go out and find one and then pay a membership fee. When you rent you are a part of a community that comes with all those things and more built right into the cost of your rent. 

Commitment 

When you look to buy a house there’s no guarantee you’ll live there forever but you should be prepared to at least stay five years. However, not everyone knows what life will look like in five years. You may need more space or to be closer to work, and with a house you are kind of stuck with your choice. When you rent you have the option to change your situation every time your lease is up. Need an extra bedroom? Move into a larger unit. Moving to a new area? When your lease is up you’re free to move on no need to deal with the hassle of selling a home. When renting a home, your neighbors go through the exact same screening process as you do. However, with buying a home, the screening process can vary depending on who’s selling the home.

—

At the end of the day we all want a nice place to call home and maybe that’s a rental or maybe that means purchasing a home. If renting is in the cards for you we would love to make South Pointe Apartment and Homes your new home with our beautiful rental apartments and houses. Give us a call today and see what we have to offer.

When you’re looking for a new home there are so many options. Do you rent or do you buy? What style of home do you look for? What layout? These questions and more might be flooding through your head. South Pointe Apartments and Homes we have beautiful rentals that will make a wonderful home. Still not sure about a rental house? Well here’s some great ways to turn a rental house into a welcoming home.

One of the great things about a rental is it’s turn key. You can walk in with your boxes and boom you’re home and that’s when the real fun starts. One of the easiest ways to make your rental house feel like home is to customize it. Adding your personal style to the home will pull your space together and make it feel warm and inviting. Some quick things you can add right away to make a rental feel more like a home are: 

Drapes – rental window coverings are often pretty standard so add a little extra something with drapes and curtains in your style.

Rugs – area and throw rugs are great for adding a pop of color and an extra layer of coziness to your home.

Art and photos – Let your personal style shine through with art and photographs. Maybe you want a gallery wall or you have a big bold piece of art to feature. Let these pieces transform the space from just a house to your home. To prevent damage to your walls, use command strips and alternative hanging methods.

Plants – If you’re a plant person, live plants can really brighten up your living space. If plants aren’t your thing grab some fresh flowers or even a fake plant (we won’t judge).

Another great way to feel at home in your rental house is to get to know your neighborhood and surrounding areas. By making friends, finding local hangouts and enjoying all of the amenities South Pointe has to offer, you’ll feel at home in no time. Here are some of the great things our community and the surrounding area has to offer!  

South Pointe Apartments and Homes – Within our rental community you will be greeted with an olympic sized pool, a 24 hour fitness center, a community clubhouse, a community garden, grill and picnic areas, sand volleyball court and pet park just to name a few. 

Foley, AL – Heading outside the community you will find even more to do! Within driving distance of South Pointe you have the Gulf Shores beaches, nature preserves, gardens, museums, exhibits and even a zoo! Foley is also home to lots of delicious restaurants and some great shopping. 

South Pointe Apartments and Homes offers rental homes and apartments. We are located in a prime location at 679 East Michigan Ave. in Foley, Alabama. To schedule a tour of our community give us a call at (251) 971-3800 or visit our website www.southpointeapartmentsandhomes.com.

Deciding what type of rental you want to live in can be an overwhelming choice. If you’re trying to decide between a rental house or a rental apartment look no further. Here are some things to consider that will help you make your decision.

Space 

The biggest factor to consider is how much space you will need. Rental apartments tend to be smaller and have less bedrooms than rental houses. Some things to take into consideration are:

• Number of people living in the home
• If you would like room for something like an office, playroom, nursery or guest room.

If you are needing only 1-2 bedrooms then an apartment will suit you just fine. If you are needing more bedrooms then you may want to consider looking at renting a house. 

Accessibility 

When you look at renting an apartment you have to consider the accessibility. When renting an apartment you have the drawback of potentially having to use stairs to access your home. This can be bothersome for a variety of reasons including moving in large furniture, carrying groceries, having friends and family be able to access the home and your own access to the home. If you rent a house you may encounter a few steps up to the door but it will be far easier. With a rental house you also may have the luxury of having a garage connected to your home which is great for accessibility. 

Amenities 

Living in a rental apartment often comes with a variety of great amenities. This isn’t always the case for a rental house. Luckily, at South Pointe Apartment & Homes you don’t have to give up amenities by living in a house! Regardless of if you live in one of our luxury rental apartments or one of beautiful rental homes you will have access to our state of the art amenities including the community pool and 24-hour fitness center. 

However, if you think you need an attached garage or would like a fenced yard we suggest looking into a rental house. If you prefer the deck/patio life and a garage isn’t a must we think you’ll be right at home in one of our rental apartments. 

At South Pointe Apartments & Homes we know everyone’s home needs are different and that’s why we offer six apartment floor plans in both one and two bedrooms as well as seven house floor plans all with three bedrooms. With that many floor plans there’s bound to be one that fits you and your needs. Plus, no matter which one you choose you’ll be in a welcoming community that offers great amenities, professionally landscaped grounds and great neighbors. Give us a call today to find out more, 251-971-3800!

Foley is a hidden oasis tucked away off of Mobile Bay, located at the very bottom of lower Alabama at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. This city is home to many family centered, free spirits who are always looking for an afternoon or weekend adventure. If you’re considering making a move, here are five reasons why you should consider Foley as your next home.

Location, Location, Location

You hear it on HGTV all the time, location is everything when it comes to buying or renting a home. In Foley, there is something to offer in each area of the city. If you are looking for a beach getaway, South Pointe Apartments and Homes is a quick 10 minute drive away from the sandy shores of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Close enough to enjoy the coastal life but also far enough away to avoid the tourist hustle and bustle.

Lamberts

If you’re from the South, chances are you have heard of this restaurant which is home to the famous “throwed rolls”. This Foley staple is home to hundreds of visitors throughout the year, creating wait times which can reach up to three hours on a busy beach weekend! Foley locals are able to take advantage of being in close proximity to this home-style cooking known for generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere. 

OWA

OWA, which means big water, is a five hundred and twenty acre amusement park, home to twenty-three thrill rides, unique restaurants and entertainment galore! This hidden gem is located along the Foley Beach Express and is the perfect stop for beach visitors and locals. Not only does OWA have thrills for the adventure seeker, they also have a gaming center, live music and shopping and dining experiences for anyone looking for a fun Friday activity. Fun fact, you can also view the OWA fireworks right from our community. 

Water Life

Weekends in Foley are all about boat life. Owning a fishing pole or boat is a must for many of the Foley locals. Starting Friday afternoon, the Bay and surrounding rivers begin to fill with fishermen, tours and kayaking adventurers. If you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway, Gulf Shores is a popular destination with famous getaways like Hangout Restaurant and the Track. South Pointe Apartments and Homes also offers residents the rare amenity of boat storage. 

Wildlife

Along with the amazing views provided by the Bay, the wildlife living in the surrounding areas is an attraction for tourists throughout the year. The Delta, located at the top of the bay, is one of the most biodiverse areas in the nation with both freshwater and saltwater marine life living amongst each other. Animal viewing businesses have begun to pop up throughout the lower Alabama area including WildNative Tours, Alligator Alley and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

Foley, Alabama is the relaxing destination where southern charm and hospitality meets the adventure seeking water lovers. While there are many more reasons to live in Foley, these are our top five. If you think Foley may be your next home, give us a call.

South Pointe Apartments and Homes offers rental homes and apartments. We are located in a prime location at 679 East Michigan Ave. in Foley, Alabama. To schedule a tour of our community give us a call at (251) 971-3800 or visit our website www.southpointeapartmentsandhomes.com.