apartment

Pets can increase the appeal of your apartment, and it turns out that the other little details count as well, according to The New York Times. And you don't have to spend a lot to get a better price; there are tons of little tricks you can do. You can even use a few of these simple tips to upgrade your apartment even if you're not trying to sell your apartment. Here they are:

• Bigger Space: Use smaller furniture to make your apartment space look larger. For example, get a smaller-sized bed or smaller tables for your living room to make it seem like your apartment is larger than it really is.
• Lighting: If the lighting in your apartment is dim, get some extra lamps to brighten up the rooms.
• Smell: The article pointed out that a rainy, musty smell in the apartment can turn off potential buyers. Tackle that problem with a dehumidifier.
• Cleanliness: A good hygiene of a residence can add a lot to the price tag of the apartment. Make sure you have fresh towels and pillows out, as well as clean rugs. Clutter should also be cleared, and here are some tips to do so.
• Expensive shoes: Apparently having an expensive shoe closet will snag you a better price. "You can buy 25 pairs of designer shoes, put them in your closet, and they're going to get more than you spent on them," according to Michele Kleier, the head of a high-end real estate agency. "People want to step into your life." This is one of the more extravagant upgrades, but a savvy alternative can be to display your cutest shoes and hide the old ones.
• Replacement: Spending a little to fix or replace broken tiles, fixtures, appliances, lighting, and cabinets can go a long way in increasing the value of your home in the buyer's eyes.

Your little furry friends may just be the clincher if you're trying to sell your place of residence. Contrary to popular opinion, pets can help make a place seem more inviting and will leave a lasting impression in the minds of potential buyers, according to The New York Times. But not all animals will pass muster — pets that have winning personalities will be more appealing than unfriendly or ill-behaved ones.

Tamasin Ramsay, a prospective buyer, fell in love with Elbow the friendly black Affenpinscher that greeted interested apartment hunters at a two-bedroom co-op in New York. Tamasin, who ended up purchasing the apartment, says the dog's "presence created a sense of love and family, a sense of belonging. The apartment was beautiful, but what got my attention was the very cute dog that was always bounding around."

So if you're doggone tired of trying to sell your apartment, your four-legged pal may be the answer to all your frustrations. I'm sure your broker's charms can't match up to Fluffy's!

Basement living will definitely be great for your wallet, but is it for you? Readers weighed in on guest blogger LearnVest's piece on staying in the basement of an apartment. Here's what they said:

• Insurance: It's actually untrue that you probably can't insure your stuff in a basement. You can get renters' insurance that covers you in the case of theft or fire. It will also cover you in the case of flooding due to leaky pipes, etc., but will not cover you in the case of flooding due to weather. No standard homeowners'/renters' insurance policy covers you in the case of flooding due to weather, a separate flood insurance policy that is underwritten by the federal government is required. This is part of why there are always arguments with/lawsuits involving insurance companies after hurricanes. If something like a falling tree or high winds caused the damage to your property, your homeowners insurance covers it. If the damage was actually caused by water, you need flood insurance. — lilkimbo
• Bugs: I lived in an "English basement" apartment with several roommates in Washington DC. It did feel stuffy at times but there were small windows throughout, some with flowers in front of them. The biggest complaint I had were bugs. Bugs live in basements, people. Especially in rainy/cold regions. No matter how many times you fumigate. Watch out! — a1stbornunicorn

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

When it comes to apartments, light is expensive. For this reason, basement apartments are usually cheaper to live in than apartments that are on the first floors and higher, getting lots of natural light. They tend to appear in big cities, where every square foot counts. If you think about what a brownstone townhouse looks like (those of you who aren’t from New York, imagine Carrie running up her stairs in “Sex and the City”) the apartment with the entrance under the stairs is the basement apartment. But can you stand it? Will you turn into a vampire? Here, for potential cellar dwellers, are some basement FAQs.

What’s The Difference Between a Basement and a Cellar?

To some people, a cellar is a storeroom in the ground found mostly in the prairie states. But New York State’s definition is more common: If a room is partly underground (below curb level), but less than half of its height is above ground, it’s a basement. If a room is underground, but more than half of its height is below ground, it’s a cellar. The distinction is important because (in New York State anyway) it’s illegal to rent out a cellar.

What’s An “English Basement?”

In realtor-speak, an “English basement” is a basement with a separate entrance from the outside, as a opposed to a basement that you access by walking through the house first.

Keep reading for more FAQs.

I recently discovered New York City-based architecture and interior design firm Ashe + Leandro and spent a good half hour clicking through all of their inspiring design projects. The one thing that always draws me to an interior space is a feeling of crispness — clean lines, uncluttered accessorizing, polish, elements of white — and Ashe + Leandro has that down to a T. But their interiors aren't too minimal, sterile, or modern. Each room seems to blend beautiful contemporary furniture with warm, worn, antiques or traditional pieces like Persian rugs, burlap throw pillows, or French arm chairs.I absolutely covet one particular project, a three-bedroom apartment on the west side of Manhattan, so I had to share. From the living room built-ins filled with yellow book spines to the oversize pendant shade above the dining table, there's a surprising, eye-catching element in each space. While the common spaces are painted white, two of the bedrooms are personalized with color: one features three of the most perfect shades of turquoise and looks like a breath of fresh air, and another is layered with deep hues of dusty brown and hunter green to create a truly nocturnal space. Such a dream! Take the full tour, and you'll be thinking of hiring the team to redesign your own home!

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Edytaandco, interior designer of Edyta & Co., from the Su Casa group:

One of my lovely clients came to me for help in designing her new Chicago high-rise apartment. Some of her requirements were: fresh, clean lines, modern, not too many colors, soothing, and relaxing. In her bedroom, in particular, she wanted to feel relaxed after a long day at work. Through layers of soft intricate textures and clean lines in the furniture, we were able to create a subtle soothing effect. Soft curves in lamps and bedding, and details in pillows, art, and the headboard all create interest and contrast each other, while feeling warm and welcoming without being overpowering. The clients favorite color purple is the paint in the room. The perfect shade of this tone creates a soothing backdrop while being fresh, soft, and soothing, while adding a kiss of color to the space.

Have you done any decorating lately? Be sure to post your photos and details in the Su Casa group!