Smarter Renter
Tips to Help You Find the Madison Apartment that's Right for You!
February 8th, 2019
A Treasure Hunter’s Guide to Thrift Stores in Madison, WI
Unless your decorating style is minimalist, there’s a good chance you have a few treasures in your home that didn’t come from a big box store or your relatives. Thrifting for home decorating items and furniture is often relegated to…
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November 9th, 2018
Best Apartment Dogs for Madison, WI and Beyond
Dogs. We love ‘em. We can’t get enough of them (unless you have allergies). But some dogs are better than others when it comes to a rental situation. Let’s take at look at the best apartment dogs. Getting a dog…
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October 23rd, 2018
16 Things You Must Know When Renting Sight Unseen
If you’re considering moving to an apartment building that’s under construction, you’ll likely be renting sight unseen. These 16 must-know tips can help prevent costly mistakes and land the apartment you truly want. Renting in a new building sounds great,…
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October 2nd, 2018
Apartment Lease Renewal: 6 Important Tips to Avoid a Renter Apocalypse
It’s almost apartment lease renewal time, commonly referred to as the Renter Apocalypse. Take action, or zombie renters on the prowl may rent your apartment out from under you. During the fall in Madison, a Renter Apocalypse occurs. It’s when…
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September 25th, 2018
A Best Place to Work in Madison, WI!
It is with great pleasure and happiness that we announce Steve Brown Apartments has been recognized for the fourth time in 10 years by Madison Magazine as one of the Best Places to Work in the mid-sized (51-100 employees) category. 125 local employers…
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September 5th, 2018
How to Find a Roommate Who’s Right for You
Whether you’re looking to share an apartment or move into a dorm, you need to know how to find a roommate. There are a number of online tools and apps to make the task easier, but you must also ask…
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August 2nd, 2018
How to Keep an Apartment Cool Without Air Conditioning
Summer in Madison is a blast. Sometimes, however, it’s a blast of hot, humid air. To beat the summer heat, check out these 13 tips for how to cool down a room without AC. We also share some ideas on…
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July 2nd, 2018
How to Handle 9 Typical Roommate Problems
Got a bad roommate? You’re not alone. A study from Boise State University ScholarWorks revealed that 25% of students reported college roommate problems. But you can deal with the problems — by learning how to deal with conflict in general.…
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June 19th, 2018
19 Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget
Looking for small apartment decorating ideas on a budget? We reached out to one of Madison’s premier designers for some insights, and combined them with inspirational photos for Pinterest. Low budget? No problem! [caption id="attachment_10750" align="aligncenter" width="241"] Photo courtesy of…
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June 2nd, 2018
3 Expert Gardeners Offer Tips on Apartment Gardening for Beginners
Apartment gardening for beginners — and even seasoned gardeners — requires a different approach. With the help of three expert gardeners, we’ve created a how-to guide for renters. Whether you’re looking to get in touch with nature or if you…
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April 24th, 2018
Golf Courses in Madison, WI: Links to the Best Links in Town
Renters new to Madison may not be familiar with many of our top courses. To help you hit the links, we’ve put together a listing of top golf courses in Madison, WI. Madison Golf Courses: The Breakdown Our Golfer’s Guide…
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February 26th, 2018
Wisconsin Renters Insurance: How it Can Help You Avoid an $85,000 Mistake
Insurance is for homeowners, right? Wrong! Renters rarely think about insurance, but they should. Learn all about Wisconsin renters insurance, including how inexpensive it actually is, and how costly ($85,000) it was to one renter who didn’t have it. Steve…
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January 30th, 2018
Finding a Subletter: How to Sublet an Apartment in 5 Easy Steps
If you’re a renter and you need to move out of your apartment, it’s time to find a subletter. Like everything, there’s a right way and a wrong way to sublet. As a property management company for over 35 years,…
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January 5th, 2018
2017 Update on the Homestead Tax Credit and Wisconsin Renter’s and Homeowner’s School Property Tax Credit
[caption id="attachment_464" align="alignleft" width="133"] Dave Launder of Baker and Launder[/caption] For renters in Wisconsin, it may feel like old St. Nick is making the rounds again, as you have a chance to get a tax credit thanks to the State…
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December 12th, 2017
30 Things to Do in Madison, WI in the Winter
It’s time for our annual updated list of things to do in Madison, WI in the winter. Madison clears out quite a bit during winter break, leaving apartment renters (especially students), wondering what to do in Madison. Every year, we…
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December 1st, 2017
7 Madison Winter Parking Tips You Must Know When it Snows
Winter is here, and with it comes snow, wind, ice, and if you’re not careful, parking tickets. You need the rules and regulations for Madison winter parking, as well as strategic tips and valuable resources to help you park safely…
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November 15th, 2017
Apartment Vacancy Rate: Madison Reaches 5.73% in 2017
As new apartment buildings continue to spring up in downtown Madison, the apartment vacancy rate has reached 5.73% for the 53703 zip code. It’s a level not seen in over 14 years. Check out these and other statistics that reflect…
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October 5th, 2017
The Ultimate Haunted House – Apple Orchard – Pumpkin Patch – Corn Maze Listing for Madison, WI
Autumn is here, and with it comes haunted houses, apple orchards, corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Madison, WI has some great ones, so if you’re looking to get out of your home and into the fresh fall air, here is…
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