Many people who get into the business of owning rental property fail to realize that it is a business. They think of effortless property management as never having to do anything but cash the rent checks each month. What you should be doing as a landlord is taking steps to ensure that running your business is as simple and carefree as possible. It will involve some work on your part, especially in the beginning of your relationship with each residents. But the effort will make life much easier for you down the road, especially when it enables you to keep good renters long term.

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We are excited to announce the five finalists competing for free rent for a year plus $10,000 in the 5^th annual Apartments.com Roommate of the Year contest. Help us chose the next Roommate of the Year! We are asking you to weigh in on who will be crowned the grand prize winner by casting your vote—now through July 7—for your favorite roomie in this national video competition. You can vote once every 24 hours at www.roommateoftheyear.com. The remaining four lovable roomies will take home runner-up prizes of $500 each.

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This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. 

When it comes to getting exposure for your site it all starts with creating a blog. A blog is a great way to use organic SEO or search engine optimization to bring attention to your website. A blog works well because of several reasons. One reason a blog works well with SEO is that you can use keywords to raise your ranking on search engines without artificially filling your site with junk. There is nothing I hate to visit more than a website for a company that is filled with keywords in random places. Instead incorporate a blog into your website to make the most of keywords and other organic SEO tactics while still giving readers what they want: quality content. Read More

This week’s Photo of the Week was taken by Robert Lawton at The Post in Seattle, WA.

“Robert does several things that make this image successful,” points out Mandana Namvar (Director of Photography). “First, he starts with a great, even exposure. He uses a combination of the available light coming in from the large windows and a bounce flash to create an even image with great window detail.” Casey Sachen (Manager of Photography, Eastern Region) agrees, adding “Robert maintains excellent window detail, showing the great view from the lounge area.” He adds, “The perfect exposure of this image shows the wonderful area that a potential renter can lounge in.” Vern Steinman (Manager of Photography, Eastern Region) goes further: “Robert was able to create what looks like an overcast day so that you can still see some detail on the buildings outside the area.” Contrary to logic, overcast days actually provide better lighting for photographs than do sunny days. Vern reiterates that “Robert did an excellent job of controlling his flash.” Read More

We are happy to announce exciting updates to the Advertiser Hub on Apartments.com.

Based on your feedback, we have made accessing the information you need easier than ever: Read More

This is a guest post from Gabrielle Castaneda, who is currently enrolled at the University of South Florida pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in marketing, a minor in international business and a minor in management. In her spare time she enjoys doing outdoors activities. 

Although advertising on campus and social media is essential when it comes to marketing to college students, there are other creative ways to reach out to the college crowd. Read More

This Photo of the Week was taken by Leeah Mayes, our Team Lead in the Houston area. She traveled to the lakefront to shoot Encore on the Bay in Seabrook, TX.

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Safety is an important issue for every renter and property manager. In light of the recent weather-related tragedies, it is now more important than ever to make sure your residents are properly prepared for extreme weather conditions.

Our friends at The Allstate Blog have put together an infographic explaining the value of a safe room and some tips for creating one within your own home. As Allstate explains, simply put, a safe room is a secure, reinforced, well-stocked room where individuals can go to avoid the risks and potential dangers that may arise in other parts of a home. It is especially important for apartment dwellers to designate a safe room and make sure they are prepared, especially since they don’t have as much space to work with as a homeowner. Read More

Your apartments are full. Your residents pay on time, take out their trash and keep their apartments clean. It’s a landlord’s dream and you don’t want it to end. What can you do to keep your residents from giving you their notice?

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The team at Apartments.com is so happy to have had an opportunity to recently provide a Los Angeles family living in a homeless shelter downtown with free rent for a year on the Jeff Probst Show. The Apartments.com GM and SVP, Dick Burke, appeared on the show to present Manessta with a check to help cover her rent for a year after hearing her story of how she and her three children— Xarria, Jermaine and Jakiya—became homeless soon after she lost her job.

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