Who gets the large bedroom?

So you found this great apartment, the location is perfect, now the only issue is deciding with your roommate who gets to have the larger bedroom. Everyone wants the master bedroom, but how do you decide you gets it? Well here are two ideas we have to help solve this issue in a fair manner.

The Money Method

The master bedroom has extra square footage, large windows and plenty of closet space, so how do you make the smaller room more appealing? Well divide the rent based on the size of the bedrooms, whoever gets the master bedroom could pay a little extra after all they’re getting the bigger space. This way, which ever roommate is willing to pay more rent can have the larger room. You could also assign each room a more specific cost based on square footage.

 
Add up the total square footage of the bedrooms. For example, if one room is 110 square feet and another is 80 square feet, your total is 190. Then divide the rent by 190, giving you the total cost per square foot of bedroom space. Finally, multiply the cost of a single square foot by the total number of square feet per room. This is what the person living in that room should pay for rent.

The Lottery Method

 

If everyone wants the larger bedroom, the best solution is the objective one. Have a friend who doesn’t live with you compose a lottery. Number each room and put the numbers into a hat or bowl. Next, he or she should write down the names of you and your roommates. Those go in a separate bowl. Finally, have your friend pick a name and subsequent number. The pairings indicate who gets which room.  Or you can number the rooms, place in a hat and have each roommate draw a number. Be sure all the roommates agree on this method before going ahead with it. You must all accept the decision as final.

 

Remember, when searching for an apartment in Toronto visit www.flagshipcorp.ca we have floor plans, property videos, photos and much more to assist with your apartment hunt!

Holiday Safety Tips

 

The holiday season is upon us, the weather outside is frightful and the holiday décor is delightful. We hope everyone is excited for the upcoming festive season.
 

 

 

We would like to take a moment to remind everyone, that unfortunately during the holiday season and the cold winter months, there is an increase in apartment fires.

Every winter season, the leading cause of apartment fires is faulty wiring of Christmas lights that can easily spark a fire on any tree or curtain.

 

 

 

Remember to always turn off your tree when no one is home, and never leave your tree on overnight. As well, never leave any candles burning unattended and always place lit candles in candle holders.

 

 

If you use an electric heater or electric fireplace in your apartment, be sure to never leaving it running for long periods of time. Always ensure items are at a safe distance from the heater, and be sure to inspect the wiring before use.

Please make sure that all string lights and electric heaters are in good condition and have no frayed wiring.

 

Remember when searching for your next apartment in the Toronto area visit www.flagshipcorp.ca and be on your way to stress free renting

Celebrating Thanksgiving

With the long weekend ahead of us, and the smell of freshly baked apple pie lingering in the air, everyone is anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving.  Here are some great simple tips, recipes and ideas to help you get ready for this festive holiday.  Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner in your apartment or attending a dinner party these easy ideas are sure to make you shine.
 

Simple DIY Décor

 

Why go out and spend money on expensive decorative fall pieces when you can add a touch of fall to your apartment without putting a dent in your wallet. Visit your local craft or dollar store, they usually carry an assortment of items you can mix together to decorate your space. One easy suggestion is buy a wood wreathe, purchase a leaf garland from the dollar store and create your own wreathe to hang on your door or to use as a center piece. Remember you can add ribbon to any piece for a bolder and more sophisticated look.



 

Table Settings

Use a dark brown or rich earth tone table cloth to set the fall mood in your apartment, mix different textures and hues for a rich table setting. Gather some fresh fallen leaves and place a few on the table to add different hues to the table setting.  Another great tip is to buy a few small pumpkins and squashes from your supermarket to place along the table. Don’t forget you can make use of those wooden wreathes as a centerpiece and place a charger underneath and a glass vase in the center with a candle.

Potluck Side Dishes

Have you been ask to bring a side dish to Thanksgiving dinner and can’t think of something easy, simple and delicious to prepare. Well here are a couple of suggestions that will take no time to make and are a definite crowd pleaser.

Buttermilk Biscuits

These are so simple to prepare, no need to wait hours for the yeast to rise, since the buttermilk and baking powder work perfectly to create fluffy and soft biscuits. Use a traditional recipe that you can find online or in any cook book, the great thing about biscuits is you can make the recipe unique by adding your own secret ingredients.  Feel free to add some finely grated cheddar or parmesan cheese to the dough, as well as fresh or dried herbs like chives and parsley.
 

Baked Mac’n’Cheese

Many people don’t realize this but homemade mac’n’cheese is actually quite simple to prepare. Melt some about a ¼ cup of butter, add 2 table spoons of flour to the melted butter, add a few table spoons of cream cheese, and create a smooth mixture. Add some milk to the mixture or cream for a richer flavor, slowly add shredded cheddar cheese, and leave the sauce a bit runny as you are going to bake the dish. Pour over your cooked pasta, place in a baking dish, add some shredded cheese on top and bake until it’s melted.

Sweet Potato Mash

A twist to traditional mashed potatoes, sweet potato mash is rich in colour and flavor. You can choose to make your mash sweet by adding cinnamon and brown sugar or go for the traditional version.  Sautéed shallots and garlic add a delicious flavour to this simple dish. You can also place the mash in a baking dish, top with some shredded cheese and bake until melted.


Awesome Desserts

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Simply add a couple of table spoons of pumpkin puree to your favourite cheesecake recipe. Pour over a chocolate crust; infuse the crust with some chopped nuts, skor bits and liqueur for a bigger punch. Decorate your cheesecake with some chocolate drizzle and chopped nuts, serve with fresh whip cream.

 

Pumpkin Tiramisu

Just like the pumpkin cheesecake idea, add a few table spoons of pumpkin puree to your favourite tiramisu recipe. Add as much puree until you reach the desired flavouring, blend with additional cinnamon and nutmeg.

 
Nutella Brioche

Bread pudding is a definite fall comfort food, adding nutella and banana to any recipe is a great twist. Spread nutella on bread slice before cutting into cubes, and mash a banana to blend into your mixture. Don’t forget you can also add some rum or nut flavored liqueur for an additional splash of flavour.

Hope these ideas help inspire you to decorate your apartment, or create delicious fall dishes for this festive holiday. Remember to keep a close eye on the oven when baking, and don’t leave any unattended candles burning. Don’t forget when you’re finished eating and you're to full to get off the couch you can always visit our website to start your apartment search before the winter! www.flagshipcorp.ca

 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, from all of the Flagship Properties Staff.

 

Home Gym Ideas for a Cozy Apartment

Remember back to January 1^st, when you made a resolution to eat healthier and visit the gym to get into shape. Well, that didn’t last long, did it? After a few weeks at the gym, several failed attempts to those starvation diets you give up. Well, September is here and the last crunch to get into shape starts now. With going back to school and work, having a fit schedule means fitting in a workout into you routine is easier.

Gyms are expensive, intimidating and sometimes smelly (who needs them!?). Don’t go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a gym membership or heavy equipment you will never use. Instead, you can use a home gym to stay fit and healthy in the comfort of your own apartment. Invest in some inexpensive gym equipment that can be stored easily in your apartment to create the perfect home gym. Don’t have a lot of space? Don’t worry; we have some great advice to help you reach your goals. Working out at home can be simple and doesn’t have to take up a lot of room.

 

Work out videos

There are many video options available, whether you purchase one from those infomercials or search for free videos on YouTube, there is a video out there catered to you. Avoid those videos that are over an hour in length, as you’ll easily get tired of your new routine. Try to keep workouts to around 30 or 45 minutes, this will be easier for you to commit. Keep in mind, the great thing about owning your own work out videos, many of the come with a workout schedule that will help coordinate your work out. Plus, you can play the DVDs on your TV in the living room or on your laptop. This is the simplest home gym option available, as you don’t need too many gadgets, it’s easy to store, and takes up virtually no space in your apartment.

Outdoors

September is still a relatively warm month, so workingout in the outdoors is easy. Go out for a jog around your neighbourhood, do some yoga in the park or do some streches in your living room. Your apartment may be small, if you keep in mind those trails that are just around your building, your workout space is endless. So, just because you live in a city apartment doesn't mean you can't make use of the outdoors. With many "green gym" options around, sign up for an outdoor gym class and make the most of the warm weather.

 Get the Equipment

Your apartment may not have the space to set up that fancy treadmill or elliptical you saw in the store, its ok- all you need is some small inexpensive workout accessories. Purchase some weights, a yoga mat, an exercise ball, a foam roller, some resistance bands and a jump rope. Most of these items can be easily stored at the bottom of your closet or under your bed for easy clean up. Keep in mind, it’s easy to come up with excuses to not workout when you don’t have the necessary equipment, so don’t even give yourself the opportunity to have these thoughts. Consider buying items that are versatile and can be used for various exercises.

Storage Solutions

If you have a spare bedroom or den that doubles as an office, you can also turn this into a small home gym and break a sweat without being interrupted by your roomies. Creating a home gym may seem impossible if you don’t have a spare room–especially if you live in a small apartment. Now that you’ve made the commitment, invest in some versatile storage pieces that do double duty in your living space. Whether it’s a storage ottoman where you can toss in your accessories after a workout or a few bins, it helps to have storage options. Try not completely hiding your gear; keep something in sight to serve as a reminder to workout!

Remember, that when your searching for your new place visit www.flagshipcorp.ca with 11 buildings in Toronto we have your checklist covered. We also have floor plans online, so designing that versitile spare room into a guestroom and gym can be easier.

Labour Day Weekend

This long weekend marks the end of summer for many Torontonians, with school in session next week and fall just around the corner we’ve got some great ideas on how to spend your last long weekend.

Relax

 

You probably haven’t had time to do so all summer, between attending BBQs, parties and hanging out with friends summer just flew by. Take some time this weekend, to just sleep in one last time, consider meeting friends for dinner at a restaurant instead of hosting an intimate gathering in your apartment. Head out for a walk around your neighbourhood, with many trails around the city you’ll be submerged into the wilderness without having to sit thru cottage traffic.  

Enjoy the Weather

If it’s a sunny day, make the most of it, we haven’t had many of those this summer so try to spend some time outdoors. Hit the beach, plan a picnic with some friends or family, or head out to CNE or Wonderland. If it’s rainy and cloudy stay in, invite some close friends over for game night or watch old horror movies. Enjoy some great cocktails, appetizers or take out. Whatever you decide to do, remember it’s the last weekend of summer so enjoy!

Get Back into Rhythm

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, after having several months off getting back into the rhythm of school can be difficult. After getting to sleep in until noon, having to wake up at the crack of dawn will be dreadful for many of you. Consider waking up earlier this weekend; try to get your body back into the rhythm of early mornings. Don’t forget to plan for lunches, be prepared to wake up early to make lunches, buy some readymade options to help ease the transition for the first week.

Settle In

Many of you are starting college or university, so this weekend means you’re moving into your new place. Start the move early, so you have time to settle in and adjust. Make sure you have all your posters or wall art ready to give your apartment your personal touch. Take a stroll around your new neighbourhood and get to know what’s around the area. Most of all be ready to call your new apartment home for the next few years!

 

So whether you’re heading out of the city for one last weekend, or you’re moving into your new apartment be sure to make the most of your Labour Day Weekend. If you’re stressing over the move and still haven’t found your new place visit www.flagshipcorp.ca we have limited apartments available for this upcoming fall.

Apartment Hunting Reminders

 

With August already half over, renters are quickly racing to find the perfect apartment for September. What many people fail to remember is that just as they gave 60 days’ notice to their landlord so did many others. Meaning, you shouldn’t wait for the last few weeks of the month before starting your apartment hunt.

When to start the hunt?

If you’re planning to give notice to your landlord, or have already given notice then you should start the apartment hunt right away. In order to ensure you get the best apartment out there that fits your location, must haves and budgets, you should start searching properties at the beginning of the month prior to giving notice. This will help you narrow down a list of possible properties that interest you. As soon as you give notice to your landlord you should be visiting the perspective properties’ website to check on their upcoming availability.

 If there is nothing available at your perspective properties on the first of the month, don’t sweat it. Some companies may take a few days to update their website or advertise their available units. Keep a close eye on websites, and e-mail/call for a showing request as soon as something comes up.

Ideally, you should be applying for your new apartment 10-20 days after giving your notice; this will help ensure you get your pick. In order to be applying by the 10^th of the month, you should make yourself available at the beginning of the month to go out and view possible apartments. Make sure you’ve seen enough properties, and do your homework on comparing prices and amenities. Remember to fall in love with the apartment, the size, layout and space, because you will be spending most of your time in the apartment not around the building.

Our Flagship website is a great place to start, as soon as a tenant gives us notice we immediately update our site to reflect the most up to date and accurate information. You can also beat the rush if the beginning of the month falls on a weekend, by simply submitting a showing request on-line directly through our website. This is a great tool for renters and perspective tenants, as they can request a showing as soon as they notice an upcoming availability on our website. We also have property videos which not only showcase the building but also highlight the surrounding neighbourhood. As well, we also have pictures and floor plans that help renters visualize the apartment before visiting. Our website is user friendly, and definitely the first stop you should consider when looking for your next apartment in Toronto!

Visit www.flagshipcorp.ca to start your search today!