Mission Ranch Apartments

02/10/2014

Mesquite TX, United States (STRRRRRAIGHT FROM YAHOO WEATHER :-O )
Alert

...LIGHT WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL AFFECT NORTH AND CENTRAL TEXAS
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVING THROUGH NEVADA THIS MORNING WILL
MOVE ACROSS THE ROCKIES TODAY AND ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS LATE
TUESDAY. AS TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING TONIGHT AND SPREAD
SOUTHWARD...A MIXTURE OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AND LIGHT SLEET IS
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP NORTH OF A COMANCHE TO EMORY LINE. AFTER
MIDNIGHT AREAS SOUTH OF THIS LINE WILL SEE LIGHT RAIN BECOME MIXED
OR CHANGE OVER TO LIGHT FREEZING RAIN.

ON TUESDAY MORNING...TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE REGION WILL BE BELOW
FREEZING AND LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL BECOME MIXED WITH OR CHANGE
OVER TO LIGHT SLEET. SOME LIGHT SNOW WILL ALSO FALL ALONG THE RED
RIVER VALLEY ON TUESDAY MORNING WITH SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AROUND ONE
TENTH OF AN INCH POSSIBLE. AS TEMPERATURES WARM TO OR ABOVE
FREEZING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON...THE PRECIPITATION WILL BECOME A
MIX OF LIGHT RAIN...LIGHT SNOW OR LIGHT SLEET NORTH OF A LAMPASAS
TO CENTERVILLE LINE. ON TUESDAY EVENING...THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION
WILL BE ENDING WEST TO EAST AND SHOULD MOVE OUT OF THE REGION BY
MIDNIGHT.

PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT DURING THIS
EVENT...BUT WILL BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE A LIGHT GLAZING OF A FEW
HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH MAINLY ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS BRIDGES
AND OVERPASSES. ALTHOUGH MOST ROADWAYS AND CITY STREETS WILL
REMAIN JUST WARM ENOUGH TO REMAIN WET...THOSE ALONG AND NORTH OF
THE I-20 CORRIDOR MAY BECOME ICY AND HAZARDOUS WHERE ROADS HAVE
TIME TO CHILL TO OR BELOW FREEZING.

PLEASE STAY TUNED TO LATER WEATHER FORECASTS...AS SUBTLE CHANGES
IN UPSTREAM SYSTEM BEHAVIOR CAN PRODUCE CHANGES IN THE DETAILS OF
THE FORECAST.

02/06/2014

Snowy greetings from Switchplace World Headquarters in !

02/06/2014

Mission Ranch will no longer be open on Sundays starting February 9. As always, please contact our office for any questions (972) 285-1258.

02/05/2014

If you're moving out of a rented unit, you're probably well aware of expectation that you clean up after yourself. Most apartment complexes require deposits at the time of signing a lease, and while the main motivation for a deposit is to pay for damage incurred during a lease, cleaning costs can also come from these funds. No renter wants to move into a dirty apartment, so departing renters are almost always required to give the residence a deep apartment cleaning at the end of their lease period.

Every property manager may be different, but most will conduct an inspection of the vacated residence to make sure it is properly cleaned. This includes some areas that may easily be forgotten during the cleaning process, such as inside cabinets, the refrigerator and the oven. The fear of cleaning charges pushes some apartment dwellers to consider the cost of a maid as the lesser of two evils. While a maid is a viable option for cleaning your apartment, though, it's not necessarily a requirement. Read on for some guidance on how to make this decision.

Be honest about your cleaning habits

The decisive factor in whether or not to hire a maid is often the renter's cleaning habits, as well as their interest in cleaning in the middle of the moving process. For some people, a maid is a worthwhile cost that decreases the stress of a move and presents a much lower cost than what a rental property might charge.

In other cases, renters should be honest about how effective they are at cleaning, and how capable they will be cleaning in the middle of a moving process. If you run out of time to properly clean before moving out, you could get socked with large charges taken from your deposit. But if you can stay on top of the demands of moving out, you should be able to get by without hiring a maid.

How to effectively clean without a maid

The most important aspect of effectively cleaning without a maid is making sure you hit every area. Make a list of all the surfaces that need to be cleaned, and be exhaustive: Consider not just floors and countertops but also windows, cabinets and even walls. Check off items as you go to save yourself from overlooking any area.

You can also defray the cleaning demands on the day of your move by cleaning as you go. For example, when you pack up the contents of a cabinet, take time to clean out that cabinet. When moving day arrives, you'll have less on your plate.

If you're hiring a maid

In the event a maid is your best option, make sure you prepare for this service properly. Get an accurate quote based on the size of your apartment space, and make sure the maid has enough time to clean the area. Use online ratings and other credentials, such as Better Business Bureau grades, to inform your decision and make sure you can trust the quality of the cleaning.

Not every apartment dweller needs a maid, but for those that do, it can be a money-saving service that also alleviates stress. Just make sure you do your homework and plan in enough time to get your money's worth out of your maid.

02/05/2014

Make a Standing Desk in Your Apartment
Lately, there has been a lot of attention getting and staying healthy, which has led to a quest of sorts to identify those things in our lives that sabotage that mission. One of those things is the sedentary lifestyle that many people have from sitting at a desk all day. But there is work to be done at a desk, so how do you combat this? Stand up of course!

More people have been experimenting with different types of standing desks, and companies, such as Geekdesk and Updesk have capitalized on the movement by selling various standing desks. These desks, however, can be expensive, especially when it is easy enough to make your own standing desk in your apartment. Here are some options.

Floating desk

Using a floating desk is a great way to get your desk to be at whatever height you want it to be, simply install it at a higher than recommended height. Typically, standing desks feel about right at approximately 40 inches in height., near the place where the top of your elbows rest when you are standing with your arms at your side. Since these desks are installed into the wall, they also save space.

Shelf Risers/ Stackable Shelves

If you take a look at home improvement stores, you'll find many options for shelf risers or stackable shelves. Often, stackable shelves will be a better value, because they are initially designed for closet organizing, but that doesn't mean it won't work for a desk. These can be set right on top of a regular desk to raise your working height to accommodate your standing desk workstation.

Converted Furniture

Another option to make a standing desk is to convert taller bookshelves or dressers. If you use two identical pieces you can arrange them with the drawers or shelves facing outward, and place a shelf or table top over the top. The height of the furniture should be at around 36-40 inches high, and the shelves or drawers can be used to keep useful items handy.

The Tall Table

Just because pub and bar tables are sold with the kitchen furniture doesn't mean you can use them as a desk. These tables are typically 36-40 inches high, so they are a great height for a standing desk. If you need more room to work, choose square or rectangular styles and put two tables side by side.

While standing desks are gaining popularity, and many think they are a good idea, they can take some getting used to, which is likely why those who make adjustable standing desks get away with charging so much, but there are ways to make the transition easier. You can have a high stool nearby to lean on when standing becomes a challenge. I you work on a laptop, you can place a small portable desk under your standing desk, and pull it out when you need a break from standing so you can work seating for a while. The nice thing about figuring out how a standing desk works in your apartment is that you have the freedom to handle the transition your way.

01/31/2014

Moving, decorating and keeping up an apartment can be expensive, but you can cut costs in an instant by finding new uses for old items. The concept is hot enough to merit its own collection of catch phrases. Whether you call it repurposing, upcycling or creative reinvention, the habit remains a clever way to save loads of cash.

Household Recyclables

Milk jugs: Don’t chuck that milk jug just yet. It has a flurry of uses. Rinse it, keep the cap and cut off the bottom one-third of the plastic jug. You have an instant scooper you can use for dog food, potting soil or anything else that needs scooping.

Thick boxes and containers: Heavy-duty cardboard boxes, milk crates and other storage-type containers can do double duty as a new item. Throw a table cloth or piece of decorative fabric on top and, voila!, you have an instant end table or night stand.

If the box or container is thick enough to stand on its side with one end open, you have an automatic storage area that is out of sight but within easy reach. It makes a great place to stash bedside books, couch-side magazines or miscellaneous items for a quick clean-up fix when guests are at the door.

Small containers: If you’re like many folks, you probably somehow end up with a small collection of plastic or ceramic containers you keep because they appear useful or look cool. In either case, you can give them new life as bud vases, soap holders or art supply and hardware bins. They also make dandy gift boxes for small items.

Old Clothing

Skirts: Maxi-skirts and other clothing items with long, flowing fabric can end up as décor all over your home. A few safety pins and creative positioning and you have a fabulous table cloth, couch cushion cover or window dressing. Even if the item does not cover the full window or large table, it can serve as an underskirt or colorful enhancement to existing covers.

Socks: That poor lone sock that lost its mate in the dryer can be happy again when you put it to good use. Cut off the bottom and the tube area of longer socks works as a bandage cover on arms and legs to keep gauze and other wound coverings in place. Longer tubes can also hold dried floral arrangement or other items in a bundle, making them easier to display and store.

And the foot part of the stock? Fill the foot with potpourri or your favorite dried herbs, secure the opening with a rubber band and you have an instant sachet. Make a hand puppet for the little people in your life. Take a cue from RealSimple.com and secure the sock around the bottom of chair or table legs as a floor protector the next time your rearrange your furniture.

When it comes to finding new uses for old items, anything goes. The more creative you can get, the better, and the more money you can expect to save.

01/30/2014

Personalize Your Apartment With Customized DIY Curtains - Apartments.com Team

The move into a new apartment represents one of life's important transitions. Since most apartment residents are renters, the lease may have restrictions as to the amount of decorating the landlord will allow a tenant to do. As a renter, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on decorating, but you still want to do something to the new apartment to personalize it and make it your own. Consider giving your apartment a high-end look by making your own curtains. You can customize the curtains to fit your budget, and you don't need to have a sewing machine or do any sewing for many DIY curtain projects.

Creating Your Own Design

Before beginning anything, you will want to decide on a plan for a design. Look through the HGTV website or magazines for ideas, or go to a hobby or craft store to look at their stencils for design ideas. Rather than covering an entire piece of fabric with a design, Martha Stewart suggests using stencils or fabric cut-outs to create a border. In addition to saving time, you'll get a more customized look.

For an even more unique look, arrange the images so that they're not in order. Randomizing or skewing them will create a high-end look that will be uniquely yours. You can either paint on stencils, or cut shapes out of fabric. Martha Stewart provides a template for a ginger flower that can be used as the shape. If you intend to use stencils and paint the design on the fabric, you will have a longer list of required supplies, and the project will take longer to do. If you don't have a sewing machine, take advantage of no-sew hemming tape. You can find that in fabric stores.

Customize Store-Bought Curtains or Drapes

HGTV's Design Star finalist Alice Fakier offers tips for people who want to create their own look without having to spend a lot of money. Dress up store-bought drapery or curtain panels by adding trim. Depending on the look, you might want to add braiding, tassels, balls or beads. For a simpler look on a sheer curtain, add a border of elegant ribbon.

Be sure to measure the width of your window and the height from the place where you'll place your curtain or drapery rod to the floor. If your window is off center, or in an awkward place, you may want to purchase wider panels to create a sense of symmetry or make your room look larger. If you live on a ground floor or within view of other apartments where people can look into yours, consider purchasing panels that are lined. In addition to providing you with privacy, the liner may help keep heat and cool air in during the respective seasons. This will potentially lower, or at least moderate your utility bills.

The design of your curtains or drapes will depend on several factors, including the look you want, the purpose for which they will be used, and where they will be in your apartment. For a bedroom, you may want something that blocks light - especially if you work at night. Long curtains will give the illusion of taller ceilings. Sheer, lightweight curtains will allow light to enter, something that is important in smaller spaces. If your apartment already has window blinds, adding sheer curtains may allow you customize an otherwise generic-looking apartment with a design that is uniquely your own.

01/30/2014

Unless you’re particularly fond of the sterile, empty look of a hospital hallway or parking garage, your apartment walls may need a little sprucing up. While painting, paneling and wallpapering are probably too laborious, expensive and most likely a violation of your lease, you can still get spruced up without getting thrown out with a host of groovy DIY wall art ideas.

The wall art ideas gathered here from concepts we’ve used, seen or ran across on Buzzfeed are largely inexpensive, highly creative and won’t take weeks to complete. Best yet, they can help transform any size or shape of apartment into a personalized and cozy home of your own.

Framed Art

You don’t have to go all-out buying fancy pictures with equally fancy frames. One option is to make frames out of those old CD jewel cases you never seem to find a use for. Another is to keep your eyes open for used frames at garage sales, thrift shops and the corner curb on recycling day. Even if the frames you find are a hideous color or material, you can grab a can or two of spray paint and revamp them in an instant.

You can also use an all-purpose glue to cover the frames with material, trinkets, odds and ends from your junk drawer, mementos or create collages on them with clips and pics from newspapers, magazines and snippets of your favorite photos.

What do you put in the frame?

Try absolutely nothing! Pull the backs off the frames so the wall shows through and you have just amped creativity up a notch by making the frame itself the work of art. Other options if you’re not fond of the blank slate look include:

•A mirror
•A hand-made collage
•A swatch of your favorite material from a dress that no longer fits
•A swatch of any material
•Faux fur
•A piece of wallpaper
•A greeting card or two
•A small chalkboard for a to-do list
Don’t forget you can also go traditional and actually put something like a photo in the frames.

The Art of Clustering

Larger framed art may look snazzy on its own, but smaller pieces can end up looking lost on larger walls. Here’s where the art of clustering comes in. Creating a cluster of framed art can turn several smaller pieces into one grand display.

Clustering can also work for any collection of similar objects that are easy to hang. Try a collection of ornaments that don’t look too holiday-oriented, a cascade of gaudy necklaces and baubles, or any type of jewelry you can arrange as a wall display that adds pizzazz to the room.

Another way to cluster is by hanging a collection of small shelves to display your array of knickknacks. Create your own shelving units out of sturdy shoe boxes. Grab that spray paint again and paint the insides and outsides of each box, attach the back of the boxes to the wall and insert small, lightweight items that make you smile.

01/28/2014

Crisis Management: How to Handle Winter Hazards
Faith Hinz January 28, 2014
This winter has already been a rough one for many parts of the country, and it’s far from over. Winter weather has the potential to be damaging to your property, and it can pose a hazard to your residents, too. Read on for some tips to keep your residents – and your building – safe during the winter months.

Be Prepared

There is nothing worse than being unprepared for a snowstorm. Make sure you’re stocked up on winter supplies like shovels and ice melt. You will also want to check to make sure your snow blower is in good working order. Put a reminder on your calendar to do these things in the fall so you are prepared for early snowfalls.

Prevent Falls

Snow and ice can lead to slips and falls. Check with your city to see who is responsible for snow removal and when it has to happen. You can usually find this information on your city’s website. If you are responsible, make sure to clear snow from parking lots, common areas, walkways and emergency exit doorways. It’s also a good idea to distribute sand or ice melt as an extra precaution to prevent falls. You also need to decide if your own maintenance crew will handle snow removal or you’ll hire a third party to take care of it.

Prevent Pipe Freezes

When the forecast calls for falling temperatures, remind your residents to keep their heat at a certain temperature to prevent the pipes from freezing. In older buildings, opening a cabinet door to allow the pipes to stay warm and running a faucet on a slow trickle will also help prevent freezing. Communicate this information in several ways to make sure you reach everyone. Send an email to all residents, drop flyers at each unit and hang signs in common areas like the leasing office, clubhouse and fitness center.

Check in on Vacant Units

Ask your maintenance staff to check vacant units and other spaces to make sure the heat is working and windows are sealed tight. Ask residents to let you know when they will be out of town for extended periods of time so your staff can check in on their units, too.

What precautions do you take during the winter to keep your community safe? And what communication methods do you find works best in these situations?

01/26/2014

Delivery Pizza Taste-Test: Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Little Caesars, or Domino's?
Kendra Vizcaino-Lico

In preparation for our Super Bowl Sunday celebrations, we decided to find out which of the big pizza delivery chain restaurants had the best pies. We tasted cheese and pepperoni pizzas from the big four (Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Papa John’s, and Little Caesars) to find out which one was worthy of a place in our game day spread.

See the results after the jump.

The winner: Domino’s
This was by far Epi editors’ preferred pizza of the bunch. They liked the balance of softness and crispiness in the crust, the slightly sweet sauce, and the savory spice of the pepperoni. Some felt it could use a little more cheese, but the quality of the crust is what won over the tasters, “The crispy crust is a nice touch, it has a little chewiness like real pizza,” said one judge.

2nd Place: Pizza Hut
Overly sweet sauce and a thick, doughy crust put this pizza out of favor with many of the tasters. “The crust is quite puffy and fluffy, not for a crisp crust lover.” However, the abundance of gooey cheese and a healthy helping of pepperoni helped make up for some of this pie’s shortcomings.

3rd Place: Little Caesars
While the judges enjoyed the thin crust and flavorful “zesty” sauce of this pizza, it ultimately lost points for lack of freshness. Despite the fact that it was made while we waited (there were no “Hot-n-Ready” pizzas prepared), most judges felt it was very similar to frozen pizza. “Very processed look and flavorless dough, tastes very pre-fab,” stated one judge.

4th Place: Papa John’s
Although the majority of the judges felt this one looked the best in the box, they were disappointed by the very sweet sauce, lack of cheesiness, and dry mouth feel. “Tastes like the dough mostly. Needs a heavier hand with the cheese,” noted one taster.

01/25/2014

Detox Your Life - Mesquite "Keeping it Green"
Greener Laundry and the Best New Ways to Get Those Clothes Clean - See more at: http://guides.greentowns.com/detox-your-life .Y5mbfXuy.dpuf

Green Living » Green On A Budget » Save $$ Green Your HomePosted by: Starre VartanIn: Save $$ Green Your Home|comment : 0Detox Your Life: Greener Laundry and the Best New Ways to Get Those Clothes CleanLaundry actually has a pretty significant impact on the environment. Whether you choose hot or col...

01/25/2014

$799 / 1br - 738ft² - Available Now!!!! $300 Look & Lease! (Mesquite)

Mission Ranch
901 US Hwy. 80 E., Mesquite, TX 75150

1 Bedroom, 1 bath
738 SQUARE FEET
"Santa Fe"
$799-$839
Check Availability: (866) 456-0980