If you own apartment real estate in Dallas, then this is a great time for you. According to statistics, rental units are in incredibly high demand right now. In fact, research shows that the market looks better than it has in nearly a decade. The last time units were this full was 2000. This good news can’t come soon enough after the impressive hits to the real estate market caused by the recession in recent years. North Texas rentals showed a net decline for both 2008 and 2009, after all. Now, suddenly, they’ve recovered and even risen.

The Source of the Boom

Experts say that the foreclosure market is in large part responsible for this newly active rental market. People who were buying homes are no longer doing so and those who lost their homes to foreclosure are not in a position to buy new ones either. This leaves most people with the option of apartment rentals. These renters as a group represent an additional net demand for Dallas apartments. At last count, the market showed a ninety one percent total occupancy and even in the last quarter of 2010, an additional 470 Dallas apartments were rented to new tenants.

The Consequences of the Boom

This boom in the apartment market has had an important effect on the Dallas area. To begin with, it has revitalized interest in the sale and construction of apartment real estate. In the last year 10, 753 new apartment units were built. Insiders say that we can expect that number to rise in 2011. Of course this boom in rentals will also have an effect on potential renters themselves. You can see it already in statistics that show turnover rates are at historic lows. People do not want to give up their apartments without good reason. As the demand rises, so too will the difficulty involved in finding an appropriate unit.

Many people who are unaccustomed to living in an apartment feel like their apartments are nothing more than glorified hotel rooms. But your apartment doesn’t have to leave you with that impression. There are some easy and simple things that you can do to make your apartment feel more like a home, and many of them involve your senses.

Sights of Home
The sights that greet you when you enter your apartment can really set the mood for the entire apartment. Make sure that your doorway is welcoming and inviting by placing a wreath on the exterior of the door, and a welcome mat. Your entrance should have a place to take off your coat, such as an unobtrusive hall tree. If you enter into the living room area, make sure that you have a comfy couch and that the area is well lit. A few books and magazines on a coffee table can give your living area a lived in look. Lay a throw across the back of the sofa. Add some plants near the window to bring the look of nature indoors. All of these things will make coming into your apartment seem more “homey”.

Smells of Home
Apartments are usually small and cramped, so they can become musty smelling in no time, no matter how staunch your housekeeping practices. Counter this by opening your windows and letting in fresh air as often as weather permits. You can also purchase spray odor neutralizer or room deodorizer. Choose scented oil that you like and invest in an inexpensive scented oil burner. Scents of baked goods and other sweet goodies can give you a down home feeling. You can achieve this effect with scented candles, but always use caution when burning candles; never leave a candle unattended.

Touches of Home
Throughout your decorating scheme, adding elements that are soft to the touch can be very comforting and make you feel like you are living in a “real” home. Go for fuzzy rugs, plush bath towels, down comforters, and lots of toss pillows.

Sounds of Home
Many apartment buildings are noisy. You have street noise, noise from people coming and going, and if you’re unlucky – noise from noisy neighbors. While you cannot completely block the noises from outside, you can do some very inexpensive soundproofing to your apartment to make your space more tranquil. There are kits on the market that will allow you to place rubber matting covered by thin 1/8th inch wall board to keep the noise to a minimum. If you don’t want to go to that extreme, playing your favorite music in the background can help to block out some of the noise. At night, operate a box fan in your bedroom to block noise, or use a sound machine that will soothe you to sleep to the sound of the ocean rolling in and out.