Old Mill Townhomes

Lucky you live in an apartment in Lynchburg because Friday Cheers has begun. Friday Cheers has been the way Lynchburg has been celebrating summer for 20 years. Friday Cheers will be held at Riverfront Park every Friday night from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. through July 20. Live music every week from 6-9pm.

 Admission is $5, and the proceeds from the event supports downtown Lynchburg revitalization and local nonprofits.

Friday Cheers draws thousands of people to downtown Lynchburg and in to its restaurants. There is no better way to celebrate summer and welcome the weekend than with a little dancing and live music.

Get downtown and celebrate your city while you help revitalize the city at the same time. A chunk of the money raised from helps revive downtown Lynchburg. Friday Cheers brings a lot of energy and synergy to downtown Lynchburg.

Here is the music schedule for the rest of the summer:

5/25 Superhold 6-9
6/1 Dragonfly 6-9
6/8 Domino
6/15 Diamondback
6/22 Out of Spite
6/29 Key West
7/6 Jenny Reynolds and Cherry Hill 6-7:15 - The Ruckus 7:30-9
7/13 The Craig Woolard Band
7/20 Season Finale - The House Band

In the American mind, renting has long symbolized striving rather than achieving. But as we climb our way out of the Great Recession, it seems something has changed. Americans are getting over the idea of owning the American dream; increasingly, they're OK with renting it.

Home ownership is on the decline, and renting is on the rise. But the trend isn't limited to the housing market. Across the board, Americans are increasingly acclimating to the idea of giving up the stability of being an owner for the flexibility of being a renter. This may sound like a decline in living standards. But the new realities of our increasingly mobile economy make it more likely that this transition from an Ownership Society to a Rentership Society.

The unsentimental fact about the American dream is that Americans never really owned it in the first place. For the past three decades, especially, consumers haven't so much bought their quality of life as they've borrowed it from banks and credit card companies.

Now consumers are following the example of corporations, becoming more efficient. And it starts at home.

Housing is the biggest single component of consumption in the U.S. economy and the source of much of our present misery. The typical consumer spends about 32% of his or her budget on shelter. In the last decade, that generally meant borrowing a lot of money to take "ownership" of a home.

During the boom, the homeownership rate grew steadily, peaking at a record 69% in 2006.

Ownership-boosters failed to note that homes purchased in 2005 and 2006 with no-money-down, interest-only mortgages weren't really bought. They were simply rented until the "owner" flipped them or walked away from the mortgage.

In the post-bust climate, renting has emerged as a much more economically efficient way to pay for housing. A one-year lease represents a far less onerous financial obligation than a 30-year mortgage. It's difficult to get into too much financial trouble as a renter. The homeownership rate has fallen from its peak in 2006 to 65.4% today.

For an increasing number of Americans it makes more sense to rent. According to Moody's, by late 2011 it was cheaper to rent than to own in 72% of American metropolitan areas, (such as Lynchburg) up from 54% a decade ago. And the more people who do it, the more socially acceptable and desirable it becomes. The decline in the ownership rate means that about three million more households rent today than did at the height of the bubble.

It's tempting to view the rise of renting as an economic step backward. But many would argue the rise of renting is a sign of a system adapting to new realities.

The U.S. economy needs the dynamism that renting enables as much as, or more than, it needs the stability that ownership engenders.

And the rising popularity of renting is hardly contained to the housing market.

Finally, perhaps, Americans are absorbing a piece of wisdom from Thoreau: "And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him."

For information on renting an apartment in Lynchburg, contact Old Mill Townhomes.

Wall Street Journal

Lynchburg is once again in the running for a $100,000 prize in PetSafe's Bark for your Park contest.  Old Mill Townhomes, a community of townhomes in Lynchburg, VA is a pet friendly apartment community. We love our resident dogs and we want you to have a great dog park.

May is going to be a busy month for dog lovers in Lynchburg. The city is going to once again participate in the Bark for Your Park contest, in which money is awarded to the city with the most votes. This year there's also a chance for two runners up to get $25,000. Lynchburg came in second last year.

That money will go toward funding a dog park. The group Friends of the Lynchburg Dog Park has already raised enough money to build phase one, which is just a fence. They're starting work on that in the coming weeks. They will be busy putting up a fence in what will be the new dog park, so they are asking a group in the community to head up the efforts for that competition.

The group still needs money for phase two--benches, water, and other amenities.  You can vote once a day, twice on both the website, http://www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/and on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PetSafeBrand/app_321086731284099.

Low mortgage rates and more affordable home prices in the Lynchburg area are creating an interest in home ownership by those who live in apartments. However, potential buyers who are unprepared for the true cost of owning a home may be shocked by the bite home ownership can take out of their wallet in addition to their mortgage payments.

Inspection and Appraisal Fees
Before you purchase a home you need to pay for a home inspection, and an appraisal, possible even inspections for pests or radon. The costs of these inspections are borne by buyers and are a necessary protection to avoid buying a flawed property or paying too much.

Closing Costs
Buyers need to be prepared with the cash for anywhere from 2% to 4% of the mortgage balance depending on your area.

Taxes
As a homeowner, you'll need to pay property taxes, which are generally part of the escrow you pay into each month. Remember, even if you have a fixed-rate home loan, your property taxes could go up and increase your monthly housing costs.

Insurance
Your lender will require home insurance, the cost of which depends on factors including the construction materials of your home and the location. Even if you have renter's insurance, you'll find that home insurance costs more because you are paying for the ability to rebuild your home in addition to replacing your personal possessions. Insurance costs will rise over time, and you will need supplemental insurance if you live in a flood zone.

HOA and Condo Fees
If you buy a home within a homeowners' association or a condominium association, you'll be required to pay a monthly or quarterly fee. These fees can rise, or your association may need to charge a special assessment for projects such as repaving the parking lot or repairing a roof.

Utility Bills
Depending on where you live, your costs for electricity, gas and water could be higher when you move into your own home than when you live in a townhouse in Lynchburg, VA. You may also need to pay for garbage collection along with your Internet, cable and phone bill.

Furniture
While this is essentially a discretionary expense, most people who move from an apartment to a larger home need to buy at least some new furniture.

Lawn Care
Whether you handle your yard work yourself or hire a professional, you will have to pay something to keep your landscaping in check. Lawn equipment can be costly and you may need a leaf blower and other yard tools, too.

Maintenance
Home maintenance costs time and money. While you may be able to change your furnace filters, clean your gutters and keep your appliances running smoothly yourself, you may also need to hire a contractor to clean and inspect your chimney and to keep your heating and air conditioning system in top shape.

Repairs
While maintenance tasks can be predictable, the most costly part of home ownership typically comes with unexpected repairs such as replacing or repairing the roof, removing a tree, or paying for mold mitigation in a damp basement. The list of possibilities is endless, so homeowners should set aside savings for an emergency. Experts suggest budgeting for 1% or 2% of your mortgage balance as a yearly maintenance and repair fund.

The Bottom Line
Buying a home costs more than you think. If you don’t expect to stay in your home for at least seven to 10 years, contact Old Mill Town Homes.

SF Gate

If you have recently moved into your townhouse in Lynchburg, VA and are now looking for the perfect apartment pet to keep you company, here are some thoughts.

What is the best apartment pet? Put some thought into finding the perfect apartment pet for you.

Dogs
The first pet that people consider are usually dogs. But not every dog is made for an apartment. We do not have a weight limit for dogs at Old Mill Townhomes, and there are plenty of large-breed dogs that can be happy indoors and living in an apartment. The type of dog that is perfect for an apartment are those with a more mild temperament, with less energy. Keep in mind that we don’t allow aggressive breeds.

Cats
Cats are often thought of as the perfect pet for apartments because often they don’t need or want to go outdoors at all. Cats are also quiet pets so they won’t bother your neighbors while you are away.

Rodents
Guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils, enjoy human interaction and are happy in their cages, with time out for exercise and socializing.

At Old Mill Townhomes, keep in mind that we do not allow certain aggressive breeds of dogs, but we encourage a furry companion. For information about Old Mill Townhomes, pet friendly apartments in Lynchburg, contact us.

Welcoming spring usually means spring cleaning, which often leads to purging your apartment in Lynchburg, VA of belongings you no longer need, want or use. Are you organizing your home and getting rid of some things? If so, you can help feed Lynchburg kids.
 
A church in Lynchburg is raising money to feed kids, and they need your help to make it happen.

Quaker Memorial Presbyterian is holding a yard sale on April 27th.  But they need more things to sell, so they're asking for donations.

All the money from the sale will go to the Backpack for Kids program.  It's a project that makes sure needy kids have food when they go home after school.

"A little bit from all of us could fill a great hole in their lives. A full stomach can learn so much better than an empty one, and we're hoping to get as much turn out for donations," said Michael Worley, the event organizer.

You can donate things for the sale until April 27th.  You can contact the church at 237-2548 to make donations. Volunteers will also be collecting donations at the church next Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. They ask that you do not donate clothes.

Information from WSET

It does not matter where you live, in a home in the country or in an apartment in Lynchburg, VA.  If you suffer from insomnia, it can really take its toll. However, sleep aids are not always the answer. It may be where you are sleeping that is the problem.

Here are some tips that can help you get a better night’s sleep.

As the days become longer, you don’t want those rays of early morning light to steal the last few hours of sleep you need. Blackout curtains or shades block out any light.

Keeping cool at night makes for better sleeping conditions too. People sleep better when it is cooler at night, so program your thermostat between 60 and 68 degrees. You will sleep better and conserve energy.

You need to be comfortable. A new mattress may be necessary for some, but sometimes all that is needed is a mattress pad. Pillows with polyester stuffing tend to wear out after a year, so try a new pillow too.

Sometimes, soundproofing is a good idea. Try a white noise machine which can replace the sounds of outside life and neighbors.

Did you know that you should not use your bedroom as a TV room or office? When you use your bedroom for other things, your brain associates your bedroom with activities other than sleeping, which may be what’s keeping you up all night. Give your brain the chance to wind down before bed and don’t use the computer or watch TV.

Fox news

It's time to shed the sweaters we've been hiding under all winter and think about shorts, skirts and swimsuits. There's no better way to get fit then to get out there and run. If you live in an apartment in Lynchburg and you are anxious to lose that winter weight and get in shape, you are in luck. This is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and get in shape.

The Lynchburg Road Runners are launching a race series starting in April that runs through August. There are a variety of distances you can sign up to run and each helps raise money for a good cause.

Not to mention, the health benefit you get from training! The race series kicks off April 7th with the Point of Honor 5-K.
WSET

Tax day is fast approaching. Do you still need to file yours? There are many benefits to living in a townhouse in Lynchburg, VA, but you may not think that tax deductions are one of them.

As a renter, you often get more for your dollar spent. By renting at Old Mill Town Homes, you can live in a beautiful community full of apartment amenities. You also get to live in an area of Virginia with so much to do.

Now, let’s talk about tax breaks for renters. As you know, this is one of the advantages of owning a home. But, not always. As a homeowner, if your annual mortgage interest payment and your other deductions aren’t greater than your standard tax deductions, you will not receive any tax benefit from owning a house.

However, you can always qualify for some type of tax deduction as a renter.  A large portion of your rent is tax deductible every year. If you rent, you're probably better off taking the standard deduction.

Additionally, if you have a home based business, you can also deduct expenses for the business use of your apartment. These expenses include your monthly rent, renters insurance, and utilities. A home office deduction is available to you as a renter.  

There are two basic requirements for the home based business tax deduction. 1. Regular and Exclusive use - which means this part of your apartment is regularly and exclusively used for business 2. This must be your principal place of business.

You have probably heard by now that gas prices will only be going up and as we approach summer they may be as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Lynchburg, VA and you like to drive around the Virginia country side on your summer weekends, and worse yet, if you are towing a boat to add to your summer fun, gas mileage is very important.

You can improve your car’s gas mileage. If you do them all, you can increase your gas mileage by 50%. When you bought your car you had a specified number of miles per gallon, but you may not be seeing that mileage today. Why?

Many car owners neglect some regular car maintenance.  If it has been awhile since you have had a tune up on your car, schedule one! Be sure to keep up on your car’s regular maintenance. Regularly maintained cars get the best gas mileage. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Check your tire air pressure. Your tires can directly affect your gas mileage. As the temperature changes, so does the pressure in your tires. Regularly check that your tires have the required PSI. When the pressure in your tires is too low, your tires no longer work efficiently, they work like water balloons. With too much surface on the road, there is too much friction causing your car to work harder. Your gas mileage can be dramatically affected by poor tire pressure.

Believe it or not, changing your driving habits can affect your gas mileage. The way you drive affects how much gas you burn. Not planning to stop, revving up and slowing down and driving over the speed limit all use too much gas.  By changing your behavior behind the wheel, you can increase the gas mileage in your car.

Enjoy the ride, and keep money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.