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We are bringing back employee spotlights! Today, we are featuring Kelden! He has been with BK Management for seven months now, and is one of our full time leasing agents! He has been a great addition to our team and brings a lot of laughter to the office! Kelden’s customer service skills are truly exceptional. He is always eager to answer the phone and help current and potential residents out in any means necessary. Finding a place to lease can be stressful at times, but Kelden does a great job giving our residents peace of mind by helping them find a perfect fit!

Getting ready to move? We totally understand that showing your unit to prospective tenants can be an inconvenience. We want to provide you with some ways that can help speed up the process so hopefully we do not have to show it as many times! When signing a lease with us, you agree to giving us a notice if you plan to renew or not. In the case that you decide you aren’t staying, your unit gets listed on our website immediately for future renters to see and showings will commence. If we are showing a unit that is well taken care of and inviting, prospects are more willing to rent that because it feels like home. On the contrary, if we are taking them into a messy unit with less than happy tenants meeting us at the door, this usually turns them away immediately which means we will have to show it more often to get it leased. Below is a list of things you can do to help us get your unit rented: All clutter is picked up Garbage is taken out Floors are swept, mopped, vacuumed, etc. Dishes are done and put away Bathrooms are in sanitary condition Bedrooms are picked up Laundry piles are put away All outside areas are cleaned up and yard is taken care of We enjoy our tenants and hope that you stay with us, however we do understand that circumstances do change and we would like to make the transition as smooth and possible! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg

Meet Kate! She has been a valued member of our leasing team for a few years now. Kate is currently a senior at Purdue University studying Organizational Leadership and Supervision with a minor in design and innovation. She is dedicated to helping all of our residents with whatever the situation may be and excited to meet you at your next showing! Here is a short interview so you can get to know her a little better! What is your favorite part of your job? "My favorite part of working at BK is building relationships with new fellow co-workers and above all, current and future tenants to give them the best experience possible while renting with us." Do you have any hobbies? How do you spend your free time? "Some of my hobbies include spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading and petting dogs." What are three words that you think describe BK Management best? "Three words that I think best describe BK are giving, understanding and personable." What advise would you give incoming tenants? "Some advise I would give incoming tenants is to follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date on all things BK!" If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? " If I could go any place in the world, it would be back to Coburg, Germany to catch up with some amazing friends I met on an exchange student trip in high school!"

Moving in to your first rental and don't know what to bring? Here is a list of basic items you won't want to forget!

Tired of your electric bill going sky high in the summer months from the air conditioner trying to keep up? Here are some tips to help keep your house cool without breaking the bank! Window Coverings This seems pretty obvious, however it is the simplest quick fix to a hot house! Getting a set of blackout curtains will work best in keeping the cool air in and not having the sun beat down in your home. These typically come in a variety of colors to match any decor. Laundry Running your dryer introduces quite a bit of heat and humidity into your home. If you have the ability, using a clothes line instead will make a huge difference! Cooking Alternatives As you probably know, your oven generates a ton of heat, which quickly transfers throughout the entire home. Summer is a great time to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, so think outside the box a little and trade in the casseroles for salads! If you are still wanting a hot meal, use alternatives such as a crock pot or a grill (if allowed at your rental). Doors/Windows On cooler days (or nights) create a cross breeze through your home by opening a door or window in the front of the house as well as the back. This will optimize air flow and will allow a cool breeze to flow through. Along these same lines, limit the amount of times the doors are opened and closed. Everything they are open more heat is let into the house Individual Rooms In some houses there are going to be rooms that you do not constantly use throughout the day. Some examples may be office, laundry, pantry, guest room, etc. Keeping the doors shut to these spaces will keep the cold air from dispersing out of the main rooms you typically use. If you have any other tips that have worked for you, please share below! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg

Rent prices have you moving into a smaller space than expected? Here are a few decorating tips to make the space seem larger than it actually is! 1. Go Vertical Creating the illusion of higher ceilings is an easy (and sometimes practical) way of making your space seem larger. When using furniture and decor to draw the eye up, the actual floor space becomes less noticeable. A good example of this would be a tall bookshelf. (We’re talking floor to almost ceiling here!) Not only will this create the illusion of taller ceilings, but it will give you added storage to avoid having clutter. Bookshelves can be incredibly versatile. If you need an entertainment center, you can do two bookshelves with a tv console in the middle. Pantry shortage? Use a bookshelf to store dry goods or even small kitchen appliances. Mudroom storage? Turn a bookshelf on its side, add baskets for shoes and make the top a bench with a few throw pillows! If floor space does not allow you to have standing shelving, floating shelves are a great option to achieve some of the same looks. 2. Everything Needs A Space Keeping a clean, clutter free home will help in making the space feel larger. By making sure to have countertops and tables clear of unnecessary items, the eye will be drawn to the room as a whole instead of one spot in particular. Utilize wall space by hanging a key hook, a shelf to put other items typically in your pockets/purse and add a wall folder for mail. If you moved somewhere where storage space is lacking, baskets are going to be your new best friend! They are plenty versatile and come in many different sizes. Some items that store great in baskets are throw blankets for the couch, board games, kitchen spices, mismatched socks, and even toilet paper! The possibilities are really endless and you can find them to match almost any decor. 3. Mirror Image Mirrors are a great way to create the illusion of more space. If at all possible, use tall mirrors that rest on the floor. Not only does this give you a great way to see your outfit for the day, but if placed right it can make the room appear double in size! You can find these mirrors in multiple sizes and styles to match your home decor 4. Light Colors So you want to add color to your space. We get it, everyone wants to make their home their own! However, painting multiple walls a bright, loud color will only make the room appear cramped. Instead of painting any walls (yes, this includes accent walls) think decor instead! Throw pillows and blankets, wall hangings and even lamps can bring out your favorite colors without sacrificing any “space”. Most rentals you will move in to have neutral colored walls and a lot of companies will not let you paint, so this tip is a win/win for all! 5. Furniture Size Trust us, we know sectional couches are comfy! However, they are not made for small spaces AT ALL. Instead, use a regular size couch and add accent chairs to either side. This will still give you the seating that you need, but again the eye will be drawn to the whole room instead of one large piece of furniture. Plus, it’s just another chance to incorporate your favorite colors! If you are dead set on having a sectional, they do sell smaller models that you could make work. 6. Area Rugs Here is just another way to bring out your decor style! Also in a rental, this is a good way to protect your carpets. Adding long rugs in front of door ways or even down hallways will create a vertical illusion that will make the room appear larger. Have more ideas? Let us know what has worked for you! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg

Frequently Asked Questions: At BK Management we strive to be completely honest and transparent with our tenants. This starts with hiring top notch leasing agents that are willing to help you through the entire leasing process and continue to do so for the duration of the time you stay with us. Our agents are very knowledgeable on our rentals, but to ensure you have all the information you need before signing a lease, we put together a list of frequently asked questions to help guide you to finding the best fit. 1. What is the cost to move in? We require an application fee, security deposit and first months rent. 2. What utilities am I responsible for and do I need to take care of the lawn? This is different for every property. Your agent will be able to answer specifics for you. 3. When is rent due? Typically rent is due the first of the month. Please refer to the lease you are signing for any variation. 4. Are there any parking restrictions? At most of our apartment complexes, yes. Please ask your agent to avoid possible towing. 5. Will I receive my deposit back at the end of my lease? Security deposits are held to pay for any damages that are found after move out. We compare the condition to what it was when you moved in and go from there. 6. What is your late rent policy? Typically your lease will specify a grace period, however all rentals are different. 7. How can I pay rent? We have an easy (free) system to pay online. However you are able to make payment with cash, check or money order as well. We also work with Casey’s and CVS, so you can take your payment there if that is easiest for you. 8. Will I get the first option to renew? In most cases, yes. We reach out to our tenants at least 60 days prior to the lease expiration to see what your renewal plans are. 9. Is there an application I need to fill out? Yes, all of our tenants are required to pass a background check. 10. How is maintenance handled? We do have our own maintenance staff for our properties. All maintenance requests can be put in easily through your online portal and will be sent directly to our employees to schedule in to the day according to priority. 11. Do you allow pets? Unless you have an ESA or Service Animal, pets are not allowed at our rentals. 12. When is the best time to look for a rental on campus? We start our campus leasing a year in advance. If you want a specific house/location, we recommend searching in September so you have plenty to choose from. 13. How many roommates can I have? Some of our local ordinances require limits on persons per household. Please ask your agent for further details. 14. Can you hold a property for me? Our properties are rented on a fist come/first served basis. The only way to secure a property is to have an approved application, signed lease and deposit put down. 15. How long is the lease term? Most of our leases are 12 months. See your specific lease for details that pertain to the property you are interested in. If you are ready to start searching for your new rental, please give us a call at 765-637-0208 or visit our website at www.bkmgmt.com! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg

If you have found yourself in the situation of looking for a rental property, but cannot physically attend a showing, we are here to help! Whether you are relocating or practicing social distancing due to COVID-19, our agents will be able to assist you through our whole leasing process. All of our units that are available or will be coming available in the near future are listed on our website at www.bkmgmt.com. When visiting this website, you will be able to find information on the properties including bedroom and bathroom count, photos, price and property features. The website also offers an interactive map so you can get a feel for the neighborhood the rental is in. We understand that it may be difficult to picture the inside of a home just from the photos we have on the listing. In order to solve that issue, our agents are more than willing to either FaceTime, Skype or take a video of the property and send it to you. To us, this is the best solution to conducting a showing while not physically being present. For an added bonus, some of our properties even have virtual tours! The rest of our leasing process is fortunately done online. You can submit your application at www.bkmgmt.com under the property that you are interested in and if approved, we send you the lease through email! In order to further avoid a trip to our office, you are more than welcome to mail in your security deposit payment. The only time you will need to meet us is on your move in date to pick up your keys and tenant forms. If you have any questions or concerns, our agents are in office Monday-Friday 9-5 to answer your calls. Outside of normal business hours you can leave us a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to helping you with your leasing needs in any way we can! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg

When the time comes for you to move in to a rental property, the cost can sometimes be overwhelming. Here are some tips on budgeting for your move and determining how much you can afford in monthly rent. For most rental properties, it is customary to pay security deposit and first months rent before moving in. The deposit is typically equal to the same amount as one months rent, but cannot be used as an actual rent payment. This is solely to stay on file for any damages/repairs/cleaning at move out. In addition to that, there is most likely an application fee. This fee is applied to running a screening on all prospects so we can ensure we are moving in the best tenants and keeping our properties as safe as possible. If you are trying to decide how much you can afford while you are searching for a property, please keep in mind there are external costs associated with renting, it is not just a rent payment once a month. One thing to definitely consider is going to be the cost of utilities. Typically utility companies will make you put down a deposit for them as well. This cost varies from company to company. It is always a good idea to call ahead and have them give an estimate so you can prepare for that payment. If this comes as a concern to you, you may want to search for rental options with more utilities included in the rent. Other than utilities, you will most likely need renters insurance. Depending on what agency you decide on and how much coverage you have, this cost can be relatively small, however it is still something to add in to your monthly budget. In addition, when searching for a property be sure to ask if there are any charges for parking, amenities or payment methods. Most rental companies have a requirement on your monthly income to rent a property. For example, we require at least 3x the month rent. This ensures us that you have enough to pay rent and utilities with some left over for general living expenses. If income is something you are worried about, you can consider finding a roommate or seeking rental assistance from your local housing authority. It is pretty standard that most online rental postings have the price listed with them so you can easily eliminate your choices. However, keep in mind that unless you are on a companies dedicated website the listings may not be 100% accurate. We recommend calling in for the most up to date information on listings. Have questions but you are not finding what you are looking for? Please give our office a call at 765-637-0208 to speak with one of our agents. We look forward to hearing from you soon! BK Management Now Serving: West Lafayette, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Linden, New Market, Indianapolis, Fowler, Brook, Boswell, Hoopeston, Covington, Veedersburg