TGM Associates Unveils New Consumer Brand

TGM Associates, a full-service, SEC-registered real estate investment advisory firm, announced today the unveiling of a new multifamily consumer brand called TGM Communities to represent its property management and operations division.

“For 20 years, TGM has stood for value, quality and service. Our goal is to communicate our corporate culture to the people we interface with: our TGM Team Members, residents, business partners, and investors. Our new TGM Communities brand reflects what TGM stands for and highlights the qualities that we think differentiate us in our industry,” said John Gochberg, TGM Chief Operating Officer.

“Our mission is to create value by providing a living and working environment of quality at a premier community. We strive to be the best investment and management company in the multifamily industry,” added Gochberg.

The new branding initiative represents a significant milestone for the New York-based real estate company, founded in 1991 by Tom Gochberg and Steve Macy. Over the course of its 20-year history, TGM has invested over $2 billion in 118 multifamily properties located in 28 states and 57 cities. TGM has been recognized as one of Top Money Managers in 2011 by Pensions and Investments publication.

TGM recently launched a new branded design consisting of a new logo and consumer website: http://www.TGMCommunities.com. “Our logo symbolizes the personal nature of our business, we provide quality apartment homes to people and we aim to create a sense of community and better living,” said Gochberg.

TGM Associates will continue to be the corporate identity and the www.TGMAssociates.com website for investor and acquisitions information will be maintained.

For more information about TGM Communities, please contact Israel Carunungan, National Director of Property Marketing at 443-864-4035, email at icarunungan@tgmcommunities.com or visit www.TGMCommunities.com.

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About TGM Associates L.P.
Founded in 1991, TGM Associates L.P. is an investment advisory firm with a single focus — multifamily properties. TGM operates under a fully integrated organization that encompasses property acquisition, management, construction, maintenance, leasing/marketing and disposition. On behalf of its investor clients, TGM acquires, manages and sells apartment properties throughout the United States. Since 1991, TGM has invested approximately $2 billion in 118 multifamily residential properties throughout 28 states and 57 cities, comprising over 32,000 apartment homes. TGM’s current portfolio contains 46 properties in 23 states.

Apartment Patio Gardens

Living in an apartment community? Wanting to plant a garden, but can’t find space to do it? Why not create a garden on your apartment patio? Below are some tips to create a beautiful patio garden and capture the beauty of the season.

To begin, observe your patio and its direction. A well-planned patio garden allows you to make the most of the space.

• How big is the patio (both width and height)?
• How much sun or shade does your patio get?
• Think about the colors you like.
• Take a few pictures of the space.
• Take a look around your neighborhood or community. Look at different patio gardens and get ideas about what you like and dislike and take notes.

Visiting your local nursery is the next step. Gardening experts can provide great tips to get your garden started. You can discuss the size of the patio, how much space you want to allocate to the patio garden, sun or shade availability, the color palette you wish to use, etc. The experts can help you choose the correct pots, plants, soil and fertilizer that suit your needs. They can also offer maintenance and design tips.

Once you have purchased your plants and pots, it’s time to get started on your patio garden. Here are some tips for planting and maintaining your garden:

• Be sure to break up some of the roots when taking the plant out of the container and placing it in the pot.
• Review the instructions that explain how to care for your plants.
• Use a liquid or slow-release fertilizer to help you garden flourish.
• Do not over or under water your plants or use fertilizer each time you water.

To enhance the beauty of the patio garden, try some of these additional design ideas.

• Choose different size plant holders. Set them down from tall to short and even interchange colors and greenery throughout for a designer look.
• Consider the possibility of adding a small fountain. There are some that run on batteries or can simply plug in. Fountains incorporate both beauty and the peaceful sound of trickling water.
• Try making more of your space by incorporating some hanging plants and vines.

With these simple ideas, you can make the most of your patio space and enjoy a wonderful garden with your apartment.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties.  TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S.  TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

Benefits of Living in a High Rise Apartment Building

While it’s true that high rise living has disadvantages (ever had to walk up several flights of stairs when the elevator is out?), they present a slew of valuable benefits as well.  While it is up to each renter to decide for themselves which lifestyle is more appropriate for their needs, TGM Associates is proud to provide the following benefits of living in a high rise apartment building.

Location

As the adage goes, “Location, location, location”.  High rise apartment buildings are typically built in desirable, urban locations to meet demand.  These locations yield a variety of lifestyle features, including the proximity of shopping, nightlife, public transportation, and more.  A garden style apartment will typically be more spread out and located father away from urban areas.

Amenities

Amenities are another huge advantage of high rise apartment buildings.  Doormen, fitness centers, controlled entry, security systems, on-site maintenance, guest housing, and morning coffee are all commonly included amenities in a high rise apartment building.  Additionally, if you live in a densely populated area, many high rise buildings will offer underground parking, either included in the rent or as a separate fee.  This parking space can make maintaining a car easier and parking more efficient.  Doormen and security systems are a great value in terms of safety for singles and travelers.

Utilities

Some apartments will include utilities in the total rent; others will require you to pay your own utilities.  However, high rise apartments typically result in lower utility costs overall, due to construction standards and practices.  Additionally, many high rises will bulk-negotiate lower rates, even when residents pay their bills individually.  This results in cost savings for you!  If you don’t use internet very often, many resident lounges provide free Wi-Fi, which means you won’t have to worry about signing up for internet yourself.

Community

While it may seem counter-intuitive, living in the right high rise can provide a real sense of community.  Many large buildings host regular resident events or fitness classes that let you get to know your neighbors.  Once you’ve met a few people or families that live in your building, you’ll start feeling right at home.

In order to be certain you’re choosing the right apartment, you should always try to tour the building and a similar unit before you make up your mind.  You might also want to walk around the building, to make sure you’re in touch with the neighborhood as well.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties.  TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S.  TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

Growing Plants Indoors

Growing plants indoors can be a wonderful way to decorate your living space and bring a little nature indoors.   From hard to kill potted plants to a wonderful edible garden, TGM Associates apartment dwellers to know that there are many methods of bringing the beauty and joy of plants to your cozy home.

One easy way to get started is with low maintenance plants that require little light.  Hardier houseplants such as the Spider Plant, “lucky” bamboo , and Pothos are easy to grow and do well in a variety of conditions.  Also try philodendrons, Aspidistra, the Jade plant, and the money plant.

Plants such as these, as well as other plants in containers and planters, allow you to move them around your space—an advantage that is not available with permanent plantings.  You can move your plants where it’s sunnier or shadier, depending on the needs of the plant and the season.  You can also bring blooming plants to more visible areas of your apartment to show them off.  It’s up to you what you want to use as your container.  Get creative!  Try your old Snoopy lunch pail, a desk drawer, a teapot, or a wicker basket.   Just make sure that whatever you do choose has holes drilled in the bottom for drainage.
There are still other ways to find space for plants in your apartment, while still providing them with what they need to flourish.   A trellis or hanging pole is a great space saver, and, of course, there’s not much else that can bring beauty to your home like a window box full of colorful flowers.  Many apartment dwellers have patios or balconies that provide the opportunity to grow numerous types of plants.

One of the most rewarding options for the apartment dweller is to create an edible garden.  Vegetables such as carrots and lettuce can be grown in containers if placed near a window that lets in at least six hours of sunlight.  With a special grow light, you can even grow tomatoes and strawberries.  Try various herbs, grouping them according to their soil, water, and sun requirements.  Sage, thyme, and oregano need full sun, so can grow on your balcony in a sunny window box.  Mint and spearmint need semi-sun, so can be placed accordingly.  Use your mint in deserts, drinks, and even as a way to repel ants. However small, growing food in your own garden not only saves you money, but is also good for the environment.

With some simple planning, plants of all kinds bring life and beauty to your home and to your apartment.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties.  TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S.  TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

How to Crate Train your Dog

Wolves and dogs in the wild are known to burrow holes to sleep in, providing them with a secure, warm den that they can live in and protect. While living in the wild, these dens are easy to build themselves, but a domestic dog that tries to build itself a den will destroy your home.  By providing your puppy with an indoor crate can satisfy many your dog’s instinct for a secure den. Besides being a useful housebreaking tool, this safety zone for your dog can also help to reduce separation anxiety and prevent destructive behavior. Dogs like have somewhere they can be alone to feel safe and secure when sleeping. A dog crate (with a dog that has been crate trained) is more than able to provide this safe haven. As a source of pet-friendly apartments throughout the US, TGM Associates would like to share some helpful crate training tips for when you bring home your puppy.

A crate helps address many of the problems that cause stress and anxiety for pets and their owners. They provide a useful tool to prevent problems associated with destructive behavior and fear of strangers.  A properly introduced crate can be used to help with house training, and help you manage you dog when you entertain guests who are afraid of dogs.  By creating a small, mobile comfort zone, crates can even help you travel with your dog.
You will need both time and patience to introduce your dog to the crate and make certain your dog sees it as a part of its home and a special place of comfort. Here are a few tips to help you determine the best size and location for your crate:

• If you own an adult dog that is not likely to grow, you should search out a crate that is large enough for your dog to stand, sit, and stretch out. For a puppy, you should start with a smaller crate and move to larger sizes as your dog grows.
• Place the crate in an area so he is with you, and part of family activities. Dogs are pack animals, and isolating his den from the rest of the pack will create a sense of unease and loneliness.
• If possible, at night the crate should go in your bedroom. Not only does this provide comfort to your dog or puppy, but your own sleeping patterns will encourage your dog to instinctively sleep at night. If there is any fussing or if a puppy needs to go out at night, you will also be nearby to deal with it promptly.

Once you’ve established the crate and its location, you will need to introduce the concept of the crate to your dog. There are some tricks that you can use to help the dog understand that the crate is a place designed specifically for them.

• Start by leaving the crate door open continually, and place some of your dog’s toys inside.  You will want to place the toys as far inside the crate as possible. Therefore, if they want a specific toy they will have to go into the crate to retrieve it.   You can also use doggy treats as encouragement to enter the crate. It won’t be long before your dog feels comfortable enough to start going into the crate to lie down.  To encourage napping behavior, you might also line the floor with a blanket or dog pillow.
• After a few days of napping while the crate door is left ajar, quietly close the door and leave it closed for a few minutes or until they wake up.
• Gradually increase the amount of time the crate door is kept closed. With time and patience, you will ultimately be able to stay in the room, with the door closed, and your dog will lie there quietly until they fall asleep. It is important that you learn to distinguish between any anxious whines and the sounds your dog makes when they need to go to the bathroom – if you hear a true need, you should let the dog out immediately to take care of business.
• Eventually, you can leave the house, and then return immediately. Then, extend the time to leaving your dog for longer periods until you do not hear any whining or such at any point.
• Continue to increase the time and work on attaining a fixed routine of leaving your house or apartment; i.e. put your jacket and shoes on, grab your keys, etc.
• Put your dog in its crate at regular intervals throughout the day up to a maximum of 2 hours.  Be very careful not to leave your dog in its crate for extended periods.  A dog that is confined to its crate too much will not receive the exercise or interaction it requires to stay healthy.  If necessary, hire a dog sitter or find a doggie daycare center if you absolutely cannot visit the home/crate periodically.
• By crating when you are at home and while you are gone, your dog becomes at ease in the crate and won’t worry about your return, or that you are leaving him/her alone. This also helps to prevent separation anxiety later in life.
• Do not let the dog out of the crate while they are barking or they will think that barking is the key to opening the door to the crate. This will only encourage and reward the bad behavior. Wait until the barking or whining has stopped for at least 10 seconds before letting them out.
• Once your dog is comfortable with his crate and has been taught all the housebreaking and behavior rules, you should not continue to crate him or her.  Once you can trust your dog not to destroy your apartment, you should let the crate become a voluntary den.
• Finally, but most importantly: You should NEVER use the crate as a form of punishment or reprimand for your puppy or dog. This simply causes the dog to fear and resent the crate. If properly introduced to his crate, your puppy should be content, even eager to go into his crate at any time.  If you use the crate for punishment, the crate cannot become a comfortable zone for your dog, and you face the possibility of increased anxiety issues.

Remember that taking care of your dog is a full time responsibility, and deserves the care and consideration that you would give to taking care of a child.  With the technique detailed above, you can easily teach your dog to feel safe and comfortable during periods when you are not at home.
TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties. TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S. TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

How to Keep Your Dog from Barking Excessively

If you are a dog owner, chances are you’re aware of how frustrating it is to control your dog’s behavior, especially if you live in an apartment.  While it’s only natural for dogs to bark, whine and howl at times, some dogs get too aggressive to the point that they become disturbing to your family and your neighborhood, while others bark excessively for peculiar reasons.  Sometimes we want our dogs to bark in order to warn us about potential danger or protect us from harm.  However, excessive barking can be considered a behavior problem and many dog owners find themselves helpless and uncertain as to what must be done to solve this behavior.

At TGM Associates, we provide pet friendly apartments all over the nation, so we would like to share a few tips to help you solve your best friend’s exasperating barking.

Check Necessities

Barking is a natural behavior among dogs and they are vocalizing as their means to communicate with you. If their needs are not being met, the barking might be a cry or signal that he longs for your care and assistance. Always ensure that you give them the right amount of food and water everyday.

Get Out!

If your beloved pet barks a great deal, you might observe that they are either bored or energetic. Don’t let your dog be confined inside your house, instead, take him outside where he can play and interact with other dogs as often as you can. Look up in your area for the nearest dog park or take him for a weekly hike.  Dogs naturally enjoy the outdoors and like to experience new things. The barking problem may be solved when the dog is taken on regular walks.

See the Vet

Dogs could be barking because of irritation. Flea or tick infestations and skin allergies can cause your dog to make excessive noise. Taking your dog regularly to a veterinarian can help you determine whether or not he is healthy and free from any canine diseases.

Simple Training

You can also train him using tools such as dog training crates and dog exercise pens. A dog that is properly trained to socialize with people and other animals will not bark excessively. Training your dog is a great way to improve his physical and mental stimulation.

Sometimes, dogs bark as a means of begging for a little attention.  Never yell, hit or scold your dog when they are barking. These kinds of reaction can aggravate your dog’s anxiety. If your dog barks because he is stressed or lonely then your yelling is just going to confuse and hurt him.  Simply tell him to sit, be quit, and then reward him with petting.  If you pet him while he is barking for the attention, this will only encourage the barking.  Wait until he’s sitting quietly.  This rewards only the good behavior.

Living in close quarters, like apartments, while having your dog live with you can be stressful if they’re not trained properly.  TGM Associates is happy to provide these tips to help train your pet, but we urge you to attend a training class when you adopt a new puppy.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties. TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S. TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

How to Move on a Budget

Hopefully you love the place your current home, whether you own a house or rent an apartment.  But when the inevitable happens and you need to move, TGM Associates is here to provide tips for moving on a budget.

The first thing you need to decide is if you want to move yourself, or hire a mover.  Typically, hiring a mover will be more expensive, but for a long-distance move or a three-bedroom apartment, the security and speed of experienced movers may be well worth the expense.  However, let’s assume that you want to move yourself.

Your budget will need to include the following items:

Truck Rental: You’ll find that truck rentals vary in price based on everything from size of truck and whether your move is one way or return, so you’ll want to be able to provide all the information you need.  To prepare a budget, ask for estimates from two or three truck rental companies, and add the most expensive one to your budget for planning purposes.

Mileage/Gas: Some truck rentals will come with a pre-set number of miles included in the fee, and some won’t.  If they don’t, or you’re moving more than the pre-set number of miles, be prepared for mileage fees.  Additionally, if you’re moving a larger distance, be prepared to include the cost of gas in your budget.

Insurance: Before you purchase insurance, check to see if your credit card company covers you under their services.  If they do, you’ve saved yourself some money in your budget.  Otherwise, you’ll probably want to include an insurance fee to protect your belongings from damage.

Extra Equipment Rental: Dollies, loading ramps, furniture covers, boxes.  These are all items that truck rentals will charge you for as an extra fee.  You may be able to get these knocked off the price by asking, but be prepared to include them in your budget.

Miscellaneous: Being prepared for the unexpected is one of the best ways to protect yourself.  Build in a few additional miscellaneous fees to cover changes in estimates, gas price increases, or just taking a longer time with your move than you thought you would need.

So, now that you’ve got a budget planned, you know what you should be prepared to spend.  Knowing what your move should cost will help you weather the financial storms of moving.  But there are additional things you can do to help lower the cost.

Boxes: If you know ahead of time that you’ll be moving, you can save money on boxes by asking your neighborhood grocery store to save boxes for you.  Most stores are more than willing to let you pick up these boxes for free.

Packing: Save your daily (or weekly) newspaper to use as packing material.  IF you run out, you can always purchase bubble wrap, but why create an extra expense when newspaper/old magazines work well?  You can also use towels or heavy sweaters as additional padding for fragile items.

Date: If you have a flexible moving period, pick a date between October and April.  These are the least expensive months in which to move to a new place.

Friends: Splurge for pizza and have a few friends come help you.  This can speed up your move, and make the entire process more enjoyable.

With these tips, you should be able to move from your current housing situation to the next easily and affordably.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties. TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S. TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

Why You Should Buy Renter’s Insurance

Two out of three apartment renters don’t have insurance coverage, while more than half of them say their stuff is worth $10,000 or more.  Renter’s insurance is something every renter should have. You’ll appreciate renter’s insurance when you need to protect your belongings from perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and even falling objects. TGM Associates would like to share some tips when considering renter’s insurance.

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover?

Your renter’s policy will protect you if you are robbed, if your apartment burns down and 15 other perils listed below.

• Fire or lightning
• Windstorm or hail
• Explosion
• Riot or civil commotion
• Aircraft
• Vehicles
• Smoke
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Theft
• Damage by glass or safety-glazing material that is part of a building
• Volcanic eruption
• Falling objects
• Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
• Water-related damage from home utilities
• Electrical surge damage

Renter’s insurance can also cover expenses if you must leave your home and stay somewhere else for awhile. If you are insured, you can be given money for a hotel and everyday living costs while your home is being repaired.

Your renter’s insurance will also cover expenses if you have a guest over and they get injured; whether it be the pizza delivery guy who slips on your icy walkway or your rowdy friend at your house party, having renter’s insurance will insure the costs if they decide to sue you or need medical expenses.

Renter’s insurance will also cover that water damage that occurred on your neighbor beneath you because you left your bathtub running.  Or, even vice versa, if you’re neighbor upstairs is responsible for the water damage, your renter’s insurance will reimburse you the damage cost and then pursue the neighbor so you don’t have to deal with the hassle.

What Isn’t Covered by Renter’s Insurance?

It is important to realize that a renter’s insurance policy does not cover everything. Most insurance companies do not cover floods and earthquakes. If you live in an area prone to those, you’ll need to buy a separate policy.

How Much Coverage Should You Purchase?

You need to determine the amount of your insurance policy. When you do this, you should carefully consider the costs of everything you have. If you are robbed, you will likely only need to replace jewelry and electronics. If you are the victim of a fire, then you will need to replace your clothing, your furniture and other personal effects in addition to your electronics.

Take Advantage of Discounts for Your Policy

When you purchase your renter’s insurance, it is important to shop around. You can receive a discount when you get it through the same company as your car insurance and/or life insurance. Your job may offer discounts or check your professional associations and alumni associations as well for discounts for your policy.  Some insurance companies will offer discounts for practicing fire safety like working smoke alarms and having a handy fire extinguisher.

Renters are about 50 percent more likely to have items stolen from their home than homeowners; having a security alarm will not only help protect you from that alarming statistic, but may also apply another discount to your renter’s insurance.

Even before the discounts, renter’s insurance is very affordable, costing no more than a couple hundred dollars a year.  Monthly, that’s only 10 to 20 dollars.

When making this decision, consider the net value of your possessions and the likelihood that they’ll suffer damage. If your belongings are worth a lot and you live in a high-risk area, having renters insurance could end up saving you a huge sum of money.

TGM Associates encourages all renters to purchase insurance as you never know what perils your home might endure.  TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties.  TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S.  TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

Reducing Clutter in Your Apartment

Do you struggle with clutter in your apartment?  Clutter can be a big influence on how stressed we feel at home, so it’s important to keep clutter under control. TGM Associates is happy provide you with our favorite tips and strategies for organization to help you take control of the clutter in your apartment. And, most importantly, start small – by organizing areas individually, you will be able to make progress and stay on top of clutter before it builds up!

Step One: Less is More

Go through your current belongings.  Did you find that old sweater that Aunt Mable gave you for Christmas three years ago that you’ve never worn?  It’s time to find that old sweater a new home – donate it to charity, or take it to a consignment store to try to sell it.  When we accumulate a lot of items that we don’t use, they take up space that can be used for items we will use.  This creates a cramped, cluttered feeling throughout our home.  Removing these items will create space for the belongings that you actually use or wear.

Step Two: Limit (Or Resist) Impulse Buys

While a 90% off sale is a strong temptation, ask yourself if you really need whatever is on sale.  If you don’t need it, put it back.  The more things you own, the worse clutter will get.  Impulse buys increase the unnecessary belongings in your life (and home).

Step Three: Create a Place for Everything – and Put Things in Their Proper Place

Once you’ve cleared out the old belongings that you never use, you’re ready to organize!  Designate a place for all the things you use – whether it’s in a specific drawer, in the closet, or just placing all your clothes on hangers.  Once you’ve created a place for things, keep them there!  This will help you keep track of your belongings and reduce piling up clutter.

Step Four: Use Multi-Purpose Furniture

When you’re designating places for everything, it helps to make sure that you’re making the most of what space you have.  If you live in a large home, chances are that you have plenty of closet space, but an apartment poses more of a challenge.  In either case, buy furniture that can pull double duty – storage ottomans help create a welcoming atmosphere and store items inside.  Store a set of board games for a family and friends game night, or an extra blanket to snuggle under during cold days.

Step Five: Deal With Mail Immediately

Unwanted mail and piled up mail is one of the biggest headaches when it comes to apartment clutter.  To reduce piled up mail, simply go through your mail every day.  Throw away junk mail immediately, and decide what needs to be done with the rest of your mail.  Once you have a plan for your mail, it can be dealt with or filed where it belongs.

Step Six: Be Sparing with Displays (Simplicity Reigns)

One sure way to make your apartment feel cluttered is by filling it up with knick-knacks and displays.  This makes the space feel busy.  By selecting a few key items and displaying them simply, you can reduce the busy atmosphere and make your living space feel more organized and less cluttered.

Step Seven: Use Vertical Space

In any home or apartment, your biggest ally in reducing clutter is vertical space.  Wall shelves and tall bookcases let you organize belongings according to neccessity.  Place items you use rarely along top shelves, and items you use frequently on easy to reach shelves.

Step Eight: Use Stackable Drawers in Cabinet Space

This tactic might fall under the multi-purpose category, but it’s important enough to merit its own segment.  Instead of using cabinet space as-is, purchase stackable drawers to place inside.  These drawers allow you to easily organize cabinet space, and make better use of open space in the top of the cabinets, giving you more space overall.  These drawers can be used in kitchen cabinets, under the sink, and any other type of cabinet.  Drawer organizers are also a great tool for dividing drawers into smaller spaces for smaller items.

TGM Associates is an investment advisory firm with a focus on multifamily properties. TGM acquires, sells and manages apartment properties throughout the U.S. TGM strives to provide the highest level of resident services and quality on-site management as part of a continual commitment to provide residents with a well-maintained apartment community and a comfortable place to live.

Staycation: How To Become A Tourist In Your Own Hometown

Staycation is the latest vacation term brought out due to our tight budgets, high gas prices and ridiculous air flight fees like checking in baggage!  But, just because we are experiencing a tough economy right now, this doesn’t mean you can’t still have a vacation with your family.  Become a tourist in your own hometown by exploring and embracing the tips TGM Associates has to offer.

1. Take a little time to plan where you want to go.

2. Embrace your own town!  If you had family or friends come visit, where would you take them to sight see your town?  Find the history, go to museums and state parks; research online the possibilities in your city that you don’t know about, as well as the attractions and destinations within about 100 to 150 miles.

3. Rent a car!  Even if all you’re doing is going downtown, renting a car makes your vacation feel more real.

4. During the day, do a fun attraction with the kids like bowling, skiing, or the zoo and aquariums! (Kids don’t tire of these, no matter what city!)

5. In the evening have a date night.  You can have dinner on a lake cruise, wine tasting tour, a concert, view a play or even go on a scenic train ride that serves dinner (this could be very romantic).

6. Wherever you decide to go, don’t forget to take your camera.  You don’t want to miss out on capturing those special moments!

7. Live near a lake? Get your fishing license and take your family fishing, canoeing, to the paddle boats!  You can rent a log cabin cheaper than a hotel, and maintain within your staycation budget.

8. If you’re near mountains, no matter the season, there is always something to do, from skiing to hiking.  You can even find a hot springs to dip into in the middle of winter or a river to dangle your feet in after a thrilling white water rafting trip.

9. How far are you from the beach?  If it’s within 100 to 150 miles, you’re still having a staycation.  At the beach, you can spend the day sun bathing, miniature golfing, water parks, amusement parks; and, if you stay the night, you can enjoy the sunset (or sunrise) depending on the coast.

10. What season is it?  You can go to local pumpkin patches, apple farms, or even cherry picking! It’s affordable and the fun doesn’t end when you leave the farm–you can go home and cook up lots of tasty treats with the fruits you picked.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do right in your own back yard. A little planning is all it takes to have lots of fun and become a tourist in your own home town! At TGM Associates, you can go online and on your selected city, activities are listed such as biking, hiking, bowling and more to help accommodate your staycation plans!  Many of the apartments even offer a clubhouse with pool tables, large screen TV’s, and a picnic eating area; these amenities help make your Staycation affordable and fun!