Articles by

Florentina Sarac

Florentina Sarac is a creative writer, editor, and researcher for RENTCafé. She covers a variety of topics, from real estate trends, demographic shifts, housing industry news and multifamily construction to homeownership, smart-home technology, personal finance and business. With a 9-year background in the real estate industry, Florentina has also penned articles for publications such as Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and the National Apartment Association Magazine. You can connect with Florentina via email.

Florentina’s work and expertise have been featured in several major U.S. and international publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bisnow, The Mercury News, Curbed, The NY Post, CBS News, Business Insider and Realtor.com. She holds a B.A. in English and Spanish, as well as an M.A. in Multilingual and Multicultural Communication, which serve as a testament to her love of literature and language.

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neighborhoods by apartment construction

Apartment Construction by Neighborhood: The Nation’s Downtowns See Historic Boom, with DTLA Leading the Way

Highly popular due to their location and vibrant amenities, urban neighborhoods around the country have seen a boom in new apartment construction in the last…

new apartment construction

Despite Challenges, 2021 New Apartment Construction Tops 330,000 for 5th Consecutive Year

New apartment construction remains strong this year — more than 330,000 rental units are expected to be delivered nationwide, which is comparable to the previous…

Live in Luxury On Chicago’s Gold Coast

The Gold Coast neighborhood has long been considered one of Chicago’s most luxurious and desirable neighborhoods. Located directly on the shores of Lake Michigan, the…

extra room cost to upgrade

1 in 3 Renters Are Looking to Upsize to an Extra Bedroom: What It Costs & Where to Upgrade for Less

Survey reveals that a third of apartment-hunters look for rentals with an extra bedroom to call „home office,” as 75% don’t have a dedicated space…

Park West: Luxury on The Lake in Chicago

Park West is a section of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. As the name implies, it is located just west of the park and the lakeshore,…

advice on living alone

Expert Advice: 10 Tips on How to Make the Most of Living Alone

While the idea of living alone for the first time might sound liberating and even exciting to some, it can be a difficult step for…

Logan Square

Vintage Charm Meets Modern Cool in Chicago’s Logan Square

Logan Square is a neighborhood that has long been known for its diversity and sense of community. Over the past few decades, it’s also become…

Hyde Park: Chicago’s South Side Gem

Hyde Park is one of Chicago’s most vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods. It is situated on the South Side between the shores of Lake Michigan…

Wicker Park: Chicago’s Hipster Paradise

Located a short drive northwest from Chicago’s downtown Loop, Wicker Park has become the city’s hipster paradise. While the area is mainly residential, it’s become…

Upsizing apartments, home office

Future Apartments to Get “One Home Office Larger” as More Renters Work from Home

After a decade of shrinking apartments, renters are set to receive the extra space they need: 36% of cities are currently building larger units than…

Lakeview: Something for Everyone on Chicago’s North Side

Lakeview is one of Chicago’s largest and most densely populated neighborhoods. This North Side neighborhood contains many smaller enclaves, including sports haven Wrigleyville and LGBTQ-friendly…

River North is Chicago’s Liveliest Entertainment District

River North is a neighborhood that has undergone the ultimate transformation. The area was once a manufacturing district, full of warehouses and other industrial buildings….

Lincoln Park – A Classic Chicago Neighborhood with Something for Everyone

It’s no surprise that Lincoln Park has become one of Chicago’s most attractive residential neighborhoods over the last few decades. Lincoln Park is particularly popular…

Chicago’s South Loop is Constantly Evolving

The South Loop is a vibrant neighborhood in Chicago’s downtown area that is rapidly evolving. In decades past, the area was home to warehouses and…

Chicago’s West Loop: Where Industrial Chic Meets Foodie Heaven

It’s hard to think of a Chicago neighborhood that has seen such a transformation as the West Loop. Bustling produce markets and meatpacking plants have…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,200 in These 109 Texas Cities

For $1,200, you’ll get about 25% more apartment space in Texas than the 711 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,300 in These 56 Georgia Cities

For $1,300, you’ll get about 30% more apartment space in Georgia than the 770 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,100 in These 63 Michigan Cities

For $1,100, you’ll get about 43% more apartment space in Michigan than the 651 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,400 in These 57 Pennsylvania Cities

For $1,400, you’ll get about 7% more apartment space in Pennsylvania than the 829 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,000 in These 32 Indiana Cities

For $1,000, you’ll get about 57% more apartment space in Indiana than the 592 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,600 in These 40 Illinois Cities

For $1,600, you’ll get about 10% less apartment space in Illinois than the 948 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,400 in These 101 Florida Cities

For $1,400, you’ll get about 13% more apartment space in Florida than the 829 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,200 in These 36 North Carolina Cities

For $1,200, you’ll get about 34% more apartment space in North Carolina than the 711 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities….

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,400 in These 38 Minnesota Cities

For $1,400, you’ll get about 10% more apartment space in Minnesota than the 829 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

How Much Space You Can Rent for $1,000 in These 84 Ohio Cities

For $1,000, you’ll get about 40% more apartment space in Ohio than the 670 square foot average in the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Of…

Living in the Midst of History in D.C.’s Fort Totten

Fort Totten got its name from a fort that was built during the Civil War as part of the Northern Defenses. The fort itself is…

Experience The Feel of the Past in D.C.’s Colonial Village

Colonial Village is an area in North-West Washington, D.C., built in the 1930s with impressive colonial-style homes and which holds a lot of history. It…

5 Tips to Successfully Mix Office Work With Working from Home

A hybrid work model is a highly flexible arrangement, in which staff can choose either to work from home or in the office. Last year,…

D.C.’s Adams Morgan Exudes Multiculturalism and Fun

Adams Morgan was known for its eclectic mix of restaurants, clubs and bars long before multiculturalism became so popular. It boasts a mix of Latino,…

How $1 of Rent Translates to Billions Going Back into Local Communities

Key Takeaways: 90 cents of each dollar paid on rent go towards taxes, wages, maintenance and improvements, and mortgage payments, while only 10 cents belong to owners…