Maria Gatea
Maria Gatea is a Senior Editor & Research Writer for Yardi with a background in Journalism and Communication. After covering business and finance-related topics as a freelance writer for 15 years, she is now focusing on researching and writing about the real estate industry. You may contact Maria via email.

Where to Donate Books in Chicago

As much as we don’t like giving up books, sometimes we just have to in order to create the mental and bookshelf space for new literary adventures. But we all want to make sure our books aren’t wasted and get a second life. Chicago has a generous network of organizations that will put your books back into the hands of readers who’ll treasure them. Here’s where to donate books in Chicago, based on our research.

How Snowbirds Handle Traveling South: Car Shipping and Storage at Your Winter Home

Every fall, millions of Americans are confronted with the same logistical puzzle: pack up one home, land in another, and somehow keep both places functional for months at a time. If you’re a snowbird, you know the challenge isn’t just the packing. It’s also figuring out what travels with you, what you leave behind, and what to do about the car.

2026’s Best Cities for Roommates: Irvine, CA, and Atlanta, GA, Lead in Shared Living Gains

Americans sharing a two-bedroom apartment instead of renting a one-bedroom alone can save, on average, about $6,700 per year. In some of the country’s most expensive cities, including Irvine, California, or Jersey City, New Jersey, the savings gap widens to around $13,000. For a growing share of renters, living with roommates is less of a lifestyle arrangement and more a conscious financial strategy.

boats in a marina

The Best U.S. Metros To Own A Boat

Boating is one of America’s favorite pastimes. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, nearly 100 million Americans go boating each year, and recreational boating contributes over $230 billion annually to the U.S. economy. It’s a lifestyle deeply shaped by geography, climate, and local culture.

kitchen drawer opened

How to Organize Your Kitchen Drawers: Smart, Practical Ideas That Make a Real Difference

The best way to organize your kitchen drawers boils down to a few core principles: give each drawer a specific role, store items close to where you use them, and choose organizers only after you’ve decluttered. Most kitchen drawers aren’t cluttered because of a genuine lack of space but because no one decided what belongs where. Fix that first, and the rest becomes much easier.

rv camping

How to Store and Winterize Your First RV: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Storing and winterizing an RV properly is the difference between an RV that holds its value and stays reliable for years and one that greets you in spring with cracked pipes and a dead battery. This guide covers where to store your RV between trips, how to winterize it before the first hard freeze, and what to check before your first trip of the season along with the basics of choosing and buying your first unit.

interior of self storage facility

Do You Need Climate-Controlled Storage? A Practical Guide to Making the Right Call

Most people need climate-controlled storage for one of the following reasons: they’re storing valuable items that can be damaged by unchecked temperature or humidity, they live in a climate with extreme weather conditions or they plan to store their belongings for an extended period.

How to Store a Boat in Self Storage: Types, Costs & What to Look For

Storing a boat in self storage comes down to four decisions: how far the facility is from your launch point, what type of storage suits your climate (outdoor, covered, or indoor), how to prepare the boat before storing it, and whether the facility’s security and access hours fit how you use your boat. First-time owners who think through these factors before signing a lease tend to get significantly more use out of their boat.

Temporary Storage During Emergencies: What to Know Before You Need It

When a hurricane’s bearing down, a wildfire is closing in, or floodwater has already reached your front door, the last thing you want to be doing is figuring out where to put your stuff – but that’s exactly when people find themselves scrambling for temporary storage.

Before You Store Your Car in Self Storage: What Documents You Actually Need

Most self storage facilities require four main things before allowing a vehicle onto the property: a valid photo ID, current vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and a signed rental agreement. Requirements beyond these vary by facility and state, particularly around insurance levels, registration status and whether the vehicle is financed

Storage unit

A Smarter Way to Start Your Storage Search: Inside the StorageCafe Resource Center

Renting a storage unit usually begins with a practical need. You may be preparing for a move, clearing space at home, renovating, downsizing or simply trying to bring more order into a crowded living situation. In many cases, the first instinct is to consider renting immediately.

old furniture in thrift shop

Where to Donate Furniture in NYC (With Free Pick-Up Options)

Finding somewhere to donate furniture in NYC is more complicated than it should be. Not every organization accepts large items, pick-up availability is inconsistent, and the options that do exist aren’t always easy to find in one place. If you’re specifically hoping to donate furniture with free pick-up, the list of options gets even shorter.