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.

How to Have All the Fun of Lego, but None of the Clutter

Lego sets have been some of the most beloved toys for generations upon generations of children and their parents, and rightly so. Lego sets are durable, fun and endlessly entertaining – children can always come up with new ways to combine and build with them. They stimulate the imagination, motor and spatial skills, patience and creativity, and they’re suitable for children of all ages.

A Quick Guide to the Hidden Costs of DIY Moving and How to Navigate the Pitfalls of Relocating

The costs of moving are a real burden for most families, and it’s only natural that people try to reduce spending as much as possible during the process. Resorting to a DIY move might look like a smart way to save some money. However, the DIY route comes with plenty of downsides, from lost time to items damaged or destroyed during the move.

Back of truck driving past sunny field

California-Texas Emerges as the Busiest Interstate Relocation Route, with Moving Costs Starting at $3,700

Mobility and moving in search of new opportunities is deeply ingrained in the American lifestyle, and having this type of mindset can be economically beneficial. Moreover, moving gives people freedom of choice regarding the best place for their needs, whether they’re on a quest for better housing, specialized academic opportunities, or a more varied cultural and entertainment scene.

Self storage units

How Self-Storage Actually Helps Protect the Environment

With climate change looming and pollution becoming a huge issue all over the world, most of us are giving serious thought to how our actions are affecting the environment. How about self-storage?

Home exterior

How to Prepare Your Home for Paying Guests

The sharing economy has grown enormously in the last few years, whether it’s sharing cars, houses, workspaces or other assets. Sharing your home with tourists has become a popular way to make some extra cash, and there are plenty of websites that facilitate this type of activity. If you’re lucky enough to be living near a tourist hotspot, you could give it a try.

Children toys

How to Deal with Your Children’s Clutter

Whether you are raising one child or several, whether they are toddlers, teenagers or anything in between, and whether you are living in a small apartment in a large house, there is one constant every parent has to deal with: the dreaded clutter. 

Boston’s Self-Storage Sector Shows Signs of Strength, Despite Negative Y-O-Y Performance

Boston’s self-storage market is historically under-supplied, featuring a net market penetration of 4.5 rentable square feet per capita, lower than both the national average of 6.3 square feet per capita and the traditional benchmark of 7 square feet per capita.

The Portland Paradox: Self-Storage Construction Still Active, Despite Drop in Street Rates

The self-storage industry in the Portland metro area is following a trend that, at first sight, seems rather contradictory. While street rates for self-storage are declining, the proportion of planned and under- construction projects remains one of the highest in the nation.

5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know about Chicago Before Committing to an Autumn Move

Chicago is famous for its long and brutal winters. However, if you’re planning to move to the city in the coming weeks, don’t worry! Chicago is nicer in the autumn than in the summer or winter, so you’re in luck!

An Easy 8-Step Guide that Will Help you Prepare your Garden for a Midwestern Winter

There are still a few good weather days until the winter truly sets in, but diligent gardeners in Midwest know that preparations for the cold season should already be underway. Whether you’re growing veggies, herbs, flowers, or all of the above, here are the main operations that should be happening in your garden this fall.

Las Vegas Emerges as the Hottest Self Storage Market in the U.S. in Terms of Rent Growth

Self-storage street rates fell quite steeply this summer in most of the major metros in the US, with one glaring exception – Las Vegas. Not only did self-storage rent not decrease in Las Vegas area, but it actually saw double-digit growth in some cases.

Practical and Affordable Toy Storage Ideas

If you’re a parent, you’re all too familiar with this problem: toys are taking over your entire house. Going into your child’s room is a veritable obstacle course. You’re trying to avoid walking on Lego, only to end up stepping on a toy car that takes you on a wild ride, straight into the nearest wall.