Searching through the 3000 rental properties in Dallas can make it challenge for you to find the best apartment for you and your pet.
Dallas was voted "Best managed large city in Texas" by Texas Business Magazine, and is considered a "Global City", meaning that the city is significant enough to effect global economy. Because of its relative economic stability, educational opportunities, business frontiers, variety of cultural and social scenes, relatively low cost of living, and its good management, thousands of implants move to the Dallas Metroplex every year. Currently, the Metroplex boasts over 6,000,000 in population. Just the city of Dallas alone (not the entire Metroplex) has almost 1.3 million occupants. Of those occupants, 52% of them rent instead of owning a house. Also, 356,326 of those households have either a dog or a cat. The number of pet owners jumps up to 1,753,922 if you consider the entire Dallas Metroplex.
With such a large number of renters in Dallas seeking adequate apartment homes, and such a large percentage of them being pet owners, the challenge often arises to find the best apartments in Dallas that are pet-friendly. But why is this such a challenge? There are several factors that can create a road block for pet owners. Understanding the road blocks will help you to overcome them:
1. Most apartment communities in Dallas are covered by insurance policies that restrict what kind of pets they are allowed to accept. Almost all insurance companies ban breeds of dogs that are classified as "aggressive" and are prohibited due to the increased risk of liability. These breeds often include but are not limited to: Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Chows, Rottweilers, Pitt Bulls, etc. Even if the Manager of an apartment complex loves one of these breeds and would not mind allowing them on the property, her hands are tied by these restrictions and she or he must abide by them.
2. Dallas apartments also fall under the guidelines of Fair Housing Laws, which state that they cannot show preference or prejudice towards one person over another. Therefore, if the property makes it their policy to enforce certain rules, such as only 2 pets are allowed per unit, or the pet must be 20 pounds or under, then they cannot make an exception in ONE case and let you slip by when they turned everyone else down. Perhaps you have 3 pets, but they only are Chihuahuas that weigh 3 pounds each. If the property let you keep your 3 pets, then they would have to let everyone with 3 pets become approved from that moment on, or else it could be viewed as partiality.
3. The apartments in Dallas are also naturally concerned about maintaining their property. This can also present challenges to pet owners. Perhaps due to problems in the past with owners not picking up after their dogs, or complaints from other tenants that dogs left unsupervised were barking all day and disturbing the peace, or perhaps because they frequently encountered issues with cats shredding carpet or ruining the carpet by urination, they have decided not to allow any pets at all, under any circumstances. Then again, many properties realize that this would prevent them from being able to rent to hundreds of thousands of pet owners in the city. So, they may decide to allow pets, but require certain protections, such as pet deposits in case of damage, and limitations to the number of pets allowed, and enforce certain rules about picking up after your pet. For pet owners who cannot afford pricey pet deposits, or even monthly "pet rent" that some properties have begun to charge, this can present a road block.
4. Rental properties are also under the jurisdiction of any city laws that prohibit certain pets within city limits. For instance, in Dallas, any pet that is classified as a "farm animal" would be prohibited. This would include pot bellied pigs, which have become popular in many other areas. Even certain snakes and reptiles are prohibited. Each city within the Dallas Metroplex has its own laws, and the apartments within each city must uphold the requirements for those city limits.
Because of these challenges mentioned above, it can be difficult for pet owners to find the best apartments in Dallas. Perhaps they own one of the breeds that most properties consider "aggressive". Or maybe they have more than 2 pets. Or perhaps their budget limits how much they can afford for a pet deposit. Where are these pet owners to turn in any of these situations?
Your best bet is to visit a website such as http://www.BestApartmentsDFW.com and obtain a free list of all the best apartments in Dallas that will work with your unique situation.
Amy Williams Ramirez is an experienced Apartment Locator for the Dallas Metroplex and has been practicing for over 8 years in DFW. Being a native Dallas-ite, she is very familiar with all the best properties, as well as their approval criteria, what they have to offer, and the city itself. Check out http://www.BestApartmentsDFW.com to get a free custom list of all the best apartments in Dallas that are able to work with your unique circumstances. You will receive all the inside information on each property, including the pictures, floorplans, maps, features, prices, etc. Get your free list today. Save time, get the best deal, and make sure you don't miss out on the BEST apartments!
Filed under Home Insurance by on Jun 5th, 2010. Comment. 
People that love their pets are looking for ways to find cheap dog insurance. This is because the costs of vet bills are rising, and many people simply cannot afford to plunk down a few thousand dollars for a vet bill. When searching for the best cheap dog insurance, it pays to follow a few simple tips:
1. Pet insurance is much like human insurance, in that there are many various plans and rates available. Coverage for each of these plans is different, so it is best to compare many different companies and their rates before deciding.
2. Quotes for dog insurance are based on such things as the breed or species of the dog, where your animals are located geographically, how old your pet is, any health problems and health history, and how likely your dog is to inherit certain diseases.
3. You can choose either basic cheap dog insurance or premium insurance. There are lots of companies that will only insure the animal separately for each different type of illness. If your dog is prone to a certain illness, then you will probably be given a certain amount for that disease alone. Therefore, if the animal develops some other type of illness or has an accident that is not in the plan, they will probably not pay out on it.
4. Stay on the lookout for insurance companies that do not provide cheap dog insurance to animals that have a pedigree and a condition that is chronic.
5. To find the cheapest insurance that offers reliability and has all of the features you are seeking, make sure that you research several different insurance companies before deciding. You would be surprised at how different rates can be from one company to the next.
6. Make sure that when obtaining a policy, that you disclose any and all health problems that your pet has ever had. If not, then if something happens later on, you may not get the cover you are needing.
7. Be certain that when you purchase your plan, that it covers everything that your dog might need now and in the near future.
8. Do away with things that aren't required, like poster distribution for a lost pet. If this can be done by the owners themselves, then this is just a waste of money.
9. Always be sure to find out everything you can about the company you are considering. If they haven't been around for long, or if you hear stories about them not paying out, or taking an abnormally long time to pay, you might want to move on to the next company. Cheap dog insurance is good, but what's the point if you can't get cover when you need it?
10. Read everything on the plan before you sign. If there is anything that you do not understand, ask right away. This can save you a lot of heartache and money down the road.
It is possible to get the best cheap dog insurance; it just takes some time and effort to discover the greatest company and plan out there for your individual situation.
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Filed under Home Insurance by on Apr 22nd, 2010. Comment.
how much will it cost to insure my rottweiler?
about how much will it cost to insure my rottweiler(home insurance wise), she's a female puppy, is always on a leash. i currently live in PA but i'm planning on moving to NY in the summer. so about how much would it cost in each state? i'm going to call my ins company but i want to know a ballpark figure. has anybody had to insure their rotties? if so about how much more was your insurance per month/yr?
thanx
Lyla
100 more per month or yr??
do you think allstate will insure her? i just want to know what to expect.
I understand that pet insurance isn't cost effective unless it's used soon after the policy is purchased.
The older your dog gets the more you've paid in which may come close to or more than the vet costs you'd pay at an older age.
Check how Allstate took care of the Katrina victims before you go with them.
Filed under Home Insurance by on Apr 2nd, 2010. Comment.