If you are like millions of Americans, you have made a resolution or two for the New Year. According to a list compiled by About.com, the No. 1 resolution people make is to be healthier.
“It’s not surprising that this is the most common resolution as just about everyone wants to be as healthy as they can be,” says Toni Rossi Sr., president of RMK Management Corp. “But when it’s cold outside and there are inches of snow on the ground, skipping the drive to the gym becomes very easy to do. However, those renting at a community with an on-site fitness center, like each of the communities we manage, have a gym just an elevator ride or short walk away. It makes it easy to fit in fitness every day.”
Being healthier is not just about exercise, it’s also about managing stress. That’s why, according to Rossi, RMK Management offers a meditation area in its newest property, Parc Huron in River North. An eco-friendly, Gold LEED community, Parc Huron also features an advanced indoor air filtration system and was constructed using low-VOC materials which offers a healthier indoor environment, too.
Other RMK properties have sundecks or rooftop decks for relaxing in the warmer weather, including Pensacola Place in Chicago, while some properties, such as Versailles on the Lakes in Schaumburg, offer landscaped grounds for taking a relaxing walk or enjoying some peaceful time outdoors.
Getting into better financial shape is another resolution many pledge for the New Year and Rossi says opting to rent, rather than buy, can help people create and stick to a budget.
“Unlike owning a home where unexpected costs like roof repairs or broken appliances can arise at any time, renting a home is a fixed cost month-to-month,” he notes. “You can plan ahead as to what your total housing costs will be for the year and not be thrown off-track by spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on maintenance issues.”
Rossi also adds that with the current uncertainty in the real estate market, many are choosing to rent so as to avoid the risk of loosing money on a home purchase if home values continue to decline. “There are a lot of people out there who bought a home thinking it was a good investment and are now realizing they owe more than the home is worth,” he says.
Another common New Year’s resolution, according to About.com, is to spend more time with friends and family. “We know this is important to our residents– New Years resolution or not– so we have clubhouses with common rooms for hosting events, movie theaters for movie nights with friends, and lounges at our communities,” Rossi says. “It makes it easier to schedule gatherings when you have a great space to entertain in.” McClurg Court, an RMK community in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, makes it easier to host overnight guests, too, with an on-site guest suite available for residents to reserve.
This fourth resolution from about.com is to learn something new.
“Learning something new can be a fun resolution to keep, and at many RMK communities our residents can fulfill it before the winter is even over,” says Rossi. “That’s because each of our apartment communities hosts various resident appreciation events where we offer activities like cooking classes, dance lessons or organized sporting events.”
For example, this summer, Farmington Lakes in Oswego had a bean bag tournament for residents, while residents of Versailles on the Lakes in Schaumburg had the opportunity to join the community’s softball team.
“Our whole philosophy toward community management is to ensure our residents are happy and comfortable in their apartment homes,” Rossi says. “And if that means offering the extra touches and amenities for living a healthier and more fulfilling life, then we are happy to do it.”
For more information on RMK Management Corp. and its portfolio of properties, visit www.RMK.com.