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Mixed Feelings
From:
jaytee76
Date posted:
12/28/2006
Years at this apartment:
2006
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2006
My wife and I moved from Allen Texas back home to Houston in Feb/06. That's when we began our lease with Alta Lofts (lease ends in Jan/07). At the time we began our lease, we were glad to have found this place. The floorplans were to our liking. The lighting was great and the cabinetry and counter tops (granite or granite-like tops) were exactly what we were looking for. We even signed up for the mortgage assistance program where apparently (as it was explained, with minimal printed info offered to us)Alta Lofts at that time was affiliated with Great SW Mortgage Co.to provide an up to $2000 mortgage discount applied towards a mortgage purchase. We signed up to the tune of $75 for the mortage assistance program and the deal was that $200 of our monthy rent was to go towards this program, up to $2000. Needless to say that was a scam, since when I tried to use this service, the mortgage company tried to gouge my eyeballs out with a mortgage quote that was so outrageous, I wasn't saving anything at all by going with these brokers. I'm very well versed in the mortgage and broker game and I know what a more than 750 FICO score and our income can buy. I've since learned that Alta Lofts does not offer this program anymore, but if you ever get offered this service, please do not take it. It's a waist of time and money. There are far better alternatives to predatory lenders like the ones offerd to us by Alta Lofts.
Anyways, our floorplan is in the midrise and to date we have had minimal problems with the apartment itself. My wife and I are not the type to run our apartment to the ground and we know how to keep up with things. We keep our place clean for the most part. Regular calls to service our AC filter have always resulted in fast and accurate filter changes. Only weird thing was when we moved in, inside the bedroom, where there's supposed to be a light in the middle of the ceiling was only the wires to connect a light, ceiling fan, etc. I asked about it and was told that we were to supply a ceiling fan, light kit or whatever. I did so, and to this date, the ceiling fan I purchased has saved us tremendously with our light bill. We have averaged $90-$95 per month on our Reliant bill. I'm pretty handy, so I installed the fan myself, but it sure was a pain. No, I'm not taking the fan with me. hopefully Alta doesn't take it off once our lease expires.
Issuse that have inconvenienced us which were directly or indirectly caused by Alta Lofts have been:
1)Twice we woke up to no water service. And it sure wasn't caused by no water bill payment, as we have never made a late rent/water payment. Found out that the City of Houston was making some drainage upgrades which caused water pressure to drop at the complex.
2)Another issue that Alta Lofts was quick to respond to and fix was a leak in our in-unit washer/dryer. The turnaround was quite impressive.
3)The unfortunate issue that happened to me and about 20 other residence was that the weekend before Thanksgiving there was a break-in in about 20 vehicles in one night. We had been told that there was night security, but I rarely saw it. However, right after the incident, Alta Lofts apparently changed security cos I actually saw a securty guard for about two weeks. Now I don't see the guard patrolling any longer. Alta stated that they also made a change to the security garage gates to close faster. To this date, both garage gates probably take longer to close. I know that the break-ins were not caused by Alta Lofts, but IMHO, Alta has not made me feel they have made a lasting attempt at the security issue. For example extending the security cameras to the different floors inside the garage (don't even know if the exisitng ones that only cover the enterances are working).
4)Lastly, pet owners, for the most part, tend to leave fecal matter behind. I live in the midrise that faces the open field lot and I get to see how these pet owners that walk their pets in this open area leave their dog's crap behind day after day. It has gotten to the point where we can't open our windows in our apartment because of the stench left in the open field, and we live on the second floor! I'm aware that's not Alta Lofts fault, since they do not own the lot, but something must be done and to this point nothing really has. One time I went to the mail room area, which is inside the main building, and to my surprise, I find dog poop on the floor in the main hall way. I don't think that poop was part of the hall way decorations...
I am aware that Alta Lofts recently had a turnover in staff. The only one that has been held over has been Mrs. Mae. She's been quite helpful everytime we have had any problems or questions, but beware of the rest of the new staff. We went in the office on a weekend morning not too long ago to inquire on schdeuling a private party in the club house lounge. The new staff gave my wife a blank stare and were pretty much rude to the point of not wanting to find out the information to answer questions. Needless to say, my wife returned during the week and spoke to Mae and got the club house lounge scheduled.
I'm fine with the complex. It's very nice. Parking is adequate. The gym is very spacious and clean. Mail room is nice and I've yet to lose a package or mail. Rent is pretty fair. Neighbors have been nice...but the new staff has not reflected well upon Alta Lofts at all...and that's too bad.
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