If you have a pet and you plan on moving to Boston….brace yourself.

As many of you know it can be very difficult to find pet friendly apartments in Boston especially for dog lovers.  As a veteran leasing agent and puggle parent, I have been there and back many times myself. Many people think just because a property is “pet friendly” they are all set….

WRONG.

Many so called “pet friendly” buildings in Boston, whether it’s a condo, co-op, or regular apartment community actually only accept cat(s) or have breed and/or weight restrictions on what types of dogs they take.  In the Boston proper area about 2 out of 10 properties are pet friendly BUT most have some form of pet restrictions.  This issue seems to have gotten more difficult over the years due to the crazy tight Boston rental market.  Many landlords now have more applicants to choose from and usually end up picking the applicants without pets (assuming everything else is the same).

And “No Pet” policies don’t only effect lower to middle rent levels.  Tenants looking for luxury apartments are also in heat over this one.  Some high end properties like The Ritz and Four Seasons Residences to say only a couple also do not allow our four legged friends – no dogs for renters in those buildings per the condo documents.

Will it cost a dogs arm and a leg to get into a real pet friendly apartment in Boston?

As many of you are no doubt aware, the rental market in Boston generally has busier lease renewal periods in June, July and September – especially for downtown Boston brownstones.  Most “full service” properties have availability year round but come with a bit of a premium asking rent.  Many of these rental buildings include gyms, roof decks, pools, concierge services, and/or movie theaters, to say the least, that some people like paying for and others do not.  Either way, brownstone or full service, many landlords will ask for additional “pet rent” if they accept a pet.  Some properties will require up to 80 dollars or more per month per pet.  Others may ask for a one time pet deposit.

So now that you know it’s going to cost you…

What kind of pet friendly apartments are available in Boston?

These are a sample of places that accept dogs by neighborhood.  If you’d like more details, just ask me.

 Back Bay & Beacon Hill  Pet Friendly Apartments

Options Available:

1. With 24 concierge, a gym, an outstanding rooftop pool, and units that have modern finishes and incredible views…it would be very hard to say you weren’t being pampered. Surrounded by the best restaurants and shopping Boston has to offer with an amazing location. Luxury residences start at $4,500 to $8,200
2. Two styles of renovation include a granite/stainless kitchen and hardwood floors and a more economic white on white kitchen and carpeting. Features and amenities include dishwasher and disposal, elevators, direct access, garage, rental parking, concierge services, central heat and A/C, unique floor plans, complimentary, cable television and internet package, beautiful gated courtyard and common roof decks boasting skyline views. Some units feature private terraces or patios and working fireplaces. Professionally managed property that offers one beds starting at $2,700, two beds starting at $3,300 and three beds starting at $5,200.
3. Full service building that offers one beds at $2,900 and two beds starting at $3,500.

West End & South End Pet Friendly Apartments

Options Available:

1. A good smorgasboard of studios, one and two bedroom homes to rent. With modern architecture and traditional apartment layouts. The South End is one of the hot spots of Boston which has fine dining, shopping, theater shows, and seems to be a great hub for artists. (A lot of gallery exhibits). Offering studios, one, and two beds starting at $2,100 to $2,850.

Fenway Kenmore Pet Friendly Apartments

Options Available:

1. If you want to be in the middle of concert halls, nightclubs, museums and art schools, not to mention theaters and universities then this would be the place to check out. Offering 1, 2, and 3 beds starting at $2,850 to $5,800.
2. Academic, cultural and arts organizations are working collaboratively with community groups and developers to enhance the artistic, environmental and economic vitality of the new Fenway. The floor-to-ceiling windows in your new apartment provide the perfect viewpoint to catch every exciting moment of the transformation. Offering one, two and three beds. Starting at $2,850 to $9,000
3. This signature home in the heart of the city blends the charm of an old Boston neighborhood with all the modern conveniences that you need to simplify your busy life – from concierge service to garage parking to fully appointed kitchens and high-speed internet access. Offering studios starting at $1195, 1 beds at $1,850 and 2 beds starting at $2,400.

North End & Charlestown Pet Friendly Apartments

Options Available:

1. Full service lofts that offer one beds w/dens and two beds ranging from $1,850 to $3,000. Representing a dynamic new approach to urban living. This makes loft living an irresistible proposition.
2. Full service building that includes parking ranging from studios to two beds with den ranging from $2,300 – $5,200
3. Full service building – located in Charlestown with waterfront living. See Boston with an entirely new perspective. With luxurious, clean and classic space, this full service building offers great views and an amazing location, that offers one and two bed ranging from $2,250 – $2,750

More details about North End and Charlestown Pet Friendly Apartments

Keep in mind there are a handful of other pet friendly apartments available in Boston – both brownstones and full service buildings – not highlighted here. Prices for brownstone apartments generally are cheaper than the full service properties per square foot. Most units usually become available during the summer months but some come available during the off months of the year because of “lease breaks” or other circumstances.

When looking for a pet friendly apartment in Boston its never too early to speak with a experienced agent about what options best fit your needs.

Step by Step Guide for Getting Quality Tenants to Rent Your Apartment in Boston…at a Competitive Market Value

Are you a condo owner, rental property owner, investor, or landlord in Boston exploring what it takes to get your property rented quickly and smoothly…to well qualified tenants…while maximizing your rental income?

Although not rocket science, there is often more time and effort needed to rent out your property than initially meets the eye.  I have broken the rental process for landlords into a series outlining 9 basic steps, from my experience as a Boston Leasing Specialist, to help get your property rented.

Step 1: Hire a Professional Leasing Agent

Most condo owners and even full time landlords are busy.  Ask yourself, do you have the time dealing with getting your apartment rented when there are professionals in the real estate industry (such as myself and the other full time leasing agents here at Charlesgate Realty Group) who would be more than happy to help you out?…At no expense to you the landlord.

That’s right, in the high demand areas of the city I am seeing landlords asking tenants to pay the broker fee.  If you own an apartment in downtown Boston (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, North End, Bay Village, Fenway etc.), South Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, Brookline, and even now J.P. and Somerville (I have personally rented apartments out this way as far out from Boston as Revere in which this is the case) you will likely be able to list and rent your apartment at no expense to you as the owner, when using a real estate agency.  If you have rented in the city in the past few years, you have likely paid a broker fee yourself; this has become a part of the fabric of renting in the city. So consider contacting a Real Estate Professional to help you with the next 8 steps and get your apartment filled.

Want to read more about the work that goes into renting a property? Perhaps you’ve read about The Real Rental Agents of the Back Bay? If not, take a peek for a day in the life of a Boston Leasing Agent.

Step 2: Pricing Your Apartment

If you are a new landlord, have had the same tenants for a long time, think you can get more for rent, or are in a neighborhood where rents are rising fast (South Boston and some areas of Charlestown, East Boston, and Somerville especially right now), you are going to want to know what you can get for a competitive market rent.  Talk to other landlords, give a high quality real estate office a call and ask them to try to price your rental.  Also think about the time of year (June and September are the biggest move dates in Boston) and also how fast you want to get your rental filled (the lower you price a vacant unit, the quicker you will generally get it filled).

Because there is not as much public data available on the leasing side of the business as there is on the for sale side, pricing can be tricky.  If you’re looking for help with pricing, reach out to me and I can get you a detailed list of comparative properties in Boston that have rented and/or visit your apartment to give you my opinion.

Step 3: Defining Rental Terms

Coming soon…

Step 4: Get Great Pictures

Coming soon…

Over the past five years the average off campus apartment in Boston has increased its asking price $100 per month each year.  Over that same five year period, the on market time for these college apartments has significantly decreased.

Why?

Well it’s simple really.  It all comes down to supply and demand.  Each year, Boston colleges and universities accept more students than the previous year.  Despite recent efforts by Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern, and Mass Art to develop brand new state of the art housing facilities, Boston area students are still drawn to the novelty of living on their own, away from mom and dad, and away from campus supervision.  Part of the appeal of going to school in a city like Boston is being able to get that experience.

This can only lead to one thing: Increasing demand for off-campus apartments.

This does not necessarily mean that if you haven’t found a four-bedroom apartment by March to occupy the following September that you will not find one.  There are always lease breaks and new construction that comes on the market later in the year.  It should be noted however, that if you’re looking for a competitively priced off campus apartment in Boston near your local institution, the window of opportunity is closing smaller and smaller each day.

Below is a helpful timeline for when local university students should ideally start their housing search:

Boston College: September 2012 for September 2013 occupancy

Boston University: January to April for September 2012 occupancy

Northeastern & COF: January to April for September 2012 occupancy

Suffolk & Emerson: February to April for September 2012 occupancy

If you’re a student (or the parent of a student) reading this right now, then you really need to start thinking about your off campus apartment needs if you’re leaning in that direction. Please contact me to get more info about starting your search.

The most important aspect of any apartment search, whether you are moving off campus, or moving out of your parents or friends house for a new start in a new place, is setting realistic expectations from the start.  When you first contact a leasing agent, be sure to describe exactly what it is your looking for in your next home:

• Location
• Price Range
• Size
• Number of bedrooms
• Anything else at all that you deem a necessity in your next home.

It is then the leasing agent’s job to compile a list of compatible properties for you and your roommates to start previewing.  If you are  hesitant to use a leasing agent, or have had bad experiences in the past, please take a few minutes to read about the Top 5 Reasons to use a leasing agent to find your next apartment in Boston.  It is important to be equipped with as much knowledge and information about your search and make sure someone is taking care of everything you should not have to!

Last year I had the pleasure of working with two of the nicest buyers. They were first time home buyers and highly motivated to get into a home in Boston.

We met for an initial consult, came up with a game plan and started viewing homes. Not too long into the search, we came across a home they really liked and put an offer in. The sellers were heading to Europe for 2 weeks and asked that we wait until they returned to negotiate. We did not stop our search while they were away but had no choice but to agree. Nothing else hit the market at that time so when they returned we resubmitted our offer.

After 48 hours the sellers came back to us and stated that they did not want to sell at that time (not sure what happened in Europe, but alas!). Strike 1!

My buyers were disappointed but I let them know there was another house out there, possibly even a better house with their name on it!

Next I got an excited call that they had seen another home during an open house that was in really great shape and would I come view the house. I set up an appointment and we headed to the home that night. The house looked great and was a good value so we put in an offer, it was accepted and we ordered the home inspection.  So much for good value!  Unfortunately, this home had some structural issues that were not obvious at first sight.  I always urge my home buyers to have realistic expectations during a home inspection – after all most homes in Boston are older and every home is going to have something that comes up – most is easily fixable or negotiable to be taken care of.  But this house had serious structural flaws.

The structural issues were a deal breaker. Strike 2!

I have to admit there was some hugging and a pep talk at this point.

Then came a home they had viewed at an open house that they loved but it was a little out of their price range. But a while later there was a price drop and another open house scheduled for the following Sunday. I called the agent and got us in to look at the home prior to the open house. It was by far the best house yet. We made an offer and negotiated prior to the open house that Sunday.  My buyers are now happily living in this house!

I have the pleasure of being Facebook friends with this couple and we’ve continued to keep in touch. They sent me a Christmas Card of the two of them sitting on their front stairs holding a SOLD sign!  I have watched the joy as they saw the deer in their back yard, and renovated their bedroom to discovered vaulted ceilings…among other happy home owner tales.

So yes, sometimes the third time is a charm!

Lessons Learned:

1. Don’t get discouraged by the home buying process. There will be bumps in the road from bad inspections to losing out in a multiple offer situation. Stick to your goals that you set out in your initial buyer consultation.

2. Have a thorough home inspection done. I recommend that every home buyer have an expert home inspection. It is money well spent! Most homes don’t have major issues like this example but some do. It pays to cover yourself.

3. Work with a good buyer agent who can help you prioritize your goals, keep your home search on track, and help you through and emotional process of buying a home. It’s a little self-serving of course, but it is valuable advice and can really help you through the home buying process.

In the Boston rental market right now, tenants are having to fight over the limited amount of Boston apartments available. It can be a difficult proposition to find a great apartment without stressing yourself out, never mind getting one at a decent price.  It sort of feels like the Wild West sometimes. Even the Boston Globe has written about how crazy the Boston apartment market is right now.

This can all be a bit surprising for tenants looking for a new apartment in Boston. That’s where I come in.  My job as a leasing agent at Charlesgate Realty is to help you sort through the market, determine what’s most important to you, and steer you to an apartment that fits your needs.  Here in a little more detail, are the Top 5 Reasons to use a leasing agent to find your next Boston apartment:

1.  Listings

When wrestling with any important decision it is best to have as much information at your disposal as you possibly can.  There is no greater need for this information, than deciding on your next home, whether it be a rental or a purchase.  You may have found your last place without a Realtor, or you may have friends that have had success doing so, but I can guarantee you that if you’re currently using Craigslist to search by owner, and you’re looking within the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End, or the Fenway – you are wasting your time.  Most of the landlords who own property in these areas have been working with Real Estate offices for years, and have since given up the desire to show their property 5-10 times a day, when they can simply call the offices they work with and tell them what’s available for June, or September.  If you contact a leasing agent he or she will be able to provide you with information on specific listings that may help you decide to see one property over the other (such as heat & hot water may be included, or the landlord is flexible on deposits).  A leasing agent will also generally have access to about 5,000-15,000+ apartment listings at their disposal.

2.  Time Management

When you decide to start your search for your next Boston apartment, it is important to have a professional leasing agent essentially organizing and researching all the potential matches for you, while you carry on with your every day life.  We understand that work and school can get hectic and who wants to stay up for hours after Modern Family trying to find the perfect 2 bedroom on the sunny side of Beacon St, and send out 50 emails a week hoping that by the time you have your appointment set up, the apartment will still be available.  If you call me on Tuesday and let me know when you want to start your search, and where you’re looking to move to, I will have a list of properties for you within 10 minutes, and continue to work on adding more properties from our initial phone call to the date we’ve set to view your next home.  All the leg work is taken out of the equation for you.  Now, all that you have to do is pick up the phone, and show up for the appointment.

3.  Managing Your Expectations

Probably the most overlooked aspect of a leasing agent’s job is setting and or modifying a customers expectations for their future apartment.  Obviously, the sticker shock for someone new to the area is to be expected, so if you’re coming from South Carolina, or Iowa, it is understood that your 1500 square foot 1-bedroom for $900 per month will now cost you $1900 month (and be half the size).  It is our job to give you as much information as possible and tell you what most 2, 3, or 4-bedroom apartments are renting for in the neighborhoods you’re inquiring about.  The biggest hurdle we generally face is having an answer for “my friend just found an 2 bedroom with a roof deck on Marlborough St for only $1800 per month.”  Has this happened?  Yes.  Is it common?  Most assuredly not.  There is always going to be that diamond in the rough situation where someone just falls into an incredible deal – but if deals like that were the rule, and not the exception, than the average rental price in that same neighborhood would significantly decrease, and that has not happened.  And there is every indication that will not happen.

4.  Negotiating

Whether you are offering to purchase a property, or submitting applications and a deposit to rent an apartment, there is always some form of negotiating.  Lets focus on the rental application for now.  The vacancy rate in Boston right now is incredibly low, which means that the market is extremely competitive.  If you want your application and deposit to stand out, then my job is to sell both you and your application to the landlord.  If you’ve never rented an apartment before and you really love the 3 bedroom on St. Botolph Street but you have some reservations regarding the current condition of the apartment, or the paint in the kitchen, or you need a 2nd parking spot, then you might have some difficulties getting all of these things taken care of before leases are signed.  It is my job to present you and your application to the Landlord, voice your concerns, and help you both come to a deal that addresses and alleviates all of your hangups on the soon to be perfect home.

5:  The Fee Hangup

Due to the fact that the vacancy rate in Boston is so low, it is very rare that a landlord will be willing to pay any portion of the broker fee.  This can be a hangup for some customers, and some will still try and go it alone to save one months rent over the course of a year or two or three.  But someone who does that will be limited in their selection of apartments, they will devote more time than needed, and more than likely add unnecessary stress to their daily life – that is already filled with the stress of work and/or school.  Our job is to make this process as seamless as possible for you.  If you find a leasing agent who knows what they’re doing, has made the process easier for you, and is willing to get creative in order to alleviate the additional deposit, then you’re probably working with us at Charlesgate Realty.  One of the best solutions I have found to the up-front deposit for the fee is financing it.  You finance just about every other major purchase in your life, why not the fee for your next home.  If you rent a $2400 per month 2 bed in the Fenway, and you’re having difficulty coming up with money for the deposit, then maybe it’s time we talk to the owner.  We can ask the landlord if he or she would pay the fee on the condition that your rent would now be $2600/month (essentially you’d be financing the fee monthly). And if you’re moving in with a roommate, it’s probably going to be easier for you to budget an extra $100 per month each, than come up with $1200 cash each up front in addition to 1st and last months rent.

Bottom line, my job is to help you. Those are a few ways I do just that. If you’d like to schedule a brief phone consultation to discuss your needs, please contact me.

The following are 3 factors to know when looking for a new condo in the Back Bay.  While searching for downtown Boston real estate can be stressful and full of decisions – here are a few lesser-known things to think about.  Pricing is not an exact science, but we like to go beyond the obvious here at Charlesgate Realty, so these three items can help you determine what is important to you.

1. Which direction is the home facing

Not all views or exposures are the same.  While the view can pretty self-explanatory, the exposure can sometimes not be so easy, especially at night.  Exposures are ever so important when determining what type of light an apartment gets because it can impact  the overall of enjoyment of the home - and play a major role in determining value both in an apartment or condo.  Since light is important to most people, here are your Back Bay direction tips as if you were looking from Commonwealth Ave.

• Northern Exposure – looking toward the Charles River and MIT dome
• Western Exposure – looking toward the Citgo Sign and Fenway Park
• Eastern Exposure  – looking toward Beacon Hill and the Gold Dome of the State House
• Southern Exposure – looking toward the Prudential and the brownstones of the South End

2. What part of the Back Bay is most important to YOU

Getting to know “the grid” of the Back Bay and the local shops will help you find what is best for you.  Beacon Street, Marlborough Street, Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Street, and Boylston Street run east/west, while (in alphabetical order starting with A closest to the Boston Common and ending with H closest to Massachusetts Ave) Arlington Street, Berkeley Street, Clarendon Street, Dartmouth Street, Exeter Street, Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street, Hereford Street all run north/south. (special bonus: if you want to see the properties available specifically on those streets right now, click the previous links).  These  Back Bay streets form what is the only neat grid pattern in Boston.  While the first few blocks of the Back Bay closest to Boston Common have often sold for the highest prices, sometimes that may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.  In general, the center of the Back Bay tends to be most convenient to everyday shops like the hardware store, drug stores and dry cleaners – as is indicated on the map below:

3. Which type of building do you prefer

While there are not many full service buildings, there are many different types of brownstones and often it will affect the price with either renting or buying.  Here are a few variables that can lead to a higher priced apartment or condo.

• Elevator buildings tend have higher prices because of the cost to operate and convenience for people living on upper floors.  I wouldn’t advise ruling out an elevator building because you will not benefit from its use (if you prefer a lower floor, for instance), but it is worth considering in your decision in rationalizing the price.
• Professionally managed properties can often be better maintained than those that are self managed by the association or by a private landlord.  Hiring a management company often leads to slightly higher values, but not all management companies do a good job, so be sure to take this into context when looking.
• Storage and outdoor space, such as roof decks, are a premium in the Back Bay, and will often factor into the price.  While storage is not as common, private or common outdoor space is a premium that is important to some but not to others.  The Back Bay is in the heart of Boston and there is a lot of green space nearby, from the Boston Common & Public Gardens to the Esplanade along the Charles River to Newbury Street window shopping, there are a lot of places to be outside and enjoy the city in the Back Bay, but a private (or semi-private) oasis a highly sought after perk.

Here are just a few tips to help complicate, oops I meant simplify your search.  :)

(photo courtesy of Scutter)

You just got relocated to Boston for your dream job. Your new employer wants you to move within a month. You’ve never been to Boston and don’t have friends in the area yet. You need an apartment asap. What do you do?

Well, if you’re like most people, you start with searching Craigslist for Boston Apartments. After all, it worked for you before when you found your first couch, your gently used MacBook, even perhaps your new job.

But finding a Boston apartment on Craigslist has become like finding a Patriot receiver who can catch a pass in the Super Bowl. (Too soon?)

And here’s why:

There are so many leasing agents and offices in Boston all competing for your attention and Craigslist is a great way to get it. For them, it’s free advertising that reaches hundreds, maybe even thousands, of renters.

That’s a good thing, right?

Unfortunately, it’s not. Filtering through the thousands and thousands of ads can become daunting and finding the right place can be impossible.

It’s partly because of what’s referred to as the old “Bait and Switch”. The goal of this is to persuade a renter to call on that “too good to be true” apartment in order to get the phones ringing. You might have heard “Oh, sorry. That was just rented this afternoon but I have a similar apartment to show you. It’s a little more money and not quite in the same area.”

Oddly enough, you’ll see the same apartment newly advertised a few days later.

It’s also makes it tough when companies are just advertising the company and not a specific apartment. You click on the link and there’s no actual apartment info, but rather a link to another link that brings you to another link. It’s becomes hard to build a rapport or trust with a Boston rental agent when you can’t get an answer.

A few other reasons we previously wrote about are misrepresentation and the whole “no fee” sham.

So what do you do?

Find a great rental agent first who can help you and guide you, rather than trying to locate an apartment first.

How To Find a Great Boston Rental Agent

The best way to find a great new home is ask someone who’s been there – get a referral from your peers. But if you’re relocating to Boston from out of town and don’t have many contacts here, try:

• Referrals from your new employer. Maybe someone in your new office can point you to a great rental agent they worked with in Boston.
• Yelp! can be a wonderful way to find a knowledgeable, trustworthy Boston rental agent – read the reviews.
•  Ask friends on Facebook.

Research their website, learn how they work, read their business philosophy, meet the agent, google them, hear from their customers, etc.  Basically stalk them.Make sure there’s a fit between your needs and their service.  It works a whole lot better than just searching Craigslist for an apartment and not protecting yourself from poor service.

The idea is to have someone who will be able to guide you to, not sell you, a great new apartment that fits your needs so you can focus on packing and travel and the new job….

…And, of course, learning how to say “pahk tha cah”….

Given the current Boston real estate market conditions, I have run in to many multiple offer transactions with Buyers who I have been representing.  The Boston market has limited inventory on the market for sale, so when new properties come on market that are priced well, buyers tend to gravitate towards them in a hurry…leading to multiple offers in many cases.  If you’re in the market for a condo in Boston right now you may have even come across this situation yourself.

When it comes to multiple real estate offers (and so called “best and final” situations), one might think the seller will always just go with the highest price bidder – correct?

Wrong. This is not always the case.

There are many other factors/terms of a real estate offer to purchase that may be appealing to a prospective seller besides just the purchase price. So you may ask like what?  Here are just a few (I don’t want to level the playing field too much here, you can learn about more at our Boston Home Buying Class) of the strategies that I have used successfully with my buyer client’s offers.

How To Make Your Real Estate Offer Stand Out in a Multiple Bid Situation

As a Buyer’s Agent I always try to make my Buyer look the most attractive to the seller. Umm hold on – let me clarify that last statement - I always try to make my Buyer’s OFFER look the most attractive to the seller. My Buyers are all attractive already of course – I mean, come on we’re in Boston right!  :)

1.Purchase Timeline

So there are terms to an offer like the closing date. If a potential buyer has flexibility on closing this could be greatly appealing to a seller. Many people think that a “quick close” is always what sellers want. Yes some do, but not always.  Most sellers are also looking to buy a new home and appreciate some flexibility on looking and finding that new home.  The key is to ask the right questions to understand what the seller actually prefers in terms of a closing timeline and structure your offer around that.

 2. “Tight” Due Diligence Deadline

Another strategy would be to have a “tight” home inspection window. If possible for buyers to do, write in the offer to purchase that the home inspection is to be conducted within 3 days or so from day of accepted offer. Also write in the offer that the buyers have 48 hours from time of inspection to revoke the agreement because of inspection results. Sellers love this because it minimizes their days “off market” while buyers are performing their due diligence.

3. Make the Buyer “Real”

A third strategy would be to make the buyers personal. Let the sellers know they are real people who would be a great fit for the home. One way is to craft a personal letter introducing the buyers. To trump even that you could have Buyers and Sellers meet in person. I want to point out that this is NOT ALWAYS a great idea (depends on the client and situation) but can be very helpful in some cases. For most sellers, selling their home is an emotional process (no matter what they say there is usually some level of emotion involved). If they meet a super nice potential buyer – and lets not forget attractive – who is in love with their home it may hit a soft spot with them.

These are just a few ways to entice a seller to accept a lower price offer than competing bids.  As a Buyer’s Agent my job is to negotiate effectively on your part and get you every little advantage I can on a client’s home purchase.  If you’d like to talk about these strategies (and other interesting techniques) in more detail, comment below or just simply get in touch with me.

So 4 people in a single is not your ideal living situation? Sitting in the stairway to call Mom to get her to send her famous chocolate chip cookies, laundry detergent, and a little cash (of course) is not the “college experience” you imagined?

Probably not.

But what are your options? Moving to an off campus apartment in Boston sounds GREAT but just how do you do that?

Doesn’t matter whether you’re at Boston University, Northeastern, Suffolk, or any of the other local colleges in Boston.  Follow these steps and you’ll have college freedom in no time:

1. Talk to your parents or guardian first.

Figure out your financial situation and if it makes sense to move off campus. You want to figure not only rent in your overall cost but utilities, food, and anything else you would be responsible for in your new place. Think about grabbing a BFF or two to reduce those costs. Once you figure out the pros and cons, prepare your ‘rents for the financial responsibility they will be accruing.  Get them on board then start your search.

2. Knowledge is still power.

Talk to an experienced leasing agent. Let them know exactly what you and your roommates are looking for, for example: location, size, what you’re looking for in the apartment. Find out exactly what is available, and exactly what you can afford. A leasing agent can give you precise information and start your search for you. Ask a lot of questions. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.

3. Be prepared.

Don’t start looking at apartments until you’re positive you’re ready. Boston apartments in the college neighborhoods typically stay on the market for about a week. The nicer apartments on the best streets (say BU South Campus or Gainsborough area near Northeastern) tend to last less than 24 hours. The last thing you want to do is start seeing places only to fall in love with one that gets rented before you even get a chance to even make an offer. Once you find a great off campus apartment you want to call home, you’ll need deposits, typically first month/last month/security deposit, to secure the place.

4.Be on top of it all.

Pick someone who will be responsible for all the contact. All the paperwork needs to be in from everyone, students and parents, within a week unless otherwise noted. Make sure you’re making this a priority. Having one roommate in charge of this can help keep everyone organized.

5. Get back to studying.

The sooner you have your new bachelor/ette pad out of your mind, the more you can concentrate on making the Dean’s List again! You are concentrated on making the Dean’s List, right??  It’s a big responsibility to find off campus housing, but if you’re prepared and savvy, you can make this process smooth and painless. Just imagine it being your first steps into the real world!

We have a few more bits of advice and frequently asked questions about off campus apartments in Boston on our rental site if you’d like to continue your research.