If you are looking to move into the Boston area, but you are unsure what to expect or where to begin your search, allow this to be your guide to searching for an apartment. Searching for an apartment can be a tedious task and one some people do not look forward to. You are stuck having to search different areas to try to find the best one to fit your needs, and wants. It doesn’t have to be as painful of an experience as you would think; allow me to explain how you can make the process as simple as possible.

There are loads of Boston apartments for rent at any given moment. You can scroll through the Internet and choose which Boston apartments have the features that you are looking for in your new home. You want to make sure that you are going to be content and satisfied with everything the community has to offer. Once you know what communities have the amenities you are looking for, you can begin calling them to see if they have availability. Most of the complexes will also be able to send you something through email, so you can get pictures and other information before deciding to make a visit to the community.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of having to call everyone yourself, you could always go through one of the Boston property management companies. They would handle everything for you and give you all the possibilities for Boston rental property that meet your needs and expectations. They take all of the guesswork out of searching for your new home and make it as simple as possible. Locators do everything from making the phone calls, to scheduling you a tour of the property. The best part of this whole thing is that many of them do not charge you anything out of pocket. What more could you ask for? You get to go about your normal everyday life and they do all of the hard work for you. Nothing could be more beneficial to you as the consumer.

Another option is to look into some of the Boston homes for sale. There are multiple real estate companies that can assist you in finding the perfect home for you in Boston. Beacon Real Estate may be able to guide you through some of the properties around town and help you to find what you are looking for in no time. Another great real estate company is Brookline Real Estate. Both of the companies will be able to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and information to help you make an informed decision and choose the best option for your situation. Some of the real estate companies will also have access to rental properties in Boston.

You will never have to worry about the snow in Boston because the City of Boston works all year long preparing for the winter months. They gear up to make sure that their residents are safe and free from the cold snow and ice. The City of Boston tries to make sure that everyone looks out for their neighbors, especially if they are disabled or elderly. Everyone does what they can to make this town one of the best to live in. There are plenty of snow removal crews around town to make sure that you are provided with the best possible commute during the winter months.

It doesn’t matter what type of place you are looking to rent because there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Take the time to check out the local real estate companies, apartment locators and online for your next Boston apartment. You are sure to find the home of your dreams when you come to Boston to live. There is plenty to do and lots of places to see. You will never be bored in your new Boston apartment.

The South End is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts that has a diverse background in culture and the arts. Historical single-family row houses are common in this area. The Victorian brownstones, which were built in the 1800’s, are part of the largest Victorian urban residential area in the United States. The South End has an abundance of restaurants featuring international cuisine, shops, boutiques, and art galleries, making this a fun and eclectic neighborhood to reside in.

There are many resources available to find Boston apartments for rent. Various Boston real estate and rental assistance companies can help in finding the perfect South End apartment. They have extensive databases to assist in locating the right property. A lot of properties are located on Tremont Street or surrounding it, so restaurants, bars and theaters are in walking distance.

One of the venues located on Tremont Street is the Boston Center for the Arts. Various galleries, art studios, exhibitions, and live performances are housed here. Tremont Street is considered to be Boston’s Restaurant Row. There is a classic oyster bar that offers take-out, as well as private dining. Picco is an Italian restaurant that also serves different varieties of ice cream as a specialty. Tremont 647, Addis Red Sea, and Hamersley’s Bistro are just a few of the many other delicious dining establishments on Tremont. There are also fantastic restaurants that extend beyond Tremont and into the surrounding area on Shawmut Avenue and Washington Street.

The Sowa Open Market is an outdoor indie and art market on nearby Harrison Avenue. Farmers, vendors and artists all have individual booths that sell hand-made accessories, Indie clothing, art, paintings, jewelry, and most importantly, fresh food. They host many popular events in the neighborhood such as the Sowa Holiday Market, Sowa Winter Market and the Sowa Food Truck event.

Harrison Avenue is also home to many trendy art galleries. A lot of new artist have art displays and exhibits in some of the galleries. The Boston Sculptors Gallery is the best place to see contemporary art with a three-dimensional angle. The Chase Young Gallery is a newly opened art gallery that exhibits contemporary paintings and photography. The Samson Gallery introduces up and coming artist through exhibitions of abstract and contemporary art. Other modern galleries on Harrison Avenue are the Kingston Gallery, Jules Place Private Art Gallery, and the Howard Yezerski Gallery.

Scattered about between the areas of Tremont Street, Washington Street, and Shawmut Avenue, are tons of shops and boutiques. Boomerangs thrift stores offer a wide assortment of vintage, gently-used and new clothing and accessories. They also sell housewares, furniture and books that may be either new or used. Ars Libri is a seller of rare and out-of-print books that is located on Harrison Avenue. They have the largest collection of art books in this category. The books cover a wide spectrum of art, like art history and decorative arts. J.E.M. is another shop in this area that sells unique items such as furniture, art, jewelry and home décor, all from independent designers.

With so many choices in entertainment, dining, art and shopping, the South End in Boston is an ideal residential location. Whether it’s a Boston rental property or a South End condo, it will be in the middle of an exciting neighborhood that’s trendy and thriving.

Apartment tips 101

You have decided to find a new apartment in the Boston area. Now what? Where do you start? Finding the best Boston rental property depends on your price point, your social preferences and your transportation options.

Tip #1-Planning for your move.

Before you start looking at individual properties, make a list of the “must have” items for your new home. Decide how many bedrooms and bathrooms you must have in your new home. Do you need a garage? Do you need extra large closets? Do you prefer an upper floor or a lower floor?

This step should include all of the minimum requirements for Boston apartments or homes you will consider renting. It is a good idea to set budget limits during this planning stage, too. Also, define your move in window, which is your planned range of moving dates.

Tip #2-Choose your neighborhoods.

Select two or three neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. Read local real estate blogs or reviews online to find a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. Talk to friends at work or people who you have classes with to get their recommendation. Do some research. To get you started, here are a few pointers.

If you want to live near Boston Common, you might consider the Back Bay condo region. For $1800, you can get an apartment with paid utilities and easy access to the Copley T station.

If you want to live on the waterfront, looking for Boston apartments in the North End near the harbor are going to be more along your liking. Keep in mind that these areas are beautiful, but may be a little pricey for some college students and “twenty-somethings” just starting out in a new career.

South End real estate is affordable and offers many choices for shopping and dining. There are great places to eat and bars that offer a fun nightlife atmosphere. If you need easy access to public transportation, South End and Allston apartments are great choices.

Somerville, in the Davis Square area, is known as a “hip and happening” neighborhood. Most residents are in their mid-twenties to early thirties. This is a safe, affordable neighborhood with access to public transit. It has an artsy kind of atmosphere.

Tip #3-Contact a real estate agent or rental guide.

Working with a Boston rental property professional can save you time and money. Property managers, real estate agents and professional lease consultants all have insider information. These professionals can use your list (from step one) to find properties that fit your budget and your lifestyle. Working with a professional is faster than searching internet and newspaper ads. A lease consultant can put you in contact with decorators and give you tips on negotiating rental rates.

Tip#4-Look at several properties before you sign a lease.

Look at several apartments and then chose two or three that fit your lifestyle. Re-visit those locations at a different time of day. Sometimes a neighborhood is peaceful and quiet during the day and energetic and lively at night. If safety is a factor, consider Newton, MA real estate offerings. This suburb was named one of the safest communities in the nation! You can check with local law enforcement to ask how frequently they are called to a particular complex.

Tip#5-Negotiate your lease.

Remember that everything is negotiable. Whether you choose a neighborhood that is hip and energetic or friendly to young families, negotiate a price and terms that you can live with. With some planning and guidance, you will find a great apartment in Boston to call home.

Pilgrims enjoying a hearty meal

It all began way back in 1620 when the Pilgrims completed their overseas journey from England to America. The Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts and America spread out from there. Today, Plimoth Plantation is an authentic recreation of the historically significant colony that was made up of the original first settlers of the new land.

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our history and there is no better place to take in the meaning of the moment than Plimoth Plantation. Located approximately 40 miles south of downtown Boston along Route 3 in Plymouth County, the area attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and vacationers every year. From the time the Pilgrims sat down to the first thanksgiving dinner up until today, it is a joy to follow the early history of our country.

One can see how tough a life the early settlers had to deal with. There were no modern conveniences, very little infrastructure and you had to have a true pioneer spirit and be able to fend for yourself if you wanted to survive. That same hearty stock still exists in Americans, but it is always good to remind ourselves of our humble beginnings.

Among the many attractions in and around Plimoth Plantation is the Plimoth Rock, supposedly a monument to the spot where the Mayflower touched land for the first time. There are also numerous historical monuments and statues paying tribute to some of the more famous officials of the early Colonial period.

Plimoth Plantation is close to many of the Boston area colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. In fact, there are 52 institutions of higher learning including research universities, junior colleges, 4 year colleges and specialty institutions. Among the most famous are Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. Students have a wide choice of housing options in and around the Boston area. If you go to school in Boston, you might want to look for Boston apartments. As most students are on a limited budget, they may need to consider sharing an apartment with several roommates. You can choose to live just outside of Boston and perhaps get an apartment for a little lower rent.

Brookline apartments are just outside of Boston and very close to the Chestnut Hill location of Boston College. Other nearby Brookline colleges include the liberal arts college, Pine Manor and the New England Institute of Art.

Students who may attend Wellesley College or Babson College about 12 miles west of downtown Boston can find excellent, modern Newton Ma homes and apartments for rent or sale. The more suburban setting is often preferred by students and young people who like the wide, open spaces that are hard to find in the middle of Boston.

No matter whether you choose to rent a Back Bay Condo near Fenway Park or choose one of the nice Allston apartments convenient to your school or place of work, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. While you might be able to find a small, nicely furnished or unfurnished one bedroom for about $1200 per month, that is considered the low range in the Boston rental market. If you are on a tight budget, you may look to rent a room from a private homeowner or consider rooming with several others and splitting the rent.

On average, expect a 1 bedroom apartment to run between $1500-$2000 per month, a 2 bedroom around $2200, 3 or 4 bedroom close to $3000 and anything bigger or in a prime location can set you back $4000 or even more.

And What It Can Do For Your Taxes

Uncle Sam WANTS you… to go green.  Sure, we’re near the end of the tax season, but for those who don’t know or are procrastinating, The United States government is offering tax incentives and credits to people who update their real estate with energy-saving technologies and/or buy hybrid vehicles. The kind of technologies that usually save you money, and with an extra tax break… well, that’s just a bonus.

Now there’s no tax break just yet for urban agriculture, so hold off on turning your Boston home rooftop into Green Acres, but there are plenty of options that can save you some cash.

Here’s the rundown and a few things to keep in mind for next year if you already filed your taxes.

If you made your residency the greenest home in your Boston neighborhood, then the energy saving renovations made from last year could save you $1,500 on your tax bill.

Unfortunately, 2010 is the last year for such a huge energy and environmental tax credit, so for those who already filed your taxes… you’re out of luck. The new residential energy-efficient tax break that just succeeded on Jan. 1 is a much more limited version.

Here’s where it gets tricky.  Home energy upgrades installed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 will give you a tax credit that’s about 10 percent of costs up to a maximum of $500.

Depending on the type of renovations you make, your exact credit could be less. So here are the facts that could help you out.

• 10 percent of costs, capped at $500
  • Insulating such home components as roof, doors, and windows
• $300 for air conditioners and heat pumps
• $300 for energy efficient water heaters
• Capped at $200, 10 percent of costs for Energy Star windows
• $150 for high efficiency furnaces and boilers
• $50 for main air circulating fans

Now here’s the bummer for anyone who’s already claimed a total credit of $500 or more on previous energy tax credits since Jan. 1, 2005. The overall $500 tax credit cap will apply to you too.

So if you’ve already claimed that amount or more, you can’t claim any additional real estate energy renovation costs on your 2011 tax return.

But if you’ve received less than $500 over the years on home energy renovations, then you can claim the remaining amount for any improvements you make this year.

Here are the details offered on Energy Star’s website that explains in detail the eligible renovations and credit limits for the 2010 and 2011 tax years.

Now to get more out of your “go green” tax credit, you may want to consider investing in more efficient alternative energy systems for your Massachusetts home.

The Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit equals 30 percent of what you spend on any of these systems below:

• Solar electric systems
• Solar hot water heaters
• Geothermal heat pumps
• Wind turbines
• Fuel cell property

The good news here is there’s no cap on the credit amount for these energy systems. Whatever the 30 percent of costs, is what you get back.  That even includes installation and labor to your allowable credit.

Credits for these large energy saving upgrades may be more expensive, but you have plenty of time to consider taking on such a project for your real estate since the credits are available until the end of 2016.

Phoenix Realty offers exceptional Boston property management services for your home, investment, or commercial property.  Please contact Phoenix Realty for further information in regards to our specific services offered.

10 Need-to-Know Myths to Protect Your Boston Apartment

Your parents used to say “don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Now that you’re moving into your own Boston apartment, it’s time you give this advice another thought! As reported in the NBC New York news story, “Beware of Bed Bugs: Cases Set to Surge This Summer,” bed bug complaints in New York City apartments are up 8 percent from last year with over 13,000 bed bug complaints in 2010. Jeffrey White, a research entomologist for bed bugcentral.com anticipates worse bed bug outbreaks this year than last. Boston apartment residents are lucky that our city hasn’t shown up on the Top Ten Worst Bed Bug Infested Cities, but the bed bug problem persists even here.

You need to know the myths and facts about bed bugs in order to identify and fight these bugs. We’ve compiled a list of 10 bed bug myths to help you protect yourself and your Boston apartment from the Back Bay to the West End.

Myth 1: Bed bugs only show up in dirty apartments and on dirty people.

Bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt; they’re attracted to exhaled carbon dioxide and heat. They feed on blood and can infest any location regardless of how clean it is. Bed bugs have been known to show up anywhere from South End to North End apartments. You can bring bed bugs home with you merely by coming into contact with a person or location contaminated with bed bugs.

Myth 2: Bed bugs only live in beds and mattresses.

Bed bugs spend 90 percent of their time hiding and can live almost anywhere: on furniture, walls, clothing, carpets, or pictures.  Don’t think that just by throwing away your mattress will solve your bed bug problem because they often spread to areas around your bed as well: within the cracks of furniture, along the baseboards of walls, inside electric outlets, laptops, and even cell phones!

Myth 3: Bed bugs are too small to see.

So you’re sitting in your Brookline or Charlestown apartment; can you spot a bed bug? Adult bed bugs are relatively easy to spot; they are reddish-brown and 3mm–5mm in size. Recently hatched larvae tend to be harder to see at 1mm–2mm in size. Until the larva feed on blood, they remain a pale white.

Myth 4:  I have bite marks, but my partner doesn’t. I can’t have bed bugs!

Bites can differ in size from person-to-person based on individual allergic reactions to the bites. Bites may leave no marks, small bumps, or even large welts. If your partner doesn’t have bite marks but you do, your Boston apartment could still harbor bed bugs.

Myth 5: Bed bugs are killed by the cold.

Houses heated to 70 degrees Celsius for 3 hours only kill about 78% of bed bugs on average. Cold temperature treatments don’t fare much better. In fact, bed bugs can survive for a long time in below freezing temperatures. Overall, the cold treatment is unreliable even during a Boston winter. Although hot steam treatments work, you must remember that you may not be killing all of the bugs that are hiding.

Myth 6: Bed bugs transmit diseases.

Many scientific research studies have found that luckily bed bugs don’t transmit diseases; however, scratching bed bug bites can lead to secondary infections. Make sure to get medical attention if your bites appear infected.

Myth 7: You can feel a bed bug biting you.

Bed bugs inject their saliva before feeding on blood so you won’t feel their bite. However, like a mosquito bite, bed bug bites can be itchy later based on how allergic you are to their saliva. Also, beg bugs are generally more active at night and may bite you while you are sleeping.

Myth 8: You can kill bed bugs with any insecticide.

Although bug bombs may kill a number of bed bugs, their use generally causes the bed bugs to scatter and actually make your Boston apartment’s infestation worse. Directly spraying bed bugs with insecticides may kill the ones you hit; however, you can’t count on getting all of them with a direct spraying. Also, many insecticides will not work on all the stages of the bed bug life cycle.

Myth 9: Bed bugs are resistant to all pesticides.

Not all pesticides kill bed bugs, but many pesticides do. Consult a professional exterminator to determine which methods will work best for your situation.

Myth 10: Leaving bed bugs alone in an empty house will kill them.

Adult bed bugs can live for a year or more without feeding so ignoring the problem will only make it worse.

Understanding these myths will hopefully make you more aware so that you can effectively deal with any buggy Boston real estate situation. Your best bet is to consult with a professional exterminator to prepare an integrated pest management solution, which involves a regiment of spraying, vacuuming, steaming, laundering and sealing in order to kill and prevent the infestation of bed bugs. We hope you sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite! Now, let’s hear your bed bug stories!

Whether you’re a family in a Newton, MA Apartment or a group of college students in Brookline, MA rental, it is important to make sure that when you put your house on the market it is picture perfect.

The Internet is a huge resource for home buyers, with more than 90% choosing that medium as their first resource to see what is available. With a huge inventory to choose from, it’s important to take a lot of photos to get to the top of the listings. Staging your house will make yours stand out from the rest!

Clear your home of clutter, whether it is in front of a sliding glass door leading to a beautiful deck, or personal collections or items on display in bedrooms, to keep the distractions to a minimum. The National Association of Realtors recommends putting excess furniture in storage, packing away knick-knacks, and removing items of clothing that could be cramping your closet.

If you have pets, drop them off at a neighbor or friend’s house during showings, as not everyone is an animal person. Eliminate pet odors by lighting mood-setting candles or installing scented plug-ins in the rooms where your pet usually resides.

Create curb appeal by trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, and turning on the sprinklers for half an hour before a showing to make the lawn sparkle. Bring in a couple of potted flowers to brighten up your porch. New doorknobs can also make a door look more modern.

If you have young children, contain their toys in a couple of plastic bins that can easily be stored in the garage or basement during showings.

Stage your home so that beautiful aspects of your home, such as a fireplace or large windows, are the focal point of a room, rather than an entertainment center.

Wallpaper is out of style- if you have rooms that are wallpapered; consider tearing it down and painting your room a neutral color. As long as it is tastefully done and fits into the style of the house, some color could work as well.

Do not disregard minor repairs. Things that may seem trivial, such as sticky doors, dripping faucets, or torn screens can give buyers the impression that the house is not well maintained.

A clean house makes a strong impression; it sends the message that the home is well cared for. Polish windows, mop and vacuum floors, clean the stove and refrigerator, and wipe fingerprints from light switch plates and televisions.

If you’re looking for a home in Newton, Brookline, or any other Greater Boston area neighborhood.

Contact an agent at Phoenix Realty to schedule a viewing.

If you are looking for a home in Boston, whether you already live there or you are relocating to the city, chances are you will encounter the use of a Purchase and Sale Agreement in your contract.

A Purchase and Sale Agreements is the contract for the purchase and sale of real estate between a Buyer and Seller, in which the Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to buy under certain specific terms and conditions. When a Buyer submits a Purchase and Sale Contract or offer to the Seller for review, it will most likely contain a contingency form of some kind. Here are the most common forms and how they apply to your contract.

INSPECTION CONTINGENCY

Most home buyers won’t complete a sale without a property inspection, which is usually performed by a professional then approved and signed off on by the Buyer and Seller. If during the inspection, something is found that the Buyer won’t approve, they can terminate the deal. If the Seller can have an opportunity to fix the issue, the Buyer can continue with the sale. Basically, this contingency means if the inspection is not approved by both Buyer and Seller, the transaction cannot proceed.

FINANCING CONTINGENCY

A solid offer should be submitted with a pre-approval letter that shows that the Buyer is serious and has already done their homework on the property. A Financing Contingency is good to include just in case something goes wrong. A pre-approval letter states that at the time of application, everything was approved, but from this time until the closing of the deal something could come up that restricts the Buyer from obtaining financing. If this turns out to be the case, the deal must be terminated.

NEIGHBORHOOD CONTINGENCY

This is rare, but can be useful in the right situation. If a Buyer wants to get in on a property and check out the area later, this would be the form to use. If the Buyer lives out of the area and can’t check out the neighborhood prior to making an offer or if the property is a hot commodity that the Buyer wants first crack at, a Neighborhood Contingency would allow the Buyer to take some time to investigate neighbors, crime rate, and school or community issues and information before continuing on the purchase of the home.

ADDITIONAL HOME SALE CONTINGENCY

This states that the Buyer, although interested in the property, must sell their current home before they buy the new home. In a sellers’ market, these offers are usually not accepted because there are more reasonable buyers waiting to offer non-contingent offers. However, in a buyers’ market, where there is not as much competition, the sellers may be more likely to agree on the contingent sale.

These are just a few contingency type forms; there are a number of other forms that may apply to your specific situation. Contact a qualified real estate agent for assistance when making property deals.

Its no secret that this country is in a general housing slump, but what is somewhat surprising is the condition of the Boston real estate market: it’s doing well! Three distinct neighborhoods in Boston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End, have had an excellent year, with strong sales volume and equal or higher median average sale prices that are comparable to anytime during the past six years.

While that may not seem like much, most parts of the country have experienced wide sales and home value fluctuations; relative stability is a much better alternative!

Residents have shown resiliency in the face of an exhausting recession that brought the state an unemployment rate higher than 9%. Despite the risk of everyone’s jobs, those with the desire or need to move into Boston found a way to do so, and with local prices cut nearly in half in many instances, relocating to a Boston home is more affordable than ever.

If you’re considering a move to the Boston area -and why wouldn’t you with this promising market- contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to begin the search for your new apartment, condo, or luxury building.

If you are considering a move to a Boston condo, you need to be aware of what the costs will include. When you first purchase your condo, you will have to pay a down payment, a mortgage, and property tax. In addition to these one-time costs, there will be condominium and special assessment fees.

What are Condominium Fees? Also referred to as maintenance fees, these fees are paid monthly by all condominium owners towards the maintenance and repair of common areas in the building, as well as salaries for groundskeepers, repairmen, and security guards. Set and managed by the condo association, they are typically determined based on the size of your unit.

Before you move into your new condominium, whether it is in prestigious Back Bay, or the architectural landmark neighborhood of Mission Hill, the amount of the fee will be disclosed to you, and you will have access to an itemized list to find out exactly where your dollars are going. While it may seem like an annoyance to have these monthly bills, they allow you to enjoy all the perks of your condo such as access to a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a beautiful lawn, without all the hard work that goes into keeping these amenities nice.

Make sure to tour your unit before buying: get an inspection done on the unit and the entire structure to identify any potential problems that will raise your fees. If the association has maintained the building repairs and maintenance requirements before they become big problems, your condo fees will most likely remain the same each month.

Special assessment fees may be requested when an unexpected repair or planned modification exceeds the cost of the condo fees that have already been collected. To determine if you will be likely to be required to pay these fees, find out if the association maintains a reserve of funds to pay for these unexpected and potentially expensive repairs.

Remember to contact an agent at Phoenix Realty when looking for your next condo or apartment in the greater Boston area.