Boston Rental Property
How to prepare your Boston apartment for the winter
Winter is on its way, Boston.
Let’s face it, winters in Boston can be kind of rough, and meteorologists are predicting a worse winter than usual this year (don’t they always?). How do you prepare for the bitter cold that dominates the next few months? If you own a house, there are lots of steps you can take to winterize your dwelling, but what if you’re in a Boston rental property? I’m sure the landlords of Brighton apartments, Allston apartments, or even the property manager for a Bay Back condo wouldn’t appreciate it if you started ripping open the walls to put in more insulation. Luckily, there are still some things you can do.
Before doing anything to winterize an apartment, it would be a good idea to check with the landlord or property manager and make sure of what is acceptable and what is not. The first thing a tenant can usually do is seal cracks in window and door frames using caulk. Speaking of doors and windows, it’s a good idea to check the weatherstripping around them, too. If it looks worn or if pieces are missing, most Boston apartments have a maintenance superintendent who can replace it for you. If not, the landlord may allow you to replace the weatherstripping yourself–it’s relatively easy and you can get the materials at any hardware store.
Glass patio and french doors are not terribly common in a Boston rental property, but if you have them, they can be a big source of heat loss. Putting some weatherstripping along the door frame (or the space where the doors meet for French doors) can help to keep things cozy. Another good trick is putting clear plastic (available in kits like a 3M insulating kit) over windows or unused patio doors in the winter. Putting a draft sock (a tube stuffed with insulating material) along the bottom of exterior doors can help, too, and it is mobile enough that the door can still be used.
The outlets on the outer walls of an apartment sometimes allow cold air to get in. The best way to solve this is to get some insulating gaskets for outlets and light switches. They cost about a dollar for a multi-pack at the hardware store and they install in seconds with a screwdriver. If your landlord or other Boston property management team member allows you to make any of the changes discussed so far, ask them if you can deduct the cost of the materials from your rent–it never hurts to ask.
Perhaps the easiest way to deal with winter in Boston apartments is to reduce the area that has to be heated. Closing off vents in rooms that don’t require a lot of heat, like bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens (as well as any bedrooms that are not currently in use) can focus the heat more directly in the areas where it is needed. Another way to reduce heating area is to keep closet doors closed.
Finally, assuming you are in the process of moving, it would be a good idea to keep winter in mind when looking at Boston apartments for rent or even Boston homes for sale. Ask other tenants in the building or the real estate agent what the heating situation is like and what sort of modifications you might be allowed to make to improve it. Winters in Boston can get rough, and if you plan to spend the winter in a Boston rental property, you would be wise to do what you can to winterize it.
Moving into your Student Apartment? Don’t Forget These Simple Tips
Moving into your new apartment as a student is an exciting time, but before you get to all the fun, make sure you take care of a few simple things.You will be glad you did later!
Tips for Moving Into Your Student Apartment
For security, check that all of the windows that can be opened also have locks, especially if you are on the ground floor. If any of the windows cannot lock, tell your landlord immediately.- Think about a fire escape plan and discuss it amongst your roommates. Know all of the doors and windows suitable for a safe exit from the apartment in the case of an emergency. Make sure that fire-escape windows are not screwed or stuck shut. If they are, have your landlord make them openable immediately.
- Learn where the gas and water shutoffs are. In the case of an emergency or a pipe burst, knowing exactly where to go to shut off gas or water can save lives or at least costly damage to the apartment and your personal property.
- Inspect the apartment and make sure that everything is as you expected and matches the contract. It is good to catch any problems that you may not notice immediately. It is not uncommon that a landlord did not tell you about a problem, either because they wanted to get a tenant or they did not know. If anything is unsatisfactory or does not match the contract, make a note of it and contact your landlord.
- If you and your roommates pay for utilities independently from the rent, record the meter readings as soon as you move in. Tell the utilities companies the readings and the dates you moved in. You would not want to pay for extra utilities that were used when you were not even occupying the apartment. While you are at it, give all of the names of the apartment’s occupants to the utilities companies to avoid any confusion with billing.
Featured Luxury Building: Archstone Watertown Square
Are you looking for the perfect luxury apartment that’s convenient to the city without all the hustle and bustle? Look no further! The luxury apartments at Archstone Watertown Square are a great fit for the Boston professional searching for a little peace and quiet during their downtime.
Situated less than a mile from the MassPike, these apartments are extremely convenient to downtown Boston (less than 10 minutes away). However, location isn’t the only benefit that Archstone Watertown Square has to offer – each apartment features almost any amenity you could ask for. For instance, each unit is equipped with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, extensive closet space, custom-tiled kitchens and baths, and more! Additionally, the building itself offers great features to residents such as a fitness center, a media-screening room, and on-site parking.
If you’re searching for the perfect balance between the excitement of living in downtown Boston and the tranquility of living in the suburbs you should check out the apartments at Archstone Watertown Square. Or if you’re searching for a luxury apartment closer to downtown Boston contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to help with your search!
Back to School in Boston
Labor Day weekend in Boston is always classified by hundreds of college students moving into dormitories or apartments throughout the city. If you walk along the streets in Brighton, Brookline, Fenway, or Kenmore Square over the weekend don’t be surprised to see a lot of U-Haul trailers and students carrying all of their b
elongings into their new buildings.
There are more than 100 colleges in the Greater Boston Area contributing over 250,000 students to the city’s population just in Cambridge and Boston alone. The city’s biggest universities include Boston University, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, and Boston College. The influx of students in the fall attending these schools significantly contributes to the city’s economy – an estimated $4.8 billion annually. Not only do these students add to the economy of the area they also add to the atmosphere of the city. Despite being one of the country’s oldest cities, Boston has a very youthful feeling. Boston is the perfect place to live as a young professional.
If you’re planning on moving to the city contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to help you find the perfect Boston apartment!
South End Garden Tour
This past weekend residents from all over the city, from Allsto
n to the North End, flocked to the 18th Annual South End Garden Tour. Despite forecasts of rain for the day, the sun shone just for this event. The self-guided tour started just outside the Boston Center for the Arts at 539 Tremont St this past Saturday morning.
Participants received a map as a guide to visit the 25 featured gardens throughout the South End neighborhood. These gardens range from small patio spaces, to rooftop terraces overlooking the city skyline, to neighborhood parks and Land Trust community gardens.
Tourists are always pleasantly surprised at how creative the city gardeners can be within their space. And one of the best parts about the tour is that the variety of gardens changes from year to year – it’s never the same tour twice! A new addition to the tour this year was the creation of original work by local artists throughout various locations on the tour. This event is a great way to showcase how residents maintain their “green thumb” while living in their Boston apartments.
This event is a testament that if you’re looking to move to Boston it is possible to have your own coveted city garden. Contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to find a city apartment with your own patch of gardening space.
Best Allston/Brighton Ice Cream Spots
According to meteorologists June is going to be a month for the record books – the unrelenting high temperatures in the Midwest and Southern parts of the country are beginning to spread to the Northeast. If you’re living in an Allston apartment without central air, or even an air conditioning wall unit, you may have to just crank those electric fans and literally sweat it out. To help beat the heat in the coming months here are a few frozen dessert spots in the Allston/Brighton neighborhood you should definitely check out:
1. Chill – This spot features deliciously creamy frozen yogurt as well as a multitude of hard ice cream flavors. There are usually only a handful of frozen yogurt flavors (original, strawberry, banana, and coconut); however, the many different toppings help enhance “fro yo” experience.
2. Athan’s European Bakery & Café – This hidden gem is locally famous for its gelato. If you’re looking to add a little “European” flavor to your frozen dessert this summer, you’ve got to try Athan’s. They make their gelato in their own workshop – from scratch! Each is unique in flavor and texture.
3. Mixx Frozen Yogurt – The delicious, creamy texture of the different types of frozen yogurt is just part of this spot’s appeal… What really sets it apart from many other places is the expansive list of flavors (and the fact that you can mix any of the flavors together). You could have strawberry, cheesecake, and cookies and cream all at the same time! This place is perfect for those of us who are more indecisive when it comes to our frozen yogurt.
4. 3 Scoops – If you’re living in a Brighton apartment you’ve got to check this place out. With over 47 flavors on their list there’s always something for everyone! And with the portion sizes you can guarantee the best “bang for your buck.”
If you’ve just moved to a Boston apartment for the summer and are starting to miss your small town ice cream shop from home, try one of these spots. Maybe you’ll find yourself with a new favorite ice cream shop! If you’re in the process of weaning yourself off of your hometown ice cream and making the move to an apartment in the city for the summer, contact a Phoenix real estate agent today to help with the search process!
Breaking a Rental Agreement Due to Unlivable Conditions
Finding the right Boston rental property can be a pretty overwhelming process. After a seemingly endless search for the perfect place, you think you’ve finally found a good fit. Then you meet with the landlord, sign a lease agreement, get your set of keys and before you know it… It’s move-in day. During the moving process you discover a few unpleasant surprises that you didn’t notice during the original tour – or maybe the living conditions have significantly deteriorated since you moved in due to circumstances out of your control. Now you want to break the rental lease as a result of the uninhabitable living conditions. How do you go about doing so? Here are some general tips for breaking a rental lease due to unlivable conditions:
- First you should research the minimum housing rental standards in your area of residence to prove that your property is unlivable.
- Take pictures of the living conditions which make your situation unlivable. Some reasonable conditions include toxic mold, infestation, holes in the ceiling or floor, flood or fire damage, etc.
- Set up a meeting with your landlord. Either bring him pictures or have him walk through your apartment. If there is time and your landlord is willing to correct the problem then you might not need to break the agreement.
- If your landlord disputes your complaint, have a third party – this person depends on the property code of your state – to check out your apartment and determine whether or not it is habitable. If this third party deems the property uninhabitable, your landlord must follow your specific state’s property code and let you out of your lease (a copy of your state’s property code can usually be found online).
- If your landlord still refuses to let you out of the lease agreement set up a meeting with your local housing authority for advice on how to get out of the lease. Make sure to bring the pictures of the unlivable conditions as well as a copy of your lease agreement.
- If you are still unable to completely break your lease agreement you may be able to reduce your rent payment until the uninhabitable living conditions are corrected.
To prevent against this exhausting process make sure to thoroughly examine your new apartment before signing any type of contract. Or better yet, hire a real estate agent to help with the search – contact an experienced Phoenix Realty agent to get your apartment search off on the right foot!
Bed Bug Myths Debugged
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!
Brookline Selectmen Approve Three New Restaurants & Grant Liquor Licenses
Residents of Brookline real estate offered new dining options
On Tuesday, February 15th, the Brookline Board of Selectmen gave the go ahead for three new restaurants, Brother’s Roast Beef & Pizza, Olea Café, and Lucky Wah to join the neighborhood of Brookline, MA.
The family-owned chain of Brother’s Roast Beef and Pizza will take over a 1,200 square foot location at 293 Cypress Street and offer a menu of salads, subs, pasta, and calzones along with the aforementioned pizza and roast beef sandwiches. Those residing in Brookline MA apartments will have a new neighborhood pizza joint to check out! Applicant Melsi Xhengo is adding this Brookline pizzera to his list of other locations in Abington, Quincy, Weymouth, and Malden.
Olea Café will serve breakfast and sandwiches at 195 Washington Street, replacing the 1,000 square foot property, which was formerly Sandwich Works. Applicant Daoud Tayeh will offer a “low-key café serving breakfast, sandwiches, and coffee.” Residents of Brookline MA apartments will be able to try a quick cup of coffee on their way to work at the new café.
Lucky Wah, located at 1391 Beacon Street, will find a new owner in Guang Xiang Zhu. Brookline home owners will be able to sample the Asian cuisine with convenient take out or delivery.
In addition to these three new restaurants, the Brookline Board of Selectmen granted liquor licenses to two other 
already established Brookline restaurants, The Upper Crust and Osaka Japanese Sushi and Steak House.
In addition to its Coolidge Corner location that already serves beer and wine, The Upper Crust’s 888 Commonwealth Avenue location will now be able to serve beer and wine as well, giving (of age!) Boston University students a new spot to stop in for a casual evening enjoying the classic combination of pizza and beer.
Osaka Japanese Sushi & Steak House has been approved for an all-kinds liquor license at their 14 Green Street location. Offering seating for 140 customers and a staff of 30 workers, residents with Brookline real estate will have a great new option for a fun night of sushi and drinks.
Contact Phoenix Realty if you would like assistance from one of our knowledgeable agents in finding the perfect Brookline Real Estate or Brookline apartment. Our agents are also very well-informed on Boston apartments for rent and Boston homes for sale, so please don’t hesitate to ask us for help in those areas either!
Boston Restaurants love Valentine’s Monday!
As Valentine’s day falls on a Monday this year, restaurateurs in Boston are expecting a little extra love –and income– as eateries that usually don’t operate on Mondays open their doors for happy couples. Even though the holiday falls on 
a Monday this year, couples will still celebrate the preceding weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
While state statistics and local restaurateurs say that unemployment and a down economy have kept families out of restaurants in recent years, an extra holiday opening can really help a restaurant’s bottom line.
Frank DePasquale, owner of Mare Restaurant in the North End says “Valentine’s Day is probably one of the biggest days in the restaurant business.” Mare will open its doors on Monday after spending weeks getting geared up for the romantic holiday. Unlike some other Boston restaurants, Mare will not be offering a fixed-price menu on the big day, instead offering patrons more choices in the still-difficult economic times.
Owner of Gargoyles on the Square in Somerville, James Conforti, states Mondays are normally the slowest day in the restaurant trade; people are often out of cash after a weekend of spending. He will be opening his Davis Square restaurant to serve what he hopes, and expects, to be a huge crowd due to Valentine’s, adding that it also “pumps up our whole weekend and I expect Sunday night will be crazy.”
Charles Draghi, owner of Bay Village Italian restaurant, Erbalence, says this long Valentine’s weekend will help restaurant owners through a tough New England Winter. After the usual holiday rush between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, business tends to be slower. Corporate sponsored holiday parties help restaurants stay afloat; however those big holiday parties require more purchasing than usual, causing bills due in January and February. Draghi says Valentine’s day, which is celebrated for four days this year, will provide a boost in revenue to pay those bills.
Contact Phoenix Realty to view Boston apartments, Boston homes for sale, or luxury buildings in the Boston area if you would like to be a part of Boston’s fine dining experiences year-round.
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