Newton MA Real Estate
Five Tips for Finding a Boston Apartment
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.
Come Visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA this Thanksgiving Season
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.
16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts Festival
16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts
The 16th annual Castleberry Faire Arts and Craft Festival is a highlight of the New England Thanksgiving season. This isn’t your mom’s church craft fair with crocheted toilet paper cozies and necklaces made from hard candy – this year’s Castleberry Faire will feature over 250 juried artists, artisans and craftspeople from all over the United States and Canada. The event is so popular that some visitors reserve hotel rooms or other Boston rental property and make a mini-vacation of it. As always, this year’s Castleberry Faire is scheduled to take place during Thanksgiving weekend.
If you’ve ever wanted to spend Thanksgiving in New England, it’s not too late to contact a Boston property management company to locate a variety of Boston apartments for rent during the holiday. After enjoying Thanksgiving with friends and family in the historic city you can kick off your holiday shopping with a trip to the Castleberry Faire Arts and Crafts Festival in nearby Wilmington, scheduled for November 25, 26 and 27.
Items for sale at the Faire include fine art sculptures and paintings, jewelry, leather goods, stained glass, blown glass and wearable art. Traditional folk art is also represented at Castleberry in the form of handmade candles, basketry, quilts, country wood crafts and wood carvings. Fragrances, antiques, dried floral arrangements, calligraphy and many more artistic offerings are available for sale at the Faire.
Live craft demonstrations are a highlight of the event. Out-of-town visitors as well as locals from their Newton, MA homes and apartments come to Castleberry to see pottery, clay tiles and oil paintings made live by some of the best artisans in North America. As a whole, the Faire is so popular with locals that several travel agencies arrange bus tours to chauffer New Englanders into Wilmington for the event and then into downtown Boston for more shopping or a trip to the New England Aquarium before heading home.
Of course no craft event would be complete without food! In addition to all the usual Faire foods to fill your belly, a sampling of gourmet preserves, candies, vinegar’s, herbal dips, jerky, coffees and baked goods will also be available this year. Profits from food sales will be donated to the Aleppo Temple Shrine Activities.
Shopping at the Faire is a great way to buy American-made products from local artisans. If you’re new to Boston, attending the Faire is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with a bit of New England tradition and history. If you’ve been thinking about checking out some Boston apartments for rent or Boston homes for sale, the Castleberry Faire is one more great reason to live in the area.
The 16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts and Crafts Festival will be held at the Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington – located at 99 Fordham Road. The event is indoors, so activities will be held rain or shine. There is free parking and a free shuttle service for Faire patrons. Hours are Friday, November 26, 9a.m. to 5p.m., Saturday, November 27, 10a.m. to 5p.m., and Sunday, November 28, 10a.m. to 5p.m.
The City of Newton, MA – A Town of Many Attractions and Amenities
Things to do in Newton MA
Newton, Massachusetts is the 11th largest city in this state. It’s homelike and cozy atmosphere is less populated, bordering on the east by Boston. Newton is home to many thousands of college students. Colleges in the area include, Boston, Hebrew and Mt. Ida, LaSalle, and LaSalle Junior college to name just a few. Since this city borders on Boston, they are not far from the many colleges in the Boston area. Newton attracts a number of college students every year due to its location and affordability.
The town tends to attract college students because the rent is much less. If you are new to the Newton area, there are real estate agents that are ready and willing to help college students seek just the right living arrangements that are within their budget. But students should do some research on location of rentals in relation to their college they are attending.
A few of the recommended rental complexes are Brookline Apartments, Beacon Hill real estate and Brighton apartments. Students may want to suggest these to their real estate agent and if they cannot find what they are looking for i order to expand their search for a rental. What students are finding in Newton is that life is good. Many feel that it has just the right amount of activities and attractions. It offers quiet in order to study. It offers the right get-a-ways to refresh their minds. Most importantly it offers sensible affordability in living and the enjoyments of life outside school.
Finding a rental unit in Newton will prove to be a wise choice for the college student.
Newton has attractions and amenities that appeal to all college student. It is no secret that female students wants to look their best at all times and one of the best spas in and around Boston is the La Residencia Spa where patrons can rest, relax and have a make over. Newton has one of the best canoe and kayak tours in the Boston area. The spring, summer and fall seasons offer a variety of wonderful restful get-a-ways for students to enjoy. McMullen Museum and The Newton History Museum attracts students every week and is a wonderful educational tour. If you are a student into jewelry, then you cannot miss a visit to The Silver Women, where one of a kind of jewelry treasures is found. A student cannot forget the necessity of library life and will no doubt find that The John J. Burns Library in Newton will be very helpful in their studies, no matter what their major is. This library is unique, as it houses collections of rare books, archives and special editions. A new attraction to Newton is the new TV Art Gallery. This gallery focuses on the education and information of TV related subjects. In its short life it has attracted raves by public opinion and is one of the most popular sites to visit. Visitors hail the restaurant scene in Newton. There are an abundance of restaurants offering exquisite menus and food choices. Newton restaurants can be found around every corner offering something for everyone and worth this great town worth exploring.
Featured Listing: Newton MA Real Estate
Today’s featured listing is located on Newton MA real estate in Chestnut hill. The building this specific unit is in has some great Boston apartments for rent, so take a look at the full Newton MA Homes listing for more details.
This unit has a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with microwave, dishwasher, gas-range stove, and ceramic tile in the foyer and kitchen. The closets are large and expansive, and the unit has wall-to-wall carpeting. The unit is also pre-wired for cable, and has a full size washer and dryer. There is also central air conditioning, a personal alarm system, and a private patio / balcony.
Some building features include a great fitness center, resident lounge with kitchen, outdoor swimming pool, underground garage parking, study with fax and copier, on-site concierge, and large landscaped courtyard. The location of this Newton apartment is also within walking distance to the Green D Line train.
If you’d like to schedule a viewing of this Newton MA real estate property, or are searching for other Boston apartments for rent, contact Phoenix Realty to help you today!
How to Sell your Home
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.
Featured Listing: Chestnut Hill Luxury Apartment
Located in Newton’s Chestnut Hill area, this amazing one bedroom apartment is fully loaded with every feature you can imagine! The modern kitchen is outfitted with over sized cherry cabinets, beautiful tile walls, a dishwasher, a built-in microwave, and a gas range stove.
The apartment also has wall to wall carpet, a walk in closet, and an in-unit washer and dryer set up. This Newton apartment is also pre-wired for cable, internet, and telephone and has a personal alarm system.
The apartment complex features a resident lounge with a kitchen, a state of the art fitness center, and a resident study with a fax machine and copier. The residents also have access to a beautiful heated outdoor pool, underground garage parking, and an onsite concierge. The D Riverside train is just a quick walk away, making for an easy commute to downtown Boston, Boston College, Boston University, and other area hot spots!
This is a great example of the Newton, MA real estate that we have available. Click here to view the listing and contact a Phoenix Realty agent to schedule a viewing!
Newton Ranks #3 Best Place to Live
Money Magazine’s recent search for nation’s ‘Best Places to Live’ found Newton, MA worthy for the #3 spot. This year’s search, which focused on small cities within the US, attributed Newton’s ranking to its esteemed school system, low crime rate, and resistance to the unstable economy.
This small city just west of Boston has a lot to offer. Its quiet and safe neighborhoods, New England charm, and fast commute to downtown Boston make it a great living environment for those who are raising a family or working in the city. It also has plenty of downtown shopping centers, parks, and local bars and pubs. It even ranked #2 on Money Magazine’s ‘Top 25 Place for the Rich and Single’.
Another Boston neighborhood, Brookline, also made the list, ranking in at #39.
To inquire more about Newton, MA homes for sale, feel free to contact Phoenix Realty.
Featured Rental Listing: Bennington St. Newton – Newton Corner
This spacious, second floor apartment is a great place to live. This two bed, one bath is a great deal at $1,550.000. Also included is a three-season porch and washer / dryer hookup for laundry. Additionally, there are also some great conveniences included, like a working fireplace and dishwasher. Pets are allowed!
Newton is just west of Boston, bordered by Brookline and Brighton to the east. It has thirteen “villages”, each having their own character.
Newton’s proximity to Boston makes it a great place to live – as are its attractive neighborhoods. It also has great access to public transportation, with both the Green D and B lines running through. The commuter rail also serves less frequent service, as well as express buses to downtown Boston. Have a car? Two parking spaces are available and included!
Be sure to browse our Newton apartments, and speak to a Phoenix Realty agent today!
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