Newton MA
New Year Resolution to Find a Better Apartment in Boston
Boston is one of the most exciting places in the United States to live while attending college, starting a career and making plans for the future. Unfortunately, making a New Year’s resolution to find a better apartment in the area might be more of a challenge than expected. Boston has a tight apartment market when compared to other cities, so it will require some preparation to find that great place to live.
Shortlist Locations:
Start the search by making a shortlist of preferred locations. For example, anyone who is interested in living near the Boston Common might look at Beacon Hill real estate or a Back Bay condo.
Having a few areas set aside on a shortlist makes it easier to find that great apartment by searching in only a specific area. Narrowing down the location results in a more limited search around the area.
For those who are unsure about which locations to consider, the best course of action might be working back from commuting or important features your desired area must have available instead. For example, anyone who is attending Berklee College of Music might consider looking at South End real estate to the south of the college or looking for a Back Bay condo to the north. Working around the areas that are within a relatively close commute to school or work is ideal to minimize the amount of time spent in transportation.
Set a Spending Limit:
Boston has a wide range of rental prices available, so having a set spending limit for each month is ideal when looking for a place to stay. In some cases, the amount of money available each month will determine the location because some areas are more expensive than others.
In general, Boston apartments are not inexpensive. The apartment costs might be less than cities like New York and San Francisco, but the amount is higher than many other cities within the United States. Renters should expect relatively high urban rent amount, so anyone setting a low spending limit should expect to look at studio apartments and one bedroom options due to the general price.
Apartments in the Boston area are generally more expensive the closer it comes to downtown. Brookline real estate, Back Bay condos or similar areas that move toward the center of the city are often more expensive than areas slightly outside. For example, it might be possible to find more affordable options in Allston apartments.
Consider a Roommate:
Looking for Boston apartments is difficult when searching alone. Young men and women who are still in college or have recently graduated and joined the workforce are often limited in available rental spending. In many areas, this lower spending amount might even mean that a studio apartment is out of reach. Fortunately, finding a roommate can solve some of these difficulties.
Roommates split the rent, so it makes that Back Bay condo or Allston apartment more affordable.
When working with a roommate, both parties should sign the lease and write out a written agreement regarding what will happen if one or the other defaults on the rent. The written agreement should also determine how the roommates will handle different types of problems that might arise, such as writing names on food or arranging times to use the shower to avoid schedule conflicts.
Finding a roommate in Boston is not challenging since many will advertise in The Boston Globe or through online agencies.
When the neighborhood is selected, the roommate is found and the budget is determined, finding a new apartment in Boston will require some patience. Boston apartments are at a premium because of limited availability. Patience is a necessity when looking for a better apartment in Boston, but it is rewarded when the great neighborhood and reasonably priced rental property becomes available.
Understanding Condo Fees and Monthly Rates
If you are in the market for a condo in the Boston area, it is important to understand what all of the condo fees and monthly rates mean for you. Choosing to purchase a condo rather than renting Boston apartments means you will likely be responsible for paying some additional monthly fees over your regular payments. Knowing exactly what these fees are and what they cover will help ensure that you aren’t left in the dark when making your purchase.
Condo Fees
The condo fees charged by a Boston property management company will vary depending on the company and the amenities provided by the condo complex. When you rent Boston apartments, you only need to pay to use your living space. There may be some community areas you can use, but it is up to the owner of the apartments to maintain these areas. When you live in a Back Bay condo, for instance, the principle is much the same. Your mortgage payment covers your living space. Many condos, however, also have common areas and exterior expenses to cover. Unlike an apartment, though, there is no owner to pay to maintain these areas. The condo fees charged cover these expenses.
How Much
The amount of money charged for condo fees varies and is normally calculated by the homeowner’s association (HOA). In the Boston area, these fees can range between $100 and $700 per month. These HOA fees often cover expenses, such as mowing the lawn, planting and maintaining landscaping, pool maintenance, painting in community areas and to cover other services provided at the condo complex. The amount may also depend upon where the condo is located. For instance, condos in the Brookline real estate area may charge a different amount than a condo with the same features in the beacon hill real estate market. In some cases, if an HOA runs out of money, they may conduct a special assessment, which can increase the monthly fees you must pay to accommodate the needs of the condo complex, just as an apartment manager may raise the rent.
If you choose to find a condo in the Boston area, rather than renting from one of the numerous Boston apartments, it is important to know what HOA fees are involved and what they cover. Because each HOA sets its own fees based on amenities offered in the complex and the needs of the community, you must ask about any monthly fees required before agreeing to purchase a condo. These fees are charged on top of your mortgage, so you must ensure you can afford them. It is also important to prepare yourself for the possibility of a special assessment. Putting aside extra money in the event of this type of assessment can save you in the future.
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.
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 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!
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