Archive for the 'Apartment Rentals' category
Moving Day Strategy
The dreaded September 1st Boston apartments for rent move-in date is fast approaching, and now's the time to get together your move-in strategy for the day. Follow the strategy tips below on how to streamline the moving process, and make the day go by with the least amount of stress as possible.
Be Packed and Ready to Go BEFORE Moving Day
You need to be prepared to successfully conquer Moving Day. You don't want to be packing things up last minute, as this can lead to disorganization and not remembering where or what you packed. So begin organizing boxes days or weeks before the move, and this will definitely save you a great deal of time. Carrying stacked boxes to a moving van is efficient, but stuffing clothes into grocery bags on your way out isn't.
Another advantage to planning ahead allows you to sort through the items that you no longer want or need, thus saving you from unnecessary packing and unpacking. Why spend all the effort packing and moving when you are just going to throw it away?
Get Friends Involved and Assign Roles
Once you have determined the move-in date for your new Boston rental property, enlist the help of friends and family to get you moved in. The more people you can get, the faster you will be able to move in: and if you have 3-4 strong movers, moving the particularly heavy items will be a lot less taxing than just having your parents help.
Also, determine who will be doing what BEFORE you begin to move. The stronger movers should handle the large items, and those less strong can handle smaller boxes or help you clean as you move in: which will be HUGE timesaver later.
Move Heavy or Large Items First
Moving is exhausting, and it's easy to get worn out. But it's better to get worn out AFTER moving the large, heavy objects into your building. These are typically furniture items, and should be moved first: after you get these in, the rest of the lighter-weight moving will be easy. Well, easier.
Stair Strategy / Elevator Use
Use the elevator whenever possible, if one is available in your building. You can also save trips by carrying as much as you can - safely - up the stairs, but don't waste time and energy carrying items that can be transported via elevator.
With over a week left until move-in, make the most out of your time and get started on your moving strategy!
Source Article: http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com
Featured Listing: Allston
This charming first floor studio (Listing Number: 27117) is one of the coziest Allston, MA apartments the area has to offer. The 342 sq ft space rents for $995 and features a modern kitchen and bathroom, central AC, and a common area laundry room. This classic-looking mid rise also happens to be located right on Comm. Ave and is within close proximity to the T. Hot water and heat are included.
Did we mention the building has a pool?
You can view the online listing for additional pictures and information. Also be sure to check out some of our other Boston apartments for rent.
Reasons to own a Boston rental property
In addition to the fact that Boston, MA is an overall great place to live, owning a Boston rental property is a very smart investment for reasons other than just Boston’s appeal.
Out of the 100 plus colleges located in New England, half of them have campuses located in the Greater Boston area. In fact, about one fourth of Boston’s population is college students, which means approximately 160,000 college students come in and out of Boston rentals every year. Some even call Cambridge the “original college town”.
In addition to the large student population in need of a Boston apartment to rent, Boston’s tight development laws and even tighter amount of undeveloped land make rental properties a hot commodity. With a smaller stock of Boston apartments, students need to outbid each other to secure their Boston apartment for rent, while the property owner gets to reap all the benefits. Additionally, these investments seem to be recession-proof. Despite the current economic conditions, Boston real estate has fared far better than other major US cities.
Convinced yet? Check out our listings of multifamily and apartment complexes for sale.
Tenancy at Will
A lease is a contract that details an agreement between a landlord and a tenant regarding certain terms, such as duration. But what happens when neither party wants to commit to a certain amount of time? Tenancy-at-will!
So, what exactly is this and how does it work? Also known as a “month-to-month” lease, tenancy-at-will is an agreement (written or verbal) that affords leniency to a landlord or tenant as to how long the living space will be rented for. Whether you’re living in an Allston apartment or a Back Bay condo, these leases allow either party to cancel the living arrangement as desired. However, that party must provide the other with a certain amount of notice, and specify the length of that notice in the initial agreement.
There are of course, pros and cons, for both tenants and landlords. Tenancy-at-will obviously is beneficial for the party that terminates the contract, and generally a hassle for the person who has to honor the terms of the agreement. This contract is definitely not for those who value predictability. Some prefer annual leases or leases with other fixed terms to ensure a smooth renting experience without any surprises.
On the other hand, the unpredictability and flexibility can also be a good thing. A tenancy-at-will agreement could potentially benefit those who are plagued by uncertainty as to where they want to be in five months.
Phoenix Realty can help you find an apartment under the terms that best suit your needs. Contact us for help, or browse our online listings of Boston apartments and other Boston rental properties.
Allston Apartments
When searching for Boston rental properties, it’s easy to get so caught up in the property itself that one major factor gets overlooked- location! You should have the same amount of criteria for your living space as you do the neighborhood you wish to live in. Each Boston neighborhood is unique and has something different to offer. Even the nicest of properties won’t make you happy if its location is inconsistent with your wants and needs. Finding the right neighborhood for you is crucial in ensuring a pleasant living experience. (The image below is a complex Phoenix realty has listed with great Allston Apartments available!)
This week’s featured neighborhood is Allston, MA. Located in the western part of the city, Allston has a reputation for being fun and lively, much in thanks to its large population of college students and recent grads. Of course where there are students, there are colleges. Allston is home to parts of the Harvard, Boston University, and Berkley campuses. Boston College is also nearby, just west of Allston. In addition to only being only a short T ride away from downtown Boston, it is conveniently located next to Brighton, Brookline, and the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhoods. Oh, and it’s also bordered by the Charles River!
The main areas are Allston Village and Harvard Ave, which feature numerous shops and eateries. Allston has some of the best ethnic restaurants in the Boston area, with heavy emphasis on Brazilian and Vietnamese food. Popular ethnic restaurants include Pho Viet’s, Taqueria el Carrizal, and Café Brazil, among many others.
As expected with such a large student population, Allston is has an impressive amount of bars. Some of the more notable ones are The White Horse Tavern, which is known for its casual and comfortable environment; and the Sunset Bar and Grill, which has the second largest selection of beer in the country (over 300 varieties!). It is also home to Harper's Ferry and The Paradise, both of which are music venues that host local and national performers.
Even though Allston has a strong student presence, Lower Allston is one of its smaller areas that is home to mainly young business professionals, homeowners, and older residents. Unlike the rest of Allston, Lower Allston is very quiet, most likely due to its lack of college kids nearby. And for those tamer individuals living in Lower Allston, the city has more to offer than just its lively bar scene.
Many inhabitants and visitors are content with just walking around and taking in the sights that Allston has to offer. There are plenty of quaint boutiques, friendly coffee shops, and interesting people to watch.
Its vibrant and distinctive, yet laid-back atmosphere make it a great place for students to call home. Allston residences are typically brick apartments, especially those on and around Commonwealth Ave.
Sound like the right neighborhood for you? View our online listings of Allston, MA apartments or contact a Phoenix Realty agent to inquire about other Allston real estate properties.