Moving in September?  It may be time to start looking for apartments.  Apartments in Boston available for September 1st come off the market faster than you may think.

1. 9% of the total expected inventory has come on the market to date
2. 1% of the total inventory has already been rented
3. An additional 10-15% is expected to rent between February and March
4. The rest of the inventory will become available 60-120 days before the lease expires

Availability by Neighborhood

Another benefit to starting your search early is the price.  There is a 13% price difference between apartments leased in the winter versus those that rented in the summer.  In a rental market that is tighter and more expensive than ever, you could be saving yourself a fair amount of time and money.

For more rental statistics take a look at average rents in various Boston neighborhoods and availability by month between 2009-2011.

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In the case of apartment listings, a picture is not always worth a thousand words.  

I fully understand the appeal of seeing an image of an apartment before seeing it in person.  Theoretically, by looking at a few images you’d get an accurate sense of what the apartment looks like.  At least more accurate than any description could be.  This could not be farther from the truth.

Don’t Trust Every Image You See

To get a sense of just how deceiving some images can be, here are a few examples of false images or photo fakeouts of hotels and resorts from www.oyster.com.

Realtors and owners apply similar “fake out” techniques to the photos in their listings.  Sure, you won’t see the “sexy lady phenomenon” in apartment listings, but you’ll certainly see pools, rooms, closets etc. appearing much larger than in real life.  There are a couple of ways to achieve this, including photographing only parts of rooms to make them seem like they extend much further out than what’s in frame and applying the fishbowl effect (which I’ve seen done more than once on craigslist).  Another trick is to photograph only the good parts of the apartment–the beautiful hardwood floors, light streaming in from the window–and leave out the shot of the mold in the bathroom, or the non-existant kitchen.

Listings Without Pictures

Many owners don’t post pictures of their units.  There are many reasons for this.  Here are a few:

1. No digital camera or knowledge of how to upload or scan photos.
2. No time.
3. The current tenants have not yet moved out.
4. The apartment is undergoing renovations.

How To Find A Good Apartment Without Relying on Pictures

So, without pictures how can you determine if seeing the apartment is worth your time?  The answer is complicated.  Some owners put a lot of care and effort into their listings, some don’t have time, and some don’t have the tools or the language skills to describe their property properly.  Generally, the more caring the landlord, the more detailed the listing.  The truth is though, apartments in the Boston area come off the market so fast, owners don’t have to do much to get their properties rented.

Need some help sorting through the bad listings to get to the good?  At Rental Beast we check the validity of every listing, and while our listings may not always have images, we have accurate, verified information.

Photo curtesy of longlostcousin via flickr

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In light of the recent apartment rental scam in Salem, we would like to take this opportunity to provide some tips on how to avoid these kinds of scams.

Last week Salem police arrested Jayson Fallis for conning nine people out of as much as $2,000 each.  Fallis posted ads on craigslist.org for a two bedroom apartment on 11 Boston St in Salem for $850 a month.  Fallis, a former tenant of the apartment, pretended he was the landlord and that he had recently inherited the property.  He used aliases when filling out false lease agreements and stole anywhere from $500 to $2000 for first last and half security deposit.

To avoid scams like this, there are a few things you can do:

1. Question the landlord!  Does something seems fishy?  Ask the landlord for identification.
2. Look up property ownership for the apartment.  Who really owns it?
3. Is the asking price way under market value?   Red flag.
4. Is the landlord not asking for an application?  Not checking your credit?  Red flag.
5. Never wire money via Western Union, Moneygram or other wire service.
6. Use a rental agency and go with a qualified professional.

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Here at Rental Beast most of our apartment listings are for the long-term, but every once in a while we come upon a great short-term deal.

This gorgeous, fully furnished studio is located in the fashionable South End of Boston.  The apartment has period detail, laminate floors, and a well designed layout.  The apartment is only blocks from some of the trendiest shops and restaurants in the city.  Amenities include wireless internet, a queen sized bed, a flat screen TV, cotton sheets and towels, and laundry in the building.

In Boston on business for a couple weeks?  Need a great place to stay while your apartment is being renovated?  This fabulous weekly rental may be for you.

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Here at Rental Beast, because of our vast database of apartments across the Boston area, we have a huge amount of information about the current rental market at our fingertips.  What do we want to do with that information?  Share it with you!  If you’re searching for an apartment in the Boston area, having information about renting in the city is incredibly valuable.

So what have we learned about the recent rental market?  Well, for one, there was a 7% increase in Rent from 2010 to 2011.

This year 60% of all rentals were leased between February and June.   There is a 13% price fluctuation between the early season (December/January) and the high season (July/August).  During the high season, the average length that an apartment stays on the market is seven days.

Will you be looking  for an apartment in Boston in 2012?   Make sure to get a head start on your search.  If you do find a place, don’t wait!  If you’re looking for an apartment during the high season, prepare to rent quickly.

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We’ve decided to take a look into various neighborhoods in and around Boston one square at a time.  This week we’re exploring Ball Square in Somerville.

Are you a fan of brunch?  Well, then you’ll like Ball Square.  Sandwiched between Powder House Square and Magoun, Ball Square’s main strip on Broadway is packed with excellent breakfast eateries.  On the weekend you’ll find lines out the door at two brunch spots in fierce competition, the height of which has passed.

Ball Square was home to The Willow Jazz Club before it was shut down and has been home to Lyndell’s Bakery since its establishment in 1887.  Lyndell’s website proudly boasts the number of days it’s been open (close to 40,000).  Below are some other Ball Square staples.

Ball Square Cafe

Ball Square Cafe is the smallest of the three Ball Square breakfast joints.  The menu is strikingly similar to Sound Bites and features some pretty heavenly items including their grilled mash potatoes and their generously sized omelets.

Sound Bites

Sound Bites, located right next door to Ball Square Cafe, is the larger of the two and offers outdoor seating.  Great food, healthy portions, fresh fruit.  Both restaurants feature a self-serve beverage station, which cuts down on wait time.  Don’t be surprised to find lines on the weekend for both of these popular brunch spots.

Kelly’s Diner

Kelly’s Diner (pictured above) is a 1953 two piece dining car–one of the largest diners ever manufactured in the 1950s.  This adorably retro diner, complete with jukeboxes at every booth, serves classic breakfast food.

True Grounds

This is the best place for coffee in the square.  Here you’ll find an extensive drink menu, freshly made sandwiches, cookies, and scones and plenty of regulars.  Internet is free for one hour with purchase.

Blue Cloud Gallery

This small but full gallery features the work and crafts of many different local artists.  This is a great place to shop for gifts and unique home decor items.

Do your part for the Somerville economy and support local businesses like these!

Getting here

Ball Square is one half a mile southwest of Davis Square and is accessible via the 87, 88, 89, 90, 94, and 96 bus routes.  The MBTA’s green line extension plan will include the addition of a green line Ball Square T stop.

Want to move to Somerville?  Make sure to check our apartment listings.  We have new inventory in the area all the time.

Did we forget your favorite place in Ball Square?  Let us know!

Photo courtesy of alexandralee

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We’ve decided to take a look into various neighborhoods in and around Boston one square at a time.  This week we’re exploring Washington Square in Brookline.

For many, Brookline is a very desirable town; It has one of the best school districts in the state, museums, parks, theaters, festivals and community events.   West of Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village at the crossroads of Beacon and Washington St in Brookline is where you’ll find Washington Square.  For those who want to live in the Brookline area, but don’t want the expense of Coolidge Corner or the grunginess of Allston, Washington Square is for you.

Washington square is a great blend of the old and the new.  The architecture is a mix–old brownstones next to Victorian homes.  An eighteen foot, four-sided Victorian restoration clock was installed in the center of the square, payed for by the oldest merchant association in Brookline (The Washington Square Merchant Association).

Here are some Washtington Square staples:

The Publick House

Recent winner of the Boston Pheonix’s Best Bar, Beer Geeks, The Public House is the place to go for beer lovers.  The Publick House offers a huge variety of brews, outdoor seating, and a casual pub experience.  The pub is best known it’s beer selection, but the fries done in duck fat are a noteworthy menu item.

Super Fusion Sushi

Arguably the best sushi in Brookline.  The prices are moderate and the portion’s are large.  A customer favorite is the tuna carpaccio maki.

Washington Square Tavern

This twelve-year-old tavern is another popular pub option.  There are daily wine specials and a warm, friendly atmosphere.  The food is fresh and flavorful American cuisine.

Getting to Washington Square is a breeze.  Take the Green line C train to the Washington Square stop or take the 66 from Harvard to Coolidge Corner.  Coolidge corner is a only a ten to fifteen minute walk away.

Where’s your favorite place to go in Washington Square?

photo courtesy of sporst

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We’ve decided to take a look into various neighborhoods in and around Boston one square at a time. This week we’re exploring Inman Square in Cambridge.

Original photo courtesy of alexandralee

Inman Square, located in the Cambridge plain, is a neighborhood a bit off the beaten path.  Named for Boston merchant Ralph Inman (1713-1788), Inman Square has a rich history stemming from the 1790s.  Shops and restaurants opened up in the early 1900s, when the streetcar traveled through the square.  Even when streetcar service ended in the 1950s, Inman’s community continued to flourish.  It was home to the first ever Legal Sea Foods and some great improv and stand-up comedy (“The Proposition,” Ding Ho restaurant, ImprovBoston).  Today it is home to a vibrant Brazilian community, local artists and hipsters, and some amazing independent shops and restaurants.  Here’s a short list of some Inman staples:

All-Star Sandwich Bar

According to All-Star Sandwich Bar, “A good sandwich is like an old friend.”  It seems they’ve taken this to heart, because as many Cambridgites would attest, they make a very good sandwich.  The menu features unusual, thick, tasty creations.  You may call them sandwich purists: they’ve been wrap free since 2006!

1369 Coffee House

1369 opened in 1993 in what used to be the 1369 Jazz Club, a well-known bar and music venue.  Today, along with its second location in Central Square, it is one of the best places for coffee in the Boston area.

Christina’s Ice Cream

Christina’s is another Inman landmark, around since 1983.  Those prone to indecision be wary–Christina’s offers a variety of over fifty different flavors on any given day!

Boutique Fabulous

Boutique Fabulous is filled to the brim with home decor items, clothing (vintage and new), and accessories hand selected by owner, Mara Anka Kustra.  Great for a unique shopping experience.

Bukowski Tavern

Named for author Charles Bukowski, Bukowski Tavern is the place for beer.  There are 31 beers on tap and over 130 bottled craft and specialty beers available.

Getting to and from Inman Square is the main deterrent for potential visitors and residents as it is not located directly on the red line.  To get to Inman Square on the red line, get off at Central Square and walk down Prospect for about 15 minutes until you hit Cambridge St.   The 69 bus from Harvard does go right through the square, but if you’re not okay with a bit of walking, Inman may not be for you.

Interested in moving to Inman Square?  Check our listings for available apartments in the Cambridge area.

Did we miss any of your favorite Inman Square hangout spots?  Tell us where you like to go in Inman.

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For those of you who have been looking for an apartment in the Boston area recently, you know that finding a place that’s affordable is extremely difficult.  Since the third quarter of 2010, rents in Boston have grown by 5.9%.   So, how can you find a great apartment without spending a fortune?  One thing you can do is to look outside the city and into some great surrounding neighborhoods.  This list is comprised of charming, inexpensive apartments both in and outside of the city.

1) Medford, $1300

This adorable one bedroom is located in Medford near the Tufts campus.  It was renovated in 2010, so everything is new, including the kitchen and the bathroom.  The apartment has tons of windows and tons of space and includes an in-unit washer and dryer, a front porch, a dishwasher, and a kitchen skylight.

It’s a five minute walk to Ball Square and less than a twenty minute walk to Davis Square.

2) Brighton, $1225

This one bedroom is located in Brighton on Chestnut Hill Ave near Boston College and within walking distance of the Green line train.  The building manager lives in the building and is always around for maintenance or to answer any questions.

Heat and hot water and on-site laundry are included.

3) Winter Hill, $1450

This cat-friendly one bedroom in Winter Hill in Somerville has also been recently renovated.  There are brand new carpets, tile bath, and a dishwasher and disposal.  The apartment includes in-building laundry, storage, and one parking spot.

Not sure how much you can afford?  Use our rent calculator to figure out  how much you should be spending on rent per month.

Peruse our listings!  Rental Beast has plenty of other affordable options in the Boston area.

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As a part of our “Renter’s Rights” series, we’re taking a good hard look at what exactly the rights are for tenants in Boston.  This list is a compilation of some noteworthy renters’ rights picked from the city of Boston’s Good Neighbors Handbook: A Guide for Boston Landlords and Tenants.

1. Rent late fees- A landlord may only collect a late fee from a tenant if there is a late payment penalty clause in the lease.  Check your lease if you’re planning on paying late!
2. Locking out a tenant- If a landlord locks a tenant out of his/her apartment, moves the tenant’s possessions out of the apartment, or interferes with the unit at all without a court order, the landlord can be fined up to $300 or be put in prison for up to 6 months.
3. Eviction- A tenant cannot be evicted for doing any of the following: joining or organizing a tenants’ group, legally withholding rent, deducting money from rent payments to prevent the shut-off of landlord paid utilities, deducting the cost of repairs the landlord has failed to make from rent payments.
4. What every unit must have- There are a few things every unit must have: a working stove and oven, screens on every window below the 5th floor, and locks on every window and entry/exit doors.  A landlord is not required to provide refrigerators, blinds, shades, or laundry facilities.  Of course if they do provide these things, they are required to keep them maintained.
5. Snow-   Thankfully it is not yet the season for snow, but when it comes, you should know that it is the landlord’s responsibility to remove snow from the sidewalks, entryways, and exit areas from the building.  The landlord is not required to remove snow from the driveways.  If only I had known this a couple of years ago when I was sliding down icy steps!

Know any interesting or noteworthy renter’s rights?

Photo courtesy of Vladislav Bezrukov

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