Tips for Finding a Rental Property in Boston

Boston, like many major metropolitan areas on the East Coast, is a popular place to live. Bean Town has a lot to offer, from one of the nation’s best sports scenes to incredible restaurants, to access to one of the most beautiful harbors anywhere.

If you’re thinking about renting a house or an apartment in Boston, though, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. There’s a lot to think about before signing a lease. This guide is here to help make things easier as you search for the perfect Boston rental property for you. By the time you’re done reading, you should feel much more confident about taking this big step!

Research the Different Neighborhoods

First thing’s first. If you don’t know where in Boston you want to live, you won’t be able to narrow down your rental options. If you’re already living in the Boston area, you probably have at least some idea of where you’d like to be. Beacon Hill, for instance, is known for being a bastion of tradition and old money, while the Back Bay is famous for its trendy shopping and dining.

If you don’t live in the Boston region yet, there are plenty of great city guides you can read online. These will help differentiate the different areas of the city and help you pick a few neighborhoods that seem like the best fits for your lifestyle.

Be Realistic About Rent Costs

This tip is especially important for anyone who is moving to Boston from affordable areas of the country, like the Midwest or the Southeast. Living on either coast, particularly in a big city, is expensive. You need to be realistic about the fact that you might not be able to afford a huge place on your budget. Instead of focusing on square footage, try to look for great features, like a huge picture window with a view or a clawfoot tub in a historic apartment.

Utilize Local Rental Resources

Many would-be renters don’t realize that there are lots of resources available to them in the Boston area. Namely in the form of real estate agents who specialize in rental units. Finding a professional who regularly works in your preferred neighborhood can be a lifesaver. You’ll save time because you won’t have to spend every spare minute trolling for apartments and you might gain access to some hidden gems that aren’t even on the rental market yet.

See the Property in Person

Even if you currently live out of the Boston area, it’s critical to make a trip to see any rental units you’re seriously considering prior to signing on the dotted line. Pictures don’t always tell the whole story, so you need to make a point of doing a walk-through in advance of selecting your new place.

Submit Your Application on the Spot

Once you find “the one,” you’ll know. Most people can feel the right rental when they step into it. When this happens to you, make sure you submit your lease application then and there. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing your dream unit to someone else. If you’re working with a real estate agent, make sure he or she looks at the paperwork before your final submission.

Be Flexible

This is the most important tip in this guide! When you’re looking for a new rental unit, in Boston or any other city, it’s easy to get caught up in things you feel like you must have, even if they aren’t that essential in the long run. The more flexible you are throughout the process, the higher the odds are that you’ll find a great place to call home.

If you’re ready to start looking for your next rental property in Boston or want to sell yours, give The Garmour Group a call today.