Is it worth working with realtors?

[tlaad.livejournal.com]

Hi folks,

My current lease runs out in September (I live close to Porter square), and I'm considering moving from a roommate situation to a non-roommate situation. However, I can't afford an expensive place (my limit is about $850), and I'd like to stay in Porter or Davis or Union squares. This combination is pretty unreasonable, but you never know--I might get lucky. I know it's a bit early to look, but was wondering if people thought it was worth working through a realtor or just looking myself on craigslist? And if anyone had a good experience with a realtor, could they recommend them to me?

Also, when looking at craigslist ads, what should I watch out for when considering places offered by realtors for a fee or not? I suspect that the cheap ads I'm looking at now are just bait to get you to come in and get a more expensive place, but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any pointers?

Thank you very much!

Comments

[locke61dv.livejournal.com]

FWIW, when I was looking for a 1BR/studio, I didn't find anything cheaper than maybe $950 or $900 near a T. That was just my search, however.

You may get something...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

But it would be through friends. Or with some arrangement with the landlord (perhaps an old lady who needs somebody to bring her groceries from time to time). I had a beautiful place for little money in Brookline, a few years ago. I don't think you can find something for $850 through regular channels.

Re: You may get something...

[tlaad.livejournal.com]

Hm...so do you think that the ads I'm seeing on craigslist now (there aren't too many of them at that price, and they're mostly for now and not September) are mostly scams? Or just impossible to actually get?

Re: You may get something...

[zenala.livejournal.com]

Another thing I'd check is whether they're listing monthly or weekly rent... Craigslist doesn't seem to distinguish that.

Of course, who knows, maybe some of the people who converted places to condos in the last year or two just want them occupied now and are pricing accordingly...

Re: You may get something...

[noire.livejournal.com]

If they're that low and for now and not September, there is *some* possibility that they are summer only. I would check on that unless they are advertising a full year's lease. (And if they are, the landlord may be worried about not getting the place rented until September. Renting at a lower rent now will still mean a better cash flow situation than holding out for the higher rents that can be obtained in September.)

Re: You may get something...

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Be sure to read the ads carefully. Last time I was browsing craigslist to see what was out there for inexpensive apartments, I was seeing a lot of what, on closer inspection, seemed to actually be for a room in a house or apartment rather than an actual apartment, even though I was looking in the apts/housing section and not the rooms/shared section.

Re: You may get something...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Perhaps when you get there they'll bind and rob you! Sorry, stupid, tasteless joke...

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

It may or may not be hard for you to get what you're looking for, but I doubt having a realtor would help.

[natef.livejournal.com]

Getting a realtor would be helpful if you're looking to pay an extra month's rent for no good reason. Then your limit becomes more like $780.

In my experience, the cheap, no-fee apartments through brokers are mostly (but not all) bait. You have to go through the by-owners section, and get someone on the phone who says they really are the owner, and then you have a lead.

If you're willing to walk or take buses (check out the 83-90 routes), there is a lot of housing in the seams between those 3 squares, so maybe you'll have to compromise a bit on location.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

If you're really set on no roommates, I recommend Quincy unto you. You can get places very close to the T for a much more reasonable price.

[masswich.livejournal.com]

That's a tough price point near Davis and Porter- not unachievable if you get really lucky, but certainly beyond 2 standard deviations from the mean (ie. only a 5% chance.) I think the basic rent for a 1 BR 1 Bath near Davis is $1000 right now, and that probably does not include heat/electric.

In terms of what you asked, hey, it never hurts to ask a realtor or three if they know of anything. As a renter you don't enter into an exclusive contract with them. But if you really want under $1000 by yourself I suggest Medford, Malden or Everett.

[elements.livejournal.com]

Or Arlington, especially if you're willing to go out past the Center, but still be near the 77 bus.

[numinicious.livejournal.com]

I completely recommend going through a realtor, but I'm moving from Miami to Boston and due to the situation I would've had to put in an insane amount of effort to find an apartment on my own. Since you've been living here for a while, you wouldn't necessarily need one. ( especially if you're trying to save money. )

John Lowenstein of Red Line Real Estate was highly recommended to me, but I ended up going with Metro Realty Corp (ask for Ashley Moody). Metro is more based in Boston proper, but they found me a place or two in Somerville, so apparently they work in the area. They understood exactly what I was looking for, and what my budget was. My situation was extremely short-notice, but I don't regret paying the fee at all.

I think in both cases, they charge 1 mo. rent as fee. Moving from Miami to Boston, I thought it was worth it.

[ringrose.livejournal.com]

If you are related to one of the universities around here, in any way, go to their version of the off campus housing office.

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Listing agents are only good if you have limited time to look and/or are searching from out of town. If you know the area, and have time to move, it's just not worth it. Boston is the only area I've ever lived in where tenants get the *privilege* of paying a rental agent for the *privilege* of handing a landlord money every month. Everywhere else I've lived, the landlord paid for the convenience of not having to show the apartment themselves, but polarity seems to be reversed around here.

And I second the suggestion to look off of a T line to get anywhere close to that price. I know that a lot of people can't fathom taking the bus, but in Winter Hill we've got four bus routes (and two 20-minute walks if we don't want to wait for a bus) to Lechmere and Sullivan. We've got two bedrooms, and we're not paying much more than you are asking for a one bedroom.

[coeceo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you will be paying at least half of one months rent if you take a place you found with an agent, most likely a full months rent. So that means you can get a place for 800-850 with an agent or a place for 900 w/out an agent as they both cost about the same once you factor in the agent fee.

You can try and save money by renting an August 1 or July 1 apartment. September 1 apartments are usually the most in demand which allows a landlord to ask higher rent for a unit that would go for less with another start date.

Most landlords give exclusive rights to agencies to list their property, that means a large chunk of great places can only be rented if you get them through an agen, that drastically reduces your pool of apartments. It doesnt hurt to give a reputable agency a call and have them show you whats in your price ranges, at least it can help get you in perspective.