$300 reward for deleaded 3+ bedroom in the Davis area

[brewso.livejournal.com]

I was recently part of a thread in which the original poster was looking for a deleaded place, so I hope me posting this is not considered spamming the list with repeat posts. My husband and I just decided to go this route.



We're looking for the elusive deleaded apartment and are tired of seeing the
same 10 places advertised on craigslist. So, we decided to go the route that
led us to our last gem: we'll pay someone a $300 reward if we sign the lease
on a place they recommend! Cheaper than realtors for us, bonus cash for you.
Here's what we're looking for:

3 bedrooms (or more!)
off-street parking (or parking on a dead-end street)
laundry on-site
$1800 or less (we will consider more for a really great place, but we can't
do too much more).
E. Arlington/Davis Square is our preferred area, but we'd also consider
areas within a 2ish-mile radius.
Ideal move-in time frame is July, but we would consider sooner or later for
the right place.

Any leads are appreciated and will be checked out.



Thanks!

Comments

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Not to be a downer, but that's a lot to ask for $1800 a month. Do you have things you'd be willing to give up first? Location, parking, third bedroom? Or would you be willing to pay somewhat more? I think that you might be able to find a nice 2 bedroom meeting all those criteria for $1800 or even slightly less, but my spidey-sense tells me that a 3 bedroom like that will be at least $2000.

But what do I know? Good luck!

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Oops, I just noticed you said you'd pay somewhat more if need be. Well, maybe that answers my question.

[ominousfairy.livejournal.com]

I have to agree. Around Somerville, it seems the going rate for a nice place (no chipping leaded paint, plus laundry & parking) begins at $650 per bedroom, minimum. I think you might do better in Arlington. Rents seem substantially lower there. Good luck to you!

Does on-site laundry mean FREE laundry? I've always had to pay for machines, even if they were in my building.

[jennyelfenmass.livejournal.com]

Does on-site laundry mean FREE laundry?

It certainly can. My current apartment and last apartment both had non-coin op washer and dryer in the unit or basement of the unit.

[brewso.livejournal.com]

I know it's a bit less than most of the realtor-advertised places out there, but I also know that people do have these places. I have several friends paying more like $500 per bedroom, including a couple with deleaded places, great locations, parking, and laundry. I wish one of them were moving! I figure the best way to find these places is to snap them up from someone as soon as they know they're leaving. It's how we got our current place (which I love and is deleaded, but is only 2 bedrooms). I don't mind coin-op laundry, although we do have our own machines, so hook-ups would be great, too.

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

Sounds like my place. Dead-end street, 3 bedrooms, laundry in the basement, $1200/month, within 2 miles of Davis.

Not *entirely* sure about the deleaded part, but I don't think there's anything free in our building anyhow. I'd much rather have you as a neighbor than the people who play the Latino oompah music, but I don't think I get that choice.

[masswich.livejournal.com]

You officially have the deal of the century.

But he/she has the Latino oompah music

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

:)

[squirrelitude]

Best of luck!

Have you checked if the water in the area is lead-free? I wonder about old lead pipes in the municipal water system.

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Lead in water is an issue, but its an issue that is usually specific to particular properties. You test 2 samples of the water, one 'first draw' when you turn it on first thing in the morning, and one after its run for a few minutes. The first test will show if there is lead in your house pipes, the second if there is lead in the pipes leading into your house.

Either way its fairly easy to handle if you know its a problem. You can either replace the pipes (expensive) or use a filter/bottled water.

Around here, the pipes leading into the house are relatively clean. Its the pipes in particular houses that tend to be a problem. And you can't tell if they are a problem without getting a sample tested.

One last thing on lead in water. While its a problem, it most often only is a problem when there is already an issue with other lead exposure (soil, paint). The amount of lead in water will not usually in and of itself cause a problem. Having said that, given the newest research that there is no safe level of lead exposure for kids, its worth understanding what's in your water.

[squirrelitude]

Hmm, that's a good point about cumulative multi-source lead exposure.

I'm planting a garden this spring, so lead has been in my thoughts. I've sent a sample off for testing, and hopefully I will not have to containerize. :-)

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

2 miles is a long way. I would never expect to find a 3-bedroom for $1800 in or very near Davis, but two miles away? That's everywhere.

[brewso.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, but not deleaded.

[hoppzor.livejournal.com]

I just signed a lease for an $1800/mo 3-bed with laundry, allowing cats, less than a half mile from the T station. it is possible.

What T station?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Davis?

Re: What T station?

[hoppzor.livejournal.com]

um.. yes? that is the square we are speaking of, I thought.