Get Your Ducks In a Row
Boston and Cambridge housing is expensive. Here you will find one of the most expensive rental markets in the country, in the world even. You are hard pressed to find even a studio bellow $1000/month. So even after you've done size, location, price adjustments you may still not be able to afford the Boston dirt.
So, there's the roommate option. No big deal. In addition to lowering your monthly housing payment, you can split the cost of utilities as well as share the burden of furnishing the apartment's common areas and splitting the cost of staple supplies like sugar, spices, paper towels and toilet paper.
But choose the members of your crew carefully. You will have to live with them and rely upon their ability to make rent and participate in common space cleaning. You will have to tolerate them for an entire year if they prove to be awful roomies.
Long before you go knocking on a real estate agent's door, you should hold a serious meeting with your prospective roommates and determine compatibility.
Have a group interview
Also in this interview, discuss availability for apartment searching. You will be wasting your time and your real estate agent's time if you show up for an appointment to view properties with less than 100% of your group present or accounted for. Never never never believe your roommate when he tells you, "oh, you go look, whatever you pick is fine by me." That's absurd--they always change their mind!
What will happen is that you go out, find a sweet place, its in your budget, its in your location and its in good condition---it works and you know he'll love it too. You call him to say you are putting down the deposit. And what does he tell you? He tells you he wants to see it first. Every time!
What can you do? Risk your deposit money because the fool suddenly realized that the adults are talking at the table? No, you'll wait to put the money down. He'll try to schedule an appointment to see the property, and of course by the time he gets his lame butt over there, its gone. Every time!
Don't make that mistake. Get your ducks in a row in advance. Make sure everyone is present and accounted for on the day of the showings. Who can't spare two hours of their day for something so important as housing? Heck, good housing is so important, it would be completely acceptable to take an extra long lunch or even leave work early to git 'er done.
This article is From the How To Find An Apartment In Boston series.
Other Articles:
Size, Location, Price - The Three Principle Factors That Will Govern Your Apartment Search
Do it Yourself or Get a Real Estate Agent? - Where to Start Looking for Apartment
Super Agent Man or Super Waste of Your Time? - How to Tell if the RE Agent is Worth the Cost of a Phone Call
Real Estate Agent Fees Explained - An Explanation of No Fee, Half Fee and Full Fee Apartment
Looking for an Apartment With Roommates? - Get Your Ducks In a Row
Cats and Dogs and Snakes - Pet Friendly Apartment Searching
What to Do with Your Car - Off Street vs. On Street Parking in Boston
Boston Rental Market Timing - Know when to Start Looking
Preparing for an Appointment - What You Need on the Day of Showing
Upfront Costs and Lease Addenda - Make Sure Your Lease is Kosher
So, there's the roommate option. No big deal. In addition to lowering your monthly housing payment, you can split the cost of utilities as well as share the burden of furnishing the apartment's common areas and splitting the cost of staple supplies like sugar, spices, paper towels and toilet paper.
Long before you go knocking on a real estate agent's door, you should hold a serious meeting with your prospective roommates and determine compatibility.
Have a group interview
- Talk about location preferences
- Discuss a policy on overnight guests
- Agree on a cleanliness factor
- Create a budget for common expenses.
What will happen is that you go out, find a sweet place, its in your budget, its in your location and its in good condition---it works and you know he'll love it too. You call him to say you are putting down the deposit. And what does he tell you? He tells you he wants to see it first. Every time!
What can you do? Risk your deposit money because the fool suddenly realized that the adults are talking at the table? No, you'll wait to put the money down. He'll try to schedule an appointment to see the property, and of course by the time he gets his lame butt over there, its gone. Every time!
This article is From the How To Find An Apartment In Boston series.
Other Articles:
Size, Location, Price - The Three Principle Factors That Will Govern Your Apartment Search
Do it Yourself or Get a Real Estate Agent? - Where to Start Looking for Apartment
Super Agent Man or Super Waste of Your Time? - How to Tell if the RE Agent is Worth the Cost of a Phone Call
Real Estate Agent Fees Explained - An Explanation of No Fee, Half Fee and Full Fee Apartment
Looking for an Apartment With Roommates? - Get Your Ducks In a Row
Cats and Dogs and Snakes - Pet Friendly Apartment Searching
What to Do with Your Car - Off Street vs. On Street Parking in Boston
Boston Rental Market Timing - Know when to Start Looking
Preparing for an Appointment - What You Need on the Day of Showing
Upfront Costs and Lease Addenda - Make Sure Your Lease is Kosher
So there you have it, Ishmael, a complete guide to navigating these trouble waters. I hope it helps you on your journey.
Regards,
Robert Daniel Ortiz
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