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Archive for the ‘Renting Advice’ Category

5 Space-Saving Ways To Decorate Your Apartment

Posted by nwarren at 15 July 2011

Category: ALLSTON, BOSTON, BRIGHTON, Boston College apartments, Boston Relocation, Boston University apartments, Boston University housing, Boston rentals, Brookline apartment, Cambridge Apartment Rentals, Fenway apartments, MIT housing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology apartments, North End, Northeastern University apartments, Relocation, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, South End, South End Boston apartments, Warren Rentals News, apartments Boston, apartments Kenmore, college apartments Boston, luxury apartments Boston

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If you have an apartment in an urban area like Boston, space can be a hot commodity.  It is often difficult to furnish an apartment tastefully without crowding the available space.  Here are some tricks to boost the feeling of spaciousness in your apartment:

Armless Furniture

Armrests on couches or chairs divide space and close their piece of furniture off from the rest of the room.  Armless furniture is more open to the rest of the room.  The feeling that the furniture can be accessed from all sides makes the entire area seem more accessible as well.

Lose the Armrests and Save Space with Shallow ShelvesShallow Shelves

Rather than mounting standard shelves on your walls that are approximately a foot deep, mount shelves that are just a few inches deep.  They still serve most basic practical purposes, and they do not cut into the room as much.  Try setting pictures on them that lean against the wall as a clever way to decorate your space.

Multipurpose Ottomans

It is very easy to find fashionable ottomans that double as storage and/or a coffee table.  This is a simple way to eliminate another small piece of furniture only needed for storage, such as an end-table.  Even if you do not have furniture that a storage-ready ottoman can replace, it can be an easy way to cover up clutter that complicates the room.

Mirrors

A well-placed mirror can create the illusion of increased space.  In a way, mirrors make it seem that there is a whole other room that can be looked into.  A mirror placed between two bookcases create a subconscious feeling of an added window.

Lighting

Make sure that the room is evenly and sufficiently lit.  Ample lighting opens up a space.  If your apartment suffers from a lack of light, you could replace current bulbs with higher wattage ones.  Adding lights is often helpful.  If you are not allowed to install or change built-in overhead lighting in your apartment, look for space-efficient floor or surface lamps.

Still not enough space?

Maybe you just need a new place!  Contact Warren Rentals for information about apartment listings in the Boston area.

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How Social Media Can Help You Find a Roommate

Posted by nwarren at 26 April 2011

Category: BOSTON, Boston apartment, Boston rentals, Renting Advice, apartment, apartments Boston, student rentals

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The last thing you need is to end up living with some total random who may or may not be a psychopathic crazy.  But thanks to the miracle of technology and the Internet, searching for the perfect roommate has never been easier.  Here are a few websites and tools that you can use to your advantage next time you’re on the hunt for the next roommie.

Craigslist. Now here’s a site that’s great in finding other people in your area who are looking for roommates.  It’s also a great to screen through the potential candidates and crazies. There’s a whole section dedicated to roommate searching and the posting is free. Once you’ve determined a few possibilities, get in touch with them via e-mail or how ever you prefer.  Start the communication and try to pull enough info out of them that will give you the means to use other social media tools to aid your investigation.

Facebook. Facebook is very handy when it comes to letting your circle of friends know you’re on the search for potential roommates and it’s a great social media tool to learn more about someone. Posting status updates, sending messages, creating events are very useful communication tools. And if any potential roommate pops up, go ahead and friend them.  Check out his or her page to gather information and get an idea of what they’re all about, their friends, interests and favorite activities. Knowing where to look will quickly determine whether or not you two have anything in common and could live together.

Twitter. Twitter can be used much in the same way as Facebook in creating messages and tweets that tell people you’re looking for a roommate, and also gathering information about potential roommates, who they are and learning about their interests and lifestyle.  Use hash tags that are relevant such as #boston #roommate #rental #apartment to engage in roommate-finding conversations in the area. Following potential roommies through twitter can also be useful to get an understanding of what they do, how they think and also who they follow.

YouTube Flickr and other multimedia sites. Now, video and photo sites, such as these, may not particularly be useful tools to search roommates, but if you know a potential candidate’s account, checking out their photo albums or videos posted could give you a better understanding of their interests and if they’re something aligned with your lifestyle. Compatibility and common ground can go a long way when it comes to living together.

LinkedIn. In a social site that gives people professional connectivity, LinkedIn is definitely the social media site to track a potential candidate’s professional career and see if they are financially stable.  Knowing that a roommie is responsible and can pay the bills is key to your peace of mind.

Blogs and Websites. If they have a blog or a website, you are going to want to look into them.  They too can also tell a lot about who they are, their interests and lifestyle. It could give you an idea of their personal and professional life. Blogs are more insightful when it comes to a person’s thinking.  It can reveal a lot about emotions and personal life. So if a potential roommate has a blog titled: “The day in life of a messy person,” You may want to think twice.

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Spring Cleaning: Tips to get your apartment gleaming

Posted by nwarren at 7 April 2011

Category: Allston Apartments, BOSTON, Boston apartment, Brighton apartment rental, Brighton apartments, Brookline apartments, Cambridge Apartment Rentals, Fenway apartments, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, apartment, apartment Brighton, apartments Boston, apartments Kenmore

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Winter is over.  No longer do you have to shelter yourself from the brutal Massachusetts cold in your Boston apartment.   So now it’s time for you to come out of hibernation and clear out the stacks of pizza boxes, magazines, newspapers or god knows what else you may have hoarded over the winter months, and start scrubbing floors and tossing out junk from your apartment.

That’s right, folks! Time to spring clean and here are a few easy tips to get your apartment in tip top shape, whether it be a rental in Allston, a loft in the Fenway-Kenmore, or a flat in Cambridge.

So before you begin, you should be able to commit to your cleaning project for a few hours and have all the cleaning supplies you need out and ready to go. You want your cleaning productivity to be quick and easy.

Next you’re going to want to put a game plan together.  Come up with an efficient approach that will help you in the cleaning process.  Best way is to think of your apartment in segments.  This could either be by room, working from one side to the other, or by tasks like floors, furniture, walls etc.  What ever the case may be, make sure you’re organized.

Now it’s time to get to cleaning. Start with getting all the clutter out of the way.  Set a space aside where you’ll want to group the clutter into organized piles.  This could either be paperwork, laundry, pets, children, toys, old mail, magazines, books or what have you.

With everything in their respective piles, you’ll want to start organizing and tossing out all the useless junk or boxing up unwanted stuff for goodwill.  Then take out the trash.

While you are at it, a good step after removing the clutter is organizing and cleaning any drawers or cabinets you may have.  More often than not, there’s a lot more unwanted stuff hiding from you.  What you want to do is pull everything out, and apply previous clutter pile step – organize, toss out, rinse and repeat.  Once you’ve got everything out, it’s also a good idea to scrub down the cabinets and shelves while you have the chance.

Now that you have the clutter removed, cabinets cleaned and organized, and the trash taken out, the next best step is to start removing all the dust from any of the surfaces within the apartment.  Start from the top and work your way down.  Ceiling corners, walls, bookshelves, counter tops, televisions, entertainment stands, nightstands and so forth.

After you’re done dusting, you can begin work on the floors, whether it be sweeping and mopping your apartment’s hardwood floors or vacuuming the carpet.  Usually this process may pick up more dust, so you might want to go back to the previous step.

Once you have the floors cleaned, dust removed, junk organized and trash taken out.  All that’s left is a bit of scrubbing sinks, countertops, porcelain, and presto! You have successfully spring cleaned your Boston apartment.  Now all that’s left is to get your roommate to pick after him or her self and pay their half of the cable and internet bill.

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How You Can Get Your Full Security Deposit Back!

Posted by admin at 1 April 2011

Category: Allston Apartments, Boston Fenway apartments, Relocation, Renting Advice, apartment, apartments Boston, apartments Kenmore

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To be honest, who really likes cleaning?  It’s a necessary chore that we’ve all been taught since childhood and not the most exciting activity we all look forward to after a long days work.  But none-the-less, it’s something that needs to be done, especially when you’re moving out of your rental apartment to move into a new property.

Whether it be a rental in Allston, a loft in the Fenway-Kenmore, or a flat in Cambridge, I’m sure there are plenty of you out there who put down a security deposit, and it’s probably safe to say that you all would want that money back.  The best advice I would have to give is to leave the apartment just the way you found it or even better. Having the place spotless is a great way to ensure that you’ll not only impress your landlord, but you’ll also guarantee getting your money back!

All it takes is a good and thorough cleaning, and your closer to getting that deposit.  So I suggest stock-piling up on the comet, pine-sol and windex.  You’re going to want to scrub everything from top to bottom.  Floors, walls, tubs, sinks, oven, and so forth.  And if you had painted anything while you were living in the apartment, then you’re going to want to repaint the walls.  Once all that is done, presto! You got cash back in your hands.

If you are moving out of your rental in the near future and keeping an eye out for your next new apartment, check out our listings here or contact a Warren real estate agent to schedule a viewing.

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Boston Student Apartment Rental Tips

Posted by nwarren at 17 February 2011

Category: ALLSTON, Allston Apartments, Allston MA Apartments, BC apartment rentals, BOSTON, BRIGHTON, Boston College apartments, Boston College housing, Boston University apartments, Boston University housing, Boston apartment, Boston rentals, Brighton apartment rental, Brighton apartments, Brighton rentals, Northeastern University apartments, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, apartment, apartment Allston, apartment Brighton, apartment Brighton MA, apartments Boston, apartments for rent Brighton, college, college apartments Boston, student rentals

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Finding the perfect College apartment in Boston

If you’re looking for a new student apartment in Boston, whether you need a Boston College apartment, Northeastern University apartment, or Boston University apartment, here are a few helpful tips to think about during your search process:

Searching Tips for Boston Student Apartments

  1. Start your search early so you don’t end up really stressed at the last minute. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to see a variety of different apartments; look for the best deal for you. Keep in mind, the best deal is not always going to be the quickest, but you will be better off in the long run!
  2. Use our Boston Apartment Rentals Search tool located on our home page to easily find college apartments for rent in the Boston area.
  3. Know Your Renter Rights by reading up about them here, or by visiting the City of Boston’s Rental Housing website for more information.
  4. Talk to current tenants about how they feel about their apartment living experience: have they had any problems, the cost of their utilities, and their relationship with their landlord and neighbors are just a few topics to ask about. Asking a current occupant is the best way to find out about your possible new home, whether it’s an Allston apartment or Brighton rental.
  5. Make sure all tenants names go on the lease! If something goes wrong while you’re living at your new Boston student apartment, and your name is not on the lease, it is likely that you will find that you don’t have tenant rights.
  6. There is a four-person limit per unit. Boston Zoning Code prohibits more than four full-time undergraduates from living in a single unit, regardless of the size.
  7. Get everything in writing, including any lease amendments and receipts for any money you pay your landlord or Realtor.
  8. Make sure the apartment you’re choosing is safe (both health-wise and physically). The City of Boston requires all rental units to be inspected and to meet State Sanitary Code.

Warren Rentals is a valuable resource for anybody looking for a new college apartment in Boston. Contact one of our agents; we would be happy to assist you in finding your new apartment rental.

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How to Winterize Your Apartment

Posted by nwarren at 18 January 2011

Category: ALLSTON, Allston Apartments, Allston MA Apartments, BOSTON, Boston Fenway apartments, Boston apartment, Boston rentals, Brookline, Brookline apartment, Brookline apartments, Fenway apartments, Fenway rentals, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, apartment Allston, apartments Boston

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It’s no secret that New England winters can be freezing! Most people’s first idea is to turn up the heat, but that’s not always the best option for both your heating bill and the environment. Especially as a student, cutting costs is always one of, if not the most important aspect in how you’re going to be heating your apartment. Whether you’re living in Allston, Brookline, or Fenway, here are a few steps you can take to minimize your need to raise the thermostat this winter!

Start simple! Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate or tea, this can warm you up and lift your spirits at the same time. Invest in some extra-warm fleece blankets as a cost-effective way to stay warm. If possible, place furniture, such as beds and couches, away from windows to minimize the possibility of sitting close to a draft.

An energy efficient space heater converts 100% of the electricity they consume into heat, so using one in specific rooms will save you a bundle since you aren’t wasting heating. If you have an older thermostat, think about installing one that’s programmable for when no one is home. This way, your apartment will only begin heating right before you come home!

One of the easiest ways to keep warm air in and cold air out of your apartment is to seal up any leaks there may be. Invest in door sweeps to place under exterior doors, and caulk or tacky rope caulk to spots around windows that are letting cold air in. You could also use masking tape (which won’t damage walls when pulled off) and put plastic covers over the windows.

Heating your apartment during the winter doesn’t have to drain your wallet if you follow these steps. If you’re interested in finding an apartment in the greater Boston area, contact Warren Rentals!

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Renting Out a Room in Your Apartment

Posted by nwarren at 11 January 2011

Category: ALLSTON, Allston Apartments, Allston MA Apartments, BOSTON, BRIGHTON, Boston University apartments, Boston rentals, Brighton apartment rental, Brighton apartments, Brookline, Brookline apartment, Brookline apartments, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, apartment, apartment Allston, apartment Brighton MA, apartments Boston, apartments for rent Brighton, college, college apartments Boston, student rentals

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For many people living in Boston apartments, particularly students, whether you live in Allston, Brighton, or Brookline, you can find yourself with an extra room. Maybe a roommate has moved to a different apartment or you no longer want to have responsibility for the whole rent by yourself. A great option to reduce your apartment’s rent is to rent out your extra room! This can help you dramatically in earning extra cash for your bills, not to mention it offers some company if you have become tired of living alone. Here are a few things to keep in mind to provide a successful process:

–Ask your landlord about renting out the room. If your contract does not specifically state anything about renting out a room, make sure to get the landlord’s permission beforehand so both you and your tenant do not find any trouble later on.

–Decide on a fair monthly rate for the room. Do a little research and find out the current rates on renting out a certain room and make sure your decision is competitive compared to others. There are several factors that lessen or increase the rates, such as private entry, apartment amenities, and access to public transportation. Make sure the rate is fair not only to you, but for your future tenant.

–Advertise your need for a tenant in your apartment. Choose what kind of tenant you would like to have and advertise in newspapers or on bulletins where those candidates would be most likely to see it. Maybe you are a student with an apartment near Boston University- post advertisements around the campus to get another BU student!

–Interview each prospective tenant and don’t forget to ask for their references. Ask for their permission to perform a background check, and discuss your expectations of the tenancy during the interview so your tenant can understand the agreement they will be entering.

–Find the perfect tenant by asking as many questions as you can think of that would determine whether or not they would make a good roommate. Look for personality traits or lifestyle decisions that are similar to yours, for example, if you like to go to bed early make sure your new tenant isn’t a “night owl” or someone who likes to party a lot.

–Set apartment rules with your selected tenant; this will benefit both of you. Discuss the rules and the division of the chores with your tenant and get input from them as well, it will make them feel more comfortable in the apartment. Make sure you talk about the safety deposit beforehand and what is required of each tenant.

–Get the contract signed even if you only have a single room to rent out, it’s still very important to get everything in writing. Draft your contract and have both parties sign it, keeping a copy for yourself and giving one to your tenant as well.

Renting out a room can be a great option to save on rent and bills. Hopefully the tips in this blog will reduce the process and give you things to keep in mind to avoid making mistakes that can complicate the entire process. Remember, Warren Rentals is a great resource when looking for an apartment in the Boston Area- we are here to assist you!

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How to Decorate Studio Apartments

Posted by nwarren at 6 December 2010

Category: Allston MA Apartments, Boston apartment, Boston rentals, Brighton apartments MA, Brookline apartments, Fenway apartments, Renting Advice, STUDENT APARTMENTS BOSTON, student rentals

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A Well Designed Studio Apartment

One of the most common choices for students looking for off-campus housing is the studio apartment.  As mentioned in a previous post, a studio is essentially a large, one room apartment with the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bedroom all in the same space.  Sometimes there is a separate galley kitchen or a sleeping nook for your bed.  They are a fantastic choice, and we have tons of studio apartment listings available.  If you are skeptical of the idea of a studio apartment, it probably has to do with the common “I have too much stuff!” or “How could I possibly decorate it?” Well, to quell those fears and to prove that a Boston studio apartment is a great way to express your creativity while saving some cash, here are some studio apartment decorating tips!

  1. Strategically placed mirrors will reflect light and make the space seem brighter, lighter, and larger.  Furniture that uses metal or glass also helps to reflect light and visually expand the space.
  2. Create a focal point, whether it be an existing fireplace (many Allston apartments come with non-working but still awesome fireplaces,)  an entertainment set up, or an accent wall painted a cool color.  This will draw all eyes and create a central point.
  3. Don’t block natural light with bulky draperies or blinds.  Natural light is the key to keeping your apartment bright, light, and visually expanded.  If you don’t want to leave your windows bare, try sheer curtains that still let the light shine through.
  4. Try and organize furniture strategically, so as to designate “rooms” within the studio space.   Put a bed and a dresser in one area and then visually create a living room by placing furniture in a conversational arrangement.
  5. Hide clutter and create storage.  When looking for furnishings, try to find items that will do double duty.  You can find chairs, tables, and even ottomans that have storage areas.  This will help to reduce clutter.  An excess of “stuff” will make the room seem smaller.  Minimalism is the way to go.
  6. If you can, invest in a lofted bed.  These are fantastic, because you have a sleeping space that does not encroach on the rest of the apartment’s space.  You can place a desk, couch, or entertainment center underneath the bed.
  7. Consider using dividers to further visually designate areas.  They will act as visual walls that also look beautiful.  You can even use sheer wall hangings that are affixed to the ceiling to designate the space and create a private sleeping area.
  8. A fun trick when looking for furniture is to choose items that have legs and that are higher off the floor. Your eye will look under the pieces and subconsciously add visual space.  Bulky furniture that is low to the ground will make the room seem crowded.
  9. Use lighter colors when you paint to expand the space. You don’t need to use white or eggshell, but lighter shades of any color will work.

Whether your renting plan involves finding the perfect Boston college apartment or a quiet Brighton rental, consider taking a look at one of the many great studio apartments we have available without worrying about decorating.  To start your search for your dream Boston apartment, contact a Warren Rentals agent now.

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Featured Listing: Fully Loaded Brighton Apartment

Posted by nwarren at 29 November 2010

Category: Allston Apartments, Allston MA Apartments, Boston apartment, Boston rentals, Brighton apartment rental, Brighton apartments, Brighton apartments MA, Brighton rentals, Featured Listings, Renting Advice, Uncategorized, apartment Brighton, apartment Brighton MA, apartments for rent Brighton

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Located on a quiet street in Brighton, this two bedroom Boston apartment is a beautifully updated option for those looking to rent in early 2011.  The apartment features central heat and air conditioning, cable television, high speed internet and gorgeous hardwood floors throughout.  The amenities of this Boston apartment building seem endless!  Gym facilities, shared laundry, and a media room make this complex a step above the rest.  The kitchen was recently updated with brand new appliances and is well equipped; a dishwasher, garbage disposal and built-in microwave will make entertaining a snap!

Courtyard

The Courtyard

Newly Updated Kitchen

Newly Updated Kitchen

Sunny Living Room

Sunny Living Room

Cats and students are both welcome!  Parking, heat, hot water, and gas are all included in the rent!  This deal is a rarity.  The apartment is only a 5 minute walk to the MBTA green line and 57 line bus, allowing for an easy commute.

This is just one of the many amazing Brighton Apartments we have available.  Make sure to act fast, this is available on January 27, 2011 and won’t last long!  For more information about this apartment, view the listing or contact a Warren Rentals agent.

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Rental Terms, Demystified!

Posted by nwarren at 22 November 2010

Category: Allston Apartments, Boston Fenway apartments, Boston Relocation, Boston apartment, Boston events, Renting Advice

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When starting your search for Boston real estate or Boston rental property, it is important that you fully understand the language used in listings.  It can be confusing for first time renters to decipher the lingo they are faced with, especially on sites like Craigslist.com.  So here are the terms, broken down so you won’t be confused when someone shows you a 1 bedroom split!

Example Studio Layout

Studio: A Boston studio apartment is basically an apartment that is all in one room.  There is no separate bedroom or kitchen – the living room, bedroom, and kitchen are all in one big room.  Sometimes there is a slightly separated place for your bed that allows for some privacy (called an alcove studio) or a galley style kitchen.  These are great for someone living alone who doesn’t mind entertaining guests in their bedroom/living room/dining room condo.

One, Two, Three Bedroom Apartments: These all mean the same thing: the bedroom(s) is separated from the common living space.  This offers much more privacy and also allows for much more space.  A one bedroom apartment is like a studio in that they are meant for one person or a couple but there is a separate living room and separate bedroom.

Split apartments: This kind of apartment is further divided in terms of rent.  This occurs when the living room is turned into another bedroom.  For example, a ½ bedroom split is technically a one bedroom, but the living room is turned into a second bedroom.  This is a great option for roommates looking to save money, or those that don’t feel a need for a designated living room.  Many of these split apartments have foyers and eat-in kitchens that serve as the common space.  There are many Allston apartments that are technically split, thanks to the older architecture that left hinges on all the doors – even the living room!

Condos : A condo is simply an apartment that is for sale rather than for rent.  They are usually in high quality buildings, and are maintained by a collaborative condo trust.

Bathrooms: A full bathroom has FOUR parts: sink bathtub, shower, and toilet.  A ½ bathroom only has a sink and a toilet.   A ¼ bathroom (these are super rare, but just in case) has only a sink, and a ¾ bathroom has a toilet, sink, and shower stall (no tub!)

Hopefully these terms have been demystified a bit.  If you have any questions, or are ready to start the search for your dream Boston apartment – contact a Warren Rentals Agent!

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