Looking for an apartment for September 1st here in Providence? Join the club! The rental scene is nearing critical mass. Students & faculty are entering the area colleges, the competition for the good spaces gets fierce, and people get desperate to secure an apartment. If you find a place you want, I recommend you be prepared to rent it on the spot, since someone else might take it while you are scrambling to get everything together for the application. Here are some tips on how to make sure you are ready to spring once you find that perfect domicile: 1. Have funds available: You are likely going to have to put down an application fee, first month's rent and a security deposit, so make sure the funds are already transferred into your account. A Realtor will question your seriousness and stability as a tenant if you say, "I'll take it!" and then have to call 5 people and work some banking magic in order to give them the money. 2. Have a checkbook on hand: This may seem like a no brainer, but you would be surprised how many people I've shown an apartment to on a Sunday who then say, "Ooops, I don't have any checks. Can you hold the apartment until tomorrow and I will get up early and go to the bank for a money order?" Answer is usually no, and if someone else comes prepared to rent, you lost the apartment to them. 3. Be ready with contact numbers: Most applications call for your current landlord's phone number and possibly even your previous landlord's number, as well as your employer, supervisor and personal references. Have these numbers on hand, and let these people know in advance that a Realtor or new apartment owner may be contacting them, especially your current landlord. The biggest 'faux pas' is not telling your landlord you're moving! When a Realtor calls for a reference and your landlord says, "Uhh, she didn't tell me she was moving," this makes you look very irresponsible and weakens your chances significantly. 4. Have all your questions written down and ask them up front: Make sure you gather all the info you need from the Realtor or landlord before committing to an apartment. Once you've submitted your application and your deposit, if you start calling with questions you forgot to ask, "Oh, by the way, is there visitor's parking? Can my boyfriend's dog stay here every other weekend? ," the Realtor is likely to think you are disorganized, getting cold feet or that you're going to be high maintenance. They may continue showing the apartment to others. 5. Choose a backup apartment: Just because you submit an application and put down a deposit on your favorite place doesn't mean it's a sure thing. Don't get caught with all your eggs in one basket. Have a 1st and 2nd choice, and tell the Realtor or landlord of apartment number 1 that you need to know within 24 hours whether it's yours. This is a reasonable request, shows you are serious, and will prevent any shiftiness as well as protect you from having to start all over again. Feel free to call me for apartment hunting advice! Also, I am still listing new apartments every day, so check the website often www.residentialpropertes.com/rentals Rental Feature for this week: 12 Adams Circle Rehoboth, MA
Absolutely beautiful 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home, built in 2001, in premier Adams Farm in Rehoboth. Rehoboth school system. Chefs kitchen with state of the art appliances and family breakfast nook. Lots of cabinets and storage plus island with granite countertops. Formal dining room, family room with fireplace and sliders to private deck. Master suite with jacuzzi and walk in closet. Gleaming hardwoods, dramatic entry foyer with cathedral ceilings, very large yard, 3 car garage, washer/dryer, central air-every amenity. 20 minute drive to Providence. Available furnished or unfurnished. Owner will consider short term if kept furnished for $3500 per month, $3200 per month unfurnished. Stunning home!
