Though it is not legal for an owner to require an additional pet deposit, I’ve found that proposing one can be helpful. A gracious offering would be along the lines of an additional ½ month’s rent. To be clear, this is not a pet fee, but a deposit, which you should expect to get back when you vacate, assuming that the apartment is in the same condition as when you took possession. It is also a good idea to consider getting renter’s insurance, since some policies will offer extra protection for pet damage. Property owners will generally appreciate this effort, since it indicates that you are willing to take full responsibility for your animal.

If there are other animals in the building, it’s probably a good idea to introduce them to your pet before moving in, since the situation could become problematic if they don’t get along. I’d also suggest asking your landlord if any of the other tenants have pet allergies. When I moved in to my last two apartments, I introduced my dog to the neighbors immediately in order to make them comfortable and this proved to be an easy way to create some good will between tenants. (It doesn’t hurt that my dog’s adorable either!)

When considering a suitable apartment for you and your pet, choose a residence without carpeting. The first floor is preferable, so that you won’t disturb tenants beneath you with the pitter pattering of paws, and the fewer units in the building, the better, since there will be less stimuli to induce barking. Although it’s not essential, it’s definitely better to live in an area with some green space, so that you can walk your pet or give it some fresh air and exercise.

It might also be a good idea to put a fire department sticker in your window that indicates there is a pet inside…just to be safe.

After Roger Williams and his followers settled in Providence in 1636, the city began to expand and the hilly area above the Providence River, now known as College Hill, became one of the most fashionable places to live in the city. Benefit is at the heart of this area. Walking from one end to the other, you really get the sense that you are experiencing a mile of history. From the Providence Athenaeum, the fourth oldest library in America, to the First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist institution in the New World, this street is full of landmarks that evoke images of our state’s humble beginnings. The Old State House is located here, as well as the John Brown House which was the first mansion built in Providence.

One of the great things about Benefit Street is that it contains a variety of housing options — single family, townhouses, condominiums and multi-family. Though most of the properties are for sale, it is always a special treat when one becomes available for rent such as the 1843 George Owen House and the 1849 Isaac Brooks House.

Easily this is one of the most desirable streets to live on in all of Providence.

Before you leave for Winter break this year, consider getting renter’s insurance. You’ll be surprised how affordable it is, sometimes as little as $100-$200/year, depending on the value of your apartment contents. You may be able to get it as part of a policy you are already carrying, such as your car insurance for an even better deal. Search on line for the best bargains like GEICO, Progressive or even AMICA.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Educate Yourself.
Before you do anything become familiar with the area you want to rent in. Drive around the various neighborhoods within your town of interest. Stop for lunch and talk to people about where they live and how they like it. Write down some streets you particularly like and search several websites, like craig’s list, to get a feel for what’s out there within your general price range.

Make Funds Available.
Even with an abundance of rental inventory out there, the best deals still go quickly. If one apartment really stands out, be ready with your checkbook to put down a deposit and make sure funds are available in your checking account. In the time it takes you to get organized, someone else can pull the rug out from under you.  No matter what the agent tells you, an application alone only goes so far.

Work with a Realtor®.
Ok, I know I’m biased, but there are good reasons to use a Realtor. Generally we have access to a large inventory and we can do the leg work for you as far as providing information, setting up appointments and negotiating the rent. Also, we will usually go over the lease with you and work out any details, such as pets, parking, etc., in your best interest.

Consider Your Needs.
Take some time to figure out your “nice to have’s” and “need to have’s,” as far as square footage, number of bedrooms, parking, level of finish and any other items important to you. The clearer the picture in your mind, the faster and easier the process will be for you.

Timing.
As always, it is everything. It’s a good idea to start educating yourself a couple of months before beginning your search. Generally 6-8 weeks in advance is an ideal time to start looking. Any earlier and properties may not yet be available, but obviously if you wait too long you could miss your window. Talk to your Realtor, as certain areas (Providence being one of them) have heavy seasonality with their rental inventory which will affect your search.

If you are ready, check out our rental listings, or send me an email for assistance.

Since to date there is no real Providence apartment atlas, you might call the rental scene here ‘uncharted.’ Navigating it can be challenging, especially for higher end flats which are less likely to be posted on Craigslist.

If you’re looking for a modern, high end apartment, you have several great options. Working with a Realtor to help you find the right location is recommended, especially since it won’t cost you anything. Also, Realtors frequently send referrals to most of the complexes, so they can typically help negotiate a better rent price than you can get on your own, and often can get extra amenities which are usually extra, such as parking.

There are a handful of places Downtown and a few best kept secrets only a 10 minute drive to the city. With the latter you can get more for your money and even luxury waterfront living. So if you’re looking for a little luxury, here are some suggestions:

Downtown:
1.  Residences at the Westin
2.  Waterplace Park
3.  The Promenade
4.  Westminster and Peerless Lofts
5.  The 903

Best Within a 10 Minute Drive:
1. Rosedale Landing – Edgewood, Cranston-Luxury Waterfront-Check out this week’s Rental Feature for an Exclusive Video Tour!
2. Rumford Center – East Providence in a fabulous mill restoration (complete w/cafe)
3. Slater Mill – Pawtucket Arts District – Another great mill restoration for Loft Living

Even I am still discovering what’s out there…for more information on these and other Premier Rental Communities, contact me!

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

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. Chef’s 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!

As the Rental Director here at Residential Properties, I can tell you it is crunch time for filling those apartments and the phones are ringing off the hook with people looking for apartments for August 1st and September 1st! The apartment hunters are out there.

So, if you’re not getting steady calls & showing requests, or if you are, but haven’t gotten any bites yet, try some of these tips to get a tenant to take the bait! It’s been working very effectively for me over the past 2 weeks.

1. Offer 1/2 month’s security deposit as an incentive: If tenant moves in by September 1st. Lots of people are low on cash this season and keeping a little more in their pocket has huge appeal.
2. Consider reducing rent for longer-term leases: This is great for both parties. There are many grad students entering into 2 and 3-year programs who will likely prefer not to have to worry about moving out next year. To compensate for sacrificing a little on your monthly rent, you can get the security of knowing you won’t have to worry about it either. I recommend reducing the rent by 5%-10% for a 2-year lease for adequate incentive.
3. Stay competitive: The market is continually changing as landlords are getting more motivated to rent their places. Check out your competition and be the best value. If you have a 2 bed apartment available in decent condition on the East Side, run regular Craig’s List searches and call us here at Residential Properties to find out what similar properties are going for.
4. Don’t inflate your rent to save room for negotiation: Many people search up to ‘tiers’ so if you’re at $1250 instead of $1200, but you would take $1200, you are missing a large part of your potential renter pool who are only searching up to $1200.
5. Make your sign clear, noticeable and prominent: Apartment hunters are taking to the streets and writing down contact numbers from ‘FOR RENT’ signs on properties that appeal to them. Finding a place is a lot of work, and people are tired. If they can’t see your number from the distance of their car, they are likely to just keep on going, which is one more missed opportunity for you.

For more advice, contact me! Also I would like to know about your apartment, as I have lots of clients coming through my office who need a place!

81 Dixwell Avenue Cranston, RI
It’s a 3 bed for $1500, single family home, 10 mins drive from Providence.

Feels like home! Wonderful house for rent, just 10 mins drive from Providence. House is in perfect condition with lovely Colonial details. Hardwood floors, new windows, living room, dining room w/double doors to outdoor patio & fenced in yard. Garage parking, laundry, basement storage. Available September 1st.

TOP 5 REASONS TO HIRE A REALTOR® TO HELP YOU FIND A TENANT!

Recent polls show average rents are down 20%-25%, and vacancies are up. Way up. Many landlords who say they’ve never had to use a realtor® in the past are signing with someone this season as competition is fierce for good tenants. It will cost you one month’s rent, but here is why it’s well worth it!

1. Time: Finding a tenant takes time, especially now. What is your time worth to you? Placing ads, taking calls, scheduling showings (and often ‘no-show’s), and following up w/prospects can fill up several hours across weeks and even months. If you break down the number of hours it will take, my guess is a realtor will work for less per hour than you will!
2. Web Exposure: Real estate companies have put in a lot of time and money to create polished, user-friendly websites to show up on search engines and attract people looking for apartments from around the country. Take advantage of this leverage! Some property owners create their own websites, which may receive little to no traffic.
3. ‘Cross Pollination’: When a company has many listings, often times a potential tenant will call on one apartment which either doesn’t suit them or has already been rented. This creates a wider pool of possibilities to draw from, rather than waiting for calls on your particular property.
4. Relocation: Most real estate companies have international relocation departments. People looking to buy in a given area commonly will rent for a year while they get acclimated to the town. How else can you achieve global reach?
5. Application: Realtors® generally have streamlined application processes already in place. They will check credit, speak with current and previous landlords, verify employment and check references. Let someone else do this tedious legwork.

These are just some of the benefits. For more details call me!

1. Paint Light Colors:
Light colors are more reflective which maximizes the ‘opening’ quality of natural light. Making trims and moldings the same color or lighter than the wall color will further this effect. Use some dark accented furniture or wall hangings to create contrast for a crisp, sophisticated look.

2. Use Mirrors:
Mirrors reflect light and create depth, day and night. Especially effective is placing them opposite windows.

3. Scale Furniture:
Avoid stuffing rooms full of furniture. Keep things smaller with lighter designs such as open-backed chairs or headboards. Choose a love seat rather than a sofa and buy narrower, shorter bookshelves and dressers.

4. Angle Your Furniture:
Since the longest straight line in a room is its diagonal, angling furniture can create a visual illusion of spacial extension. You don’t have to put things at a full 45 degrees. If you can counter balance pieces of furniture, a modest angle will often work best.

5. Strategic Lighting:
Create two or three areas of focus using spot or soft lighting. Lighting multiple areas creates dimension and spreads out visual interest with a net result of a more dynamic interior space that feels larger.

Notice when you’re looking at apartments that are still occupied whether the current tenants have utilized any of these design strategies. If not, flex your visualization skills and imagine how using some or all of these decorating tips can make room’s look and feel more spacious.

Featured Rental: 57 Spring St., Rehoboth, MA-$1300, 2 beds plus an Office

Pastoral Paradise! First and second floor of a newer home in a pristine bucolic setting with water views of the pond from almost every room! Open kitchen/living room on first floor, BEAUTIFUL sunroom, and big kitchen w/lots of storage.

Master bedroom suite w/deck and fabulous views of the pond and 147 acres of pastures beyond. All this and only a 20-minute drive to Providence!

There are two rooms on the first floor in addition to the living room. One is a bedroom and the other for use as an office/den.

The apartment is in perfect condition, spacious w/exquisite light, plenty of parking, laundry hook-up. Rare find!

Click here to learn more.

Amongst established rental property owners in the Providence area there appears to be a consensus: Rents, like asking prices, are the lowest they’ve been in years! As it turns out, a buyer’s market is also a renter’s market.

Higher vacancy rates have created more competition in the rental arena and consequently, would-be tenants have more negotiating power.  Much like a sale price, a rental rate is negotiable.  Try using amenities as bargaining chips – perhaps adding a second parking spot, allowing a pet, installing a washer/dryer or including a utility or two in the rent.

If your situation permits, you may want to consider signing a two-year lease, including a provision that the rent will remain constant throughout the full term. As the economy improves and the market begins to increase, rents are likely to follow. Think ahead by taking advantage of the current market conditions, and keep your cost of living to a minimum.

Meet Our New Contributor!  Rebecca Lister, Rental Director

With a decade of experience in marketing and communications, most recently in the marketing of homes for sale, Rebecca Lister has taken over Residential Properties Rental Department as Rental Director.  Rebecca brings her passion for helping people to find homes that fit their lifestyle and needs and is thrilled to focus on servicing the growing rental community.  She has been with Residential Properties since 2006 and was formerly with The Real Estate Collaborative in Providence.  Lister received her BFA in Photography from Leslie College in Boston, MA and was additionally educated at the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY.  She is a member of the Providence Board of Realtors, a Yoga Alliance© certified yoga instructor, an amateur vegan chef, and Rhode Island native.  Contact Rebecca.

Featured Rental: 27 East Manning Street, Providence

Beautiful new Fox Point apartment in lovely 1890 Mansard Victorian, walking distance to Wayland Square, Wickenden St., and Brown, available immediately!

Comfortably situated on the first floor, this two-bed apartment is bright and spacious with a fabulous kitchen, sunny open living/dining area, high ceilings and gorgeous hardwood floors.

Ideal for professionals, the building is quiet with a private city yard for enjoyment.  Laundry facilities are on site. There is 1 parking space and basement storage.

Asking $1500/month, inlcuding heat and hot water. 1 Year Lease.  For more information, visit our Listing Details page or contact Sally Herreid at 401-553-6338.