Alternative sites/resources to look for apartment/house rentals in Massachusetts (Boston: apartment complexes, houses)

[Mass-Ark-Mass]

Hi-

I'm currently considering renting an apartment/home/town house/etc. in the Maynard/Concord/Acton/Stow vicinity. I have probably hit the refresh button on boston's craigslist about a thousand times a day and have also looked at the Wicked Local website for those areas about half as much. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for other online (or other) resources they use to look for housing in these areas- or anywhere in Massachusetts for that matter.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[kmann-sherborn]

realtor.com and boston.com are two additional sources. You could also post a message on Concord, MA Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals re: what you're looking for.

[Cato the Elder]

Posting a message on a local board might be a good option. Unfortunately, I suspect many (most?) of the rentals I see around here are minimally advertised in the form of physical "for rent" signs. One of my students conducting research in the area decided to move there for convenience and she ended up hitting the pavement to find a place. She found a lovely, small cottage under 800 sq. ft. that most people would overlook but is perfect for a grad student. I doubt the landlord advertised online because it's simply not necessary to get a tenant.

[tikaram]

I agree with Cato, check towns you are interested in by driving around and walking. You may see for rent signs, with phone number scribbled on them

Vast majority of rentals that are advertised online would appear on craigslist first, so searching other sites is more like double checking. You can also post your own "rental wanted" ad on craigslist, and see what happens.

[tigerclaws]

apartmentratings dot com gives you the rating but I use it as a list to narrow my search down based on ratings etc. You can also call the property managers.....

[brightdoglover]

If interested in Littleton, there are "apartment for rent" signs up on a few properties on Goldsmith Road- private houses/in-laws, not complexes.
Also would suggest a rental agent, Cowley Associates.
I am not affiliated with any such, just have seen good results for myself.
Is OP here and available to drive around, or long distance?

[tikaram]

Originally Posted by tigerclaws

apartmentratings dot com gives you the rating but I use it as a list to narrow my search down based on ratings etc. You can also call the property managers.....

Yes, great point - plus you can call apartment complexes and ask about availability (or expected availability) of apartments.

[Mass-Ark-Mass]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

If interested in Littleton, there are "apartment for rent" signs up on a few properties on Goldsmith Road- private houses/in-laws, not complexes.
Also would suggest a rental agent, Cowley Associates.
I am not affiliated with any such, just have seen good results for myself.
Is OP here and available to drive around, or long distance?

I was in the area a couple days and spent one day driving around. It was kind a whirlwind tour, so I only had a couple hours to look around in each respective city, concentrating on Maynard. I did see a couple for rent signs, so when (if) I decide to move to the area, I'll spend a whole lot more time looking around by foot.

My ideal situation would be to nab one of those 850-1000 sq ft bungalow type houses with a yard for the dog. I have also considered looking at buying a very small house as well. There seem to be a few properties in Acton and Maynard that fit the bill.

[tigerclaws]

Acton would be one of the expensive towns considering it is one of the best school districts in that area but you could certainly swing some rental deals considering that sellers are holding out on selling in this depressed market.

[Adta117]

If you go on [url=http://www.massachusettsapartments.com]MassachusettsApartments.com - MA Apartments for Rent & Sale[/url] there are up to the minute listings in every single city & town in Massachusetts, there are also photos and the actual addresses of the units. Boston.com is another big resource, and definitely boston.craigslist.org.