Working with a Realtor

A licensed real estate agent, referred to as a realtor, links prospective tenants with prospective landlords. While you have a good chance of finding what you’re looking for, renting an apartment through a realtor is your most expensive option. The real estate professionals listed below have a good track record of working with members of the MIT community.

Tips for working with a real estate agent:

• Most agencies charge a “finders fee” of up to one month’s rent if you lease an apartment they find for you. Only agents licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Agents may charge this fee.
• You pay the realtor’s fee only if you locate and rent an apartment through that agency. Otherwise, you pay nothing for any effort they invest in the search.
• A real estate agent can be an efficient option, because he or she can quickly match your needs to available housing and drive you around the area to look at apartments.
• Don’t feel pressured to rent any apartment or to sign any document.
• Read the rental application carefully before signing. Feel free to bring the document to the Off-Campus Housing Service for review.
• Read the MIT Survival Guide to Renting Off Campus before you begin your search.

Real Estate Agents

The following real estate agencies have proven to be helpful to members of the MIT community. Contact the Off-Campus Housing Service staff with feedback on your experiences so we can continue to monitor the quality of service provided by these real estate professionals.

Basch Realty
Sandra Basch or Marc Basch
520 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 281-7368, (617) 491-5400
andra_basch@hotmail.com
mlbasch@aol.com
Area: Cambridge, Somerville

Bayside Realty
843 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 868-7979, fax (617) 868-7972
info@baysidecambridge.com
Area: Cambridge, Somerville

Brattle Realty Trust
364 Huron Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 492-4027, (617) 492-7456
Area: Arlington, Cambridge

Channing Real Estate
111 Mt. Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 864-6900
Area: Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown

Century 21 Avon
1675 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-8400, fax (617) 661-0744
century21cambridge@comcast.net
Area: Cambridge, Somerville, Belmont, Arlington, Watertown

Crescent Realty Co.
85 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-1900
jmeskell@aol.com
Area: Beacon Hill, Back Bay

Harvard Square Realty
1132 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 497-7575
info@harvardsqrealty.com
Area: Cambridge, Somerville

Leahy Realty
36 Barnard Rd.
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 489-4567
leahyrealty@att.net
Area: Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Watertown

Norwich Realty Associates
Anthony Zafferano
P.O. Box 1042
Arlington, MA 02474
(781) 646-8545
norwich@verizon.net
Area: Cambridge, Brighton, Arlington, Medford, Somerville, Watertown, Belmont, Lexington

Oxford Street Realty
1644 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-3535
oxfordstrealty@comcast.net
Area: Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont

Porter Square Realty
Stanley
764 Somerville Ave, Suite 3
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 876-1242
nechamala@aol.com
Area: Cambridge, Somerville, Watertown, Allston, Boston

RJ Realty
87 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA, 02139
(617) 492-7899
dmyogel@comcast.net
Area: Cambridge