Sponsored by Boston Pads

August 1st is upon us, marking the one-month countdown to dreaded move-in day on September 1st. For those new to Boston or at least to the world of apartment rentals, you might not be familiar with the “joys” of moving here in the Hub. Allow us to educate you.

A whopping 66 percent of all leases in the Greater Boston area run on a September 1st to August 31st cycle. That means up to two-thirds of Boston could be taking to the streets on September 1st, transitioning their lives from one corner of our city to another. Needless to say, moving in Boston can be, well, an interesting experience.

From Somerville to Southie, once peaceful residential neighborhoods erupt into chaos. Moving trucks clog already congested roads, causing traffic nightmares. Parking wars turn civil young professionals into cutthroat savages. Allston takes on an apocalyptic air, the streets strewn with hand-me-down junk, banged up couches, and PBR-stained upholstery.

You sweat. You cry. You pray to God the box you dropped wasn’t the one marked “fragile.”

Despite the unadulterated misery of move-in day, everyone is desperate to get in on the action. Competition is fierce for September 1st leases and the start of August sends apartment seekers into panic mode. With only one month left, many fear all the decent spots have been snatched up and they’re doomed to another year in their awful apartment.

Good news, for all you procrastinators (and loyal friends of procrastinators): despite what the naysayers claim, there are apartments left. More than last year, in fact. Skeptical? We’ve got the data to prove it.

Boston Pads has the largest real-time apartment database in New England and continuously gathers the most accurate, up-to-date information on the rental scene here in the Hub. According to their data, the real-time vacancy rate in Boston is 5.6 percent with 4,048 units available, much higher than the norm. On August 1st last year, the real-time vacancy rate was significantly lower at 3.8 percent with only 3,222 units available. What a difference a year makes…

Check out the infographic below to see real-time insights into the Boston rental market. There are apartments for rent all across the city, from the Seaport to Symphony, Brookline to Beacon Hill:

After six months of record rents, the July market hit a brick wall instead of tightening as it has in the past.

It might just be an Allston Christmas miracle.

So relax, panicked Boston apartment hunters. There are apartments out there. Don’t listen to pushy realtors who show you a single listing and claim “This is it.” Take a breath. There’s no need to jump at the first apartment that comes your way.

Now, while the market may be better for renters than recent years, it doesn’t mean you should slow your search. You might be out of the woods, but the hunt is still on.

Your best move? Find a credible, reliable realtor who can show you the most possible viewings in the shortest period of time. A good realtor is often the guide you need to survive the jungle of the Boston real estate market. With your realtor by your side, continue exploring, but keep in mind September 1st is around the corner.

Bottom line? Don’t panic, find a quality realtor, and happy hunting! 

Image via Olympia Moving