What’s the deal with September 1st??

When people decide to move to Boston for the first time, one of the first things that becomes apparent is that almost everything is based upon a September 1st move in date. The rental market in Boston is very unique and full of oddities; every landlord and building has different codes of conduct, addendum’s, and requirements, but one thing that is cohesive is the desire to be on the 9/1 schedule. It all has to do with the near 60 Colleges and Universities within a 20 minute commute to the “Hub”. Boston has developed one of the top areas in the world to round your educational background, and with all these students starting in the fall, everyone has fallen into their cycle.

With a September 1st move in comes some of the greatest challenges and encumbrances that one can endure. For instance, trying to find a moving company a month before you move in, “What day did you want to move in? Sorry, but there might be a U-Haul in Bedford with available trucks.” Or another common example is students having to look for an apartment in January if they want any shot at getting a good 3 or 4 bedroom place close to campus.

As a Real Estate Broker it is difficult to explain to a client that he or she is procrastinating by not looking 3 months in advance, but it is merely the truth. Last year alone September 1st listings accounted for more than 80% of all apartments listings. Apartment seekers have to go with September 1st if they want abundant options and those hard-to-find places.

However, there are many downsides to this move in date. On average, a 2 bed apartment in Boston Proper will be listed at a 15-20% cost increase at the peak of September compared to January. For a landlord or property manager this will ensure the maximum profit, highest ROI, and occupancy rate; but for the potential tenants this could mean an additional 3k to 4k over the course of a year.

The pros and cons are very much blatant and need to be accessed by the seeker, but as I see the best apartments enter and exit the market, I can’t help but strongly promote a September 1st move in. If you can’t beat em,’ join em’, because the collegiate nature of Boston will forever perpetuate the rental cycle. If you are looking for the most options, it’s like anything in life, the early bird catches the worm. With that being said, the apartment of your dreams can arise at anytime. If you are one of the lucky ones, don’t let the allure of September’s “greener grass” affect your decision. The pros and cons mentioned above should always be trumped by an apartment that best suits your lifestyle and aspirations.

-Ethan Goodrich