How Much Rent Can I Afford?
As one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Boston, Brighton has a huge selection of rental properties available in a variety of price ranges. With over 8,000 local brighton real estate listings, Brighton Pads offers a dizzying wealth of apartments and houses in the city. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on rent before you begin looking for a new place can help narrow down your search, so follow these tips to calculate your monthly payment first.
- Most landlords require you to show that your income is at least three times the monthly rent. Most financial experts recommend not paying more than 30% of your income on rent, but that figure doesn’t take into account utility bills and other debts.
- Carefully examine your expenses and be realistic when calculating your rent maximum; also try to get an idea of how much utilities are going to be in the area you’re considering. You’ll want to make sure that you can live comfortably in your new home.
- Housing costs may involve other expenses, as well, so factor as many as you can when considering the cost of an apartment. Some rental properties include some utilities, while others do not. A lower rental price further away from work might be offset by increased transportation costs.
- Consider your lifestyle and how you’re likely to use the space before you begin searching. If you’re the type of person who is rarely home and spends most of your time out on the town, then spending less on rent for a smaller place might be best. However, if you like to stay in, then you’ll probably want to invest in the nicest place you can afford.
Once you’ve determined how much rent you should be paying, search for your next new home on Brighton Pads, the most comprehensive real estate portal anywhere.
