Looking for an apartment in Boston is a really tough, often discouraging process. Finding a suitable apartment (notice I didn’t say, “great”) is a real challenge.

If you’re looking for September 1 availability right now, sorry, it’s almost too late. Although you might expect that landlords would list their apartments for rent just one or two months ahead of time, things have gotten out of whack and most landlords have already secured fall tenants by the time the 4th of July rolls around.

This is almost always true out in the college neighborhoods of the Fenway, Allston, and Brighton, but it’s becoming more of the rule downtown, too.

High-end units in the new multi-hundred apartment complexes will always have a selection available, but even there you have problems; first, the prices are high, over $2,500 for a studio and as high as $8,000 for three bed (if you can find it), second, the floor-plans are often smaller than you’d prefer, often 1,000 square feet or less. Add in that you might want your own washer/dryer, on-site parking, and/or own a pet, and you’ve limited yourself dramatically in what you’ll be able to find.

Having an agent help you can be a big benefit, if only to cut down on the amount of garbage you’ll end up seeing. If you can swallow paying a full month’s broker’s fee in order to do so, it can save you time and aggravation. Otherwise, you’re in for a long, drawn-out process of searching through hundreds (thousands, actually) of listings on craigslist.

For one renter’s perspective, check out Rona Fishman’s blog entry on Boston.com’s Real Estate Now Blog.

Above, one of Warren Residential Group’s apartment listings, located at 294 Newbury Street. Available now, it’s a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with ~657 square feet of space, priced at $3,300.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan increased just one basis point to 4.51% in the latest Freddie Mac weekly survey of loan providers.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.51 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 23, up from 4.5% last week. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.58 percent.

A $400,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 4.51 percent would run you approximately $2,029 per month in loan repayments. This is $3 more than last week and $17 in monthly savings compared to last year, when it would have cost you $2,046 per month.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist at Freddie Mac says, “Interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages hovered around 4.5 percent for the fourth consecutive week following mixed reports on the strength of the economy. First quarter economic growth was revised up in the final estimate, but growth in consumer spending stagnated in May while April’s figure was revised downward; consumer expenditures account for roughly two-thirds of the nation’s gross domestic product.

“Meanwhile, there were some signs of improvement in the housing market. In April, the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite home price index rose 0.7 percent, representing the first monthly increase since July 2010. However, much of the improvement reflected the seasonal increase in homebuying over the spring-summer period. Pending existing home sales rebounded in May, exhibiting the largest monthly increase since November 2010.”

Conforming loan limits are scheduled to be reduced in the fall. This means those buying in the $400,000′s to $600,000′s may see higher rates at that time. Let me know if I can provide more information.

The Modern is a two-phase South End condominium development located on Northampton Street between Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue.

Phase I, the first 25 units, came online in 2006. Homeowners have been happy with their purchases. The open floorplans didn’t appeal to everyone but the pricing was good because of its location at the edge of the South End.

Phase II, with 37 units, will be done this summer, with a hoped-for July completion date and August move-in. Many units have separated bedrooms (with doors), ensuring complete privacy. A wise move on the part of the developer, as many homeowners prefer this traditional layout.

The time is right; the market is responding to the style and design of the building. After just two months being on the market, there are 22 units under agreement.

One beds are available between $399,000 and $495,000; two beds between $525,000 and $645,000. Parking spaces in the underground garage begin at $23,000.

One of the “skyhouses” is still available at $769,000, with approx. 840 square feet, one bed, one and ½-half bathrooms, and includes one parking space an an ~1,000 square foot private deck.

From the MLS listing:

The perfect blend of post-loft living & traditional charm, these stunning homes offer a crisp kitchen with custom white cabinetry & contrasting chocolate counters, spa-inspired bath in white marble, floor to ceiling windows, espresso flooring, private deck, low condo fee, common roofdeck with built-in gas grill & breathtaking views …

Please let me know if I can help you with a potential purchase in The Modern. New construction purchases can be quite different from when purchasing in an existing condo building. I’ve helped many buyers (including myself) take the appropriate steps to ensure their purchase ends up making them happy homeowners.

Photos courtesy of Ricardo Rodriguez, listing agent at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

(The building is still under construction, so final unit layouts and finishes and amenities are subject to change.)

Have you been searching for a Boston apartment for yourself, and maybe your dog?

Chances are, you’ve had some difficulty.

Many times, landlords don’t want pets in their units. They are certainly within their legal rights to do so. Even though many people have pets and are good owners, landlords can point to bad tenants who have let their dogs and cats destroy common hallways.

The solution if you can’t find an apartment that accepts pets is to buy, instead. Of course, not everyone has the option or desire to do so.

The New York Times had an article over the weekend about a couple who owned a co-op in the city and who decided to rent out their current home while renting another, larger place somewhere else. Not only did they have trouble finding a pet-friendly apartment building, they found it hard to rent out their co-op, since their building’s rules forbid renters from having dogs or cats. Owners could, just not renters. This isn’t that uncommon.

Almost always, condo buildings allow pets. It used to be less common but as dog ownership has increased over the years, many buildings have modified their condo docs.

If you’re looking to rent an apartment, it’s best to find out ahead of time the pet policies. Too many times, it’s not brought up until too late. Heartbreak results.

Please let me know if I can help.

Fixed rate mortgage loan rates stayed flat again, during the past week.

The average 30-year, fixed mortgage rate stayed at 4.50%, according to the Freddie Mac weekly survey of loan providers.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.50 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending June 23, the same as last week. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.69 percent, so continued good news for buyers.

A $400,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 4.50 percent would run you approximately $2,027 per month in loan repayments. This is the same as last week and $45 in monthly savings compared to last year, when it would have cost you $2,072 per month.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist at Freddie Mac says, “Mortgage rates were virtually unchanged this week amid further indications of a soft housing market. Although new construction on single-family homes ticked up in May from April, it was still below the overall pace set in 2010. Moreover, existing home sales fell 3.8 percent in May to the fewest since November 2010.

“The Federal Reserve also reiterated that the housing sector continues to be depressed in its June 22nd policy committee statement. The S&P/Case-Shiller® National Home Price Index fell 2.1 percent between the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter 2011. Based on a recent survey by MarcoMarkets of 108 professional forecasters taken in early June, the index is predicted to decline another 1.5 percent by the fourth quarter of this year.”

Mortgage loan rates are at historic lows. Unfortunately, with the economy seemingly stuck in time, not many people are taking advantage of this golden opportunity.