WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTELE?

We are open to the general public, however the majority of our clients are professionals. Our customers range in age from 19 to 75. During the summer months and in December/ January, we have a higher rate of students using the agency than at other times of the year. However, because we pre-screen your referrals, you can only deal with the types of individuals you desire. TOP

DO I HAVE TO CALL PEOPLE, OR WILL THEY CALL ME?

Both! Just as you probably won't call everyone on your list (for whatever your particular reasons may be), other people will not call everyone either. You can't control what other people do. By making phone calls yourself, you can take control of your own situation, rather than just "hoping" someone calls you. Be proactive! TOP

HOW LONG AFTER REGISTRATION WILL I RECEIVE REFERRALS?

You will receive your initial printout within 24 hours after we receive your application, although we generally attempt to get information back to you within a few hours after we receive it. (Our office is closed on Sunday)TOP

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO FIND A ROOMMATE?

Unfortunately, there is no standard answer to that question. Since we are a people oriented business, and both parties must agree to become roommates, there is no average. In addition, the more restrictions you have, the fewer choices will be available. The most important issue is to give yourself a reasonable time frame, especially if you are being restrictive in your search. However, we do find that over 50% of our applicants find a roommate within one week.TOP

RENTS ARE THE HIGHEST THEY'VE EVER BEEN AND THE MARKET IS COMPETITIVE. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET AN EDGE?

From our experience, the most successful people seem to have several things in common:

EXCELLENT PHONE PRESENTATION:

In most situations, you will find yourself reaching many answering machines! As impersonal as that may seem, there is an advantage. Script out what you will say. Hit on all the important issues. If you have housing, describe the house, the neighborhood, nearby stores/ shopping, public transportation, safety, access to major roads, etc. Keep in mind many people are relocating to the area and don't know Stoneham from Wisconsin! Don't assume anything! Whether you are seeking housing or have a place to share, say something about YOURSELF!! Hobbies, interests, what you enjoy doing, housekeeping habits, etc. Sell yourself! Be upbeat! Sound interesting! If your message is uninteresting, terse or uninformative, you lose! It's that simple.

BE REACHABLE:

Our world today is one big voice mail system. To avoid 'telephone tag' between answering machines and voice mail, release a cell phone number... and keep your phone turned on! This way you will get the call the first time. You can save days of delays by receiving that call immediately.

USE E-MAIL:

Most people have e-mail. Sit down and write out a nice presentation about yourself, what you are seeking/ offering, etc. Be sure to proofread your message so you make the best presentation possible. Insert e-mail addresses of everyone you're interested in in the 'bcc' section of your email (this way others don't see who you're e-mailing to) and SEND! Quick, easy and to the point! If you just send an e-mail saying "It sounds great, call me to set up a time to see your place", you're wasting your time. People want to know about you.

CALL PEOPLE YOURSELF:

If you wait for other people to call you, it will prolong your search. Do it yourself!

BE REALISTIC:

If you want to live in Beacon Hill for $350/ month, or offering a 2 bedroom share in Allston for $900 per month, you are out of touch with the marketplace. Nothing is impossible, but the rental market is what it is, and you can't change it just because YOU want it! The more realistic your expectations are, the more likely you will find what you're looking for.... when YOU want to find it!

GIVE YOURSELF TIME:

We're not magicians! If you just give yourself ample time, you WILL find what you are looking for, regardless of your restrictions or issues. The rental market in 2003 is not even close to what it has been in previous years. Rents are coming down, vacancy rates are up! Plan accordingly! TOP

I'M RELOCATING TO THE AREA. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF REGISTERING BEFORE I ARRIVE?

Unfortunately, in this day of high technology, nobody answers their telephone! Everyone has voice mail or answering machines, even at their office. Phone calls can be made from anywhere. You don't have to be in Boston.

The most productive use of your time is to register before you come to town, play 'telephone tag' with potential referrals, speak with them at length via telephone, and set up appointments for when you arrive. This way, instead of spending your first day in Boston making phone calls in an expensive hotel room, you can spend your first day seeing places and meeting people with whom you've previously made contact.TOP

WHAT ARE THE TAX ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A ROOMMATE IF I OWN MY OWN HOME?

In Massachusetts, where a part of the property is used for personal purposes and the rest is used for business (income) purposes, the IRS generally requires that the property be taxed as two separate properties. If an expense serves both purposes, such as an electric or gas bill, repairing the heating system or the mortgage, you should divide the expense. Expenses solely related to the rental, such as painting or carpeting a roommate's room, may be fully deducted.

The most common methods for dividing expenses which are partly for personal purposes and partly for the income producing purposes is to divide the house either based upon the number of rooms in your home or based on the square footage. For example, if the roommate's room your rent is 15 x 16 (240 sq ft) and your whole house is 1,200 sq. ft, deduct 20 percent of common expenses.

There is an exception which can simplify your situation. This will allow your to treat the entire property as used by you for tax purposes. If you rent part of your home to no more than two roommates for residential purposes and that part is not a self-contained residential unit (with eating, sleeping and living areas), no allocation as a rental is required. As always, consult a professional tax preparer in regards to your own situation. TOP

Copyright 2004 The Roommate Connection, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this document may be copied without written
permission of The Roommate Connection

Questions? Call us at 617/ 455-6101