If you are looking in JP in Boston, please please call Pandora at Prudential Unlimited! http://www.prudentialunlimited.com/agents.php
She is the best agent I have ever used. I have always tried to avoid realtors and work directly with home owners, but this time I needed help. I feel like Pandora really listened to what I was looking for in a space and helped me find it without wasting time or trying to put me in a space that wasn't right. I hate the idea of a realtor's fee, but she was worth every dime. I would pay double to use her again. I'm adding a review to Yelp right now...

funny... just last night i posted a thread on the yelp boards about AT... there are a few of us overlapping!

UGH! Just found my apartment for sept 1st last week. Not going to reccomend or bash the realtor because it worked out but it was a trial to say the least. Before we started working with her though, we dealt with another company, EXIT realty on Comm, and had a really perfect space and our money down, apps in. But then our realtor turned out to be COMPLETELY incompetent if not a complete liar. Mislead us, then wouldnt take our phone calls despite our being told he was in the office, and then when we were told some seemingly bogus story about how could no longer have the apt, took us over a week to get them to agree to give us our money back--wanted us to continue to work with them, when we said we'd rather not, they told us "well that sucks." Unprofessional all around.

I've lived in boston now for two years and have moved three times! I have found that the best apartments (with character, great sunlight and a good price) are owned by a single person. My last two apartments, my landlord/lady has lived in the top floor apt. I've found that they take extra care of the place because they are living there as well. Don't believe the realtors, every single one said I could not find an apt. in Cambridge for my price range. They were so quick to put down my budget, made me feel like a poor person. Well, looks like they were wrong because my new place is great and cheap! So apt. hunters keep your head up and keep looking on craigslist...be creative with your search names and something will pop up soon.

i agree with shoegirl. i only search the "by owner" section of the rental listings... generally a MUCH better value, and you know just who you'll be dealing with should you sign that dotted line.

I saw that FRAGILE box and could only think of that dad in that Christmas movie who gets the leg lamp, thinking it's from Italy because it says "FRA-GIL-A"

There are lots of new tools out there to help you get around having to work with a realtor. Nabewise.com is awesome if you are wanting to know more about local neighborhoods. I just wrote a blog post about my experience finding an apartment in boston here, and the tools I used...feel free to check it out:

http://www.simplypsquared.com

Good luck!