(Photo: Michael Edwards)

APARTMENT NO. 1
82 Charles Street

Brokers: Linda Cook Mann (pictured) of Benjamin James and listing broker Maria Enns of Ennsproperties.com.
Apartment: One-bedroom, one-bath, fourth-floor walk-up (convertible to two-bedroom); co-op interview required.
Monthly rent: $2,400.

WHAT THE BROKER SAYS:
“This has been an enormous challenge. $2,400—that’s basically a studio! Even if you have a higher budget, you’ll still have to compromise.”

WHAT THE CLIENTS LIKED:
Christine: “This is a little larger than what we have now. Ours is pretty bright—it’s got east and west exposures—but this seems like it has light from all sides. I notice when there are shortcomings in apartments they say it’s European. We have a European bathtub; this has a real tub. The kitchen is lovely— I can’t get over the size of the sink! But where’s the dishwasher?”

WHAT THEY DIDN’T:
Christine: “Going from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom and putting up a wall feels like college again. The co-op interview sounds nerve-racking. The concept of living with people whom you need approval from is strange. But it could be good practice, since we do want to buy a co-op someday.”