Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What to do in Boston, MA Before the End of Summer

With August 1st approaching tomorrow we are quickly getting into the last leg of our Boston, MA summer. Here are some reminders of what makes the Boston area so wonderful in the summer. Act like a tourist and enjoy your city and the surrounding area before the cold approaches. Or, if you are thinking of buying a home in Boston, MA, come explore our city and learn more about your future home!

Berry Season
Escape the city for a bit and live the farm life for a day. Cherries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and blueberries are ripe for the picking at the end of summer. Spend a day at a local farm. There are many pick-your-own options nearby.

Explore the Harbor Islands
Hop on the ferry and take a tour of the 30 islands that make up the Boston Harbor Islands, just off the mainland. Take in a bit of Boston, MA history exploring Fort Warren on George's Island.

Take a Stroll Down Comm. Ave.
Known as one of the most beautiful streets in America, get lost in the architecture and the central mall and trees.

Enjoy a Free Movie Along the Charles River
There are a few weeks left of the Free Flicks program at the Hatch Shell, coming up on Friday , August 2nd is Madagascar 3.

Hop in a Kayak
Paddle or canoe around some of the rivers and waterways Boston, MA has to offer. Get a workout while taking in the sights around Hingam, Magnolia or Thompson Island.

Dine Al Fresco
Boston, MA has a plethora of tasty restaurants to enjoy. Pick an old favorite, or a new one, and take a table outside. Sit, relax, and enjoy this beautiful city.

If you're visiting us in hopes of buying a home in Boston, please give me a call in between checking out our city. Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all of the city's vibrant neighborhoods! As a Boston real estate agent, my services extend beyond helping buyers and sellers through their transactions. I thoroughly enjoy getting prospective residents familiar with their surroundings and exposing them to the best of everything Boston has to offer. I hope to speak with you soon!


Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Top Tips For Selling Your Boston, MA Home


Selling your Boston, MA home is a big decision involving what is likely your biggest investment. Once it is time to take that plunge to sell there are several things that many homeowners overlook. I've compiled a list to-do's and must-do's that can help you as you prepare to sell your investment.

Price it Right
A qualified Real Estate Professional can help you decide what your Boston, MA home is worth via a Comparative Market Analysis. What you have in mind might not be what today's market will bring. You might find that pricing your home a bit lower will bring excess buyer activity and keep it from sitting on the market too long and possibly even get you several offers. The longer a home sits the less likely you will get your asking price so time is of the essence.

Conceal Your Clutter
To maximize your closet space remove most of your items and neatly organize what remains. Buyers want closet space and it's hard to tell how much there is with a full closet. Clutter throughout the house should be removed as well. What a homeowner might overlook on a daily basis will stand out to a potential buyer. If you have large furniture consider putting some of it in storage to make your room sizes appear larger.

Light up the House
Do what you can to maximize light in your home by doing simple steps like taking down drapes, cleaning the windows, and increasing wattage on your light bulbs. Do whatever you can to make your Boston, MA home look as bright and cheery as possible.

Get Rid of the Critters
Not everyone is a dog or a cat lover, so do what you can to remove traces of your animals by concealing/hiding the pet bowls and/or litter boxes. When it comes time for a showing make sure your pet is no where to be seen and that the home has been cleaned of all pet fur.

Remove Your Personality from the House
Where possible de-personalize your home. Get rid of a third of your stuff or more and put it in storage. Remove family photos, collections, and other personal items. This will allow the buyer to better picture themselves living there.

Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal
The first impression is the only impression that matters to your prospective buyers. Before they reach the fantastic interior of your home they've already judged your home by how it looks on the outside. Spruce up your exterior with new paint or simple landscaping. Your entryway is also important. Make it welcoming to those who come through it and keep that impression positive as they walk into your beautiful home.

Call a Professional
When you are ready to sell your Boston, MA home, look for a professional, someone well-versed in all aspects of the sale process. From small tips like the above to strategic marketing, and negotiation, a qualified professional is a home seller's best asset. Your satisfaction is the key to my success. Don't sell your home without the help of an experienced agent. Contact me when you are ready. I look forward to hearing from you!



Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Mobile Apps to Help You Go Green in Your Boston Home

In today’s world there’s an app for virtually everything. From entertainment to banking, your smart phone is the gateway to everything you need to pass the time or boost productivity. When it comes to buying a home in Boston, there is a whole crop of apps readily available to help you with your home search. Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com are just a few of the many applications you can use to find the perfect property. However, you may not be aware that there are dozens of apps that can help you live a green lifestyle once you settle in. Since there are so many apps on the market, here are a select few to get you started.

GoodGuide
I find this app to be really useful when I’m at the store shopping for household goods. Simply scan the barcode of a product for instant access to health and environmental information for thousands of items. GoodGuide also provides customized recommendations and creates personal shopping lists to save you time on future trips to the store.

Green Outlet
Was your last energy bill through the roof? Green Outlet inquires about what types of appliances you own and how often you use them. Then, it shows you a detailed breakdown of how each appliance is contributing to your overall energy consumption.  Make adjustments accordingly and watch your energy bills decrease over time.

SolarChecker
Not only do solar panels have brilliant tax incentives, they can also help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint on a day-to-day basis. SolarChecker measures how much solar radiation is present in your immediate area, and calculates the ROI on installing solar panels on the roof of your Boston home.

Virtual Water
This interactive app helps you become more conscious of the amount of water required to produce the food and beverages we consume every day. As you play around with Virtual Water, you might be surprised at the outrageous amount of H20 it requires to make these products, and the impact on the ecological footprint of human civilization.

Now that you’ve loaded your smart phone with apps to help you go green at home, give them a try and let me know what you think! As a
Boston real estate agent, I pride myself on continuing relationships with my home buyer and home seller clients well beyond the closing table. As a part of my promise to be your real estate consultant for life, I like to provide useful tips and tricks to help make homeownership a stress-free experience. These apps for going green at home are just the tip of the iceberg, so please reach out to me if you have any questions, or if you need assistance buying or selling a home in the Boston real estate market. I hope to speak with you soon!


Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Friday, July 12, 2013

5 Tips for Preparing to Move into Your Boston Home

When preparing to buy a home in Boston, you often read about tips for choosing the right neighborhood, obtaining a mortgage, and structuring a competing offer. While I’ve certainly covered these topics in the past, I also feel it’s beneficial to inform home buyers about what to do after the paperwork is signed. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you’ve been through the process dozens of times, it never hurts to refresh your memory. Take a look at my tips below for preparing to settle into your Boston home!
  1. Hook up your utilities
          One month before your move date, hop online or call your water, electric, gas, cable, Internet, and phone companies to let them know you will be canceling or transferring your services. This will give you plenty of time to schedule appointments so that the shut off and turn on dates coincide with your move.
  2. Alert the post office
          Have you been meaning to cancel that Bed Bath and Beyond catalog for months? Now you have the perfect excuse! Get your name off of junk mail and catalog lists by visiting CatalogChoice.org. You’ll also want to give the US Post Office a heads up that your address is changing about six weeks before your move date.
  3. Change the locks
          The expense of changing the locks and installing deadbolts on your Boston home is a small price to pay considering the peace of mind you’ll have once you move in. After all, you don’t want the previous owners waltzing through the front door! Call a local locksmith or change the locks on your own if you have the skills and your toolbox handy.
  4. Give your new home a deep clean
          Chances are the previous owners didn’t leave your new home spick and span. Before all of the boxes and furniture are moved in, begin this new chapter of your life with a deep clean from top to bottom. Not only will this physically clear out the mess, you’ll also be mentally prepared to begin your life anew in Boston.
  5. Review your home inspection report
          Take a look at the advice and repair suggestions on your home inspection report and make a checklist of things that still need to be done. For example, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, buy a fire extinguisher for the kitchen, and get your furnace inspected.
Although this isn’t an exhaustive list of ways to prepare for your move, I hope it helps make the process a bit easier. It’s no secret that moving is a lot of work, but with a bit of preparation and organization, you’ll save yourself from a lot of stress and anxiety. Whether you’re ready to buy a home in Boston or just have a few questions about the process, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to help in any way I can. I hope to connect with you soon!


Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Friday, July 5, 2013

Boston Harborfest: Party on the Plaza and Boston ChowderFest

I hope you had a great Fourth of July! If you regularly celebrate the holiday here in Boston, you know that the fun doesn't stop with the last pop of fireworks. Boston is home to countless events throughout the year, and we're just getting into the juiciest part of the summer festival season. As we move into the weekend, Boston Harborfest gains momentum with Party on the Plaza on Saturday and Boston ChowderFest on Sunday. Here's what to expect as you head out over the next couple of days.

Party on the Plaza
This annual event will take place on Boston's City Hall Plaza on Saturday, July 6th. If you have evening commitments, head out to Party on the Plaza in the afternoon and check out the BaHa Brothers, "A five-piece band that favors Jimmy Buffett, classic rock from the 1960s and 1970s and their own compositions." They take the stage from 12pm-3pm so you'll have a big window of opportunity to catch at least a few songs. Then, stick around for a performance by Primal Funk from 6pm-9pm. This six-piece group brings the talent of some of the finest musicians in the northeast together on one stage. An event not to be missed!

Boston ChowderFest
Locally referred to as Chowdahfest, Boston ChowderFest is an annual culinary event in its 32nd year. For an entry fee of $13, residents and visitors can sample an array of New England style clam chowder from competing restaurants in the greater Boston area. Meander around City Hall Plaza from 11am-6pm and sample as much chowder as you'd like. Then, cast your vote for your overall favorite. If you're considering buying a home in Boston or are brand new to the area, this is a perfect opportunity to sample a variety of local fare in one convenient location. 

It's going to be a hot and sunny weekend here in Boston, but don't let that stop you from getting outdoors and checking out the remaining days of Boston Harborfest. From outdoor concerts to unlimited clam chowder tastings, your plate will be chocked full of fun activities over the next couple of days. Make sure you savor every second of it!

If you're visiting us in hopes of
buying a home in Boston, please give me a call in between bites of chowder. Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all of the city's vibrant neighborhoods! As a Boston real estate agent, my services extend beyond helping buyers and sellers through their transactions. I thoroughly enjoy getting prospective residents familiar with their surroundings and exposing them to the best of everything Boston has to offer. I hope to speak with you soon!


Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me: