The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

Looking for something to do this weekend in Boston? Jazz and music lovers unite this weekend at Boston's biggest block party, The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, taking place this Saturday, September 28^th, from noon to 6pm on Columbus Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Burke Street in the South End. This year's theme is Jazz: The Next Generation, featuring talented alumni artists and Grammy Award-winning musicians. The jazz festival is a perfect way to spend a long afternoon enjoying Boston's late-September sunshine.

For thirteen years the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival has delighted concert-goers with a bevy of jazz, Latin, blues and groove acts. The Boston community comes out to enjoy the music on three stages, the awesome food, and good times. The littlest concert-goers are also included with several kids activities at the The Natixis Family Park, including face painting, an instrument petting zoo, and KidsJam, led by Berklee's Education department.

Some of the featured performers this year are Meshell Ndegeocello, Will Calhoun Trio, Robin McKelle & the Flytones, Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott, Mike Tucker Trio, and the Matt Savage Quartet. Berklee College of Music is the proud recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the 2013 Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. Come out and celebrate Boston's diversity through music, food, and more!

If you're visiting us in hopes of buying a home in Boston, please give me a call during your stay. 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:

Facebook
Twitter

Apple Picking near Boston, MA

As the weather cools and the sweaters come out one of the best perks of Boston, MA's autumn is the abundance of farms in the vicinity. And in the Fall, farms mean Apple Picking! It's not just about apples either, many have pumpkin patches, fresh produce and baked goods, and some have farm animals. Its a great way to support your local farms. Below are some of the best the Boston,MA area has to offer.

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

Honey Pot Hill Orchards is open every day from 10am-5pm. Current selection are MacIntosh, Cortland, Golden Supreme, and Bosc pears. In addition to the picking there are also hay rides and a farm store filled with fresh produce and baked goods. Farm animals and a few HedgeMazes complete the fun! Located at 138 Sudbury Road, Stow, MA 01775

Russell Orchards

Just 35 miles north of Boston is the family owned farm, Russell Orchards. Hayrides and pick your own is in full swing at Russell Orchards. Cortland, Empire, Jonagold, Gala, and McIntosh are currently ripe for the picking. In the store you can also take your pick of a selection of fruits and vegetables from the garden. Located at 143 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

Smolak Farms

Smolak is a 300-year-old family farm located 30 miles north of Boston, MA. This weekend, September 21^st and 22^nd there is a Fall Festival which has in addition to apple picking, hayrides, a festival, animals, crafts, bouncy house/slide, and so much more! Located at 315 South Bradford Street, North Andover, MA 01845

There are several you-pick farms in the Boston, MA area, if wanting even more choices boston.com lists several. I hope you enjoy this beautiful fall season and are able to get out and support some of these local farms. Please know I am only a click a way if you have any Boston, MA real estate needs. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter

Tips for Painting your Boston Home

Have you found your perfect Boston Home? Chances are your new home doesn't have wall colors that you love or might need some fresh paint on the walls. If you're not sure where to start, then read on.

Start Small

Pick an accent wall or a small space such as a powder room and add a splash of color. For inspiration look at your belongings, what color speaks to you? Select a favorite color and go with it. Since it's a small space if you don't love it, its quick to change. Hopefully you will love it and can move on from there.

Mood

When selecting a color for a particular room think about mood. Do you want your bedroom to be soft and soothing or dramatic? Pick a cool neutral for a soothing place to rest or go for a stronger color for some drama in your space.

Consider the Lighting

Depending on the lighting in the room your paint color can change in hue. Consider the lighting in your Boston Home before committing to a new color. Many paint stores have light boxes so you can visualize the color in either natural daylight, incandescent light, or fluorescent lighting.

Keep Colors Coordinated

When you are in one room you usually can see a peek of another room. Make sure that rooms that are adjacent to each other flow nicely from color to color. Don't pick colors that clash or create too much of an eyesore when together.

If you feel challenged and can’t quite nail a color palette that works with your taste and preferences, enlist the help of a professional. As a Boston real estate agent, I can recommend some interior decorators in the area who can give you their professional opinions on how to make each room in your home sophisticated and livable. Along the same lines, an interior decorator comes in handy if you’re planning to sell your Boston home and want to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Please reach out if you need any assistance!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter

Trying to sell your Boston Home? Don't do this.

Selling your home in any market can be challenging, even a seller's market like today. A local Boston real estate agent can help you navigate the process to ensure all goes well. Here are some mistakes that can keep your Boston Home from selling fast.

Don't Overprice

Today's market has changed and you may not get all that you have put into the home back at the closing table. Your home is only worth what the market dictates, so listen to your real estate agent. They are well versed in current market pricing and know best how to price your Boston Home to garner the most interest.

Don't Skimp on Marketing

With most home searching done online you can no longer stick a sign in the front yard and expect to sell. Professional photography, brochures, and a heavy online presence are necessary. By choosing a professional Boston real estate agent with marketing savvy you will have a leg up on some of your competition with basic listings or for sale by owners.

Don't Neglect Repairs

Have a garage that needs painting or a screen that needs fixing? Do it before you list for sale. Prospective buyers want to know a home has been taken care of before considering to buy. Little things like old paint and holes in screens can deter a buyer as they wonder what else hasn't been maintained in the home.

Don't Forget to Stage your Home

Move out as much furniture as you can and strip those closets to the bare minimum. It may seem like a good idea to show how you can fit a huge couch and a wall unit in your living room, but, it is actually making your living room look smaller. It also keeps the potential buyer from envisioning their furniture in the space. So, before the professional pictures and listing the home for sale make sure to remove as much personal items (think knick knacks, etc) and large furniture out. Clean up your closets and make sure that they are not overstuffed.

When you are ready to sell your Boston 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

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter