Best Chocolatiers in Boston, MA

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. If you are looking to buy your sweetheart some chocolate they will truly appreciate, make sure to get the good stuff. Try some of these local chocolates, prepared right here in Boston, MA. Help support your community and chocolate cravings!

Phillips Candy House. Founded in 1925, Phillips Candy House is the oldest chocolatier in Boston, MA. Several delicious confections including truffles, fudge, and turtles are offered daily. Available online and in retail stores in Boston and Quincy.

ChocoLee Chocolates. Beautiful handcrafted chocolates made by Lee, herself. Some house favorites are dark chocolate with salted caramel and dark chocolate with bourbon cherry and honey filling. ChocoLee also offers chocolate making classes for age 8 and up. 23 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA.

Beacon Hill Chocolates. They are well known for their unique keepsake boxes, inspired by “rare lithographs, old postcards, photographs, and illustrations”, but the chocolate is really the star. Beacon Hill Chocolates source and import Artisan chocolates from around the world. Experience traditional and innovative chocolate making techniques. 91 Charles Street, Boston, MA

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones. Hopefully one of these chocolates will make your sweetheart smile. If you are traveling into Boston, MA to celebrate and are interested learning more about what this great city has to offer please contact me.

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.

Please contact me when you decide to start your home search.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Luxury Kitchen Remodel for your Boston Home

When doing a home remodel the kitchen is where you will spend the majority of your money. If possible, don't scrimp on the luxury details. As the heart of the home and where friends and family gather, your kitchen deserves your attention. When preparing to spend money on your luxury Boston home kitchen make sure to consider current trends and innovations. Here is a list of some must haves for your luxury kitchen redesign.

Exotic Wood Countertops

One of the hottest kitchen trends this year is exotic wood countertops and cabinet veneers. You can find exotic domestic woods such as zebrawood and teak or African mahogany and lyptus in many luxury homes. It comes with a price but the wow factor of these gorgeous woods are surely worth it.

Wall Ovens

The newest wall ovens not only look beautiful but fuction-wise can save you time and money. With better self clean options and some with wireless control these ovens are the way of the future. Specialized settings will make it easier to whip up a gourmet meal in no time.

Induction Cooktops

Want to boil water in a few minutes? Induction cooktops heat up much quicker than traditional gas or electric cooktops. With precise temperature control and bridge function flexibility you can cook your gourmet meals quicker and efficiently. Looking to add a professional touch to your cooktop? Invest in a pot filler for above the cooktop. Save time and your back, no more hauling water filled pots.

Tiled Backsplashes

A new backsplash can dramatically transform your Boston home's kitchen. Backsplash trends include various ceramic, glass, and even brick. The color splash will breathe new life into your kitchen.

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Bamboo's popularity is growing quickly. A great eco-friendly alternative to hardwood, bamboo floors come in a multitude of prefinished options, both traditional and contemporary. Colors range from light to dark to keep up with the newest design trend, mixing light and dark elements.

I hope you can benefit from some of these design ideas for your Boston home's kitchen. Should you decide that renovating isn't for you and it's time to sell your Boston Home and buy new please look for a professional, someone well-versed in all aspects of the sale process. From 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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Winter Farmers Markets in Boston, MA

Farmers markets are one of the easiest places to find the tasty harvests of Boston, MA farms. You'll find a diversity of foods fresh from the fields and meet the people who grow your meal. Plus, every dollar paid directly to a local grower is a dollar reinvested into Boston, MA communities. Many of us frequent the markets during the summer months but there are plenty of options in the winter too to continue to buy locally grown food. Here are a sampling of some of the farmers markets that are open this winter in the Boston area.

Jamaica Plain/Roxbury/Egleston Farmers Market. Open Saturdays from 10am-2pm through February 22nd at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. In addition to local winter produce the market features local meat, fish, eggs, cheese, bread, and baked goods.

Dorchester/Codman Square Winter Market. Open Sundays from 12pm – 4pm through March 24th at the Codman Square Health Center in Boston. Each week features community organizations, children's activities, and special guests. Several local farms have a bounty of winter vegetables to offer along with local meat, seafood, cheese, and more.

Mahoney's Winter Market. Open Saturdays from 10am – 3pm through March 15th at Mahoney's Garden Center in Winchester. Locally-grown root vegetables, herbs, cheese, meat, seafood, and baked goods. Select jewelry and clothing from local Boston, MA vendors will also be featured weekly.

Natick Winter Farmer Market. Open Saturdays from 9am – 1pm through April 19th at the Coomon Street Church in Natick. This market features several farms, local meat and poultry, wine, seafood, coffee/tea, breads/pastries, Wicked Good Chowder, cookies, cheese, honey, and assorted pickled vegetables.

I hope you take the time to visit one or more of these markets and fill your pantry with locally grown, sustainable food. As your Boston, MA real estate agent I am always here should you have a question on a Boston, MA neighborhood such as South End, Fenway, Beacon Hill, or any other. I thoroughly enjoy getting prospective residents familiar with new neighborhoods 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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Staging your Boston, MA Home on a Budget

Are you trying to sell your Boston, MA home quickly? In some situations, staging is an option that can yield excellent results. This may seem like a daunting task, however, it is important to depersonalize your home for prospective Boston, MA homebuyers. Some professional staging companies can be costly, however there are other options for Boston, MA sellers. 
 
We've previously discussed Top Tips for Selling your Boston, MA home. So, your home is clean and you've decluttered your personal items, removed larger furniture, and you may have even put up some fresh paint. If you want to take it a step further there are some staging tips you can tackle yourself. Your goal is to create an environment where potential buyers can picture themselves living in the home and are able to view your home objectively.

In the living room create a focal point and arrange the furniture so it is positioned for conversation and entertainment. Bring some of the outdoors in with new plants or cut flowers. Bright fresh flowers will also add a pop of color. 
 
In the bedrooms make sure each is set up as such. If needed, an inflatable mattress dressed with sheets and a comforter will do in a pinch. In the master bedroom update your old boring comforter set with a new luxurious set. It doesn't need to be 'expensive', many outlets sell full sets for around $100. 
 
In the bathrooms add some decorative touches with new hand towels and a candle or two. Some dried or fresh flowers to complement the towel color will pull the room together. 
 
In the kitchen accessorize, accessorize. Since your counter-tops are nice and clutter free you have space to add a pop of color with a decorative bowl or vase well-placed. If you want to be remembered put out a colorful bowl filled with candies or prepackaged snacks, like pretzels. Some water bottles will also be appreciated. Tie the look all together with new kitchen towels in coordinating colors. 
 
If you need to move out of your Boston, MA home before it sells you can always hire a professional to fill the home with furniture, but, this comes with a hefty price tag. Empty homes are harder to sell, having furniture helps potential buyers envision the room's size and function. If you cannot afford a professional stager you can go with one of the newest trends - ‘popup furniture’. Companies like NextStage Furniture have created prop furniture made of cardboard that when assembled and covered with a slip cover resembles 'real' furniture. The cost is reasonable and might result in a higher return on your investment.
 
If you still don't know what to do about prepping your Boston, MA home to sell then talk to a professional! As a Boston, MA Real Estate Agent I am well versed in what it takes to get the job done. Please contact me and I can point you in the right direction. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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