Your Boston Home Open House

Have you recently put your Boston home on the market? Have you hosted an open house with not so good results or maybe you are planning on hosting your first open house soon? We've previously covered the importance of home staging for your Boston home's open house. I have some additional tips for what not to have at your open house. Make sure to banish these from your home for the best results on your Boston home open house.

• Poorly maintained exterior: Address all outdoor issues such as weeds, peeling paint, or or a unsightly door. You don’t want to give the wrong idea by showing your home exterior is neglected, they will assume the inside is too.
• Odors: You may not notice the litter box, cigarette smoke or food smells in your home, but, a potential buyer will. Neutralize odors as best as possible with a professional deep-cleaning and deodorizing.
• Pets: You may love your pets, but, not everyone feels that way. Keep the pets and all evidence of them out of your home for your Boston home open house.
• Valuables: Remove anything you don’t want broken or possibly stolen. This includes prescription drugs, bills/personal documents, jewelry, and any firearms.
• You: Homeowners and their family and friends should never be present during an open house. The buyers need to visualize the home as their own so give them the space to do so and leave the open house to your Boston, MA Real Estate agent.

If you still don't know what to do about prepping your Boston 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 a Boston, MA Real Estate agent 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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Boston, MA – Apple Picking

It may not be summer anymore, but, we sure do have some enjoyable weather this time of year, here in Boston, MA. As we settle into a gorgeous autumn, a local Bostonian favorite is to visit the nearby farms and to share in the local bounty along with some fun on the side. Apple picking is a great way to visit a farm, get some local produce, and have a great time. It's not just about apples either, many have pumpkin patches, other fresh produce and baked goods, and some have farm animals. Apple picking is a great way to support your local farms. Below are some of the best the Boston, MA area has to offer.

Tougas Family Farm

Tougas Family Farm is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Current selection includes McIntosh, Gala, Fuji, Cortland, and Ginger Gold. In addition to the picking there are also hay rides and pumpkin picking. Farm animals, fresh baked goods, and apple cider donuts complete the fun! Located at 234 Ball St., Northboro, MA.

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, 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.

Nashoba Valley Winery and Orchard

Nashoba Valley Winery has fun for the whole family with both local produce and apple picking, a restaurant, and of course, wine. Currently available for picking are Pioneer Macs, Nashoba Macs, Liberty, and Gala. Open daily at 9:30 am for picking and 10 am for the winery. Located at 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Boston, MA.

There are several pick-your-own farms in the Boston, MA area, for fresh produce year long, not just during apple picking season. I hope you enjoy this beautiful autumn season and are able to get out and support some of these local farms. Please know, a Boston Real Estate agent is only a click away 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

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Your Boston Home – Win the Bidding War

The Boston real estate market is back in full swing! If you are anxiously waiting to find the perfect Boston home and to make an offer you may soon find yourself in the middle of a bidding war. To compete in a bidding war, Boston home-buyers need to prepare financially for the home purchase, know the property values in their target neighborhood, and know exactly what they want. Most importantly, you need to be ready to act right away, if that perfect Boston home comes on the market. Here are some tips to increase your chances of making the winning offer in a bidding war for the Boston home of your dreams.

Get everything financial all in order. Don't wait till you are already looking to start talking to a mortgage lender. Know who you will use, what you can afford, what rates you can get, and get that signed pre-approval letter before seriously looking at homes. If you are a cash buyer have it ready to move and the paperwork to prove it.

Make a fast, personalized offer. Have your Boston Real Estate agent tour you through homes the day they come on the market. With this strategy, you may be first in line for offers. Your agent can also work with the other agent to see what is motivating the sellers. Maybe it is all about the numbers, or maybe flexibility is more important to them, such as a quick closing or rent-back options. Making it as easy as possible on the sellers could make your offer chosen above the others.

Be ready to act quick. Be ready to move, not only on that offer, but, to also have your inspector on alert and ready to view the home as soon as the sellers allow. Quickness also applies to contingencies. Most certainly do not add any contingencies about needing to sell your home first if you expect a bidding war. A stronger offer would also not include home inspection, financing or appraisal contingencies, but, understandably these contingencies do protect buyers and it is hard to give up that protection.

And above all, make sure you are working with a qualified professional! A Boston Real Estate agent who has the experience to help you compose the perfect offer to get that Boston home of your dreams! Please contact a Boston Real Estate agent when you are ready, I cannot wait to earn your business!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Affordable Fall Fun

September is now here and we've sadly reached the end of summer. Luckily, before the cold of winter hits us, we have Boston, MA's best season coming up – fall! If you are saving up to buy a home in Boston, MA you may have tightened the reins on your budget. Here's a list of fall fun that won't break the bank.

Fall Foliage. Soon the changing leaves will be all around us. One of the best spots to enjoy the changing colors is at Harvard's Arboretum. Best of all, it's free!

Jazz Fest. At the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Fest much of the entertainment is free. Three stages of live music, arts, crafts, and a family park are free for all ages! Coming up soon, Saturday, September 27^th.

Grab a Pastry. Grab a pastry and a warm drink to help keep the chill of fall away. Boston, MA features plenty of bakeries and cafes, but, a favorite is the Flour Bakery and Cafe. Try the sticky-bun, you won't regret it!

Beer. There are a few breweries in town, most famous being Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain. Take a free tour Monday through Saturday. If you aren't a fan of Sam Adams try Harpoon Brewery for a tour and beer tastings. The tour is $5 and tastings are free. Harpoon also hosts a yearly Octoberfest with beer, food, and music.

Go for a Bike Ride. Work off some of that beer and pastry and take in the sights of Boston, MA from your bike. Take the scenic route along the Charles River and Esplanade or get your blood pumping with a solo ride around the city.

I hope you enjoy this fine fall season as much as I do. If you are looking to buy a home in Boston, MA, please give a Boston real estate agent a call. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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