Boston, MA – Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Winter in Boston, MA has settled in and is here to stay for several more months. While the winter season is celebrated for the holidays and cozy nights with hot chocolate curled up by the fire, this blustery season also brings along with it higher heating costs. Following these simple steps will help to ensure your Boston, MA home is as energy efficient as possible.

Turn it down. One of the most obvious ways to keep heating costs down is to turn down your thermostat, especially when you aren't home, are on vacation, or are sleeping. While sleeping or at work keep your thermostat below 65 degrees. You will actually get a better night's sleep and might even lose a little weight as your metabolism works harder to keep you warm. If you leave town for a few days you can safely set your thermostat as low as 55 degrees without your pipes freezing. You can save approximately 1 percent on your energy bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.

Vents. Make sure to keep your vents clear and if possible not blocked by furniture or rugs. This will keep your furnace from working overtime. If you must cover a vent with furniture you can buy plastic covers to help direct the air out from under the furniture. If you have rooms you don't use close the vents and shut the door, only heat the rooms you inhabit.

Fireplace. When not using your fireplace be sure to keep the damper closed. All of the heat being sucked out the damper can add up to hundreds of dollars in energy costs each winter.

Drafty Windows and Doors. You can check for drafts in your Boston, MA home by holding a candle near the frame to the door or window and watching to see if it flickers. Use rubber weatherstripping for large areas and use caulk for smaller areas to seal up any leaks. Underneath your doors a rolled up towel or draft snake will help keep the cold air outside.

Get Cozy. It's as simple as lowering the thermostat and putting on some more layers. A sweater and some cozy wool socks will keep you nice and toasty this winter season.

I hope you enjoy this winter season and can take advantage of some of these tips for your home. Should you decide you want to replace your drafty home with a more energy efficient model I'd love to help you find a new home in Boston, MA. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent when you are ready to start the process.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter

Boston, MA – Does your mortgage fit your wallet?

If you are a first-time home buyer in Boston, MA you must consider how much loan you can afford before you go shopping for that dream house. Excess debt can affect your ability to own a home or to keep a home so it's important to know what your financial “wallet” looks like. Before you go shopping for a mortgage make sure to calculate how much home you can afford.

Debt-to-Income Ratio. A good place to start is with your debt-to-income ratio. Lenders will use this ratio to see how much you qualify for. You can do a quick calculation yourself by dividing the total of your fixed expenses - such as rent, car loans, and credit cards – by your gross monthly income. This isn't a full picture but is a good starting point. Depending on if your loan is qualified or not your debt-to-income ratio will have a cap of 43%, meaning your mortgage payment can't exceed 43% of your monthly income. If you have a high level of debt you may need to reduce it before you can qualify for the mortgage you want.

What can you afford? Even if you qualify for a high-dollar mortgage you likely should not borrow the full amount. When you add in closing costs with the down payment much of your savings can be depleted. Consider taking on a smaller mortgage, therefore a smaller down payment, so you can keep some money in the bank for emergencies. A Boston, MA home affordability calculator can help you see what your mortgage and monthly expenses may look like.

Test out your mortgage in your wallet. Before taking out a mortgage and officially adding it to your wallet give it a test. Pretend to make a monthly mortgage payment by setting aside the additional amount you would pay each month. Live this way for a few months and see if it leaves you comfortable with your new spending. If the additional payment leaves you stressed or unable to live within your means than you should scale back that Boston, MA dream home.

When you are ready to purchase a home in Boston, MA look to an experienced Boston Real Estate Agent. I'm committed to providing you with the highest quality buyer service. When making the type of investment that buying a home requires, you deserve to have all the latest market information and the very best advice, both of which I can provide you with. 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 hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter

Boston, MA – New Years Day Brunch

It's not too early to start thinking about New Years Day. A time honored tradition for many is to start off the New Year with a delicious brunch to rehash last night's goings on and to help ease recovery from the New Year's Eve festivities. Boston, MA, is the perfect city with so many great restaurants to choose from for your brunch. There are plenty of options from the sweet to the savory, along with the perfect drinks to help you recuperate. Here are a few standouts from the brunch crowd, make sure to make a reservation as some restaurants fill up fast.

City Landing. In addition to their full lunch menu, City Landing has a special bacon-centric brunch, “Of Bloody and Bacon” for this years brunch. 10am - 3pm, 255 State Street, Boston, MA.

Puritan & Company. Touted as one of Boston, MA's best brunches, Puritan & Company is sure to help soothe away last night's fun. Breakfast-y goodness offered 10:30am – 2pm, 1166 Cambridge Street, Inman Square, Cambridge.

The Salty Pig. Located on the line of famous Boston neighborhoods, Back Bay and South End, The Salty Pig is a neighborhood focused restaurant specializing in house-made meats and hand selected cheeses. Cure your NYE hangover with their delectable charcuterie boards.

10:30am – 1am. 130 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA.

Looking for more options? bostonchefs.com has a complete New Years Day Boston, MA Brunch List.

I hope that your New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are memorable and that you enjoy celebrating with your friends and family. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent 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

Boston, MA – How much home can you afford?

So you recently read the news that renting is now half as affordable as buying in the US and you are looking to purchase your first home in Boston, MA. Congratulations, that is a fantastic idea! Why continue to build your landlords equity when you could start building your own? Finding the perfect Boston, MA home may be easy, but, first you need to consider how much home you can afford.

Five year plan. It's not just about how much you make, but, about what you plan to do with it. Do your best to anticipate the next five years - do you foresee any future debt due to family, car loans, or the like? All of these will raise your debt-to-income ratio. Even if you can afford that mortgage now, life events can bring that ratio up. Do your best to map out what the next five years will bring and keep an emergency fund for the unexpected.

Other costs. Home ownership isn't just as simple as paying the mortgage. Other expenses will for sure pop up in the form of repairs, general maintenance, condo fees, and furnishing your new Boston, MA home. Make sure to also consider your property tax and home insurance costs on top of closing costs.

The more thorough you are with your budgeting, the more comfortable you will be when shopping for a home. When it does come time to search for that perfect Boston, MA home, please make sure to contact a 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 hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Facebook
Twitter

Boston, MA – Holiday Events for 2014

When the holidays come around, all of Boston, MA is transformed by the season. Holiday lights, tree-lighting ceremonies, and all around holiday fun are to be found all around. Looking for something fun to do with friends and family in the upcoming weeks to celebrate the season? There are way too many to list them all, but, here is a sampling of some local favorites to help keep your days merry and bright.

Blink! Faneuil Hall Marketplace will be lit up by more than 350,000 Christmas lights. Every seven minutes the lights will blink to the tune of the Boston Pops music. Now through January 4^th.

Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy the 73^rd annual lighting of Boston, MA's official tree. Cast members from Motown the musical, The Voice contestants, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, and more will perform from 6-8pm with others, including Santa Claus. The highlight of the evening, the tree lighting, will happen around 8pm. Boston Common, Boston, December 4^th.

Bright Nights at Forest Park. Come out to New England's largest holiday lighting display. Enjoy from the comfort of your own car displays such as Seuss Land, Toy Land, and North Pole Village. Tune your radio to 98.5 FM to enjoy holiday music. Sumner Avenue, Springfield, now through January 4^th.

Santa Speedo Run. This is a great event for those with a sense of humor. The race is only a mile so very little athleticism is needed. What you must be willing to do is run in public wearing only a Speedo and a Santa hat. It does fill up quickly so register soon! Lir Tavern, Boston, MA, December 6^th.

I hope you enjoy this Boston,MA holiday season with your friends and family. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent 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