Boston, MA – Home Equity Up For Boston Homeowners

As we finish out 2015, the Boston, MA real estate market has something to cheer about. There has been steady growth in your home's equity, according to new data from the Federal Reserve. Home equity is the difference between the market resale value of your Boston, MA home and the mortgage debt you have against it.

Between the third quarter of 2014 and the same period in 2015, American's home-equity holdings grew by nearly $1.3 trillion, due mainly to rising home prices. Boston, MA shared in this wealth and has seen tremendous growth over the last year.

This growth has helped many homeowners crawl out from being underwater on their home. Underwater means you are upside down – with mortgage balances that exceed your property value. As more homeowners come out of upside down mortgages this brings more good news to the Boston, MA real estate market. Why? Because negative equity stops up the housing system and the economy as a whole. Read more at The Washington Post, with any luck 2016 will be just as fruitful for Boston, MA homeowners.

If you are looking to enter the Boston, MA real estate market in 2016, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – New Years Day Brunch

A time honored tradition for many is to start off the New Year in Boston, MA with a delicious brunch to rehash last night's goings on and to help ease recovery from the New Years Eve festivities. Boston, MA is a great foodie town for this tradition with so many great restaurants to choose from. 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 bunch.

Bostonia. Bring on the new year with Bostonia's Brunch. Their extensive Bloody Mary bar will help you recover from last night's fun and the food is great too. Brunch from 10am – 3pm, 131 State Street, Boston. 617-948-9800

Cafe Fleuri. Located in The Langham, Cafe Fleuri's New Year's Eve Recovery Brunch is just what the doctor ordered. An extensive menu featuring traditional breakfast items, carving and pasta stations. $91 for adults and $45 for children 5-12. 11:30am – 2pm, 250 Franklin Street, Boston. 617-451-1900

The Butcher Shop. Don't plan on being up in time for breakfast? No problem, the late brunch at The Butcher Shop is just what you need, serving from noon – 4:30pm. Offering both breakfast and lunch type items all taste buds will be satisfied. 552 Tremont Street, Boston. 617-423-4800

Looking for more options? Eater Boston has a map of all the Boston, MA brunch spots.

I hope that your New Years Eve and New Years Day are memorable and that you enjoy celebrating with your friends and family. If you have any Boston, MA real estate needs, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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4 Reasons to Buy a Home in Boston, MA in 2016

The real estate market comes and goes each year, but, 2016 is looking to be a banner year for buying real estate in Boston, MA. Even though mortgage rates are set to go up soon, you still haven’t missed your chance on a deal of a house. Per the experts at CNN Money, several factors are coming together to make 2016 a great year to buy a home in Boston, MA.

Prices slowing down. Real estate values have been on the rise but they will slow down in 2016 leaving you the perfect time to jump into the real estate market.

More options. The slowdown in home prices is predicted to prompt more owners to list their homes in 2016, giving you more options to buy a home in Boston, MA.

Mortgage rate changes. The time of the super cheap mortgage is on it’s way out. Rates are expected to go up gradually but you should be able to take advantage of the best rates you will see, possibly in your lifetime, through most of 2016.

Rent prices still going up. The new year will bring with it a continuation of climbing rent prices. Why deal with the stress of raising rent while you pay your landlord’s mortgage? Start building your own equity in your own home. In many cases, buying is the smartest choice in Boston, MA.

If you are looking to enter the Boston, MA real estate market in 2016, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Sell Your Boston Home During the Holidays

‘Tis the season for pulling out the holiday gear and decking out your Boston home in your best and brightest holiday décor. But, what if your Boston home is on the real estate market? Should you decorate? I previously talked about how to freshen your Boston home for a holiday sale, but, what else can you do during this holiday season? Luckily, experts agree that you do not have to completely avoid holiday décor. Curb appeal and first impressions are important for a house sale, any time of the year. If you keep the decorations tasteful, your home could actually show better during the holidays. Here are some ways to enhance your home this holiday season.

Lights. Christmas lights are okay as long as you keep it minimal and many agree that white shows best. Also, ensure your entryway is well-lit and inviting for potential homebuyers. Adding seasonal globes or LED candles can create a warm, welcoming glow.

Less is More. Similar to when you are selling outside of the holiday season, less is more. Make sure to keep the decorations to a minimum and keep it classy. This year would be the year to skip the Santa inflatable or others strewn about the lawn. You don’t want to distract the buyer from the features of your Boston home. The same goes for inside, keep the decorations inside to a minimum.

Create a vignette. Create eye-pleasing holiday vignettes throughout your home. You can also create an attractive scene outside your front door to spruce up your curb appeal.
When you are ready to put your Boston home on the real estate market please contact a Boston real estate agent. I’d be happy to talk you through the selling process and can help you get your home sold, even during the holiday season.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Free Holiday Fun

When December rolls 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? Even better, looking for something FREE to do to celebrate the season? Here is a sampling of some local free 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. Daily at 4:30, now through the holidays, Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy the 74^th annual lighting of Boston, MA's official tree. The tree has been donated by the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be there to hand it off to Mayor Walsh. There will also be a free skating spectacular ice show at the Frog Pond. Boston Common, Boston, 5-8pm on December 3^rd.

Christmas Craft Fair at Old South Church. This craft fair will feature knits, candles, jewelry and more. Get plenty of shopping done at the Christmas Craft Fair, this Saturday, December 5^th, 9am-3pm. 645 Boylston Street, Boston.

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! Whiskey's, 885 Boylston Street, Boston. December 12^th, 10am-1:30pm.

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

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Boston, MA – Tips for your Retirement

Are you retired or soon to be retired and wondering if your retirement savings is going to last? Even if you are lucky enough to have a comfortable retirement nest egg you may worry it might not last you the next 30 or so years of retirement. It only takes one financial disaster or medical crisis to devastate your life savings. Don't worry though, Ive researched several tips to help keep your Boston, MA retirement and home protected and hopefully help it to grow along the way.

Rainy Day Fund. Some retirement planners say retirees should have from six months to a year of living expenses outside of your regular retirement account. This will give you a safety net and keep you from drawing from longer-term investment savings. Having this rainy day fund completely insulated from the stock market will help ensure it's longevity, no matter what the market may bring. Make sure your rainy day fund is not completely in cash though as there is no return after taxes and inflation on cash.

Plan for Healthcare. Even if you are relatively healthy you need to plan for possibilities of catastrophic illness. If you are still working and planning to retire soon, make sure to take advantage of any health savings account. It's completely tax free – it goes in tax free, grows that way, AND is tax free when you withdraw.

Downsize Your Home. Reduce your living expenses and possibly gain enough from your current home sale to add to your savings by selling your Boston, MA home and buying a smaller, more manageable home.

As a Boston, MA real estate agent, my services extend well beyond helping buyers and sellers through their transactions, I can also help connect you with a investment professional who can help you implement some of these above tips for your retirement. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent if you are planning to downsize your Boston, MA home. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving 2015 is Thursday, November 26^th and it is just right around the corner. Boston, MA's many neighborhoods are not short on restaurants with menus ranging from traditional to innovative. Seeing as many families have a long standing tradition of eating out on this holiday, be sure you make your Thanksgiving reservations early, should you plan to dine out. Typically most Thanksgiving menus are prix-fixe, but, some do offer lavish Thanksgiving buffets. BostonChefs.com has a round up of Boston, MA restaurants that are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, here is a list of some of the favorites:

BHHB. Join BHHB for a feast on Charles Street at the Beacon Hill Bistro. The multi-course menu will balance holiday traditions with their French bistro-leanings. 25 Charles Street, Boston, MA.

Clio. Head over to Clio on Commonwealth Ave for the prix fixe menu featuring free range turkey and pumpkin pavolva. 370-A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA.

Davio's. The Davio's Chestnut Hill team is offering a Thanksgiving dinner with an Italian steakhouse twist. Join them for the regular menu plus some classic holiday dishes. 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA.

If you are visiting us in hopes of buying a home in Boston, MA, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent after your holiday. 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 this area 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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Prep Your Boston Home to Sell

Are you in the market to sell your Boston home? One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a seller is listing your Boston home on the real estate market without preparing it first. One way to see what your home needs is to walk through it as a potential buyer. Make note of what stands out to you and repair or replace those items. Here is a list of several things you should think of before you put that “For Sale” sign out front.
Clean. And clean some more. Make sure you clean everything. Don’t forget over looked areas such as fan blades, windows, and polishing the appliances. If you aren’t the best at housekeeping hire a service to do a deep clean for you.

Repaint. As much as you may love the custom colors you picked out for your rooms, your buyers likely will not. Repaint your rooms in neutral tones such as grays, tans, and whites. This will allow the buyers to focus on the space and not the color on the walls. It doesn’t hurt to touch up the trim with fresh white too.

Declutter and depersonalize. Clear out all clutter so that the buyers can focus on your space and not the messes. Remove anything that detracts from your home’s positive features. Make sure to remove any personal items such as the copious family photos or kids’ artwork.

Nature. Bring some of the outside in with some potted plants or flowers in a vase. It’s a great way to add some décor that is neutral to everyone’s tastes. 
 
Organize. Tackle each closet in your home and remove 1/3 or more of the items in it and organize the rest. You can store the unused items until you are ready to move. Your closets will look larger and more attractive to your Boston home buyers. 
 
Honey-do list. Now is the time to fix all those little things you’ve been meaning to do but never got around to. Buyers will notice any minor flaws and it will detract from the value of your home.

Call a real estate agent. Once you’ve tackled all the prep work for listing your Boston home for sale, contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I can be your second set of eyes to walk through your home as a buyer and as a professional and will recommend anything else that you may need to do to your home to boost your sale. I hope to hear from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Freshen Your Boston Home for a Holiday Sale

We have officially rounded the corner into the holiday season with the passing of Halloween. Selling your Boston home during the holidays can be tougher than other times but it is certainly doable and shouldn’t turn you off from having your Boston home on the real estate market. We all know of the old trick of baking cookies before a showing or an open house, but, what else can you do to freshen your home and complement the holiday season? Why not skip the chemical laden sprays and plug ins and go for something more natural.

DIY Air Freshener. You can eliminate unwanted home odors with spray air freshener and it is simple to make your own. Easy to come by ingredients such as citrus, water, baking soda, and a spray bottle are part of many of the DIY air freshener recipes on Pinterest.

Simmer Pots. Bypass baking cookies and instead put a simmer pot on the stove full of nutmeg, cinnamon, and other seasonal herbs and spices. A few minutes of simmering will have your home smelling just like the holidays!

Tea Bags. Tea bags can be used similarly to baking soda to absorb unwanted smells. A few leaves in the cat litter box or some tea bags hung in a musty closet can do wonders to freshen up your space.

Deodorize the Disposal. Drop in a few ice cubes and a cut up lemon into the disposal and give it a whirl. The lemon will sanitize and the ice cubes help to remove any old food particles.

When you are ready to put your Boston home on the market please contact a Boston real estate agent. I’d be happy to talk you through the selling process and can help you get your home sold, even during the holiday season. I hope to hear from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Tips for Moving

Congratulations, you are moving into your new Boston, MA home soon! Whether you just sold your Boston, MA home or you are a first time homebuyer, now is the time to get busy and get your life packed up and ready to go. Many experts recommend de-cluttering your home before packing and that certainly is sound advice. But, as far as the specifics of moving, have you wondered how the moving experts handle it? Here are some do’s and don’ts shared by a moving expert on realtor.com.

DO plan as far in advance as you can. Generally a month ahead should give you plenty of time.

Unless you have a very large home and no friends/family to help DON’T hire professional movers. Of course, if you do not want to do the manual labor, professional movers are a great advantage and there is no shortage of reputable moving companies in Boston, MA.

DO leave boxes open for as long as possible. This makes for easier grouping of alike items and saves you from extra boxes in the future for remaining items.

DO use paper towels for padding around plates and other fragile items instead of newspaper. They are inexpensive, clean, and you can re-use them for cleaning your new Boston, MA home.

DON’T pack exclusively in boxes. Soft items like blankets, pillows, and clothes can be put in garbage bags. They are easy to carry and may help serve as padding between delicate items in the truck.

If you are still trying to find the perfect Boston, MA home this fall, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Should You Buy in Fall?

The real estate market comes and goes with the seasons and each season has it’s benefits for buying or selling real estate in Boston, MA. If you are in the market for buying a home in Boston, MA, fall can be a great time to buy. Here are some reasons why fall may be your best bet for finding your dream home at the best price.

Motivated Sellers. Many home-sellers would like to sell before the end of the year for tax purposes. Buyers may find homeowners looking to make a deal so that they can close by December 31^st.

The Holidays. The holidays are approaching and the last thing a homeowners wants is to deal with a home sale during the holidays. If a home has not sold by Thanksgiving, there is a good chance they may be motivated to be done and could cut you a deal.

Leftover Inventory. When home sellers first list their house, they may price it too high to start, hoping to make more money off their home. As the home sits and more price reductions ensue, you may come across desperate sellers who may have their home now priced below market. A good Boston, MA real estate agent can help you spot these deals.


Less Competition. Families that wanted to be in a new home by the beginning of school are no longer shopping at this point. The lessened competition means more opportunities for Boston, MA homebuyers.

If you are still trying to find the perfect Boston, MA home this fall, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Halloween Fun

One the best times of year for a kid (of any age!) is coming up soon – Halloween! Kids enjoy dressing up as their favorite princesses, super heros, monsters, and more and of course - collecting all of the candy! Halloween doesn't have to be all about trick-or-treating though, there are several fun Halloween-themed events in Boston, MA and the surrounding area. Here are a few of the highlights for this year.

Pumpkin Patches. Kids of all ages will love going to the farm to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy some fall fun. The Boston, MA area has several farms with all sorts of activities from rides, farm animals, pick your own, and hay rides. Turn your pumpkin hunt into a full day pumpkin patch trip around Boston, MA.

Boo at the Zoo. Stone Zoo invites families for a weekend of Halloween-themed activities including crafts, scavenger hunts, mazes, and costume contests. October 17-18^th, Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. At the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, visitors experience the glow of thousands of pumpkins and feast their eyes on hundreds of artfully carved jack-o-lanterns. It's like strolling through an outdoor art gallery, with pumpkins as the medium. Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI, now - November 1, 2015

If you're visiting us in hopes of buying a home in Boston, MA, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent between your Halloween fun. Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all of the city's vibrant neighborhoods! 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, MA 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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Boston, MA – Questions for Homebuyers

As I discussed last month, fall is a fantastic time to buy a home in Boston, MA! With home sellers feeling less of a crunch with the start of school behind them you have plenty of time to find the perfect Boston, MA home for you. There is more to just finding the house that has the right number of rooms and a style that you like. You need to make sure the home fits in with your lifestyle needs, it’s in your price range, and that down the road it will resell for a good amount.
Here are five questions that Realtor Magazine recommends every buyer consider, which I fully agree with:

1. How’s the noise? The home might look great, but is it on a flight path? Near tracks or a busy road? By a hospital with ambulances or fire trucks roaring by? Loud neighbors? You might want to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and see what the surrounding environment is like.
   
2. Are there easements or encroachments on the property? An easement would allow others to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose, so as the homeowner of that property, you’d definitely want to know that before buying!
   
3. Is the house up to code? If the current home sellers did some major renovation projects on the house before listing, and didn’t get a permit first, there might be fines that you’ll then be responsible for.
   
4. What are the districts? If you have kids, you’ll definitely want to check the school ratings, but even if you don’t have kids, the school system could affect the value of your home.
   
5. What are the local rules? Homeowner association and co-op rules vary, so you’ll want to find out what those are before moving in. Also, if you are relocating to the Boston, MA area, check the city and county rules, to see what you’re allowed and not allowed to do as homeowner.
   

Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent before you start shopping for your perfect Boston, MA home. I can help you find answers and save you time. Just don’t go rushing into a closing without really knowing what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll be happy you took the time to find these answers in the long run!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Your Boston Home – Save on Energy Costs

The average Boston, MA household spends $2,200 annually on energy bills. Whether you’d like to save on your current home or if you are looking to buy a new Boston home, everyone can benefit from being more energy-efficient. It will not only save you some money but also help reduce your carbon footprint. Luckily you don’t need to get fancy to starting saving money and energy. There are some simple hacks that could help you start saving energy right away.

Energy audit. Many utility companies will offer this service for free. They perform a check up of your home to determine where you may be losing energy.

Check for gaps. Caulk and update weatherstripping around windows and doors to ensure that no air is getting in (or out). Heavy drapes can also help, especially if you do not have double pane windows.

New appliances. New appliances will not only upgrade the value of your Boston home, it will also allow you to get Energy Star certified models which are held to higher standards of energy efficiency.

Clean vents. Clean HVAC vents and ducts regularly and replace the filters to allow your HVAC to run at its peak performance.

Turn down the water heater. The factory setting on most water heaters is 140 degree Fahrenheit which is way too hot. Turning it down to 120 degrees helps conserve energy and also will keep you from scalding your skin.

I hope that these energy-efficient tips will help you save some money on your monthly expenses! If you are currently renting but looking to purchase your dream home contact a Boston real estate agent. I am committed to providing you with the highest quality buyer service. I am always here should you have a question on a Boston 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

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Your Boston Home – Fix Your Credit First

The process of buying your Boston home starts long before you start searching the internet for the perfect home. One of the first steps is to organize your finances and understand your credit. Because of recent stricter rules governing mortgage applications, having good credit has become a crucial factor in purchasing a home. If you happen to need to improve your score, or you are wanting to keep the good score you have, follow these steps to strengthen and solidify your credit score, before you start scouring the internet for your dream Boston home.

Get your credit report. If you don’t already have a credit report in hand then get one now. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once a year so make sure to take advantage.

Fix any mistakes. If you have any errors or inaccuracies on your credit report you need to start that process now to fix them as it could take several months or more. There are step-by-step guides on the major credit bureau websites, follow the guide and keep a good record of your dispute.

Stay current. Never miss a payment, ever! Even one missed payment will affect your credit score negatively. Paying on time will help increase your score over time and keep it in a steady upward climb.

Low balances. Keep your balances low and if possible less than 50% of the limit on your revolving credit. Paying more than the minimum each month also helps build better credit, even if you are paying just a bit more than the minimum.

Keep your old car. When in the market to purchase a new Boston home, it is best to avoid any big changes to your finances. That means no big purchases like new cars.

When you are ready to start searching for your home, contact an experienced Boston, MA real estate agent. I am 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 hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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