Boston Home – Tax Breaks for 2015

So you missed out on the Boston Real Estate market last year. That's OK – you haven't missed the boat yet on low mortgage rates. In many ways, 2015 is a great time to buy a Boston home, not the least of which is for certain tax breaks. If you buy a home in Boston in 2015, here are three significant tax benefits you may qualify for.

Points. Deductible points are a standard tax break, but, 2015 might be a good year to buy them. Interest rates are at all-time lows and we are foreseeing the inevitable increase. Points are considered a form of interest and are tax-deductible in the same year as long as you meet a few standard requirements. Even if buying points doesn't drop your monthly payments by much, you can still get a sizable tax break. Talk to your loan officer and accountant to see how it affects your individual circumstances.

Energy Credits. If you buy a home in Boston in 2015 you may want to outfit it with some energy-saving systems. You can write off 30% of the cost as part of the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit.

Bye Bye Renting. Renting in Boston is only getting more expensive and you also don't get many tax breaks. But, home buyers certainly do benefit from several tax breaks. Stop the cycle of building your landlord's equity and start building your own.

When you are ready to purchase your own Boston home look to an expert, contact a 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 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 – Tips for Pet Owners

Are you searching for your perfect Boston home to call your own? If you are a pet owner you need to also consider their needs with any pending home purchase. Ensuring whether local ordinances and your Boston neighborhood's environment will welcome pets will affect how your beloved furry friends acclimate to your new home. Here are some tips to help ensure your future Boston home and neighborhood are pet-friendly.

Check local requirements. Familiarize yourself with city and county ordinances that are in place for health and safety reasons – such as leash laws. Many Boston communities are also striving to create and maintain pet-friendly parks. Boston.com has a list of pet-friendly parks and trails around Boston, MA.

HOA rules. Be sure to check with any HOA or condo board rules and regulations for pets. Many allow pets but may have a weight limit so it's best to check before you even view the Boston home in person.

Home layout. Consider the layout of your potential home inside and out. Will your pet have enough yard or living space to live and play in without difficulty? Examine the outside of the home, if there is yard space is it enough for your pet, is it fenced in? If there isn't a yard, are the parkways grass near your home so you have plenty of space for your animal to tend to his daily needs and exercise?

If a pet is a central part of your life you will find personal enjoyment in your future Boston home only if it accommodates the needs of your pet. When you are ready to purchase a home in Boston 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 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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Boston, MA – Best Valentine's Chocolates

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 your chocolate cravings!

Gourmet Boutique. Located in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, Gourmet Boutique was voted as the 2014 winner for best chocolatier. Their wares are not limited to chocolate and offer an exquisite line of specialty foods flown in from all over the world. 10 Huntington Avenue, Back Bay Boston, MA.

Taza Chocolate. Founded in 2006, Taza Chocolate offers traditional chocolate manufactured in a socially responsible way. Join Taza Chocolate on Valentine's Day for an afternoon of free samples, pampering, and hot chocolate. Free to attend, but, make sure to RSVP. 561 Windsor Street, Union Square Somerville, MA.

LA Burdick. World renowned LA Burdick offers gourmet chocolates, crafted by hand in the Swiss tradition. With several Valentine's Day themed gifts you will find the perfect gift for your sweetheart. 52 Brattle Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 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 a Boston, MA real estate agent.

Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all of the city's vibrant neighborhoods! As a Boston, MA real estate agent, my services extend beyond helping Boston, MA homebuyers and sellers through their transactions. I thoroughly enjoy getting prospective residents familiar with their surroundings and exposing them to the best of everything our wonderful city has to offer.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Selling your Boston home with Kids

Selling your home while you are still living in it isn't easy, but, selling your Boston home when you still live in it and have kids is definitely harder. It may not be easy, but, you can still make sure you get great offers on your Boston home when selling with kids. To get the most offers you'll need to present your home as a blank canvas anyone could love and not just a home fit for a family with kids. Here is how to pull that off.

Stage. While its certainly possible that some buyers will have children of their own, buyers who don't will have a hard time picturing themselves in a house full of children's belongings. To appeal to the widest range of buyers possible you'll need to minimize your children's presence throughout the house: put toys in toy boxes or out of sight, remove their art work from the walls and refrigerators, and remember to check hiding places such as under the bed for stray toys.

Bye Bye Playroom. Most buyers look for a multi-purpose room they can tailor to fit their own lifestyle. If you have a room currently configured as a play room be sure to stage that area before you start showing the home. Remove the toys and play sets and use common use furniture like a sofa or small desk instead.

Prep Bedrooms. The staging continues in the kids rooms where you will need to repaint the walls in a neutral color, store away the stuffed animals and toys in the closet, and remove any kid décor touches such as themed light switches.

What about the Kids? To make this transition easier on your kids, let them pick out their favorite toys and belongings and store these items in an easily accessible box you can take out after every showing. Hopefully this will keep them comfortable during this unsettled period.

If you’re planning to sell your Boston home, I’d be happy to help! Please contact a Boston real estate agent to find out how to start the selling process. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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