Boston, MA – Easter Brunch 2015

Easter Sunday is approaching quickly and Boston, MA has a plethora of options from casual dining to full fledged champagne brunch. Whether you are looking for a place to go after church or your annual Easter egg hunt, I've got you covered. Check out some of the options I've rounded up and make sure to book your reservation today!

Abbey Park. A special brunch buffet at Abbey Park will be available on Easter Sunday from 10am-2pm. $30 per adult; $12 per child (5-12); free for children 4 and under. 617-696-8700

Aka Bistro. Celebrate in style at Aka Bistro in Lincoln for a prix fixe spring-inspired brunch menu. From 11am-3pm. $39 per person. 781-259-0020

Beacon Hill Bistro. A three-course prix fixe brunch at Beacon Hill Bistro is perfect for families and friends alike. Available from 10am-4pm, $39 per person. 617-723-7575

Beat Brasserie. Try something different this year at Beat Brasserie in Harvard Square. There will be Easter-themed special menus for both lunch and dinner and of course there will be live music! Brunch is 9:30am-3:30pm and Dinner is 5pm – 10pm. 617-499-0001

Ten Tables. Located in both Jamaica Plain and Cambridge, Ten Tables, will open up for a special Easter treat with their famed farm-to-table cuisine. A rare treat! Serving 10am-3pm. 617-576-5444

My friends over at Gayot.com have several more options for Easter Sunday Brunch in Boston, MA if you want to see the full list of what Boston restaurants have to offer. 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. I can't wait to hear from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – How to Save on Closing Costs

If you have decided to finally buy your first Boston, MA home, you likely are funneling away your savings in hopes of having enough of a down payment. But, don’t forget about the last round of expenses in your home purchase – the closing costs. Closing costs typically amount to 3% to 6% of the purchase price. With closing costs increasing last year a typical $200,000 loan has an average of $2,539 in closing costs, according to Bankrate.com. While some closing costs are negotiable, not all are. Check your lender’s good-faith estimate for an itemized list of fees. You can comparison shop with other lenders, if necessary, to lower your costs. Here are some added ways to avoid excess expenses at the closing table.

Loyalty Programs. Some banks will offer their customers help with closing costs, if they use the bank to finance their purchase. 
 
Close at the end of the month. One of the simplest ways to reduce closing costs is to schedule it at the end of the month. When you close at the end of the month you only have to pay interest for the remaining days in the month. 
 
Have the seller help. Some loans will allow sellers to contribute up to 6% of the sale price to the buyer as a closing cost credit. It’s worth a try to see if your seller will contribute in order to seal the deal.

Wrap the closing costs into the loan. You will likely get charged a bit by your lender to do so, but, it is possible to wrap your closing costs into your loan. It is a way to get the house with less cash upfront, should you not have enough of a down payment. 
 
Military or Union? Military members have closing-cost benefits that are often overlooked. Many unions also offer discounts or rebates so it is work looking into, if you are a member. 
 
As an experienced professional who has helped many Boston, MA residents buy their first homes, I am here should you have a question on the mortgage or buying process.
So whenever you’re ready to buy a home in Boston, MA, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I hope to earn your business!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Buy a Home this Spring!

Warmer weather is on it's way and spring is just around the corner. Spring is well-known as one of the busiest times in the Boston, MA real estate market. If you are you planning to buy a home in Boston, MA this spring, you are not alone. Over the next month, the Boston home inventory will soar and you'll have a whole new crop of homes to consider. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or if it’s been a while since you’ve gone through the home buying process, it’s important to know that there are a few items you should start thinking about right away. Here are three tips to ensure you are ready to jump into the spring Boston real estate market.

Be prepared with a down payment. It’s generally recommended to put 20 percent down when you buy a home. However, this amount can vary depending on the type of mortgage you’ll be applying for. For those seeking a traditional mortgage, it’s important to note that you’ll have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you don’t come up with a 20 percent down payment.

Check your credit score. It’s important to know your credit standing before applying for a mortgage. Your credit score will not only determine if you qualify for a home loan, it can also affect the interest rate you receive. You can check your credit score for free once per year with TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Be sure to examine each report thoroughly to make sure you have time to clear up any errors before it's time to buy.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. In a competitive real estate market, home sellers favor buyers who have been pre-approved for a mortgage. Though the terms are commonly used interchangeably, pre-approval differs from pre-qualification in that pre-approval actually includes having your financial information run through the underwriting process. This will give you a pretty accurate picture of how much you can expect to borrow from your lender and therefore how much home you can afford.

Buying a home in Boston, MA is one of the most exciting milestones you’ll reach during your lifetime. Before you start scouring the Internet in search of your new pad, be sure to keep in mind the three important items above. And when you are ready please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – St. Patrick's Day 2015

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and here in Boston, MA it's kind of a big deal. There are plenty of options for Irish fare and drinks for the upcoming holiday. Here's a round up of of some of the favorites here in our great city of Boston, MA. Enjoy a pot of stew and some Guinness, too!

Harpoon Brewery. Join in on the fun at Harpoon Brewery for their 2015 St. Patrick's Festival. Plenty of local vendors will have delicious food and of course there will be Harpoon beer! This weekend, March 6th & 7th, 306 Northern Ave., Boston.

The Beehive. Feel the luck of the Irish at the 8^th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration on Wednesday, March 11th at The Beehive. Live music from Cat & The Moon will provide the backdrop to the festivities from 7:30-11pm. Dinner service till midnight and features a menu full of Irish flair. 541 Tremont St., Boston.

The Harp. The Harp will have plenty of traditional Irish fare plus some new twists on Irish classics. Hear live music from Black Rose who are from Dublin, Ireland. Stop by at 85 Causeway St., Boston.

McGreevey's. The self proclaimed headquarters of the Dropkick Murphys, you will have plenty of chances to see the band during the multiple day celebration at House of Blues this year. Make sure to check out McGreevy's pre and post concert series. Opening at 9am on St. Patrick's Day at 911 Boylston St., Boston.

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! 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. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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