Your Boston Home – Get it Sold!

When a home lingers on the market too long the home may be perceived by buyers as flawed or overpriced. If you tried to sell your Boston home last season and it just sat on the market you may need to take a different approach the next time around. Starting over fresh as a “new” listing on the market, along with some other key changes, may be just what you need to get your Boston home sold. 
 
Photos are crucial. Professional photos are a must for any home listing, not just the higher bracket. Prior to the photos being taken make sure you de-personalize and de-clutter, and stage your home to look like a blank slate for the photos and the soon to be flood of prospective buyers viewing your home. 
 
Pricing. It may be time to reevaluate the price that you previously listed your home. It may be that times have changed and due to recent sales your price just isn’t current anymore. You may also want to get strategic about your pricing to make sure your home is seen by as many as possible. For example, instead of pricing at $755,000 price your home at $749,900 to ensure you are catching prospective buyers with property search parameters below $750,000.

Whether it’s staging, new photos, or a new price, avoiding the dreaded rep of a lingering listing is something every seller must consider. If you’re planning to sell your Boston home, I’d be happy to help! Please contact a real estate agent to sell your Boston home. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to earn your business! 
 

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Mother's Day 2015

If you are one of the lucky ones, you have a special person in your life to whom you’d like to show your appreciation on Mother’s Day. Whether this individual is your biological mother, adoptive mother, aunt, stepmother, grandmother, or a close friend, there are so many ways to show her you care this weekend. While a card and bouquet of flowers is a nice gesture, consider switching up your traditional Mother’s Day routine in favor of one of these thoughtful ideas - sure to make your Mother's Day in Boston, MA truly memorable.

The Best View in Town. If your mother is visiting Boston, MA from out of town, a dining experience at Top of the Hub is a fantastic way to give her a bird’s eye view of the beautiful skyline. The executive chef and his staff have prepared special Mother’s Day brunch and dinner menus that will be served from 11:00am-3:00pm and 3:30pm-9:00pm, respectively. Both menus include four-course prix-fixe menus that look absolutely delicious. Call Top of the Hub to make a reservation at 617-536-1775.

Take a Boat Cruise. For a unique view of the city, take your mother on a cruise through the Boston Harbor aboard the Boston Odyssey. Mom will receive a flower on board and the entire family will enjoy themselves at the two brunches or the dinner buffet. Planned activities will keep the kids busy as adults sip a glass of champagne or a mimosa and listen to a live band set against the Boston skyline. Call Odyssey Cruises to make a reservation at 866-307-2469, make sure to take advantage of the online coupon mentioned on Boston Odyssey's website..

Shop till you Drop. Our hectic lives can sometimes make it difficult to spend quality downtime with our loved ones. Take mom to Newbury Street this weekend for a day of shopping, pampering, and dining. This impressive eight-block promenade is lined with broad sidewalks and countless boutiques, salons, coffee shops and restaurants. Check out the history of Newbury Street before you go for an entirely new perspective on your favorite shopping district.

Hopefully this brief Mother’s Day guide gave you a few unique ideas for how to spend your weekend with the special woman in your life, here in Boston, MA. If you are visiting us from out of town, please feel free to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent if you have any questions about living in Boston or about the buying or selling processes!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Ideas for a Rainy Spring Day

Spring has finally sprung here in Boston, MA and we are seeing some warmer temps. But, with the lovely spring weather comes rain, unfortunately. There are several rainy days predicted over the next few weeks. Just because the weather is dreary doesn’t mean your day has to be a wash. It’s time for Plan B! There are plenty of fun things to do indoors all over the city. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or are just visiting to begin your Boston, MA home search, here are my suggestions for rainy day fun.

Visit a museum in Boston. Boston is home to dozens of museums that cater to all interests and age groups. The Boston Children’s Museum and New England Aquarium are perfect for family outings, while the Museum of Science and Museum of Fine Arts are both wonderful educational experiences for a more mature crowd.

Tackle a DIY project at home. You know that list of to-do’s you’ve been saving for a rainy day? Yes, you’ve guessed it. That day is here! It’s time to bust out the toolbox and make progress on those pesky home repairs before they worsen and end up costing you more than you bargained for. This is even more imperative if you’re planning to sell your home in Boston, MA.

Bowling and burgers at Kings. You’ll forget all about the rain and thunder outside when you’re dominating the lanes at one of Boston’s bowling alleys. Kings in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood boasts 16 lanes, three premium bars and a full service restaurant serving up American favorites and comfort food.

Whether your goal is to be productive, have fun, or put the finishing touches on your Boston, MA home, you’re bound to stay busy this rainy spring. Alternatively, if you’ve been thinking about selling your home in Boston, MA and are ready to take the next step, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. Through years of experience, I have perfected my home selling strategy and would love to help you get top dollar for your property. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – April Vacation Week 2015

Even though the weather would state otherwise, spring is here and that means April Vacation Week for the Boston, MA schools is coming up. Staying home this year, and not sure what to do with the kids that week? Boston, MA and the surrounding communities have several things going on to keep you and the kids entertained that week.

9^th Annual Cambridge Science Festival. Join scientists, engineers and more at the Cambridge Science Festival, a celebration showcasing fun and interactive science, technology, and more! Friday, April 17^th – Sunday, April 26^th. Free

Battle of Lexington: Patriot's Day Reenactment. Watch as history unfolds the story of our nation's fight for freedom in Lexington at the Patriot's Day Reenactment! All day long events will be held after the reenactment. Monday, April 20^th. Free

The Children's Museum in Easton. The Children's Museum in Easton will be open with a special activity all week – Mini Maker Week! Join them to create and build Monday, April 20^th – Friday, April 24^th. Regular admission pricing.

Mary Baker Eddy Library. The Mary Baker Eddy Library in Back Bay will open it's doors with a free program and admission to the exhibits for visitors under 17 from Tuesday, April 21^st – Friday, April 24^th. Free

I hope you and the kids enjoy the time off this April and enjoy one or more of the week's activities. BostonCentral.com has listed many more activities for you to check out as well so make sure to stop by their site for more fun ideas. If you are traveling into Boston, MA for spring break 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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Your Boston Home – Offer Accepted, Now What?

Congratulations! You have been searching for the perfect Boston home, you found it, AND after several rounds of negotiation, your offer was accepted by the homeowners. It feels great to have your offer accepted, but, this is just the beginning. There is still a lot more to be done before you are over the front threshold. Here is a rundown of what happens next.

Apply for a loan. Unless you are paying in cash, you’ll need to apply for a mortgage loan. Good for you if you are already pre-approved, now is the time to inform your lender so they can finalize the application. If you aren’t pre-approved, meet with several lenders to compare their loan options. 
 
Appraisal and inspection. The next step is getting your home appraised and inspected. The lender provides the appraisal which in turn gives a detailed report on the value of the home. If the appraised value is less than the purchase price you will need to further negotiate on the home price or make a greater down payment. The home inspection is ordered by you and lets you know of any issues with the home. It isn’t required but you should absolutely get one, even if you are not getting a loan. Make sure to go over the report in detail to make sure you are aware of any problems and the severity. If needed, your attorney and your Boston real estate agent will help you negotiate further, should you find major issues with the home.

Get your funds ready. Make sure the funds needed for closing and any reserves are accessible. If you need to pull from an investment do so right away and keep the paperwork for the transaction. 
 
Find homeowners insurance. You will likely need to pay for your homeowners insurance upfront, before closing. Shop around at different companies for the best rate – make sure you check with your auto insurance provider as they may offer discounts. 
 
Final walk-through. You will be allowed to do a final walk-through of the new home 48 hours before closing. This final walk-through allows you to check the final condition of the home to ensure there were no changes since you signed the contract. Make sure to check thoroughly as any issues are yours after closing. 
 
Closing. The closing date is the day you sign the mortgage documents and officially gain ownership of the property. Check with your lender as to what documents/IDs you will need and how they would like the down payment, generally its in the form of a cashier’s check. 
 
When you are ready to buy your Boston home contact a 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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