Your Boston Home – Close on Time

So you’ve found the perfect Boston home and the only thing left for you to do is to wait for closing. Closing dates are made in good faith, but, sometimes closing dates can get moved for one reason or another. Once you have a closing date set, here are four steps you can take to ensure the process doesn’t get delayed.

Have your agent watch for problems. Once a property is under contract, your Boston, MA buyer’s agent should check in with all parties at least twice per week, if not more. Because a good agent has completed so many transactions, they know to be on the lookout for any surprises or changes.

Keep lenders in the loop. Make sure to check with your lender regularly. Banks require so much paperwork and sometimes need the same information over and over. If your mortgage professional asks for follow-up documentation, get it to them right away. If one document is missing, it can hold up the closing.

Beware last-minute seller surprises. Sellers can sometimes cause bumps in the road by not being able to move out in time, or failing to make the agreed-on fixes. If the seller agrees to make repairs prior to closing, put a deadline on those repairs. No matter how big or small the fix, you don’t want to show up at the walk-through to see the seller doing the work. Ask for the work to be completed a week before the closing, and put it in writing.

Keep your finances stable. Boston, MA homebuyers obtaining financing should not make any major changes before closing. The littlest change can affect your ability to close. If you purchase a car or apply for a new credit card between the time you sign a contract and close, that debt will affect your loan. If you change jobs, you could lose the loan or delay your purchase.

Nine times out of ten, closing delays can be avoided by planning. If you are in the market to buy a home in Boston, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent, I know exactly what to do to keep your closing date on time and running smoothly.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Your Boston Home – Improve it, in a Day!

Summer is in full swing and whether you plan on selling your Boston home this fall or you just want to improve your home, now is the perfect time! Take advantage of the long summer nights to get some home improvement done around your Boston home. Does the thought of DIY home improvement scare you? Here are a few easy projects that you can easily complete in a day!

Switch the hardware. Sometimes it’s best to begin with the front of the house rather than what’s inside, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Changing the front doorknob and lock is a quick update that only takes a few minutes and can complement the style of the house. 
 
Brighten the lights. Another quick, simple way to brighten your home is by changing the lights in the front or outside your entryway. Feel free to purchase new ones, or better yet, clean and re-paint the ones you already have. 
 
Paint a piece of furniture. A fresh coat of paint can make old furniture feel new. Anything from bookcases to shelves to nightstands is an easy project, and if you mess up, so what? Just paint it again. 
 
Install a fan. Installing a fan doesn’t take more than a few hours and is an inexpensive way to add interest to a room. Just remember to keep it simple and not too trendy.

Change the cabinet hardware. Changing the cabinet hardware can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your kitchen. Popular choices are nickle or brushed stainless steel.

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 – Summer 2015 Fun

I cannot believe that we are already half way through summer! Luckily, there is still plenty of time left for summer fun here in Boston, MA! Whether you want some live music, good food, or a parade, Boston, MA and the surrounding area has you covered - all summer long. Get out there and enjoy the last half of summer while you still can!

Newport Jazz Festival. The Newport Jazz Festival has 40 performances by established and emerging jazz artists, out in Newport, RI. July 31^st – August 2^nd at Fort Adams State Park.

Italian Feast. At Fisherman's Feast, enjoy Italian food, music, and culture on the streets of the North End, August 13^th – 16^th.

Brew at the Zoo. On August 15^th from 3:30-7:30pm, Franklin Park Zoo will have a fundraiser featuring beer from dozens of breweries, local restaurant food, live music, and of course live animals!

Provincetown Carnival. Plan a short trip away in Provincetown for the week-long LGBTQ Provincetown Carnival. Several events and parties, including the famous parade! August 15^th – 21^st.

Summer Arts Weekend. This free Summer Arts Weekend features a dynamic variety of musical artists from across the classical, jazz, blues, folk, and Americana worlds as well as a number of new arts, food and cultural programs. July 25^th – 26^th.

I hope you enjoy the last half of summer here in Boston, MA, I know I will! As your 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 thoroughly enjoy getting prospective residents familiar with new neighborhoods 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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Buying your Boston Home – Contingency Clauses

Wondering what a contingency clause is? Think of a contingency clause as insurance. Once you find a home and make an offer, you hope everything will go smoothly; but in case it doesn’t, you have a contingency clause in place that allows you to back out of the contract without losing money.
Most agreements already have a few key contingency clauses in place to protect against the bigger things—such as a lower appraisal than expected for your Boston home—but there are contingencies that go beyond the norm. If you’re about to make an offer, consider all of your options.
Some contingency clauses are common when making an offer, such as:

• Home inspection: This gives the Boston home buyer the right to order a professional home inspection and back out of the sale if major unreported damage is found.
• Appraisal: The buyer won’t be obligated to buy the home if the appraisal value is lower than the asking price.
• Mortgage availability: This gives the buyer time to find financing for the home. If the buyer can’t find financing, either party can cancel the deal.
  

You don’t have to stick with the standard contingency clauses. Depending on your situation, it may make sense to add additional clauses to the agreement. Some examples of atypical clauses are:

• Selling your current home: If you’re trying to sell your home before you buy another one, you may want to put a selling contingency in place. If you’re unable to sell your current home within a certain time frame, this contingency allows you to cancel your offer.
• Moving furniture early: With this contingency, you and the seller agree to allow you to move personal property in (or move in entirely) earlier than the seller anticipated. You may have to agree to pay the seller rent if you move in before closing, but it will spare you from putting your belongings in storage and finding temporary lodging.
  

A basic offer won’t automatically contain any contingency clauses. While many Boston, MA real estate agents include some standard clauses in every offer, you should work with your agent to make sure you’re including contingencies for everything specific to your circumstances. Once you’ve submitted the offer, keep in mind that the seller may submit a counteroffer with his or her own contingency clauses as well.
As a Boston real estate agent, I can help walk you through your offer and any contingencies to ensure you are covered with your Boston home purchase. Please contact Boston real estate agent when you decide to start your home search. Should you have a question on a Boston, MA neighborhood such as South End, Fenway, Beacon Hill, I'd be happy to help!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Fourth of July 2015

June is officially over and this weekend is already the Fourth of July! If you don't plan on attending Boston HarborFest 2015 there are some other Boston, MA Fourth of July events that you can check out! I have compiled a list of some Boston favorites for you to explore.

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. If anyone knows how to do fireworks right, it's Boston, MA! The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a two day celebration on July 3^rd and 4^th featuring musical performance on both days plus the spectacular fireworks show on July 4^th. It really can't be beat, come celebrate with Boston on the Esplanade! If you aren't up for the crowds, Boston.com has a list of secret spots around town to catch the fireworks.

Celebrate at the Museum of Science. The Museum of Science has a fantastic view of the Charles River making it the place to celebrate Fourth of July. A full evening of fun science activities, family entertainment, a live broadcast from the Esplanade, and much more! The festivities start at 5:30 and conclude at 11:30pm. Adults are $28, children (3-11), $17.

In addition to the festivities I have listed above, there are numerous other festivals throughout the summer. Once you buy a home in Boston, MA and get acquainted with your neighborhood, you’ll find all of the hidden gems that the locals rave about and return to year after year.

Summer is a fantastic time to buy a home in Boston, MA. All of your new neighbors come out of hibernation and are outdoors, making it easy to develop new friendships. If you’d like a personal guide to help show you around the city, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent, it’s my pleasure to show newcomers what a great place Boston, MA is to settle down.

I look forward to hearing from you when the time is right!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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