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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Boston, MA – Fall Apple Picking

It may not be officially summer anymore, but, we sure do have some enjoyable weather this time of year, here in Boston, MA. The temps this week are still very summer-like! As we settle into a gorgeous autumn, a local Bostonian favorite is to visit the nearby farms and to share in the local bounty along with some fun on the side. Apple picking is a great way to visit a farm, get some local produce, and have a great time. It's not just about apples either, many have pumpkin patches, other fresh produce and baked goods, and some have farm animals. Apple picking is a great way to support your local farms. Below are some of the best the Boston, MA area has to offer.

Brooksby Farm. The Brooksby Farm is open daily from 9am-6pm, through October 18^th.

McIntosh and Cortland are ripe for the picking. In addition to the picking there are also birthday parties, a pumpkin patch, and various fall activities. Located at 54 Felton St., Peabody, MA.

Belkin Lookout Farm. Established in 1651, Belkin Family Lookout Farm, is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the United States. Located less than 20 miles from Boston, MA it is on 180 acres. Join in on the fun with a train ride, Children's Play Area, and farm animals. Gold Supreme apples, Macintosh apples, Gala apples, Honey Crisp apples, Shinseiki Asian pears, peaches and plums are currently ripe for the picking. In the store you can also take your pick of a selection of fruits and vegetables from the garden. Open daily from 10am-5pm at 89 Pleasant Street South, Natick, MA.

Nashoba Valley Winery and Orchard. Nashoba Valley Winery has fun for the whole family with both local produce and apple picking, a restaurant, and of course, wine. Currently available for picking are Macintosh, Gala, Gravenstein, and Honey Crisp apples. Open daily at 11 am for picking and 11 am for the winery. Located at 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton, MA.

There are several pick-your-own farms in the Boston, MA area, for fresh produce year long, not just during apple picking season. I hope you enjoy this beautiful autumn season and are able to get out and support some of these local farms. 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 – Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

Mark your calendars for later this month for the annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. Jazz and music lovers will unite for the biggest block party, taking place Saturday, September 26^th, from noon to 6pm on Columbus Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Burke Street in Boston, MA's South End. This year's theme is Jazz: The Voice of the People, featuring talented alumni artists and Grammy Award-winning musicians. The jazz festival is a perfect way to spend a long afternoon enjoying Boston, MA's late-September sunshine.

For fourteen years the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival has delighted concert-goers with a bevy of jazz, Latin, blues and groove acts. The Boston, MA community comes out to enjoy the music on three stages, the awesome food, good times, and to share in the joy of great live music. The littlest concert-goers are also included with several kids activities at the The Family Park, including face painting, an instrument petting zoo, and KidsJam, led by Berklee's Education department.

Some of the featured performers this year are Ann Hampton Callaway, Christian Scott, Felix Peikli and the Royal Flush Quintet, Cali O'Doherty, Ledisi, and much more! Come out and celebrate Boston's diversity through music, food, and more!

If you're visiting us in hopes of buying a home in Boston, MA, please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent during your stay. 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 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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Buy a Boston Home in September

Wow, is it back to school time already? With summer sputtering to a close, parents aren’t the only ones who should be celebrating. Would-be home buyers, rejoice! If you are looking for a deal on the right Boston home, now is your time. Maybe you thought spring and summer were the prime time for buying. Truth is, the end of summer has some distinct advantages for home buyers who aren’t tied to the academic calendar.

So, with the kiddos back in school, you might be able to swoop in and score a deal. Here are four ways to make it happen.

Get started. NOW. It’s okay if you have been procrastinating this summer on your Boston home search. The time for home buying is now, so don’t delay and get to work. With fewer buyers looking there is less competition so you may see some decent price reductions around this time.

Negotiate, but, stay flexible. After the start of school some sellers may be up for more negotiation than usual on contracts. It is possible to gain contributions to closing costs or an allowance to upgrade the home, such as a carpet allowance or appliance upgrade. Remember to stay flexible though and don’t lose a deal just because of wanting extras.

Take your time. In recent years, home buyers have increasingly dealt with Boston home bidding wars, and low inventory. Many homebuyers felt rushed to make an offer on a home because it may be gone soon. With the back to school rush over you can take your time to find the perfect home for you and not settle on a not-right home.

Research comps. Be on the lookout for price drops, and make sure you study up on comps (the prices paid for comparable homes in the neighborhood). You don’t want to get stuck paying too much because a seller is still trying to capitalize on the summer buying fervor.

The bottom line: Contrary to popular belief, September is a great time to buy a Boston home. If you are searching for the perfect Boston home, let a local expert help you out. Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. I take pride in being a local expert and would love to show you around our fine city. Contact a Boston, MA real estate agent to get the buying process underway!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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