Your Boston Retirement

Depending on your age you may not be considering your future retirement or what you can do to plan now for that future.  Sure, there are investments and such, but what about your home? How could where you live help you down the road when it is time for retirement? There is a large difference in family wealth between Boston homeowner households and Boston rental households. Most of that difference is the result of equity built up over time.  In a report recently released by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), they reveal how valuable equity can be in retirement planning.

Craig Copeland, Senior Research Associate at EBRI, recently authored a report, Importance of Individual Account Retirement Plans and Home Equity in Family Total Wealth, in which he reveals:

“Individual account retirement plan assets, plus home equity, represent almost all of what families have to use for retirement expenses outside of Social Security and traditional pensions. Those families without individual account assets typically have very low overall assets, so they have almost nothing to draw from for retirement expenses.”

So what can you do? Invest in your future with a home of your own in Boston. 

When you are ready to buy a home in Boston, contact an experienced Boston 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 Fourth of July 2017

Summer is in full swing and June is half over, now the next big summer event is the Fourth of July! Boston, MA is the perfect place for celebrating our nation and partaking in some Fourth of July festivities. If you don't have plans yet I have compiled a list of some Boston favorites for you to explore for the holiday.

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. This year's headliners along with the Orchestra is Pop sensation Andy Grammer, American folk-rock singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge and Leslie Odom, Jr., of Hamilton fame. It really can't be beat, come celebrate with Boston on the Esplanade!

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 11pm. Adults are $30, children (3-11), $18.

Boston Harborfest. A favorite yearly destination by locals and tourists, the 36^th Anniversary celebrations start June 30^th and continues through July 4^th. The festival showcases the colonial and maritime heritage of the cradle of the American Revolution: the historic city of Boston! Several activities and tours are planned daily at Boston Harborfest, including a parade on the fourth.

In addition to the festivities I have listed above, there are numerous other festivals throughout the summer. Once you buy a home in Boston 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. All 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 real estate agent, it’s my pleasure to show newcomers what a great place Boston is to settle down.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston Condo Living

Many Americans dream of one day owning their own home. Similar to the effort needed to make any dream come true, being a Boston, MA homeowner takes a lot of work. Buying a home in Boston, MA means committing to making any repairs needed along the way, complete with a commitment to maintenance and landscaping chores as needed. If these kinds of chores give you pause, why not consider living in a condominium instead? For some people, a condo purchase represents a stage prior to buying a traditional home; for others it is the best fit for their lives, especially in a city such as Boston. Here are a few benefits to condo living in Boston, MA. 
 
Be Near the “Action”. The condominium market in the United States is growing in popularity. In bustling, artistic, urban settings condo life is ideal. Living in the midst of a city gives you access to public transportation and puts you within walking distance of shopping and dining. In a city like Boston, MA this means being in the beating heart of the city’s art, music, and entertainment 24/7. Even in areas outside the center of the city, many buyers enjoy the security – matched with the elimination of maintenance and yard work – that condos offer.

Community. The sense of community one gets from condo living attracts many buyers. Since all the residents have a vested interest in keeping the building clean, safe and quiet, condos are the ideal environment for people who value an extra level of protection and community spirit.

More Organized. Another advantage to condo life that might not occur to everyone is that condos typically have less square footage than similarly priced single family homes. For many condo buyers, this means making a commitment to using space wisely. For single family homeowners, it can be easy to fill room upon room of a house with items, including many that lack even sentimental value. Soon, you’re not even able to park your car in the garage anymore. But the compact coziness of some condos makes it imperative to budget your space in your Boston, MA home. When you’re not filling up empty rooms, you are bound to live a cleaner, more organized life.

Being a homeowner is a big decision. It’s also not for everyone. If you want fewer home maintenance tasks, or if you just prefer a simpler, more organized life, perhaps condo ownership is for you. If you are still searching for that perfect Boston, MA condo, let a local expert help you out. Buying a condominium is an exciting and complex adventure. I take pride in being a local expert and would love to help you get acquainted with our city. Contact a Boston, MA real estate agent when you are ready!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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