Prepare for Closing on Your Boston Home

After spending the last several months finding the perfect Boston home and negotiating the perfect deal you may think that your work is done with your new home.  The contract is signed, the mortgage is approved, what else is there to do? The next important step: the closing! Boston home closings aren’t always smooth sailing so here are some tips for ensuring your closing goes smoothly without any hiccups.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! A week before closing make sure to talk to the people representing you. Make sure that they have all the info that they need from you. Don't worry about bothering your loan officer or Boston real estate agent to ensure everyone is on the same page. Ask whether you will need a certified check, personal check, or if they need it wired. Depending on the amount of your down-payment one of these options may be preferred.

Review the documents in advance. Another great way to be prepared for your Boston home closing is to review the documents in advance. You can ask the lender to provide them to you, most will do so automatically. By looking at the documents, you’ll be prepared with any questions you need to ask, prior to closing. Don't assume that all the information is correct either. Anticipate human error and double check everything.

Take the day off. A smooth closing may take less than 30 minutes, but, you won't know for sure until it's done. There may be delays, especially if it is the end of the month. Don't plan to do the closing during your lunch break. Take the day off to ensure you have plenty of time and are not in a rush to get back to work.

If you are still searching for that perfect Boston home, let a local expert help you out. Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you're not familiar with all aspects of the process. So, taking the time to learn about the process and your options is critical to making the best-informed choices to achieve your own Boston real estate goals.

My specialty is working closely with my clients as a consultant (not just an “agent”) to provide the information and education critical to make those informed choices—at every step throughout the process. My comprehensive, high-quality services can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful. Please feel free to contact a Boston real estate agent, I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Stress-Busters for your Boston Thanksgiving

The holiday season is officially upon us and unfortunately with the holidays can come added stress. More than 20 percent of Americans report “high levels of stress” during the holiday season. It's no wonder we feel this way with family members everywhere in your Boston home, over-night guests, and an ever-growing to-do list to manage. Keep your stress in check with some simple five-minute activities.

Brew a cup of tea. A few sips of a calming blend of tea can be the key to unwinding during the midst of craziness while preparing your 5 course Thanksgiving meal. Black tea or even green tea can help lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and can reduce heart rate and overall stress.

Count your breaths. The most effective stress reliever is a nice deep cleansing breath. When the children are running all over your Boston home and you are juggling 5 courses with your one oven it’s time to take some deep cleansing breaths to help recenter.

Find your center. Take your cleansing breaths a step further with some Zen time. A few minutes of mindful meditation will help reduce cortisol levels and give you a new perspective during a stressful situation. Need help with your meditation? Step off to a quiet space and use a guided meditation app – Headspace comes highly recommended.

Step outside. If all else fails step out into the brisk Boston air to grab a bit of sunshine or to take a breather. You'll feel much better when you return to the hectic holiday schedule.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families and that it is relatively stress-free thanks to these tips. Most of all I am thankful for my clients and future clients - please know, a Boston Real Estate agent is only a click away 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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Need to Sell Your Boston Home by the End of the Year?

We have officially rounded the corner into the holiday season with the passing of Halloween and it is nearly Thanksgiving. Do you need to sell your home asap?  Selling your Boston home before the end of the year means selling during the holidays. It can be tougher than other times but it is certainly doable and shouldn’t turn you off from having your Boston home on the real estate market now. Selling during the holidays does have one advantage – the holiday cheer and décor helps to stage your home if you are keeping it minimal and tasteful. But what else can you do? We all know of the old trick of baking cookies before a showing or an open house, but, what else can you do to freshen your home and complement the holiday season? Why not skip the chemical laden sprays and plug ins and go for something more natural?

DIY Air Freshener. You can eliminate unwanted home odors with spray air freshener and it is simple to make your own. Easy to come by ingredients such as citrus, water, baking soda, and a spray bottle are part of many of the DIY air freshener recipes on Pinterest.

Simmer Pots. Bypass baking cookies and instead put a simmer pot on the stove full of nutmeg, cinnamon, and other seasonal herbs and spices. A few minutes of simmering will have your home smelling just like the holidays!

Tea Bags. Tea bags can be used similarly to baking soda to absorb unwanted smells. A few leaves in the cat litter box or some tea bags hung in a musty closet can do wonders to freshen up your space.

Deodorize the Disposal. Drop in a few ice cubes and a cut up lemon into the disposal and give it a whirl. The lemon will sanitize, and the ice cubes help to remove any old food particles.

When you are ready to put your Boston home on the market please contact a Boston real estate agent. I’d be happy to talk you through the selling process and can help you get your home sold, even during the holiday season. I hope to hear from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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