Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Boston Valentine’s Day 2019


Valentine's Day is just around the corner! If you are looking to buy your sweetheart some chocolate they will truly appreciate, make sure to get the good stuff. And local is always better! Try some of these local chocolates, prepared right here in Boston, MA. Help support your community and chocolate cravings!

Phillips Candy House. Founded in 1925, Phillips Candy House is the oldest chocolatier in Boston, MA. Several delicious confections including truffles, fudge, and turtles are offered daily. Available online and in retail stores in Boston and Quincy.

Beacon Hill Chocolates. They are well known for their unique keepsake boxes, inspired by “rare lithographs, old postcards, photographs, and illustrations”, but the chocolate is really the star. Beacon Hill Chocolates source and import Artisan chocolates from around the world. Experience traditional and innovative chocolate making techniques. 91 Charles Street, Boston, MA

L.A. Burdick Chocolates. Making chocolates since 1987, L.A. Burdick Chocolates has plenty of choices for this Valentine’s Day. Boston’s shop is stocked with a complete array of fine gourmet chocolates. The CafĂ© has a full line of drinks and pastries to enjoy inside or to take home and share. 220 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones. Hopefully one of these chocolates will make your sweetheart smile. If you are traveling into Boston, MA to celebrate and are interested learning more about what this great city has to offer please contact a Boston real estate agent.

Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all the city's vibrant neighborhoods! As a Boston 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.

Please contact me when you decide to start your home search.


Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

Connect with me:

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Are You Ready to Buy a Home in Boston?


The real estate market comes and goes each year and every expert has an opinion. Should you buy now, or wait until Spring? Winter typically isn’t the busiest time for Boston Real Estate but don’t let that keep you from buying now.  In Boston, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive Boston real estate marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.

Even if you are not in an incredibly competitive market, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether your dream home is within your reach. Freddie Mac lays out the advantages of pre-approval in the ‘My Home’ section of their website:

“It’s highly recommended that you work with your lender to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting. Pre-approval will tell you how much home you can afford and can help you move faster, and with greater confidence, in competitive markets.”

Freddie Mac describes the ‘4 Cs’ that help determine the amount you will be qualified to borrow:
  1. Capacity: Your current and future ability to make your payments
  2. Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings, and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash
  3. Collateral: The home, or type of home, that you would like to purchase
  4. Credit: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time
Getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and it often helps speed up the process once your offer has been accepted. In this market you want the best advantage you can get.

The bottom line: Contrary to popular belief, Winter 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

Connect with me:


Wednesday, January 16, 2019

What to Do This Winter in Boston, MA


Winter has just gotten started here in Boston, MA and there will be plenty of days where the weather has left you wondering what to do with your weekend. Luckily our fine city has plenty offer, bad weather or not.  Check out the list below for some ideas.

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/snowy day? Yes, you’ve guessed it. That day is here! It’s time to bust out the toolbox and make progress on those annoying 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 this spring.

Sledding. Winter has just begun and there is still plenty of snow in our future. One of the best hills to hit is Flagstaff Hill in Boston Common. It offers plenty of space and is centrally located for you to get to without digging out your car. One of the most popular spots in Brookline is at Larz Anderson Park – it's hills of all sizes and inclines will delight all ages.

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 winter. 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

Connect with me: