Boston, MA – Buy a Home Now?

Just as we expected, 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for real estate in Boston, MA. If you have been casually browsing the online listings and aren’t quite sure if you should jump in, NOW is a great time! There is no shortage of homes in Boston, MA so don’t hesitate.

Experts previously stated that rates were expected to go up gradually over the course of 2016. Those higher rates push up borrowing costs and monthly mortgage payments for Boston, MA homebuyers. However, shaky economic news and a volatile stock market have actually caused rates to stay low and are currently at 3.72%.

Mortgage experts have weighed in and agree – rates will likely increase later in 2016. The only thing we know for sure is that, according to Freddie Mac, recent rates are the best they have been since last April.

Bottom Line

If you are thinking of buying your first home or moving up to your ultimate dream home, now is a great time to get a sensational rate on your mortgage and therefore reduce your borrowing costs and monthly mortgage payments.

There are so many incredible benefits of homeownership, both financially and personally. If you are considering buying a home in Boston, MA, but aren’t sure if homeownership is for you, let me fill you in on all the financial perks to owning! Contact a Boston, MA real estate agent today!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Homes are Selling Fast!

The spring market is in full effect and that means that Boston, MA real estate is hot right now! According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report, existing sales kicked off 2016 on solid footing, rising slightly to the strongest pace since July 2015. Properties typically stayed on the market for 64 days in January, below the average of 69 days in January 2015.

Buyer demand remains strong. The inventory of homes available in Boston, MA for sale remains low. I recently shared that home equity gains in Boston, MA are up, as well as across the country. With so many more homeowners right side up in their mortgages we can predict tremendous growth in the market in 2016. Now is the time to take advantage of this growth! As an experienced real estate agent I can do a comparative market analysis to show you what I think your home is worth in this market. There is no better time than the present to become active in the Boston, MA real estate market! 
 
When you are ready to sell your Boston, MA home, contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am committed to providing you with the highest quality service. 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 – St. Patrick's Day Eats

Are you ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, it's just around the corner! There are plenty of options for Irish fare and drinks in Boston, MA for the upcoming holiday. Here is a round up of of some of the favorite places to grab a St. Patrick's Day bite in our great city of Boston, MA. Enjoy a pot of stew and some Guinness, too!

The Beehive. The Beehive will not only have Irish favorites for sampling but will feature Irish singer Katie McD and special guests. Enjoy Irish tunes while sipping your favorite Irish beer. Starting at 8pm, 541 Tremont St., Boston.

Doyle's Cafe. It's not just about the food at Doyle's Cafe. There is live Irish music all day, every day. It's the quintessential Boston Irish Bar. 3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain.

The Harp. The Harp will have plenty of traditional Irish fare plus some new twists on Irish classics. Stop by at 85 Causeway St., Boston for some Irish music by The Back Rose Band.

McGreevey's. The self proclaimed headquarters of the Dropkick Murphys, you will have plenty of chances to see the band during the multiple day celebration at McGreevey's, 3/16 – 3/20. Opening at 9am on St. Patrick's Day at 911 Boylston St., Boston.

If you are traveling into Boston, MA to celebrate and are interested learning more about what this great city has to offer please contact me.

Without the guidance of a local expert, it can be tricky to cover all of the city's vibrant neighborhoods! As a 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 a Boston, MA real estate agent when you decide to start your home search.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Should You Buy a Home Now?

If you are thinking about buying a home in Boston, MA you are likely getting a lot of advice from all sorts of sources. Although your friends and family have your best interest at heart they may not be fully aware of the current Boston, MA real estate market or your exact real estate needs. You may wonder if now is a good time to buy. Answering these three questions will help you determine if now is a good time for you to buy a home, or not.

1. Why am I buying a home? Finding your motivation for buying a home is essential. More times than not it isn’t actually about money and instead non-financial reasons. Being able to answer this question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.
2. Where are home values going? Home values are projected to increase over the next 12 months. So what does that mean to you? If you wait a year the Boston, MA homes you are interested in now will have grown in price and therefore your future down payment will need to be higher, assuming you do not want to raise your monthly costs.
3. Where are mortgage interest rates going? Just as important as the price of your home is the percentage of interest you will pay for the life of your mortgage – for the next 15 – 30 years. Even a small increase in interest rates can add a significant long term cost to your home, over the course of the loan.
   

The bottom line is only you and your family will know for certain if now is the right time for you to buy a home. If you decide now is the time and are looking to enter the Boston, MA real estate market in 2016, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Do You Need a Realtor?

Buying or selling a home can be quite an adventure. Whether you are in the market to sell your Boston, MA home or you are wanting to buy a home in Boston, MA you will benefit from the help of a real estate professional. Think you can go it alone? Think again. Here are some considerations.

Paperwork. What to do with all of this paperwork? Buying and selling a home requires stacks and stacks of paperwork and the rules and regulations seem to be constantly changing. A Boston, MA real estate agent can guide you through these piles of paperwork to help you make your dream a reality. 
 
What happens next? So you found your dream home, what happens next? Let an expert guide you through each step as they have been there before, many times. 
 
Negotiation. Let a proven expert negotiate on your behalf. Not only do you have the buyer, who wants the best deal possible, you also have to consider the appraiser. I’ve discussed before how an appraisal can derail your Boston, MA home sale. Let me navigate those tricky waters for you. 
 
How is the market? Even if you pride yourself on keeping up with the real estate market trends there is no substitute for an expert. An expert in the area will know exactly how to price your home to sell for top dollar and quickly. A real estate agent will also know where to start with putting in an offer on your Boston, MA dream home. Hiring a real estate agent with their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying or selling experience an educated one. 
 
As a Boston, MA real estate agent I am well versed in what it takes to get the job done. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent when you are ready to start the buying or selling process. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Prepare for Spring

February is here and before we know it spring will be here too. Along with the spring weather also comes the spring market – easily the busiest time of year in Boston, MA real estate. If you are looking to sell your Boston, MA home this spring, now is the time to start preparation. There is of course plenty to do to stage your home on the inside, but, don’t forget about the outside. Here is a list of several projects you can get started on soon.

Deck maintenance. Give your deck a face-lift by cleaning and re-staining it. An oxygen-bleach wood cleaner does the job well and won’t harm your plants around the deck. After a good rinse and dry it’s ready to stain. We all know curb appeal is important and that goes for the back of the house too so don’t neglect your deck. 
 
Paint patio furniture. Soon it will be warm enough for outdoor living and we want to remind your possible Boston, MA homebuyers of the possibilities of outdoor living for your home. Clean and arrange your furniture and re-paint any metal lawn furniture that needs it. 
 
Shampoo the rugs and curtains. Every home deserves a good spring cleaning, especially if you have your home on the real estate market. Now is a great time to either have the pro’s tackle the job or rent a DIY carpet cleaner to do the job yourself.

If you are looking to Boston, MA real estate market this spring, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA - Tax Deductions

It’s that time of year again – tax season is here. If you sold your Boston, MA home in 2015 then you have some tax deductions owed to you from the IRS. It does involve you itemizing your taxes, but, it is worth your while to get the benefits. Here are a few tax deductions to speak to your tax expert about.

Selling Costs. There is an exclusion on any taxes on your Boston, MA home sale profit if the profit is less than $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 if filling a joint return with your spouse. If you happen to not qualify for that exclusion you will need to pay taxes on any profit so make sure you deduct all your selling costs from your gain such as commission, legal fees, escrow fees, and more. 
 
Moving Deduction. If you sold your Boston, MA home because you are relocating for work you may be able to deduct some of your moving expenses such as transportation, storage, and lodging.

Home Improvements. If you made any improvements to your home that helped you sell your home, such as fixing a leaking roof, you may be able to deduct these costs. The improvements need to be made within 90 days of the closing to be considered selling costs. 
 
There are other home sale deductions possible and it would be best to check with your tax expert to confirm as deductions can vary from state to state. If you haven’t sold your Boston, MA home but are preparing to do so in 2016, contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you sell your Boston, MA home!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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