Real Estate Information Archive

How do you know when it’s time to move into a smaller home? Some people do so for retirement, or when children leave the nest. If you’re thinking of downsizing your Boston area home, here are some questions that you can ask yourself to help determine if purchasing a smaller home is the right move:

Will I miss having more space? – Some people like having a large space to call their own, while others relish being able to spend less time cleaning the house and doing yardwork. If you’re in the latter group, a downsized home is right for you.

Can I downsize without consequences? – Nowadays, it’s common for grown children to want to come back home after college. If you want to provide a potential landing pad just in case, you may want to make sure that your retirement home has at least one extra bedroom as a fallback for family members.

Have I considered the hidden costs? – It’s important to remember that everything nowadays has hidden costs. Consider the fact that moving will cost you. You may also need to purchase new furniture to suit your smaller place, and rent a storage unit for the things that you can no longer store in your home. On the whole, however, living in a smaller home will likely save you money in the long term – and that’s what is most important.

If you have considered these questions and are ready to talk to the Massachusetts real estate experts about moving into a smaller home, just call Greater Boston Realty at 617-469-4040. We have helped many people in the Boston area downsize, and we can help you find a home that fits your needs.

People looking to sell their homes often ask what small changes they can make to increase their property value. There are many ways to do so, including old standards like adding a fresh coat of paint and improving the front-facing landscaping. Another great way to increase your home’s value may surprise you – add some elements of home automation.
It seems that everything is getting “smarter” these days, and homes are no exception. Everything has wi-fi, including thermostats, light bulbs, garage doors - even refrigerators! Nowadays, home buyers are more tech-savvy, and they’re looking for homes that are connected to the Internet of Things. If you’re looking to make some upgrades to your home prior to listing it, consider adding a smart thermostat, a wi-fi or Bluetooth door lock, or controllable window shades.
When potential buyers see these technological upgrades, it will differentiate your property from your competition and may even help to sell your home faster. As shown by an article at curbed.com, more than eighty percent of millennials are willing to pay more for a home that has these advanced tech features, and having them pre-installed is always an added bonus in a buyer’s eyes. Your real estate agent will know how to best show off these home automation features’ added benefits, including convenience, safety, energy efficiency, and more.
For additional tips and tricks on how to increase the value of a home in Boston, call Greater Boston Realty at 617-469-4040. We can help find the right buyer for your property, and ensure that your home sells for top dollar.
~~The Benefits of Home Automation
People looking to sell their homes often ask what small changes they can make to increase their property value. There are many ways to do so, including old standards like adding a fresh coat of paint and improving the front-facing landscaping. Another great way to increase your home’s value may surprise you – add some elements of home automation.
It seems that everything is getting “smarter” these days, and homes are no exception. Everything has wi-fi, including thermostats, light bulbs, garage doors - even refrigerators! Nowadays, home buyers are more tech-savvy, and they’re looking for homes that are connected to the Internet of Things. If you’re looking to make some upgrades to your home prior to listing it, consider adding a smart thermostat, a wi-fi or Bluetooth door lock, or controllable window shades.
When potential buyers see these technological upgrades, it will differentiate your property from your competition and may even help to sell your home faster. As shown by an article at curbed.com, more than eighty percent of millennials are willing to pay more for a home that has these advanced tech features, and having them pre-installed is always an added bonus in a buyer’s eyes. Your real estate agent will know how to best show off these home automation features’ added benefits, including convenience, safety, energy efficiency, and more.
For additional tips and tricks on how to increase the value of a home in Boston, call Greater Boston Realty at 617-469-4040. We can help find the right buyer for your property, and ensure that your home sells for top dollar.
 

Whether you’re just thinking about purchasing a new home, or you’re well into the process, you’re probably touring many houses in nearby neighborhoods, including Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. The next time you see a home, make sure that you keep an eye out for these three positive signs:

• Level flooring is key when determining if the home’s foundation is problem free, so check floors for cracks. Also make sure that the home’s windows and doors are square, as this is another indicator of foundation issues.
• Here at Greater Boston Realty, we want to make sure that you purchase a home that has been taken care of properly. When you’re touring a home, look for signs of prompt maintenance, including fresh paint. If a homeowner has taken care of these simple fixes, they have probably kept the home’s other maintenance tasks up to date also.
• In Massachusetts, our harsh winters make plumbing issues commonplace. When touring a home, make sure that there are no signs of water damage or burst pipes. If you don’t see any water stains on the walls or ceilings, this is an indication that the home hasn’t had plumbing is-sues, or that they have been properly addressed.

If you’re looking for more advice on buying a home in Boston, look no further than the real estate experts at Greater Boston Realty. Call 617-469-4040 to make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable experts today – we want to hear what you’re looking for, and find the home that’s perfect for you.

The Greater Boston area is a wonderful place to live, so it comes as no surprise that the area is experiencing population growth year after year. Current residents are sticking around, and new Boston residents need places to live, so it’s logical that this increase in demand for homes is causing real estate prices to rise.

In fact, house prices in Greater Boston have been rising steadily over the last five years, with prices currently over 10% higher than they were at this point in 2016. And the trend is predicted to continue into 2018 – prices are still trending upward, with an expected climb of an additional 4-6% in the upcoming year. With listing prices currently high and getting higher in the Boston area, now is the perfect time to talk to a real estate professional about buying or selling a home. Here in West Roxbury, home prices are averaging right around $550k, and is expected to rise at a similar pace to the rest of the Boston Metro area.

And if you’re looking to buy or sell a home in the Boston area, make sure that you contact Greater Boston Realty at 617-469-4040. If you’re buying, one of our experienced real estate agents will listen to your needs and can show you homes in the area that will be perfect for your lifestyle. For sellers, we will put our marketing skills to work making sure to get top dollar for your home in this seller’s market. Don’t wait any longer to take advantage of the rising home prices – contact us today to schedule an appointment.

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall down the road, while others are convinced that home prices will go up.

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have fluctuated, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, a one point rise in interest rates could cost tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates while they are still available.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.