Boston Real Estate Observer

Examples of How to De-clutter Your Home

2012-05-08T17:35:11Z

Any family that lives in a particular house for a particular period of time will realize how easy it is to end up with a messy house. Other than all the things that have to be organized and all the things that are probably strewn around your floor, chances are you have even more things stuffed in your cupboards waiting to be fixed. Although this is may be a typical way of life for you, it doesn’t do much if you are trying to sell your Golden Gate Estates house (one of the markets I serve) or if you are planning to have guests over.

Although it may seem like a huge task and it is, de-cluttering your house can be relatively easy if you know how to do it right. Although there are a lot of tasks that you can do, there are three ways in which you can definitely make some headway when trying to de-clutter. Make sure you take note of them and use them well.

Segregate your home into segments – Every area in the home has its own set of typical clutter. Regardless of whether you live in a one bedroom apartment or you live in a studio apartment, you should make sure to segregate every area in your home for the clutter. For example, you can segregate by rooms or you can segregate even further by area. If you have a particularly large living room for example, you can segregate it by mantle, television area and so on. If not you can segregate by living room, dining room and so on. Segregating your home will make it easier to sort as you progress with de-cluttering. Make sure any items you find that don’t belong in one area are moved to another.
Create a checklist of thing to throw away, give away or keep – Once you have segregated your home, you can create a list of items which you need as well as items that you don’t. Having a checklist will remind you of the things which you will need to throw away or set aside. In addition, writing them down will ensure that you remember whether or not you have completed the task you are planning to do with the item concerned. This is essential for the next step.
Carry a set of two containers – Once you have created your checklist move around your home with three containers corresponding to the things to throw away and give away on your checklist of items. Place all the things to throw away or give in each container. This is psychological too because it prevents you from seeing items which you might be attached to but shouldn’t be keeping. This way you can forget that you are giving them away. Once you are done with your clearing you can give yourself a little treat by taking one item out of the giveaway pile.

De-cluttering your house isn’t just an art, it is also a skill. The more often you do it, the more you will find that you are on top of the amount of mess you are making. Remember, in order to keep your house uncluttered, every time you buy something you should get rid of something to ensure your things don’t pile up. As you progress, you will also find that it will get easier and easier and will eventually become a habit.

Searching for Property Online

2012-05-08T17:29:37Z

Compared to ten years ago, it is definitely easier now to search for a property online. Whether you want to find a commercial or residential place to rent or own, there are already thousands of websites to check and find the best one that will suit your requirements. You can even redefine your search based on the exact location where you need one. There are many search engines that can help you find one. And should you know the company which you want to work with in getting you the property you like, you can easily find information online about them if they have a website and check for yourself the services they offer. These companies can offer local and even international assistance in searching for different properties. And there are also various governing bodies who can give you access to records online for various properties which may be for sale or for rent in different locations. You can double check for the real owners of the properties that you are interested in. You can even verify the validity of the information you get from various brokers or agents.

For instance, you can check Naples properties (the market I serve) that you are interested in complete with pictures, maps and other pertinent details online. In fact, you can compare prices of properties in one location as well. You have more options to choose from and compare with your physical and financial requirements. You can get a better idea as well regarding its community and the type of people who can be your possible customer or neighbour. The pictures can help you assess the property right away without having to go on a tripping and check them yourself. You can also locate them on a map online. You can see right away the closest landmarks and establishments which may be important to you for business or residential purposes. In the same way, you can check through pictures alone if it is in fact your dream business establishment or dream house. You do not need to spend on fuel and get there yourself. You save on money, time and effort and still get the same results.

And finally, you can also get all the information you need about the agent and brokers of such properties. You can deal with them online and discuss all your requirements which have to be met to finally close the deal. You can also have copies of property titles or deed of sale scanned and emailed to you for verification purposes. There is no waiting time needed. And if necessary, you can get their contact information online too and chat or talk to them right away. Information gathering is definitely faster online and when it comes to searching for property, you need worry about time constraints anymore. If you need to find one right away then all you need is a computer or a laptop and an internet connection. And of course, you should know how to refine your search to be able to find what you have been looking for. You can even email it right away to any business partner, spouse or family member who would need to decide as well in renting or buying the property. And of course, online they can double check it at their own schedules and see for themselves if the property you are talking about matches with their expectations as well.

What to Expect When Buying an Older Home

2012-03-03T13:08:55Z

Purchasing an older home can have many advantages. Not only are older homes typically less expensive than new homes, but they are also generally located within well-established neighborhoods with plenty of nearby retail and dining opportunities. Furthermore, older homes frequently offer mature landscape and older trees that often cannot be found when purchasing new construction. On the other hand, there are some potential downsides to purchasing an older home. Whether looking at Boston or Bethesda homes for sale, before you make the decision to buy an older home, it is important to have a solid understanding of what to expect before you make a purchase.

Does the Home Have the Upgrades You’re Looking For?

While an older home may be less expensive to purchase than an older home, you may find that the home needs to undergo many upgrades before it meets your standards. The cost of replacing appliances, upgrading faucets and changing out cabinets in order to create a more modern look can be quite costly. The same is true of the plumbing and electrical systems, which may need to be replaced in order to improve efficiency or to reduce potential health and safety risks.

Is the Home Energy-Efficient?

In many cases, older homes are not nearly as energy-efficient as new homes. Not only do they have less energy-efficient systems in place, but the aging process often reduces the efficiency of appliances and other features. As such, you may find that you need to replace the windows in order to improve energy efficiency or that appliances and plumbing items need to be replaced in order to waste less water, gas and electricity.

When Do Major Items Need to Be Replaced?

Even if you are willing to deal with out-of-date features and appliances or even if you are not too concerned about energy-efficiency, you may find that several parts of the home need to be replaced shortly after purchasing the home. While the roof may still be in decent shape, for example, you will likely need to replace it far sooner than you would if you were to purchase a new home. The same is true of major appliances, such as your heating and cooling system. More than likely, these items will not need to be replaced within the first few years. Still, since these items generally are not new when purchasing an older home, you will likely need to replace them within the next ten years or so.

The bottom line is that, while an older home may be less expensive than a new home when you first purchase it, you will likely need to invest more money into your older home. Therefore, you need to take these factors into consideration when deciding on the type of home you wish to purchase.

More Advertising – Not the Answer to Selling Your Home

2012-02-23T12:41:42Z

Before we had the internet, things were done differently. If you needed to advertise your home for sale, all you needed to do is place an advert in the newspaper with contacts so interested buyers could call and inquire about the home, the location, price, the condition of the home and other intriguing issues that have to be verified before a sale can take place. This is still done by people who do not have the internet.

Today, the internet has simplified the way things are done and more advertising is not the answer to selling your home or other property. When a realtor displays your home on a website a lot of information is provided online. Interested buyers can view the house online and decide if that is what they are looking for. They see the exterior and the interior view of the house in full color. The living room, kitchen, dining, bathrooms and bedrooms are all displayed showing the floor, walls, ceiling, doors, windows and many other features. The garage doors, entrances, corridors, fireplace, basement and roofing are displayed to give the viewer a complete view of the home.

The exterior walls, roofing, doors and the landscaping is shown including flowers, shrubs, grass and trees and if this is someone’s dream home they will spot it right away and crave to see it and finalize the deal. That is why the internet is so effective in marketing and selling homes and other properties. The buyer will spot what they want to buy and take interest in those homes they like right away. Decisions are made faster than when they see a home on a newspaper or magazine and have to travel all the way before they make a decision. On the internet the buyer can take an online tour around the house in the comfort of their home or office without spending money on fuel to travel from one home to another. The internet saves the money and time for the buyer and seller limiting their inquiries to only the homes (for the buyer) and the buyers (for the seller) who are interested in that property.

If you want to sell your home just know that these days, newspapers rarely sell homes. The internet is a faster and more efficient seller of homes to a wider audience (even overseas), than local newspapers.

By: Marc Rasmussen – Sarasota homes

83 West Brookline South End Condos

2012-01-17T17:25:31Z

If you’re in the market for a 2 bedroom home in Boston’s South End, take a moment to look at the development at 83 West Brookline, a gut rehab with all of the bells and whistles. The building is in close proximity to Blackstone Park and all of the great shopping and dining that come with living in the South End. The condos themselves are beautiful. They boast hardwood flooring throughout, skylights, recessed lighting, central A/C, in unit washer and dryer, intercom, solid wood custom kitchen cabinets, high-end stainless steel appliances (Kitchen Aid, Bosh, and LG), gas cooking, granite counter tops, and fabulous views of the Boston skyline (from the penthouse unit).

83 West Brookline Condo Development Market Update

While Unit 2 at 83 West Brookline is currently under agreement and no longer on the market, two (2) condos do remain for sale at this South End property. The 2 bedroom 1.5 bath penthouse and the 2 bedroom 1.5 bath parlor level duplex are still available and priced aggressively. The duplex has undergone an $80,000.00 price reduction. After coming to market with a list price of $695,000, the condo is currently being offered at $615,000. In terms of price per square foot, this unit is $541.85/square foot. The penthouse has also undergone a price drop; from $765,000 to $699,000 ($583.96/square foot). With both units dipping below the $600/square foot threshold, it is anticipated that these units will come under agreement rather quickly.

If you are interested in scheduling a showing, please contact me at sg@stuartstjames.com.

Staging Your Home for Sale

2012-01-14T16:56:41Z

Staging your home for sale is essential to ensure that you get the highest dollar amount for your home. Staging your home for sale does not need to be a costly production, it can be as simple as a few coats of paint and pulling the weeds from the yard.

Getting your Home Ready to Sell

First, it is important to disconnect your emotions. Although you may have years of memories in the home, it will be the new home of another family, and you cannot get too emotional when you hear potential buyers considering tearing out a wall, or covering the wallpaper.

Go through the home and remove all the clutter. Clutter alone is a distraction and takes from the beauty of the home. Go through each room and get rid of everything that is not necessary. Also, box things up to give the home added space. Don’t take from the beauty of the home, but organize and de-clutter.

Give the walls of the home a fresh coat of paint. You would be surprised at how far a fresh coat of paint goes, and it freshens the home and makes it updated, and it is one of the least expensive projects that you can do to get your house attractive in appearance.

Clean the carpets in the home, and all floors, as well as window sills and so on. You might also consider some new hardware for the doors or cupboards in the kitchen or bathroom.

Make sure the outside of the home is clean and presentable. Consider power washing the outside of the home. Make sure the entry is inviting. Clean the outside of the door, sweep and place a potted plant at the entry to the home. Also, make sure that the lawn and landscape are manicured.

When you meet with agents to sell the home, meet with at least three to get a good idea of what your home is worth. This not only gives you a good idea of what you can get for your home, it also allows you the opportunity to meet with various agents and listen to what they will offer you should they be your listing agent. It also gives you the opportunity to choose an agent that you feel the most comfortable with.

Getting top dollar for your home is essential and something that without taking simple steps to ensure its selling price, will cost you profit in the home.

Real Estate Finally Logs on to Facebook

2012-01-05T19:24:48Z

Any start-up founded in 2008 or after would be remiss without plotting an online social media marketing course that included Facebook. But in practical implementation terms, are Facebook or Twitter legitimate and earnest ways to drive exposure to your brand? With significant search engine results page (SERP) related penalties being paid in the past by firms who went online and did what all their peers were doing, trying to drive content creation and links, but doing it in an unnatural and manipulative way, any firm has to ask themselves whether they’re poking and tweeting for the right reasons.

What’s the true value of social media in real estate for buyers and sellers, the real essence of it? For instance, as a seller, am I getting any real value out of having an Agent tweet about my listing, or if my Broker has a Facebook page, are they going to sell my house faster? If Brokers are out there trying to do the right things for the right reasons, are social media websites and real estate a value producing combination, or are they just a necessary evil for Brokers who are trying to get ahead in SERPs?

While worth considering, perhaps these are deeper and more thought provoking questions than what we want to cover in this particular article. But currently with more than 800 million active users and more than 50% of those users logging on in any given day, Facebook is a formidable reality that, rather than being taken advantage of for the benefit of SERPs or the like, a firm must make part of their standard operating procedures. And for that reason, we recently implemented Facebook login at Stuart St James.

Stuart St James is a growing Boston real estate brokerage and Facebook login is a feature function that we recently incorporated into our flagship website. Facebook login was developed by our real estate web design & search partner, Displet, and the feature allows users to register or login to our site using their Facebook credentials. Centered on the principal that when real estate buyers and sellers are online, there’s a good chance that they are logged on to Facebook, the Facebook login feature is a technology advancement that makes the home search process more seamless, simple, and efficient by allowing users to leverage their already known and memorized Facebook credentials to setup an account on our site.

At this moment, as far as we know, we’re the only Boston real estate brokerage that offers this convenient Facebook login technology. That badge of honor is surely not going to last. Much like in 2006 when a site like Boston Condo Guy was the forerunner in bringing Google map-based search to the Boston market, the feature function was soon replicated by other brokerages and is now commonplace across real estate related websites.

So rather than focusing on SERPs and how to leverage social media, even with shielding yourself from those “wrong reasons”, we’re trying to keep it simple, focusing on rolling out simple and intuitive technology that ultimately drives a better real estate experience for buyers, sellers, renters, and developers.

Foreclosures Halted for the 2011 Holidays

2011-12-09T20:32:07Z

Great news for struggling homeowners in foreclosure! Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and some other big mortgage lending companies have promised not to foreclose on delinquent mortgage borrowers during the 2011 Christmas season.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC) have agreed to delay foreclosures from December 19th through January 2nd of 2012. All of the legal and administrative work required for the evictions will continue during this time. But, according to a statement made by Fannie Mae, the physical evictions will cease. This will allow these families to remain in their homes until after the new year.

“No family should have to give up their home during this holiday season,” said Terry Edwards, an executive vice president for Fannie Mae.

Big Mortgage Lending Banks

Chase and Wells Fargo, major banks that offer home loans, are also allowing delinquent borrowers to enjoy their holidays in peace. Chase Mortgage has vowed to hold off on all evictions between December 22nd and January 2nd.

Wells Fargo has also agreed to not evict during that same time frame. But, this rule only applies to properties within their own portfolio. For loans that Wells Fargo services for outside lenders, foreclosures may still happen. That’s because these smaller lenders have not made this 2011 holiday season vow.

Bank of America, another big leader in the mortgage lending industry, has made a vow that is slightly vague. They said that they will, “avoid foreclosure sales or displacement of homeowners or tenants around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.” Although this statement does not give specific dates, it may help to give BofA’s delinquent borrowers a little peace of mind during Christmas time. Just a little…

Holiday Miracles

Halting foreclosures during the holidays could have a major impact on tens of thousands of homeowners. According to RealtyTrac, an average of 89,000 foreclosure auctions per month were scheduled for 2011. This is the final step in the eviction process before actual eviction occurs.

When we think about Christmas, we think about movies like “Miracle on 34th Street.” This is one of our all-time favorite Christmas movies because everyone wants to believe that miracles can happen. It’s the holidays. Miracles can happen. The foreclosure halts give homeowners a second chance to believe in miracles and the spirit of the holiday season.

You never know. You just may get the greatest Christmas gift ever, or scratch that perfect holiday lottery ticket. You just may get the miracle you need to save your home, because come January 2, 2012, the lenders will be getting back to business as usual.

Due Diligence and the Final Walk-Through

2011-11-08T19:59:27Z

Before you close on the purchase of your home you have one more chance to view the interior of the house you are about to buy. This is the final walk-through and it is your chance to ensure that the house you are buying is the one you agreed to buy when you signed the purchase agreement.

I’ve noticed that how my clients approach the walk-through is a mixed bag. Some treat it with all the seriousness it deserves, while others offer nary a glance as they speed through the home.

So, what should a buyer be on the lookout for during the final walk-through? Plenty. If the seller agreed to make certain repairs, check first to ensure that those repairs were, in fact, made, to the specifications outlined in the purchase agreement. If checking these repairs requires water, gas or electricity, and those services have been shut off, don’t close the escrow until the services are reinstated and you can perform your inspection.

Next, make sure that the rest of the house is in the same condition as when you made the offer. Go through each room and look for recent major damage, such as to walls, baseboards and flooring. Check the attic and basement to ensure the seller didn’t leave behind his unwanted junk. If appliances were included in the sale, check to ensure they are in working condition; run the dishwasher through an entire cycle, check that the icemaker in the freezer is in working order and that the refrigerator remains cold.

Check the plumbing by flushing toilets and running both cold and hot water through all of the faucets. Turn on the heater, then the air conditioner. I once had a client that moved into her home only to find that the garbage disposer was missing. The sellers took it with them. So, tinker with everything you need to tinker with to assure yourself that all is as it should be.

The home should be at least swept clean. If it’s not, request that the seller have it cleaned before you close escrow.

Don’t neglect the exterior of the home. Check that the sprinkler or other irrigation system is in working order. If there’s a timer, did the seller leave the instruction booklet? If not, ask your agent to get it from the listing agent or have the sellers buy you a new one.

Run pool and hot tub equipment, including heaters, lights and filters. Do you understand how to use the control panel for these items? If not, ask your agent to get this information from the seller.

After you’ve signed the closing papers, this house, and any problems, belongs to you. The time for due diligence will have come and gone and you may have little recourse for items you find after the sale. Take your time during the final walk-through, listen to your real estate agent’s advice and you can go to the closing table confident that you are getting what you’re paying for.

You can learn more about buying a home by visiting Kimberley Kelly’s La Quinta real estate website.

Most Expensive Boston Condo Sold (October)

2011-11-04T21:17:19Z

Would it be surprising to know that there have been ten (10) Boston condos that have sold in the last two (2) months for more than $2,000,000 a piece? As Boston enters the fall market, the most expensive condo sold in the month of October sets a high bar. Penthouse unit 21K at the Intercontinental Boston Condo Development sold on October 28, 2011 for $6,000,000

After being on the market for 295 days, with a starting listing price of $6,450,000, the 4,752 square foot duplex broke the $1,200+ price per square foot mark in the Waterfront neighborhood of Boston.

Listed for sale by Jeffrey Goldman of Otis & Ahearn, Goldman describes the listing:

Walking into the 1100 square foot living/dining room of this magnificent four bedroom plus study Penthouse is breathtaking! The spectacular vews of Boston Harbor, 10′ high ceilings, gas fireplace and 500 square foot private roof terrace, make this a rare offering on The Waterfront! Each bedroom, has an en-suite bath and the kind of closet space one can only dream about! With the best concierge services in the city and all the amenities of The InterContinental Hotel at your fingertips!

Interested in making the ultra luxury condo-hotel development home, there are currently 4 units for sale in the building – search all Intercontinental Boston condos for sale.