Buying or Selling Homes
Come Visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA this Thanksgiving Season
Pilgrims enjoying a hearty meal
It all began way back in 1620 when the Pilgrims completed their overseas journey from England to America. The Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts and America spread out from there. Today, Plimoth Plantation is an authentic recreation of the historically significant colony that was made up of the original first settlers of the new land.
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our history and there is no better place to take in the meaning of the moment than Plimoth Plantation. Located approximately 40 miles south of downtown Boston along Route 3 in Plymouth County, the area attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and vacationers every year. From the time the Pilgrims sat down to the first thanksgiving dinner up until today, it is a joy to follow the early history of our country.
One can see how tough a life the early settlers had to deal with. There were no modern conveniences, very little infrastructure and you had to have a true pioneer spirit and be able to fend for yourself if you wanted to survive. That same hearty stock still exists in Americans, but it is always good to remind ourselves of our humble beginnings.
Among the many attractions in and around Plimoth Plantation is the Plimoth Rock, supposedly a monument to the spot where the Mayflower touched land for the first time. There are also numerous historical monuments and statues paying tribute to some of the more famous officials of the early Colonial period.
Plimoth Plantation is close to many of the Boston area colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. In fact, there are 52 institutions of higher learning including research universities, junior colleges, 4 year colleges and specialty institutions. Among the most famous are Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern. Students have a wide choice of housing options in and around the Boston area. If you go to school in Boston, you might want to look for Boston apartments. As most students are on a limited budget, they may need to consider sharing an apartment with several roommates. You can choose to live just outside of Boston and perhaps get an apartment for a little lower rent.
Brookline apartments are just outside of Boston and very close to the Chestnut Hill location of Boston College. Other nearby Brookline colleges include the liberal arts college, Pine Manor and the New England Institute of Art.
Students who may attend Wellesley College or Babson College about 12 miles west of downtown Boston can find excellent, modern Newton Ma homes and apartments for rent or sale. The more suburban setting is often preferred by students and young people who like the wide, open spaces that are hard to find in the middle of Boston.
No matter whether you choose to rent a Back Bay Condo near Fenway Park or choose one of the nice Allston apartments convenient to your school or place of work, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. While you might be able to find a small, nicely furnished or unfurnished one bedroom for about $1200 per month, that is considered the low range in the Boston rental market. If you are on a tight budget, you may look to rent a room from a private homeowner or consider rooming with several others and splitting the rent.
On average, expect a 1 bedroom apartment to run between $1500-$2000 per month, a 2 bedroom around $2200, 3 or 4 bedroom close to $3000 and anything bigger or in a prime location can set you back $4000 or even more.
Care For a Cocktail? Spotlight on Boston’s South End
As the weather starts to cool down, why not warm up a bit? Boston’s South End has many great destinations for grabbing a cocktail after work or before a show, not to mention that it’s one of Boston’s best neighborhoods to enjoy a walk through New England’s Fall foliage in an urban but quaint setting. Here’s a list of some great places in Boston’s South End where you can enjoy a great atmosphere with a great cocktail:
The Gallows
1395 Washington Street
The Gallows is a great place to meet friends or work colleagues for almost any occasion. The cocktail list is amazing and clearly concocted by a master mixologist. The cocktail menu is great, but also try asking the knowledgeable staff for their recommendations. There are many specialty cocktails that the bartenders will make that are not on teh menu. The Gallows is also a great place for dinner, but for those who just want an appetizer with cocktails, try the poutine. Trust me, it’s delicious.
The Beehive
541 Tremont Street
The Beehive seems to satisfy any crowd. Their menu includes clever cocktails with a special section for champagne cocktails, as well as a non-traditional list of bottled beers and beers on tap and a decent wine list. Live music in an intimate setting on most nights draws many customers.
Fritz Bar
26 Chandler at Berkley street
If you are leaning a bit more towards a classic Boston Bar setting, or you would like a place in the South End where you can catch a game in a sports-bar setting, Fritz Bar is the place for you. Generally populated by a fun crowd of young professionals, Fritz Bar is never a bad call.
Toro
1704 Washington Street
Toro is a fun, posh, modern take on a classic Barcelona-style tapas restaurant. This means lots of small plates, a social atmosphere, and a great all-Spanish wine list. Toro has a great drinks menu featuring Spanish and classic inspired cocktails alongside everything you would expect at a nicer cocktail lounge, including an above average sherry menu. Toro is a great location to bring a group of friends for drinks, but it’s a small venue, and serves on a first come first serve basis.
Stella
1525 Washington Street
Stella is a great place to have dinner or drinks, or both! This place attract a really fun and eclectic crowd that adds to the classic South End atmosphere. For those less fond of colorful cocktails, Stella’s wine list can satisfy the snootiest connoisseur. Stella also features certain appetizers for only $5 from 4-6 pm Monday through Friday as well as a special pre-theater dinner for the area’s showgoers.
Interested in real estate in Boston’s South End? Contact Phoenix Realty today!
Featured Boston Luxury Condo Building: Zero Marlborough
Top Luxury with an Unbeatable Location
Zero Marlborough has many unique luxuries to offer besides just a great address. Its residents enjoy valet service and a 24 hour concierge. Each home within Zero Marlborough is complete with hardwood floors, and in-unit washer/dryer, and storage. Many units also have outdoor space and fireplaces.
These features would certainly be luxurious anywhere, but Zero Marlborough also benefits from a location that’s difficult to top. The building resides on the edge of the Boston Public Garden which makes for unbeatable views of Downtown Boston and the Boston Common, as well as easy access to the city’s historical urban park. This location is the center of Boston’s theater and hottest nightlife, as well as some of the city’s top restaurants.
If you would like more information about Zero Marlborough or other Boston condos and apartments, contact Phoenix Realty today.
Buying/Selling Your Boston Home
When purchasing or selling your Boston home there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. The process can sometimes be quite overwhelming. In both cases a good first step to take is to find a reliable real estate agent to help in the process.
Selling Your Boston Home
An experienced real estate agent from Phoenix Realty can help you determine the financial value of your home based on the constantly fluctuating environmental factors – such as the economy, interest rates, and supply/demand. In the process of selling your home one of the most important steps is the home inspection. Getting your home inspected can help you determine potential problems you might run into when dealing with prospective buyers. Contacting a Massachusetts home inspector early in this process can help you prioritize possible repairs or upgrades you might need to make when trying to sell your home.
Buying Your New Boston Home
Buying a new home can be a much more involved process. There are many decisions to make throughout the buying process before making your final purchasing decision. Consequently, there are many questions you must consider before beginning your search of Boston homes for sale. For instance, do you want to live in the city or the suburbs? If you have children, what type of school system do you want them to attend? What is your budget when purchasing your new home? Once you have made these essential decisions it will be much easier for your real estate agent to find Boston properties for sale which meet your criteria.
Finding the right agent can alleviate a lot of the stress that can build up when making such a significant life decision as buying or selling your home. Contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to get started off on the right foot in the process.
Bed Bug Myths Debugged
10 Need-to-Know Myths to Protect Your Boston Apartment
Your parents used to say “don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Now that you’re moving into your own Boston apartment, it’s time you give this advice another thought! As reported in the NBC New York news story, “Beware of Bed Bugs: Cases Set to Surge This Summer,” bed bug complaints in New York City apartments are up 8 percent from last year with over 13,000 bed bug complaints in 2010. Jeffrey White, a research entomologist for bed bugcentral.com anticipates worse bed bug outbreaks this year than last. Boston apartment residents are lucky that our city hasn’t shown up on the Top Ten Worst Bed Bug Infested Cities, but the bed bug problem persists even here.
You need to know the myths and facts about bed bugs in order to identify and fight these bugs. We’ve compiled a list of 10 bed bug myths to help you protect yourself and your Boston apartment from the Back Bay to the West End.
Myth 1: Bed bugs only show up in dirty apartments and on dirty people.
Bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt; they’re attracted to exhaled carbon dioxide and heat. They feed on blood and can infest any location regardless of how clean it is. Bed bugs have been known to show up anywhere from South End to North End apartments. You can bring bed bugs home with you merely by coming into contact with a person or location contaminated with bed bugs.
Myth 2: Bed bugs only live in beds and mattresses.
Bed bugs spend 90 percent of their time hiding and can live almost anywhere: on furniture, walls, clothing, carpets, or pictures. Don’t think that just by throwing away your mattress will solve your bed bug problem because they often spread to areas around your bed as well: within the cracks of furniture, along the baseboards of walls, inside electric outlets, laptops, and even cell phones!
Myth 3: Bed bugs are too small to see.
So you’re sitting in your Brookline or Charlestown apartment; can you spot a bed bug? Adult bed bugs are relatively easy to spot; they are reddish-brown and 3mm–5mm in size. Recently hatched larvae tend to be harder to see at 1mm–2mm in size. Until the larva feed on blood, they remain a pale white.
Myth 4: I have bite marks, but my partner doesn’t. I can’t have bed bugs!
Bites can differ in size from person-to-person based on individual allergic reactions to the bites. Bites may leave no marks, small bumps, or even large welts. If your partner doesn’t have bite marks but you do, your Boston apartment could still harbor bed bugs.
Myth 5: Bed bugs are killed by the cold.
Houses heated to 70 degrees Celsius for 3 hours only kill about 78% of bed bugs on average. Cold temperature treatments don’t fare much better. In fact, bed bugs can survive for a long time in below freezing temperatures. Overall, the cold treatment is unreliable even during a Boston winter. Although hot steam treatments work, you must remember that you may not be killing all of the bugs that are hiding.
Myth 6: Bed bugs transmit diseases.
Many scientific research studies have found that luckily bed bugs don’t transmit diseases; however, scratching bed bug bites can lead to secondary infections. Make sure to get medical attention if your bites appear infected.
Myth 7: You can feel a bed bug biting you.
Bed bugs inject their saliva before feeding on blood so you won’t feel their bite. However, like a mosquito bite, bed bug bites can be itchy later based on how allergic you are to their saliva. Also, beg bugs are generally more active at night and may bite you while you are sleeping.
Myth 8: You can kill bed bugs with any insecticide.
Although bug bombs may kill a number of bed bugs, their use generally causes the bed bugs to scatter and actually make your Boston apartment’s infestation worse. Directly spraying bed bugs with insecticides may kill the ones you hit; however, you can’t count on getting all of them with a direct spraying. Also, many insecticides will not work on all the stages of the bed bug life cycle.
Myth 9: Bed bugs are resistant to all pesticides.
Not all pesticides kill bed bugs, but many pesticides do. Consult a professional exterminator to determine which methods will work best for your situation.
Myth 10: Leaving bed bugs alone in an empty house will kill them.
Adult bed bugs can live for a year or more without feeding so ignoring the problem will only make it worse.
Understanding these myths will hopefully make you more aware so that you can effectively deal with any buggy Boston real estate situation. Your best bet is to consult with a professional exterminator to prepare an integrated pest management solution, which involves a regiment of spraying, vacuuming, steaming, laundering and sealing in order to kill and prevent the infestation of bed bugs. We hope you sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite! Now, let’s hear your bed bug stories!
How to Sell your Home
Whether you’re a family in a Newton, MA Apartment or a group of college students in Brookline, MA rental, it is important to make sure that when you put your house on the market it is picture perfect.
The Internet is a huge resource for home buyers, with more than 90% choosing that medium as their first resource to see what is available. With a huge inventory to choose from, it’s important to take a lot of photos to get to the top of the listings. Staging your house will make yours stand out from the rest!
Clear your home of clutter, whether it is in front of a sliding glass door leading to a beautiful deck, or personal collections or items on display in bedrooms, to keep the distractions to a minimum. The National Association of Realtors recommends putting excess furniture in storage, packing away knick-knacks, and removing items of clothing that could be cramping your closet.
If you have pets, drop them off at a neighbor or friend’s house during showings, as not everyone is an animal person. Eliminate pet odors by lighting mood-setting candles or installing scented plug-ins in the rooms where your pet usually resides.
Create curb appeal by trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, and turning on the sprinklers for half an hour before a showing to make the lawn sparkle. Bring in a couple of potted flowers to brighten up your porch. New doorknobs can also make a door look more modern.
If you have young children, contain their toys in a couple of plastic bins that can easily be stored in the garage or basement during showings.
Stage your home so that beautiful aspects of your home, such as a fireplace or large windows, are the focal point of a room, rather than an entertainment center.
Wallpaper is out of style- if you have rooms that are wallpapered; consider tearing it down and painting your room a neutral color. As long as it is tastefully done and fits into the style of the house, some color could work as well.
Do not disregard minor repairs. Things that may seem trivial, such as sticky doors, dripping faucets, or torn screens can give buyers the impression that the house is not well maintained.
A clean house makes a strong impression; it sends the message that the home is well cared for. Polish windows, mop and vacuum floors, clean the stove and refrigerator, and wipe fingerprints from light switch plates and televisions.
If you’re looking for a home in Newton, Brookline, or any other Greater Boston area neighborhood.
Contact an agent at Phoenix Realty to schedule a viewing.
Possible Contingencies in Purchase and Sale Agreements
If you are looking for a home in Boston, whether you already live there or you are relocating to the city, chances are you will encounter the use of a Purchase and Sale Agreement in your contract.
A Purchase and Sale Agreements is the contract for the purchase and sale of real estate between a Buyer and Seller, in which the Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to buy under certain specific terms and conditions. When a Buyer submits a Purchase and Sale Contract or offer to the Seller for review, it will most likely contain a contingency form of some kind. Here are the most common forms and how they apply to your contract.
INSPECTION CONTINGENCY
Most home buyers won’t complete a sale without a property inspection, which is usually performed by a professional then approved and signed off on by the Buyer and Seller. If during the inspection, something is found that the Buyer won’t approve, they can terminate the deal. If the Seller can have an opportunity to fix the issue, the Buyer can continue with the sale. Basically, this contingency means if the inspection is not approved by both Buyer and Seller, the transaction cannot proceed.
FINANCING CONTINGENCY
A solid offer should be submitted with a pre-approval letter that shows that the Buyer is serious and has already done their homework on the property. A Financing Contingency is good to include just in case something goes wrong. A pre-approval letter states that at the time of application, everything was approved, but from this time until the closing of the deal something could come up that restricts the Buyer from obtaining financing. If this turns out to be the case, the deal must be terminated.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTINGENCY
This is rare, but can be useful in the right situation. If a Buyer wants to get in on a property and check out the area later, this would be the form to use. If the Buyer lives out of the area and can’t check out the neighborhood prior to making an offer or if the property is a hot commodity that the Buyer wants first crack at, a Neighborhood Contingency would allow the Buyer to take some time to investigate neighbors, crime rate, and school or community issues and information before continuing on the purchase of the home.
ADDITIONAL HOME SALE CONTINGENCY
This states that the Buyer, although interested in the property, must sell their current home before they buy the new home. In a sellers’ market, these offers are usually not accepted because there are more reasonable buyers waiting to offer non-contingent offers. However, in a buyers’ market, where there is not as much competition, the sellers may be more likely to agree on the contingent sale.
These are just a few contingency type forms; there are a number of other forms that may apply to your specific situation. Contact a qualified real estate agent for assistance when making property deals.
Featured Listing: Luxury Beacon Hill Condo
Looking for a luxury pied-a-terre in the city?
Look no further than this fully loaded Beacon Hill condo!
It may be one room but it is loaded with amenities. There are extensive custom built-ins, including a queen-size Murphy bed that folds up into the wall in order to maximize the living space. The apartment features gleaming bamboo floors, a built-in desk, built-in surround sound and a flat panel TV. The kitchen was recently updated and now features brand new GE stainless appliances, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar, and maple cabinets. The bathroom has a rain shower head and radiant heat tile floor. There are custom moldings and a wine rack. A full size washer and dryer can be easily installed.
Due to its Beacon Hill location, this condo will leave you just steps from wherever you want to go. The condo lies right in the middle of the Charles/MGH T stop on the MBTA Red Line and the Bowdoin T Stop on the Blue Line. The Charlesbank Playground, Charles River Esplanade, and the Boston Common are also all within walking distance.
This is a great example of the Beacon Hill Real Estate we have available. Click here to view the listing or contact a Phoenix Realty agent to schedule a viewing.
Featured Listing: Allston Condo for Sale
100 Linden Street, Unit 5 has been completely renovated from floor to ceiling by a renowned local developer. This second floor unit features a designer eat-in kitchen equipped with granite counters, cider cabinets, and breakfast bar – all covered in beautiful custom made granite counter tops. The living room has a beautiful fireplace and large bay window. The large master bedroom has a walk in closet and the entire apartment is covered in shiny new maple hardwood floors.
This one bed/one bath is a bright spark of luxury in Allston. It is only a one minute walk to the B Line (Harvard Ave Stop) and area buses.
Take a virtual tour, check out the listing, or contact a Phoenix Agent to take a look at this fantastic condo. Be sure to check out our other great Allston Real Estate.
Newton Ranks #3 Best Place to Live
Money Magazine’s recent search for nation’s ‘Best Places to Live’ found Newton, MA worthy for the #3 spot. This year’s search, which focused on small cities within the US, attributed Newton’s ranking to its esteemed school system, low crime rate, and resistance to the unstable economy.
This small city just west of Boston has a lot to offer. Its quiet and safe neighborhoods, New England charm, and fast commute to downtown Boston make it a great living environment for those who are raising a family or working in the city. It also has plenty of downtown shopping centers, parks, and local bars and pubs. It even ranked #2 on Money Magazine’s ‘Top 25 Place for the Rich and Single’.
Another Boston neighborhood, Brookline, also made the list, ranking in at #39.
To inquire more about Newton, MA homes for sale, feel free to contact Phoenix Realty.
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