Real Estate News
16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts Festival
16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts
The 16th annual Castleberry Faire Arts and Craft Festival is a highlight of the New England Thanksgiving season. This isn’t your mom’s church craft fair with crocheted toilet paper cozies and necklaces made from hard candy – this year’s Castleberry Faire will feature over 250 juried artists, artisans and craftspeople from all over the United States and Canada. The event is so popular that some visitors reserve hotel rooms or other Boston rental property and make a mini-vacation of it. As always, this year’s Castleberry Faire is scheduled to take place during Thanksgiving weekend.
If you’ve ever wanted to spend Thanksgiving in New England, it’s not too late to contact a Boston property management company to locate a variety of Boston apartments for rent during the holiday. After enjoying Thanksgiving with friends and family in the historic city you can kick off your holiday shopping with a trip to the Castleberry Faire Arts and Crafts Festival in nearby Wilmington, scheduled for November 25, 26 and 27.
Items for sale at the Faire include fine art sculptures and paintings, jewelry, leather goods, stained glass, blown glass and wearable art. Traditional folk art is also represented at Castleberry in the form of handmade candles, basketry, quilts, country wood crafts and wood carvings. Fragrances, antiques, dried floral arrangements, calligraphy and many more artistic offerings are available for sale at the Faire.
Live craft demonstrations are a highlight of the event. Out-of-town visitors as well as locals from their Newton, MA homes and apartments come to Castleberry to see pottery, clay tiles and oil paintings made live by some of the best artisans in North America. As a whole, the Faire is so popular with locals that several travel agencies arrange bus tours to chauffer New Englanders into Wilmington for the event and then into downtown Boston for more shopping or a trip to the New England Aquarium before heading home.
Of course no craft event would be complete without food! In addition to all the usual Faire foods to fill your belly, a sampling of gourmet preserves, candies, vinegar’s, herbal dips, jerky, coffees and baked goods will also be available this year. Profits from food sales will be donated to the Aleppo Temple Shrine Activities.
Shopping at the Faire is a great way to buy American-made products from local artisans. If you’re new to Boston, attending the Faire is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with a bit of New England tradition and history. If you’ve been thinking about checking out some Boston apartments for rent or Boston homes for sale, the Castleberry Faire is one more great reason to live in the area.
The 16th Annual Castleberry Faire Arts and Crafts Festival will be held at the Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington – located at 99 Fordham Road. The event is indoors, so activities will be held rain or shine. There is free parking and a free shuttle service for Faire patrons. Hours are Friday, November 26, 9a.m. to 5p.m., Saturday, November 27, 10a.m. to 5p.m., and Sunday, November 28, 10a.m. to 5p.m.
Featured Neighborhood: Boston’s Seaport District
Boston’s Seaport District may be the city’s hottest neighborhood at the moment. The area has seen significant commercial and residential development in recent years. The waterfront now has some of Boston’s best restaurants as well as some of the nicest luxury lofts and apartments. One obvious indicator of Seaport District’s surging popularity is simply the number of people that can be seen there on any given day. The area is much more crowded than it used to be, which is especially noticeable along the waterfront and Boston’s beautifully renovated Greenway.
The attractiveness and prestige of the Seaport District is only expected to grow further. This type of rejuvenation is reminiscent of New York’s famously cultural SoHo neighborhood. The Seaport District, like SoHo, is being invaded by developers who are turning the area’s spacious warehouse and industrial buildings into posh designer lofts. The parallels with the SoHo revival can also be seen in the Seaport District’s exploding art scene. Luxury buildings such as FP3 included a full art gallery in the lobby that constantly exhibits works by notable artists.
The Seaport District’s proximity to Downtown Boston, the Mass Pike, 93, multiple MBTA lines, and various bus routes makes it easy for residents to get anywhere in the city. Living in the Seaport District also offers many beautiful panoramic views of the waterfront and skyline. Simply put, the Seaport District is Boston’s hippest place to live right now. If you are interested in buying or renting real estate in Boston’s Seaport District, contact Phoenix Realty today!
High Temperatures and High Humidity Expected, Beat the Heat!
Info + Tips and Tricks to Beat the Heat
Boston is amidst a serious heat-wave that is expected to last for a few more days. In Massachusetts, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures over 90 degrees. Alan Dunham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton, spoke regarding today saying, “It’s mainly just going to feel miserable.” A heat advisory is in effect for today, July 21st, from noon until 9 pm. Temperatures will be in the 90s, but combined with the high levels of humidity, the weather is expected to feel as if it’s 104; this will be 105 tomorrow.
Intense heat combined with high humidity can be more than just uncomfortable. It can be unhealthy. This combination of factors causes significantly higher than normal ozone levels in the air, which is not healthy for anyone. Those especially at risk are persons with asthma and other respiratory problems, children, and the elderly. People have been advised to check on senior citizens in their community throughout the day.
Beating the Heat:
Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your body cools itself down as perspiration (sweat) evaporates from the skin. When humidity is high, your perspiration evaporates at a much slower rate, making your natural cooling techniques much less efficient. Your body compensates by increasing perspiration, which can quickly dehydrate you. One should always try and stay hydrated, but during weather like this it is especially critical.
Stay cool. If you do not have air conditioning or access to a cool place, try seeking out one of Boston’s “cooling centers.” Mayor Tom Menino announced that Boston and some surrounding areas are keeping public pools open late and opening a series of cooling centers when people can refresh themselves.
Try a non-outdoor activity. Sure, you may feel guilty not enjoying the outdoors during the summer, but you do not have to feel guilty when the weather is like this! Try catching a movie or going to a museum. These activities almost always involve environment-controlled, air-conditioned spaces.
Still too hot? Maybe you need air conditioning or a cooler place, contact Phoenix Realty today!
Boston Real Estate Market Still Doing Well in this Economic Climate!
Its no secret that this country is in a general housing slump, but what is somewhat surprising is the condition of the Boston real estate market: it’s doing well! Three distinct neighborhoods in Boston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End, have had an excellent year, with strong sales volume and equal or higher median average sale prices that are comparable to anytime during the past six years.
While that may not seem like much, most parts of the country have experienced wide sales and home value fluctuations; relative stability is a much better alternative!
Residents have shown resiliency in the face of an exhausting recession that brought the state an unemployment rate higher than 9%. Despite the risk of everyone’s jobs, those with the desire or need to move into Boston found a way to do so, and with local prices cut nearly in half in many instances, relocating to a Boston home is more affordable than ever.
If you’re considering a move to the Boston area -and why wouldn’t you with this promising market- contact a Phoenix Realty agent today to begin the search for your new apartment, condo, or luxury building.
Beware the Bait and Switch!
It is a well understood fact that apartment searching is often stressful. Because of its usability and ease of access, Craigslist is often a starting point for renters. When it works, this is a great way to start – as long as you keep your guard up and know what you are looking at. There are some brokers and agents that intentionally place misleading advertisements just to get you to call.
So the photos look amazing, the description sounds ideal and you can afford it – anyone would call! So you call the broker and he sets up an appointment to show you the place. When you meet up, he will tell you that your dream apartment was had been snatched up by someone else, but that he luckily had a few similar apartments to show you. These apartments will be smaller, more expensive, or slightly less desirable than the original. Assuming that were to happen, you will have witnessed the bait and switch. The bait and switch is often used to move undesirable apartments; it is rare that the realtor will have something “just like it” to show you.
We at Phoenix Realty have seen this tactic used on sites like Craigslist constantly – and it drives us nuts! When you are looking for your dream Boston apartment – whether it be a Back Bay condo or a Brookline home – you should be given the respect of knowing that what you see is what you get! We have compiled some tips to help you avoid the bait and switch by helping you identify bait apartments.
1. Analyze the photos. If the provided pictures are of apartments filled with modern, stunning furnishings, you are looking at a model apartment – not the real deal. This is probably the nicest apartment in the building and chances are it was rented eons ago. If the photos are of unfinished apartments, play a quick game of “find the inconsistency.”Are the windows different in what is meant to be the same room? Is the hardwood floor a different color or pattern in different shots? Does the layout seem to change? If you find any inconsistency like those, the broker may have just compiled the best images from a few different apartments just to get you to call.
2. Call and ask. Even if you think the photos are legit, still be sure to ask the agent directly when you call if the photos are from the actual, real life apartment. If he says that they are pictures of a typical apartment in the building, beware. Maybe he did not have a chance to get to the actual apartment and take photos, or maybe he is trying to bait and switch. Either way, use your best judgment and go with your gut.
3. Watch out for vague descriptions. If there are no photos at all, odds are it is not real or the agent has not been inside it. Vague adjectives (stunning, cozy, elegant, huge) are often thrown around on ads that lack photos. These ads can describe many Boston apartments – take care to ask for specifics when you call the phone number listed. Even asking for something as simple as the cross streets and interior descriptions will help you determine the legitimacy of the apartment.
The best way to ensure that you are working with a legitimate, honest real estate agency is to choose one with a great reputation. Browse our listings of Boston apartments for rent or contact us to begin the process of finding your dream apartment.
Renter Beware! The Top 3 Craigslist Apartment Rental Scams
Whether you’re searching for the perfect luxury Back Bay condo or your first post-freshman year Allston apartment, chances are you will probably start your search with a simple inquiry into the real estate section of Boston’s Craigslist. While this is an excellent way to start, there are a few scams that seem to be infesting the real listings for greater Boston apartments for rent.
The first scam is considered a ‘phishing’ scam, and begins with an advertisement that does not give out any name, property information, or any means of contact besides an email address. Upon inquiry, the renter is asked to fill out a “rental application” in order to receive more information. Rather than receiving any information, they end up supplying the scammer with personal information. Never give out any personal information to any so-called realtor over Craigslist. Any licensed Boston realtor will be more than happy to meet in person and discuss Boston apartments for rent without requiring a pre-emptive application.
The second scam can usually be spotted easily; just look for an absurdly low, “too-good-to-be-true” rental price. The basis of this scam is to con the renter into buying a supposed list of similarly priced Boston apartments. Once the potential renter pays for the list, they receive a phony list of fake Boston apartment listings and fake Boston addresses. Never pay for any list of properties, no matter how vehemently the poster promises to deliver. Any address, no matter what kind of Boston realty property you’re looking for, can be easily looked up. No Boston realtor has an “exclusive list” that needs to be paid for, so make sure never to fall for this one!
The last scam will begin with a full home for rent. The advertisement may seem reasonable (the price probably won’t be dropped suspiciously low), but the actual scam is far from it. This scam is actually a ploy to rent a home that is pending foreclosure. The scammer will pocket the money given by the prospective renters without paying their mortgage off. As soon as the foreclosure proceedings are finalized, the victims will be evicted. This scam is a bit trickier to spot right away, but in order to avoid it, make sure you only work with a license real estate agent. You can also research the supposed address and inquire as to its status.
Craigslist offers the following advice as means to avoid scams on their website:
· Trust your instincts
· Deal only with local buyers and sellers
· NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier
· Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service like Squaretrade, or even PayPal
· NEVER give out personal info (eBay or PayPal info, checking account number, SSN, etc.)
· always remember the most important rule — BUYER BEWARE
Phoenix Realty can help you find an apartment under the terms that best suit your needs. Contact us for help, or browse our online listings of Boston apartments and other Boston rental properties.
Top 5 Biggest Mistakes of Home Sellers
In an article released today by Chris Seder, He outlines the biggest mistakes that you can make when selling your home. The following are some highlights, outlining the pitfalls to avoid if you are preparing to sell.
1. Neglecting the Fine Print in your Realtor Contract. Make sure that you go over the fine print of your contract with a real estate agent or lawyer to fully understand the conditions that you are selling your home under.
2. Jumping in with no research. For Sale by owner homes can be difficult, as you never know what to list at. Do some research, and understand what people in your area are buying homes for. The value you think your home has may not reflect in the market.
3. Failure to market your home. You really have to promote and market your property if you want it to sell – waiting for the buyers to come to you may not be the best way to go about selling.
4. Personal Home Staging. When potential buyers come to view your home, remove all personal items and family photos. You want to give the local buyers the idea that this could be their home, not that they are buying it from you. Also remove your home of clutter, as it can make your home for sale feel smaller.
5. No effort to “stand out”. If you are trying to sell in a fairly competitive housing season or market, prepare yourself by visiting other Boston homes for sale in your area. This gives you a great sense of the market, and what is being offered for what price. You can also list what you find appealing in these other homes, and try to apply something similar at your own open house.
(Read more seller “Don’ts” from the full source article here)
Home Ownership vs. Rentals
In a recent blog post by Scott Van Voorhis of boston.com, he discusses the idea of home-ownership against the advantages of renting. He favors more towards home-ownership: but why?
Apparently, the concept of owning your own home goes back to the founding of our country, and it is now associated with our cultural identity. Owning your home implies pride and suggests accomplishment: that where you live is actually your own because you made it that way.
However, Yale housing specialist Robert Shiller argues that renting should be looked as a better option for Americans. It is an interesting point, considering that the rental market is composed mainly of the single and the childless. And in Boston, this is especially so, as the price for a three bedroom apartment is comparable to that of a house.
Additionally, the developers of Boston and other local cities tend to be pressured to build one and two bedroom units to keep school costs down for the community.
Read the rest of this article and more on the topic here.
(Both images are available listings with Phoenix Realty, click for more info!)
Source: www.boston.com
What you need to know about the first-time home buyer tax credit extension
If you’ve been waiting and hoping that the federal government would extend the first-time home buyer tax credit, your patience has paid off. The bill, which was set to expire on November 30th, provides a tax credit of $8,000 to home buyers who have not owned their primary residence for at least 3 years.
ADDITIONALLY…
- Now home owners who have lived in their primary residence consecutively for five of the past eight years are also eligible for a tax credit of $6250 if they buy a new home.
- The current income limits to get the full tax credit are $75k for a single person and $150k for a married couple. With the new bill, income limits have been raised to $125k for a single person and $225k for a married couple. The purchase and sale agreement must be signed by April 30, 2010 and the property must change hands by July 1, 2010. The cost of the home must be less than $800k.
- The new bill also adds an anti-fraud rule. Buyers must attach documentation of the purchase to their tax return. To see a chart with a comparison of old and new tax credit ruling, click here.
The extra money from tax credits can help finance the little changes that a new homeowner wants to make the house their own or can be used toward the down payment. Every little bit helps in these economic times.
The team of professional agents at Phoenix Realty can help you find that perfect home and ensure that you get all the tax credits and incentives possible. If you’re not sure whether this is the right time to move, we’re here to help. We’ll do a free appraisal of your existing home for both sales and rental potential and help work through the pros and cons of your various options. We’re also there to help you find your next great home. It’s easy when you have the right help!
Brace yourself for the winter market
“Should we talk about the weather?” From your next door neighbor to the band R.E.M., everyone is obsessed with the weather. Especially in New England we never seem to tire of the topic and for anyone thinking of buying or selling a home, watching the weather is important for more than just knowing what shoes to wear.
Home sales are very seasonal. Starting in September or October every year, home sales begin a cycle of decline that won’t start heading up until April. Home buyers get busy with the holidays and only the most hardy souls will venture out to look for a home in the cold and ice of a New England winter. 
So what does this mean to you? If you’re thinking of selling your home, your best bet is to wait until things pick up again in March and April. If that’s not an option for you, the sooner you can get your house on the market, the better. This year, many buyers are still hoping to be able to close by the November 30th deadline and get the $8000 tax credit so you have a small window of opportunity.
Use an aggressive pricing strategy. Introduce your home to the market during a weekend open house, preferably one with a favorable weather forecast. Your realtor will help you to price it at just under the selling price of comparable homes. If it is handled correctly, you could have an agreement to sell the house at on or near your asking price in just one weekend!
It’s important to listen to your real estate professional and to take her advice. Many buyers insist on putting their homes on the market during the cold weather for too high of a price and end up selling them in the spring anyway – for well under the original asking price.
For buyers, if you’re willing to potentially move during the holidays or in bad weather, the rewards can be huge. Most sellers that can afford to do so, will take their homes off the market before Thanksgiving and put them on again in the spring. The remaining inventory will usually consist of homeowners that need to sell, so the prices will be lower and the sellers potentially more open to offers that are below the asking price.
Right now, both buyers and sellers are racing to do deals before the snow flies. If you’ve been thinking of buying or selling a home, give the real estate professionals at Phoenix Realty a call. We can help you make the decision that is best for your unique situation.
Photo Credit: marci-spokane.com
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