Real Estate Information Archive

When you’re selling your home, keeping it showing-ready can be a challenge. After all, it’s impossible to keep a home picked-up and neat looking 24/7 (especially if there are children in the house). If you get called for a last-minute showing, don’t turn it down just because your home is a little disheveled. In-stead, use the time that you have before the potential buyers show up to do some quick decluttering. Here are a few tips:
If your time is severely limited, start out wherever your efforts will make the most impact. That could be in the kitchen, or maybe in the living room or a child’s room. Wherever your place is, that’s where you should go first.
Have a little more time? Use the “Front Door Forward” method. Start with your entryway, and declutter clockwise around your home. This technique will make sure that you don’t waste any time running back and forth across your home while you get ready for a showing.
Also, before your potential buyers show up, remember that the smell of your home is very important. Not everyone has time to bake a fresh batch of cookies. Instead, take out the trash, hide any pet food or litter boxes, and spray a light and pleasant air freshener – these small steps can make a huge difference when you’re looking to make a good impression on guests.
For more tips on home selling from the Boston real estate experts, just call Greater Boston Realty at 617-347-5589.   We’ve sold homes all over the area, including Roslindale, West Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain, and we would love to help you find the right buyers for your property.

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.