Boston Homeowner Checklist For 2015

We are nearing the end of 2014, which means a brand-new start in 2015! If you’ve had projects around your Boston home that you’ve been meaning to tackle, or changes you’ve been wanting to make, a new year is the perfect opportunity to accomplish these goals. As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to offer you some suggestions.

As a Boston homeowner, does your home need some updates before you sell it in the Boston real estate market? Are you looking to make some changes in order to enjoy living in your home again on a daily basis? Did you recently buy a Boston home and haven’t had a chance to customize it?

No matter what your situation is, here are some great ideas for how to spruce up your Boston home in 2015:

• Repaint. Painting is one of the most cost-effective updates you can make in a home. A fresh coat of paint can make a room look brighter and cleaner, and it can also update it to a more modern look. For example, beige is out, according to Realty Times, and gray is in.

• Save money. If there are changes you’d like to make to your Boston home, but you just can’t afford it right now, make it your resolution to save pennies until you can. Don’t DIY something you should be calling a professional in for. Cut back on dinners out, and fancy coffees, and you’ll be able to afford it in no time.

• Clean. There is no need to wait until spring to give your Boston home a good cleaning. In fact, winter is a great time to do so, while you’re stuck inside because of the cold weather anyway. Really dig into clutter and get rid of anything you no longer need. Clean out all the storage areas hidden from holiday company!

• Fix. Now is the time to fix what is broken. If you have a leaky faucet, fix it. If you have a burnt out light bulb, replace it with a new one. If you hear a rattling sound when you turn on your shower, get it inspected. From annoying nuisances, to safety precautions, winter is a great time to take control of home maintenance.

• Go green. Now is a great time to commit to making more eco-friendly choices around the home. Add some potted plants to your interior, which is a nice pick-me-up in the winter. Add a programmable thermostat as a sound investment. Stick draft dodgers in front of your doors.

• Update lighting. Winter is a dark season. Updating your lighting is an easy way to make your Boston home seem brighter or more cheerful during the darker months. Whether it’s changing the bulbs, or investing in new lighting fixtures or fans, an update can make a big difference on appearance.

Enjoy updating your Boston home to a home that you can feel proud of, and that you enjoy spending time in. When you’re ready to sell your Boston home, or ready to buy a Boston home, contact me! As a Boston real estate agent, I look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals in 2015.

Patti Fine

Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

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Brighten Up Your Boston Home This Winter!

Brighten Up Your Boston Home

We lost an hour of daylight this past weekend in Boston, MA. That means that either your electricity bill will go up, or it’s time for you to incorporate some tips and tricks to brighten up your home naturally. As your Boston real estate agent, I’d like to help you out with the latter!

There are plenty of things you can do around your Boston home to brighten it up during the dark hours of winter. Here are few to get you started:

• Open your blinds/curtains. This seems like an obvious one, but a lot of people leave their blinds or curtains closed during the day. Unless it’s brutally cold and windy out, allow natural light to stream into your home for as long as it’s light out. Remove solar shades from windows to allow more light in.

• Install a skylight. If you’re ready to make an investment, this is one that could cut energy costs year-round, and increase home value. Plus, they look great, and they allow natural light to shine into places that otherwise wouldn’t get much! These are especially great for bathrooms with small or no windows.

• Add task lighting. Ceiling lights just don’t cut it in the winter. Notice where there are dark corners in each room and strategically place a new floor lamp or desk lamp in that area. These typically use less energy than overhead lights and give rooms a softer glow.

• Repaint. Dark colored walls can make a home feel dark and dreary, especially in winter. Lighter colored paint reflects light back into a room. If you have dark colors on your walls, consider lighter, softer neutral colors. You could always accent the room with a darker color for a winter appeal.

• Add mirrors. Mirrors create the illusion of extra space, but they also reflect light and create the illusion that there is more of it than there actually is. If you hang a mirror opposite a window, it’ll double the light in the room. Get creative with glass or mirrored furniture or decorations as well.

Aside from these tips, you could also clean your windows, mirrors and light bulbs really good, so that optimal amounts of light can shine through. These are great tips to incorporate, especially when staging your Boston home to sell! Boston homebuyers want a bright, cheerful home to come home to in the dead of winter. These tips will make your home more appealing to them.

Ready to buy a Boston home? Ready to sell your Boston home? Have questions? Contact me, your Boston real estate agent! I am here for you when you need me.

Patti Fine

Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

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Most Popular Home Features among Boston Home Buyers!

As a Boston home seller, you want to know who your potential homebuyers are in the Boston real estate market, and what they are currently looking for from a home. Trends come and go, so when staging your home to sell, it’s important to be up-to-date with the latest information.

After all, inventory is rising, so you have more competition. Plus, some upgrades yield a high return on investment and will allow you to increase the asking price of your home!

As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to update you today! A recent survey was conducted to see which upgrades Boston homebuyers are willing to pay more for. Here were the results:

• Central air conditioning. This upgrade was most important to buyers, with a whopping 69 percent saying they would pay more for a home that had this: up to $2,520 more.

• New appliances. Of all the kitchen upgrades available, new appliances was the one that 69 percent of buyers said they would pay more for: up to $1,840 more. Added bonus: Energy Star appliances!

• Walk-in closets. Buyers desire lots of storage, and walk-in closets fit into that category. That’s why 60 percent of buyers say they would pay more: up to $1,350 more.

• Granite countertops. Granite is still a popular option in the kitchen, and that’s why 55 percent of buyers said they would pay more for this upgrade: up to $1,620 more.

• Hardwood floors. This trend comes and goes, but right now, buyers desire hardwood flooring over carpeting. Make this upgrade and 54 percent of buyers will pay more: up to $2,080 more.

• Master Suite. Buyers want a master bedroom with an upgraded master bath. From second sinks to mounted televisions, 49 percent of buyers will pay more: up to $2,030 more. However, it’s important to note your area’s demographic. Younger buyers don’t care as much as older buyers do.

• Kitchen island. Buyers like their kitchen updates, and the kitchen island is an upgrade that gives them more storage and counter space. That’s why 48 percent of buyers will pay more: up to $1,370 more.

• Stainless steel. This is still the material that most buyers, 41 percent of them, prefer for appliances, even though they wear faster. They are willing to spend up to $1,850 more for stainless steel.

• Eat-in kitchen. The kitchen strikes again! Buyers, especially younger ones with kids, are looking for functional eat-in kitchens. Forty percent of buyers will spend up to $1,770 more for this.

• Fireplaces. This attractive, functional feature is even more popular in the northern states, and no surprise after the winter Boston, MA had! Forty percent of buyers will pay up to $1,770 more for one.

As a rule of thumb, kitchen and bath updates are always popular among homebuyers. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently shared that extra-large, luxury showers with multiple shower heads and built-in seating are all the rage right now.

Have questions about selling your Boston home? Ready to sell with professional assistance? Contact me, your Boston real estate agent!

Patti Fine

Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes