Showing posts with label Boston Real Estate agent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Real Estate agent. Show all posts

Signs It’s Time to Sell Your Boston Home


Are you thinking about selling your Boston home? Have you been considering this for awhile, but haven’t been sure when the right time is? As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to tell you that when you’re ready to be a Boston home seller, the Boston real estate market is ready for you!

Home sales are up, because Boston homebuyers are eager to buy while mortgage rates remain historically low. Home prices are up, because home values and equity are returning, and also because inventory is still low. In fact, Boston home prices soared in the first few months of 2015!

When the inventory of homes for sale is low, this means that as a Boston home seller, you might receive multiple offers from buyers, and you might score an offer higher than your listing price! Bidding wars are very common right now. Boston homes are also selling fast after being listed.
So if you’re ready to sell your Boston home, now is definitely the time to do it. But how do you know when you’re ready to sell? Here are some common signs that it’s time:
  • You’ve outgrown your space. Is your family growing as you have children, purchase pets or make room for aging parents or relatives? Do you need office space, or bigger closets, or more bedrooms for your growing children? If you feel like a bigger home is your next step, now is definitely the time to sell, so you can score a low mortgage rate when you purchase your next home.
  • Your neighborhood is booming. Notice if other homes in the area are selling. Contact me, your Boston real estate agent, to find out what homes in the area are selling for, compared to what they were listed for, and how quickly they are selling. Get your home reappraised to find out if your home has positive equity. The housing recovery is in full force!
  • You stopped caring about maintenance. Did you used to get excited about home projects, but now the paint is chipping and the gardens are overgrown? This could mean that you’re ready for maintenance-free living, or maybe you just need a change in scenery. Take it as a sign that you are ready to move on, and ready to perhaps downsize to a smaller home, or even to a Boston condo or townhouse.
If any of these signs ring a bell for you, or if your life has changed recently and you are just ready to move on, contact me. As your Boston real estate agent, I can answer any questions you may have, and I would love to help you through the home-selling process in Boston!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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7 Earth Day Events in Boston!


Tomorrow is Earth Day, and as such, Boston is hosting all kinds of Earth-related events and activities to celebrate. As your Boston real estate agent, I’d like to fill you in on what’s going on! Gather up your group of friends, your kids, coworkers, or just head out on your own, and enjoy fun activities that also teach you about the planet, or allow you make a positive difference.

1.  Bring the whole family to Discovery Museums for their Celebrate eARTd Day event tomorrow! You can drop into Bessie’s Tent anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to try your hand at turning trash into treasure. You can repurpose electronic equipment or you can uncover your inner naturalist, artist or builder in other ways. Both museums are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

2.  Shop at OMBE on Earth Day tomorrow and receive 10 percent off any Eco Beauty Bar items! This includes beauty products from Erbaviva, Badger Balm, LEAP Organics, Manduka and many more. You’ll be doing a favor to the earth, your skin and your wallet! 

3.  Head to Ecotarium for an Earth Day Festival on Friday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local green organizations and food vendors will be present. There will be lots of indoor and outdoor activities and entertainment, and you can explore the beautiful trails, ponds, woods and more while there. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and students with ID. 

4.  Also on Friday, head to Franklin Park Zoo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for “Party for the Planet” Earth Day Celebration! You can meet the zookeepers and participate in scavenger hunts and an array of activities, all while finding out how you can help preserve the earth. There will also be entertainment, compost demonstrations and eco-friendly exhibits. 

5.  Help clean up the Charles River this Saturday, April 25! From 9 a.m. to noon, join thousands of volunteers and community groups to help beautify the banks of the Charles River, from Bellingham to Boston. This is part of a nationwide movement to clean up U.S. rivers, which to date, has removed over 4 million pounds of trash from waterways. Register! 

6.  All week, you can visit national parks for free in honor of National Park Week! With 14 national parks just in Massachusetts, this week would be a great week or weekend for taking some road trips and appreciating the natural beauty that surrounds us. This includes Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Boston National Historical Park, Longfellow House, Lowell National Historical Park and many more. 

7.  All week, you can also Boston Architectural College on Newbury Street! Today through Saturday, the college’s Green Team will have a special Earth Week Exhibit that anyone can walk through. Topics and activities will include recycling, urban bicycling, movie showings and more. 

Earth Day is also a great time to incorporate some eco-friendly, energy-efficient upgrades into your Boston home! These will save you money, help protect the planet, and can increase the value of your home. When ready to buy or sell real estate in the Boston real estate market, contact me, your Boston real estate agent!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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How to Increase Your Boston Home’s Property Value!


Are you ready to sell your Boston home soon? Now is the time to do it! Housing supply is low, so bidding wars are high among buyers. Plus, mortgage rates are still low and rents are rising, so Boston homebuyers are eager to buy. As your Boston real estate agent, I am here to help you with the home-selling process!

Before you put your home on the Boston real estate market, consider taking some steps to increase your Boston home’s property value. To help you out, I’ve summarized some  recent tips from Realtor Magazine.
  • Repair. The first things they say to check are the foundation, roof, plumbing and electrical.  Take a good look at every aspect of the home, inside and out, and make the necessary repairs. The home inspectors will find what you find!
  • Declutter. Spring clean your entire home, including inside closets, cabinets, drawers and storage areas. Donate, sell, recycle or toss whatever you no longer need. Clutter turns buyers off fast!
  • Lighten up. Allow natural light in by replacing heavy window curtains with lighter options or blinds that you can easily open. Clean the windows. Replace any burnt out light bulbs around the house.
  • Add eco value. If you need to upgrades in the house, such as kitchen appliances, toilets, furnaces, water heaters or windows, opt for more energy-efficient options. Buyers appreciate green, eco-friendly upgrades right now.
  • Refinish. Pay attention to your floors. Give your wooden floors a refinishing, along with your outdoor deck or front porch. Consider replacing worn carpeting with wooden floors, or at least have the carpeting professionally cleaned.
  • Update kitchen. Kitchens are major focal points for buyers. Make small upgrades that won’t cost you your savings, such as replacing or painting cabinets, or upgrading the faucet.
  • Update bathroom. Buyers also pay attention to bathrooms, so consider adding a double vanity or a walk-in shower. Upgrade the cabinets, floors or wall paint if necessary.
  • Remodel. If you’re going to go all out and remodel, consider remodeling the attic or basement before adding on brand-new space to the home. Remodeling the space you have is a more cost-effective option.
  • Spruce up. Add curb appeal with low-maintenance gardens, tree trimming, and lawn watering and mowing. Give the front door a fresh coat of paint, and consider replacing the address numbers or mailbox.
As you can see, there are plenty of simple, cost-effective ways to add value to your Boston home. Deep cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing go a long way, too. Staging to sell is key to attracting interested Boston homebuyers!

Don’t let this great opportunity for selling your Boston home pass you by. Contact me, your Boston real estate agent, when you’re ready to get started with the home-selling process!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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What to Look Forward To In Boston This Spring!


Spring has officially arrived in Boston! Though the weather isn’t as spring-like as most of us had hoped for, warm weather, sunshine and colorful flowers will be here in no time. To get you pumped for the spring season in Boston, as your Boston real estate agent, I’ve compiled a list of events and activities to look forward to!

1.  Done with hot chocolate and mulled ciders? Good, because spring cocktail menus have returned! Check out Brass Union’s Jumpman Julep cocktail, made with tequila, coconut foam and a blend of pineapple, orange and pomegranate juices. Or, go with Legal Crossing’s Bob Lee’s Islander, made with dark rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice and more. These springy flavors will get you ready for warm weather!

2.  Food truck season is returning so soon! Starting April 1, you can expect new and old trucks to return for your enjoyment during your lunch break, on weekends, and anytime you attend a local festival. Monday through Saturday, you can find food trucks at Dewey Square Park, Rowes Wharf Plaza, Greenway Carousel and many other locations. Check out the full Mobile Eats calendar! 

3.  Dining out in Boston seems even more enjoyable than usual when you get to eat on outdoor patios and decks. When we reached 50 degrees a couple weeks ago, Precinct Kitchen + Bar, Trattoria il Panino and Sam’s all opened their patios. So, any day that feels warm enough to sit outside to you, you’ll likely find an open outdoor patio just by walking around!

4.  A sure sign of spring in Boston is when the carousels open for the season! The Rose Kennedy Greenway carousel and the Boston Common carousel are both scheduled to open for the season on April 3. If you’ve got kids, bring them by one of these locations and enjoy the fresh outdoor air as a family.

5.  Baseball is another sure sign of spring in Boston, and the Red Sox opening game at Fenway Park takes place on April 13! They’ll be playing the Washington Nationals. Buy your tickets now for some great sports entertainment. If you miss opening day, there will be many more home games to look forward to all season.

6.  The Boston Marathon returns to Boston on April 20! Thousands of runners are expected to participate in the 119th Marathon, and the Red Sox “Patriots Day” game will take place that morning as well. Tons of people flock to the streets to cheer on the runners. This is an exciting day in Boston, full of Boston pride!

For more events and activities to look forward to this spring in Boston, check out this list from BostInno. When ready to buy a Boston home, or to sell your Boston home this spring, contact me, your Boston real estate agent! I would love to help you achieve your Boston real estate goals this spring season.

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Use A Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Boston Home!


Are you getting ready to sell your Boston home? Now is a great time to do it! New home construction is on the rise, so the longer you wait, the more competition you’ll have from new homes and other sellers. Pending homes sales were at their highest level in 18 months, so the real estate market is already active! Once spring weather arrives, it’ll get even busier.

As a Boston real estate agent, I want to help you understand why it’s a smart idea to use an agent to help you sell your Boston home. With so much technology at our fingertips, it might seem like a breeze to sell on your own. That isn’t typically the case, though.

You may have heard that in a recent survey, 92 percent of buyers have used the internet in their home search. However, it’s important to also know that 96 percent of those that used the internet purchased their home through a real estate agent! Only two percent of buyers bought their home directly from a seller.

Buyers responded in the survey to say that they work through an agent to find the actual home they’ll buy, to negotiate terms of the sale and price, and to understand the process. There is a lot of information out there, and a lot of paperwork involved in closings. As the Boston home seller, you don’t want to be left to figure all that out and to connect the dots on your own!

There are a couple other good reasons to work with a Boston real estate agent, too.

We keep emotions out of it. Chances are, you’ve lived in your Boston home for a long time. You’ve grown attached to it. It’s much harder to sell the home that way. As an agent, I can lend you tips on staging your home to sell in a neutral way that suits most buyers. I can listen to the criticism from buyers without taking it personally or getting offended. I know what  buyers will be willing to pay for your home according to market trends, instead of overinflated figures that stem from pride of ownership.

We also sift through the paperwork and explain the process to you. Unless you’ve sold a Boston home in the past, you won’t realize all the steps involved in the home-selling process. It gets tricky! There is also a lot of paperwork to be filled, a lot of negotiating to be had with the buyer’s agent, and a lot of steps to follow during the closing process. I can lead you each step of the way.

When you’re ready to sell your Boston home, or you have questions about selling, contact me, your Boston real estate agent! I would love to help you understand the process, and help you sell your house as fast as you can, for as much as you can. Let’s get started!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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7 Boston Events Taking Place This Week!


Do you have major cabin fever in Boston? After all the snow we’ve gotten, I’m guessing that there are a lot of you who are sick of being inside. As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to fill your calendar with events and activities to get you out of the house and into some fun social situations!

Pull out your planner and jot down these events, which are taking place within the next seven days in Boston. Buy tickets quickly, before anything sells out!
  • Listen to a performance by Audra McDonald. This six-time Tony Award winner and two-time Grammy Award winner will perform at Symphony Hall this Sunday, March 1, beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $50. McDonald has performed five times before in Boston. This is her sixth Celebrity Series performance, and she’ll be performing with piano, bass and drums. It’ll be a beautiful evening of music! 
  • Watch an out-of-the-box theatrical performance. Simon Says begins this Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre. Tickets range from $30 to $40. This play, produced by Little Seer Productions, is about a psychic who explores different realms alongside an ethereal force, including physical and metaphysical, religious and scientific. It’ll get you thinking! 
  • Try new food around Boston. Dine Out Boston is back, beginning March 1! You can enjoy a prix fixe menu at more than 170 restaurants around Boston. You can enjoy lunch for $15, $20 or $25, and dinner for $28, $33 or $38, depending on which package you choose. Part of proceeds will benefit ArtsBoston this year. So branch out from your usual dining spots and try something new! It’ll get your mouth watering. 
  • Cheer on beautiful dancers. The cast for the next season of Dancing with the Stars was revealed this morning! Want to see some live dancing? Dancing Pros Live is coming to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on March 1. Tickets range from $40 to $65. Watch DWTS pros, such as Chelsie Hightower and Edyta Sliwinska, present dancers competing for audience votes and prizes. It’ll get you wanting to dance! 
  • Participate in an ongoing event. Boston has some events that have been going on for weeks, but they will soon come to an end! The Boston Wine Festival runs through March 27, with special events and activities taking place throughout this time at Boston Harbor Hotel. The Winter Carnival in Harvard Square runs until March 8 and has a never-ending list of events taking place. Winter on the Wharf at the Boston Harbor Hotel runs through March 15. Take advantage of these fun winter activities!
Get out and enjoy all that Boston has to offer. Winter might be sticking around for a while. Don’t let the cold or piles of snow stop you from enjoying yourself. Don’t let it stop you from achieving your real estate goals in the Boston real estate market either! When ready to buy a Boston home, or ready to sell your Boston home, contact me, your Boston real estate agent!
Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Fall in Love with a Boston Home This Valentine’s Day!


Are you ready to buy a Boston home? Now is the perfect time to do it! Consumer confidence is at its highest level in over a decade, which is expected to create a very robust Boston real estate market. Already, foot traffic is higher than usual this time of year. Boston homebuyers want to buy now, while mortgage rates are still at record lows. Don’t miss out!

As your Boston real estate agent, I would love to help you through the home-buying process. I have some tips I’d like to share with you on how to know when you’ve found “the one.” Similar to how you know when you’ve found the one to marry and spend the rest of your life with, finding the house you’ll spend many years living in is an important decision, too!

Here are some tips from RIS Media to help you know when it’s the one:
  • The home makes you happy. It sound simple, but sometimes checking in with your intuition is the best way of knowing if you’ve found the right Boston home. Do you feel anxious, or like you’d like to keep looking, or do you feel excited and hopeful when you think about the home? Just like in a relationship, butterflies in the stomach can occur when you’ve found your Boston dream home, too!
  • The home has a strong foundation. You need a strong foundation in a relationship, but also with a home. Of course, we’re talking literally with a home. Make sure to have an inspection done to find out if the Boston home needs any repairs, and if it does, if the Boston home seller is willing to pay for them. If the home is good to go, you’ve found a winner!
  • The home meets your need. Why are you buying a Boston home? Are you relocating for work, or are you buying bigger for your growing family? Do you want to be closer to a bustling downtown, or further away in a family-friendly, quiet neighborhood? Consider the home and the area around the home, and if it suits all of your needs.
  • The home supports your future. Don’t just think about whether the Boston home has what you need right now. Think about your future too, because you’ll most likely be spending many years living in this home! Can you visualize raising a family, or retiring as empty nesters, or living on your own in that particular neighborhood? Can you imagine nights out on the patio, and cooking dinners in the kitchen.
Whether you buy your Boston dream home this Valentine’s Day, or sometime in the months to come, I’d love to help you out! Contact me, your Boston real estate agent. I will help you make sure that you have found “the one” before you officially close on your new living space.

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Affordable Winter Activities in Boston!


A lot of Bostonians are going to be stir crazy after getting cooped up inside during this snow storm! As soon as it’s safe to go outside again, get active and enjoy all that Boston has to offer. Boston.com put together a list of activities you can do for under $25, and as your Boston real estate agent, I’ve shared some of the best ones here with you.

Next time you’re out exploring Boston, consider one of these activities:
  • Visit the Top of the Hub at Prudential Tower and walk the Skywalk Observatory above Boston. You’ll see amazing views of our great city! Cost is $16 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and $11 for kids. Admission also includes an audio tour and museum admission.
  • Go ice skating on Frog Pond at Boston Common. It’s picturesque, right in the heart of Boston, and you’ll have a blast doing it. Cost is $5 for those over 58 inches tall, and free for those under. Skate rentals cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
  • Head to the Boston Public Library for a free art and architecture tour! You don’t have to make an appointment. Just meet in the lobby of the McKim Building. The tour lasts about an hour and includes information and views of famous sculptors and painters.
  • Enjoy an out-of-the-box film by visiting the Brattle Theatre! They show classic, foreign and independent films. Cost is $11 or $9 before 5 p.m., and $8 for seniors and kids. Casablanca is coming up Valentine's Day weekend!
  • Visit a free museum. Plenty of the museums in Boston are free! The Museum of Bad Art, the Fuller Craft Museum, the Boston University Art Gallery, the MIT Museum on the last Sunday of the month and many other museums in the area are free. Explore one you’ve never been to!
  • Samuel Adams brewery tours depart every 45 minutes and last about an hour. Get there early on weekends, it’s very popular. For a suggested donation of $2, you get beer tours and tastings. At 9:40 a.m. on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you get a specialty tasting during the Morning Mash In Tour.
  • The Boston Children’s Museum understands that kids need to left off some steam after a week of school or daycare. That’s why every Friday night between 5 and 9 p.m., the museum costs just $1 per person! Normally, admission is $14 per person. Take advantage!
For more activities around Boston that cost less than $25, view the Boston.com article in its entirety. Stay safe in the snow, and get out exploring Boston when able to do so!

Don’t let a little snow scare you away from browsing the Boston real estate market. When you’re ready to buy a Boston home, or ready to sell your Boston home, contact me. As your Boston real estate agent, I’m always available to help you out!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Winter Carnival in Boston’s Harvard Square!


If you’re looking for something fun to do in the months between the winter holidays ending and summer beginning, look no further than the Winter Carnival in Harvard Square in Boston! This event began on Jan. 9 and runs all the way until March 8, with tons of events and activities taking place throughout the eight weeks of fun.

Activities include live music, chocolate, chili, great food, celebrities, the Chinese New Year, promotions, discounts and more. As your Boston real estate agent, I’ve put together a guide here, with some of the best events to mark in your calendar!

1.  Want a really great workout for free? You can get a complimentary five-day pass to Wellbridge Athletic Club during the duration of Winter Carnival, which is located right in Harvard Square. You can use their indoor pool, weight training and cardio rooms, or take complimentary classes, like yoga or cycling.

2.  Catch a Boston Opera Collaborative showing of “Les Lettres de Wether,” a re-telling of the story Werther, on Jan. 15 or 16 at Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets only cost $25 for this fresh take on a classic story.

3.  Is your skin taking a beating from the cold? Stop into Origins Harvard Square between now and Jan. 17 for a free mini facial! They’ll also be giving away a free facial tool and sample with any purchase. Then from Jan. 23 to 31, you’ll receive free hot chocolate and chocolate cookies while getting a makeup application.

4.  Legal Sea Foods Charles Square has deemed Jan. 15 Chowda Day! That day, you can order a cup of New England Clam Chowder for only $1 with purchase of an entrée.

5.  Taste of Chocolate Festival takes place Jan. 23 through 25 and is definitely one to mark down in the books! Local restaurants will feature chocolate appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails and more while you enjoy all the chocolate you could ask for! This takes place in Brattle Plaza.

6.  On Jan. 31, bundle up and head to Brattle Plaza in Harvard Square for the 7th Annual ‘Some Like it Hot’ Chili Cook-Off! From 1 to 2:30 p.m., Harvard Square’s finest chefs will be cooking batches of chili for you to sample and vote on. You get a bunch of free chili right before Super Bowl Sunday!

7.  On Feb. 15, celebrate Valentine’s Day a date late at the Delicious & Divine: A Chocolate & Wine Affair Class at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. You’ll learn the history of romance and chocolate and why the two often go together, and you’ll learn how to match your favorite chocolates with the correct types of wine. This is from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, check out the Harvard Square website. It is so awesome to have a winter carnival that lasts this long! It takes away the idea that winter months are dull. There is never a dull moment in Boston!

Want to live in Boston? Ready to buy a Boston home? Contact me, your Boston real estate agent! I’d love to help you out.

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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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
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Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Boston!


New Year’s Eve is only two weeks away here in Boston! Now is the time to start planning and purchasing tickets to the party or gathering that you would most like to attend for the big celebration. As your Boston real estate agent, I’ve put together a list of some of the most popular NYE parties in Boston, so you can plan accordingly. Don’t wait until the last minute, everything might be sold out!

1.  For $125, you can purchase the Boston All Access Pass that is good on Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. This gets you into five of Boston’s hottest NYE parties, so you don’t have to choose just one! Hop around until you find the crowd you enjoy most. It’ll get you into Gem, Guilt, Royale, The Estate and Underbar. 

2.  For only $10, you can join Boston’s NYW Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Register for the bar crawl at Tia’s anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. There you will receive a cup, wristband and crawl map. You and your group can crawl at your own pace. The ticket gets you admission into each participating bar. 

3.  Take a dinner cruise and enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks from the water! Cruise includes a champagne toast at midnight, dinner, drinks, music and dancing. The Odyssey cruise boards at 8 p.m. and cruises from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Price is $179.90 per person. Spirit Cruises also has a Fireworks Dinner Cruise for $149.90 per person, with the same timeline. 

4.  Celebrate the end of 2014 with the Boston Pops on New Year’s Eve, beginning at 10 p.m. The Boston Pops Swing Orchestra and bandleader extraordinaire Bo Winiker will perform at Pops Symphony Hall. Doors open at 8 p.m. and numerous dining options will be available, as well as a cash bar. The Symphony Café will open at 7:30 p.m. and will include a $65 dining option. Then dance the night away! 

5.  If you’re looking for a New Year’s Eve celebration for the whole family to enjoy, check out First Night Boston! This begins at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and continues until midnight. All you have to do is buy a button that allows you to participate in all the activities and entertainment of this family-friendly, alcohol-free event. It includes two fireworks shows, a huge parade, live musical performances, ice sculptures, a puppet festival and so much more. More than one million people usually show up to this event, so buy your button and don’t miss out! 

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve in Boston this year. When you’re ready to buy a Boston home or to sell your Boston home, either this year or the beginning of next year, contact me, your Boston real estate agent. I’d love to help you out!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Where to Celebrate Christmas in Boston This Week!


The holidays are upon us here in Boston, and as your Boston real estate agent, I’ve prepared a guide of all the holiday happenings around Boston this month. But just this week, there are tons of ways for you to feel festive around Boston. To help you get into the holiday spirit, I’ve created a list of events and activities happening around Boston in the coming days:

1.  If you’ve missed any of the Boston tree lighting ceremonies thus far, you’ve still got two left to catch! The Copley Square Tree Lighting takes place tonight from 5 to 6 p.m. The Old South Church bells will sound as the lights go on. Santa, the Boston Pops and Rudolph will all be there. Then on Thursday, Dec. 4, the Boston Common Holiday Tree Lighting takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. This will include games, prizes, and a show on the Frog Pond Skating Rink.  

2.  Head to the North End this Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 11 p.m. for the Buon Natale Holiday Stroll. For one night only, participating North End boutiques, galleries and studios will offer special discounts and warm hospitality. Dress warm, invite friends and bring your checkbook! Get holiday shopping done early. 

3.  If you’re extra bold and daring, sign up for the annual Santa Speedo Run this Saturday, Dec. 6. This one-mile jog raises money for the Play Ball Foundation, which brings sports and team-building skills to Boston middle school students. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Lir Tavern, followed by libations, and the run kicks off at 1 p.m. If you want to watch, runners will make their way down Boylston to Berkeley and back up Newbury. 

4.  AMC Assembly Row 12 is hosting free holiday movies each Saturday during the month of December! This Saturday, “Polar Express” will be shown, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Enjoy the movie and then head out to find bargains at all the discount and outlet stores at Assembly Row. 

5.  This Sunday, visit Hampshire House for a holiday brunch, followed by a gingerbread house decoration session! Seatings take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and then again from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For $30 per child and $50 per adult, you get brunch and a gingerbread house to decorate. 

Enjoy this week’s holiday activities in Boston, and for a full list of activities for the month, check out my Boston Events page. As always, the Boston real estate market continues to run through the holiday season. When you’re ready to buy a Boston home or to sell your Boston home, don’t be afraid to contact me, your Boston real estate agent! I’d love to help you out!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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How to Get the Best Mortgage Value in Boston!


If you are thinking about buying a Boston home soon, chances are, you’ve been keeping up with mortgage rates. Mortgage rates have remained around four percent for over a month now, which historically, is an excellent rate. The lower the rate, the less you pay in monthly mortgage payments!

However, as your Boston real estate agent, I’d like to point out that the interest rate alone doesn’t determine the cost of a mortgage. Sometimes, the lowest interest rate might not be the most affordable mortgage. Other costs could be involved, including origination fees, lender’s attorney fees, private mortgage insurance and more.

When working with a lender, it’s a good idea to ask about the APR, or annual percentage rate, of a loan. Many of the additional costs of mortgage loans are included in the loan’s APR, so this gives you a better indication as to which loan to choose. However, there are still things to know about APR.

If you don’t keep the loan for its full duration, because you sell or refinance your Boston home, the cost will change. If you choose an adjustable-rate mortgage, the APR can’t tell you what the cost will be in the future, because no one knows when rates will rise or fall. There are still additional costs and fees involved in a mortgage too, aside from what is added to the APR.

When shopping around for a mortgage, as a Boston real estate agent, my advice is to research current mortgage rates, talk to multiple lenders, ask for all of your options, ask for the APR for each option, and then ask for a GFE, which is a good faith estimate. This will be an estimate of what the mortgage loan will cost with all fees included.

If this all sounds confusing, don’t worry. That’s what mortgage lenders are for! They will talk you through the process. Choose to work with a mortgage lender that not only offers you a reasonable mortgage rate, but also a lender that you feel comfortable working with. You don’t want to make any decisions without feeling 100 percent sure and satisfied with it afterward.

That is true when buying a Boston home, too! After you’re pre-approved for a mortgage, contact me for help with the home-buying process. As a professional and experienced Boston real estate agent, it’s my job to make sure you feel fully comfortable and satisfied with the home you choose to buy from the Boston real estate market.

I will answer any question and will take my time helping you feel comfortable and confident with the home-buying process. When you’re ready to get started, contact me!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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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
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5 Halloween Events around Boston, MA!


Halloween is quickly approaching here in Boston. Have you planned how you will celebrate this beloved holiday? As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to fill you in on some of the events and activities coming up around Boston, so you don’t miss a minute of the spooktacular fun!

Whether you’re up for a fun Halloween party, safe trick-or-treating for kids, or an authentic tour of Boston’s historic sites, there is an event or activity for you. Here are five that particularly stood out to me and felt worth sharing:

1.  Make reservations for Boston’s nightly Ghosts and Gravestones Tour! These fill up fast this month and are widely popular among Bostonians. You ride a trolley and walk around Boston’s scariest sites while costumed gravediggers guide you and tell you haunting tales about strange discoveries and mysterious happenings in the city’s earlier days. 

2.  Make reservations for Dining in the Dark at Hampshire House on Halloween night! From 6 to 9 p.m., you’ll put on a blindfold that will allow your other senses to take over as you enjoy a delicious meal in pitch dark. The dinner will also include stirring music, a theatrical story and other dining companions. It’s not a Halloween you’ll soon forget! 

3.  Beacon Hill’s historic homes go all out for Halloween with extravagant decorations. Stroll through the neighborhoods, such as Chestnut and Mt Vernon Streets, to view these decorations on your own. Or, you can join a Beach Hill photography tour while capturing the decorations in photos, and getting tips on how to capture the best shots. You’ll also receive a lot of stories about the area and past residents! 

4.  Visit the SoWa Open Market on Sunday, Oct. 26 for Market of the Living Dead! This is the last market of the season, and people go all out with zombie costumes. There is a prize for best costume, so get creative! The market will also feature live music, pumpkin carving, food trucks and more, aside from the 130 artists and designers that are always featured. 

5.  Bring the kids to the Prudential Center on Oct. 26 for Pru Boo! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., costumed children can trick-or-treat at over 50 participating stores and restaurants. It’s warm and safe inside, so this is a great alternative to trick-or-treating on Halloween for the younger kids! Other activities will include face painting, magic shows, pumpkin decorating and more. 

Enjoy the rest of October with these wonderfully spooky and festive Halloween events in Boston! For more events happening in Boston, check out my Boston events page. When you’re ready to accomplish your real estate goals in the Boston real estate market, contact me, your Boston real estate agent!

Patti Fine
Phone: 617-642-7585
Email: pf@pattifine.com
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Sell Your Boston, MA Home This Fall!


Have you been putting off the home-selling process in Boston, even though you’ve been ready to sell for a while? Are you ready to move up to a better home? Have you wanted to relocate closer to family, or closer to your job? Are you ready to retire into assisted living, or downsize as empty nesters? Whatever the reason, as your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to tell you that now is an excellent time to sell your Boston home!

Here are some reasons why KCM Crew says you should consider selling this fall:

1.  Demand from Boston homebuyers is strong. Mortgage rates fell last week and remain at yearly lows, which was not predicted for this year! Still, economists predict that rates will rise by at least one percent in the next year, which means that buyers can save a lot of money by purchasing a home now. The more buyers that are eager to buy, the more interest you’ll get in your home, and the more negotiating power you’ll have!

2.  Now is the time to move up. If you want to sell your Boston home and move up to a bigger or better home, low mortgage rates affect you too. If you buy a Boston home now, you’ll save yourself hundreds of dollars per month on your monthly mortgage payment by getting a low mortgage rate. Start the pre-approval process now and see what type of rate you can get!

3.  There is less competition. Inventory is still below normal levels, and while new home inventory is expected to make a comeback soon, it hasn’t yet. A recent survey showed that 41 percent of buyers prefer a new house, over 21 percent who prefer an existing house. Take advantage of the low competition by selling now, while buyers are eager! This is an ideal situation.

4.  The process is faster this time of year. The length of time it takes from contract to closing has increased this year, due to more requirements and paperwork from banks. The summer time is busy, because the Boston real estate market is very active. The winter months take a long time because of the holiday season. Right now, during the fall, is the best time of year for a smooth transaction!

5.  It’s time to move on. No matter what reason you have for wanting to sell your Boston home, why are you waiting to accomplish that goal? Home prices are up, mortgage rates are still down, home equity is returning, foreclosure numbers are way down, and the housing recovery is steadily continuing. Now is the time to relocate, or move up, or grow your family, or start a new job, or downsize, and move on with your life and your dreams.

When you’re ready to sell your Boston home, contact me, your Boston real estate agent. I would love to help you accomplish your real estate goals in the Boston real estate market!

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