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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

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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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

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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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

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Boston Market Statistics for the Week of 2/23/2015

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area single family homes...

For single family Boston properties in zip code 02116 there was a total of 1 home listed as of February 20th.   With an average of 4,675 square feet and 5 bedrooms, the median list price comes out to $4,500,000. None of the homes were newly listed. Finally, with an average of 70 days on the market, 0 of the 1 home was absorbed.

The numbers for Boston condos in zip code 02116 are promising. The median listing price was at $2,400,000 at a total inventory of 41. The average condo size is currently sitting at 2,180 square feet, along with an average of 2.80 bedrooms and 2.65 bathrooms. With an average of 99 days on the market, 6 of the 41 condos were absorbed.

Below is a graph that shows the median price for Single Family Homes and Condos in 02116.

Data provided by ©2014 Altos Research LLC

Data and charts are based on the last 2 weeks, but are current to the day.  I have the ability to focus on different zip codes in the Boston area.  Please contact me with whatever your area of interest is; 02116, 02118, 02129 and I will be glad to help you, just let me know!

Patti Fine

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes 

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes 

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

Search Greater Boston Area Homes 

Boston Market Statistics for the Week of 12/22/2014

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area single family homes...

For single family Boston properties in zip code 02118 there was a total of 2 homes listed as of December 19th.   With an average of 4,490 square feet and 4 bedrooms, the median list price comes out to $3,900,000. None of the homes were newly listed. Finally, with an average of 10 days on the market, 0 of the 2 homes were absorbed.

The numbers for Boston condos in zip code 02118 are promising. The median listing price was at $879,000 at a total inventory of 33. The average condo size is currently sitting at 1,872 square feet, along with an average of 2.44 bedrooms and 1.84 bathrooms. With an average of 94 days on the market, 10 of the 33 condos were absorbed.

Below is a graph that shows the median price for Single Family Homes and Condos in 02118.

Data provided by ©2014 Altos Research LLC

Data and charts are based on the last 2 weeks, but are current to the day.  I have the ability to focus on different zip codes in the Boston area.  Please contact me with whatever your area of interest is; 02116, 02118, 02129 and I will be glad to help you, just let me know!

Patti Fine

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes

Boston Market Statistics for the Week of 11/21/2014

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area single family homes...

For single family Boston properties in zip code 02116 there was a total of 3 homes listed as of November 14th.   With an average of 6,242 square feet and 5 bedrooms, the median list price comes out to $4,900,000. None of the homes were newly listed. Finally, with an average of 289 days on the market, 1 of the 3 homes were absorbed.

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area condos...

The numbers for Boston condos in zip code 02116 are promising. The median listing price was at $1,799,500 at a total inventory of 60. The average condo size is currently sitting at 1,843 square feet, along with an average of 2.59 bedrooms and 2.40 bathrooms. With an average of 73 days on the market, 7 of the 60 condos were absorbed.

Below is a graph that shows the median price for Single Family Homes and Condos in 02116.

Data provided by ©2014 Altos Research LLC

Data and charts are based on the last 2 weeks, but are current to the day.  I have the ability to focus on different zip codes in the Boston area.  Please contact me with whatever your area of interest is; 02116, 02118, 02129 and I will be glad to help you, just let me know!

Patti Fine

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes 

Boston Market Statistics for the Week of 10/17/2014

Presenting you with your bi-monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area...

For single family Boston properties there was a total of 6 homes listed as of October 17th. With an average of 1,900 square feet and 3.00 bedrooms, the median list price comes out to $1,049,450. Only 3 or the 6 homes were actually newly listed. Finally, with an average of 27 days on the market.

The numbers for Boston condos are promising. The median listing price was at $639,000 at a total inventory of 34. The average condo size is currently sitting at 1,342 square feet, along with an average of 2.24 bedrooms and 1.9 bathrooms. With an average of 43 days on the market, 8 of the 34 condos were absorbed.

Patti Fine

Phone: 617-642-7585

Email: pf@pattifine.com

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes 

Boston Market Statistics for the Week of 9/19/14

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area single family homes...

For single family Boston properties in zip code 02118 there was a total of 3 homes listed as of September 19th.   With an average of 3,264 square feet and 4 bedrooms, the median list price comes out to $2,795,000. 1 of the homes were newly listed. Finally, with an average of 147 days on the market, none of the 3 homes were absorbed.

Presenting you with your monthly market stats for the Greater Boston area condos...

The numbers for Boston condos in zip code 02118 are promising. The median listing price was at $799,000 at a total inventory of 66. The average condo size is currently sitting at 1,393 square feet, along with an average of 2.14 bedrooms and 1.65 bathrooms. With an average of 64 days on the market, 5 of the 66 condos were absorbed.

Below is a graph that shows the average days on the market for Single Family Homes and Condos in 02118.

Data provided by ©2014 Altos Research LLC

Data and charts are based on the last 2 weeks, but are current to the day.  I have the ability to focus on different zip codes in the Boston area.  Please contact me with whatever your area of interest is; 02116, 02118, 02129 and I will be glad to help you, just let me know!

Patti Fine

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

Patti Fine Real Estate

Greater Boston Area Homes

Search Greater Boston Area Homes