Archive for the 'Beacon Hill Real Estate' category

Recently, Boston Realty Advisors' principal and founder Jason Weissman was featured in New England Real Estate Journal as well as Banker & Tradesman for selling two retail properties in Beacon Hill. The two properties were located at 125 Charles St. and totaled 2,073 square feet. The final sale price was $1.4 million to Charles Avenue LLC who was represented by Chuck Silverston of Prudential Real Estate. Weissman represented the seller, 125 Charles, LLC.

I am a huge fan of the Boston real estate two bedroom units. These feature a practical entryway (with concealable washer and dryer in closet) which opens into a hallway flanked with sunny windows. On your left, you’ll see the lovely galley kitchen. These kitchens have classic white cabinetry, Frigidaire stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, and sleek granite countertops. Next we have the marble bathroom, featuring a jetted tub. Adjacent to this is the second bedroom, a good-sized room you could easily fit a double bed in (although it would make a great office). The multifunctional living and dining area is located towards the back of the unit. Finally, we reach the master bedroom on the end – and yes, we saved the best for last. This lovely room has three windows on two walls, allowing for a joyous flood of light.

These Boston property homes have a classic, practical layout with actual rooms. Why are rooms a good idea? For entertaining! Now, some may say open layouts are what you want for entertaining, but personally, I’m a messy cook. I’d rather be able to hide the dirty dishes, trash, open containers and have you focus on how delicious that risotto is instead of how many pans I used to make it.  Also, your guests feel less obligated to offer to help. From the chef’s perspective, it’s harder for nosy wannabes to steal your secrets. In addition, rooms can help you better control the flow of your parties.

Not only are rooms great for proper social control, rooms are a life-improving asset on a daily basis. You can separate the good from the bad. You can easily increase your quality of sleep simply by reserving your bedroom only for it’s intended purpose – sleeping. Think about it – if this works for sleep and bedrooms, what else can this work for? Perhaps you’d enjoy the “eating” part of your meal more if you were separated from the stove and mess where it was prepared. Maybe you would actually enjoy preparing your meals if your briefcase and its contents were out of the picture. Heading down the hall to get another glass of sangria is an easy way to work in a couple extra calories. Finally, having rooms is the classic standard – it won’t tie your condo to a certain time period. Your beautiful condo won’t be passé in 10 years. Like ceramic watches, open floor plans have been cool for awhile – how much longer will they be “in”?

For details, floor plans and photos, visit www.29grovestreet.com.

Yesterday was the Broker Preview at 29 Grove Street. We had around 50 brokers attend the event - with a handful of the hardcore lining up 30 minutes early to snag one of the 20 $50 gift certificates to Cafeteria!

The place was buzzing with positive feedback - from the overall quality of finishes, the transformed common areas, and the amazing staging by America Dural, the 29 Grove Street team here at BRA is floored by the great reception! Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Keep them (and your buyers!) coming :)

Speaking of buyers, we already have an accepted offer on a one bedroom!

Thanks to Luke Peterson, Pauline Glushko & everyone at Wells Fargo Team Newbury for providing the lunch and being onsite to answer everyone's financing queries.

Thanks to the amazing team at Figs Beacon Hill - especially Executive Chef Joaquim Filho - for the delicious lunch and exceptional service!

Thanks to Cafeteria for providing the gift certificates and some truly addictive pies (someone please send me the recipe for the chocolate cream!).

Don't miss our First Public Open House Sunday 3/27 from 11-1. See you there!

Brand new to the market is 29 Grove Street, a Boston condos renovation located in the heart of Beacon Hill. Featuring one and two bedroom units, this building dates back to the early 19^th century. Historic charm on the outside sets off the newly renovated interior. Attractive neutral color palettes, convenient floor plans, and stainless steel Frigidaire appliances adorn these stylish units. In addition to the lovely interior, 29 Grove Street features additional Boston property storage space. And yes, pets are welcome!

The first Public Open House is Sunday, March 27^th, from 11-1. Treats & water for hungry puppies!

Contact Kristy Ganong with any questions.

Why do they call these the dog days of summer I wonder? Could it have anything to do with consuming hot dogs perhaps? 

I read somewhere or maybe heard it on a radio talk show Howie Carr or NPR or somewhere that in 2009, consumers spent more than $1.6 billion that's BILLION with a B on hot dogs and sausages in U.S. supermarkets. Gosh if you think about it that's alot of dogs! Or could it be they call it dog days of summer simply because someone once noticed a correlation between a hot day and their lazy dog just laying around in the shade doing nothing.  Just resting.  Could it be that simple I wonder? Interesting. 

Well it seems we sure are experiencing some pretty serious dog days so far this month!  100-105 degrees oh my! And I'll tell you it affects me. Not just the way the heat makes me feel slow but it affects work. While I can lay in the shade and rest any time I want in the type of work I do...that would be real estate sales.... unfortunately I can't do it for long.  As a REALTOR I'm pretty much self employed and often host open houses on Sunday's to meet prospective buyers (a small part of the marketing I do to reach out to prospective clients).  In the Real Estate world Sundays it seems is the traditional day to host open houses.  It sounds logical because most work from Monday to Friday however is it really practical? Does it make sense to host open houses on a weekend in the summer time? The dog days of summer time.

Hosting open houses hasn't been so much fun these past few weeks.  I assume if you're a sales agent or know one (and most of us know someone who is one) you know what I mean.  I really don't mind giving up a hot day at the beach or laying by my brother's pool to stand instead in a beautiful air conditioned home for a few hours.  Especially these days it's more important to me that I build my business and a future retirement.  God knows I've done enough bathing, lounging and BBQing to last a life time. As I said it's not so bad hosting an open house during these hot dog days. So I do it for myself and for others I work with at my company.  I stand there in the comfort of an air conditioned unit with iced coffee in one hand and listing sheet in the other.  Then someone enters!!!  And I've got to say how exciting it is when that sweaty, drained and tired home seeker happens to finally come through my door! Can you imagine how excited I am?.!?# I smile at them and offer a hand shake.  Some catch their breath while kindly shewing me away with a grin not interested in talking with me and others engage in a little kabitzing then off they go.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer visitors.  Maybe I should consider offering lemonade or something thirst quenching...hmmm...

Seems many a Sunday has passed with only a few to none pay me a visit at my air conditioned listing.  Other than offering an iced beverage we're doing all the right things. Advertising. Marketing. Could they all be enjoying themselves at the beach on these dog days of summer? Or perhaps basking in the shade under a tree drinking their ice tea?  Yeah I'll bet they are hanging out being handed a beer and a grilled dog somewhere fun. 

Well we all work hard and deserve to enjoy dog days off especially on the weekend when all of our freinds are doing the same thing.  Enjoying themselves that is..  And who really wants to walk around 105 degree Boston touring open houses sweating bullets all over the place when they could be sprawled out with their face planted in a blanket on Carson Beach in Southie or sailing the Boston Harbor with friends or throwing a fishing line out to hook one of the many thousands of yummy striped bass swimming our waters right now!!

But isn't touring open houses important to some of you who recognize property values and interest rates are at the lowest they have ever been in a LONG time?  Touring open houses gives buyers AND sellers a better perspective of what a certain square footage can buy them in a particular neighborhood of interest.  It's an opportunity to investigate, talk to the agent and learn details they wouldn't if they just read about the unit.

So how about attending an open house on a weekday?  Perhaps after work when the sun is going down and it's more convenient for you?  Attending an open house on a week night for example promises not to interrupt your dog day summer afternoons especially the weekends!  And if you happen to spot a home that isn't open on a week night BUT wish to see it you can always call a qualified experienced AND helpful person like myself to set up a showing for you!  Happy Dog Days of Summer!

Vivian Zottola # 617-721-8025  617-721-8025 vzottola@bradvisors.com 

Boston Realty Advisors www.bradvisors.com

It’s April, the month when Boston gets back into high gear!

The month of April brings new energy to the Boston area, temperature changes, symbolic sporting events, spring blooms and more… Most importantly, an abundance of NEW apartment inventory!

Increased Apartment Inventory - the “rental season” in Boston has now begun. It is the best opportunity to be exposed to the maximum number of units, as approximately 90% of the city moves during the next few months. We currently have access to units available NOW through Sept 1st!!

Red Sox Opening Day – Baseball season has officially begun, our hometown Red Sox kicked off the season in a home opener against their all time rivals the New York Yankees! Boston took the win, Boston Red Sox: 9 - NY Yankees: 7 – we’re looking forward to get season!

Marathon Monday - The Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon will be held on Monday April 19th. Be prepared for delays!! Visit: http://www.bostonmarathon.org/default.asp for more information.

Spring Blooms – March Showers, bring April Flowers! Watch for the blossom trees, tulips and daffodils as they bloom creating picturesque sites throughout the Public Garden, along Commonwealth Avenue and the beautifully landscaped brownstone entries.

Street Cleaning - Street Cleaning is in full affect as of April 1st. If you brought your car with you to school and/or you commute in, be sure to look for the “street cleaning” signs. Otherwise, you may find your car with a parking ticket and/or worse, having to get your car out of the tow lot! Visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/ for more information.


We have an abundance of NEW Boston apartments coming available; please feel free to contact one of our advisors if you’re looking to find your ideal apartment.


 

Live for Today - Lease your dream place in Boston's Back Bay!

It's windy and freezing and the nightly news is DEPRESSING!!  But good news folks, you are on your way to Boston!  Boston is such a great city, I really love it here.  Our job market is pretty insulated from the rest of the country's mess.  We have plenty of public transportation.  There are lots of brilliant and successful people working on all types of interesting things.  And here in Boston's Back Bay, we have some of the most beautiful apartments in the country!  Can you imagine yourself sprawling in front of your fireplace in the grand parlor of your front facing brownstone with 20 ft high ceilings and gorgeous bay front windows?  Wouldn't it be lovely to simply walk 50 feet and go from your serene tree lined avenue to your favorite restaurant for supper?  We even have a train that leaves every hour just steps away that will take you to New York!  The best thing about Leasing an apartment in Boston? You don't have to worry about taxes, condo fees, maintenance costs, and many times even utilities!  My name is Avery Johnson, I have specialized in Leasing properties in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End for over 5 years.  I would be delighted to help you find your dream home here in Boston!  Please feel free to call me direct at 617-850-9663.

It's that time of year again, and I am predicting where the residential real estate prices will be in the City of Boston at the end of 2010.

To accurately predict pricing, we have to look at the historicals and segment the marketplace, here are some key points:

We are covering the following neighborhoods:
Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, South End, North End, Midtown and the Waterfront.

We are covering only Condominiums.

Prediction # 1: Days on Market will decrease in 2010 to an average of 80 Days on Market to Sell.

Prediction # 2:  Nominal "average" sale prices will increase by 4% to 5% in the neighborhoods mentioned above. However, real prices will be flat as we expect the Urban Northeast CPI to increase to just under 5%. With this, actual appreciation will be flat.

Prediction # 3: There are about five luxury condo developments in the neighborhoods covered above. These projects will either become rentals and the larger, higher price point units will sell at significant discounts, if developers and the corresponding lenders want to unload product. Look for "original" pro forma sales prices that were $1000 to $1200 per square foot, to sell for $700-850 per square foot. In fact, there will be significant price declines in the luxury full service buildings with "a lot of product." Prices in brownstone properties and boutique full service buildings (inelastic product) should increase in the high single digits due to buyer demand.

Prediction # 4: The healthiest segment in the marketplace will be Back Bay and South End "brownstone" condominiums priced from $400-700K. These properties could have double digit price increases in 2010.

Prediction # 5: Driving the pricing stability will be the fact that mortgage interest rates should remain relatively flat this year in 2010.

Prediction # 6: Look for more purchases from international buyers and investors looking to hedge future inflation risk with purchasing top quality Boston Condo Product.

Read the detailed explanations below and Graph:
Volume of unit sales peaked in 2007 with 1,512 sales. There were 1,160 sales in 2009. To place volume of unit sales in perspective, in 2003 there were only 779 sales, while the volume of unit sales in 2004, matched the volume of 2009. What does this mean? There remains a heavy demand for condo product type in the target neighborhoods and the market remains very fluid. Days on market "DOM" increased from 2005, but with an average in 2009 of just over 100 "DOM", the Boston Condo Market remains highly liquid and vibrant.



I am the Founder and Principal of Boston Realty Advisors. Please check in weekly to review my blog entries. I value client/reader feedback! Also, please email in questions and discussion topics.