Archive for the 'Relocating to Boston' category

Tastefully renovated 1100 sq ft open concept brick & beam loft at the historic Charleston Chew Lofts has never been rented before: boasts new hardwood floors, accent walls, new paint, new electrical wiring, track lights galore, new walls with frost glass doors & a custom closest, custom shelving, parking, in unit washer / dryer, private Juliet Balcony, central heat & A/C, remolded bath & kitchen, glass back-splash, stainless steel appliances, granite counters & north west exposure. If you're looking for the ultimate, true 1 bed loft with parking 10 mins from Boston, this is it!!

Size: 1100 Sf
Rent: $2100/month
Parking: One Outdoor Space

Contact: 
Paul Santucci
617-694-0004
paul@bostonlofts.com

As I am sure many of you have read, Boston is undergoing several transformations throughout several of its neighborhoods. Some are undergoing new additions, while others are getting renovated.

Here is an inside look with David Manfredi, principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, whose firm happens to be one of which that is highly involved with several current/upcoming projects.

"Given all the development in places like Dudley Square, the Fenway, and the South Boston Waterfront, how do you expect the design and atmosphere of the city to change in coming years?

We’re very fortunate, planners and architects especially, to be in Boston. There is activity here, and there are large parts of the country where there’s not nearly as much activity. What’s exciting is that we have this incredible waterfront that sits right next to our downtown, and there is a lot of development there now. It’s not like we’re building at the edges; we’re building so close to the heart of everything." ...Read more HERE (photo credit boston.com) 

photo credit: bizjournals.com

"Boston ranked first in the Business Journals' latest quarterly analysis of 100 major metropolitan job market data. Among the leaders in the second quarter of 2011, Boston joined a mixture of Sunbelt boomtowns and Northern industrial areas.

Boston is one of just 13 markets that have more private-sector jobs now than five years ago. Its growth rate in the past 12 months has been an impressive 2.7 percent, and its unemployment rate is a relatively low 7.1 percent. Worcester, Mass. ranked third in the nation, with 4.3 percent growth and unemployment down to 8.4 percent..."Continue reading here. 

Interested in finding a Boston apartment in one of the best metropolitan job markets in the U.S.? Contact Boston Realty Advisors today!

1. Rainy Day Fun: Most likely, you, like me threw your hands up in the air this morning and cursed the sky for another rainy day. Luckily, if you are looking for something to do in Boston admist the rain the Globe has you covered. [Boston.com] Photo Credit: Boston.com

2. Coolest Homes of Athletes:  Boston Celtic Ray Allen, made the list in this neat round up of some of the coolest homes owned by athletes. Check it out. [CNBC.com]

3. Just Do It: If you have been wondering whether or not Boston is the place for you - I can tell you with a great deal of confidence and the backing of CNBC that it is definitely a city you want to live in. [CNBC.com]

4. Open House Disasters: Lets just hope that these types of things don't happen that often...but they sure are comical. [Boston.com]

The Boston area's most magnificent property! Luxurious renovation of Gothic Church by celebrated developer, featured in major design publications boasts:

• 65 ft ceilings starting at base of central fireplace
• Beautiful interior balconies & open walkways
• 3 large bedrooms
• Glorious master suite
• Gorgeous recessed & chandelier lighting
• Gourmet kitchen
• Elevated wetbar / media room
• Floor-to-ceiling wine racks
• Impeccable bathrooms
• Arched ceilings
• Three living levels with 4300 Square Feet
• 2 garage spots
• heat included in rent!
• $6500/month
  

Call Paul Santucci 617-694-0004 for showing and details

Karl Case is a noted Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and founder of the research firm Fiserv Case, Shiller, Weiss Inc.  The S&P Case Shiller Indexes are the most widely accepted measure of home prices in the U.S.

He has been addressing the Realtors in Boston for years and for the first time in a long time, he has positive things to say about the housing market.  He said "the bust was a huge affordability program."  The Bubble was inevitable and the correction was needed - just like the correction we had in the late 80s and early 90s which was a precursor to the run up again in the early 2000s.

The above chart shows the now more affordable homes in Massachusetts based on the comparison of income to home values.  In addition, the combination of  historically low interest rates and what he calls imputed value of owning due to tax advantages - mortgage and real estate tax deductions compared to renting.

Housing is one of the leading economic engines.  With home prices down and interest rates down which in combination lead to a lower cost of owning the same home, we now need confidence that tomorrow will be better than today.

The "Spring Market" seems to have arrived early.

Earlier this year, renowned economist Karl E. Case wrote a summation of the housing crisis and the 'Great Recession' in the form of a poem called, 'Reflections on the Housing Market'.

Dr. Case is the Professor of Economics at Wellesley College, a Founding Partner of the real estate research firm Fiserv Case Shiller Weiss, Inc., and he also co-developed the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which is the most widely referenced source of housing market prices in the U.S. today.  

Dr. Case was one of the economists that predicted the current collapse of the U.S. housing bubble.  In his poem below, he writes about the early indicators of the troubles to come, the crisis as it unfolded, the effects the collapse is still having today.

He closes the poem by acknowledging that markets will correct themselves in time, no matter what, and calls for politicians to work towards a solution to the problems created by the housing bubble collapse.       

Do you agree with Dr. Case's summation?  What do you think politicians can do to 'help find solutions'?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.  

Reflections on the Housing Market
By Karl E. Case

"For the last few years, we have shed many tears
Living through a recession.
The economy's broke and it's not a joke,
When we talk of another depression.
Fifteen million without a job,
Foreclosures and banks that fail,
401K's became 201K's,
And everything's up for sale.

How can it be? What didn't we see
That led to all of this trouble?
There is little doubt that the proximal cause
Was a bursting housing bubble.
But other than that, who can we blame?
And what do they lament?
Millions of people contributed to
This hundred-year event."

Read the full poem by Chip Case.

The collapse of the housing bubble really emphasizes the importance of  investing in a home that has intrinsic value to you and to future buyers.  If you need help finding a Boston property you can feel confident in investing in, you can rely on the experience and knowledge of a Boston Realty Advisor to help you find the ideal Boston real estate to meet your needs.

Bed bugs are back, and may even be living in Luxury Buildings in Boston!

1. Receive a thorough inspection by a qualified exterminator, who will confirm the identity of the pest.
   
   
2. Seal cracks & crevices in walls and floors.
   
   
3. Secure loose wallpaper and eliminate other areas of insect harborage.
   
   
4. Properly treat or remove infested furniture.
   
   
5. Mark infested items that are thrown away so others will know not to bring them into their home and spread the infestation further.
   
   
6. Frequent laundering of bedding and clothing during extermination process.
   
   
7. Frequent vacuuming of carpets and steam cleaning of furniture and mattresses during extermination process.  

 

1. Never pick up free roadside furniture (it may be tempting, but it isn’t worth the risk).
   
   
2. When traveling, make sure to keep your clothing in your luggage and your luggage in the bathtub (this may sound strange, but bugs have a hard time crawling up slippery surfaces).
    
3. Bed bugs like warmth, they have even been known to enter laptops and DSL ports.
   
   
4. When looking for bed bugs pay more attention to wood and upholstered furniture. Bed bugs seem to prefer wood and fabric over plastic and metal. Pull back the sheets from the mattress and look for bugs along the seams or tiny blood spots on the mattress.  Also look along the edges of the box springs and in the seams of the bedding.  You might also smell a strong musty smell. 
   
   
5. Many pest control services employ the trained nose of a rescue dog (often a beagle) to sniff out live bugs and viable eggs. Make sure that you check out the dog’s credentials, however. There have been a few instances of people trying to pass off the family pet as a super-smeller. 
   
   
6. Bed bugs are not known to transmit any infectious disease. The bites look very similar to that of a mosquito or other blood-sucking insect. Some bites may be unnoticeable while others might turn into larger sores. 
   
   
7. To treat a bed bug bite, treat the area with antiseptic soap to reduce the infection. Don’t scratch!  If it becomes infected, contact your health provider.  

 

Last night Boston Realty Advisors' CEO David Friedberg, lobbied Congressman Barney Frank for another housing tax credit program based on the success of the First-Time Buyer Tax Credit Programs of 2009!

He also talked about a new Boston property plan for HUD (Housing and Urban Development) similar to those from the early 70's which created housing for the moderate and poor while creating 1,000's of jobs for the Bay State.

 

READY FOR SOME GREAT ADVICE?

The Boston Lofts team of Manuel Davis & Paul Santucci is proud to host a home buying seminar on the evening of Wednesday, September 15th at our new offices at 745 Boylston Street, Boston at 6:00 PM.

As a first-time homebuyer, renter, investor or if you are just thinking about your possibilities in the future, we are here to help!

Topics of discussion will range from:
- Renting vs buying
- The buying process
- Home inspections
- Negotiating
- Current market conditions
- Mortgage options / financial strategies

Included in this forum will be a team of inspectors from Mt Vernon Inspectional Services, Wells Fargo mortgage consultants and attorneys to answer your specific inquiries with expert advice.

We will also open it up to you for anything you wish to discuss!

You can also contact us beforehand with any topics you'd like us to cover.

Our goal is to provide you with information to make the best purchasing decisions possible.

Food and Drinks will be served. We will begin at 6:00 PM
RSVP to Paul Santucci 617-694-0004 or paul@bostonlofts.com

More information about Paul & Manuel

We look forward to seeing you on the 15th!