Archive for the 'Sellers' category

There are many things you can do to ensure the successful sale of your home before it hits the market. Boston Magazine's Bill Janovitz has some excellent tips for sellers in his article "Ten Must-Do's When Preparing to Sell Your House." Some highlights include:

• Hire a trusted, experienced realtor, or successful partnership. Treat this as you would any other hiring transaction. Janovitz recommends interviewing three to four candidates. Look at their references and past 12-months of sales data, paying attention to pricing and length of time on the market. Look at listing price vs sales price. Keep in mind that it is the seller who ultimately sets the price; so one or two overpriced homes are excuseable. However, if you notice a trend of overpriced listings or excessive time on the market, be wary.

• When deciding whom to work with, examine the candidates' marketing materials for previous properties. Make sure listing sheets and other materials are professional and compelling. Photos should be well-lit and high quality.

• Do your part to prepare your home for market. Clean, declutter, depersonalize, pack things away, and paint! Repainting freshens a house and can hide minor flaws. Listen to your agent's suggestions for preparation. [My tip: Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in the home, and this can be difficult for some if your photos of Aunt Lisa and copies of GQ are scattered about.]

• Maximize curb appeal. Weed, mow, trim shrubs, and replace broken pavers. Put down a layer of dark mulch for a freshly-landscaped look. 

Check out the rest of Janovitz's advice here. Do you have any tips for preparing a home for sale? Share them in the comments section!

According to the National Association of Realtors Q3 report, Boston metro showed improvement in median home prices while most others were down.

Condo median prices are up 1.9% and single families are up.3% over Q2. We say that means it's a good time to sell your home!

You can read more context in this article on Bloomberg.

Citybizlist.com recently featured Boston Realty Advisors (BRA) in an article about the realty company's announcement that the owners of the historic Brownstone at 86 Commonwealth Avenue have decided to use BRA to sell the property.

One really could not ask for a more beautiful building in downtown Boston.  86 Commonwealth is a four-story (including the basement) French, Academic style, brick brownstone with tandem parking for six cars. Designed and constructed by acclaimed architect T.P. Briggs in 1877, this building is rich with historic detailing that is difficult to find and gives residents and visitors a feeling of deep, historic luxury.  How often do you come across hand carved marble mantels, wainscoting, mahogany staircases, and ornamental crown molding all in one home? You'll find all of that and even more ornate touches at 86 Commonwealth.  

According to Jason Weissman, BRA Principal and Founder, "86 Commonwealth has so many potential uses, it could be an incredible condominium conversion, or potentially a single family."  Boston Realty Advisors is currently offering tours of the property by appointment to qualified buyers.  If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact Boston Realty Advisors.

View the original article on citybizlist.com

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.

Boston Realty Advisors (BRA) was featured in the July 15th, 2011 issue of The Real Reporter because they are currently handling two exciting listings in Back Bay that will prove to be great rehabilitation projects. 

493-497 Commonwealth Avenue

Formerly the JS Waterman Funeral Home, BRA's listing at 493-497 Commonwealth Avenue has been out of use for several years, and is finally going to be brought back to life.  It is a 19,500 building currently in "shell condition."  This makes the building a blank canvas.  It may possibly become a residential space, but the central location could make for great offices or other forms of commercial space.  The building is right on the edge of Kenmore square, which is a great area and will soon benefit from major improvements to Boston's Green Line.  Boston Realty Advisors has not announced any definite details of a deal, but whatever happens, Kenmore square will soon have a new great space.

463 Beacon Street

Just a few blocks away, this beautiful building is currently a 20-room lodging house offering nightly and weekly rates.  This property may stay as is, but according to BRA founder Jason Weissman, it is possible that the space may work as a single household.  He also told The Real Reporter that converting the space to condominiums could be a viable and possibly more valuable solution.  The building has 2,400 square feet of frontage on Beacon street, easy access to Massachusetts Avenue and a slew of prestigious Universities, and six parking spaces in the rear.

Interested in these listings or looking for more information on buying or renting real estate in the Boston area?  Contact Boston Realty Advisors today!

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

Boston Realty Advisors is pleased to announce that Vivian Zottola has joined our team as a Residential Sales Associate, representing buyers and sellers.

Vivian has lived in Boston for over 20 years, giving her a great understanding of the city’s various neighborhoods and real estate market. She attended Suffolk University, receiving her undergraduate degree in Economics, and then received her graduate degree in Communications Management from Simmons College.  

•      Compare the rent vs. buy numbers
• Learn how to protect your interest
• Review the overall buying process
• Overview of Boston market trends
• Closing cost credit offer
• Complimentary pre-approval     

The rain has finally stopped and it is time to get back on the apartment hunt!

I currently have a large 2BR on East 7th and H for $1,975 available NOW.
Extra room can be used as an office or large walk in closet: new windows, furnace, and gas water heater keep utilities LOW.  Private deck and backyard are a plus, hardwood throughout, basement storage, free laundry in building, pets okay. This place is easy to show.

I also have a 1BR on corner of E and W Broadway, which is a quiet unit set back from the street that has a lot of color and charm as well as size.  1BR 1bath, garden level unit, with dishwasher, central ac, gas fireplace, w/d hookups, hardwood floors, new appliances, back covered patio, spacious wet bar and a HOT TUB.  Available now, easy to show!

Contact me today to see images and set up appointments at these or any of my other listings, we can get you into any available listing in Southie!

 
Lindsay Guittarr

lguittarr@bradvisors.com
 

1.    Hire a good agent.  A professional who knows your neighborhood and has a good track record in your community will go a long way in helping to find a buyer.

2.    Clean out the clutter.  Open spaces look best.  Clean and clean some more to make a good first impression.

3.    Spiff up the property.   Make any improvements that will improve the show of your home.  When possible, stick with the simpler and less expensive options to be sure the buying price covers your investment.

4.    Determine the worth.  Know the fair market value of your home.  Your REALTOR can help you assess the cost.  You may also want to have the home appraised.

5.    Price it right.  A REALTOR can help you objectively set the price so that it reflects the value of your home and the trends of the surrounding community.

6.    Come up with a plan.  Are you set on your price, or eager to move?  How low are you willing to go to settle?

7.    Get pre-approved for your next move.  If you’re looking to buy another house, make sure you know your financial situation.

8.    Figure out your selling costs.  Commission, ad costs, attorney fees, taxes and prorated costs may all come into play.  Real estate agents deal with transactions every day and can give you a very close estimate of seller closing costs.

9.    Set the stage.  Clean the windows, open the curtains, turn on the lights, and display fresh flowers.  A bright house is a welcoming house.

10.    It’s show time.  Be ready and willing to have your home shown any day, even with short notice.  Making it difficult to see will also make it difficult to sell. 

Call Diane Giacobbi, 617 293 1240, your neighborhood REALTOR  
 

Find out more about listing your Boston-area property with Boston Realty Advisors.