Boston's Best: Seafood Restaurants

If you’re a seafood fan, there’s nothing more satisfying than indulging in the day’s catch at an oceanfront restaurant. Lucky for us, Boston’s location on the coast means there are countless opportunities to discover fantastic seafood all around the city. Once you buy a home in Boston, it’s only a matter of time before you find your favorite local seafood joint. From lobster rolls to oysters to clam chowder, every one of Boston’s neighborhoods offers something to satiate your craving for fresh seafood. If you’re planning a visit to search for a home in Boston, I recommend taking the following seafood tour of the city. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Neptune Oyster – North End

63 Salem St

Boston, MA 02113

In my opinion, Neptune Oyster offers some of the best seafood Boston has to offer. Although the oyster bar is to die for, this North End eatery is famous for its warm lobster roll with huge chunks of lobster drenched in butter. Stop in on Sundays for the best fish tacos in town! Recommended: lobster roll, oysters

Off the Boat Italian & Seafood Restaurant – East Boston

26 Porter St

East Boston, MA 02128
This family owned restaurant in East Boston dishes up two cuisines Boston is known for. Off the Boat Italian & Seafood offers an intimate dining experience with great service. A great option if not everyone in your party loves seafood. The Chicken Parmesan is delightful! Recommended: seafood meatballs, homemade fusilli

Yankee Lobster Fish Market – Waterfront

300 Northern Ave

Boston, MA 02210

If the seafood craving strikes midday, head over to Yankee Lobster Fish Market in Boston’s Waterfront District. Locals and tourist alike rave about the hearty clam chowder and cod cakes. On a nice day, try your luck at grabbing a table outside and sip a local brew from Harpoon right next door.

Recommended: clam chowder, cod cakes

North End Fish Market – North End

99 Salem St

Boston, MA 02113

Also known as Mercato del Mare, North End Fish Market is a quaint seafood market and restaurant located in Boston’s North End. Stop in for a quick bite on the go, or pick up some fresh fish to take home and make for dinner. Recommended: sushi, lobster roll

The above options are just a handful of the outstanding dining options we have here in Boston. From local chains to hole-in-the-wall seafood shacks, you can find somewhere to grab a bite around every corner. As a Boston real estate agent, something I absolutely love about my job is exposing my clients to everything the city has to offer. From cultural events, to festivals, to unique shopping and dining options, there’s always something new to discover in Boston. If you’re planning to buy a home in Boston, please reach out to me. I’d love to help you find the perfect neighborhood and home to fit your lifestyle and budget.

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Remodel your Boston Kitchen on a Budget!

If you’re on a budget, updating your kitchen is probably not on your radar. However, when you’re planning to sell your Boston home, the kitchen becomes a focal point you’ll want to feature and highlight to potential buyers who are scouring the Boston real estate market. As the most popular home remodeling project year after year, homeowners continue to come up with new ways you can breathe new life into your kitchen without breaking the bank.

As with most rooms in your home, a fresh coat of paint is the most cost effective way to freshen up your kitchen. If you plan to put your Boston home up for sale, choose a neutral color to give homebuyers a blank canvas. Bright colors and wallpaper can be distracting and prevent potential buyers from picturing themselves living in the space.

Consider replacing the faucet in your kitchen sink for an instant upgrade. It’s relatively easy to install the new faucet on your own by visiting a local hardware store and picking up the necessary supplies. You’ll find you have a lot of options when it comes to style and cost, so choose a faucet in your price range that matches your existing décor.

The cabinets are a main focal point of your kitchen, so take extra care to give them new life. As you may know, completely replacing your kitchen cabinets is a pretty expensive task. Instead, strip your cabinets and re-stain them for an updated look. You can also easily replace the hardware with shiny new handles or knobs for a finishing touch.

For the countertops, skip the expensive materials in favor of a nice looking laminate or ceramic tile. If your kitchen has an island, you can splurge on granite if your budget allows. This is most likely where you (and potential home buyers) will spend the most time eating and preparing meals. Don’t be afraid to mix and match!

Above all, do some of the work yourself. With the right tools, some YouTube tutorials and a little bit of patience, you can save 10-20 percent over hiring a contractor to do the work for you. Just be sure you’re up to the task and are prepared to oversee each project from start to finish for the best results. For more tips on how to give your kitchen a boost on a budget, please reach out to me! As your Boston real estate agent, I know what makes homebuyers tick and what they’re looking for in a new home. I look forward to hearing from you!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Stay Active Outdoors this Summer in Boston!

Well, I think it’s safe to say that the gorgeous weather has finally arrived in Boston! This time of year, warmer days are something to celebrate as we peel off our winter and spring layers and soak up the sun outdoors. If you commute downtown and spend a majority of your week in a frigid office building, you know how fantastic it feels to spend your free time in the fresh air. Luckily, Boston offers us countless ways to spend the summer months outdoors enjoying the balmy temperatures. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or are new to town, these summertime activities will keep you entertained from Memorial Day to Labor Day and beyond.

Sea Kayaking

Enjoy a perspective of Boston less traveled as you paddle your way through the city. A starting point at the P&G Gillette Floating Dock gives you a spot to launch your kayak into the Fort Point Channel and you’re on your way. Head towards the outer islands of Boston Harbor and make sure to stop at Little Brewster Island or Calf Island for a leisurely walk. It’s the perfect way to escape the city for a few hours while remaining so close!

Golfing

If the hustle and bustle of city life has you yearning for a bit of peace and quiet, reserve an early morning tee time at one of Boston’s two magnificent golf courses. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome to play at George Wright Golf Course at Franklin Park and William J. Devine Golf Course in Hyde Park. From tee to green, these challenging courses have kept golfers at their peak for decades.

Sailing

Living on the water affords us the opportunity to view Boston in a new light. If you’re looking for a new hobby this season, sailing will connect you with a surprising number of like-minded individuals. There are a handful of learn-to-sail programs for adults and children in Boston that will get you on the water in no time. To get a taste of what you’re in for this summer, check out Boston Sailing Center’s Free Sailing Open House on June 29th.

Biking

Whether you’re looking to “green” your commute the office or want to sneak in some exercise on the weekends, biking is a fantastic way to get outdoors in Boston. If you have your own bike, map out a route for a sunny Saturday and plan a picnic along the way. Don’t have your own? Boston’s bikeshare system allows residents and visitors access to a regional bike system with more than 1,000 bikes to rent for just as long as you need one.

I hope the rising temperatures have you interested in emerging from your home and exploring the great outdoors in Boston. Are you thinking about selling your home in the area this spring? The Boston real estate market is buzzing with activity as buyers search for the perfect property to call their own. As a Boston real estate agent, I have years of experience helping folks buy and sell homes in the area. Please let me know if I can assist you in your journey!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Selecting the Right Boston Neighborhood

Once you have decided to buy a home in Boston, one of the first things you’ll have to determine is what neighborhood is right for you. As a Boston real estate agent and longtime resident, I can tell you that choosing one neighborhood over another can make a huge difference. Not that one neighborhood is inherently “better” than the next, but your lifestyle and preferences will play major roles in determining where you’ll feel most at home. I can’t cover all 21 neighborhoods in this blog post, but I do want to give you some information on a select few to help you narrow your Boston homesearch.

South End

History buffs looking to buy a home in Boston will fall in love with the South End. The neighborhood boasts classic row homes set along tree-lined streets just steps from parks, playgrounds, and community gardens. Not only is the South End aesthetically pleasing, it’s also rich in diversity, which can be experienced at any one of the area’s many ethnic restaurants. In addition to its fine dining, the South End is also known as an artist community. The SoWa district is home to art galleries and artists’ studios in addition to New England’s largest outdoor weekly bazaar, SoWa Sundays. Located just minutes from downtown Boston, many commuters either walk to work or take the bus or MBTA Orange Line.

Beacon Hill           

If you’re moving to Boston to experience city life yet still want to live in a neighborhood with a suburban feel, add Beacon Hill to your list of places to check out. Distinguished by Federal-style row homes, brick sidewalks and gas-lit narrow streets, this relatively small neighborhood is stunningly beautiful. Known amongst locals as having the best antique shops in Boston, Beacon Hill is an ideal shopping destination whether you want to add a new piece to your collection or just feel like browsing for the afternoon. Beacon Hill is another good option for commuters with easy access to the MBTA Red, Green, and Blue Lines.

Back Bay

For those who like to be where the action is, consider a move to Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Often referred to as the “city center,” Back Bay is situated in the heart of Boston and is home to some of the best shopping in the city. Newbury Street, Prudential Center and Copley Place provide residents with limitless access to boutiques, restaurants, bars, day spas, and more. Most residents live in picturesque Victorian brownstones and travel by way of the MBTA Green Line and Orange Line and regionally by MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak.

As you can see, Boston’s neighborhoods are extremely diverse and cater to a variety of different lifestyles. Once you have your finances in order and are ready to begin your search, feel free to reach out to me if you need some help getting started. As a Boston real estate agent, I know this city like the back of my hand and would be honored to help you choose the appropriate neighborhood, obligation free. 

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Prepare for Your Boston Home Search

Once you’ve made the decision to buy a home in Boston, your initial reaction will most likely be to hop online and start your search right away. Resist the temptation! There are some important steps you need to take before you begin house hunting. Here is a list of to-do’s that will help make your journey through the Boston real estate market smooth and successful.

1. Review and strengthen your credit score
   
         This three-digit number will play a major role in the amount of your monthly payments. Be sure to look at your credit reports in detail to make sure they are free of errors. Work on boosting your credit score to improve your chances of a lower down payment and monthly payments.
2. Calculate how much you can afford
   
         There are a few ways to determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a new home. A general rule of thumb is that your monthly home expenses should be no greater than 28% of your gross monthly income. Play around with the numbers before you start your search with my handy mortgage calculator.
3. Start saving for your down payment
   
         Unless you’ve secured a VA loan, you’re most likely going to need a substantial down payment for your new Boston home. Once you have determined how much you can afford to spend, set aside 20% for a down payment. You’ll also need some extra cash for closing costs, which can run up to $4,000.
4. Set aside money for an emergency fund
   
         You’re going to be a homeowner, which means all home-related repairs and maintenance issues are going to fall on your shoulders. Be prepared with an emergency fund that can help pay for major expenses like replacing your roof or water heater.
5. Get pre-approved for a mortgage
   
         It’s a cutthroat market for homebuyers, so any inch you can get on your competitors will help your cause. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you even attend your first open house to show sellers you’re serious and qualified to purchase a home.
6. Hire a Boston real estate agent
   
         Many homebuyers are confident they can conquer the Boston real estate market without the help of a professional. While it is possible, it’s not advised. Enlist a Boston real estate agent to walk you through the process from your initial search through the closing.

Now that you have all of your financial bases covered, it’s time to start your Boston home search! As your buyer agent, it’s my job to help you find a home in your price range that matches your style, preferences, and lifestyle. Best of all, my service to you is completely free of charge. When you have your ducks in a row and are ready to being your search in earnest, please contact me. I promise to help make your home buying experience a positive one.

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
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