3 Key Ways to Increase Your Boston Home Value

When it comes to selling your home in Boston, it's difficult to find one single homeowner who doesn't want a healthy home value. In fact, many are constantly looking for ways to increase home value before listing. Regardless of what your renovation plans may say, increasing your home value does not have to be expensive— just consider these low-cost ideas:

Put Away Personal Photographs
No contractor involved, no demolition necessary. Simply put your personal photographs in a safe place while homebuyers are touring your property. Why? Boston homebuyers want to feel a connection to a home and as photos are very specific to the homeowner, they can get in the way of that. While you will have many memories in your home, the homebuyer should feel they're in a neutral space when they come inside.

Edit, Edit, Edit
Like I mentioned above, homebuyers are looking for a neutral space, a clean slate when they tour homes in Boston. Does your home boast an open, de-cluttered feel? Even if you think you're already in good shape, take a few minutes to walk around and "edit" your furniture. Remove the big, bulky items, especially if they're blocking a focal point like a fireplace or city view.

Increase Comfortability
Naturally you feel at home in the property— you're the homeowner. But will a Boston homebuyer? When listing your home in the Boston real estate market, it's important to make the buyer feel welcome and that includes playing to the senses. Be sure to mask any odors left behind by pets, play calming music instead of loud, fast-paced tunes, and keep the home's best features in plain sight. 

As your Boston Metro real estate expert, I am happy to help you with the entire selling process— from listing to closing. For everything in between, I can assist you with details on today's Boston real estate market and what homebuyers are attracted to in homes. We will work together to ensure your home sells and that you'll soon be on your way to your next dream home.

Questions about Boston homebuyers or how to sell your home? Contact me today!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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3 Boston Home Repairs You Should Never Ignore

With a new season comes new weather and a new list of home repairs that Boston homeowners will soon take on. But keep in mind, there are some that are worth more of your attention and could ultimately end up costing you more money if you put them off. As a Boston homeowner, home value and keeping a well-maintained property should be at the top of your list. Don't delay on these repairs and typical home upkeep tasks and you'll save yourself a world of homeowner headache over the next few months and better yet, when the time comes to sell.

Appliances
Boston homebuyers are looking for updated appliances, but more so appliances that are safe and have great ratings. Consumer Reports magazine found that about half of residential fires each year are caused by faulty appliances, many of which had defects unknown to the homeowners. To be proactive, take note of the model and serial numbers on your appliances and check for recalls. Keep the list on hand to recheck periodically. 

Leaks
Water damage can be a major hassle for Boston homeowners who had hopes to sell their property soon, especially since it can be such a costly fix. Pay attention to any wet spots under cabinets, on ceilings, around pipes and of course, any drips or leaks you may spot. If you find them, fix them as soon as possible. Pushing off these repairs can cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on where the problem occurs, like the roof.

Flooring
Refinishing floors might not sound like a dire maintenance task, but in Boston real estate, hardwood floors can be a major selling point. All wood floors should be refinished throughout the years, but getting to the task before the old finish is worn and the floors need to be sanded can be a money (and Boston home) saver. "Sanding wears away some of the wood," advises HouseLogic. "Being able to skip that step can extend the life of your floor by decades." If you tend to the floors early on, you can save yourself hundreds and even refinish them yourself.

In Boston real estate, first impressions can be everything and homes with water damage, faulty appliances and even scratched flooring may not make it to a homebuyer's wish list. Boston homeowners should pay close attention to these areas of the home, especially if you have hopes of selling this summer or in the coming months. As your Boston real estate expert, I'm happy to help you get an idea of what buyers are looking for right now— contact me today to discuss the current market!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Top Reasons to Sell Your Boston Home This Spring

Despite the strengthening of the Boston real estate market, some home sellers are still on the fence about listing their homes. Every home seller is wondering— where are housing prices headed? Where are interest rates headed this year? Is it really worth it for me to sell my home now? The answer is, yes! Boston housing prices are rising and interest rates will continue with them for the rest of the year. But aside from those three big aspects of selling a home in Boston, here are a few more to consider:

Demand is rising
Summer is coming and many home sellers are aware that this is the busiest time for the local real estate market. Serious buyers may have already come out to snag great Boston homes earlier this season, but the rest are now preparing to take the market by storm. Demand is about to increase significantly, especially as more sellers pick up on the higher sales prices we're seeing. Buyers are ready and able to buy homes in Boston, so don't miss out!

Competition is down
For now, home sellers do not much much competition in the local market. But this won't last long— it is a fact that housing inventory grows from spring through summer as moving conditions are favorable. Not to mention more homeowners have regained positive equity in their homes and are ready to move again. Many of these homes are about to hit the market and you can beat them to it if you list your Boston home this spring. The inventory will only continue to grow over the next few months, you won't want to wait!

It's time to move-up!
Maybe you're one of those homeowners who's regained positive equity in their Massachusetts homes— there has never been a better time to move up! The Boston luxury real estate market is booming, meaning larger, more expensive homes are a hot ticket item! Have you been considering purchase one of these homes? Now is the time. According to KCM, Keeping Current Matters, "Prices are projected to appreciate by approximately 4% this year and 8% by the end of 2015. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait."

Moving to a new home this year will not only be less expensive this spring, but less of a struggle! You now have less competition, as a Boston home seller, and your home will be in demand. If you're ready to make your home sale happen, contact me to discuss what we can do to ensure your success!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Thinking Spring in Boston Real Estate

The ground is thawing, birds are chirping again, and you may have just started dreaming about spending more time outside your Boston homes. During the spring and summer seasons, outdoor spaces are highly-coveted along the Boston real estate front. In fact, if you’re planning to sell your Boston home in the near future, it may be an outdoor space that ultimately causes a homebuyer to fall in love with the property.

The American Society of Landscape Architects has recently released a list of predictions for residential outdoor features that you may very well find this year as your begin your search for homes in Boston. Some of the top-rating or in-demand features found on the list were outdoor light fixtures, seating or dining areas, fire pits and fireplaces, grills, ledges, benches and boulders. Not to mention, sports spaces like tennis and bocce ball courts!

As we head into spring, here are a few of the top trends the American Society of Landscape Architects predicted for 2014 and a few of the popular projects trending among savvy homeowners:

Popular Outdoor Design Elements

1. Gardens and landscaped spaces

1. Outdoor living spaces, such as outdoor kitchens
2. Outdoor recreation and entertainment, such as pools and spas
3. Sustainable design, such as eco-friendly materials

Popular Outdoor Living Features

1. Outdoor light fixtures

1. Seating and dining areas, including installed seating
2. Fire pits and fireplaces, for entertaning
3. Outdoor grills

Top Outdoor Entertainment Features

1. Water elements as decoration, such as waterfalls and splash pools

1. Spas, including jacuzzis, whirlpools and saunas
2. Swimming pools
3. Sports spaces, such as tennis courts

Are you planning to update your Boston home with a few of these popular outdoor elements this spring? Looking to buy a new home with one of these trending features this year? As your Boston real estate agent, I’m here to help with all of your real estate needs, from home search to home sale. Give me a call to discuss your homeowner goals, including what to expect in area homes or how to price your newly-updated home to sell. 

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Nature-Inspired Fall Décor for Your Boston Home

I don’t know about you, but fall is one of my favorite times of year. As the craziness of summer comes to an end along with the blazing hot temperatures, we find ourselves with more time to slow down and relax. Whether you’re thinking about selling your home or just want to get in the spirit of the season, you’ll get all the inspiration you need for fall décor as you explore the outdoors in Boston. With beautiful crimson leaves and freshly picked pumpkins abound, it’s time to get creative and get in touch with nature to incorporate the season into your decorating scheme.

Add a touch of sparkle to your front porch with luxe pumpkins. Simply coat light-color pumpkins of varying sizes with iridescent spray paint. While the paint is still wet, give each pumpkin a generous sprinkle of iridescent glitter. The result is surprisingly subtle, and will add some festive flair to your Boston home’s curb appeal.

When it comes to decorating your front door, think beyond the circular wreath this season. As a unique alternative to flowers, try gluing an assortment of unshelled nuts to a rectangular picture frame. The finished product will make your front door stand out from the rest in the Boston real estate market!

Watching the leaves change in New England is second to none. Bring the beauty of nature indoors and create a display of the most vibrant leaves you can find. Place each individual leaf in a small bud vase to create a centerpiece on your dining room table, or line them up on your fireplace mantle.

Create a seasonal garland to drape around the entry to your Boston home using multicolored dried corn. Simply space cobs six inches apart on a length of raffia and tie it around each piece where the husk meets the kernels. The finished look will frame your front door and complement the pumpkins and wreath with festive perfection.

I hope these ideas got your creative juices flowing and have inspired you to incorporate nature into your fall décor. If you’re planning to sell your home this season, any of the above ideas are tasteful solutions for enhancing your curb appeal. As a Boston real estate agent, I know what it takes to attract a wide pool of qualified buyers who are looking to settle into a new home before the holidays. Please let me know if you need any additional tips as you prepare your property for the Boston real estate market!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Tips for Staging Your Boston Home to Sell!

When you’re thinking about selling your home, it’s important to look at the space through the eyes of a potential buyer. At one point, specific features made you fall in love with your home. Now it’s time for you to think about the things that stood out to you most as a buyer and help those parts of your home shine during the staging process. While professional home stagers can be a wonderful resource during this time, you can easily save a few bucks and make improvements as you see fit. As your Boston real estate agent, I know what homebuyers are looking for, and am always willing to step in as a resource with a fresh perspective. Follow these tips for staging your home you’ll stir up some major competition in the Boston real estate market in no time.

Freshen up dated kitchen cabinets

Rather than replacing your dated kitchen cabinets, apply a fresh coat of stain to the wood, working with the grain. Install some new hardware and you’ve given your cabinets a facelift for a fraction of the cost.

Splurge for new kitchen appliances

Now that you’ve freshened up those old cabinets, get rid of any old kitchen appliances that stick out like a sore thumb. Studies show that sellers get a high return on their investment by installing new appliances, so get shopping!

Neutralize the master bedroom suite
Avoid overly feminine or masculine themes in the master bedroom suite to appeal to all potential buyers. A neutral palate is the best way to go to from the wall color down to the bedding and accessories.

Stage rooms with a specific purpose

Do you have a room in your home that’s a combination of a guest suite, craft area, and play room? When staging your home, give that room a specific purpose to prevent buyers from becoming distracted or confused. Clear out the clutter and stage the room as a home office.

Show off that storage space

Storage space is a key feature homebuyers are looking for as they scour the Boston real estate market for the perfect property. It’s inevitable that they are going to open your closets, so clear out clutter and organize the shelves to show how much storage space you actually have.

Homebuyers are out in full force this spring trying to find the perfect home in Boston before summer hits. If you’re planning to sell and have questions about the process or would like additional tips on staging your home, please contact me!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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Explore Your Creative Side in Boston

With how fast-paced life has become nowadays, do you ever find yourself so wrapped up in your daily routine that you forget to step outside of your comfort zone? As a Boston real estate agent, I'm constantly required to flex my creative muscles. Whether I'm helping a buyer craft the perfect offer or I'm developing a strategic marketing plan to help a seller move his or her home quickly. If you've found yourself seeking inspiration as of late, there are plenty of ways to explore your creative side in Boston. 

Take a cooking class

The Boston Center for Adult Education offers a ton of interesting cooking classes whether you're an aspiring chef or just want to pick up a few kitchen skills. From pasta making, to tapas, to ice cream, to tacos, you're sure to find a class that pleases your palate. For the sweet tooth, BCAE also offers baking classes. How satisfying would it be to serve your very own summer tarts at your next BBQ?

MFA Boston adult art classes 

With classes offered seven days a week and in the evenings, there's no excuse not to fit an art class at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston into your schedule. Perfect if you're seeking a creative challenge, you can choose from several art forms like drawing, sculpture, photography, and more. This is a great way to improve your technique and meet other Bostonians with similar interests!

Learn to play an instrument

If playing music is more up your alley, consider picking up a new instrument. The Boston School of  Music Arts offers beginner classes to students of all ages. Learn to play piano or guitar in one of their 4-week introductory classes in a small group setting. This is a great option if you want to learn a new skill but don't want a long term commitment.

Exercising your creative side once in a while is key to success in both your professional and personal lives. Who knows, maybe you'll even discover a new passion or shift your career path as you explore everything Boston has to offer! The opportunities are truly limitless when it comes to how you can break out of your normal routine and get a little bit creative. If you have any particular questions or would like a recommendation on where you can take a class in something specific, please reach out to me! Even if I don't have the answer, I'll ask around so I can point you in the right direction. 

Though my primary passion is helping buyers and sellers have positive experiences in the Boston real estate market, I also enjoy helping newcomers get acquainted with our vibrant city. When you're ready to begin your home search, allow me to be your trusted guide. From selecting the perfect home to making a dinner reservation at one of Boston's top restaurants, I know this city like the back of my hand. Contact me when you're ready to get started!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
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