Ken Talks Boston Real Estate Blog

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

What to Do in Boston: Summer Beach Trips

There is still plenty of summer left to enjoy in Boston and around the city, you'll find numerous chances to spend the day on the beach or at least, on the water. As your Boston real estate expert, I'm here to share everything from homebuyer tips and home seller advice to recommendations for exploring this great community.

Summer is the perfect season to take in all that Boston has to offer, so be sure to mark a staycation or day trip to the beach on your to-do list. You can start with these Boston waterfront locales:

Carson Beach
Carson Beach has been called the best beach scene in Boston, with tons of sand to relax upon and great city views to soak up. Aside from the beach, Carson Beach also boasts bocce courts and chess tables to pass the time. Other perks include free parking, a lifeguard on duty, shady spots for resting, public restrooms, and access to the MBTA.

Castle Island/Pleasure Bay
One of the most popular destinations for Boston residents, Castle Island has opportunities for both recreation and historical learning. The island is home to Fort Independence, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Pleasure Bay is one of the city's treasured swimming and picturesque beach destinations. Boston residents can enjoy the park around the fort for a summer picnic or take a dip in the calm, enclosed lagoon of Pleasure Bay.

Spectacle Island
With five miles of walking trails and two sandy beaches, Spectacle Island is a must-visit this summer. The island is part of the Boston Harbor Islands and also offers a vast array of activities for Boston families, no matter the ages. This island is just a short ferry ride away (from Long Wharf) and also easily accessible via public transportation. The pebble beaches, boat docks and visitor-friendly concessions make Spectacle Island the perfect beach trip for Bostonians.

Charles River Esplanade
Boston residents don't have to travel far to enjoy this idyllic summer locale. The Charles River Esplanade features beautiful views of the city and on July 26, will host a community swim. 3 local organizations will cohost the second annual Charles River Community Swim (one was also held on July 12) and allow people to swim off the dock near the Hatch Shell (30 people at a time, for 30 minutes at a time).

Ready to make Boston your permanent home or sell your current property and move up to a new space? Contact me today!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Boston Home Staging Tips for Summer

Staging a home is key to helping potential homebuyers visualize themselves in the space. From rearranging furniture to open up a room to clearing all of the clutter, staging your Boston home will be an important part of your selling strategy, even in the summer months!

Now that we're well into the summer season, that strategy should also be adapted to fit outdoor spaces. In a recent survey by Saber Grills, 1,500 homeowners were polled and 83 percent said outdoor living space is their favorite part of their home, with 81 percent calling the outdoor space "the heart of the home."

As a Boston home seller, it's important to apply the same principles of staging to your outdoor space. If you're new to the concept, start with the following tips for summer staging:

Reupholster Cushions
Every outdoor space is likely to have some furniture and in order to appeal to homebuyers, it should be in great shape. Use outdoor, water-repellent fabrics and change out the cushion covers. This is an easy, inexpensive fix that can quickly update your furniture and transform the feel of the space.

Tend to the Garage
One reason many homebuyers are looking to move this summer is a lack of space. If your Boston home includes a garage, highlight the potential by repainting the walls. An update that takes little effort and little money, a fresh coat of paint can reflect sunshine inside the home and bring homebuyers inside to showcase storage options. "It's important to keep the garage wall white; otherwise it will look cheap and tacky," one interior design expert told Realtor.com.

Plants
When selling your home in Boston, you can bring a sense of warmth to your outdoor space by purchasing inexpensive plants. You can place bright flowers outdoors during home tours and showings to appeal to homebuyers and place more of the same flowers inside near entryways to give the whole home a cohesive, consistent feel.

As your Boston real estate expert, I know there is much to be done to prepare a home for the real estate market in Boston. From updating your interior spaces, to making repairs and staging your outdoor living area, homebuyers will notice a home in great condition. Contact me today to discuss what we can do to help your home sell this summer!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Homebuyers— Market Moving Upward in Boston Real Estate

For many homebuyers in the Boston real estate market, the right time to buy can be difficult to determine. In fact, Boston homebuyers in the past months (even over the winter) may have "waited it out" to see where things were going in the local market. But with new data released by real estate brokerage Redfin, it seems homebuyers have much to be happy about going forward into the summer.

More Options, More Inventory
The past few months have been characterized by a lower amount of inventory for Boston homebuyers With not much to choose from, buyers may have decided to put their moving plans on hold— but things are changing! "Inventories of existing home are 6 percent higher than year-ago levels," according to the National Association of Realtors. "The higher inventory levels of homes for sale means that buyers have more choices this summer."

Fewer Competition
The current Boston real estate market is seeing upward swings in inventory and on the other end of the spectrum, less competition. This is great news for homebuyers who may have been caught in a bidding war over other properties in the area. Bidding wars are down by double-digit margins this year, Redfin found, while competition from other buyers continues to fall.

Home Prices Slowing
One of the greatest hurdles of homeownership this season has been housing prices in the Boston Metro Area. Increases have priced out certain buyers or simply prompted others to continue saving and try again at a later date. However, this past May only saw a 5 percent increase of existing home prices compared to the previous year (double digit increases were common last year). "Homebuyers are benefiting from slower price growth due to the much-needed rising inventory levels," said the NAR's chief economist.

Lower Costs
When it comes to buying a home in Boston, the cost of borrowing plays a big factor. This summer, homebuyers can expect lower borrowing costs as mortgage rates are now less than half the historical average of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Mortgage rates now are hovering around 4 percent, while the historical average is 8.7 percent.

If you're ready to buy a home in Boston this summer, I'd be happy to help! There are many other reasons to take advantage of this season's market conditions— Contact me to discuss!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Celebrate the 4th of July in Boston

The Fourth of July is almost here and many Boston area residents are planning their activities for the big day. Whether or not you decide to venture into the city to attend one of the many holiday events this year, Boston is a great place to spend Independence Day! From fireworks displays to live music and celebrations on the harbor, here's what is happening around the city on July 4 this year:

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
July 3-4, 2014
The Hatch Shell
Boston, MA

This highly-anticipated annual event will kick off with the national anthem and flyover at 7:30 PM on July 4 before commencing its firework show over the Charles River. One of the best fireworks displays in the country (over 10,000!), the Boston Pops Spectacular also includes entertainment with this year's lineup boasting the Beach Boys, Megan Hilty, the Phantom of the Opera, and the Boston Children's Chorus.

Boston Harborfest
July 2-6, 2014
Boston, MA

Boston Harborfest is a well-known celebration of the colonial heritage in Boston, including reenactments, concerts, historical tours, and more. Harborfest is now in its 33rd year and has grown to span over 4 days as the largest patriotic celebration in the country. There will be over 200 activities during the festival, so don't miss it!

Fireworks Cruise on the Boston Harbor
July 3, 2014; 7 PM
Odyssey Cruises
Boston, MA

What a great way to start off the Fourth of July weekend in Boston. Join Odyssey Cruises for a sail around Boston Harbor in addition to dinner and a fireworks display.

Fireworks Sail and Constitution
July 4, 2014; 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Moakley Federal Courthouse Dock
Boston, MA

This lunch and sail takes place alongside the USS Constitution as it pulls into Boston Harbor to Castle Island's Fort Independence for a 21-gun salute. In addition, a Fireworks Sail will also be offered for those wishing to watch fireworks from the deck of the Roseway as it pulls in Charlestown. Great for getting out of the city and watching fireworks from aboard a landmark boat!

Uncharted July 4th Fireworks Shindig
July 4, 2014; 7 PM
Coalition Space Boston
Boston, MA

Boston Uncharted is co-hosting this holiday event with Coalition Boston at their new space which has an incredible 19th story view of Boston and the Charles River! A great opportunity to watch a fireworks display from 19 stories up!

Boston is truly a remarkable city to spend Independence Day with unparalleled events for guests and residents alike. Watching the city come together to celebrate the stars and stripes is not something to miss! If you are considering a move to another home in Boston or are ready to move into the Boston Metro, I would be happy to hear from you!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

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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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Boston Homebuyers Hold the Key to Speedy Sale

You may have heard the groans of past Boston homebuyers who believe the process takes too long, from start to finish. But what if I told you the time it takes to buy a home in Boston is ultimately up to the homebuyers themselves?

When surveying how long it takes to purchase Boston real estate, many will cite the amount of time to close on the mortgage once a buyer is under contract. However, that hardly factors in all of the steps leading up to that moment, from financial preparation through the home search and then to the closing. Every journey to buying a home in Boston is different, but ultimately up to the buyer.

Financial Prep
Saving to buy a home can take as long as you'd like, if you're planning to stockpile a larger downpayment for instance. It's always a great idea for homebuyers to clean up their credit scores and pay down their existing debt and this step can take years depending on the homebuyer's budget, especially if this is their first time buying Boston real estate.

Home Search
Finding the right home can be a challenge, given the inventory that's available at the time you begin house-hunting. According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers typically looked at 10 homes over 12 weeks before signing a contract last year. This is the most crucial (and personal) part of the homebuying process and finding the right balance between needs and wants in a home can take time.

Mortgage Closing
The closing on a home loan is often what buyers refer to when determining how long it takes to buy a home. Once under contract, the typical time frame is around 30 to 45 days, but that all depends on the loan type. The clock on this stage of the real estate process starts as soon as the purchase agreement is signed, but can often go on to require additional documents and resources to complete.

Your journey as a Boston homebuyer can take as little or as long as you'd like, but ultimately the timeline is up to you. Getting all of the documents and financial prep out of the way ahead of time makes the process that much easier and will get you from house hunt to closing quicker than those who skip a few steps along the way. As your Boston real estate expert, I'm here to help you move things along. Contact me today with any questions about how you can better prepare to buy this summer.

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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