Archive for the 'Rentals' category

Since we all know that your home is the biggest investment you will probably make in your lifetime, maximizing its value is very important. One very simple way, and also most overlooked, is choosing the right paint colors! Seems minimal right? Not necessarily.  Most people get very overwhelmed with what color and shade is the right one for their home. Here are some tips to steer you in   the right direction.

 ** Since color is an effective way of giving your home a quick fix makeover and won’t make a huge dent in your wallet, doing a little research goes a long way.

** When deciding the right wall color, make sure it complements your furnishings and allows them to be the focal point of the room.

** Stick to one color family. Using a lighter and darker shade of the same color allows you to highlight the features you love most about your home. Different colors may clash and distract from the architectural details. 

** Are you distressed because you have a small space and don’t know what to do with it? No worries! Focus on using shades of white and cream.  These shades add size and openness to even the smallest of spaces.

** Is your style bold and daring?  Using a valiant color on one wall of the room may give it a chic look.  But be careful, you want to make sure it coordinates with your furnishings as well.

** If you are dealing with a rental property, you are going to want to steer away from my last tip! Make sure you use neutral shades.  It is also wise to stick with one color.  This will blend well with most lifestyles, work well with different furniture and color schemes and also gives the apartment a spacious look.

 Investing in the upkeep of painting your home is not only rewarding, it will definitely increase the value and in the end you will get a better price if you are thinking of selling.

If you're planning on moving to the great city of Boston, you may not be familiar with all the surrounding neighborhoods! --There are 21 official neighborhoods in the city and there is also the "Boston Metropolitan Area". Cambridge is the second largest city (behind Boston) in the metropolitan area.  Now, you're probably thinking, I have no idea where any of these places are! Well, I found a great website that gives you all the information you would want to know about the place your about to call home!

Click this link and you will find maps, restaurants, reviews, statistics and much more! Whether you are planning on moving to the Back Bay or to Cambridge, this site has it all

CAMBRIDGE

Just across the river from Boston, Cambridge offers an exciting and vibrant multicultural setting with tons to do and see! Tourists, locals and students from around the world are here at any given Day.  It is such a popular attraction because two of the most respected educational institutions are located here: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Overflowing with cafes, bookstores, museums, and boutiques, Cambridge is often referred to as "Boston's Left Bank".

Check out all that Cambridge has to offer!

When trying to sell your home don't forget about how important even the smallest of details can be.  A great article from the New York Times discusses how Jamella Swift, an NYC broker, learns that ignoring details can really decrease the value of the home.

Clutter: Subtract 5-15%

Fresh towels and throw pillows: Add $25,000

Dirty rugs: Subtract $5,000

Regrouting tile: Add $100,000 (don't forget we're talking about a $3 million listing in NYC)

New Fixtures and appliances Add $250 in rent

New Lights: Add $32,500

Replacing cabinets: Add $107,000

An expensive shoe closet: Worth every penny!

Check out the full article here

When the time comes to find a new apartment, we all know it can be an exciting journey! We have to deal with important issues like location, move in date, rent, and most importantly, the internet, especially for long distance moves! Unfortunately, rental scams are on the rise and we want you to be aware of how to spot them-- even on our most trusted cites!

These scams come up in different ways. The most popular scam is when a when they hack into a real estate listing by changing the email address or contact information and post it on another site.  Another popular scam is making up a listing for places that don't even exist! They try to lure you in with low rent and the goal is to get the money before you find out.

You might not want to spend the extra time being savvy in your search, but there is a lot at stake, so it will be worth it! Here are some of the top signs you may see when dealing with a scam:

• They want you to wire money. This is the surest sign of a scam. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, or first month’s rent. Wiring money is the same as sending cash — once you send it, you're not going to see it again!
• They want you to send a security deposit or first month's rent without meeting or seeing the unit. It's never a good idea to send money before you trust your broker, landlord or seller. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, there is a big red flag that it's a scam!
• They say they’re out of the country. But, of course, they have a plan to get you the keys. It might involve a lawyer or “agent” working for them. Some scammers even create fake keys!

For more helpful tips check out

rentalscams.org

Safe searching from all of us at Tory Row Real Estate!!

Greetings! I have something special in store for you! We are featuring a great listing in East Cambridge right near the Lechmere T stop! I know some of you may be thinking, who cares?! Well, it’s exciting for us because East Cambridge is a great neighborhood with a lot of potential… And we aren’t the only ones who think so! 

If you are native of Cambridge I am sure you will agree that living in the North Point area opposed to say, Harvard Square, is a lot more desirable.  I assure you, you will not get the hustle and bustle of tourists crowding your neighborhood 24/7! The authentic “mom and pop” shops are still going strong, the Landmark Kendall Square Theatre is just minutes away, and the accessibility to the Charles River is like no other!  A local favorite is The Courthouse Fish Market. People come from all over to visit this neighborhood gem!

Some of you may be thinking that there’s no “neighborhood feeling”,  well that is where the Lechmere Square working Group comes into play! Made up of members of the East Cambridge Planning Team, this hardworking group of people has dedicated a lot of time and effort to developing a plan to relocate the Lechmere Station.  They are proposing to develop a year-round public market, seasonal farmer’s market, and an open square in place of the current Lechmere T Station. Their website is great! Check it out to see all their plans. 

Here's a link to our Featured Property! --- Don't forget you can have it furnished or unfurnished!---  Now that you have an idea of what the community of East Cambridge is like, maybe it would be the right fit to join them!