Archive for the 'real estate' 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

Buying a home can be one of the biggest purchases you will make in your life. With that said, you want to make sure you're prepared, educated, and ready to make the commitment.  Here are some things to watch out for when starting the process.

1. Dealing with Lenders 

• When borrowing money you want to make sure you calculate your total monthly costs.  Before you house-hunt, find out the tax and insurance rates for homes in your price range. Don't forget about condo fees, loan, tax, and insurance payments.

• Another important factor is to shop around! You want to talk to at least two lenders to make sure you are getting a competitive loan.  Remember interest rates can vary not only daily, but sometimes a few times a day!  Make sure your lender is giving you the highest quality advice. 

2. Find the Right Lawyer

• Real estate law varies by state.  It also can get even more localized by the neighborhoods. You want to hire a real estate attorney in or near the town you want to buy in. 

3. Inspections

• The most important aspect of choosing your home inspector is to shop around and ask for referrals.  Home inspectors know a lot about houses, but they can't see inside the walls or dismantle the house. They can't even give you an estimate. (That's what contractors are there for) Both are very important to the purchase of your home, so you want to make sure you're getting the best for your money.

4. Our own Mistakes

• The biggest thing that you need to understand as a buyer, is how much time and how big of a commitment it is to buy a home.  A lot of work is put into making your final decision. Expect some stress, and remember to give yourself some slack! Finding the right agent to balance out your personalities is one of the best things you can do in successfully buying a home.

5. Location

• The location of your home is the one thing you cannot change.  You want to make sure you really love the location and want to live there. Don't just settle; you could be living there for a very long period of time.  Don't forget to consider different weather conditions.  Is that hill up the driveway going to be too much of a pain in the winter? Can you handle living with the sounds of the city nightlife? You decide. 

6. Price

• Make sure you do out all your calculations.  When dealing with such large numbers such as $500,000, another 2 or 3 thousand doesn't seem like much.  However, at 6.125% interest, its about $30/month, but becomes $10,800 over the term of the loan. It pays to do out all the calculations! 

Do you have any stories to share that would help our fellow buyers? What were your experiences?

Happy Hunting! Remember Tory Row Real Estate is always here to help in any way we can!

Everyone’s talking more and more about going green.  Now, more than ever people are focusing on not only buying a home that is suitable for their family, but also one that is environmentally friendly! There are tons of benefits of buying a green home: affordable, eco-friendly, healthier living, and saving money on energy costs of course. Because of all the great benefits there is an increasing demand for new green homes in the housing market. However a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders Research Center found many people believe there is a disconnect between living in a green home and actually investing in one. Everyone agrees that living healthier and saving money comes out of buying an eco-friendly home, but it takes a a team of manufacturers, builders and organizations to help builders, investors, and consumers understand that building green can be affordable. 

Most people forget about the tax cuts that come along with investing in an eco-friendly home! Just to name a few you can deduct Insulation systems that reduce heat loss/gain, Exterior windows, including skylights, Exterior doors, Metal roofs that meet applicable Energy Star requirements. If you buy eco-friendly appliances there are even more cuts! $50 for purchasing an air-circulating fan, $150 for installing a high-efficient furnace or boiler, $150 for each qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace, or hot water boiler, $200 for installing energy-efficient windows, and $300 for purchasing a high-efficient central air conditioner, heat pump or water heater! Sounds good to us!

So before you immediately think that you cannot afford an eco-friendly home, talk to a qualified builder and see what the actual numbers are!  Everyone can contribute to a greener earth, whether it is through buying a home or even replacing some windows!

Here are some great sites to check out

http://www.ecofriendlyhouses.net/

http://www.thegreenguide.com/