Best Smart Home Systems 2022
Smart home devices are all the craze amongst homeowners. Whether they’re reminding you of your shopping list, changing the lights, reading you recipes, or monitoring your home – they’re constantly trying to make your life easier. If you’re looking to deck out your home with the latest and greatest, but don’t quite know what to purchase – this list is for you!
Featured Greater Boston Homes That Could be Yours!
Buying a home is one of life’s great milestones. Whether you’re looking to buy a single-family home, a condo, or a multi-family home for sale in Boston, the decision to purchase real estate is a big one. Keep in mind, while the price tag might be smaller on a condo or single-family, multi-family homes might cost you less out of pocket each month.
If you’re not sure how you want to move forward in your property ownership journey, you need to talk to professionals. A mortgage specialist will be able to help you figure out how much you can afford to purchase. They can also guide you if there are any steps you need to take before you qualify for a mortgage. A real estate professional specializing in Boston rentals and investment sales will be your best resource if you are considering purchasing a multi-family. It’s important to work with someone that can help you accurately price your rental unit(s) to maximize the return on your multi-family investment.
Let’s take a look at a few different options for Boston real estate.
Best Ball Trimmers for Manscaping
The world of manscaping is vast and quite daunting for those of us dabbling into the idea of a fresh trim. Or maybe you’re someone who has been using the same dull pair of scissors and razor you’ve had since high school? Well, either way, this list is for you – you lovely wildebeest.
If your family jewels need a fresh trim, but you’re not sure which trimmer to go with, consider this list of the six best manscaping tools on the market! Hopefully, we can help you get those balls nice and presentable!
What are the Benefits for Landlords to Signing an Exclusive Right to Rent Agreement?
Massachusetts Landlords have multiple routes when it comes to listing a rental property. Those options range from listing it directly by owner, to using dozens of real estate agencies in the area. This article will discuss the benefits for landlords to signing an “Exclusive Right to Rent Agreement,” and the important factors to look for in a real estate agency.
What is an exclusive right to rent agreement?
In this type of agreement, you as a landlord give exclusive rights to one agent or company to rent your property during a specified period of time. What’s unique in this arrangement, is that it entitles the agency to be the exclusive listing agent for that property. It commits the landlord not to list it with any other agent or real estate company. This agreement is signed for a limited period of time, and the agent is paid a commission only if the property is rented during the fixed term of the agreement. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to cost the property owner anything out of pocket!
In the current market environment, only 12% of property owners are paying the full broker’s fee, 10% are paying some of the broker’s fee, and 78% of property owners are not paying any of the fee- the tenants are paying the fee. The Real- Time Availability Rate (RTAR) is 1.01% in Greater Boston, so owners are at an advantage here.
Interior Design Ideas to Transform Your Basement
When moving to a new home, having a finished basement can be a real selling point. Of course, then you must decide what to do with the extra space. This can be especially difficult if you have multiple people with multiple different interests! You can always section off different areas and spaces for different activities, or create one big area for everyone. When it comes to Boston real estate, where space is highly valuable and quite expensive, a great basement can be a huge plus in quality of life! Read below for our tips on different fun ideas for your basement!
1. Basement Entertainment Room
If you want an extra room to spend time with family and friends, an entertainment room is a great idea. You can section off an area for a home “movie theater”—a TV, couch and popcorn machine is a good start. Put a shelving unit in with board games. This is a great way to keep organized and know where everything is. As TV’s get larger, thinner and more affordable, setting up an entertainment room is getting easier and cheaper than ever!
How Much Does Renters Insurance in Boston Cost & Is It Worth It?
Some people are under the false impression that the property owner’s insurance also covers the tenants’ personal items. However, that is not the truth. Your landlord’s property insurance covers damage or destruction of the building, but it doesn’t cover your stuff, or your liability if a third party becomes injured in your Boston apartment.
The good news is that renters insurance in Boston protects both you and your belongings. If you are leasing a Boston apartment for the first time, or have not given it much thought before, read on to find out if it’s truly worth it.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost in Boston?
Basic renters insurance in Boston costs approximately $180-$360 per year. However, there are renters insurance plans available for as little as $12 per month. Your insurance company will typically offer various payment options- monthly, quarterly, or yearly- that may be easier to fit into your budget. That’s a minor expense when you consider the big picture. If you think about it, for only $180 per year, you can sleep soundly knowing that everything you own in your Boston apartment is protected. That’s the cost of one nice dinner for two in the city.
The Best Process for Hiring Any Home Contractor
Home ownership is wonderful, but it can also be daunting to find the right home contractor for your next remodeling project. Whether you’re building an addition onto your home, redesigning your kitchen or updating a bathroom, here are some tips for making sure you bring in the right person to get the job done correctly, on time and within your budget.
How to Find the Best Contractors for the Job
While your first instinct might be to hop online and start researching potential contractors, the best place to start is by talking to friends, family and neighbors about any work they’re having done on their houses. Find out about their projects and how the finished product compares to what the contractor promised when taking the job.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters vs. Tank Storage Water Heaters
One of the most important quality of life appliances in your home is your water heater. Whether it’s your sink or shower, all that precious hot water comes from a single appliance. If you’re a new home owner, or just looking for an upgrade, you may be confused with all the options out there.
Down below, we’ve listed and separated the two major kinds of water heaters that will be offered to you. Hopefully, with some clarity, we’ll be able to pick the best option for you!
How To Get Started Investing In Multi-family Homes In Boston
The Boston real estate market is hot- prices keep rising in 2022, making it intimidating for new investors. However, if you think it’s too complicated, or even impossible, to invest in the city’s thriving multi- family market then think again. In some instances, you may even be able to achieve a lower net monthly payment for a multi-family home in Boston than for a single-family home. Keep in mind, there are a few steps to follow if you want to successfully invest in Boston real estate.
1. First, do the Math
Your first step should be to determine how much you can afford to pay. Depending on the loan product, the down payment can be anywhere from 5% to 30%, or more. Typically on an investor loan (non-owner occupied), lenders are looking for at least a 20% down payment. However, if you’re going to occupy a portion of the property, the down payment could significantly change.
Home Remodeling Projects with the Best ROI
When you buy a home, you’re essentially making a large investment. And the major thing we hope for in an investment, is a return. To make sure that your home either holds its value, or appreciates in value, it’s important to keep up with renovations – big and small.
In the guide below, we’ve created a list of the top five renovations you can undertake to ensure you get the best ROI (return on investment) your home can provide. So, whether you’re looking to sell or just taking care of your investment – this guide is for you. Check out this app for finding the best renovation contractors near you!
