Posted: November 17, 2022 By: zach

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!

Posted: By: zach

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.

Posted: By: zach

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!

Posted: November 16, 2022 By: zach

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.

Posted: By: zach

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.

Posted: By: zach

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!

Posted: By: zach

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.

Posted: November 15, 2022 By: zach

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!

Posted: November 14, 2022 By: zach

Boston Single Family Market Report

Boston’s real estate market for single family homes took a big hit last month. Total single family sales in October were down by -14% year over year in Boston after the Fed raised interest rates in September by 0.75%. That was the third increase of 75 basis points in four months and 5th rate hike of 2022 up until that point. As a result, median sale prices for single family homes took a big hit in November and are trending downward.
Boston Single Family Median Price Hits Lowest Point Since November 2021

Last month, Boston’s median sale price for single family homes was $759K. While still up +7.09% year over year, it was the lowest median sale price recorded for the City of Boston since October 2021. It was also a steep drop from the $943,013 single family median sale price recorded just a month earlier in September.

Posted: By: zach

What Will Happen To Home Prices in 2023

As the economy drags into a recession in the second half of 2022, we’re already seeing the negative effects on housing markets nationwide.

Home sales have cratered over the past 3 months as a result of the Fed raising interest rates 5 times in 2022.

Home prices have already begun backtracking as a result, casting a shadow of doubt on the future of the housing market.

Many are wondering what is going to happen to home prices in 2023. Most industry experts agree on one thing: