Boston Real Estate MA

What Makes Beacon Hill So Livable?

If you are planning to buy a condo or a home in Boston then Beacon Hill is a place that you must consider looking at. It is one of the oldest and most desirable places in Boston. The first thing that would catch your attention, when you enter this neighborhood, would be its Federal style architecture coupled with its picturesque beauty.
Beacon Hill has a lot to offer as a thriving residential colony and a famous tourist location. If we talk about the culture, people residing in this part of Boston are very much reserved and conservative yet highly social and amiable. Many affluent and influential people have chosen Beacon Hill as their home. You will find numerous fine dining gourmet restaurants, hospitals, schools, and shopping streets spread all throughout the region. Despite the fact that every section of this place is worth admiring, some of the main attractions of Beacon Hill include Louisburg Square, Charles Street Meeting House, Mount Vernon Street, Massachusetts State House, Stuffolk University, Park Street Church, Nicholus House Museum, Harrison Gray Otis House, the Francis Parkman House and The Vina Shul.
Now, to throw some light on the architectural significance of this marvelous place, Beacon Hill is recognized by its old style brick houses along with the wooden windows, doors and iron railing. These houses are situated on both sides of the narrow streets that connect with each other as well as the main avenues of the city. This style of housing plan belongs to the post revolutionary period. The houses are spacious, comfortable, airy, and systematically planned. From exterior of these houses display a natural unpainted pale red brick color that gives them an unparalleled edge. Beacon Hill is known for its ancient yet exclusive style of house engineering and serves as a symbol for people to come and live in this splendid region of Boston.
Being one of the oldest neighborhoods of America, Beacon Hill offers a huge variety of luxury condos and homes for sale or rent. To search for the best suitable apartment or condominium you must find a real estate agent who can help in making your task easier. The Lincolnshire is one of the best condo development areas in this neighborhood besides Bowdoin Place and 21 Beacon Street. If you cannot trace a broker in the specific area then you can find one through online resources. Many websites provide access to a huge database listing homes or condos for sale in a particular area along with the contact details of a real estate agent. However, you must always do your homework before contacting a property dealer to avoid being cheated.
Beacon Hill is a very agreeable and livable place to inhabit. It provides all the necessary facilities to lead a comfortable life working, relaxing and enjoying such a beautiful gift of nature on the earth. Regarded as one of the finest and most exclusive real estate in Boston, Beacon Hill certainly stands out as the first and the foremost choice of anyone considering settling down in this part of the country.

South End – A Region with Diversity

The South End is surrounded by Boston’s prestigious Back Bay on the south, South Boston on the northwest, Roxbury on the northeast, Dorchester on the north, and Bay Village on the southwest. Despite the name, South End, the neighborhood is not directly at the south of downtown Boston’s center. South End, with its exquisite brownstone homes, extends from Berkeley Avenue on the east to Massachusetts Avenue on the west; and from Columbus Avenue on the north to Harrison Avenue on the south. Columbus Avenue, Washington Street and Tremont Street have been from the earliest years, the main commercial streets of the town
South End, with its community gardens, playgrounds, parks, tree-lined streets, brownstone and brick townhouses and brick sidewalks, was at first called Boston Neck, a narrow land strip surrounded by tidal marsh connecting Boston to Roxbury. South End real estate such as Worcester Square, Union Park, Concord Square, and Rutland Square is set apart by beautiful brownstones on quiet, lovely streets lined with gardens and trees..
Before 1840, South End, Boston held only a few mansions, constructed in the open fields. Later, owing to the overcrowding of Beacon Hill and downtown area, the city had to add land to Boston Neck by filling the marshy areas with earth which was imported from Needham. In this manner was established what is now called the South End. Charles Bulfinch, a well-known architect, created a plan for the newly established South End in the 1850s. The plan included small green parks with fountains in the middle, and bay window townhouses all over the area.
In the next 15 years the new South End became the trendiest place for affluent new families to build homes in. South End real estate market was at its peak and homes show-cased diverse architectural styles, which, along with its gorgeous churches, add to the region’s visual interest. However, in 1870s, owing to national financial crisis, crime and poverty, South End witnessed exodus of many families. Less elegant houses built on Columbus Avenue were reprocessed by banks and these homes were sold for low-prices in order to boost the real estate market and reduce poverty values all over South End.
As a result, most of the South End’s affluent residents moved to Back Bay. Private homes, where the original residents lived, were let out on rents and were replaced by lodging houses and tenements. Availability of work and excitement of city life, however, attracted lodgers from the countryside to South End. The region witnessed a surge owing to the growing number of African-Americans whose music helped in making the area well-known for its jazz clubs. Fascinated by its urban location, large numbers of professionals and middle-class families began to move into South End, reviving its Victorian townhouses. This resulted in realtors Boston to take up more developments around the neighborhood.
Owing to the end of rent control in 1990s, South End neighborhood has currently evolved into a higher middle-class community, with high property values and rents. As a result, there is consistent surge in Real estate listings. Fitkova realty group, a Boston real estate group, registered highest number of enquiries in the houses for sale, real estates for sale, apartments for sale, loft for sale, property for sale, and property in Boston categories With rise in Boston real estate activities, South End also shows positive trends in ‘homes for sale’, ‘condos for sale’, ‘condominiums for sale’, and ‘luxury condos for sale’ segments.

The Splendid Beauty of Back Bay of Boston

Back Bay is looked upon as a hub for luxurious and upscale residences, offices and shopping malls. Situated in Boston, Massachusetts, it is a home to many affluent people in the city. It is architecturally influenced by the Victorian style brownstone buildings which were built to suit the single family structure favored by the wealthy lot of Boston in the 1800’s. The southern part of Bay Back is a bit on the commercial side as it accommodates offices for most of the organizations, the northern part, on the other hand, provides luxurious and spacious residences for the inhabitants.
Being an uptown, this marvelous section of the Boston not only offers lavish residences but also has several high-class, opulent hotels such as the Colonnade Hotel, Fairmont Copley Plaza, Hotel Copley Square, Westin Copley Place and Boston Marriott Copley Place. The large number of shopping malls and social centers make Black Bay extremely popular amongst travelers and tourists.
There are other numerous attractions such as Copley Square, Trinity Church, Prudential Center, John Hancock Tower, Christian Science Mother Church, South End, Public Garden, Boston Common, Louisburg Square and Beacon Hill. The prime thoroughfares of the Bay Back neighborhood bear a striking resemblance with the Hausmann’s renovation style popular in Paris during the 19th century. These avenues display a highly homogenous architectural approach with parallel tree lines on both sides of the pathways. The organized and well-maintained boulevards of the neighborhood add to the splendid beauty of this place.
Bay Back is not only a tourist attraction but is also regarded as a highly suitable place to reside. If you are in search of a home or a rented accommodation in Boston then Bay Back is one of the most suitable places to consider. Finding a luxury home for rent or sale in this neighborhood is just a piece of cake. You can go through the profile of the desired location online and then contact a real estate agent for the further processing. You must only rely on a trustworthy real estate agent to find homes for sale and rent or condos for sale in order to be able to get a good deal. To find a real estate agent who is reliable is a much more difficult task than finding your dream house. However, with a little bit of research on the background and checking the credibility of the agent with the help of the residents, this task can be managed.
Living in Bay Back is no less than a blessing because it offers luxury, security, entertainment, and culture. This neighborhood invites all those who cherish utter comfort and extravagance. Being a part of this alluring place could be a blissful experience that you will not only admire but also treasure throughout your life.

Real Estate Outlook: Federal Reserve Weighs In

The U.S. Congress asked Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke a key question the last week of July: Where do you and your colleagues believe we’re headed in terms of the national economy?

Bernanke’s reply: There are bumps and potholes on the road to recovery, but the Fed “expects continued moderate (economic) growth, a gradual decline in the unemployment rate (to about 7 percent) and subdued inflation” over the next couple of years.

No sooner had Bernanke delivered his testimony than some of those “bumps” in the road popped up: The Commerce Department reported new housing starts dropped by 5 percent in the latest month, and the National Association of Realtors reported existing home sales down by a similar percentage.

But keep in mind the central point Bernanke was making in his forecast: Troubled though it may look with any single statistical report, the fact is the national economy continues to grow – by about two and a half percent on an annual basis – and many elements of the economy are better off this year than the were the year before.

Take the Commerce Department’s housing starts number: That five percent decline was mainly the result of a big drop in starts of new rental apartment units – not a drop in starts of new single family houses, which were stable.

In fact, the Commerce Department survey found that permits pulled by builders for future construction on single family homes were actually up in three out four of the major regions of the country.

Analyzing the government’s data, Bernard Markstein, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, was encouraged – and predicted increases in both starts and sales over the coming several months.

The latest sales report for existing homes from the National Association of Realtors also had some bright spots: Sales in June were 10 percent higher than they were in the same month the year before.

Even median prices of all homes sold were up slightly, and that’s despite the fact that one third of sales were “distressed” in some way – REOs, foreclosures or short sales.

And remember: virtually all economists – including those at the Fed – had forecast lower home sales for the months immediately following the expiration of the tax credit programs.

Meanwhile, hints of a rebound in future sales emerged in the latest report on new mortgage applications to buy homes.

The Mortgage Bankers Association found that purchase applications overall jumped by 3.4 percent – and by 8 percent for FHA loans to buy houses. Those transactions won’t go to closing for two to three months … but they’re a sign of where we’re likely headed.

Written by Kenneth R. Harney

5 Essential Things You Should Check Out before Buying a Condo

If you happen to be looking for condos for sale in Boston, there are number of things you might want to consider so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises after you’ve moved in. Here are the five things that should pass your closest scrutiny before you sign on the dotted line.

1. The reserve fund
You’ll be charged monthly dues that will be put away for repairs and replacements. Ask about the amount that is currently in the reserve fund. Lester Giese, author of The 99 Best Residential & Recreational Communities in America, suggests you use this formula: If the condo is one to 10 years old, the repair fund should have 10% of the cost of replaceable items (roofs, roads, tennis courts, etc.). If it is between 10 to 20 years old, the fund should be at 25% to 30%. If it is over 20, the amount should be 50% or above. If the reserve fund is well below these numbers, you may be considering a condo that is not being well-kept.

2. The complaints
Ask to see the minutes of the association meetings for the past two years and closely review them to see what the owners complain about. Complaints about plumbing, or issues with the gardener or maintenance staff are a clear sign that something’s not being managed well.

3. The financial statement
An estimated two-thirds of the association’s budget should be allocated to operating expenses such as elevator maintenance, water, electricity, and landscaping. The remainder should be put away in the reserve fund for long-term maintenance, repairs and replacements.

4. The rules and regulations
Most condo associations have a long list of rules and regulations which you’ll have to agree to abide by if you buy a condo in Boston. These regulations may refer to number and types of pets, number of visitors you may have at any given time, as well as rules regarding the use of the party room, swimming pool, or facilities in general.

5.  The little things
When considering condos for sale in Massachusetts, make sure you check the water pressure in the shower, but also see how long the hot water takes to heat up. How much noise does the toilet in the above or adjacent unit make? What is underneath a hardwood floor for noise control? Is there a pad, etc.? You may think these are just unimportant details, but some small inconveniences or noises are magnified tenfold when you have to put up with them on a daily basis.

There are many more other things you should check out as well, such as the neighbourhood, or proximity to local schools or malls. These specifics will depend on your and your family’s lifestyle and needs.

Top 7 Reasons to Move to Boston

Maybe you’re looking for a change of pace. Whether you currently reside in a big smog-filled, noisy metropolis, or a small Midwestern town, Boston is small enough to be considered a “walking city”, but large enough to offer all of the variety, options for recreation, and job opportunities you’ll find in a large city. If this is not enough to make you start looking into some Boston area real estate, then these seven reasons to move to Boston just might do the trick.

1. Safety
In October, 2009, Forbes.com placed Boston as the fourth safest city in America. In the early 90s, Boston was a city ravaged by gang and drug-related violence. Thanks to the cooperative efforts on the part of the entire city (the so called “Boston Miracle”), crime was significantly lowered, and the city now ranks as one of the safest metropolitan areas to live in.

2. Health care
Also according to Forbes.com, Massachusetts is seventh in the list of best states for health care, placing in within the top ten, mainly due to the law passed by Massachusetts’s legislature in 2006 which required residents to have health coverage. A study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund ranked health care in Massachusetts as one of the highest across five main areas: healthy living, potentially avoidable hospital use and costs, prevention and treatment, access to health care system, and differences in health care among income and ethnic groups.

3. Beaches
The proximity to Cape Cod’s beaches is definitely a great reason to move to the Boston areas if you always dreamed of owning a boat of your own. The oldest public beach in the US, Revere Beach, hosts the annual New England Sand Sculpting Festival. The Boston Harbor Islands also offer a large variety of outdoor options from camping to hiking, just to name a few.

4. Education
Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Tufts, etc…the list of universities Boston is home to boasts some of the best in the world. A great advantage for those looking to further their education.

5. History
Any history buff, or even anyone remotely interested in American history, will agree that Boston is THE place for historical sights and tours. You have the option to tour creepy cemeteries or revisit the events surrounding the Boston Tea Party, among many others.

6. Nightlife
A large variety of hotspots, fabulous restaurants, and vibrant clubs make Boston a great place to enjoy a night out on the town, any day of the week.

7. Seafood
Seafood lovers won’t be disappointed by the dishes on offer in most of Boston’s finest restaurants. Also, from March 14-16, 2010, Boston will host the International Boston Seafood Show, the biggest North American seafood event and one you won’t want to miss.

Still want more reasons to relocate and start looking for houses for sale in Boston? That’s another great reason: the wide variety of Boston real estate available. From luxury condos with panoramic views of Boston Harbor to spacious homes in Bay Back, you’ll surely find the property to suit your needs, one that will allow you to start enjoying everything Boston has to offer.

Read some tips on how to customize your Boston condo to make it the living space you’ve always wanted.

Create a Custom Condo

Finding condos for sale in Boston is not a difficult task. There are new, renovated and resale condos available in almost every region and in a wide range of prices. Working with a Boston real estate agent familiar with condos in the various neighborhoods will help make your selection process a positive and comfortable experience.

Often, when considering a condo purchase, you will discover that there are number of ways to customize your purchase to suit your lifestyle and design preferences. If you are thinking of purchasing a condo, here are a few design and decorating options to consider.

One of the very best ways to ensure a condo purchase that is customized to your tastes is to buy a condo while it is still in the construction stage. At this point, developers will often let purchasers have a say in the fundamental layout, design and décor of their unit. You may have the choice to upgrade from standard fixtures and appliances to models that are trendier, more energy efficient or more elaborate. A word of caution here, of course, is not to overstep your financial budget. It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and designing and splurge on items that you don’t really need. Stick to your budget, and try to choose upgrades that may ultimately increase the resale value of the unit.

Some of the custom options you may be presented with could include granite or marble countertops, kitchen islands with breakfast bars, upgraded carpeting or hardwood flooring. The options to choose greener products such as cork or bamboo flooring, and more energy efficient appliances may also be offered. Soaker tubs, multi-fauceted showers and whirlpool tubs are other popular upgrades that buyers often choose. One of the best upgrades to go for if you’re thinking of resale value is the option to include a garden or rooftop terrace that provides outdoor living space. This is always something the buyers are looking for and is sure to get you maximum return on your investment.

The way your condo is decorated will also play a very important role in both your comfort while living there, and the future resale value. The best advice is to choose a timeless yet current decorating style that will appeal to a wide cross section of potential buyers. Condos often have unique and interesting floor plans and layouts that can sometimes make decorating a real challenge.

When choosing a color scheme, aim for colors that compliment each other and bring the open spaces of the unit together. Introducing too many colors in a condo that has a large amount of open space will end up being confusing and overwhelming rather than warm and welcoming.

If the condo you are choosing is on the small side, another very important issue to consider is clutter. Too much stuff will make the space feel crowded and messy. This doesn’t mean you have to throw away your treasured collections, it just means you need to be creative with your ideas about display and storage. Use baskets and decorative boxes to store small items. Try to make furniture serve more than one purpose, such as coffee tables or ottomans that have storage.

Condo living can be a truly liberating and enjoyable lifestyle. Make the most of yours by creating a condo that is truly your own.

Read about three very weird and wacky tourist attractions that Boston is proud to call her own.

3 Weird and Wacky Boston Attractions

It’s no secret that there are hundreds of entertaining, informative and educational things to do for anyone living, residing or relocating to the Boston area. But it is maybe not so well known that, in addition to all of these attractions, and a real estate market that boasts some of the most luxurious of houses for sale in Boston, there are also more than a few rather wild and wacky attractions that are worth a mention. If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary to experience, be sure to check out these 3 Boston area attractions.

The Mapparium
Only in Boston can you take a stroll inside the world’s largest walk-in globe. Stepping through the doors of the Mapparium literally puts you at the center of the universe! The Mapparium is a three storey model of the earth with a thirty foot diameter that visitors cross via a glass bridge through the center.

One of the strangest sensations inside the globe is the transfer of sound. Due to the non absorbing qualities of the glass walls, sound travels unimpeded, and a simple whisper can be heard across the entire space. You can expect to be transported back in time a bit as well, because the globe depicts the world as it was in the 1930s when the project was first finished. Things have changed a bit across the universe since then! And while the map remains unchanged, modern technology has been applied to the lighting, sound and media aspects of the structure. Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library in the Christian Science Plaza, the Mapparium is definitely worth a visit.

The Giant Tea Kettle
Many folks associate Boston with tea, but not everyone has taken the opportunity to pose for a memorable photograph under the giant tea kettle. At the corner of Tremont and Court Streets hangs this giant reminder of the industry of yesteryear. In early 1875, the owners, a tea company named Hicks and Badger held a public contest to guess the capacity of the giant kettle. As it turned out, this giant masterpiece could hold nine people, or two hundred and twenty seven gallons. The kettle remains hanging to this day and has an added extra touch. A gizmo inside produces steam on cold days to make the giant kettle appear as if it is just waiting to be poured for tea time.

The Skinny House
Everyone has heard the expression “good fences make good neighbors” but in this case, it is believed by some that a house was actually built to do the same. The Skinny House, as it has been fondly named sits in all its skinny glory right across from the entrance to Copps Burial Ground on the Freedom Trail. At its smallest point, a person can easily touch from wall to wall. It sits tucked between two buildings and is so narrow that its front door is actually in the alleyway. Local folklore ranges in its reason for existence. Some say it was to block the light to a disliked political opponent’s home; some say it was built out of spite by a son who felt he had not received his due property inheritance and others say it was simply a way to give privacy to the house beside it. While interesting and most unusual, the Skinny House is not a tourist attraction but is owned and lived in by local residents.

Is Your Potential New Home Safe? 4 Things to Look For

If you’re in the market for a new home, and have been scouring the city for houses for sale in Boston that might suit your needs, you should be aware of some potentially dangerous hazards that could be bad for you and the environment.  Here are some things to ask about in every home you consider.

1. Something that was once a huge concern for home owners and their health was asbestos.  Once highly regarded and used for its ability to contain heat and provide effective insulation, asbestos was used until its risks were discovered and its use banned in 1978.  Asbestos will most often be found wrapped around heating ducts where two pipes come together and around furnaces and hot water units.  Because it was also very fire resistant, asbestos was also used in the manufacture of home building products such as floor tiles, siding and roofing.  If left untouched, asbestos is not necessarily harmful, but it does pose health risks when asbestos particles become airborne.  This was found to happen frequently as older homes were renovated and the products disturbed.  Home buyers should always ask about the presence of asbestos in any older home that they are considering.  Asbestos can only be removed by certified professionals and the process can be costly.  The last thing you want to have after paying what your budget allows for a home is the added expense of removing it.

1. Older homes may have another potential danger lurking on the walls, trims and furnishings in the form of lead based paint. Like asbestos, lead based paint was eventually banned but can still remain in homes that have not been renovated.  Lead poisoning is a serious threat, especially to young children who may ingest the lead from chewing on items or getting it on their hands.  There are disclosure laws currently in place that require sellers to inform potential buyers of the presence of lead based paint in the home.  Potential buyers must be given ample to time to have the home assessed for risks.

1. Poorly ventilated homes may also be subject to radon gas which is also extremely harmful.  Because radon is odorless and tasteless, it can be very difficult to detect.  If there is a concern, the home should be tested for the presence of radon by a certified professional.  Radon dissipates readily once released into the air, so it is easy to remedy by installing proper exhaust fans and other ventilating equipment.

1. Water contamination is another health hazard that you should always check into, especially if the home is in a rural area and has a dug or drilled well.  Ground water can be contaminated in a number of ways such as runoff from farm fields, waste disposal sites and leaking underground storage sites.  Most public health offices provide free water testing services so you can be sure the water in your new home is clean and safe for use.  When water is continually tested and contains bacteria, an ultra violet filter and other mineral filtering devices may need to be installed.  These can prove to be quite expensive for a new home buyer so be sure you have the solution you need before you buy.

Living and Understanding the Condo Lifestyle

There are many reasons why people choose to purchase a condominium when they are looking for houses for sale in Boston.  For some, it is the affordability, for others it is the freedom from upkeep, and for others it may be just the simplicity of the condo lifestyle.  Whatever the reason, condos, both average and luxury, continue to be a popular choice. 

Unless you are looking in the luxury market, a condominium will usually be priced lower than most other types of entry level housing.  This allows many new home buyers to get into the market and begin building equity in a property of their own.  Luxury condos for sale in Boston, built in exclusive locations such as waterfront areas or upscale neighborhoods, will cost the same or in some cases even more than single detached family homes.

For some home buyers, the single most important factor in choosing to buy a condo is security.  This especially appeals to home owners who like to travel or spend extended periods of time away from their residence.  Security features such as guards, gated communities and video surveillance decrease their worries.  Even for homeowners who don’t travel but are perhaps on their own or elderly, the security of a condominium building is reassuring.

While the lack of responsibilities of day to day upkeep such as cutting the grass or shoveling snow is often a reason people choose a condo, many also like the idea of not having to be responsible for large maintenance projects such as windows, roofs, lawns, etc. When you purchase a condo, your responsibility for upkeep is limited to that space that is within the walls of your unit.  Everything else is taken care of by the governing body of the building and paid for by the monthly condominium fees that every owner pays monthly.

When considering whether a condo is the right purchase for you, be sure to consider that there will always be somewhat of a lack of privacy.  Living in any type of condo structure means there will be others beside, above or below you.  You may be able to hear the sounds of their daily life around you as you all share the entry, the elevator, the parking lot and the building itself.

While the initial purchase of a condo may seem more affordable than a detached home, owners must bear in mind that the monthly condo fees can be quite substantial and must be figured into the budget.  Nor do these fees cover all the costs of home ownership.  Owners will still pay out of their own pockets for things such as carpet cleaning, decorative changes, small repairs or changes.

Another real bonus of condo living is the many amenities that come with most buildings.  Unlike the typical single family home, your condo building will most likely have a large party room that you can use for that next family reunion, as well as things like swimming pools, tennis courts, and hot tubs.

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With its many attractive features and opportunities, condo living is certainly worth investigating.