Apartment hunting is an inherently daunting task for many people, regardless of the season or the approach you choose to take. Throw in inclement winter weather, and it only seems to become even more challenging. But that in itself can be a blessing in disguise, especially if you are hunting for a good [...]
When preparing your home to sell, it is best to have a maintenance plan. This usually includes manicuring the landscape, addressing important repairs and tidying up the home decor, to name a few. One home maintenance project that is often overlooked is window washing/cleaning. This can improve the light and views from inside the home and it can boost your home's curb appeal. After all, first impressions mean a lot!
If the view is one of your home's key features to highlight, it is particularly important to have your windows professionally cleaned. Dirt, grime, insects and more can build up over time. Professional cleaners don’t just clean the glass, but can also clean the window frames and tracks.
Good, quality windows are a big investment; seasonal maintenance, including cleaning, can help with their longevity. Keeping up with general maintenance, rather than needing to replace them, can save you money in the long run.
An abundance of natural sunlight is generally high on homebuyers' wish lists. One general tip is to remove the screens from the windows - they generally account for 25% natural light lost!
Are your windows in need of a good cleaning? Here are some local window washing professionals:
All-Pro Window Cleaning & Power Washing - (781) 799-2453
Fish Window Cleaning - (617) 479-9300
Shine On Boston Inc. - (617) 980-4500
September is Emergency Preparedness Month, but shouldn’t we really be prepared every day living in New England? We have excessive summer heat, thunderstorms, nor’easters, hurricanes, tornados and flooding. With the risk of each of these, we can lose power and access to other things we rely on a daily [...]
Right up there with the Fall tradition of leaf peeping is going apple picking in Massachusetts. Who can resist hopping on a hayride, filling a bag with a variety of fresh apples, and enjoying some delicious hot or cold apple cider and apple cider doughnuts? Fun for the entire family!
Here are a few fun farms and orchards to try:
Shelburne Farms (Stow, MA) - https://www.shelburnefarm.com/
Belkin Family Lookout Farm (S Natick, MA) - https://www.lookoutfarm.com/
Brooksby Farm (Peabody, MA) - https://brooksbyfarm.org/
Honey Pot Hill Orchards (Stow, MA) - https://www.honeypothill.com/
Cider Hill Farm (Amesbury, MA) - https://www.ciderhill.com/
Carlson Orchards (Harvard, MA) - https://carlsonorchards.com/
Coming out of the pandemic, Back Bay businesses and institutions are preparing to welcome back employees and students this Fall. Despite numerous closings of landmark restaurants and retail operations, the City is welcoming new and exciting spots for gathering.
Many renters are moving back into the City. With remote/hybrid work options being offered by many companies, home offices and outdoor space are highly sought after! Here are some of our exclusive rentals that offer one or both of these [...]
It’s a distinctive Boston neighborhood with a style all its own. The South End. The mere mention of the name immediately brings to mind images of stately Victorian homes, quaint side streets and parks galore. It has become one of Boston’s most desirable places to live. The location is fantastic, situated between Boston’s Back Bay and Bay [...]
With beautiful weather forecasted into the summer and the housing market hot, flowers have the power of ‘curb appeal’! Outdoor flowers are a plus in any common areas, but window boxes make a statement. Eye-level, window boxes bring a charm and a delight to both owner/viewers.
Window box ideas include:
1. A window box with pansies. Pansies are easy maintenance flowers with a tolerance that can last most seasons. Easy to plant and bringing a wide range of colors that brighten any area, no matter the exterior color. When pansies need water, you can typically tell by the way they look (almost wilting). Also mix well with other flowers such as violas, coleus and alyssum.
2. A window box with geraniums. Geraniums are another easy, low maintenance plant, that give off vibrant colors and a pleasant scent. When planting geraniums, plant just under where the stem meets the root. Make sure the window box has good drainage to avoid root rot. These plants will need little to no water - some deadheading is helpful - April/May showers may be enough!
3. A window box for petunias. Petunias are the summer plant. Something so simple to take care of, yet so beautiful. Water twice a week, petunias will grow luxuriously over your window box and have a vine effect. They will catch any viewers' eyes and add to the aesthetics of any space.
4. A window box for vegetables. To add to your garden space and ‘fresh produce’, a window box for vegetables is a great idea for condos/apartments or any dwelling lacking land space. Cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce are all plants that benefit in a window box. What better than fresh produce straight from your window? These plants take water two/three times a week and grow great organically.
Moving during COVID-19 presents additional challenges, but also opportunities. Last Fall I moved and experienced it first-hand. For the first time, I had the luxury of additional time to really sort through my things. I was amazed at what I had been willing to pack and bring on my last 3 moves; but now I could change that [...]
There are many reasons why someone may need to “break” their apartment lease. Generally, it is a stressful situation for everyone involved – the tenant usually would not be leaving their apartment were it not for the unforeseen circumstances, and the landlord is concerned about being able to pay their mortgage, real estate taxes and other [...]