Host a touchdown-worthy Super Bowl Sunday! Set up a cozy "Fan Zone" with team-themed decorations . Craft a DIY nacho bar with all the fixings for a flavor-packed kickoff. Spice up the halftime show with a friendly game of football trivia or a quick backyard scrimmage. Create a snack stadium featuring fan-favorite treats. Keep the energy high [...]

The 2023 Boston Cow Parade has kicked off and Cabot is lucky to have a few of the fiberglass life-sized art pieces in our own backyard. The decade-old tradition originated in 1998 in Zurich, Switzerland, and has since become a worldwide public art event. Cities that have participated in the past include Madrid, Edinburgh, Perth, Manchester, [...]

• Smart Thermostat
• Smart Locks
• Security Cameras 

A few easy do-it-yourself technology upgrades to your home or condo will make it much more attractive to a prospective buyer, and provide a layer of safety and comfort [...]

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.

• The Quin House recently opened its doors as a private social club in Back Bay following a multi-million dollar makeover. It replaces the Algonquin Club, a Brahmin institution from 1888 which had long lost its luster. Located at 217 Commonwealth Avenue, in a grand McKim, Mead & White limestone mansion, this members-only club promises to bring together “the interesting and interested” for drinking/dining, fitness, learning, and playing. 
   
• Contessa, a new restaurant by Major Food Group has opened on the rooftop garden/terrace atop luxury hotel The Newbury Boston. It features northern Italian food and cocktails, overlooking the Public Garden in a sumptuous space designed by Ken Fulk. 
   
• A Michelin-rated pizza and wine bar just opened on Newbury Street. Double Zero, as it is named, features plant-based vegan versions of classic pizza and pasta. The chef and owner, Matthew Kenney says “with the right vision and effort, plant-based menus can be as exciting and revelatory as their counterparts”. Plant based dining has exploded in popularity for obvious health benefits, along with the added environmental benefits.

Traditionally, real estate listings are immediately placed in the multiple listing service (MLS) with photos, a description of the property, HOA fees, floor plans, pricing and other items that are relevant to a possible buyer. This allows the listing to be shared with the broadest possible audience of buyers, and buyer agents. 

Recently, and especially over the last year with the COVID pandemic, off market and private listings have become much more prevalent. For obvious reasons, sellers didn’t want strangers coming into their homes. Instead, the property is quietly marketed through the listing agent’s network of fellow agents, client list, and sphere of influence.  An experienced agent may belong to professional networking group(s).

Besides the changes made due to COVID, the ultra-luxury market is rife with “whisper” listings. Buyers in this category want what others can’t have. It’s exclusive and confidential and they want what their friends can’t get. For the seller, it provides privacy. They don’t want their homes published in MLS, and then propagated to Zillow and countless other public websites.

Case in point, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s Brookline compound recently traded in an exclusive off market transaction (the sale price was kept private, but many speculate it was over $30M). The property had previously been listed on MLS with another agent for several months without finding a buyer. The power couple hired a new broker who deployed the “off market” strategy to selling their house.

My past four sales have all been private deals, priced from $705,000 to $8,450,000. I’ll be curious to see if this trend continues as we start to get more vaccines rolled out and life returns to something more normal for all of us.

It’s been too many months since we have been able to see extended family and friends. The holidays bring back nostalgic memories of past gatherings, and lure us to think of throwing caution to the wind, and forge ahead with our traditional feast and get [...]

I started a “small” decorating and renovation product at my home back in October 2019. The initial plan was to redo my dining room, and I hired an interior designer. What was originally just one room, morphed into the entire first floor, including the kitchen, living room, den, and front hall. What I found is that when you do one room over, [...]

Deciding to hire an interior designer can not only increase the value of your home, but can also help you avoid some costly mistakes. Interior design is a crucial component when selling your home; it can boost buyer appeal, which can increase the value of your home.

If you’ve invested a good deal of money in your home, you will want to showcase it to look its best to prospective buyers. A designer offers a fresh set of eyes, trained to see things that you may not. In addition, professional designers have expertise in budgeting and planning, plus they bring an extensive list of resources for your renovation. They are invaluable in saving clients in time and headaches, identifying reliable contractors, plumbers, and electricians for their projects.

Lastly, a designer can offer you the “wow” factor. They can offer something outside of the box, that you would never think of, as a result of their trained eye and years of experience.