Now that it is March and the Winter months are starting to get behind us, it is now time to get ready for Spring! During those cold months, your home goes through a good amount of wear and tear which may require some repairs. It is important to conduct routine maintenance checks on your home to keep up with these minor repairs to help prevent larger problems in the future. Here are a few maintenance recommendations: 

Check, clean or replace your HVAC air filters. This helps keep clean, healthy air flowing throughout your home. Also, scheduling an HVAC maintenance professional to run diagnostics will keep the system running efficiently. 

Clean out your Gutters. If your home is close to or under trees, then chances are your gutters are full of debris. This can cause your gutters to clog, causing damage to them (freezing water can cause cracks/breaks), your siding and the foundation if there is not proper water run-off from your home. You can do this yourself if you're comfortable with heights and exercise caution, but many roofing and landscaping companies offer gutter clean-out services as well.

Check your Smoke and Carbon Detectors. Many of us weather-proofed our homes for Winter, which may have included plastic insulation on windows or under-door sealers to stop drafts/cold air from entering. While that weather-proofing can keep cold air out, it also has the potential of keeping in harmful gases if you are not getting fresh air from outside. It is important to make sure that your home detectors are working. 

Boston and its suburbs are known for their rich history and historic (old) buildings. Whether you own or rent, chances are you have dealt with some form of drafty windows and doors during the cold winter months.  

Here are a few easy fixes to keep the drafts away, and to help your heating bills from rising:

1.  Apply indoor plastic insulation (easy to install on any size window with a simple blow dryer)

2.  Lock windows and exterior doors, and apply weather stripping

3.  Place an under-door seal or stopper

While the sales data and reports for Boston's condo market are still filtering in, we wanted to share some preliminary data for how the market performed in 2021.

Source: Boston Annual Sales Summary 2021, Listing Information Network, Inc.

Looking at the 10 Year Price Index (Appreciation Rate), Boston condo home values remain strong.  The [...]

• 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 [...]

Cryptocurrency is a digital form of money. It differs from other currencies in that it is purely virtual (not printed on a bill or coin) and most are decentralized (not issued from a central bank). Transactions are secured by cryptography using a decentralized network of [...]

Whether you rent or own, now that we are entering cold winter months, there are a few things that might be helpful to keep in mind. Most people know to weatherproof and seal any drafty doors or windows, but there are a few other things that can help make winter months more comfortable and [...]

Famous for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and its Irish roots, South Boston has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the City. Located between the Seaport District, the South End and Dorchester, “Southie” has a fresh vibe mixed in with old school charm. Have a pint at one of the classic neighborhood taverns and take a stroll the beach.  You can pretty much do it all in Southie.

The South Boston real estate market has experienced a steady climb and its rentals are constantly in demand. According to the latest quarterly report from LINK Boston, condo sales in South Boston are up 23% compared to a year ago and the average sale price per square foot is up 5% to $797/SF.

Things to Do:

Castle Island - A perfect place for a quick stroll or to spend the day. This 22-acre location offers endless activities for a day out of the house.   Stroll around the harborwalk, watch the planes land at Logan Airport, take a swim, walk the dog or tour historic Fort Independence.  It’s one of the more popular outdoor areas in the city with plenty of room to roam.

Lawn on D - Get some fresh air, surf the web with free WiFi and enjoy the wide assortment of games and light-up swings. A popular place to spend a relaxing evening.

Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant - One of the many award-winning eateries in Southie.  If you want a great burger, this is your place.  It won Boston Magazine's “Battle of the Burger” competition in 2019.  If you’re in the mood for pizza, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant can satisfy that craving too, winning Eater Boston's “Best Pizza in Boston” in 2014.

The Broadway - Just down the road from Lincoln you can find another popular hangout, The Broadway. It's known for always having a great atmosphere and widely recognized for its brunch and wood-fired pizza. A wonderful spot to hang out with old friends or make new ones.

The L Street Tavern - This place is quintessential Southie. A popular place to hang out and a tourist attraction, thanks to the movie Good Will Hunting. Come see where Matt Damon and Ben Affleck hung out and took some of their first steps to Hollywood superstardom!

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

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 [...]

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 [...]