If you own and live in your Boston property as your primary residence, you likely qualify for a residential exemption on your real estate taxes.  Through this exemption, the City releases you from paying part of your property taxes.  Last year, the residential exemption saved qualified homeowners up to $2,719.09 on their tax bill.

For Fiscal Year 2020, you have until April 1, 2020 to file the application.  For more information, including the application and other requirements, visit the City of Boston’s website here. 

There are a number of benefits to homeownership, and this exemption is one of them.  Be sure to take advantage!

Boston Home Prices Are Up  •  Number of Sales is Down  •  Inventory is Low

Curbed Boston reported transactions in the downtown Boston luxury condo market during the Summer months saw significant prices jumps and average sales prices were up nearly 23% year over year in the Spring.  Downtown areas include Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, [...]

When moving into your new home you need to establish service with the following Utility companies:

Boston Utilities

National Grid
Gas (800) 732-3400

Eversource
Electricity (800) 592-2000

Verizon
Phone (800) 870-9999

Comcast
Phone, Cable, Internet
(617) 279-1958

Helpful Boston Numbers

Boston City Hall
(617) 635-4000

Boston Police [...]

General & President “Ike” Eisenhower Slept Here

It was September 21, 1953, seven weeks after an armistice ended the Korean War. Operation Moolah was in effect. Operation Moolah was a United States Air Force (USAF) effort during the Korean War to obtain (through defection from any Russian, Chinese or North Korean pilot) a fully capable Soviet MiG-15 jet fighter to deliver to America. The US had attempted to obtain a MiG for years because it was considered to be the best fighter aircraft of the 1950’s and Korean War. The performance of the MiG-15 outclassed and amazed its’ Western opponents.

That morning, North Korean fighter pilot No Kum Sok seized his opportunity to escape a dead end future in North Korea and find asylum in America. He climbed into the cockpit of a MiG-15 and flew it to Kimpo, an American air base near Seoul in South Korea.That same morning president Eisenhower flew out of Washington, D.C. to Boston before the reports about the MiG and the North Korean defector reached the White House.

Eisenhower stayed at the Annex to the Algonquin Club at 223 Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston and was called by the White House that day and given the news “We got the MiG.” Eisenhower dictated in a personal and confidential letter to his longtime advisor and confidante, Walter Bedell Smith, Undersecretary of State “I am sorry I was not in Washington today to discuss the MiG incident with the entire staff.” He was not sorry, however, that he was staying on America’s grandest avenue at 223 Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston.

Renters:
When renting a condo you may expect to have some kind of window treatments. Most landlords put the basic blinds or roller shades which might not be attractive enough for you. You can customize your apartment by adding color with curtains. Simple, inexpensive and easy to install curtains can be found at many different stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, West Elm or even on Amazon.

Buyers:
Choosing the right window treatments for your newly purchased condo can be overwhelming.  First, make sure to check with the condo association’s rules to know what are the dos and don’ts. Many managed buildings have scheduled window cleanings during the year. If you are interested in getting as much light as possible, select a window shade that allows light to come through. Being on a lower floor you might want to consider having a top down bottom up shade, so you can cover the bottom of the window for privacy yet allowing light into your place by having the top portion of the window completely open. There are many options, therefore you may want to have a window expert come and explain all the different possibilities; many of them offer a complementary consultation for new home buyers.

Shopping for a new home? Check out all our listings, the spring market is going strong and many new listings are added every week.

The offer on your new home was accepted, your inspection went smoothly, the purchase and sale agreement has been signed, and now you are just waiting for your mortgage commitment letter. You are almost done, but don’t go shopping for that new furniture set just [...]

Ever wonder what it is like to own your own parking space in Boston? Just finding parking alone is time consuming, stressful and can often take a good amount of change out of your pocket if you are renting one daily.  Beat the weather, save time/money and please check out some of the open parking spaces within Back Bay, South End and Beacon [...]

A Look into Boston's Condominium Sales Market

It's safe to say that Boston's real estate has been on a hot streak. With 2018 at a close, Boston condominium sales have set even higher records than ever before. The Seaport took the lead in 2018 as the most expensive neighborhood, with the highest average sale price. Back Bay and South End [...]

Click to see condos for are at the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Boston

!!! GO PATRIOTS !!!

Open houses provide terrific opportunities to visit a neighborhood, investigate particular styles of housing, get a feel for space or picture yourself living somewhere.  Your real estate agent can set you up to receive weekly open house lists in your desired area and price range.  Visit an assortment and educate yourselves before getting [...]