Success in Staging

The benefits of staging a home for sale are well known to local real estate agents, many of whom can recall their own success stories. I remember one development where the agents just seemed to be moving furniture from one unit to another – as each unit sold quickly after staging. But, some homeowners may not understand the importance of professional interior design when presenting a home for sale.

Interior Designer, Andrew Terrat has provided staging and interior design services for many years. The owner of Terrat Elms has staged model condominiums for newly constructed developments, such as FP3. He has also designed home interiors for homeowners in Boston, including clients at the Ritz. Each example offers a different style personality – from brick and beam urban lofts to casual beach retreats. Terrat uses a combination of the homeowner’s personality and the style of construction.

Terrat believes staging can help a buyer to make a personal connection to the home. “Home buyers have an immediate connection – or not – to a home when they see it. My experience is that you have one opportunity to make that connection. Staging a property effectively can seal the deal. Is the common hallway pleasant? Is the first look into the home instriguing?” Terrat also notes there is a real value proposition in staging. “My experience is that buyers are inclined to choose and are willing to pay more for a property that has been renovated well and that shows well. I always have resale in mind when working with clients.”

For more information, go to TerratElms.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Tax Credit May Be Expanded AND Extended

Key senators compromised this week to extend the homebuyer tax credit that will broaden the benefit to include existing homeowners who are buying a new home as well as first-time homebuyers. Read the whole story on UPI.com. The existing homeowners will qualify for a credit of up to $6,500 and must have owned their current homes at least five years. The new plan is expected to reach the President’s desk next week.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Winterize Your Home

Did you know that drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use? Or that the Fed chips in on certain energy saving changes. For example, there is a tax credit which pays 30% of the cost for solar water heaters, or up to $1,500 for conventional systems. DailyGreen.com posted several helpful tips to help you winterize your home.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Rooftop Infinity Pool Overlooks Boston Public Garden

The Benjamin Mansion with its granite façade, copper and slate roofs has been renovated to a degree rarely seen. One of the grandest buildings on Beacon Hill, this single-family attached row house is located on the flat of Beacon Hill, directly across from the Boston Public Garden, and a short stroll to historic Charles and Newbury Streets. This residence consists of 8,450 square feet of elegant indoor living space, six bedrooms, an au pair suite, six full baths, eight fireplaces, wine cellar with cigar humidor, state-of-the-art media room, wood paneled library, fully-equipped gym, elevator and a roof-top pool. The house is unobtrusively wired and automated to incorporate some of the most sophisticated Smart Home technology on today's market. The exterior amenities include a private garden patio, two roof decks, one including an Infinity lap pool, and three front balconies. In addition, there are two to three parking spots.

For more information, go to sothebysrealty.com. To see this home featured on the Wall Street Journal site, go to wsj.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

REALTORS TEAM UP WITH THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

(Boston, MA)--The Greater Boston Association of Realtors® (GBAR) and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has teamed up to assist families transitioning from homelessness. GBAR’s Community Service Committee is sponsoring a furniture drive from November 3-6. The drive will benefit the Coalition’s furniture bank, which is used to furnish the homes of families making the transition from homelessness. The furniture bank accepts qualified household items to be distributed to families in need. This year, Olympic Movers is donating their time and resources to offer professional moving services to the charge. After making a reservation, Olympia Movers will pick up and move the donations from the homeowners at no cost. They will then deliver them on your behalf to the Furniture Bank. Homeowners have until October 21st to register donations by calling Joanne Paleo at 978-303-7100.

For a lot of Massachusetts families, this is much needed assistance. “Nothing is timelier than the topic of homelessness in today's economic climate,” said Joanne Paleo, chair of the Community Service Committee. “GBAR's Community Service Committee has been hard at work to support the Coalition and its Furniture Bank program. As local Realtors® our daily activities are entrenched in the housing market and I can’t think of a better way to give back to the communities that supports us.”

This is the second annual furniture drive GBAR has sponsored for the Coalition, which is the country’s oldest statewide homeless advocacy organization, founded in 1981. The drive matches the needs of homeowners who need to clear out unused furniture and families moving from shelters into empty homes. The Committee’s Vice Chair, Bill Gehan of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, is moved by the joint effort. “The Mass Coalition for the Homeless does an incredible job of helping families to prevent homelessness. My commitment to the organization was cemented when I learned that 40% of the homeless in Massachusetts are children under the age of 7. It is a truly frightening statistic.”

But, hope is clearly the key ingredient in this event. “The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is thrilled to again be partnering with the Greater Boston Association of Realtors® in their efforts to help homeless families make a house a home,” said Robyn Frost, executive director of the Coalition. “With the help from the Board we are able to ensure that families making the transition out of homelessness into permanent homes will have free of cost furniture to set up their new homes.”

The Greater Boston Association of Realtors® is a private trade association with more than 5,500 Realtor® members who specialize in residential real estate in Eastern Massachusetts. GBAR is the largest of five divisions of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB).

A Great Time to Invest in Rental Property

A recent story on Forbes.com explored the current market conditions for investment properties. The apartment vacancy rate has crept up to 8% nationally. However, the demand is projected to skyrocket, since we now have the highest college enrollment in history. Those young professionals will become renters in the next few years.

For more information, go to forbes.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Law Center Cautious About Reversed Mortgages

A recent story on Bloomberg.com discussed the National Consumer Law Center’s take on reversed mortgages. The product offered within the last few years offers an opportunity for older homeowner’s to tap into the equity on their homes. But, the NCLC cautions those who are considering it – they even say it may become the “next subprime”, with similar predatory tactics being used by some firms.

For more information, go to bloomberg.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.