Boston real estate tips: Plant container gardens for patios, decks and small spaces

If you have lived in the Boston area for a while or a just moving to Boston, you might know that every square inch of outdoor space that comes with a city residence is coveted. For years, urban dwellers have planted container gardens – some in gorgeous hand-made containers; others in found or reused objects. This solution allows the plants to suit the space and to inhabit spaces that may never have been intended for plants. Some container gardens have flowers and herbs for cutting. Others yield fruits and vegetables for summer grilling.

For more information on container gardening, go to HGTV.com.

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

Boston homeowner tips: Cool your home AND receive a tax credit

The warmer temperatures aren’t the ONLY reason to install a new central air conditioning system. According to the Energy Star website, there are some central A/C systems that qualify for government tax rebates. This is part of the ongoing program intended to assist homeowners with making their homes more efficient - all the while, stimulating spending.

For more information on central air conditioner rebate, go to the Energy Star site.

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

Boston real estate smoke detector regulations

The Boston real estate smoke detector regulations will change April 5, 2010. The Greater Boston Real Estate Board has released a guide to the changes and frequently asked questions.

To see more details, go to Boston smoke regulations.

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

Report on Cost vs Value: Improving Boston homes for sale

Improving your Boston home for sale? Well, Remodeling Magazine puts out an annual Cost vs Value report. This will help you assess which improvements improve resale and what percentage you are likely to recoup. For instance, the report finds that the cost of a major kitchen remodel is likely to be recouped by 72% in the resale of a Boston home.

To see the complete report, go to Boston home improvements. Search Boston homes for sale at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.