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Luxe Boston Real Estate

 
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Finding a Qualified Buyer's Agent in Boston
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Written by Bobby Ciletti
Tuesday, 15 June 2010 21:59

Are you wishing that your Boston Realtor or real estate agent would contact you more frequently? Are you looking for more advice? Does your Boston real estate agent work only part time? If your agent is casting any doubts in these basic areas of customer service you may want to consider going elsewhere.


In an uncertain housing market, choosing an effective real estate agent will absolutely make a big difference for consumers looking to buy or sell property in Boston. However, not all real estate agents are created equally. Selecting a real estate agent is a major decision, so be certain the real estate agent you select is qualified and works for you. It seems as though everyone knows a real estate agent, or knows someone who knows a real estate agent, but remember quantity and quality are usually on opposite ends of the spectrum. The following criteria will help you discern the disposable the indispensible.


1. Compile a list of candidates. Start your selection process by putting together list of qualified candidates. Speak with friends & family who have recently bought or sold a home. What was their experience? Would they use him or her again? If you are a prospective home sellers keep eyes peeled for properties in their neighborhood that have sold quickly & inquire about the real estate agents responsible for the transaction.


2. Conduct an informal background check. Once you have your list of potentials, do your homework. Google each real estate agent or search the local Boston newspaper's online search engine & see what information surfaces. If you do not see the agent popping up in results, blogs, facebook or twitter, chances are he or she does not have the networking skills or savvy to reach a diverse audience in order to effectively market your investments or home. Check your state's real estate licensing board and be certain the person you are considering for your agent has a license.


3. Next schedule interviews. After narrowing down the candidates, meet the agents face to face. The relationship you have with your real estate agent is essential. You want to feel like you can work with this person & you want to feel that this person can effectively represent your investment. You should be honest, by letting the agent know that you are considering other agents as well.


4. Experience. Understanding the agents personality & professionalism is only half the equation, experience is the other half. Determine the agent's experience with your target market. Ask questions like, where do you live, where do you work or where are most of your transactions. Cities like Boston have so many real estate agents, it should not be hard to find one with a subspecialty. 


5. Consider is key. Be certain that your agent will communicate effectively as the process unfolds. There are several components to communication like confidence, clarity & consistency. A confident agent possesses knowledge of the market and will share the information with supporting examples like recent home sales or new real estate legislation.  A clear agent will use a variety of communications tools from phone to email or social media and text messaging. Find out what works for you and make a request that your agent be versatile. Consistency is perhaps the most crucial especially when dealing with deadlines.  Ultimately, consumers need an agent who is responsive and easy to reach. An easy test is to call and email the agent on off hours & see just how responsive her or she is.


6. Review references. Finally, consumers should ask agents for a list of clients they have represented recently. References are a great resource, but the thing that most people don't do is they reach out to them. Utilize references to gain clear expectations, try to discover as many details as possible about the agent's performance during previous transactions. Also, see if your agent offers any reviews or testimonials online. Chances are if the agent has invested time into publicizing such cases, he or she has a track record worthy of your business.
 
Boston Real Estate - Pricey But Worth It
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Monday, 14 June 2010 00:00

When something has a higher price tag, you hope to get a lot of value in return. Despite what some cite as a housing downturn there is still stability & high prices in some of America's Top Cities.

Why are people willing to pay fortunes to live in certain cities? According to University of Michigan economist David Albouy, there is a tremendous value to be found in those high prices.

Economists look at all assets as having an amenity value, which measures the level of satisfaction the asset brings to its owner. How nice is the weather in Boston? How close is are you to the coast? How many cultural and recreational opportunities are nearby? The answers in Boston's case surly provide a favorable case. To see what current homes are selling for in Boston search our free MLS

Another big component of a city's amenity value is trade productivity.  Trade productivity ascertains how many goods & services a city produces that other people value. Think of the San Francisco area's Silicon Valley. New York City's Wall Street. Productivity sources come in other forms, such as universities that produce an educated work force & population or easy access to water or other transportation. So as you can imagine, Boston's business & educational institutions provide high levels of productivity.
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Create an Energy Efficient Home this Summer
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Tuesday, 08 June 2010 00:00

Looking for tips to beat the heat this summer in Boston? These are great tips to keep in mind especially for summer showings. Do not be caught of guard when real estate prospective buyers want last minute showings or come by on a hot day. Maintain a consistent, enviromental & comfortable home this summer with a few quick ideas.

Check the Soure! AC filters should be cleaned, checked or replaced quarterly. Doing so will make your AC more efficient, take less energy to cool your home & provide you with cleaner air. In times of high use you may want to have a more frequent screening of your AC systems. Another easy way to save on your AC bill is to have it serviced or inspected at the start of each summer.Remember a few minor repairs are typically less costly then a brand new AC.  Prevention is the key to keeping it cool during all those Boston real estate showings.

Energy Audits. Cooling your home is not always cheap and any leaks in your home is letting out precious, chilled air. You can find a local auditor through the Energy Star Online Directory. If you do not want to spend the money on an auditor there simple steps you can take to diagnose leaks. Feel around baseboards, windows, doors, light switches & air sockets. Walk around the outside of your home with scented incense, when you come back inside if you can detect the smell in certain rooms, have a second look for a leak. Leaks can easily be repaired with caulking or foam. Most importantly, have a programmable thermostat installed. This is such a money saver!

Compact Fluorescent Lights. It is 2010 so by now, everyone knows about these amazing lights. Estimated to save you about $50 per light over the compact fluorescent's lifetime, the savings will add up significantly if you can replace a large number of lights. Producing less heat, these lights will not bake your home when you are seeking a cooler environment, epsecially, when you have to turn on all your lights for Boston open houses or real estate appointments.

Acting Shady. Shades & curtains are easy ways to keep your home cool, especially if you are gone all day. Blocking out the sun will drastigcally reduce the about of heat entering your home, boston condo or loft. If you have time for a longer term goal, add trees and shrubs to your property. These will provide natural shade & curb appeal to your property.