Putting your house on the market can be frustrating and exhausting. Homes can stay on the market for months before an interested buyer takes notice. You can expedite the process, however, by employing a few basic marketing strategies.

Why Market Your Home?

Marketing your home is the most effective way to get the word out that you are a seller in search of a buyer. In some locations, the market may be flooded with homeowners attempting to sell their homes. Unless you use some basic marketing strategies, your home may not get the recognition it needs to attract interested parties to open houses, walk-throughs, or other important parts of the selling process. Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, but it does need to occur in order for your home to sell quickly. Working with a real estate agent who is experienced and progressive in marketing can help you sell more quickly, achieve a higher sales price, and reduce the stress of selling your home.

Online Advertisement Forums

The Internet is one of the most effective ways to market your home when you're ready to put it up for sale. Thousands of consumers may search the Internet to find homes for sale in your area. Your real estate agent should post information about your home on a number of real estate websites, often by using a multiple listing service. They might also use their social media pages to share your listing with a wide range of friends and contacts. One benefit of online marketing is that it is usually free. All it takes is a small time investment to get the information about your house in a location where interested parties can see it.

Prominent Signage

Another effective, and low-cost, way to market your home's status on the market is to feature a prominent sign in front of your home. Many consumers find their future home by driving through the neighborhoods in which they are interested. If your home has a large "For Sale" sign, it will attract attention. Be sure that contact information is clearly printed on the sign and talk with your agent about the possibility of adding a custom sign rider that includes a website address or QR code that will take interested passersby directly to your online listing for more information.

Real Estate Agents

Hiring a real estate agent is, of course, one of the simplest ways to market your home. An agent will handle the bulk of the marketing on your behalf because he or she stands to make a profit only after your home is sold. But real estate agents also have websites, industry contacts, and relationships with consumers that can help you find the right buyer more quickly. In addition, their market knowledge and negotiating experience can help you achieve the best sales price for your home. All of these are indispensable when selling a home.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Dwell360’s Home Buying & Selling Classes on May 11 were a great success!

Participants were excited to cover the basics of home buying and selling, but also surprised to learn about the changes in the current market and some insider secrets as well.  They said they were impressed by how much they learned and now felt much more prepared to move forward with a real estate transaction.

Dwell360’s own John Lynch did an excellent job presenting practical real estate advice in a fun and engaging way.  Ed Johnston, Sandy Siciliano, and Alerica Aylward were also on hand answering visitors' questions. 

We owe a special thanks to our class partners Sheira MacKenzie, Senior Loan Officer of Fairway Independent Mortgage, and Elizabeth Grimes, Esquire of Ligris & Associates PC.  Sheira and Liz did a wonderful job simplifying the mortgage loan process and clarifying the legal aspects of buying or selling your home.   

We hope to see you at our next event!  Please contact us if you are interested in taking a class for buyers or sellers in the future.

Buying a home for the very first time can be an exciting adventure that results in a quaint and charming dream home in which you will start a family, create a life, and build a successful future. Finding this charming house, though, often requires a not-so-charming process. If you are a first-time home buyer, consider this short list of do's and don'ts that will help you do the right things while avoiding common first-timer mistakes.

Do Your Research

First, it is crucial that home buyers do a great deal of research before they start hitting the streets and viewing open houses. Research the housing markets in your area, and compare markets to one another. Evaluate school systems, proximity to amenities and important highways, information about builders and contractors, and the years in which houses were built. The more information about a housing market you have in advance, the less likely you are to make a buying mistake.

It's also important to research information about a home mortgage and prepare your financing in advance. The financing process can take several months, so you should have your money in place before you begin your search.

Do Hire a Professional

Another suggested "do" for first-time home buyers is to hire a professional. A real estate agent can evaluate your needs and wants and help guide your search toward houses within your price range that better meet these needs. Agents can answer important home buyer and future homeowner questions, too.

Do Evaluate Your Wants vs. Needs

One mistake that many first-time home buyers make is blurring the distinction between wants and needs. Your list of needs should include only the essential amenities that a home must have. Your list of wants can be more extensive. You should prioritize a "wants" list from the most important to the least important, so you can decide what should be sacrificed when you begin looking at homes.

Don't Buy Too Much House

It's crucial to purchase a house that you can afford. This involves more than just the price tag on a home. Remember, bigger houses come with more property taxes, more upkeep responsibilities, and more potential problems that can result in big costs in the future.

Don't Rush the Process

The biggest "don't" in the home buying adventure is rushing the process. Never place an offer on the first home you see unless you have evaluated several other properties. Finding the balance between taking one's time and acting quickly to avoid losing out on a property can be difficult. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Attend our complimentary Real Estate Classes

Saturday, May 11, 2013

9:00am    Home Buying - How Times Have Changed

10:00am  Question & Answer Break

11:00am  Selling Your Home in Today's Market

• Meet our REALTORS, trusted attorney, and experienced mortgage lender
• Attend one class or attend both
• Enjoy refreshments and learn in a casual setting
• First-time buyers & sellers will learn where to start
• Experienced home owners will benefit from our discussion of the trials & tribulations of selling your home while buying your next home
• Hosted by Dwell360, Ligris & Associates PC, and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

REGISTER via the link below, call 617-299-1864 or email Alerica@Dwell360.com!  

Our thoughts go out to our friends, clients, and everyone affected by this Boston tragedy.  The Boston Marathon is an important event to the residents of Massachusetts and will always continue to be a special event.  We are proud of our first responders, our city, our world class medical facilities, and the people that are the heart and soul of this wonderful place we call Boston.  

Wishing you peace and love from everyone at Dwell360.

Are you considering selling your home?  Curious about the best strategies to bring success in today’s market?  Get our Home Selling Guide instantly.

Home Selling Guide

Click the link above to receive our Home Selling Guide, containing our top 10 things to do before you sell your home in the metro Boston area.  Our guide is full of helpful advice for home owners and their agents.  Get information on identifying your target buyers, staging your home for sale, maintaining your safety, and how to stand out online.  

Read an excerpt from TIP 5 - Maximize Your Exposure:

The Internet is the most powerful tool for selling real estate. More than 90% of buyers start their search for a home on the Internet. This is why listing your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is critical for maximizing your exposure.

Get access to more insider information by clicking the link above to get the full guide.  And let us know if you need any help along the way.  At Dwell360, we’re here to support all of your real estate needs.  Contact us today!

When your house is on the market, you'll likely try to have as many public viewings or open houses as possible. An open house is a pressure-free way for interested buyers to view your property and imagine themselves living in the space. An open house, however, is usually a very short event. Every single moment counts during an open house, and you need to be sure that your house impresses every step of the way. When you've perfected your home's curb appeal, the next step is to create an attractive and enticing foyer space. The foyer is the first part of your home's interior that interested buyers will view. While you don't need to knock down walls and spend a fortune creating a foyer that didn't exist before, you should spend some time evaluating the space you have and doing what you can to make it work.

Emphasize Large Spaces

If your foyer is large and impressive, emphasize the vastness of the space. A large central table with a towering and colorful centerpiece is a dramatic way to emphasize a large foyer. You may also consider a floor length mirror resting in a corner of your foyer. The mirror will extend the vertical space of your foyer and also give guests a vision of themselves physically walking into your home. Tall paintings and photographs, newly polished chandeliers, and other large decorative items will also emphasize a large space.

Turn Cramped into Charming

If your foyer is a little on the cramped size, use decorative elements to make the space feel charming rather than constrictive. A small antique sofa table pressed against the wall is a great place to display photographs and other décor without infringing on the available space. You can extend the perceived height of your foyer by adding wainscoting to the lower portion of the wall and painting the upper portion of the wall a contrasting color.

Make the Space Functional

Foyers are often perceived as transitional spaces, but you can add functionality to a foyer, too. A wall-length bench with storage and cushions is a great catch-all space for shoes, umbrellas, and coats. A line of shelving with hooks for coats and hats is also a great touch for your foyer.

Remember that the foyer is the first look at your home's interior. Stand at your front door and evaluate your foyer with a fresh perspective. If something looks off to you, the homeowner, the odds are good that an interested buyer will also notice the problem. 

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Today’s kitchen is a quick-change artist that adores families and loves simplicity.

If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, we’ve got good news and bad news.

First, the good stuff. According to trend experts Lita Dirks and Dominick Tringali, you don’t have to shell out major cash to add space. Instead, look to expand what you already have. Vault your ceiling, add windows, squeeze in clever storage ideas. Make the space work harder, not bigger.

Plus, relax. Casual kitchens are trending, with doo-dads and gee-gaws (think elaborate trim and vent hoods that look like medieval castles) going away, and simpler, sleeker designs coming on strong.

Speaking on kitchen trends at the 2013 International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas, interior designer Dirks and architect Tringali teamed up to describe the new American kitchen as one piece of a larger, open floor plan.
 
It’s all part of a new kitchen gestalt that Dirks describes as the “prep-eat-play” triangle, with flexibility and casual living as key ingredients. The notion tosses the kitchen into a design blender along with living, dining, and family rooms, and frappes everything into communal happiness.

Example: You can eat at a comfy banquette, or in front of the TV (don’t tell your child-development counselor), or in the breakfast nook, or you can belly up to the island. No rules!

The bad news (OK, it’s not that bad) is that we’ve heard some of this before. Open floor plans have been around since the moon landing and yes, we like them. A lot. What we really have here is affirmation — and freedom to create kitchens that are less ornate and yet have more personality.

Just like you.

Of course, Dirks and Trengali definitely have the pulse of today’s home owner and offer some great takeaways. We’ve combined their goodies with our own kitchen trendspotting for 2013. If you’re planning a kitchen redo, here’s what you need to know: 

Contemporary kitchens are In. Specifically, they’re getting simpler and more modern, with less elaborate detail and trim. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association reports that in its annual survey of kitchen designers, “transitional” design — meaning a simple, more modern aesthetic — has surpassed “traditional” as the preferred design for the first time in the association’s history.

Kitchen cabinets are dark, or white. Darker, furniture-like finishes are popular, but so is pure white. The middle ground — think natural oak — is going away. Dark finishes help the kitchen integrate into the overall scheme; pure white is the ultimate accent color that readily complements the rest of the living area.

Islands rule. Kitchen islands are becoming more multi-dimensional, serving as food-prep areas, snack stations, wine storage, and display cabinets for objets d’art. Also, they’re essential for directing traffic flow within an open floor plan, channeling guests toward comfy seating areas, for example. Small kitchen? Go with a rolling cart that’s there when you need it.

Countertop revolution. Say hi to porcelain and ceramic slabs that look like stone, wood, and fabric, says Jamie Gold, a California designer. The product is made from clay, quartz, and feldspar that’s subjected to high heat — just like regular tile. Unlike other engineered countertops, this product doesn’t use cements or resin binders. It’s not readily available in the U.S. yet.

Appliances are disappearing. In the past, we loved our commercial-style kitchen appliances that made us look like we really knew how to cook. Now, appliances are hiding behind wood panels and faux veneers so they integrate better with the overall living space. New finishes, such as GE’s slate and Whirlpool’s Ice White, are bucking the stainless steel trend, but don’t bet on stainless going away anytime soon — it’s still hot.

Espresso yourself. An eye-catching extra gives a kitchen a blast of personality. Cool sinks and high-tech faucets are au courant. Other possibilities include:

• Stylish vent hood.
• Ventless fireplace.
• Espresso machine.
• One-of-a-kind tiles as accents on kitchen backsplashes and countertops.

Glass finishes. Glistening glass is popping up everywhere in the kitchen, especially glass tiles installed as backsplashes. Applying clear glass panels over walls painted soft colors gives a deep sheen that harmonizes with today’s contemporary looks. Bonus: It’s easy toclean.

Grab some fresh air. Outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas are hot. Your indoor kitchen should have an outdoor doppelganger close by, available through wide glass doors.

By: John Riha

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Before you sell your home in the Boston area, it's important to make a few cosmetic fixes. These five inexpensive home repairs will get your home in tip-top condition before you put it on the market.

1.  Wall Imperfections

One of the first things you should do when preparing your house for the market is to repair wall imperfections. Cracks, chips, and nail holes are easy fixes. A touch of spackling and some sandpaper can restore a wall to its former smoothness. You can follow up on these repairs with a fresh coat of paint. More serious wall issues, like buckling or serious water damage, should be handled by a professional. The walls in your home are like a blank canvas. If they are marred by damage, a potential buyer may interpret this as signs of overall disrepair or neglect.

2.  Water Stains

Water stains, those unsightly brown circles on the ceiling or the trickling brown lines on your walls, are a huge red flag to interested home buyers. Even if the leak in your roof has been fixed for years, water stains can make a buyer feel panicky and uncertain. A coat of primer and a coat of paint are usually all that are required to remove these unsightly blemishes.

3.  Carpet Cleaning

If your home is covered in wall to wall carpet, you will want to invest in a high quality carpet cleaner or the services of a professional before putting your home on the market. Carpet is tricky for home buyers because there are so many problems that are associated with carpet. Pet stains and odors, discoloration, or even differences in personal taste can cause issues. Choose a neutral carpet for your home, and be sure that it is spotlessly clean before showing your house.

4.  Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet is one of the simplest home maintenance tasks to perform. As such, you might not expect that a leaky faucet would cause such a bad impression on an interested home buyer. The issue, however, is not with the leaky faucet itself but with the image a leaky faucet creates in the mind of the consumer. If your faucets are leaking, a buyer may wonder what other maintenance tasks have been neglected.

5.  Creaky Floors

If your house is old, you may have a creaky floor problem. Some home buyers may think creaky floors are charming character aspects, but others associate floor creakiness with structural issues. Identify problem areas in your floor, and invest in the repair services of a professional.

The real estate market is a competitive environment and tackling these repairs prior to putting your home on the market is important. Massachusetts buyers will see that you cared for the home and see more value.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Newton Massachusetts that services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Dwell360 a boutique real estate brokerage is seeking an Administrative Assistant for their Newton headquarters. The ideal candidate will have a basic understanding for the importance that marketing, sales, and customer service play in the day-to-day operations of a fast paced firm. The candidate should be a well organized, self starter, personable, enthusiastic, and with clear sense of urgency. The administrative assistant will work closely with the company founders and will be responsible for tasks associated with maintaining the office, providing staff support, and completing marketing tasks.

Skills -- Candidate who demonstrates experience with the following skills will be considered:

• Email (Google Apps)
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Google Documents
• Microsoft Publisher
• Database management
• Social media
• Strong writing and editorial skills
• Clear verbal communication skills
• Willingness to support staff
• Knowledge of Adobe suite of products -- (not required but a strong asset.)

Responsibilities

• Daily communication, support, and coordination with company staff on projects.
• Create and maintain various marketing materials both in print and online.
• Assist with select social media, blogging, website updates, and email campaigns.
• Provide document management, compliance, and electronic filing
• Maintain the office, supplies, paperwork, and office equipment.
• Event or property tour planning.

This administrative position will present an opportunity for a candidate to become an important part of this special company. A team player with a great attitude, excellent problem solving skills, and a willingness to learn will have opportunity to grow within the company.

Full & Part time candidates considered
Weekly Hours: 30-40
Office Location: Newtonville, MA

Submit a resume and cover letter in PDF format, and be sure to include:

• Education
• Work History
• Availability
• Salary requirements

CLICK TO SUBMIT A RESUME / APPLICATION

No emails. No phone calls. We appreciate every applicant's interest, and we will review each application and email those under consideration. Equal Opportunity Employer.

The real estate market in Boston is hot!

At Dwell360, we keep our finger on the pulse of the real estate market in Metro Boston. To that end, we have produced 2012 year end market reports for more than 20 towns in the area. They contain residential market data and statistics for the sales of single family homes, condominiums, and multifamily homes over the past ten years. Read our reports for valuable insight into the ever-changing real estate market in your neighborhood and the surrounding areas.

In most towns, the number of homes sold is up, the average sales price is up, and the days on the market are down. These signs point toward recovery in the real estate industry in eastern Massachusetts, and hold promise for continued success in 2013. 

Browse our library of market reports below, and please contact us at service@dwell360.com for more specific or up-to-date information for your area.

• Arlington Market Report
• Ashland Market Report
• Belmont Market Report
• Boston Market Report
• Brookline Market Report
• Cambridge Market Report
• Concord Market Report
• Davis Square, Somerville Market Report
• Dedham Market Report
• Framingham Market Report
• Holliston Market Report
• Lexington Market Report
• Lincoln Market Report
• Natick Market Report
• Needham Market Report
• Newton Market Report
• Sherborn Market Report
• Sudbury Market Report
• Waltham Market Report
• Watertown Market Report
• Wayland Market Report
• Wellesley Market Report
• Weston Market Report

The positive changes we have seen in the market will continue to be true in 2013, but will require sophisticated navigation to ensure success. Dwell360's real estate agents use an innovative and progressive marketing approach to connect with today’s buyer. We combine a positive attitude, state-of-the-art digital marketing, and time-tested marketing tools that create an impact. Contact us to navigate through this changing time in real estate with agents both progressive and experienced in today’s market.

Last year Newton, Massachusetts experienced a rise in home sales, an increase in value, and a reduction of the number of days homes spent on the market. Enticed by the continued low interest rates, buyers came out in force after waiting several years until they felt confident we had reached the bottom. This resulted in numerous multiple offers, quick sales, and increases in prices, as our sale inventory remained low. All signs are pointing to recovery in the real estate industry, especially here in Newton.

Review our full report including residential market data from 2003 through 2012.

In 2012, Newton’s single family homes showed the highest average sales price in the last ten years. The average price is up 6.9%, from $909,395 in 2011 to $971,733 in 2012. In addition, 22% more homes were sold than in 2011 and they spent 14% fewer days on the market.

Condominium prices are also up 9.0% to an average of $513,443. In 2012, 317 condos and townhomes were sold, an increase of 27.8%. An affordable way into the Newton market, these units sold faster and in greater quantities than they have in several years.

Multifamily properties are in very high demand, spending 25% fewer days on the market than in 2011. The average multifamily home sold for $662,432 in 2012, up 11.6%. Eager investors snapped up 65 multifamily properties last year, a quantity not seen since 2005. Now is a great time to sell your multifamily home as inventory remains low in Newton. 

The positive changes in the market will continue to be true in 2013, but will require sophisticated navigation to ensure success. Dwell360's real estate agents use an innovative and progressive marketing approach to connect with today’s buyer. We combine a positive attitude, state-of-the-art digital marketing, and time-tested marketing tools that create an impact. Contact us to navigate through this changing time in real estate with agents both progressive and experienced in today’s market.

Market Data Source: MLSPIN, as of 1/15/2013.

Which tax benefits do home owners miss? Will you get audited if you take the home office deduction? Find out the answers to these questions and more before Tax Day.

There are a lot of home ownership tax benefits — if you don’t forget to take them. To make sure you get your due, HouseLogic asked tax expert Abe Schneier, a senior technical manager with the American Institute of CPAs, for tax-filing tips.

HouseLogic: What’s the most common home-related tax deduction or credit claimed by home owners?

Abe Schneier: The mortgage interest deduction, [which the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® estimates amounts to about $3,000 in tax savings for the average itemizing home owner] and [the deduction for] real property taxes.

HL: Which tax provision do home owners often overlook?

AS: [An area of tax-filing confusion is] whether you’ve correctly treated any points you paid if you refinanced. In a new home purchase, the points can be deducted [in the tax year you paid them]. But typically in a refinancing, you have to amortize and deduct any points you paid over the life of the mortgage, and people tend to forget that after a couple of years.

HL: What’s the No. 1 mistake home owners make when filing their taxes?

AS: Because you receive a statement from the bank with details [such as] how muchmortgage interest you paid over the year, and how much the bank pays on your behalf in real estate taxes, the number of mistakes has dropped.

But if you’re in a state where you pay the real estate taxes on your own — the bank doesn’t handle it for you — [people] make mistakes because sometimes real estate tax bills include other items besides pure real estate taxes. It could be trash collection fees; it could be snow removal fees that the state or county is assessing on the real estate tax bill. Since the items are included in the same bill, home owners sometimes deduct [those fees] regardless of whether the items are actually taxes.

HL: What’s the single most important piece of advice for people filing their taxes as a first-time home owner?

AS: You have to take a look at your closing statement from when you bought the house. It’s commonly called the HUD-1 form and you receive it at the closing. Occasionally, there are fees such as prepaid taxes or interest at closing that can be deductible.

HL: What tax advice do you have for someone who’s owned their home for 10 or 20 years?

AS: If you’ve been a longtime home owner and you’ve been through refinancings, you have to be careful about how much interest you’ve deducted, especially if you have a home equity loan or equity line. A lot of people who’ve refinanced have sizable equity lines. The maximum outstanding home equity debt that’s deductible is $100,000; the maximum deductible amount of interest paid on mortgage debt is $1 million.

HL: What home improvement-related records should home owners keep?

AS: Absolutely keep your receipts for couple of reasons:

1. You want to make sure — if there are any warranties attached to the work that was done — that you maintain those records and you have something to go back to the person who did the work in case something doesn’t function properly.

2. If you’ve added value to the home — you’ve added a deck, you’ve added a room, you’ve added something new to house — you’ll need to know what the gain is on that capital improvement when you sell the house.

HL note: Tax rules let you add capital improvement expenses to the cost basis of your home, and a higher cost basis lowers the total profit or capital gain you’re required to pay taxes on. Of course, most home owners are exempted from taxes on the first $500,000 in profit for joint filers ($250,000 for single filers). So it doesn't apply to too many people.

HL: How do I tell the difference between a capital improvement and a repair?

AS: Typically a repair is [done] to allow an item, like a home furnace or air conditioner, to continue. But if you were to replace the heating unit, that’s not a repair.

HL: Does taking any home-related tax benefits, such as the home office deduction, make a taxpayer more likely to be audited?

AS: Only if numbers look out of the ordinary — for instance, if one year you were writing off $20,000 in mortgage interest debt and the next year you’re writing off $100,000 in mortgage interest. Taking the home office deduction in and of itself doesn’t usually generate an audit. However, if you claim nominal income and significantly higher expenses in an effort to create artificial losses, the IRS will see that there’s something else going on there.

HL: Now that filing season for tax year 2012 is almost over, when should home owners start thinking about tax year 2013?

AS: Well, hopefully, when you visit your CPA to give information about or pick up your 2012 tax return, your CPA has spoken with you about your plans for 2013:

• If any major improvements are scheduled

• If you’re planning on moving

• How to organize any expenditures for fixing up the home before sale

If you’re planning to do any of those things, talk with your CPA so that you’re prepared with documentation and so that the [tax pro] can help minimize your tax situation.

By: Natasha Padgitt

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Drop off a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots at our office by December 17th and you can enter to win an Apple iPod Shuffle from Dwell360!

Stop by Tuesdays through Fridays 9am - 5pm 

and on Monday December 17 from 10am - 5pm

at 46 Austin Street in Newton.

One raffle entry per toy donated.  One winner will be drawn at random and notified by December 21, 2012.

Toys for Tots is a program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  Each October, November, and December, they collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those them as Christmas gifts to needy children, age 0 to 14, in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The Toys for Tots program wishes to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.  Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other purely voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations. The program is a national effort administered locally; the community in which toys will be distributed is the same community in which they were collected.  The success of the program relies on volunteer support and community involvement.  Visit Toys for Tots for more information.

Dwell360 real estate is proud to support the Middlesex County Toys for Tots campaign.  We hope you will stop by our office to donate a toy!

This holiday season, help us help kids in need by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at our office by December 17!  We are open 9am - 5pm Tuesdays through Fridays at 46 Austin Street in Newton, MA.

Toys for Tots is a program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  Each October, November, and December, they collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those them as Christmas gifts to needy children, age 0 to 14, in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The Toys for Tots program wishes to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.  Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other purely voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations. The program is a national effort administered locally; the community in which toys will be distributed is the same community in which they were collected.  The success of the program relies on volunteer support and community involvement.  Visit Toys for Tots for more information.

Dwell360 real estate is proud to support the Middlesex County Toys for Tots campaign.  We hope you will stop by our office to donate a toy!

As long as you’re remodeling, why not cut your utility bill and make your home a bit healthier?

Saving energy wasn’t on the list of reasons we’re finally ripping out the kitchen in our mid-century home (green-veined, imitation marble laminate countertops figured much more prominently). But, a session at the recent 2012 Remodeling Show in Baltimore clued me in as to why adding a few simple tasks to our remodeling plan could lower our home’s energy bill, get rid of some of the annoying hot and cold spots in our house, and make our home less hospitable to mold and other allergens.

Carl Seville, author of Green Building: Principles and Practices in Residential Construction, shared some simple, inexpensive ways to make remodels and additions more energy efficient from the standpoint of energy usage and conservation of resources.

Try these eight tips from Seville:

1. Check for water intrusion, condensation, and excess moisture before you begin the project. Fixing those issues during remodeling can improve your home’s indoorair quality (excess moisture encourages mold).

2. Use the least amount of framing allowed by your building code when adding walls. Not only will you have to pay for less lumber and fewer nails, the contractor will have more room to put insulation in your walls, making your home more energy efficient.

3. Resist the urge to splurge on multiple shower heads. Opt for a single low-flow shower head rather than installing a car wash-style plethora of shower heads.

4. If possible, add new HVAC ducts to parts of your home that are heated and cooled, rather than placing them in a space with unconditioned air (like the attic). If that’s not possible, insulate the ducts. Have an HVAC diagnostician analyze your system to make sure it’s sized correctly and balanced to properly exchange old and new air.

5. Be sure to insulate around recessed lights that protrude into un-insulated attic spaces — these are major sources of air leaks.

6. If you’re wasting water, you’re wasting energy. Look at high-efficiency or solarwater heaters, and insulate your water pipes. If you want hot water faster, move the water heater closer to the faucet or install demand pumps to drive hot water to the fixture.

7. Install wall-mounted efficiency toggle switch plates for the outlets where you plug in your televisions and computers to make it easy to cut off the power to electronics you’re not using.

8. A humidistat that automatically turns on the bathroom fan when moisture rises beats depending on teenagers or tenants remembering to use the fan. Reducing bathroom moisture reduces the chances you’ll have mold.

When I pull the kitchen cabinets off the wall, I’m going to use caulk to seal between the wallboards and the floorboards before I put down new flooring and install the new cabinets. And since I’ll have the caulk out, I’m going to seal the top of window trim, something my home’s builder didn’t do.

By: Dona DeZube

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Thanks for attending our Fall Festival Open House on October 28th! 

Our Open House ("Pre-Hurricane" Party) was a fantastic success.  It was wonderful to enjoy some great food, drinks, face painting, bouncy house, and more with you and our family, friends, clients, and colleagues.  We had over a 120 people!  

View our photo album.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of the Dwell360 family!

Dwell360 is proud to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art, real estate office in Newton.  We have created the next generation real estate office which has been designed with the tools and environment for productivity and innovation.  Commitment to paperless systems, flexible work spaces, and team collaboration are all at the core of this innovative work environment.  Our headquarters will better service our customers and support the continued growth as an independent real estate brokerage.

The office is open and bright, filled with natural kight, providing an energetic space in which to work.  We also have four conference rooms for meetings and private work.  Our unique layout allows a place for agents to work as a team to produce the best marketing and achieve the best overall results for our clients.

Among our most exciting features are the three flat-screen TVs that we use for meeting with clients, training agents, conducting first-time home buyer and refinancing classes, and hosting other special events.  The TVs make it even easier for us to work collaboratively with our clients while searching for real estate options and sharing marketing ideas.  Plus they reduce our need to print, an important step toward our goal of being a green real estate office.

Our agents are hard at work in the field.  When they stop in the office, they can quickly connect to our wireless network and charge up at desktop power ports. To produce our superior marketing materials, we have a large resource area with a premium printer and state-of-the-art publishing tools. 

While we are excited about our new space, we are even more proud to announce that our business has grown 100% year-to-date over 2011.  We will continue to grow with the support of the community we serve.  We look forward to working with you.

~ John Lynch & Ed Johnston, Co-Founders

See our photos in our gallery.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts who services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

You can unleash the DIY powers of the iPhone 5 when it’s released soon with these handy home improvement apps.

1. Take out the trash app

2. A magical measuring app

3. A great garden guide

4. Get to know your stuff app

5. An app that picks color perfect paint 

Real estate’s home address has a new address!

Summer is traditionally the time when home improvement projects get done, but did you know that summer renovations can be cheaper, too? 

MSNBC.com has a list of five home renovation projects that are cheaper or more efficient to do in the summer, and while some of them are obvious — landscaping and installing an in-ground pool, for example — others are somewhat surprising.

1. Driveway paving: 

Asphalt is easier to work with in high temperatures — the crew can more easily spread it around to form an even surface. No lumps mean no re-dos.

2. Kitchen remodeling: 

Instead of being forced to eat out while your kitchen is being renovated, in the summer you can grill most of your meals. But do a little advance planning: January and February, the author says, are good times to buy your materials because retailers offer sales to move unsold holiday inventories.

3. Additions: 

Adding a room means exposing your home to the elements. But in the summer, that’s less of an issue and crews can work faster.

What home improvement projects are you completing this summer?

By: Courtney Craig

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Does “natural” mean organic? Should you buy anything labeled “non-toxic”? Here are the truth and eco-facts about many of the green terms you find on product labels.

What’s really green? Soon you’ll have a little more confidence about green product marketing claims, such as “biodegradable” and “recyclable”: The Federal Trade Commission, which sets standards for the use of environmental claims in its Green Guides, is getting tougher on green terms. 

Proposed revisions to the Green Guides will make it harder for companies to make unsubstantiated green claims about their products.

So when is all this happening? An FTC official we spoke to says the revisions may be final this summer. Until then — and even after then, since the guides don’t have the force of regulation — put on your skeptic’s hat when you shop and be prepared to research labels before you buy.

1. “Organic”: a green term that really means something

Organic is the one term in our list that’s federally regulated — by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be specific. Product makers making this claim must prove their stuff is "produced without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation, or bioengineering." Period.

FTC is cracking down on these terms

2. “Recyclable.” 

After the new guidelines are adopted, a manufacturer can use this term without a caveat only if a substantial majority of communities nationwide have facilities that can actually recycle its product. Before you buy, do your homework to see what you’re able to recycle locally. Also, take a closer look when a product claims to be “recycled” (a term that’s not covered in the Green Guides). 

What you really want to look for is "post-consumer recycled” content. These products have been diverted from the landfill, so you're truly helping reduce the waste stream when you buy them.

3. “Biodegradable.” 

When you see this term, you think, "Great, I don’t need to worry about throwing this away; it’ll break down naturally." But many products labeled biodegradable need ideal composting conditions to break down — and some won’t degrade even then. 

The FTC’s new guidelines require that products or packaging labeled "degradable" break down within a year in normal disposal conditions. 

Heads-up: That means the term likely won’t apply to anything you’d throw in the trash, because items simply don’t degrade in landfills. It’s far better to reduce waste in the first place than to expect it to disappear.

4. “Compostable.” 

In the future, products with this claim shouldn’t take any longer to break down than the rest of your compost pile.

5. “Non-toxic.” 

The FTC’s new guidelines say that non-toxic claims should mean the product isn’t harmful to humans and safe for the environment. But research the product online if the label is vague. And definitely don't assume kids or pets can ingest it safely.

The fuzziest green term of all

6. "Natural"

“Natural” is unregulated by the government. It’s not interchangeable with organic or healthy, although manufacturers want you to think if it’s natural, it has to be good for you, right? Not so much. Take ammonia. It’s a naturally occurring compound, but it's also a toxic pollutant. Without context, the word natural doesn’t mean much.

A label to help you decide

When you’re just not sure about a product’s claims, look for certification by a reputable third party — like Scientific Certification Systems.

Its green-and-blue SCS label provides some reassurance that a product lives up to its claims. SCS sets tough standards for the terms biodegradable and recycled content, according to BuildingGreen, an independent company that educates building professionals on green certifications. And the label has been around a long time.

Some SCS guidelines:

• SCS only certifies liquid products as biodegradable — cleaners, detergents, and soaps that break down completely in natural conditions in 28 days.

• Recycled products include a wide array of building products — windows, doors, insulation, carpets, tiles, and more — so seek them out.

By: Karin Beuerlein

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Understand which mortgage loan is best for you so your budget is not stretched too thin.

The basics of mortgage financing

The most important features of your mortgage loan are its term and interest rate. Mortgages typically come in 15-, 20-, 30- or 40-year lengths. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payment. However, the tradeoff for a lower payment is that the longer the life of your loan, the more interest you’ll pay.

Mortgage interest rates generally come in two flavors: fixed and adjustable. A fixed rate allows you to lock in your interest rate for the entire mortgage term. That’s attractive if you’re risk-averse, on a fixed income, or when interest rates are low.

The risks and rewards of ARMs

An adjustable-rate mortgage does just what its name implies: Its interest rate adjusts at a future date listed in the loan documents. It moves up and down according to a particular financial market index, such as Treasury bills. A 3/1 ARM will have the same interest rate for three years and then adjust every year after that; likewise a 5/1 ARM remains unchanged until the five-year mark. Typically, ARMs include a cap on how much the interest rate can increase, such as 3% at each adjustment, or 5% over the life of the loan.

Why agree to such uncertainty? ARMs can be a good choice if you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years. The interest rate on some—but not all—ARMs can even drop if the benchmark to which they’re tied also dips. ARMs also often offer a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages during the first few years of the mortgage, which means big savings for you—even if there’s only a half-point difference.

But if rates go up, your ARM payment will jump dramatically, so before you choose an ARM, answer these questions:

• How much can my monthly payments increase at each adjustment?

• How soon and how often can increases occur?

• Can I afford the maximum increase permitted?

• Do I expect my income to increase or decrease?

• Am I paying down my loan balance each month, or is it staying the same or even increasing?

• Do I plan to own the home for longer than the initial low-interest-rate period, or do I plan to sell before the rate adjusts?

• Will I have to pay a penalty if I refinance into a lower-rate mortgage or sell my house?

• What’s my goal in buying this property? Am I considering a riskier mortgage to buy a more expensive house than I can realistically afford?

Consider a government-backed mortgage loan

If you’ve saved less than the ideal downpayment of 20%, or your credit score isn’t high enough for you to qualify for a fixed-rate or ARM with a conventional lender, consider a government-backed loan from the Federal Housing Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs. 

FHA offers adjustable and fixed-rate loans at reduced interest rates and with as little as 3.5% down and VA offers no-money-down loans. FHA and VA also let you use cash gifts from family members.
    
Before you decide on any mortgage, remember that slight variations in interest rates, loan amounts, and terms can significantly affect your monthly payment. To determine how much your monthly payment will be with various terms and loan amounts, try REALTOR.com’sonline mortgage calculators.

By: G. M. Filisko

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who’s opted for both fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

By lowering the acceptable levels of lead in blood, The Centers for Disease Control has renewed the assault on environmental lead, often found in paint in older homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released new, stricter guidelinesfor assessing lead poisoning in children.

The guidelines lower the amount of lead in the blood that’s considered “acceptable,” from 10 micrograms of per deciliter to less than 5 micrograms.

That’s the first revision the CDC has issued in more than 20 years regarding lead in the blood, and long overdue, according to experts. As a result, the number of at-risk children jumps from about 77,000 to more than 440,000 nationwide.

That’s a big increase, and a wake-up call for parents. Because there’s no cure for lead poisoning, you’ve got to prevent it from happening in the first place. The CDC emphasizes parental vigilance as the best preventative.

For example, you should know that almost 90% of lead contamination comes from flaking and peeling paint on houses built before 1978 — the year that lead additives were banned from household paint. Anyone with a home built before 1978 should be alerted to the possibility of lead paint.

Renovations on older homes also contribute to contamination, as does contaminated well water. Even garden hoses have been found with lead.

To determine if there’s contaminated paint on your house, have the paint tested for lead. Hire a professional to safely remove lead paint.

Other simple prevention steps you can take:

~ Keep surfaces clean. Lead paint dust from deteriorating houses can travel long distances, so being in a new neighborhood doesn’t guarantee safety. Wet-mop floors and wipe windowsills. Leave shoes at your entry door to keep from tracking dust through the house.

~ Keep kids' play areas and veggie gardens away from eave lines around houses and garages where roof runoff that contains lead dust may spill.

~ Wash kids’ hands frequently, especially before eating. Teach youngsters not to put anything in their mouths.

The CDC recommends that every child under the age of 2 be tested for lead. Exposure is particularly dangerous for children under 6 because their brains are developing. Elevated lead levels can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, seizures, and even death.

By: John Riha

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Have you ever lost a tree that was like a dear friend? Then prepare for heartbreak. We’re going to lose many dear friends to the emerald ash borer.

If you’ve ever lost a favorite tree, you know that the emotional blow can rank right up there with any tough loss. Maybe not every tree in the yard tugs at our hearts. Some have that just-so shape and character -- the way they shelter the swing set or add a bit of majesty to the front of the house -- that makes them more than just big plants. 

They become members of the family.

I vividly remember waking up one Saturday morning in Des Moines after a particularly stormy night had passed. My wife had suddenly cried out from the kitchen, “Oh no!”

I sprang up to find the severe storm had felled our prize linden tree in the back yard. The winds had been so strong they’d snapped the two-foot-thick trunk, and the big tree lay in a sad, shaggy, disheveled heap. 

Just like that, gone was our wonderful shade, our privacy, our greenery. Our friend. The back yard looked exposed and barren. 

With our two-year-old son in our arms, we all cried.

The property was never quite the same. A year later, we sold the place, and moved on.

Those sad memories returned when I read the emerald ash borer had crossed over New York’s Hudson River and was moving closer to New England. 

This destructive borer beetle has killed millions of ash trees in northern-tier states over the past decade, and no one quite knows how to stop it. And now many — if not all — ash trees in New England are doomed, too.

Some chemical treatments are being developed that require professional application at a cost of $40-$200 per tree. But the results are unsure -- and you’ll have to treat your trees every year. 

If your trees are at risk, you’re best bet is to seek help from your state extension service. They’ll know what your options are.  

For those of you with these beautiful, deciduous hardwood trees, I hope a cure is coming. If not, I’ll be feeling your pain.

This danger to so many ash trees has us reminiscing about our favorite trees. Do you have any tree tales to share?

By: John Riha

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Home sales rise, foreclosures fall, and the latest national flood insurance deadline looms.

In our Friday Five roundup of top housing news, we look at a return to traditional home sales: With rents on the rise across the country, many are taking advantage of low prices and short sale opportunities to trade in their lease for a mortgage. Also this week, we begin the countdown for national flood insurance reauthorization, which is set to expire at the end of May 2012.

U.S. News & World Report: Traditional 'Rules' of Home Buying Return

House hunters may find themselves in a strange, transitional real estate market that's emerging from historic lows. Buyers need to show that they're serious if they hope to secure their dream house amid stiff deal-sniffing buyer competition or sellers so frustrated they may be willing to hold out for a stronger market turnaround. Professionalism and realistic expectations can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth and timely closing transaction.

NPR: Time to Trade the Lease for a Mortgage?

As the home ownership rate has fallen during the real estate downturn, it has also become a very good time to buy a house. Very low interest rates, courtesy of the Federal Reserve, and falling prices are making it even cheaper to buy a house these days. Meanwhile, rents are rising around the country.

Reuters: Flood Insurance Debate Resumes as Deadline Nears

Federal officials are putting fresh pressure on Congress to take action on the National Flood Insurance Program, whose authorization expires at the end of this month, one day before hurricane season begins. The NFIP has been a political football in Washington for years. For now, the program remains in business with repeated short-term extensions. 

HouseLogic: Foreclosure Rates Down 6% Compared with Year Ago

The national foreclosure rate fell 6% in March compared with a year ago as banks stepped up their use of short sales and other strategies to avoid taking back homes. Delinquency rates, which predict future foreclosures, held steady.

The Fiscal Times: The Tax Change That Threatens Home Ownership

“Home ownership is under attack in this country,” say REALTORS® who plan to attend a ?“Rally to Protect the American Dream” on May 17 in Washington, D.C. REALTORS® are organizing against federal policy moves they say would further cut the number of home owners — like doing away with the mortgage interest deduction, ending federal backing for mortgage purchasers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and toughening mortgage loan requirements. Loose loan requirements — occasionally with no down payment required — are cited as one key driver of the housing bubble.

By: Meghan Smith

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

A few hours of exterior home and yard work can add thousands to your home’s value.

April 28 and 29 marks Nationwide Open House weekend — the unofficial opening day of the spring real estate season. Since curb appeal strongly influences home values, it’s a great weekend to spruce up your own yard, especially if the neighbors are trying to sell their home.

How much value can neighborhood curb appeal add? Having nice landscaping adds $1,777 in home value when you’re selling your home, according to data collected byHomeGain.com’s annual survey about how home improvements boost home value.

Curb appeal works in the other direction, too. If a for-sale house down the block is sporting some bad curb appeal, it could sell for less than it might otherwise. And that comparable sale drives down the value of your home.

We couldn’t find any data on how much the average buyer discounts his offer when the neighbors haven’t painted their house since 1979, but we do know nobody pays top dollar to buy next door to a house that looks like the “before” picture in a siding ad.

Here are 6 quick exterior projects you can do in a day or two to add to your home’s value and neighborhood appeal.

~ Landscape for curb appeal by re-sodding bare spots, trimming shrubs, and adding colorful spring flowers to your front yard.

~ Add some outdoor lighting for curb appeal to highlight your beautified yard after dark.

~ Pitch in with the neighbors to rent a power washer for a day to give your sidewalks anddeck a little care and maintenance. Be gentle and careful if you decide to use the power washer to clean your home’s exterior; you can easily blast things off your house, like the paint, or get water into siding seams.

~ Clean your siding, whether it’s brick, wood, or vinyl, by using a long-handled, soft-bristled brush, soap (trisodium phosphate), and water.

~ Create a little cool curb appeal with house numbers — that is, dress up your address.

~ Freshen up the look of winter-ravished patio furniture with new pillows, a bright umbrella, or a colorful tablecloth to give the impression to anyone at the open house that the neighbors have fun parties.

Are your neighbors’ yards boosting or detracting from home values on your block?

By: Dona DeZube

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Investing in real estate can seem overwhelming and reserved for the very rich.  In the current economic conditions and marketplace, it may even feel a bit too risky.  But if you’ve ever thought real estate investing may be right for you, this is a great time to learn about your options and how it can be done by almost anyone.

Ruth Lerner is a Senior Sale Associate with Dwell360 a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Ruth as a part of Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  Contact Ruth at Ruth@Dwell360.com or 617-807-0471

The title of this entry is over-the-top, I admit, but I am just here to stick up for the landlords out there who are trying to do some good.  The word “landlord” in itself has some negativity associated with it, and the use of “lord” in this context is distasteful in our American sensibility.  In media, landlords are portrayed as misers ready to make a buck on the poor and take advantage of families.

No one wants to hear this, but I’m saying it anyway.  Real estate is the best long-term financial investment.  Phew…that’s a relief.

Ruth Lerner is a Senior Sale Associate with Dwell360 a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Ruth as a part of Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  Contact Ruth at Ruth@Dwell360.com or 617-807-0471

In the market of exasperated and exhausted home sellers, I hear a lot of great stories about why homes are not selling.  They usually divide into two categories: the real estate agents not doing their jobs or the sellers are uncooperative.

Like everyone else, we were stunned by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Mineral, Va., today at around 2 p.m., and felt throughout the East Coast.

Several HouseLogic bloggers live in the Washington, D.C., area, about 100 miles away from the quake’s epicenter: I’m in McLean, Va., and felt my car shaking in my driveway; Dona DeZube in Clarksville, Md., thought a gas line exploded when she felt the earth tremble; and Lara Edge, who lives in D.C., watched her neighbors run out of their homes (never leave your home!) but didn’t feel much on the street.

Rather than running into the street, the best plan is to be prepared, like by putting together an emergency kit. Also read up on whether earthquake insurance is worth it.

And follow FEMA’s advice:

During the quake

• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, and walls.

• Stay inside until the shaking stops.

• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

• If trapped under debris, don’t light a match or kick up dust. Tap on a pipe to alert rescuers.

After the quake

• Open cabinets cautiously.

• Immediately clean up spilled medicines, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids. Leave if you smell gas or chemical fumes.

• Inspect your chimneys for damage.

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell or hear leaking gas, turn off the gas at the outside main valve, or call the gas company from a neighbor's home.

• Look for electrical damage — sparks, broken or frayed wires. If you suspect damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.

• Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect damage, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.

•  

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

If you have a toddler who thinks midnight is a great time to hit the playground without you, or a dad with Alzheimer’s who gets lost a block from home, you need to know when someone heads out the door (or a window) of your home. 

Short of moving your family into a prison, your options for keeping everyone where they belong range from simple lock products to help child-proof doors and windows that cost about a buck to sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment costing thousands.

These products will help give you peace of mind:

• A hook and eye latch (about $1) installed at the top of the door out of reach of the toddler and out of sight of your wandering dad.
• Three or four barrel bolt locks ($4 each) installed so you have to slide some to the left and some to the right to get out. Put them at the top and bottom of the door where you wouldn’t normally look for a lock.
• Keyed window locks ($7) will keep toddlers and parents from opening the window, but heads up: If there’s an emergency, a window lock may block escape routes. You’ll have to decide which is the greater risk.
• A door mural ($40) helps disguise the front door to those with Alzheimer’s.
•  
• These products alert you when a door or window is opened:
• A string of Jingle Bells (about $4) attached to the door will tell you when it’s opened, but test to make sure you can hear the bells from all over the house.

• Electronic window alarms ($7) run on batteries and let you know when a window is opened by sounding an alarm or chime.
• If you want to know when someone gets out of bed, a pressure-sensitive mat alarm (about $10) mat will play music or blast a 105-decibel alarm when a person (or a pet) steps on it. You can also put it under a rug in front of the door.

• A motion detector alarm ($20) mounted over the front door or a window tells you when someone passes by, while mounting one under the bed will tell you when someone gets up at night.

• Experienced 80
• Top Producer 90
• Referral 70

From House Logic.

The Fourth of July -- Independence Day -- is a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States of America, and what we can do to make our nation better, stronger, and more prosperous. As President Kennedy famously said many years ago, “Ask what you can do for your country.”

We’d all like to do our part. But our individual efforts sure seem small compared with the goings-on of world politics and global economies.

How can we — average American home owners — really achieve big goals, such as influencing national energy policy and building a strong economy? After all, we’ve got our own daily stuff to deal with: work, home repairs, getting the kids to softball practice, and the dog to the vet.

One good way is to reduce energy consumption in our own homes. This simple act can have a major impact. Not just in terms of helping hold the line on the family budget, but in slowing the ever-spiraling costs of energy. Lessening demand — even incrementally — eases the price of energy, which can free up capital that creates jobs and helps get our economy kicking.

Here are examples of small contributions you can make that add up:

• Ask cable or satellite providers for an energy-efficient set-top box, (the device that receives and dispatches TV signals to your DVR). Set-top boxes, which run 24 hours a day, have become a leading energy drain in the home. Newer Energy Star-rated models are at least 30% more efficient. If all set-top boxes sold in the U.S. were Energy Star-rated, energy savings would total $2 billion each year, and greenhouse gases would be reduced by an amount equivalent to 3 million cars and trucks.

• Replacing an old, kaput dishwasher with an Energy Star-qualified model cuts the annual energy cost of the machine by 50% — to $60 from $120. If every clothes washerpurchased in the U.S. this year were an efficient Energy Star model, the national energy savings would total $350 million, not to mention conserving 32 billion gallons of water.

• Buying a high-efficiency gas or electric water heater, when yours reaches the end of its useful life, saves 3% to 4% on the average home’s hot water bill. Energy standards enacted by the U.S. Dept. of Energy in 2010 were designed to cut energy usage of new water heaters by 3% to 4%. Over a 30-year period, U.S. consumers should save $8.7 billion and reduce CO2 emissions by 170 million tons — that’s equal to the yearly emissions of 30 million cars.

• Replacing a 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a 13-watt compact fluorescent equivalent saves $30 over the life of the bulb. Alternative: LED bulbs, although costly ($30 for 7-watts), last 3 to 4 times longer than CFLs, burn cooler, and — unlike CFLs — contain no mercury. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with an Energy Star-qualified CFL, the savings would be enough to light more than 3 million homes. The savings would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil-fuel energy production equivalent to 800,000 autos.

More easy ways to be patriotic (and save):

• Create a breeze with a ceiling fan instead of using the AC. For every degree you raise the air conditioning thermostat above 78 degrees, you can save 3% to 8% on cooling costs.

• Install a programmable thermostat and save as much as $180 per year.

• Plump up attic insulation from R-11 to R-49 and save up to $600 per year.

• Turn down the thermostat on your refrigerator and save $22 per year.

• Outsmart sneaky energy vampires by turning off (or putting “to sleep”) computers, printers, and other electronics when not in use: Shave another $100 from your annual energy bill.

Let’s put the independence in Independence Day.

In what ways do you save energy in your household?

By: John Riha  

Published: July 1, 2011

Father’s Day is Sunday. And you’re wondering how to thank the guy who taught you to wield a putty knife, and to shut the door and quit heating/cooling the outside — for crying out loud!

You could buy him something. But how many World’s Greatest Dad mugs and barbecue mitts does a guy need?

Instead, spend a little time. Do some chore that Dad would otherwise do. Finish a project he hasn’t had time to complete. 

You’ll save money — now that will make Dad happy — and show your father how much you care. Here are some ideas:

• Hose off and hang up the hammock that’s still sitting in the basement. Scrub stubborn stains with a vinegar spritz.

• Dig up that weed tree that’s popped up between the hydrangeas.

• Clean gutters clogged with tree blossoms and other spring debris.

• Power wash and reseal the deck.

• Shine up the gas grill. A little baking soda will help get rid of burned-on chunkies.

• Clean out the garage — at least sweep it.

• Change the toilet flapper.

• Lay sod on lawn bare spots.

• Spackle, sand, and paint dents and holes in the walls.

• Hang up that picture of the grandchildren.

What’s the best Father’s Day gift you ever gave to your Dad? Received from your child?

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: June 17, 2011

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Our client wrote us a wonderful testimonial about our real estate services.  It can be read on here and on our Zillow profile.  We appreciate the kind words.

John provided excellent professional service over a 9 month period while we relocated from the west coast to Newton. He kept us in the listing loop but did not push the process. When we did finally settle on "the House", after viewing 120 houses, John and his partner Ed were able to work through any issues and kept the process for closing on track! We would highly recommend John and Ed!

~ Bought a Single Family home in 2010 for approximately $1550k in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

At Dwell360 we have a wealth of real estate information at our finger tips.  Market reports are typically one of the most requested by our clients.  Click the link to view our real estate market report for Cambridge Massachusetts.  The report reviews the residential real estate markets for the past 8 years.

Real estate and the overall residential markets are the topic of conversation.  Here at Dwell360 we live and breathe real estate every day.  That is why we keep a close pulse on the market statistics for the towns in and around the Meto Boston area.  This report for the City of Cambridge is requested often.  We have a number of other reports on file.  As a result, feel free to send us a request for a particular town.

Search Cambridge Massachusetts Real Estate For Sale.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate brokerage that has a different approach to how practice real estate.  The Dwell360 residential real estate office is in Newton Massachusetts.  We represent our clients who buy and seller real estate.  Please contact us with any questions.

Real estate and the overall residential markets are the topic of conversation on a regular basis.  Here at Dwell360 we live and breathe real estate.   That is why we keep a close pulse on the market statistics for the towns in and around the Meto Boston area.  We have a number of reports on file.  So feel free to send us a result for a particular town.

Below click the report on the Worcester real estate market for the past 8 years.  The information provides the statistics for the residential real estate market in Worcester, Massachusetts.  The report includes both single family homes and condos.

Looking for property in Worcester? Start your real estate search here.

In 1860, J.W. Black took this photo from Samuel A. King's balloon while tethered over the Boston Common.  It is the earliest aerial photograph taken in the United States.  An interesting piece of history.  The photo is from the Boston Public Library's flickr page.  

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Interested in knowing the most expensive homes listed in Massachusetts.  There are 24 properties currently on the market listed above $10,000,000.  These properties are spectacular and worth a bit of a look.

The most expensive is a 9+ acre compound in Cohasset listed for $55.0m.  A home in the Back Bay of Boston on Dartmouth Street is listed for $23.0m.  There are also estates in Brookline and Weston that made the list, a few Cape Cod “summer homes”, and others. 

Click here to see the full list.

Real Estate is always fun to look at.

“Moody’s Investor Services said the Town of Wayland remains on solid financial footing.”  It is comforting to read this in the article Wayland's $100m development on track, eyed as revenue boost from Boston Business Journal today.  Even though the current real estate market has required adjustments to the original plans for the Wayland Commons town center it still is moving forward.

The strong bond rating from Moody’s also helps confirm that Wayland Massachusetts is a town worth the real estate investment.  It is important to see stability in towns and communities when considering purchasing a home.  Another factor that does impact the value of real estate in a given town is the school system.  Wayland’s is strong. 

In fact, the average value of a single family residence has increased by 7.6% in Wayland.  That is an increase in value from $585,245 in 2009 to $629,815 in 2010 for the average sale price of the home sold.  (source MLSPIN).  We also noted an increase of the number of homes sold from 128 to 133. 

The facts are certainly encouraging and we remain confident in Wayland Massachusetts real estate market.  We will continue to keep our eyes on the market and track the activity. 

~ See you soon.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm that currently is marketing a luxury townhome in the town of Wayland Massachusetts.  The property located within the Willow Brook community is set among the trees for a tranquil and peaceful setting.  104 Willow Brook Drive, Wayland, MA 01178 mls#71132504  

“The guys of Dwell360 provide a level of service a cut above other agencies. They take a personal interest in finding you the perfect home to fit your needs. They have a n acute knowledge of the varying neighborhoods and properties in the Boston area, and a younger progressive attitude. I've sold one house and bought two houses with them, and continue to recommend them to everyone.”

We hope everyone is enjoying the snow today!  We are enjoying working from home today.  Keep safe and warm. 

Spend a little time searching for your dream home on our website.  You can view all the properties for sale in Massachusetts on the MLS.  Sometimes it is jsut fun!  Enjoy your snow day. 

~ Your friends at Dwell360 real esate

According to CNN Florida seems to be the only state that has not gotten snow today.  "After big snow and ice events in the Southeast, Plains, and Midwest this week, 49 out of the 50 states currently have snow on the ground –  yes, even Hawaii, where snow falls in Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea all winter."

It does make us just a little jealous of our friends in Florida.  But, one of the best things about living in the Northeast is the change of seasons.  It might be a lot of work but it is an amazing sight outside.  

Read the original article from CNN:  Snow present in 49 of the 50 U.S. states

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy new year.  We hope your 2011 is a wonderful year.  

When you are considering selling and buying your home there are a few things to consider.  HGTV's FrontDoor.com creates a good list to consider in their article "Buying and Selling Your House: 11 Resolutions for 2011" By Geoff Williams, published: 12/21/2010. 

The list of list of 11 items (noted below) are all items you should think about if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the next 6-12 months.

1. I will begin thinking about fixing up my house--now.
2. I will clean out my house now.
3. I will plan now to price my house as though we're living in 2011 and not 2007.
4. Before I look to buy, I will seek pre-approval for my mortgage.
5. Before I look to buy, I will clean up my credit score.
6. I will number crunch and buy a house I can afford.
7. I will think long term.
8. I will interview more than one real estate agent.
9. I will make this a business transaction and not an emotional decision.
10. I will get a pre-inspection for my own house, before I sell it.
11. I will think about moving and other logistics now.

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends, family, past and present clients, colleagues & your families. We wish you a perfect day full of happiness. We are certainly thankful to have you as part of our family.

Property valuation websites have a lot of information to offer.  They provide details on properties, sale history, tax information, and estimate the value of the home.  As a result, they become a topic of conversation with our clients on a regular basis.  The only issue is we often find ourselves explaining to clients why the site is not always accurate.

Today, at a Boston real estate conference, Agent Reboot, Zillow representatives talked about their service and how they are among the only who post about their valuations accuracy.  Zillow’s “Zestimate” that provides value estimates of single family homes, condominiums, and multi-families are often wrong.  In fact Zillow has actually published their Zestimates accuracy for the Boston metro real estate market.  Their median error is 8.9%.  

This means if a Zestimate labeled your home with a $500,000 price tag it could really sell for $44,500 more or less than that price.  In fact only 30% of the Zestimates are within 5% of the sale price.  They actually review that 80% of the Zestimate are within 20% of the sale price.  This is a big range.  This is similar to say your home is worth $500,000 and will sell between $400,000 to $600,000.  An article published by TechSavvyAgent also clearly outlines Zillow’s accurancy.

We do like Zillow.  It is a way to collect information and we like information.  But, if you are looking to it for your only price resource in Boston, Newton, Cambridge, Brookline, and other Massachusetts towns it is not the complete picture.

Life at the Dwell360 real estate brokerage remains exciting!   

We are working hard to build a premier real estate brokerage based in Newton Massachusetts that will service the Greater Boston cities and towns. The founders, Ed and John have a track record of success that has been the foundation of Dwell360.

Our name, Dwell360 (Dwell Three Sixty) is one that was developed to be fresh, simple, and modern.  We did not want our firm’s name to look like a law firm’s collage of last names.  Our personality is more then someone’s name.  Dwell360 is a statement of progress and a brand that will grow by implementing tools, methods, and technologies that will provide results for our clients.

We hope we can help you buy or sell your home.

All we have been hearing lately from our past and present clients, our friends, and everyone else is how great of an interest rate they can get.  Our mortgage contacts and real estate attorneys have been super busy with the recent refinance boom.   We have heard people getting rates from 4 – 4.50%. 

The rates are really low.  It was not too long ago people received interest rates well above 6% and higher.  I know of one client who purchased a home with a 6.25% interest rate and now a couple of years later has refined to 4.25%.  On a $400,000 loan that is a monthly savings of $495.11 that is $5,941.32 per year.

With interest rates as low as they are currently we are surprised there are not more people searching for homes.  The markets in sections of Boston, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, and other areas have some really positive statistics.  That being said we would think even more buyers would be out shopping for home.

The buyers we she shopping now have an amazing advantage!  The real estate market in the Boston Massachusetts area offers a lot of opportunity.  You have less competition among buyers, more flexibility in price, and low interest rates.

Be sure to contact a reputable mortgage banker for information on current rates and to learn more about what mortgage programs are available.

People in Massachusetts really love their home towns.  They have energy and excitement when they speak about their community and there are some great places to live in the Commonwealth.  Four cities in Massachusetts made it to this year’s list of “America’s 100 Best Small Cities to Live” found in August 2010 issue of Money magazine.  The City of Newton took the third place on the list, Waltham 28th, Brookline was at 39, and Weymouth was listed at 52. 

Money magazine “this year focused on the nation’s small cities (those with populations of 50,000 to 300,000).  Reporters crunched reams of data to find the optimal combo of job opportunities, fiscal strength, top-notch schools, low crime, good health care, lots to do, and many other factors that help a town great for raising a family.”  They also took a look at the overall strength of the economy and housing market in various American metro areas. 

It becomes clear the real estate and economic climate in Massachusetts is a bit more promising then some other areas in the country.  Money’s research pointed out that the metro area of Peabody and Boston have a “strong” economy and housing market with metro Cambridge getting the  best rating of being the “strongest.”  We think this is pretty consistent with what we have seen in the past year within the housing market itself.

The City of Newton Massachusetts with a population 82,000, 13 villages, and a rich New England heritage ranked third on the list of top 100 cities in Money magazine.  The magazine highlighted the cities great schools, low crime, and strong economy as reasons for the favorable standing.  It also noted pricey homes and traffic as negatives just west of Boston.  We are also happy to see that it got noticed for having an “A” grade for “Arts/leisure” and for the “health” category.  Schools are important in Newton, well ranked, and just this week the new, 413,000 square foot, $197 million dollar, Newton North High School opened its doors and features a college like amenities that is simply state-of-the-art. 

With a population of 60,000 the City of Waltham Massachusetts was ranked 28th on the Money list.  It scored an “A” grade for the Arts/leisure along with health.  Housing affordability, though lower then Newton, is still high compared to other cities on the top 100 list.  This city has seen recent renovations to their schools.  Moody street is filled with restaurants and nightlife, home to Brandeis and Bentley University, and economically strong do to the large of corporations that call Waltham home. 

Brookline Massachusetts with a 58,000 population is listed 39th on the list top America’s 100 Best Small Cities list.  It might not get the best markets for housing affordability but this town gets the grade for everything else.  Exclusive condos typically exceed a price tag of $500,000 and single family homes often considered estates reach well past the multiple million dollar value.  Brookline’s exciting location next to Boston, active neighborhoods, public transportation, high-owner occupancy, and great schools make this town both stable and exclusive. 

The fourth Massachusetts city on Money’s list is Weymouth Massachusetts and ranked at 52. Located on the south shore this area has more affordable homes and features 12 miles of ocean front.  It is has reasonable commute to Boston.  The location also provides its residences to beach, access to Cape Cod, and other exciting cultural and leisure actives in the area. 

There are many fine cities and towns in Massachusetts.  These are four that have been listed by Money magazine this year.  We think they are great communities that deserve to be highlighted.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate brokerage in Massachusetts founded by Edward Johnston and John Lynch.  Our experienced agents have a proven track record of success in the metropolitan Boston real estate market.  Our offices in Newton and Boston help us service our clients in and around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Weston, and other premier towns. Feel free to contact us.

We have just listed a wonderful Brighton condo in the heart of Cleveland Circle.  Year to date, 1/1/2010 - 7/1/2010 we have seen 157 condos sell in Brighton with an average sale price of $295,724.  It has been an active time and is becoming a great time to get into the market.

Brighton continues to be an area on the cutting edge of city life.  Surrounded by various colleges and universities, its accessibility in and around Boston, and is hip residents keep this area very exciting.  It would not take much time to find something great to do in Brighton or in the area of Cleveland Circle never mind the access you get to the surrounding community by way of the B, C, and D trains of the Green line.

93 Strathmore is in the heart of this wonderful area.  Tucked into a Brighton neighborhood is this wonderful building.  A sun lit, top floor, corner unit, that easily can be called home.  This one bedroom is spacious home, has hardwood floors, high ceilings, large bedroom, and plenty of closets.  An inviting foyer leads to an oversized living room.  Relax in your eat-in kitchen with treetop views.  Come visit this property today for its fantastic location.

This condo is a great opportunity. $225,000

Brookline Massachusetts is an exciting town and great Boston neighbor.  The average sales price year-to-date (1/1/2010 – 7/1/2010) for a condo in Brookline is $526,176 with 291 condos sold.  Our newest listing 7 Verndale is a great opportunity to become a past of a great community rich in history with a strong real estate market.

The Town of Brookline is an amazing place made up of fantastic restaurants, shopping, cultural centers, parks, playgrounds, and serene neighborhoods.  This town it is easier to find higher owner occupancy rates and condos within buildings that truly show price of ownership.  Coolidge Corner is one of the hubs of great activity in Brookline and 7 Verndale is a location that affords the opportunity for you to take advantage of what life in Brookline offers.

This home is a spacious and updated three bedroom condo in a turn-of-the-century brownstone with access to Harvard Street, the T, Coolidge Corner, and more.  Set on a residential tree-lined street you also have access to parks and playgrounds.  It is a home all about the conveniences of the city with the serenity of a residential setting. 

The inviting foyer is what greats you upon entering this home.  Features like the fireplace, open living and dining rooms, updated kitchen with pantry, built-ins, extra storage, parking, new windows, washer and dryer, and more are just some of the highlights of this home.

This access that the resident will have to Brookline life is excellent.  A place that will afford a buyer the excitement of the city with the tranquility of a tree-lined street.  Parks are just around the corner, restaurants on Commonwealth Avenue and Harvard Street are excellent.  Plan a visit today.  Listed at $519,000

We are excited to present 61Quint.com for sale.  It was about five years ago when we represented our client in the purchase of this great property.  It has been a great home and as great things happen it is time to move on.  We could not have been happier to get the call again to help sell the condo.

This Allston condo is in the heart of the activity that surrounds Allston, Brighton, and Brookline.  This area is often perceived to be a center point of accessing some of the best Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, along with businesses in Cambridge, Watertown, Boston, Newton, and other nearby locations.

This condos location puts its occupants in a hip community with access to nightlife, restaurants, pubs, clubs, shopping, and a vibrant neighborhood.  Allston, a neighborhood of Boston, has excellent access to the trolleys, buses, and trains of the MBTA T.  This community is an exciting place.

61 Quint Avenue is a condo perched on the top floor of a well respected Allston building.  The living room, 21 x 21, is window lined, sun-filled, circular, and has a tree-topped view.  This unique living room is part of a building with architectural interest that has truly been maintained by the owners with pride. 

The condo also features an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  The interior of the condo had been freshly painted, has gleaming hardwood floors and new windows.  Each of the two bedrooms is spacious and has very good closets.

Don’t forget the new common roof deck & assigned parking.  You can slip up to a space that overlooks the tree-tops and surrounding community.  It is an unique site for an Allston condo.  Laundry & storage are located in the basement.  Move right in.

We are so excited to help our clients again.  Listed at $319,000.

Just a few days ago Ed and I left William Raveis Real Estate to begin opening our new firm Dwell360 (Dwell Three Sixty.)  It has been an exciting few days.  At this has been taking place I picked up and flew to California to attend the Inman Connect an innovative real estate conference.  Ed has been powering all the progress back at headquarters.

It has been a successful few days.  Some clients have called looking to list their homes and buyers are heating up their searches.  I have been hearing from real estate leaders and influencers about their companies, their products, and real estate industries growth.

Craig Newmark of Craigslist has some great things to say about the social phenomenon around Craig’s List and real estate.  Social media has been one of the top topics at the conference and Reddit.com founder Alexis Ohanian nicely outlined how social media really can propel a topic into the minds of the public.  These and the many other speakers have been extremely interesting.

Property search is going to change over the next few years.  The search functionality will be more intuitive and free flowing.  Also, the need for mobile solutions is something at the top of everyone’s list here at Inman.  I have identified a few great ways the Dwell360 will be able to leverage technologies to be at the front of the real estate marketing online and with mobile. 

Technology in real estate is always changing and I am excited to see that we will be a part of the evolution.  For your clients this will ultimately mean we will provide better results!

See you soon!

We are very excited to announce that we will be launching our own independent real estate brokerage here in Massachusetts.  Ed Johnston and John Lynch will be building DWELL360 a boutique brokerage that is focused on providing clients with the best possible service from well qualified real estate agents.  The towns of service will include Boston, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Cambridge, and other communities that we have worked in throughout the Metro Boston area.

We look forward to this new and exciting chapter!

Ed & John

Today, I came across an article from CNNMoney.com titled “6 biggest mistakes home buyers make.”  After taking a look at the list I thought the six items are noteworthy.  I am not sure if they are the biggest mistakes that a buyer can make.  But, the list is one worth review.  Here is why I think the six items they mention are important to a buyer.

1.      Know Your Credit Score – Your credit score one of the major factors in what a bank will review and consider when approving you for a mortgage.  Not only do you need to know your score you need to know what that score represents.

2.      Don’t buy a car before a house – Or any other major purchase.  When you make large purchases your credit can be affected and your cash reserves will also be affected.  If you took a loan for that new car now you might feel more pressure to qualify for a mortgage.  If you paid cash for that same car, keeping that cash on hand in the bank, could have better results for you qualifying for a better rate on your mortgage.

3.      Skimping on a home inspection – We spend a lot of time with our clients making sure they do not skimp on their home inspection.  This is a critical time to learn about your home and perform any needed due diligence.  You need to take the time to be a part of this important process.

4.      No Attorney – We encourage everyone to have an attorney when they are buying a property.  Often there are many unforeseen issue that arise with the title, the sale, and the parties involved.  A good agent will help control that but certain issues an attorney needs to handle.  Often with a great team in place you will not even notice the issues.

5.      No Contingencies – You should have a home inspection contingency or mortgage contingency when you are purchasing a home.  If you know you need a mortgage then you should never waive that element of the offer.  Contingencies are part of your offer to protect your interest.

6.      Budgeting for Insurance – It is important to budget for the other items associated with home purchase.  Home owners insurance is one, don’t forget about property taxes, utility bills, and landscaping.  If you are upsizing or first time home buyer these items might be more expensive then you are used too.

A great buyer’s agent will help you thought the process and make sure you do not make any big mistakes.  These six from CNNMoney’s are notable along with others.  So, take your time making that purchase and all will go smoothly.  

It has been wet, very wet, here is Massachusetts.  To the point that FEMA announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  This is a significant resource for the state to help correct the damage of these major rain storms.

“The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Bristol, Essex,

Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. Assistance can include grants for

temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other

programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”

More information from FEMA

Along with the federal aid programs available

This also could impact a buyer’s mortgage on a home in the above counties mentioned.  It may require re-inspection by the appraiser or some other addition paperwork.  So if your currently involved in a real estate transaction be sure to address this issue with your lender or real estate agents.  

Today, Ed and John are launching their team website, www.JohnstonLynch.com.  The new website is a new platform that will help us get information to our clients faster and be more effective in our marketing efforts. 

The new website has an integrated blog and property search capabilities.  The site also integrated our listing websites so they are continuously featured to visitors of the site.  We have streamlined our marketing that has always been successful, and created an even easier way to communicate, consult, and market real estate. 

Be sure to stop by on a regular bases to see more information about real estate in the Metro Boston neighborhoods.

See you soon, Ed & John 

Johnston | Lynch Group at William Raveis Real Estate

Service Providers

Real Estate Attorney

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Property Inspector

Putting your house on the market can be frustrating and exhausting. Homes can stay on the market for months before an interested buyer takes notice. You can expedite the process, however, by employing a few basic marketing strategies.

Why Market Your Home?

Marketing your home is the most effective way to get the word out that you are a seller in search of a buyer. In some locations, the market may be flooded with homeowners attempting to sell their homes. Unless you use some basic marketing strategies, your home may not get the recognition it needs to attract interested parties to open houses, walk-throughs, or other important parts of the selling process. Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, but it does need to occur in order for your home to sell quickly. Working with a real estate agent who is experienced and progressive in marketing can help you sell more quickly, achieve a higher sales price, and reduce the stress of selling your home.

Online Advertisement Forums

The Internet is one of the most effective ways to market your home when you're ready to put it up for sale. Thousands of consumers may search the Internet to find homes for sale in your area. Your real estate agent should post information about your home on a number of real estate websites, often by using a multiple listing service. They might also use their social media pages to share your listing with a wide range of friends and contacts. One benefit of online marketing is that it is usually free. All it takes is a small time investment to get the information about your house in a location where interested parties can see it.

Prominent Signage

Another effective, and low-cost, way to market your home's status on the market is to feature a prominent sign in front of your home. Many consumers find their future home by driving through the neighborhoods in which they are interested. If your home has a large "For Sale" sign, it will attract attention. Be sure that contact information is clearly printed on the sign and talk with your agent about the possibility of adding a custom sign rider that includes a website address or QR code that will take interested passersby directly to your online listing for more information.

Real Estate Agents

Hiring a real estate agent is, of course, one of the simplest ways to market your home. An agent will handle the bulk of the marketing on your behalf because he or she stands to make a profit only after your home is sold. But real estate agents also have websites, industry contacts, and relationships with consumers that can help you find the right buyer more quickly. In addition, their market knowledge and negotiating experience can help you achieve the best sales price for your home. All of these are indispensable when selling a home.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Dwell360’s Home Buying & Selling Classes on May 11 were a great success!

Participants were excited to cover the basics of home buying and selling, but also surprised to learn about the changes in the current market and some insider secrets as well.  They said they were impressed by how much they learned and now felt much more prepared to move forward with a real estate transaction.

Dwell360’s own John Lynch did an excellent job presenting practical real estate advice in a fun and engaging way.  Ed Johnston, Sandy Siciliano, and Alerica Aylward were also on hand answering visitors' questions. 

We owe a special thanks to our class partners Sheira MacKenzie, Senior Loan Officer of Fairway Independent Mortgage, and Elizabeth Grimes, Esquire of Ligris & Associates PC.  Sheira and Liz did a wonderful job simplifying the mortgage loan process and clarifying the legal aspects of buying or selling your home.   

We hope to see you at our next event!  Please contact us if you are interested in taking a class for buyers or sellers in the future.

Buying a home for the very first time can be an exciting adventure that results in a quaint and charming dream home in which you will start a family, create a life, and build a successful future. Finding this charming house, though, often requires a not-so-charming process. If you are a first-time home buyer, consider this short list of do's and don'ts that will help you do the right things while avoiding common first-timer mistakes.

Do Your Research

First, it is crucial that home buyers do a great deal of research before they start hitting the streets and viewing open houses. Research the housing markets in your area, and compare markets to one another. Evaluate school systems, proximity to amenities and important highways, information about builders and contractors, and the years in which houses were built. The more information about a housing market you have in advance, the less likely you are to make a buying mistake.

It's also important to research information about a home mortgage and prepare your financing in advance. The financing process can take several months, so you should have your money in place before you begin your search.

Do Hire a Professional

Another suggested "do" for first-time home buyers is to hire a professional. A real estate agent can evaluate your needs and wants and help guide your search toward houses within your price range that better meet these needs. Agents can answer important home buyer and future homeowner questions, too.

Do Evaluate Your Wants vs. Needs

One mistake that many first-time home buyers make is blurring the distinction between wants and needs. Your list of needs should include only the essential amenities that a home must have. Your list of wants can be more extensive. You should prioritize a "wants" list from the most important to the least important, so you can decide what should be sacrificed when you begin looking at homes.

Don't Buy Too Much House

It's crucial to purchase a house that you can afford. This involves more than just the price tag on a home. Remember, bigger houses come with more property taxes, more upkeep responsibilities, and more potential problems that can result in big costs in the future.

Don't Rush the Process

The biggest "don't" in the home buying adventure is rushing the process. Never place an offer on the first home you see unless you have evaluated several other properties. Finding the balance between taking one's time and acting quickly to avoid losing out on a property can be difficult. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Attend our complimentary Real Estate Classes

Saturday, May 11, 2013

9:00am    Home Buying - How Times Have Changed

10:00am  Question & Answer Break

11:00am  Selling Your Home in Today's Market

• Meet our REALTORS, trusted attorney, and experienced mortgage lender
• Attend one class or attend both
• Enjoy refreshments and learn in a casual setting
• First-time buyers & sellers will learn where to start
• Experienced home owners will benefit from our discussion of the trials & tribulations of selling your home while buying your next home
• Hosted by Dwell360, Ligris & Associates PC, and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

REGISTER via the link below, call 617-299-1864 or email Alerica@Dwell360.com!  

Our thoughts go out to our friends, clients, and everyone affected by this Boston tragedy.  The Boston Marathon is an important event to the residents of Massachusetts and will always continue to be a special event.  We are proud of our first responders, our city, our world class medical facilities, and the people that are the heart and soul of this wonderful place we call Boston.  

Wishing you peace and love from everyone at Dwell360.

Are you considering selling your home?  Curious about the best strategies to bring success in today’s market?  Get our Home Selling Guide instantly.

Home Selling Guide

Click the link above to receive our Home Selling Guide, containing our top 10 things to do before you sell your home in the metro Boston area.  Our guide is full of helpful advice for home owners and their agents.  Get information on identifying your target buyers, staging your home for sale, maintaining your safety, and how to stand out online.  

Read an excerpt from TIP 5 - Maximize Your Exposure:

The Internet is the most powerful tool for selling real estate. More than 90% of buyers start their search for a home on the Internet. This is why listing your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is critical for maximizing your exposure.

Get access to more insider information by clicking the link above to get the full guide.  And let us know if you need any help along the way.  At Dwell360, we’re here to support all of your real estate needs.  Contact us today!

When your house is on the market, you'll likely try to have as many public viewings or open houses as possible. An open house is a pressure-free way for interested buyers to view your property and imagine themselves living in the space. An open house, however, is usually a very short event. Every single moment counts during an open house, and you need to be sure that your house impresses every step of the way. When you've perfected your home's curb appeal, the next step is to create an attractive and enticing foyer space. The foyer is the first part of your home's interior that interested buyers will view. While you don't need to knock down walls and spend a fortune creating a foyer that didn't exist before, you should spend some time evaluating the space you have and doing what you can to make it work.

Emphasize Large Spaces

If your foyer is large and impressive, emphasize the vastness of the space. A large central table with a towering and colorful centerpiece is a dramatic way to emphasize a large foyer. You may also consider a floor length mirror resting in a corner of your foyer. The mirror will extend the vertical space of your foyer and also give guests a vision of themselves physically walking into your home. Tall paintings and photographs, newly polished chandeliers, and other large decorative items will also emphasize a large space.

Turn Cramped into Charming

If your foyer is a little on the cramped size, use decorative elements to make the space feel charming rather than constrictive. A small antique sofa table pressed against the wall is a great place to display photographs and other décor without infringing on the available space. You can extend the perceived height of your foyer by adding wainscoting to the lower portion of the wall and painting the upper portion of the wall a contrasting color.

Make the Space Functional

Foyers are often perceived as transitional spaces, but you can add functionality to a foyer, too. A wall-length bench with storage and cushions is a great catch-all space for shoes, umbrellas, and coats. A line of shelving with hooks for coats and hats is also a great touch for your foyer.

Remember that the foyer is the first look at your home's interior. Stand at your front door and evaluate your foyer with a fresh perspective. If something looks off to you, the homeowner, the odds are good that an interested buyer will also notice the problem. 

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Today’s kitchen is a quick-change artist that adores families and loves simplicity.

If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, we’ve got good news and bad news.

First, the good stuff. According to trend experts Lita Dirks and Dominick Tringali, you don’t have to shell out major cash to add space. Instead, look to expand what you already have. Vault your ceiling, add windows, squeeze in clever storage ideas. Make the space work harder, not bigger.

Plus, relax. Casual kitchens are trending, with doo-dads and gee-gaws (think elaborate trim and vent hoods that look like medieval castles) going away, and simpler, sleeker designs coming on strong.

Speaking on kitchen trends at the 2013 International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas, interior designer Dirks and architect Tringali teamed up to describe the new American kitchen as one piece of a larger, open floor plan.
 
It’s all part of a new kitchen gestalt that Dirks describes as the “prep-eat-play” triangle, with flexibility and casual living as key ingredients. The notion tosses the kitchen into a design blender along with living, dining, and family rooms, and frappes everything into communal happiness.

Example: You can eat at a comfy banquette, or in front of the TV (don’t tell your child-development counselor), or in the breakfast nook, or you can belly up to the island. No rules!

The bad news (OK, it’s not that bad) is that we’ve heard some of this before. Open floor plans have been around since the moon landing and yes, we like them. A lot. What we really have here is affirmation — and freedom to create kitchens that are less ornate and yet have more personality.

Just like you.

Of course, Dirks and Trengali definitely have the pulse of today’s home owner and offer some great takeaways. We’ve combined their goodies with our own kitchen trendspotting for 2013. If you’re planning a kitchen redo, here’s what you need to know: 

Contemporary kitchens are In. Specifically, they’re getting simpler and more modern, with less elaborate detail and trim. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association reports that in its annual survey of kitchen designers, “transitional” design — meaning a simple, more modern aesthetic — has surpassed “traditional” as the preferred design for the first time in the association’s history.

Kitchen cabinets are dark, or white. Darker, furniture-like finishes are popular, but so is pure white. The middle ground — think natural oak — is going away. Dark finishes help the kitchen integrate into the overall scheme; pure white is the ultimate accent color that readily complements the rest of the living area.

Islands rule. Kitchen islands are becoming more multi-dimensional, serving as food-prep areas, snack stations, wine storage, and display cabinets for objets d’art. Also, they’re essential for directing traffic flow within an open floor plan, channeling guests toward comfy seating areas, for example. Small kitchen? Go with a rolling cart that’s there when you need it.

Countertop revolution. Say hi to porcelain and ceramic slabs that look like stone, wood, and fabric, says Jamie Gold, a California designer. The product is made from clay, quartz, and feldspar that’s subjected to high heat — just like regular tile. Unlike other engineered countertops, this product doesn’t use cements or resin binders. It’s not readily available in the U.S. yet.

Appliances are disappearing. In the past, we loved our commercial-style kitchen appliances that made us look like we really knew how to cook. Now, appliances are hiding behind wood panels and faux veneers so they integrate better with the overall living space. New finishes, such as GE’s slate and Whirlpool’s Ice White, are bucking the stainless steel trend, but don’t bet on stainless going away anytime soon — it’s still hot.

Espresso yourself. An eye-catching extra gives a kitchen a blast of personality. Cool sinks and high-tech faucets are au courant. Other possibilities include:

• Stylish vent hood.
• Ventless fireplace.
• Espresso machine.
• One-of-a-kind tiles as accents on kitchen backsplashes and countertops.

Glass finishes. Glistening glass is popping up everywhere in the kitchen, especially glass tiles installed as backsplashes. Applying clear glass panels over walls painted soft colors gives a deep sheen that harmonizes with today’s contemporary looks. Bonus: It’s easy toclean.

Grab some fresh air. Outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas are hot. Your indoor kitchen should have an outdoor doppelganger close by, available through wide glass doors.

By: John Riha

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Before you sell your home in the Boston area, it's important to make a few cosmetic fixes. These five inexpensive home repairs will get your home in tip-top condition before you put it on the market.

1.  Wall Imperfections

One of the first things you should do when preparing your house for the market is to repair wall imperfections. Cracks, chips, and nail holes are easy fixes. A touch of spackling and some sandpaper can restore a wall to its former smoothness. You can follow up on these repairs with a fresh coat of paint. More serious wall issues, like buckling or serious water damage, should be handled by a professional. The walls in your home are like a blank canvas. If they are marred by damage, a potential buyer may interpret this as signs of overall disrepair or neglect.

2.  Water Stains

Water stains, those unsightly brown circles on the ceiling or the trickling brown lines on your walls, are a huge red flag to interested home buyers. Even if the leak in your roof has been fixed for years, water stains can make a buyer feel panicky and uncertain. A coat of primer and a coat of paint are usually all that are required to remove these unsightly blemishes.

3.  Carpet Cleaning

If your home is covered in wall to wall carpet, you will want to invest in a high quality carpet cleaner or the services of a professional before putting your home on the market. Carpet is tricky for home buyers because there are so many problems that are associated with carpet. Pet stains and odors, discoloration, or even differences in personal taste can cause issues. Choose a neutral carpet for your home, and be sure that it is spotlessly clean before showing your house.

4.  Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet is one of the simplest home maintenance tasks to perform. As such, you might not expect that a leaky faucet would cause such a bad impression on an interested home buyer. The issue, however, is not with the leaky faucet itself but with the image a leaky faucet creates in the mind of the consumer. If your faucets are leaking, a buyer may wonder what other maintenance tasks have been neglected.

5.  Creaky Floors

If your house is old, you may have a creaky floor problem. Some home buyers may think creaky floors are charming character aspects, but others associate floor creakiness with structural issues. Identify problem areas in your floor, and invest in the repair services of a professional.

The real estate market is a competitive environment and tackling these repairs prior to putting your home on the market is important. Massachusetts buyers will see that you cared for the home and see more value.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Newton Massachusetts that services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Dwell360 a boutique real estate brokerage is seeking an Administrative Assistant for their Newton headquarters. The ideal candidate will have a basic understanding for the importance that marketing, sales, and customer service play in the day-to-day operations of a fast paced firm. The candidate should be a well organized, self starter, personable, enthusiastic, and with clear sense of urgency. The administrative assistant will work closely with the company founders and will be responsible for tasks associated with maintaining the office, providing staff support, and completing marketing tasks.

Skills -- Candidate who demonstrates experience with the following skills will be considered:

• Email (Google Apps)
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Google Documents
• Microsoft Publisher
• Database management
• Social media
• Strong writing and editorial skills
• Clear verbal communication skills
• Willingness to support staff
• Knowledge of Adobe suite of products -- (not required but a strong asset.)

Responsibilities

• Daily communication, support, and coordination with company staff on projects.
• Create and maintain various marketing materials both in print and online.
• Assist with select social media, blogging, website updates, and email campaigns.
• Provide document management, compliance, and electronic filing
• Maintain the office, supplies, paperwork, and office equipment.
• Event or property tour planning.

This administrative position will present an opportunity for a candidate to become an important part of this special company. A team player with a great attitude, excellent problem solving skills, and a willingness to learn will have opportunity to grow within the company.

Full & Part time candidates considered
Weekly Hours: 30-40
Office Location: Newtonville, MA

Submit a resume and cover letter in PDF format, and be sure to include:

• Education
• Work History
• Availability
• Salary requirements

CLICK TO SUBMIT A RESUME / APPLICATION

No emails. No phone calls. We appreciate every applicant's interest, and we will review each application and email those under consideration. Equal Opportunity Employer.

The real estate market in Boston is hot!

At Dwell360, we keep our finger on the pulse of the real estate market in Metro Boston. To that end, we have produced 2012 year end market reports for more than 20 towns in the area. They contain residential market data and statistics for the sales of single family homes, condominiums, and multifamily homes over the past ten years. Read our reports for valuable insight into the ever-changing real estate market in your neighborhood and the surrounding areas.

In most towns, the number of homes sold is up, the average sales price is up, and the days on the market are down. These signs point toward recovery in the real estate industry in eastern Massachusetts, and hold promise for continued success in 2013. 

Browse our library of market reports below, and please contact us at service@dwell360.com for more specific or up-to-date information for your area.

• Arlington Market Report
• Ashland Market Report
• Belmont Market Report
• Boston Market Report
• Brookline Market Report
• Cambridge Market Report
• Concord Market Report
• Davis Square, Somerville Market Report
• Dedham Market Report
• Framingham Market Report
• Holliston Market Report
• Lexington Market Report
• Lincoln Market Report
• Natick Market Report
• Needham Market Report
• Newton Market Report
• Sherborn Market Report
• Sudbury Market Report
• Waltham Market Report
• Watertown Market Report
• Wayland Market Report
• Wellesley Market Report
• Weston Market Report

The positive changes we have seen in the market will continue to be true in 2013, but will require sophisticated navigation to ensure success. Dwell360's real estate agents use an innovative and progressive marketing approach to connect with today’s buyer. We combine a positive attitude, state-of-the-art digital marketing, and time-tested marketing tools that create an impact. Contact us to navigate through this changing time in real estate with agents both progressive and experienced in today’s market.

Last year Newton, Massachusetts experienced a rise in home sales, an increase in value, and a reduction of the number of days homes spent on the market. Enticed by the continued low interest rates, buyers came out in force after waiting several years until they felt confident we had reached the bottom. This resulted in numerous multiple offers, quick sales, and increases in prices, as our sale inventory remained low. All signs are pointing to recovery in the real estate industry, especially here in Newton.

Review our full report including residential market data from 2003 through 2012.

In 2012, Newton’s single family homes showed the highest average sales price in the last ten years. The average price is up 6.9%, from $909,395 in 2011 to $971,733 in 2012. In addition, 22% more homes were sold than in 2011 and they spent 14% fewer days on the market.

Condominium prices are also up 9.0% to an average of $513,443. In 2012, 317 condos and townhomes were sold, an increase of 27.8%. An affordable way into the Newton market, these units sold faster and in greater quantities than they have in several years.

Multifamily properties are in very high demand, spending 25% fewer days on the market than in 2011. The average multifamily home sold for $662,432 in 2012, up 11.6%. Eager investors snapped up 65 multifamily properties last year, a quantity not seen since 2005. Now is a great time to sell your multifamily home as inventory remains low in Newton. 

The positive changes in the market will continue to be true in 2013, but will require sophisticated navigation to ensure success. Dwell360's real estate agents use an innovative and progressive marketing approach to connect with today’s buyer. We combine a positive attitude, state-of-the-art digital marketing, and time-tested marketing tools that create an impact. Contact us to navigate through this changing time in real estate with agents both progressive and experienced in today’s market.

Market Data Source: MLSPIN, as of 1/15/2013.

Which tax benefits do home owners miss? Will you get audited if you take the home office deduction? Find out the answers to these questions and more before Tax Day.

There are a lot of home ownership tax benefits — if you don’t forget to take them. To make sure you get your due, HouseLogic asked tax expert Abe Schneier, a senior technical manager with the American Institute of CPAs, for tax-filing tips.

HouseLogic: What’s the most common home-related tax deduction or credit claimed by home owners?

Abe Schneier: The mortgage interest deduction, [which the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® estimates amounts to about $3,000 in tax savings for the average itemizing home owner] and [the deduction for] real property taxes.

HL: Which tax provision do home owners often overlook?

AS: [An area of tax-filing confusion is] whether you’ve correctly treated any points you paid if you refinanced. In a new home purchase, the points can be deducted [in the tax year you paid them]. But typically in a refinancing, you have to amortize and deduct any points you paid over the life of the mortgage, and people tend to forget that after a couple of years.

HL: What’s the No. 1 mistake home owners make when filing their taxes?

AS: Because you receive a statement from the bank with details [such as] how muchmortgage interest you paid over the year, and how much the bank pays on your behalf in real estate taxes, the number of mistakes has dropped.

But if you’re in a state where you pay the real estate taxes on your own — the bank doesn’t handle it for you — [people] make mistakes because sometimes real estate tax bills include other items besides pure real estate taxes. It could be trash collection fees; it could be snow removal fees that the state or county is assessing on the real estate tax bill. Since the items are included in the same bill, home owners sometimes deduct [those fees] regardless of whether the items are actually taxes.

HL: What’s the single most important piece of advice for people filing their taxes as a first-time home owner?

AS: You have to take a look at your closing statement from when you bought the house. It’s commonly called the HUD-1 form and you receive it at the closing. Occasionally, there are fees such as prepaid taxes or interest at closing that can be deductible.

HL: What tax advice do you have for someone who’s owned their home for 10 or 20 years?

AS: If you’ve been a longtime home owner and you’ve been through refinancings, you have to be careful about how much interest you’ve deducted, especially if you have a home equity loan or equity line. A lot of people who’ve refinanced have sizable equity lines. The maximum outstanding home equity debt that’s deductible is $100,000; the maximum deductible amount of interest paid on mortgage debt is $1 million.

HL: What home improvement-related records should home owners keep?

AS: Absolutely keep your receipts for couple of reasons:

1. You want to make sure — if there are any warranties attached to the work that was done — that you maintain those records and you have something to go back to the person who did the work in case something doesn’t function properly.

2. If you’ve added value to the home — you’ve added a deck, you’ve added a room, you’ve added something new to house — you’ll need to know what the gain is on that capital improvement when you sell the house.

HL note: Tax rules let you add capital improvement expenses to the cost basis of your home, and a higher cost basis lowers the total profit or capital gain you’re required to pay taxes on. Of course, most home owners are exempted from taxes on the first $500,000 in profit for joint filers ($250,000 for single filers). So it doesn't apply to too many people.

HL: How do I tell the difference between a capital improvement and a repair?

AS: Typically a repair is [done] to allow an item, like a home furnace or air conditioner, to continue. But if you were to replace the heating unit, that’s not a repair.

HL: Does taking any home-related tax benefits, such as the home office deduction, make a taxpayer more likely to be audited?

AS: Only if numbers look out of the ordinary — for instance, if one year you were writing off $20,000 in mortgage interest debt and the next year you’re writing off $100,000 in mortgage interest. Taking the home office deduction in and of itself doesn’t usually generate an audit. However, if you claim nominal income and significantly higher expenses in an effort to create artificial losses, the IRS will see that there’s something else going on there.

HL: Now that filing season for tax year 2012 is almost over, when should home owners start thinking about tax year 2013?

AS: Well, hopefully, when you visit your CPA to give information about or pick up your 2012 tax return, your CPA has spoken with you about your plans for 2013:

• If any major improvements are scheduled

• If you’re planning on moving

• How to organize any expenditures for fixing up the home before sale

If you’re planning to do any of those things, talk with your CPA so that you’re prepared with documentation and so that the [tax pro] can help minimize your tax situation.

By: Natasha Padgitt

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Drop off a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots at our office by December 17th and you can enter to win an Apple iPod Shuffle from Dwell360!

Stop by Tuesdays through Fridays 9am - 5pm 

and on Monday December 17 from 10am - 5pm

at 46 Austin Street in Newton.

One raffle entry per toy donated.  One winner will be drawn at random and notified by December 21, 2012.

Toys for Tots is a program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  Each October, November, and December, they collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those them as Christmas gifts to needy children, age 0 to 14, in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The Toys for Tots program wishes to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.  Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other purely voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations. The program is a national effort administered locally; the community in which toys will be distributed is the same community in which they were collected.  The success of the program relies on volunteer support and community involvement.  Visit Toys for Tots for more information.

Dwell360 real estate is proud to support the Middlesex County Toys for Tots campaign.  We hope you will stop by our office to donate a toy!

This holiday season, help us help kids in need by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at our office by December 17!  We are open 9am - 5pm Tuesdays through Fridays at 46 Austin Street in Newton, MA.

Toys for Tots is a program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  Each October, November, and December, they collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those them as Christmas gifts to needy children, age 0 to 14, in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The Toys for Tots program wishes to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.  Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other purely voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toy and monetary donations. The program is a national effort administered locally; the community in which toys will be distributed is the same community in which they were collected.  The success of the program relies on volunteer support and community involvement.  Visit Toys for Tots for more information.

Dwell360 real estate is proud to support the Middlesex County Toys for Tots campaign.  We hope you will stop by our office to donate a toy!

As long as you’re remodeling, why not cut your utility bill and make your home a bit healthier?

Saving energy wasn’t on the list of reasons we’re finally ripping out the kitchen in our mid-century home (green-veined, imitation marble laminate countertops figured much more prominently). But, a session at the recent 2012 Remodeling Show in Baltimore clued me in as to why adding a few simple tasks to our remodeling plan could lower our home’s energy bill, get rid of some of the annoying hot and cold spots in our house, and make our home less hospitable to mold and other allergens.

Carl Seville, author of Green Building: Principles and Practices in Residential Construction, shared some simple, inexpensive ways to make remodels and additions more energy efficient from the standpoint of energy usage and conservation of resources.

Try these eight tips from Seville:

1. Check for water intrusion, condensation, and excess moisture before you begin the project. Fixing those issues during remodeling can improve your home’s indoorair quality (excess moisture encourages mold).

2. Use the least amount of framing allowed by your building code when adding walls. Not only will you have to pay for less lumber and fewer nails, the contractor will have more room to put insulation in your walls, making your home more energy efficient.

3. Resist the urge to splurge on multiple shower heads. Opt for a single low-flow shower head rather than installing a car wash-style plethora of shower heads.

4. If possible, add new HVAC ducts to parts of your home that are heated and cooled, rather than placing them in a space with unconditioned air (like the attic). If that’s not possible, insulate the ducts. Have an HVAC diagnostician analyze your system to make sure it’s sized correctly and balanced to properly exchange old and new air.

5. Be sure to insulate around recessed lights that protrude into un-insulated attic spaces — these are major sources of air leaks.

6. If you’re wasting water, you’re wasting energy. Look at high-efficiency or solarwater heaters, and insulate your water pipes. If you want hot water faster, move the water heater closer to the faucet or install demand pumps to drive hot water to the fixture.

7. Install wall-mounted efficiency toggle switch plates for the outlets where you plug in your televisions and computers to make it easy to cut off the power to electronics you’re not using.

8. A humidistat that automatically turns on the bathroom fan when moisture rises beats depending on teenagers or tenants remembering to use the fan. Reducing bathroom moisture reduces the chances you’ll have mold.

When I pull the kitchen cabinets off the wall, I’m going to use caulk to seal between the wallboards and the floorboards before I put down new flooring and install the new cabinets. And since I’ll have the caulk out, I’m going to seal the top of window trim, something my home’s builder didn’t do.

By: Dona DeZube

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

  Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Thanks for attending our Fall Festival Open House on October 28th! 

Our Open House ("Pre-Hurricane" Party) was a fantastic success.  It was wonderful to enjoy some great food, drinks, face painting, bouncy house, and more with you and our family, friends, clients, and colleagues.  We had over a 120 people!  

View our photo album.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of the Dwell360 family!

Dwell360 is proud to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art, real estate office in Newton.  We have created the next generation real estate office which has been designed with the tools and environment for productivity and innovation.  Commitment to paperless systems, flexible work spaces, and team collaboration are all at the core of this innovative work environment.  Our headquarters will better service our customers and support the continued growth as an independent real estate brokerage.

The office is open and bright, filled with natural kight, providing an energetic space in which to work.  We also have four conference rooms for meetings and private work.  Our unique layout allows a place for agents to work as a team to produce the best marketing and achieve the best overall results for our clients.

Among our most exciting features are the three flat-screen TVs that we use for meeting with clients, training agents, conducting first-time home buyer and refinancing classes, and hosting other special events.  The TVs make it even easier for us to work collaboratively with our clients while searching for real estate options and sharing marketing ideas.  Plus they reduce our need to print, an important step toward our goal of being a green real estate office.

Our agents are hard at work in the field.  When they stop in the office, they can quickly connect to our wireless network and charge up at desktop power ports. To produce our superior marketing materials, we have a large resource area with a premium printer and state-of-the-art publishing tools. 

While we are excited about our new space, we are even more proud to announce that our business has grown 100% year-to-date over 2011.  We will continue to grow with the support of the community we serve.  We look forward to working with you.

~ John Lynch & Ed Johnston, Co-Founders

See our photos in our gallery.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts who services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

You can unleash the DIY powers of the iPhone 5 when it’s released soon with these handy home improvement apps.

1. Take out the trash app

2. A magical measuring app

3. A great garden guide

4. Get to know your stuff app

5. An app that picks color perfect paint 

Real estate’s home address has a new address!

Summer is traditionally the time when home improvement projects get done, but did you know that summer renovations can be cheaper, too? 

MSNBC.com has a list of five home renovation projects that are cheaper or more efficient to do in the summer, and while some of them are obvious — landscaping and installing an in-ground pool, for example — others are somewhat surprising.

1. Driveway paving: 

Asphalt is easier to work with in high temperatures — the crew can more easily spread it around to form an even surface. No lumps mean no re-dos.

2. Kitchen remodeling: 

Instead of being forced to eat out while your kitchen is being renovated, in the summer you can grill most of your meals. But do a little advance planning: January and February, the author says, are good times to buy your materials because retailers offer sales to move unsold holiday inventories.

3. Additions: 

Adding a room means exposing your home to the elements. But in the summer, that’s less of an issue and crews can work faster.

What home improvement projects are you completing this summer?

By: Courtney Craig

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Does “natural” mean organic? Should you buy anything labeled “non-toxic”? Here are the truth and eco-facts about many of the green terms you find on product labels.

What’s really green? Soon you’ll have a little more confidence about green product marketing claims, such as “biodegradable” and “recyclable”: The Federal Trade Commission, which sets standards for the use of environmental claims in its Green Guides, is getting tougher on green terms. 

Proposed revisions to the Green Guides will make it harder for companies to make unsubstantiated green claims about their products.

So when is all this happening? An FTC official we spoke to says the revisions may be final this summer. Until then — and even after then, since the guides don’t have the force of regulation — put on your skeptic’s hat when you shop and be prepared to research labels before you buy.

1. “Organic”: a green term that really means something

Organic is the one term in our list that’s federally regulated — by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be specific. Product makers making this claim must prove their stuff is "produced without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation, or bioengineering." Period.

FTC is cracking down on these terms

2. “Recyclable.” 

After the new guidelines are adopted, a manufacturer can use this term without a caveat only if a substantial majority of communities nationwide have facilities that can actually recycle its product. Before you buy, do your homework to see what you’re able to recycle locally. Also, take a closer look when a product claims to be “recycled” (a term that’s not covered in the Green Guides). 

What you really want to look for is "post-consumer recycled” content. These products have been diverted from the landfill, so you're truly helping reduce the waste stream when you buy them.

3. “Biodegradable.” 

When you see this term, you think, "Great, I don’t need to worry about throwing this away; it’ll break down naturally." But many products labeled biodegradable need ideal composting conditions to break down — and some won’t degrade even then. 

The FTC’s new guidelines require that products or packaging labeled "degradable" break down within a year in normal disposal conditions. 

Heads-up: That means the term likely won’t apply to anything you’d throw in the trash, because items simply don’t degrade in landfills. It’s far better to reduce waste in the first place than to expect it to disappear.

4. “Compostable.” 

In the future, products with this claim shouldn’t take any longer to break down than the rest of your compost pile.

5. “Non-toxic.” 

The FTC’s new guidelines say that non-toxic claims should mean the product isn’t harmful to humans and safe for the environment. But research the product online if the label is vague. And definitely don't assume kids or pets can ingest it safely.

The fuzziest green term of all

6. "Natural"

“Natural” is unregulated by the government. It’s not interchangeable with organic or healthy, although manufacturers want you to think if it’s natural, it has to be good for you, right? Not so much. Take ammonia. It’s a naturally occurring compound, but it's also a toxic pollutant. Without context, the word natural doesn’t mean much.

A label to help you decide

When you’re just not sure about a product’s claims, look for certification by a reputable third party — like Scientific Certification Systems.

Its green-and-blue SCS label provides some reassurance that a product lives up to its claims. SCS sets tough standards for the terms biodegradable and recycled content, according to BuildingGreen, an independent company that educates building professionals on green certifications. And the label has been around a long time.

Some SCS guidelines:

• SCS only certifies liquid products as biodegradable — cleaners, detergents, and soaps that break down completely in natural conditions in 28 days.

• Recycled products include a wide array of building products — windows, doors, insulation, carpets, tiles, and more — so seek them out.

By: Karin Beuerlein

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Understand which mortgage loan is best for you so your budget is not stretched too thin.

The basics of mortgage financing

The most important features of your mortgage loan are its term and interest rate. Mortgages typically come in 15-, 20-, 30- or 40-year lengths. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payment. However, the tradeoff for a lower payment is that the longer the life of your loan, the more interest you’ll pay.

Mortgage interest rates generally come in two flavors: fixed and adjustable. A fixed rate allows you to lock in your interest rate for the entire mortgage term. That’s attractive if you’re risk-averse, on a fixed income, or when interest rates are low.

The risks and rewards of ARMs

An adjustable-rate mortgage does just what its name implies: Its interest rate adjusts at a future date listed in the loan documents. It moves up and down according to a particular financial market index, such as Treasury bills. A 3/1 ARM will have the same interest rate for three years and then adjust every year after that; likewise a 5/1 ARM remains unchanged until the five-year mark. Typically, ARMs include a cap on how much the interest rate can increase, such as 3% at each adjustment, or 5% over the life of the loan.

Why agree to such uncertainty? ARMs can be a good choice if you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years. The interest rate on some—but not all—ARMs can even drop if the benchmark to which they’re tied also dips. ARMs also often offer a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages during the first few years of the mortgage, which means big savings for you—even if there’s only a half-point difference.

But if rates go up, your ARM payment will jump dramatically, so before you choose an ARM, answer these questions:

• How much can my monthly payments increase at each adjustment?

• How soon and how often can increases occur?

• Can I afford the maximum increase permitted?

• Do I expect my income to increase or decrease?

• Am I paying down my loan balance each month, or is it staying the same or even increasing?

• Do I plan to own the home for longer than the initial low-interest-rate period, or do I plan to sell before the rate adjusts?

• Will I have to pay a penalty if I refinance into a lower-rate mortgage or sell my house?

• What’s my goal in buying this property? Am I considering a riskier mortgage to buy a more expensive house than I can realistically afford?

Consider a government-backed mortgage loan

If you’ve saved less than the ideal downpayment of 20%, or your credit score isn’t high enough for you to qualify for a fixed-rate or ARM with a conventional lender, consider a government-backed loan from the Federal Housing Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs. 

FHA offers adjustable and fixed-rate loans at reduced interest rates and with as little as 3.5% down and VA offers no-money-down loans. FHA and VA also let you use cash gifts from family members.
    
Before you decide on any mortgage, remember that slight variations in interest rates, loan amounts, and terms can significantly affect your monthly payment. To determine how much your monthly payment will be with various terms and loan amounts, try REALTOR.com’sonline mortgage calculators.

By: G. M. Filisko

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who’s opted for both fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

By lowering the acceptable levels of lead in blood, The Centers for Disease Control has renewed the assault on environmental lead, often found in paint in older homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released new, stricter guidelinesfor assessing lead poisoning in children.

The guidelines lower the amount of lead in the blood that’s considered “acceptable,” from 10 micrograms of per deciliter to less than 5 micrograms.

That’s the first revision the CDC has issued in more than 20 years regarding lead in the blood, and long overdue, according to experts. As a result, the number of at-risk children jumps from about 77,000 to more than 440,000 nationwide.

That’s a big increase, and a wake-up call for parents. Because there’s no cure for lead poisoning, you’ve got to prevent it from happening in the first place. The CDC emphasizes parental vigilance as the best preventative.

For example, you should know that almost 90% of lead contamination comes from flaking and peeling paint on houses built before 1978 — the year that lead additives were banned from household paint. Anyone with a home built before 1978 should be alerted to the possibility of lead paint.

Renovations on older homes also contribute to contamination, as does contaminated well water. Even garden hoses have been found with lead.

To determine if there’s contaminated paint on your house, have the paint tested for lead. Hire a professional to safely remove lead paint.

Other simple prevention steps you can take:

~ Keep surfaces clean. Lead paint dust from deteriorating houses can travel long distances, so being in a new neighborhood doesn’t guarantee safety. Wet-mop floors and wipe windowsills. Leave shoes at your entry door to keep from tracking dust through the house.

~ Keep kids' play areas and veggie gardens away from eave lines around houses and garages where roof runoff that contains lead dust may spill.

~ Wash kids’ hands frequently, especially before eating. Teach youngsters not to put anything in their mouths.

The CDC recommends that every child under the age of 2 be tested for lead. Exposure is particularly dangerous for children under 6 because their brains are developing. Elevated lead levels can cause learning disabilities, behavioral problems, seizures, and even death.

By: John Riha

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Have you ever lost a tree that was like a dear friend? Then prepare for heartbreak. We’re going to lose many dear friends to the emerald ash borer.

If you’ve ever lost a favorite tree, you know that the emotional blow can rank right up there with any tough loss. Maybe not every tree in the yard tugs at our hearts. Some have that just-so shape and character -- the way they shelter the swing set or add a bit of majesty to the front of the house -- that makes them more than just big plants. 

They become members of the family.

I vividly remember waking up one Saturday morning in Des Moines after a particularly stormy night had passed. My wife had suddenly cried out from the kitchen, “Oh no!”

I sprang up to find the severe storm had felled our prize linden tree in the back yard. The winds had been so strong they’d snapped the two-foot-thick trunk, and the big tree lay in a sad, shaggy, disheveled heap. 

Just like that, gone was our wonderful shade, our privacy, our greenery. Our friend. The back yard looked exposed and barren. 

With our two-year-old son in our arms, we all cried.

The property was never quite the same. A year later, we sold the place, and moved on.

Those sad memories returned when I read the emerald ash borer had crossed over New York’s Hudson River and was moving closer to New England. 

This destructive borer beetle has killed millions of ash trees in northern-tier states over the past decade, and no one quite knows how to stop it. And now many — if not all — ash trees in New England are doomed, too.

Some chemical treatments are being developed that require professional application at a cost of $40-$200 per tree. But the results are unsure -- and you’ll have to treat your trees every year. 

If your trees are at risk, you’re best bet is to seek help from your state extension service. They’ll know what your options are.  

For those of you with these beautiful, deciduous hardwood trees, I hope a cure is coming. If not, I’ll be feeling your pain.

This danger to so many ash trees has us reminiscing about our favorite trees. Do you have any tree tales to share?

By: John Riha

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Home sales rise, foreclosures fall, and the latest national flood insurance deadline looms.

In our Friday Five roundup of top housing news, we look at a return to traditional home sales: With rents on the rise across the country, many are taking advantage of low prices and short sale opportunities to trade in their lease for a mortgage. Also this week, we begin the countdown for national flood insurance reauthorization, which is set to expire at the end of May 2012.

U.S. News & World Report: Traditional 'Rules' of Home Buying Return

House hunters may find themselves in a strange, transitional real estate market that's emerging from historic lows. Buyers need to show that they're serious if they hope to secure their dream house amid stiff deal-sniffing buyer competition or sellers so frustrated they may be willing to hold out for a stronger market turnaround. Professionalism and realistic expectations can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth and timely closing transaction.

NPR: Time to Trade the Lease for a Mortgage?

As the home ownership rate has fallen during the real estate downturn, it has also become a very good time to buy a house. Very low interest rates, courtesy of the Federal Reserve, and falling prices are making it even cheaper to buy a house these days. Meanwhile, rents are rising around the country.

Reuters: Flood Insurance Debate Resumes as Deadline Nears

Federal officials are putting fresh pressure on Congress to take action on the National Flood Insurance Program, whose authorization expires at the end of this month, one day before hurricane season begins. The NFIP has been a political football in Washington for years. For now, the program remains in business with repeated short-term extensions. 

HouseLogic: Foreclosure Rates Down 6% Compared with Year Ago

The national foreclosure rate fell 6% in March compared with a year ago as banks stepped up their use of short sales and other strategies to avoid taking back homes. Delinquency rates, which predict future foreclosures, held steady.

The Fiscal Times: The Tax Change That Threatens Home Ownership

“Home ownership is under attack in this country,” say REALTORS® who plan to attend a ?“Rally to Protect the American Dream” on May 17 in Washington, D.C. REALTORS® are organizing against federal policy moves they say would further cut the number of home owners — like doing away with the mortgage interest deduction, ending federal backing for mortgage purchasers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and toughening mortgage loan requirements. Loose loan requirements — occasionally with no down payment required — are cited as one key driver of the housing bubble.

By: Meghan Smith

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

A few hours of exterior home and yard work can add thousands to your home’s value.

April 28 and 29 marks Nationwide Open House weekend — the unofficial opening day of the spring real estate season. Since curb appeal strongly influences home values, it’s a great weekend to spruce up your own yard, especially if the neighbors are trying to sell their home.

How much value can neighborhood curb appeal add? Having nice landscaping adds $1,777 in home value when you’re selling your home, according to data collected byHomeGain.com’s annual survey about how home improvements boost home value.

Curb appeal works in the other direction, too. If a for-sale house down the block is sporting some bad curb appeal, it could sell for less than it might otherwise. And that comparable sale drives down the value of your home.

We couldn’t find any data on how much the average buyer discounts his offer when the neighbors haven’t painted their house since 1979, but we do know nobody pays top dollar to buy next door to a house that looks like the “before” picture in a siding ad.

Here are 6 quick exterior projects you can do in a day or two to add to your home’s value and neighborhood appeal.

~ Landscape for curb appeal by re-sodding bare spots, trimming shrubs, and adding colorful spring flowers to your front yard.

~ Add some outdoor lighting for curb appeal to highlight your beautified yard after dark.

~ Pitch in with the neighbors to rent a power washer for a day to give your sidewalks anddeck a little care and maintenance. Be gentle and careful if you decide to use the power washer to clean your home’s exterior; you can easily blast things off your house, like the paint, or get water into siding seams.

~ Clean your siding, whether it’s brick, wood, or vinyl, by using a long-handled, soft-bristled brush, soap (trisodium phosphate), and water.

~ Create a little cool curb appeal with house numbers — that is, dress up your address.

~ Freshen up the look of winter-ravished patio furniture with new pillows, a bright umbrella, or a colorful tablecloth to give the impression to anyone at the open house that the neighbors have fun parties.

Are your neighbors’ yards boosting or detracting from home values on your block?

By: Dona DeZube

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Investing in real estate can seem overwhelming and reserved for the very rich.  In the current economic conditions and marketplace, it may even feel a bit too risky.  But if you’ve ever thought real estate investing may be right for you, this is a great time to learn about your options and how it can be done by almost anyone.

Ruth Lerner is a Senior Sale Associate with Dwell360 a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Ruth as a part of Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  Contact Ruth at Ruth@Dwell360.com or 617-807-0471

The title of this entry is over-the-top, I admit, but I am just here to stick up for the landlords out there who are trying to do some good.  The word “landlord” in itself has some negativity associated with it, and the use of “lord” in this context is distasteful in our American sensibility.  In media, landlords are portrayed as misers ready to make a buck on the poor and take advantage of families.

No one wants to hear this, but I’m saying it anyway.  Real estate is the best long-term financial investment.  Phew…that’s a relief.

Ruth Lerner is a Senior Sale Associate with Dwell360 a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Ruth as a part of Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  Contact Ruth at Ruth@Dwell360.com or 617-807-0471

In the market of exasperated and exhausted home sellers, I hear a lot of great stories about why homes are not selling.  They usually divide into two categories: the real estate agents not doing their jobs or the sellers are uncooperative.

Like everyone else, we were stunned by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in Mineral, Va., today at around 2 p.m., and felt throughout the East Coast.

Several HouseLogic bloggers live in the Washington, D.C., area, about 100 miles away from the quake’s epicenter: I’m in McLean, Va., and felt my car shaking in my driveway; Dona DeZube in Clarksville, Md., thought a gas line exploded when she felt the earth tremble; and Lara Edge, who lives in D.C., watched her neighbors run out of their homes (never leave your home!) but didn’t feel much on the street.

Rather than running into the street, the best plan is to be prepared, like by putting together an emergency kit. Also read up on whether earthquake insurance is worth it.

And follow FEMA’s advice:

During the quake

• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, and walls.

• Stay inside until the shaking stops.

• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

• If trapped under debris, don’t light a match or kick up dust. Tap on a pipe to alert rescuers.

After the quake

• Open cabinets cautiously.

• Immediately clean up spilled medicines, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids. Leave if you smell gas or chemical fumes.

• Inspect your chimneys for damage.

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell or hear leaking gas, turn off the gas at the outside main valve, or call the gas company from a neighbor's home.

• Look for electrical damage — sparks, broken or frayed wires. If you suspect damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.

• Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect damage, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.

•  

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

If you have a toddler who thinks midnight is a great time to hit the playground without you, or a dad with Alzheimer’s who gets lost a block from home, you need to know when someone heads out the door (or a window) of your home. 

Short of moving your family into a prison, your options for keeping everyone where they belong range from simple lock products to help child-proof doors and windows that cost about a buck to sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment costing thousands.

These products will help give you peace of mind:

• A hook and eye latch (about $1) installed at the top of the door out of reach of the toddler and out of sight of your wandering dad.
• Three or four barrel bolt locks ($4 each) installed so you have to slide some to the left and some to the right to get out. Put them at the top and bottom of the door where you wouldn’t normally look for a lock.
• Keyed window locks ($7) will keep toddlers and parents from opening the window, but heads up: If there’s an emergency, a window lock may block escape routes. You’ll have to decide which is the greater risk.
• A door mural ($40) helps disguise the front door to those with Alzheimer’s.
•  
• These products alert you when a door or window is opened:
• A string of Jingle Bells (about $4) attached to the door will tell you when it’s opened, but test to make sure you can hear the bells from all over the house.

• Electronic window alarms ($7) run on batteries and let you know when a window is opened by sounding an alarm or chime.
• If you want to know when someone gets out of bed, a pressure-sensitive mat alarm (about $10) mat will play music or blast a 105-decibel alarm when a person (or a pet) steps on it. You can also put it under a rug in front of the door.

• A motion detector alarm ($20) mounted over the front door or a window tells you when someone passes by, while mounting one under the bed will tell you when someone gets up at night.

• Experienced 80
• Top Producer 90
• Referral 70

From House Logic.

The Fourth of July -- Independence Day -- is a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States of America, and what we can do to make our nation better, stronger, and more prosperous. As President Kennedy famously said many years ago, “Ask what you can do for your country.”

We’d all like to do our part. But our individual efforts sure seem small compared with the goings-on of world politics and global economies.

How can we — average American home owners — really achieve big goals, such as influencing national energy policy and building a strong economy? After all, we’ve got our own daily stuff to deal with: work, home repairs, getting the kids to softball practice, and the dog to the vet.

One good way is to reduce energy consumption in our own homes. This simple act can have a major impact. Not just in terms of helping hold the line on the family budget, but in slowing the ever-spiraling costs of energy. Lessening demand — even incrementally — eases the price of energy, which can free up capital that creates jobs and helps get our economy kicking.

Here are examples of small contributions you can make that add up:

• Ask cable or satellite providers for an energy-efficient set-top box, (the device that receives and dispatches TV signals to your DVR). Set-top boxes, which run 24 hours a day, have become a leading energy drain in the home. Newer Energy Star-rated models are at least 30% more efficient. If all set-top boxes sold in the U.S. were Energy Star-rated, energy savings would total $2 billion each year, and greenhouse gases would be reduced by an amount equivalent to 3 million cars and trucks.

• Replacing an old, kaput dishwasher with an Energy Star-qualified model cuts the annual energy cost of the machine by 50% — to $60 from $120. If every clothes washerpurchased in the U.S. this year were an efficient Energy Star model, the national energy savings would total $350 million, not to mention conserving 32 billion gallons of water.

• Buying a high-efficiency gas or electric water heater, when yours reaches the end of its useful life, saves 3% to 4% on the average home’s hot water bill. Energy standards enacted by the U.S. Dept. of Energy in 2010 were designed to cut energy usage of new water heaters by 3% to 4%. Over a 30-year period, U.S. consumers should save $8.7 billion and reduce CO2 emissions by 170 million tons — that’s equal to the yearly emissions of 30 million cars.

• Replacing a 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a 13-watt compact fluorescent equivalent saves $30 over the life of the bulb. Alternative: LED bulbs, although costly ($30 for 7-watts), last 3 to 4 times longer than CFLs, burn cooler, and — unlike CFLs — contain no mercury. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with an Energy Star-qualified CFL, the savings would be enough to light more than 3 million homes. The savings would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil-fuel energy production equivalent to 800,000 autos.

More easy ways to be patriotic (and save):

• Create a breeze with a ceiling fan instead of using the AC. For every degree you raise the air conditioning thermostat above 78 degrees, you can save 3% to 8% on cooling costs.

• Install a programmable thermostat and save as much as $180 per year.

• Plump up attic insulation from R-11 to R-49 and save up to $600 per year.

• Turn down the thermostat on your refrigerator and save $22 per year.

• Outsmart sneaky energy vampires by turning off (or putting “to sleep”) computers, printers, and other electronics when not in use: Shave another $100 from your annual energy bill.

Let’s put the independence in Independence Day.

In what ways do you save energy in your household?

By: John Riha  

Published: July 1, 2011

Father’s Day is Sunday. And you’re wondering how to thank the guy who taught you to wield a putty knife, and to shut the door and quit heating/cooling the outside — for crying out loud!

You could buy him something. But how many World’s Greatest Dad mugs and barbecue mitts does a guy need?

Instead, spend a little time. Do some chore that Dad would otherwise do. Finish a project he hasn’t had time to complete. 

You’ll save money — now that will make Dad happy — and show your father how much you care. Here are some ideas:

• Hose off and hang up the hammock that’s still sitting in the basement. Scrub stubborn stains with a vinegar spritz.

• Dig up that weed tree that’s popped up between the hydrangeas.

• Clean gutters clogged with tree blossoms and other spring debris.

• Power wash and reseal the deck.

• Shine up the gas grill. A little baking soda will help get rid of burned-on chunkies.

• Clean out the garage — at least sweep it.

• Change the toilet flapper.

• Lay sod on lawn bare spots.

• Spackle, sand, and paint dents and holes in the walls.

• Hang up that picture of the grandchildren.

What’s the best Father’s Day gift you ever gave to your Dad? Received from your child?

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: June 17, 2011

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Our client wrote us a wonderful testimonial about our real estate services.  It can be read on here and on our Zillow profile.  We appreciate the kind words.

John provided excellent professional service over a 9 month period while we relocated from the west coast to Newton. He kept us in the listing loop but did not push the process. When we did finally settle on "the House", after viewing 120 houses, John and his partner Ed were able to work through any issues and kept the process for closing on track! We would highly recommend John and Ed!

~ Bought a Single Family home in 2010 for approximately $1550k in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

At Dwell360 we have a wealth of real estate information at our finger tips.  Market reports are typically one of the most requested by our clients.  Click the link to view our real estate market report for Cambridge Massachusetts.  The report reviews the residential real estate markets for the past 8 years.

Real estate and the overall residential markets are the topic of conversation.  Here at Dwell360 we live and breathe real estate every day.  That is why we keep a close pulse on the market statistics for the towns in and around the Meto Boston area.  This report for the City of Cambridge is requested often.  We have a number of other reports on file.  As a result, feel free to send us a request for a particular town.

Search Cambridge Massachusetts Real Estate For Sale.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate brokerage that has a different approach to how practice real estate.  The Dwell360 residential real estate office is in Newton Massachusetts.  We represent our clients who buy and seller real estate.  Please contact us with any questions.

Real estate and the overall residential markets are the topic of conversation on a regular basis.  Here at Dwell360 we live and breathe real estate.   That is why we keep a close pulse on the market statistics for the towns in and around the Meto Boston area.  We have a number of reports on file.  So feel free to send us a result for a particular town.

Below click the report on the Worcester real estate market for the past 8 years.  The information provides the statistics for the residential real estate market in Worcester, Massachusetts.  The report includes both single family homes and condos.

Looking for property in Worcester? Start your real estate search here.

In 1860, J.W. Black took this photo from Samuel A. King's balloon while tethered over the Boston Common.  It is the earliest aerial photograph taken in the United States.  An interesting piece of history.  The photo is from the Boston Public Library's flickr page.  

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

Interested in knowing the most expensive homes listed in Massachusetts.  There are 24 properties currently on the market listed above $10,000,000.  These properties are spectacular and worth a bit of a look.

The most expensive is a 9+ acre compound in Cohasset listed for $55.0m.  A home in the Back Bay of Boston on Dartmouth Street is listed for $23.0m.  There are also estates in Brookline and Weston that made the list, a few Cape Cod “summer homes”, and others. 

Click here to see the full list.

Real Estate is always fun to look at.

“Moody’s Investor Services said the Town of Wayland remains on solid financial footing.”  It is comforting to read this in the article Wayland's $100m development on track, eyed as revenue boost from Boston Business Journal today.  Even though the current real estate market has required adjustments to the original plans for the Wayland Commons town center it still is moving forward.

The strong bond rating from Moody’s also helps confirm that Wayland Massachusetts is a town worth the real estate investment.  It is important to see stability in towns and communities when considering purchasing a home.  Another factor that does impact the value of real estate in a given town is the school system.  Wayland’s is strong. 

In fact, the average value of a single family residence has increased by 7.6% in Wayland.  That is an increase in value from $585,245 in 2009 to $629,815 in 2010 for the average sale price of the home sold.  (source MLSPIN).  We also noted an increase of the number of homes sold from 128 to 133. 

The facts are certainly encouraging and we remain confident in Wayland Massachusetts real estate market.  We will continue to keep our eyes on the market and track the activity. 

~ See you soon.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm that currently is marketing a luxury townhome in the town of Wayland Massachusetts.  The property located within the Willow Brook community is set among the trees for a tranquil and peaceful setting.  104 Willow Brook Drive, Wayland, MA 01178 mls#71132504  

“The guys of Dwell360 provide a level of service a cut above other agencies. They take a personal interest in finding you the perfect home to fit your needs. They have a n acute knowledge of the varying neighborhoods and properties in the Boston area, and a younger progressive attitude. I've sold one house and bought two houses with them, and continue to recommend them to everyone.”

We hope everyone is enjoying the snow today!  We are enjoying working from home today.  Keep safe and warm. 

Spend a little time searching for your dream home on our website.  You can view all the properties for sale in Massachusetts on the MLS.  Sometimes it is jsut fun!  Enjoy your snow day. 

~ Your friends at Dwell360 real esate

According to CNN Florida seems to be the only state that has not gotten snow today.  "After big snow and ice events in the Southeast, Plains, and Midwest this week, 49 out of the 50 states currently have snow on the ground –  yes, even Hawaii, where snow falls in Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea all winter."

It does make us just a little jealous of our friends in Florida.  But, one of the best things about living in the Northeast is the change of seasons.  It might be a lot of work but it is an amazing sight outside.  

Read the original article from CNN:  Snow present in 49 of the 50 U.S. states

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Boston and Newton Massachusetts.  Dwell360 services the cities and suburbs of metro Boston.  We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive.  Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy new year.  We hope your 2011 is a wonderful year.  

When you are considering selling and buying your home there are a few things to consider.  HGTV's FrontDoor.com creates a good list to consider in their article "Buying and Selling Your House: 11 Resolutions for 2011" By Geoff Williams, published: 12/21/2010. 

The list of list of 11 items (noted below) are all items you should think about if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the next 6-12 months.

1. I will begin thinking about fixing up my house--now.
2. I will clean out my house now.
3. I will plan now to price my house as though we're living in 2011 and not 2007.
4. Before I look to buy, I will seek pre-approval for my mortgage.
5. Before I look to buy, I will clean up my credit score.
6. I will number crunch and buy a house I can afford.
7. I will think long term.
8. I will interview more than one real estate agent.
9. I will make this a business transaction and not an emotional decision.
10. I will get a pre-inspection for my own house, before I sell it.
11. I will think about moving and other logistics now.

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends, family, past and present clients, colleagues & your families. We wish you a perfect day full of happiness. We are certainly thankful to have you as part of our family.

Property valuation websites have a lot of information to offer.  They provide details on properties, sale history, tax information, and estimate the value of the home.  As a result, they become a topic of conversation with our clients on a regular basis.  The only issue is we often find ourselves explaining to clients why the site is not always accurate.

Today, at a Boston real estate conference, Agent Reboot, Zillow representatives talked about their service and how they are among the only who post about their valuations accuracy.  Zillow’s “Zestimate” that provides value estimates of single family homes, condominiums, and multi-families are often wrong.  In fact Zillow has actually published their Zestimates accuracy for the Boston metro real estate market.  Their median error is 8.9%.  

This means if a Zestimate labeled your home with a $500,000 price tag it could really sell for $44,500 more or less than that price.  In fact only 30% of the Zestimates are within 5% of the sale price.  They actually review that 80% of the Zestimate are within 20% of the sale price.  This is a big range.  This is similar to say your home is worth $500,000 and will sell between $400,000 to $600,000.  An article published by TechSavvyAgent also clearly outlines Zillow’s accurancy.

We do like Zillow.  It is a way to collect information and we like information.  But, if you are looking to it for your only price resource in Boston, Newton, Cambridge, Brookline, and other Massachusetts towns it is not the complete picture.

Life at the Dwell360 real estate brokerage remains exciting!   

We are working hard to build a premier real estate brokerage based in Newton Massachusetts that will service the Greater Boston cities and towns. The founders, Ed and John have a track record of success that has been the foundation of Dwell360.

Our name, Dwell360 (Dwell Three Sixty) is one that was developed to be fresh, simple, and modern.  We did not want our firm’s name to look like a law firm’s collage of last names.  Our personality is more then someone’s name.  Dwell360 is a statement of progress and a brand that will grow by implementing tools, methods, and technologies that will provide results for our clients.

We hope we can help you buy or sell your home.

All we have been hearing lately from our past and present clients, our friends, and everyone else is how great of an interest rate they can get.  Our mortgage contacts and real estate attorneys have been super busy with the recent refinance boom.   We have heard people getting rates from 4 – 4.50%. 

The rates are really low.  It was not too long ago people received interest rates well above 6% and higher.  I know of one client who purchased a home with a 6.25% interest rate and now a couple of years later has refined to 4.25%.  On a $400,000 loan that is a monthly savings of $495.11 that is $5,941.32 per year.

With interest rates as low as they are currently we are surprised there are not more people searching for homes.  The markets in sections of Boston, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, and other areas have some really positive statistics.  That being said we would think even more buyers would be out shopping for home.

The buyers we she shopping now have an amazing advantage!  The real estate market in the Boston Massachusetts area offers a lot of opportunity.  You have less competition among buyers, more flexibility in price, and low interest rates.

Be sure to contact a reputable mortgage banker for information on current rates and to learn more about what mortgage programs are available.

People in Massachusetts really love their home towns.  They have energy and excitement when they speak about their community and there are some great places to live in the Commonwealth.  Four cities in Massachusetts made it to this year’s list of “America’s 100 Best Small Cities to Live” found in August 2010 issue of Money magazine.  The City of Newton took the third place on the list, Waltham 28th, Brookline was at 39, and Weymouth was listed at 52. 

Money magazine “this year focused on the nation’s small cities (those with populations of 50,000 to 300,000).  Reporters crunched reams of data to find the optimal combo of job opportunities, fiscal strength, top-notch schools, low crime, good health care, lots to do, and many other factors that help a town great for raising a family.”  They also took a look at the overall strength of the economy and housing market in various American metro areas. 

It becomes clear the real estate and economic climate in Massachusetts is a bit more promising then some other areas in the country.  Money’s research pointed out that the metro area of Peabody and Boston have a “strong” economy and housing market with metro Cambridge getting the  best rating of being the “strongest.”  We think this is pretty consistent with what we have seen in the past year within the housing market itself.

The City of Newton Massachusetts with a population 82,000, 13 villages, and a rich New England heritage ranked third on the list of top 100 cities in Money magazine.  The magazine highlighted the cities great schools, low crime, and strong economy as reasons for the favorable standing.  It also noted pricey homes and traffic as negatives just west of Boston.  We are also happy to see that it got noticed for having an “A” grade for “Arts/leisure” and for the “health” category.  Schools are important in Newton, well ranked, and just this week the new, 413,000 square foot, $197 million dollar, Newton North High School opened its doors and features a college like amenities that is simply state-of-the-art. 

With a population of 60,000 the City of Waltham Massachusetts was ranked 28th on the Money list.  It scored an “A” grade for the Arts/leisure along with health.  Housing affordability, though lower then Newton, is still high compared to other cities on the top 100 list.  This city has seen recent renovations to their schools.  Moody street is filled with restaurants and nightlife, home to Brandeis and Bentley University, and economically strong do to the large of corporations that call Waltham home. 

Brookline Massachusetts with a 58,000 population is listed 39th on the list top America’s 100 Best Small Cities list.  It might not get the best markets for housing affordability but this town gets the grade for everything else.  Exclusive condos typically exceed a price tag of $500,000 and single family homes often considered estates reach well past the multiple million dollar value.  Brookline’s exciting location next to Boston, active neighborhoods, public transportation, high-owner occupancy, and great schools make this town both stable and exclusive. 

The fourth Massachusetts city on Money’s list is Weymouth Massachusetts and ranked at 52. Located on the south shore this area has more affordable homes and features 12 miles of ocean front.  It is has reasonable commute to Boston.  The location also provides its residences to beach, access to Cape Cod, and other exciting cultural and leisure actives in the area. 

There are many fine cities and towns in Massachusetts.  These are four that have been listed by Money magazine this year.  We think they are great communities that deserve to be highlighted.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate brokerage in Massachusetts founded by Edward Johnston and John Lynch.  Our experienced agents have a proven track record of success in the metropolitan Boston real estate market.  Our offices in Newton and Boston help us service our clients in and around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Weston, and other premier towns. Feel free to contact us.

We have just listed a wonderful Brighton condo in the heart of Cleveland Circle.  Year to date, 1/1/2010 - 7/1/2010 we have seen 157 condos sell in Brighton with an average sale price of $295,724.  It has been an active time and is becoming a great time to get into the market.

Brighton continues to be an area on the cutting edge of city life.  Surrounded by various colleges and universities, its accessibility in and around Boston, and is hip residents keep this area very exciting.  It would not take much time to find something great to do in Brighton or in the area of Cleveland Circle never mind the access you get to the surrounding community by way of the B, C, and D trains of the Green line.

93 Strathmore is in the heart of this wonderful area.  Tucked into a Brighton neighborhood is this wonderful building.  A sun lit, top floor, corner unit, that easily can be called home.  This one bedroom is spacious home, has hardwood floors, high ceilings, large bedroom, and plenty of closets.  An inviting foyer leads to an oversized living room.  Relax in your eat-in kitchen with treetop views.  Come visit this property today for its fantastic location.

This condo is a great opportunity. $225,000

Brookline Massachusetts is an exciting town and great Boston neighbor.  The average sales price year-to-date (1/1/2010 – 7/1/2010) for a condo in Brookline is $526,176 with 291 condos sold.  Our newest listing 7 Verndale is a great opportunity to become a past of a great community rich in history with a strong real estate market.

The Town of Brookline is an amazing place made up of fantastic restaurants, shopping, cultural centers, parks, playgrounds, and serene neighborhoods.  This town it is easier to find higher owner occupancy rates and condos within buildings that truly show price of ownership.  Coolidge Corner is one of the hubs of great activity in Brookline and 7 Verndale is a location that affords the opportunity for you to take advantage of what life in Brookline offers.

This home is a spacious and updated three bedroom condo in a turn-of-the-century brownstone with access to Harvard Street, the T, Coolidge Corner, and more.  Set on a residential tree-lined street you also have access to parks and playgrounds.  It is a home all about the conveniences of the city with the serenity of a residential setting. 

The inviting foyer is what greats you upon entering this home.  Features like the fireplace, open living and dining rooms, updated kitchen with pantry, built-ins, extra storage, parking, new windows, washer and dryer, and more are just some of the highlights of this home.

This access that the resident will have to Brookline life is excellent.  A place that will afford a buyer the excitement of the city with the tranquility of a tree-lined street.  Parks are just around the corner, restaurants on Commonwealth Avenue and Harvard Street are excellent.  Plan a visit today.  Listed at $519,000

We are excited to present 61Quint.com for sale.  It was about five years ago when we represented our client in the purchase of this great property.  It has been a great home and as great things happen it is time to move on.  We could not have been happier to get the call again to help sell the condo.

This Allston condo is in the heart of the activity that surrounds Allston, Brighton, and Brookline.  This area is often perceived to be a center point of accessing some of the best Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, along with businesses in Cambridge, Watertown, Boston, Newton, and other nearby locations.

This condos location puts its occupants in a hip community with access to nightlife, restaurants, pubs, clubs, shopping, and a vibrant neighborhood.  Allston, a neighborhood of Boston, has excellent access to the trolleys, buses, and trains of the MBTA T.  This community is an exciting place.

61 Quint Avenue is a condo perched on the top floor of a well respected Allston building.  The living room, 21 x 21, is window lined, sun-filled, circular, and has a tree-topped view.  This unique living room is part of a building with architectural interest that has truly been maintained by the owners with pride. 

The condo also features an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  The interior of the condo had been freshly painted, has gleaming hardwood floors and new windows.  Each of the two bedrooms is spacious and has very good closets.

Don’t forget the new common roof deck & assigned parking.  You can slip up to a space that overlooks the tree-tops and surrounding community.  It is an unique site for an Allston condo.  Laundry & storage are located in the basement.  Move right in.

We are so excited to help our clients again.  Listed at $319,000.

Just a few days ago Ed and I left William Raveis Real Estate to begin opening our new firm Dwell360 (Dwell Three Sixty.)  It has been an exciting few days.  At this has been taking place I picked up and flew to California to attend the Inman Connect an innovative real estate conference.  Ed has been powering all the progress back at headquarters.

It has been a successful few days.  Some clients have called looking to list their homes and buyers are heating up their searches.  I have been hearing from real estate leaders and influencers about their companies, their products, and real estate industries growth.

Craig Newmark of Craigslist has some great things to say about the social phenomenon around Craig’s List and real estate.  Social media has been one of the top topics at the conference and Reddit.com founder Alexis Ohanian nicely outlined how social media really can propel a topic into the minds of the public.  These and the many other speakers have been extremely interesting.

Property search is going to change over the next few years.  The search functionality will be more intuitive and free flowing.  Also, the need for mobile solutions is something at the top of everyone’s list here at Inman.  I have identified a few great ways the Dwell360 will be able to leverage technologies to be at the front of the real estate marketing online and with mobile. 

Technology in real estate is always changing and I am excited to see that we will be a part of the evolution.  For your clients this will ultimately mean we will provide better results!

See you soon!

We are very excited to announce that we will be launching our own independent real estate brokerage here in Massachusetts.  Ed Johnston and John Lynch will be building DWELL360 a boutique brokerage that is focused on providing clients with the best possible service from well qualified real estate agents.  The towns of service will include Boston, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Cambridge, and other communities that we have worked in throughout the Metro Boston area.

We look forward to this new and exciting chapter!

Ed & John

Today, I came across an article from CNNMoney.com titled “6 biggest mistakes home buyers make.”  After taking a look at the list I thought the six items are noteworthy.  I am not sure if they are the biggest mistakes that a buyer can make.  But, the list is one worth review.  Here is why I think the six items they mention are important to a buyer.

1.      Know Your Credit Score – Your credit score one of the major factors in what a bank will review and consider when approving you for a mortgage.  Not only do you need to know your score you need to know what that score represents.

2.      Don’t buy a car before a house – Or any other major purchase.  When you make large purchases your credit can be affected and your cash reserves will also be affected.  If you took a loan for that new car now you might feel more pressure to qualify for a mortgage.  If you paid cash for that same car, keeping that cash on hand in the bank, could have better results for you qualifying for a better rate on your mortgage.

3.      Skimping on a home inspection – We spend a lot of time with our clients making sure they do not skimp on their home inspection.  This is a critical time to learn about your home and perform any needed due diligence.  You need to take the time to be a part of this important process.

4.      No Attorney – We encourage everyone to have an attorney when they are buying a property.  Often there are many unforeseen issue that arise with the title, the sale, and the parties involved.  A good agent will help control that but certain issues an attorney needs to handle.  Often with a great team in place you will not even notice the issues.

5.      No Contingencies – You should have a home inspection contingency or mortgage contingency when you are purchasing a home.  If you know you need a mortgage then you should never waive that element of the offer.  Contingencies are part of your offer to protect your interest.

6.      Budgeting for Insurance – It is important to budget for the other items associated with home purchase.  Home owners insurance is one, don’t forget about property taxes, utility bills, and landscaping.  If you are upsizing or first time home buyer these items might be more expensive then you are used too.

A great buyer’s agent will help you thought the process and make sure you do not make any big mistakes.  These six from CNNMoney’s are notable along with others.  So, take your time making that purchase and all will go smoothly.  

It has been wet, very wet, here is Massachusetts.  To the point that FEMA announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  This is a significant resource for the state to help correct the damage of these major rain storms.

“The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Bristol, Essex,

Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. Assistance can include grants for

temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other

programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”

More information from FEMA

Along with the federal aid programs available

This also could impact a buyer’s mortgage on a home in the above counties mentioned.  It may require re-inspection by the appraiser or some other addition paperwork.  So if your currently involved in a real estate transaction be sure to address this issue with your lender or real estate agents.  

Today, Ed and John are launching their team website, www.JohnstonLynch.com.  The new website is a new platform that will help us get information to our clients faster and be more effective in our marketing efforts. 

The new website has an integrated blog and property search capabilities.  The site also integrated our listing websites so they are continuously featured to visitors of the site.  We have streamlined our marketing that has always been successful, and created an even easier way to communicate, consult, and market real estate. 

Be sure to stop by on a regular bases to see more information about real estate in the Metro Boston neighborhoods.

See you soon, Ed & John 

Johnston | Lynch Group at William Raveis Real Estate

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