Upcoming events in Boston, MA

As Boston, MA home owners already know, there are constantly fantastic events going on in Boston, MA. I like to stay on top of some of the family-friendly events that my Boston area clients might be most interested in. Here is a small collection of Boston, MA events coming up over the next few weeks. Enjoy!

The Brookline Wagathon

This event is for the Boston area home owners who also own dogs. The Brookline Wagathon will take place on Saturday, September 30th from 11 am to 3 pm at Washington Square in Brookline. The cost is $10 per dog. There will be an opportunity for dogs (and their owners) to socialize. There will also be vets on hands to do routine check-ups, and groomers giving "pet-icures." Expect dog treats for sale and available for free. This will be a great time for adults, children, and pups! For more information, click here.

Harvest Concert Festival

The Harvest Concert Festival takes place on Saturday, October 13th at 8 pm. It will be located at 85 Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain. This concert festival is a celebration of three different types of music--folk, jazz, and singer-song writer. The musicians performing are Bob Bradshaw, Christs Gniadek, and Neil Helme. Tickets are $10 apiece and more information is available here.

Puppet Showplace Theatre presents The Frog Prince by Pumpernickel Puppets

The Puppet Showplace Theatre is a non-profit organization committed to educational puppet shows. It has been around since the 1970s and is the only year-round puppet organization in New England. The Frog Prince will be performed on Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th from 1 - 2 pm and 3 - 4 pm each day. The location is 32 Station Street in Brookline. Tickets are $12 each. For more information, click here.

Thank you for visiting my blog! If you attend any of these Boston area events, feel free to tell me about it in the comments. As always, do not hesitate to contact me if you need any real estate-related help.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Staging your Boston, MA home for Fall

Staging is an important part of selling your Boston, MA home. Although it might not seem like a big deal, giving your house a bit of a makeover before putting it on the market can make you more money by helping the house sell more quickly and for a higher amount. Staging your Boston, MA home should be somewhat tailored to the season. Here are tips on staging your Boston, MA home for fall:

Get rid of the leaves!
You never know when a potential buyer might drive by to take a look at the place. Make sure the yard is always free of leaves--even when you aren't planning an open house. Check the gutters, too, and empty them if leaves have built up. Even small things like backed up gutters can give the wrong impression that the house has not been properly maintained.

Bring in a lot of light.
We have less sunlight during the fall months and that's too bad because natural light helps when you're selling your home. Do your best to let in and accentuate as much natural light as possible. Paint walls light colors to reflect light. Swap out dark curtains or blinds for light, airy fabric window coverings. Hold showings earlier, before the sun goes down.

Decorate in a seasonal way.
Put a pumpkin on the front porch and colorful gourds in the middle of the kitchen table to decorate for Autumn. Light a pumpkin- or cinnamon-scented candle. These touches will be comforting. Don't, however, make the mistake of decorating for Halloween when your house is on the market. This could look cheap and gaudy, or even worse, offend certain people.

These tips should help you as you're staging your Boston, MA home before you put it on the market. If you have any questions about real estate or want to enlist a professional to help you sell your home, do not hesitate to contact me.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Dog-friendly Boston, MA

Not only do Boston, MA home owners have a seemingly infinite number of social and entertainment opportunities available to them, their canines have many as well! It's true, Boston, MA is cool place to be if you have a dog. Check out these dog-friendly opportunities in Boston, MA:

Let Spike run free at a dog park

Dogs are allowed on-leash in most local parks, but an off-leash dog park is where it's at. This allows dogs to run free and get their energy out. It is also a good opportunity for them to play fetch, roll around with other dogs, and become better socialized. Peters Park Dog Run in South End is a popular dog run. Nunziato Field Dog Park is the first off-leash dog park in Somerville. Cambridge is home to the Danehy Dog Park, Fresh Pond Reservation Dog Park, Pacific Street Dog Park, and the Fort Washington Dog Park. Brookline is also home to several parks with off-leash dog areas.

Go to Happy Hour and bring Fido along

If you're wanting to enjoy Happy Hour or stop and grab something to drink, don't worry about needing to leave Fido at home. Boston has many dog-friendly bars and beverage stores. V. Cirace in the North End welcomes pooches as their owners shop for wine and gift baskets. The Globe Bar & Cafe has a large, dog-friendly patio area. Best Cellars is another wine shop and liquor store that allows dogs. For more dog-friendly restaurants and shops, view this interactive map on Boston.com.

Join a dog group

Somdog is the Somerville Dog Owners Group. They meet on a monthly basis and take part in regular events. On September 16th is the Somerville Dog Festival where there will be raffles, a demonstration with a police K9 dog, a dog and dog owner look-alike contest, and more. The Walk the Dog Worcester group doubles as a research study on dog walking as a way for people to become more active. View this Meetup.com page for more information on Boston Area dog groups.

If you have any other dog-friendly suggestions for other Boston, MA home owners, please leave them in the comments! And, as always, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about buying or selling real estate locally.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Tips for closing on your Greater Boston Area home

Once you've found that ideal Greater Boston Area home, your work still isn't over! Closing can be a difficult and frustrating experience if not approached correctly. Congratulations on finding the home you want! Now follow these tips for a smooth closing experience on your Greater Boston Area home:

Enlist a pro

A professional has years of negotiating experience. Experience is very helpful here. Having a qualified professional with a good track record on your side is well worth it.

Don't low ball

If your initial offer is too low, the sellers might be offended. Worst case scenario? They refuse to negotiate with you further. Even if negotiations continue, the seller might remain suspicious or guarded, which is not how you want things to go. Of course you want your initial offer to be for an amount lower than you hope to pay, but be sure to consult a professional and get a feel for the current market so you don't go too low.

Get to know the seller

Ask questions and do research. Why are they selling the house? Have they already moved out? How long as the house been on the market? Have any other offers been made? Why didn't they go through? These questions will help you get a feel for how eager the sellers are to close. They will be ore likely to negotiate lower if they are motivated to sell quickly.

Let the seller get to know you

Write a letter to the sellers and include basic information about everyone moving into the house. Let them know a bit about your history, if you've owned before, and why you think this place would be a perfect fit. Sellers often allow their emotions into the sale. They want to know the place they've taken care of and loved for years and years will be in good hands. Making a good impression matters and can improve your chances of getting a lower price.

Get it in writing

All of your negotiating might have gone to waste if you do not get everything in writing. Are they going to leave the washer, dryer, refrigerator, and oven behind for you? Put it down on paper. Are they going to make some minor repairs? Get it written down. If it is not in your paperwork, they don't have to do it. There are many things that factor into negotiations. If the price is lowered (or not lowered) because of something they say they will do, be sure to make it official.

Hopefully these tips help as you close on your Greater Boston Area home. If you have any questions about buying or selling real estate, or would like to hire me as your professional, do not hesitate to contact me!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Back-to-School in Boston, MA

Although Boston Public Schools do not start for another month, many people in Boston, MA are preparing to go back to school now. For those with children in public schools, the Boston Public Schools website is good to check out for updates and registration information. Here are two back-to-school events Boston, MA residents might be interested in:

Tax-free Weekend

Next weekend, on August 11th and 12th only, state tax will not be charged on purchases in order to help with back-to-school shopping. The rules are that this only applies to purchases totaling less than $2,500 and only items purchased for personal use (versus business use) apply. There are exceptions--alcohol, tobacco, motor vehicles, meals, boats, and gas will all still be taxed. Everything else is fair game, however, so you may buy much more than school supplies without paying tax. Have a child going off to college? You could buy bedding, a television, new clothes, and more without paying taxes those two days.

Back-to-School Celebration

On Tuesday, August 21st there will be a large Back-to-School celebration at the TD Garden. This event is co-sponsored by the Salvation Army, the Garden Neighborhood Charities, and the City of Boston. Up to 3,500 students may receive a backpack and school supplies. People are encouraged to register ahead of time. Additionally, there will be many activities on hand for kids to play including basketball on the floor of the Garden and slap shot. Educational booths will cover a wide range of topics such as anti-bullying, nutrition, exercise, emergencies, dental health, and drug prevention.

If you have any questions about the local area, or want professional help with buying or selling real estate, do not hesitate to ask. I wish a very good Boston, MA school year to you and your family!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Are you ready to buy a home in Boston, MA?

Maybe you've been renting for years now and you feel it's time to own a house in Boston, MA. How do you know for sure? Purchasing a home (in Boston, MA or anywhere) is major both financially and in terms of your personal future. Here are questions to ask yourself in order to determine whether or not you are ready to buy a home.

Do you have a lot of debt?
Having a lot of debt or bad credit (or both) isn't always a reason not to buy a home. There are many things you can do to fix up your credit and still get a decent loan. That said, if paying down debt takes up a good chunk of your monthly income, you might not be ready to purchase a home yet. Your high debt-to-credit ratio could preclude your getting good interest rates. Your high monthly bills make might things too tight with a mortgage piled on top. Make sure you sit down and really work out a budget before moving forward with home shopping if you have a lot of debt.

Do you have savings? Job security?
Most people looking to buy a home have some savings set aside for the down payment. But what about beyond that? If there is an emergency a few months into living in your new place, will you be able to manage? Is your job secure? You only want to buy a home if you can continue to pay the mortgage (and property taxes and repairs) into the foreseeable future. You should have enough saved that if you have an emergency or are without income for a month or two you can still pay your mortgage during that time. Just barely being able to buy a house is risky, and you could end up in foreclosure if something goes wrong.

Are you ready to stay in the same place for the foreseeable future?
Buying a house is a long-term commitment. Are you certain that you want to stay in this area for the next five or so years? Ask yourself that same question with different scenarios. If you lost your job, would you still want to live here? If your girlfriend broke it off, would you want to move away? If you don't see yourself staying in this area for quite a while, you might want to reconsider buying. A house is semi-permanent. You cannot always move out quickly, and you don't want to end up selling it too early and losing money instead of profiting.

Does owning make sense for your lifestyle?
Sometimes people want to buy a home because they feel they should own by a certain age, or all of their friends are buying homes. Those aren't good reasons! If owning a home doesn't mesh with your lifestyle, then don't do it. If you travel a lot, or really like having a landlord responsible for all of the maintenance and repairs, buying a home just might not be right for you at this time.

If you have any other questions about buying a home in Boston, MA, please contact me! I am here to help and would be more than happy to provide information or professional assistance with buying or selling your home.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Upcoming family-friendly events in Boston, MA

Boston, MA is a really fun place to live--especially for families! If you have kids and are looking for appropriate events and activities to take part in as a family this summer, this article is for you. Here are fun things that both adults and children in Boston, MA will enjoy:

MFA Playdates
The Museum of Fine Arts has a recurring event called "MFA Playdates" on the first and third Mondays of the month. The event is geared toward children four and under and their parents. Each month there is a specific theme--August's theme is "Away We Go: Movement in Art." The next event takes place on August 6th. MFA admission must be paid, but there is no additional cost beyond that. The MFA has a variety of snacks and food available for purchase. People attending the Playdates are encouraged to stick around and enjoy the Museum. For more information, click here.

Free Friday Flicks
Free Friday Flicks takes place in the Esplanade and has become a summer tradition in Boston. Sponsored by WBZ 1030 and the Department of Conservation, the free event is open to the public and geared toward families with children. Bring a blanket and chairs and relax while watching a kid-friendly movie at sun down. Upcoming flicks include Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Zookeeper, and Puss in Boots. For more information, click here.

Free Fun Fridays
From June 29th to August 31st, there are free events every Friday in Boston. Free Fun Fridays is put on by the Highland Street Foundation. On Friday, July 27th, free admission is available to the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, the Children's Museum in Easton, the Springfield Museums, the N.E. Genealogical Society, and the New Repertory Theatre. Each week there are different attractions offering free fun. For more information, click here.

I hope your family is having a fantastic summer in Boston, MA. If you have any questions about the area or need help with buying or selling real estate, do not hesitate to contact me!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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How to keep your emotions out of your Boston, MA home sale

Selling a home is a big deal and can be an emotional process. You probably have a lot of memories attached to the Boston, MA house you want to put up for sale. Maybe you raised children there, or bought the house right after getting married. Now is the time to separate those memories from the physical location. This will help you view the sale as purely a business transaction. The more practical and less emotional you are about the sale, the more smoothly the process will run. Here are tips on keeping your emotions out of your Boston, MA home sale:

Quit calling it your "home"
Sure, you're technically still sleeping there, but this house isn't your home any more. The word "home" has many connotations that "house" does not. It conjures up feelings of comfort and family. "House" is much more neutral and is appropriate for a business transaction. Begin referring to where you are moving as your "home" and your current place as your "house." This will help you adjust to the change and accept the mentality that dealings with your current place are pure business.

Remove items that personalize the space
Framed family photos? Pack them up. The afghan Grandma made by hand that's been sitting over the back of that chair for years? Put it in storage. Your favorite books, CDs, and DVDs? Put them away. Anything that you don't use regularly, such as decorations and media, should be packed away until the move. Not only will this help you sever attachments to this house, it will help will selling, too. Potential buyers want to be able to imagine living in your house. They can do that much more easily if all of your things aren't in it!

Do not attend your open houses
Hire a professional real estate agent and let that person handle the open houses. An open house can be awkward for you and uncomfortable for potential buyers if they realize you're the owner. People openly comment on the house while walking through it. Hearing that they hate the carpeting you just put in last year and would want to tear it up might bother you. Why put yourself through that?

Do not negotiate directly
Price negotiation is another task that can be handled by a professional, saving you trouble. Settle on the lowest price you'll willing to accept, hire someone you trust, and then let that person take care of it. It is too easy for a home owner to become offended by an initial low ball offer, or to take negotiation personally. It's not worth the stress.

Hopefully these tips help as you are beginning to sell your Boston, MA house. If you have any questions about selling, the Boston area, or real estate in general, do not hesitate to contact me.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Enjoying Nature in Boston, MA

Are you looking for more ways to enjoy the summer time in Boston, MA? One great way is by spending more time in nature. Often times city-dwellers forget that they don't have to take a vacation out to the country in order to be surrounded by plants and wildlife. Here are some of the ways to enjoy nature this season in Boston, MA:

The Urban Wilds
Before the City of Boston existed, in its place were salt marshes, meadows, streams, and hills. Some of these wild areas have been conserved and can be visited today. The Urban Wilds Initiative seeks to protect the publicly-owned wilds in Boston. The Wilds offer quieter places away from the loud, bustling city streets. They also provide an opportunity to see native plants and animals. The Urban Wilds benefit Boston by absorbing floodwater, filtering storm water run-off, and producing oxygen.


The Emerald Necklace
The Emerald Necklace is a 1,100 acre chain or "necklace" that consists of nine parks. It was designed by visionary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted over a twenty-year period in the late 1800s. The nine parks include Boston Common, Public Garden, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Back Bey Fens, The Riverway, Olmsted Park, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and Franklin Park. A downloadable map is available at this website. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy exists to "renew, enliven, and advocate for" the system. To find information on their events and volunteer opportunities, click here.


Urban Forest Program
In 2011, the Boston Natural Areas Network formed an Urban Forest Program in order to "improve & expand the the urban forest, promote public health and and increase the quality of life of Boston's residents." They offer a number of volunteer opportunities and educational events. Upcoming events this year include instruction on the maintenance of fruit trees and an apple cider pressing event.

Hopefully you're enjoying some of the natural areas right here within Boston, MA. If you have any questions about other things to do or the local community, do not hesitate to contact me. I am also available to provide professional help with buying or selling your Boston, MA real estate. Have a good week!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Choosing the best Greater Boston Area home for you

You've decided to purchase a Greater Boston Area home.  Fantastic!  Now is the best time to lay out, in detail, exactly what you are looking for in a home.  Going about your home search this way will make the home buying process operate more smoothly.  It also saves you a lot of time and effort by helping you know where to focus your search so you don't unnecessarily research or visit homes that don't fit your criteria.  Here are tips on how to guide your Greater Boston Area home search:

Determine your price range
This is important.  You don't want to buy a home that puts a big strain on your finances.  You want a home that you can pay for comfortably without sacrificing your ability to pay other bills and continue to save money.  Look at your budget and figure out how much you can afford to pay now and how much you can pay each month.  From there, subtract the average monthly cost of property taxes and home repairs.  Finally, use a mortgage calculator.  Input your down payment amount and

Choose the type of home that will fit you
Are you a young professional who doesn't spend much time at home and wants to live where the action is?  Then maybe a condo is a good choice for you.  If you want to plant a garden in your yard, however, a single family home will better suit you.

Narrow down your top locations
Do you drive to work or take public transportation?  Do you need to live within a specific radius of a certain train line or highway?  If so, determine the acceptable boundaries based on your commute needs and do not look at listings outside of those boundaries.  Do you have or plan on having children?  Do you know where you want them to go to school?  This can also help you narrow town which neighborhood or town in which you're willing to live.

Lay out some details--but not too many
Settle how many bedrooms you need and other important details.  If you're very into cooking a baking--a tiny kitchen isn't going to cut it.  That said, do not go overboard.  Keep in mind that many things can be changed.  If you dream of a house with a large, fenced-in yard, don't turn down the perfect place just because it's missing a fence!

Hopefully these tips help get you started on your Greater Boston Area home search.  If you have any further questions about home buying, or want to enlist my professional help, do not hesitate to contact me.

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Four fun, free things to do in Boston, MA this summer

Summer has arrived and is in full swing!  There are hundreds if not thousands of amazing things to do in Boston, MA during the summertime, and thankfully for people on a budget, many of them are free.  Sometimes it is fun to play a tourist in your own town.  When you live somewhere for a while, it can be easy to fall into a routine and forget about all there is to do and see that you don't come into contact with everyday.  Take a moment to look over these fun, free things to do in Boston, MA and see if anything catches your eye.

1. For Art Lovers


Boston is home to a variety of art museums and galleries.  Two of the most popular offer free days.  The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is free on Wednesday nights after 4 pm.  There are also regular free open house days--the next is on Friday, August 3rd, 2012.  This museum contains both ancient and contemporary works of art from around the world.  The Institute of Contemporary Art features contemporary art only, and is free on Thursdays from 5 - 9 pm, and to families with children on the last Saturday of each month.


2. For Star Gazers


The Coit Observatory on Boston University's campus holds Public Open Night at the Observatory every Wednesday evening when weather permits.  During the summer time, this night starts at 8:30 pm.  Telescopes and binoculars are provided and experts are on hand to educate about astronomy.


3. For Nature Enthusiasts


The famous "Emerald Necklace" is a chain of parks and waterways that connect throughout the City of Boston.  Check the City of Boston's Parks and Recreation website to find locations and free activities offered in different parks throughout the season.  Those looking for something a little more wild might be interested in the Department of Conservation and Recreation's parks in the Greater Boston Area.  They are also all free and offer a variety of outdoor recreational options.


4. For History Buffs


Boston is a hot spot for history buffs and offers more free history-related activities that I can fit here.  Two fun ones, however, are the Walk to the Sea and the USS Constitution Museum.  The Walk to the Sea is a walk on a set path throughout Boston that will take you through four centuries worth of history.  The USS Constitution is a preserved commissioned warship that became famous in 1812.  The Museum provides information on the ship and what life was like for sailors during that time.

Hopefully one of these free opportunities provides a fun summer afternoon or evening for your family.  If you have any questions about Boston, MA or about real estate in general, do not hesitate to contact me.  Have a good week!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro

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Saving money on your move to the Greater Boston Area

I already shared tips on moving into your Greater Boston Area home.  Now I will share tips on how to save money while doing so.  Most home buyers are looking to cut costs after making such a big ticket purchase.  It turns out there are many ways to save cash while moving.  Follow these tips to save several hundred over even a few thousand dollars depending on your moving circumstances.

Move at a weird time
This tip can save you a lot.  Most people move in the few days just before and after the first of the month.  If you move during the middle of the month, you can enjoy lower rates on movers or moving vans.  Most people also move during summer months--from May to September.  If you're able to move during the off-season, you can save quite a bit.  Do not be afraid to negotiate for a lower price when moving during off-peak times.  It often works!

Move less stuff
This one is as obvious as it sounds.  Move less stuff.  A lot of the time people move everything without bothering to sort through it first and weed out what they don't really need or want any more.  Sort through everything before packing and save yourself the cost of boxes, movers, etc. dedicated to things you don't need to move anyway.  Sell items you can and donate the rest to charity.

Don't pay for boxes
There are cardboard boxes available for free all over the place.  As long as you start asking around a few weeks ahead of time, you will be able to obtain hundreds of dollars worth of boxes for free.  Ask friends and neighbors if they have boxes saved from any large purchases.  Stop into local retail and grocery stores and ask if they will set aside boxes for you instead of crushing them--most places will say yes.

Don't pay for packing peanuts or paper
Why buy butcher paper for wrapping up dishes when you can use newspaper?  If you don't have a subscription, ask a neighbor to save their papers for you for a week or two.  Instead of packing peanuts, use think creatively about how to wrap fragile items in other items you own.  For example, a beach towel could protect your crystal punch bowl and your t-shirts will cushion stemware.

Hopefully some of these tips help as you move to the Greater Boston Area.  Welcome, and I hope you enjoy it here!  Please subscribe to my blog in order to stay updated on community events and information.  If you have any questions about buying or selling real estate, do not hesitate to contact me!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Father's Day in Boston, MA

Father's Day is coming up in less than a week!  Do you have plans yet?  Father's Day falls on the third Sunday of June every year in the United States, which is June 17th this year.  The holiday became an official federal holiday in 1972, but has been celebrated in the US since the early 1900s.  Countries around the world honor dads on this day every year.  There are many options for celebrating the dad in your life this Father's Day in Boston, MA.

Jazz on the Porch on Spectacle Island
Is dad into jazz music?  Then Spectacle Island might be the place for you to be on Father's Day, enjoying the first installment of Jazz on the Porch.  The jazz band features guitarist David Ehle and will play a variety of types of jazz.  The show is free and will run from noon until 4 pm.  Regular ferry fees to the island still apply.  Spectacle Island is one of the beautiful Boston Harbor Islands and a national park.

Sunday Fun on the Esplanade
Maybe dad wants to spend time outdoors, but doesn't prefer jazz music.  Celebrate Sunday on the Esplanade!  In addition to the usual options of walking or bicycling on the trail, boating, having a picnic, playing tennis, and taking kids to the playground, there will be special activities on Father's Day.  From 2 - 4 pm there will be games, arts and crafts, fishing, music, fitness classes, and more.

SoWa Open Market
Every Sunday during the warmer months of the year the SoWa Open Market opens from 10 am - 4 pm.  At the SoWa Open Market you can let dad pick out a gift and then treat him to lunch.  Local artists and designers sell clothing and housewares while local farmers sell food.  There are also a whole host of food trucks on hand so each member of the family could eat a different type of food if they wanted.

Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo has been connecting local residents with wild animals since 1912.  The zoo features thousands of plants and hundreds of animals representing locations across the world.  Parents and kids alike will enjoy looking at giraffes, lions, bears, zebras, tigers, kangaroos, birds, and more.  There is also a restaurant on site.  Entrance to the zoo is free for dads on Father's Day.  For non-members, the rates range from $11-$17 depending on age.

Hopefully one of these suggestions helped you plan your Father's Day in Boston, MA.  As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about buying or selling real estate locally, or about the local community.  Happy Father's Day!

 Michael Feldman

Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Setting a price for your Boston Home

A couple of weeks ago I blogged tips about what price to offer when buying a Boston home.  This week the topic is figuring out how much to charge when selling your Boston home.  Negotiating a price can be stressful and confusing from the perspectives of both buyer and seller.  Enlisting professional help from a real estate agent and reading up on all the tips you can find should help you feel more confident in knowing that you are getting as much as you possibly can for your Boston home.

Don't over-inflate the price


If the listing price is over-inflated, many buyers will not even bother coming to an open house or making an offer.  Buyers have the same resources you do--professionals, comparable listings and sales prices of nearby houses, and even websites that calculate the market value of a home.  Over-pricing the house can backfire and actually cause you to lose money as your house sits on the market for a longer period of time.  If it sits unsold for too long, some buyers might become suspicious that there is something wrong with it.

Use data to find out the market value


Enlisting a real estate agent is one of the quickest ways to get a good read on how much homes like yours have sold for in the past few months.  Full-time agents familiar with your city and neighborhood will know what you can realistically get for your home.  If you choose not to go with an agent, there are still options.  Professional appraisers are available for hire to come to your house and give you a realistic price range.  There are also many forms available online that take various factors into consideration--including prices of other local homes--and spit out a price.  (These, however, might not be as accurate as a professional.)

Don't go too low


While you want to be realistic, you don't want to go so low that you end up under-pricing yourself.  Most buyers expect to do negotiating and pay less than the listing price.  The number you set as your listing price should not also be the lowest amount you are willing to accept.  Negotiation is part of the process and you want to keep that in mind from the start.

Hopefully these tips help you while pricing your Boston home.  If you have any other questions about selling, or about Boston real estate in general, do not hesitate to contact me.

 Michael Feldman

Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Local Food in the Greater Boston Area

It is becoming more and more popular to make a conscious effort to buy locally-grown food both nationally and in the Greater Boston area.  Many people find local food to be fresher and better-tasting because it has not spent days on a truck or airplane being transported and others choose it because of a lower environmental impact.  Local food also provides an opportunity to know more information about the food you eat, such as how it was grown or raised.  If you are interested in local food in the Greater Boston area, check out these options:

Community Gardening
Community gardening is as local as it gets.  In this scenario, you and other like-minded people are the gardeners.  Bostonnatural.org lists over two hundred community gardens in the Boston area.  Community gardens are generally plots of land (often located in residential areas) that have been turned into vegetable gardens.  Volunteer gardeners help plant, prune, and harvest the food, and as a result get to keep some.  Different gardens operate differently so be sure to do research before joining one.  The Berkeley Gardens, for example, offer dedicated spots for gardeners to take responsibility for while other gardens are communal.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Maybe you do not have time to garden on a regular basis, but you still want to enjoy local foods and support local farmers and gardeners.  Community Support Agriculture is for you.  With CSAs, you buy a "share" of a local farm at the beginning of a season.  You then either pick up a box of food or have one dropped off at your home on a weekly basis throughout that season.  Although they no longer update the site, bostonlocalvores.org contains a list of CSAs that deliver or provide food for pick-up in the Boston area.  Joining a CSA guarantees variety in your meals since the food included will change based on what is ripe that week.

Farmers Markets
Boston.com says Boston is "brimming" with Farmers Markets and provides a schedule of local Farmers Markets.  Farmers Markets in the Boston area generally occur from May or June until September or October. A Farmers Market is a place where farmers, gardeners, and other local food providers gather to sell their locally-sourced goods.  While community gardening and CSAs are mostly sources for produce only, most Farmers Markets offer a variety of meats, cheeses, oils, baked goods, and spices as well.

This is the best time of year to enjoy local food because of all the options available.  In addition to dairy and meat, Massachusetts produces many types of produce with some of the most popular being cranberries, sweet corn, and apples.  If you try any local food options this season, feel free to leave a comment!  And as always, I'm available if you have any questions about real estate or Boston in general.

 Michael Feldman

Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Making an offer on Boston Real Estate

You’ve found the perfect piece of Boston real estate.  Now it’s time to make an offer.  Making an offer on a home can be intimidating, but if you are sure of yourself and take the appropriate steps in preparation, the process should go smoothly.  Here are tips to help you get your ideal home for as little as possible:

Don’t make too low of an offer

You know you want the house for as cheap as possible.  They know you want the house for as cheap as possible.  Still, leading with too low of an offer could backfire.  The seller might be offended and refuse to negotiate with you.  Make sure the offer is low, but within a range of what the house will feasibly see for in order to avoid insulting the seller.  Low balling can color the entire negotiation process and make it much more difficult.

Learn the house and neighborhood

Learn as much as you possibly can about the house and neighborhood.  How old is the roof?  How good is the local school district?  Are there any loud neighbors?  Has the home ever had a termite infestation?  Has the neighborhood experienced criminal activity recently?  These are all factors you can bring up when negotiating.  Also, knowing the house and neighborhood allows you to find similar houses nearby for comparison.  

Figure out your seller

Has the house been on the market for months, or was it just listed last week?  The longer it has been on the market, the more eager your seller will be to sell.  Does the seller live in the house, or is it sitting empty?  Has the seller moved far away because of a job transfer?  Then he might accept a lower offer.  Find out as much as you can and factor the information in when formulating your offers.  Be aware, however, that the seller is probably doing the same thing with you!

Hopefully these tips help you get the right price for that perfect piece of Boston Real Estate.  If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me.

  Michael Feldman

Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Boston, MA bakeries to satisfy your sweet tooth

Photo property of Macaron Sweeterie

Whether you're considering a move to Boston, MA, or have lived here for your entire life, those of you with a sweet tooth will probably be interested in finding out about the sweetest sweet spots you might not have heard of yet.  Boston, MA is known for both its restaurants and bakeries.  Today, I'm focusing on bakeries in Boston and beyond.  Here are three that are a mix of old favorites and those new to the scene.  Enjoy!

Macaron Sweeterie 
The Macaron Sweeterie opened in Boston earlier this year and features a wide selection of French macarons.  French macarons are a delicate, almond-flavored pastry that are quickly becoming a favorite in Boston.  They are naturally 100% gluten-free, and the Macaron Sweeterie has 12-16 different flavors on any given day.  They also sell coffee, tea, gelato, and other Italian sweets.  Check their website for more information.

Address: 848 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420

Lulu's Sweet Shoppe
Lulu's main focus is on cupcakes, the very trendy dessert of today.  They offer very unique flavors, such as Nutella, Whoopie Pie, and Pistachio with Port Wine.  Cakes are also available in all cupcake flavors.  In addition to baked goods, Lulu's has a selection of retro candies.  Whether you're looking for gummy pizza or candy cigarettes, they have it here.  Visit Lulu's website for more information.

Address:  57 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113

aka Marvelicious
This one is for the vegans out there.  Everything at aka Marvelicious is made without animal-based ingredients such as eggs, butter, and milk.  aka Marvelicious says their purpose is "saving the planet...one cookie at a time."  They use sustainable packaging and organic ingredients.  Right now, they have five flavors: almond carrotoon (a macaroon that uses carrot instead of coconut), best peanut butter, lemon sunshine, oatmeal cardamom, and orange chocolate chunk.

Address:  See website for details.  Cookies are sold at farmer's markets and healthy events.

Hopefully you learned about a new Boston, MA business from this post.  If you try out any of the sweet treats mentioned, I'd love to hear about it!  As always, feel free to contact me with any questions about real estate or the area.  Have a good week!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Tips for moving into your Greater Boston area home

Once you've found your ideal Greater Boston area home, checked out the neighborhood, had the house inspected, been approved for a mortgage, negotiated a price, and filled out the paperwork, you probably feel joy and relief.  Then you remember there is a move ahead of you!  As your Greater Boston area real estate agent, I'd like to welcome you to the area (if you weren't living here already) and share some tips on what to do a couple of months ahead of time in order to make your move go over as smoothly as possible.

Sell, donate, & throw away as much as possible


Now is a good time to go through everything you own one-by-one and take an honest stock of whether or not you want to keep it.  Holding on to things you don't use or like just creates more work because you will have to pack and unpack those items, as well as move or pay someone to move them.  Hold a garage sale and donate anything that is left over at the end to charity.  Items that are broken, missing pieces, or very dirty should be thrown away.

Get estimates for all costs


If you are hiring movers, discuss all details related to the move with the company ahead of time.  Do they charge by weight of items, number of boxes, or how many hours it takes to move?  Do they help wrap and pack items, or is that up to you?  Make sure the movers have insurance and that the quote they give you is guaranteed.  If you are not hiring movers, get estimates on your moving truck in advance, asking for details regarding mileage, insurance, gasoline, etc.  Moving is stressful enough--you don't want to have to face expensive surprises at the last minute.

Plan how you will pack


The more organized you are, the easier the move will be.  Generally it is easiest to pack by room, clearly labeling the boxes "Kitchen," "Living Room," etc.  For families, each individual should consider packing a box of "important" items (such as toiletries and undergarments) that they will need within the first couple of days of moving before all of the other boxes have been opened.  Start packing little things that you do not use as early on so there is less to pack in the final days before the move.  To save money, ask friends and grocery stores for cardboard boxes instead of buying them.

I hope these tips help!  If you have any questions about relocating to the Greater Boston area, or know anyone who needs help with buying or selling a home, feel free to contact me.  Have a good move!


Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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Greater Boston Area Events

April is almost over, but there are still many fun things to do in the Greater Boston Area over the next week.  As your Greater Boston Area real estate agent, I like to stay on top of local happenings, and there are a lot of them!  Today I'll focus on unique events in Brookline for you to enjoy.


Yappy Hour at Cause to Paws
This local pet boutique is giving dog owners an opportunity to connect with each other while their pets play.  Refreshments will be provided for both the owners and pups.
When:  Thursday, April 26th, 6 - 8 pm
Where: 1386 Beacon Street, Brookline


Muddy River Dulcimer Festival
This free festival features folk concerts, an "instrument petting zoo," and nine workshops for people of all musical abilities.  It will be a good way to have fun, enjoy music, meet people, and learn something.
When:  Friday, April 27th, 8 - 9:30 pm
Where:  25 Kennard Road, Brookline


Culinary Walking Tour of Russian Cuisine
Are you familiar with borsch, pirozhki, and caviar?  You will be after this walking tour.  Enjoy fluffy blintzes, Siberian dumplings, and more as you walk through Washington Square discovering the best places to eat Russian foods.
When: Saturday, April 28th, 2 - 5 pm
Where: 1621 Beacon Street, Brookline


If you have any questions about buying or selling in the Greater Boston Area, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Have a fantastic week!


Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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"Staging" your Boston home to sell

As your Boston Real Estate agent, I want to make sure you get as much money as possible for the house you're selling.  There are many homes for sale in the Greater Boston area and you definitely don't want a buyer to choose a comparable home over yours because of some petty detail.  You might be wondering, "Does that actually happen?"  Yes!  Even if a house fits a buyer's criteria, she (or he) generally won't buy it unless it "feels" right.  How can you make your Boston home "feel" right to prospective buyers?  Stage it!

"Staging" refers to taking care of the basic looks of a place, but not doing any major renovating.  It is an inexpensive way to make your house appealing to potential buyers, thereby raising the value of it.  Here are a few "must dos" when it comes to staging:

1.  Clean up the front yard.

Drag the trash cans in front the curb and make sure the kids' bikes are in the garage (with the door shut).  What is no big deal to you is clutter to someone viewing the place for the first time.  Cut the grass short and plant some flowers.  The exterior is where the first impression is made.  If potential buyers don't like what they see, they might not even come inside for the open house!

2.  Get rid of stuff.

Take a walk through the house and move out as many things out as you can.  Give what you don't need to charity and put the rest in storage.  It's difficult for a buyer to imagine their stuff in a space if all they can see is someone else's stuff!  Also, rooms with less furniture look larger, and buyers like larger rooms.

3.  Make it smell nice.

Baking cookies right before an open house is an old realtor's secret.  If you (or your realtor) do not have time for this, light a mildly scented candle.

4.  Make it pretty.

If the walls look dingy, repaint them with a light color.  Give every room a deep clean.  If you cannot make it as clean as a hotel room, hire maids.  Finally, put some flowers on the coffee table or dining room table, or both!  It draws in the eyes and brightens up a room.

The cleaner and clearer your house is, the more quickly someone will want to snap it up.  Please check my website for even more tips on selling your Boston home.  Also, feel free to contact me if you'd like my personal help.  Happy selling!

Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston MetroCheck Out My Website
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Welcome to the Buy Sell Boston Real Estate Blog!

As a Boston real estate agent, I am always thinking of ways to take on new clients. I genuinely enjoy the process of helping others buy, sell, or rent their Boston home or condo. I sincerely believe that the key to successful Boston real estate transactions is quality customer service. In order to give my clients the service and care that they require for their real estate needs, I need to do one thing: ensure that the lines of communication are always open.

In order for us to successfully buy, sell or rent your home or condo on the Boston real estate market, we need to be open with one another from the beginning about what you can expect from your transaction. You need to be in-the-know about each phase of the buyer, seller or rental process and ask your Boston real estate agent to clue you in on all pertinent information. I know that we’ll have a smooth and quick transaction if we communicate openly from the beginning. While I make it a priority to make my clients’ needs and requests come to fruition, I also provide the insight, experience and advice that my clients need to help them move through each phase of the transaction seamlessly. That is where I believe this Boston real estate blog will come in to play.

Each week, I’ll be providing you with important information about the Boston real estate market, helpful and insightful buyer, seller and rental tips and community events and information that you will definitely want to know. This well-rounded approach to my blog is designed to prepare and guide you for your real estate transaction as well as give you an idea of what is going on locally. My goal is to provide you with the information that you want to know. I want to be considered your “go-to” resource for Boston real estate, and this blog is one way in which I hope to obtain that role.

Whether you’re relocating to the Greater Boston area, have just moved here or need to buy or sell your home, this blog will prove to be a wealth of information just for you. My years of experience living and working in Boston real estate will prove to be beneficial to you as you begin each transaction. My goal is to be your trusted Boston real estate resource and someone who you will feel comfortable approaching with any questions about living in the Greater Boston area.

I am excited to be providing you with these weekly updates, and I sincerely hope that you’ll check back often and see what is happening in the Greater Boston real estate market. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time. I hope to hear from you soon!



Michael Feldman
Keller Williams Realty-Boston Metro
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