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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