You can pay your landlord's mortgage, or you can pay your own and get the tax breaks that come with it, contribute to your own net worth, and have that sense of pride of owning your own place.
While the benefits of homeownership look good on paper, the reality is that it can be hard to know how and when to get started. If you think you might be ready to take the first step towards buying a home, contact us.
The first full day of summer isn’t until this Thursday, June 21st but today sure feels like it to us. It’s a hot one, like seven inches from the mid-day sun.
So when temperatures rise how do you keep your cool, especially when energy costs always seem to be on the uptick? For starters, for every degree you raise your thermostat above 72 degrees, you save up to 3% of your cooling expenses. Try setting your thermostat to 78 degrees, or as high as is comfortable for you. You can keep the blinds lowered during the hottest hours of the day to keep the sun out, circulate air flow with fans and ceiling fans, and try using the grill instead of the oven, because who needs an excuse for grilled burgers, dogs and corn anyway?
With all of the pomp and circumstance of the pending royal wedding, we couldn’t help but wonder what a listing of Windsor Castle would look like. Just in case the newly wedded couple is looking for more space, we’d be happy to sit down with the family to go over a free and confidential Custom Market Analysis :)
Just Listed! Windsor SL4 1NJ, UK
This is the castle you’ve been looking for! Home to the Sovereign for nearly 900 years, this home shows true pride of ownership. Originally built by renowned architect and first Norman King of England, William the Conqueror in 1066, this 484,000 square foot fortification has 1,000 rooms and sits on 13 beautifully landscaped acres with gardens galore. You’ll enjoy Victorian, Gothic and Baroque designs and touches throughout – all the charm and details of a historic home with all of the modern amenities and conveniences you’d expect. Enjoy the state dining room perfect for entertaining, a ballroom, drawing room, reception room, private chapel, moat, turrets, and so much more! There are plenty of state apartments throughout for visiting dignitaries, or the in-laws. Located in the coveted Eton school district, close to the Thames and all that downtown Windsor has to offer, this is the palace for you!
SOLD! By The Home Advantage Team in the month of April. If you are thinking of selling, this is the time and we are your team. Contact us today to set up a free custom market analysis of your home.
Many thanks to attendees and vendors for making the 2018 Arlington Home Show a hit with anyone looking to buy, sell, renovate, refinance or just ask a few real estate questions. Here are some day-of shots, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year!
Special thanks to Jeff Oliver from Oliver Enterprise for the Touch-a-Truck portion of the event – it was a huge hit!
No one could resist the free ice-cream (especially Steve),
and the free shredding services proved that everyone is in spring cleaning mode - out with the old!
We enjoyed speaking with everyone who came through - we had many thoughtful questions and there was an enthusiasm that made it a truly enjoyable event for all.
Finally, we’d like to thank ALL of the vendors who put great effort into providing participants with their expert insight and free giveaways.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback regarding the event.
In the meantime, we will be posting more event photos, plus winners of the raffles will be announced
Buying or selling a home can be one of the biggest challenges you will ever take on, but when you put your trust in The Home Advantage Team, you're guaranteed premier service and experience.
Realtor Steve McKenna of The Home Advantage Team is Arlington's No. 1 real estate agent. Having lived and worked in Arlington for almost 30 years, McKenna possesses a deep understanding and expertise when it comes to home value, neighborhood dynamics, schools and other critical factors when it comes to making life-changing real estate decisions.
Read on to learn more about McKenna and get a sneak peak of what to expect from The Arlington Home Show on April 22:
Patch: How long have you been doing business in town or how long has the organization you represent been around in the community?
McKenna: I have been with Bowes Real Estate since 1986, and have been the No. 1 agent in the area for more than 25 years. Time flies when you're having fun, and helping thousands of sellers and buyers over the years has been truly rewarding.
Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you're in, and how did you get started?
McKenna: I am originally from Allston. I bought my first place in my early twenties and sold it for a profit only two years later. That's when I saw the value, literally and figuratively, in real estate. More importantly, I realized how much I like helping people. I have lived and worked in Arlington for almost 30 years now, which gives me a deep understanding of home values, building and zoning codes, neighborhood dynamics, schools and all the critical factors that come into play when making important real estate decisions.
Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?
McKenna: Never (ever) stop reinventing yourself.
Patch: What's the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you've faced in your job?
McKenna: Right now, inventory is a big struggle. There are so many buyers who want to live in Arlington, but there are a limited number of homes available on the market. This isn't unique to our town. In general, housing availability in Greater Boston is relatively low. So if you live in Arlington and are thinking of selling, this is a great time. Buyers, on the other hand, need to be savvy about the real estate process so they are prepared when something does become available that suits their needs, and they're ready to act.
Patch: What's the most satisfying part of your job?
McKenna: Well, you wouldn't do this job if you didn't like helping people. When someone is moving, chances are they are experiencing a major life event. Whether it is a marriage, a divorce, downsizing, a death in the family or a child on the way, these are big events and emotional times, and when you add the process of moving to the mix it can be incredibly stressful. We have helped thousands of buyers and sellers in all of these situations, so I think we bring an empathy, understanding and knowledge of how best to guide people through the process to make it seamless and less stressful them. There is great satisfaction in that.
Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
McKenna: I think The Home Advantage Team is like no other. We have in-depth local knowledge for buyers, sellers and developers. We have dedicated support for transaction coordination, marketing, property coordination, and content and social media development. We are a well-oiled team that has evolved to list and sell more homes than any other team in Arlington – and we have fun doing it.
We take the aggravation, stress, thousands of tasks and to-do's that go along with buying or selling a home and we handle it all. We're always surprised when people don't realize that whether you're listing or just looking, you get the whole team - and all of the support staff - as part of the deal. All of that expertise, knowledge, and know-how, at no extra cost. That's pretty unique.
Patch: What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given when it comes to success?
McKenna: I have been given a lot of great advice over the years. Some you take with a grain of salt, and some you take to heart. But I think more often than not, you have to trust your own instincts.
Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you're working on that you're extra excited about?
McKenna: We are always working on something behind the scenes! We have a number of new construction projects in the works, which is exciting. Inventory, much less new construction, in Arlington can be hard to come by. But we have 15 new construction projects in the works right now and many more listings including, single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-family homes coming on the market this year. Anyone who would like more info can visit our siteor contact us directly.
We are also in the process of updating our website to reflect the needs of today's buyers and sellers. Expect a clean, easy to navigate and visually engaging site – coming soon!
Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?
McKenna: As a matter of fact, we do! On Sunday, April 22 we will be hosting the second annual Arlington Home Show. The Arlington Home Show is for anyone owning a home, selling a home, buying a home, or renovating a home. It is designed to help educate people on how best to achieve their real estate goals, and it's a great way to "shop local" as they say, and support some fantastic local businesses. We have a number of local vendors who will have gifts, giveaways, as well as discounts and incentives on many of their services. We will also offer free shredding services by Shred King. It's a great event and we hope people will come check it out.
Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?
McKenna: The quickest and easiest way to contact us is by phone at 781-645-0505 or email. And of course you can find us on the web and social media. Check out our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Erika Pereira of BOWES Real Estate Real Living in Arlington, MA was awarded the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum. The award is in recognition of earning 100% client service satisfaction in 2017, as measured by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).
Quality Service Certified (QSC) status is the only award in the real estate industry based on independently validated, measurable service results. Clients of QSC agents receive a customer satisfaction survey at the end of each transaction. The surveys are administered and the results are compiled by LRC.
Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials. An overall satisfaction rating is displayed on the consumer website (www.RatedAgent.com) where buyers and sellers have the ability to select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s validated record of service satisfaction.
“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC. He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party. 100% service satisfaction record like Erika Pereira has achieved is just awesome.”
About Quality Service Certification, Inc. (QSC)
Quality Service Certification, Inc., based in San Juan Capistrano, California, is recognized as the real estate industry’s earliest advocate and the leading provider of independently administered customer satisfaction surveys. With nearly a 20 year history and over one million post-closing surveys sent, QSC’s unique “closed” survey process ensures that consumers access legitimate reviews from actual home sellers and buyers reports on past customer satisfaction. QSC is the only source for objective and validated agent ratings designed to help consumers make informed choices in selecting real estate professionals. For more information contact QSC at 888-547-4772.
Come to the Arlington Home Show to have your real estate questions answered (and stay for the great gifts and giveaways)!
Everyone wants to know that their contractor or designer is vetted, trusted and can accomplish the task at hand. We've done the work for you, and we have an amazing array of talented contractors, landscape designers, professional stagers and organizers, lenders, movers and more lined up for the Arlington Home Show -- ready to answer your questions, give you suggestions and address your real estate needs - for FREE!
Here are a few of the vendors we having lined up with more on the way....
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