Boston Real Estate and Relocation

Tips to stay Warm & Safe

Another article on Boston.com that is pretty useful. This one has tips about decreasing your heating bill. Since winter time is heating bill time for homes in Boston, many people try to decrease their bills by adding heat from other sources. Unfortunately many of these sources can be fire hazards in the home. In fact the primary heating source in most homes can cause a fire if not properly maintained.

Six of the eight heating tips listed deal with additional heat sources. The main point is that using alternative heating sources in Boston is a common way to lower the cost of heating bills. The safest way to add a fire burning option to your home is to have a professional install the system per building codes. If you are adding a space heater be sure to turn them off before going to sleep or leaving the house, ensure that young children and pets can’t get near the heating elements, and do not plug it in to an extension cord.

The other two heating tips are for all real estate owners. These are sensible tips such as performing annual inspections on furnaces and fireplaces, including chimneys. Also it reminds home owners to test their smoke detectors. Finally if home owners in Boston want to save on their energy bill, a simple step is to turn down the thermostat when leaving for the day, or get a thermostat that you can program to set the temperature lower when you won’t be around.

Potential home buyers, click here to read a full article from Boston.com with more tips:

• Warm, safe, and energy efficient heating tips

Charissa Pemper, Boston REALTOR®

Charissa Pemper
Lic. MA Real Estate Broker, REALTOR®
Charissa@HomesInBoston.com

It’s a great time to buy in Boston!

Buying in the Fall/Winter can really have some advantages. Many properties that were over priced in the Spring market have been sitting for months with no action, and their prices are dropping. In addition the Fed just dropped interest rates AGAIN to entice people to buy, which means that there are more affordable options in Boston than there have been in many years.

What to look for when buying a home in Boston during the “off” season:

Days on Market - Obviously the longer a property has been on the market, the greater the chance that the owners are more eager to sell. I can also research and determine if the initial listing price has been dropped in that time period.

Heating Systems - Since we live in a moderately cold climate, when buying a house in the summer, people don’t always pay as much attention to heating systems as they should (though a good agent and home inspector will always watch out for this).

Insulation - When walking through the house, do you feel drafts? Are there newer double-hung windows? Is there insulation in the attic? Any of which could be potential negotiating points.

Right now the average rate for a 30yr fixed rate mortgage is 6.25% with no points, and 5.5% with 2 points. This means that with lower prices you really might be able to find your dream home without breaking the bank.

Ready to make your move, or just curious about the market, check out the Boston MLS Property Search that I offer.

• Boston MLS Property Search
• Buying in Boston using a Buyer Agent
• Contact Me when you are Ready to Buy a New Home in the Boston Area

Charissa Pemper, Boston REALTOR®

Charissa Pemper
Lic. MA Real Estate Broker, REALTOR®
Charissa@HomesInBoston.com