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We get it – it’s your investment property and you want to put just enough work and money into renovating it to make it cash-flow positive but not a penny more. For some investors, this means that a lot of the work is DIY because a little elbow grease is often the cheapest form of labor. If you’re planning to renovate a few rooms or the entire home, you’d be better off hiring a remodeling contractor than trying to DIY the whole project yourself. Hiring a professional will save you money, time, and headaches. (more…)

Yards can be lovely, but many are designed in ways which make them less than useful. Especially in older homes, the yard is often a place you look at rather than live in. These days, a home needs more than a yard – it needs an outdoor living space. The popularity of outdoor rooms has increased by 72 percent since 2012. Why should you add outdoor living space to your home? (more…)

In recent years, older kitchen designs were par for the course as the recession caused investors and homeowners to put larger-scale projects on the back burner. With economic growth across the real estate industry, it’s time to invest money into those larger-scale projects once more. An easy way to receive a higher return on investment (ROI) is to update the old kitchens common throughout antiquated cities like Boston.

The following three kitchen remodeling trends are among the most popular and desired in New England. They will help to increase the value of the property, so investors can get the highest ROI possible.

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Several of Boston’s centuries-old properties still stand today and are suitable as private investment residences, though they may require building rehabilitation. Each of these five properties has a unique historical significance.

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Investing in residential real estate can be a great way to earn impressive returns and build substantial equity over time. However, once you have decided to put your investment monies into the residential real estate market, it is time to decide whether you will focus on single-family or multifamily investing property types.

Single-family residences, commonly referred to as SFR’s, are typical detached homes that traditionally house only one family. These properties come in all shapes, sizes, and price points. On the other hand,multi-family residences are those that have several units in one building, such as a fourplex or apartment building.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the benefits and drawbacks of each, to help you make an informed investment decision.

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Before the winter weather becomes “oh so frightful” (and the fire so delightful), it’s a great time for landlords to look at their current preparedness for the winter weather that is headed their way in a matter of a few short weeks. Before the first significant snowfalls fall, it’s a great time to stop and ensure that the rental properties you have are ready to keep the tenants residing inside safe, warm, and healthy throughout the frigid months ahead.

The following are 10 steps that you can take to make sure that your rentals are winter-ready before the significant snowfalls and cold temperatures of winter actually hit the greater New England Area. (more…)

Finding and keeping top-quality tenants is not an easy task for any landlord. These are the landlord’s “dream” tenants. The ones that pay their rent on time, follow the rules and are not a “noise complaint” for neighbors. They are the ones that make the landlord’s life and job much easier.

However, it’s no secret that not every tenant is a “dream” tenant. When a landlord finds these tenants that are among the cream-of-the-crop, keeping them is the next important step. (more…)

Fall redecoration season is slowly falling upon us like autumn leaves themselves. The 2018 fall interior design seasons will be dominated by color optimization, vintage accessories, and furniture that looks like it wouldn’t be out of place at an 80’s business meeting. However, though seemingly focused on the designs of old, the current fall decor trends offer a unique opportunity for self-expression through utilization of classic effects, accessories, and furniture. Below we’ll take a look at the top ten interior trends to expect this fall:

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Boston is known as one of the oldest cities in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t up-and-coming neighborhoods that have people clamoring to find their perfect home and move on in. While virtually all of the locals know about living in Fenway or Back Bay, many are looking for a new living experience that fits their unique lifestyle. Whether you are in the market for a retirement community, a great place to raise a family, or just buy your first home, Boston offers something for everyone.

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Houseplants are a great way to add warmth and texture to any apartment, but there’s a lot more to be said for the wisdom of adding indoor plants than just the fact that they make good design sense. Houseplants actually offer health benefits that are particularly beneficial to those living in a city environment where, thanks to traffic and industry, pollution levels tend to be on the high side of the spectrum.

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