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When you are thinking about converting a house you own into a rental property, there are plenty of things to mull over. Do any renovations need to be done? Will my property be profitable to rent? One question that should seriously be considered, especially if you own multiple rental properties already, is whether or not to hire a property management company. Here is a list of five situations where hiring a property management company is a good idea for you.

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There’s widespread speculation that Boston is in a housing bubble, but inflated property and rent costs don’t seem to be stopping people from relocating here! If you’re wondering just what it is that’s been keeping people moving to Beantown in droves, read on for a few major reasons to move to Boston.

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Anyone who’s ever sought guidance in renovating a home knows that living through it requires an athlete’s discipline for keeping your eye on the prize! To say home renovations are challenging is an understatement, but people grit their teeth and do them because their dream of a spa bathroom, a gourmet-quality chef’s kitchen or simply a better functioning room is ultimately more important to them than the inevitable chaos the renovation process can – and more often than not – causes. It’s important to know that feelings of frustration, impatience or exasperation are common, and one of the cures is the ability to step back for a moment now and then to look for the humor in your current situation.

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You have a potentially profitable rental property, and you’re looking for tenants. The age of newspaper advertisements and flyers is over – so where on the internet should you post your listing? There are dozens of places to list rental properties and hitting them all would be a full-time job in and of itself!  But fear not; we’ve compiled a list of the easiest and most effective places to list your Boston rental property.

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A good general contractor can be hard to find, whether you’re looking to do a small bathroom remodel or an entire home renovation. When it comes time for work to be done on your house you want to make sure you are hiring the best contractor for the job, but how do you figure that out? And how can you weed out the bad seeds before you sign a contract? (more…)

When you want to remodel your bathroom there are a number of factors to consider. Obviously, you want your bath to be attractive, but you want it to be functional, too. And above these two factors, you must consider the cost, because that can determine what you can and can’t do in your bathroom remodel. If you want to remodel your bathroom in the Boston area, here are some costs to consider when planning your project. (more…)

Landlords have the tough job of dealing with difficult tenants. If your tenants are consistently displaying one of these five detrimental behaviors, it’s time for a change. Keep reading to find out the best ways to ensure that your tenants follow all of your rules and, most importantly, what to do if they don’t. (more…)

With major purchases like appliances, doing your homework is important. You’ll surely want to research the brands and options available to you but it’s important to see an appliance in person before you buy. This can be a huge help in making a decision!

For those in larger metro areas big box stores are always an option. But if you’re looking to find alternatives and shop local, try these top 5 appliance stores in the Boston area that are sure to impress with personalized service and surprisingly great prices!  (more…)

A housing bubble is a term used to describe a temporary real estate condition which sees the prices of homes rise to above-average norms. We all heard the term a lot in 2007, when the housing bubble which had been building for several years suddenly “burst” and people were left with homes that weren’t worth what they paid for them, leaving them “upside down” — owing more than they could sell their homes for. (more…)

The counters are outdated. The oven heats up at a snail’s pace. The cupboards are old-fashioned. You know your kitchen is ready for a remodel, but you’re not sure where to start.

A remodel of any kind is a sizable endeavor, and kitchens are no exception. But fear not, home renovator; we’ve got a simple guide on where to start when remodeling a kitchen. (more…)