We’re lucky to live in a community with so many amazing artists who have become neighbors and friends. Tonight we’re delighted to showcase the work of our friend photographer T.L. Litt during the monthly First Thursday celebration at our office. T.L married her current profession as a home inspector with her passion for photography. Her work blends elements that make up the structure of a home with the artifacts that inform us about its inhabitants. The images she created for the show are both familiar and foreign. Her photographs have appeared in Vanity Fair, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Utne Reader, and The Advocate. Please join us tonight at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage from 6:00-8:00pm to view T.L’s amazing contributions to our community! Don’t miss this exciting photography opening! Hope to see you there! – Ellen and Janis
Join Us for First Thursday!
Declutter Your Home and Get it Ready to Sell in the Spring Market
Decluttered Living Room
The Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury real estate markets are starting to heat up. And so often, as realtors® we are asked “What should I do to get my home ready to sell?”. Our reply is often the same. We are happy to come over and help you to figure it out. We will go room by room and give you a “To Do” list, this allows you to tackle one room at a time and not be overwhelmed.
We’ll also let our sellers know that the list is actually in two parts. First, what the camera’s eye will see for photos and second what needs to be done prior to the 1st Open House. For instance you need to thin out your closets before the 1st Open House but not for photos; we are not shooting the inside of your closets.
The other question we so often hear is “What about our kids’ toys” what do we do with those. Our reply is that we can make it easy. Get storage baskets that you can easily carry in and out of a room. Put all of their toys in them and bring in and out as necessary. The same suggestion holds true for clutter on desks. Get small decorative storage boxes and put all of the miscellaneous small items in the boxes.
Remember when it comes to getting your home ready, you want to create a sense that it is staged. Quite frequently at our open houses we will hear prospective buyers say “Does someone really live here?”, and we reply that “someone does live here”, you want you home to look amazing, spacious, warm & welcoming! And we are the real estate agents who will help you get there.
Contact us today if you want help to declutter your home or have questions about today’s real estate market. We are always happy to help.
Happy spring!
Ellen and Janis
Jamaica Plain Non-Profts Make a Difference
It’s rewarding to live in a community that is rich with socially responsible business owners and vibrant non-profit organizations. We have enjoyed watching Keshet, (http://www.keshetonline.org/) a JP based non-profit, grow from a local one person operation with a budget of $35,000 to a nine person organization with a budget over $850,000 and a national reach. Keshet’s mission is to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are fully included in all parts of the Jewish community. In the Greater Boston area, Keshet offers social and cultural events for GLBT Jews ranging from Jewish text study to an annual GLBT Jewish speed-dating gala, Keshet Quick Dates. Nationally, Keshet offers support, training, and resources to create a Jewish community that welcomes and affirms GLBT Jews.
On March 17th the organization will host a fabulous gala evening of music, comedy, and an amazing auction, all to benefit Keshet’s work for the full equality and inclusion of GLBT Jews in Jewish life. We’re on the host committee and are looking forward to a fun evening that will include performances by actor, comedian, singer Zac Mordechai and Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Judy Gold. We hope to see you there!
Keshet Carbaret
March 17, 2012
8-11pm at The Westin Copley Place
10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
Mortgage Rates Hit Record Low – There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Home.
There may never be a better time to buy or refinance a home. The interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage approached new lows, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates. While U.S mortgage rates were mostly unchanged over the past week the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has hovered below 4% for seven straight weeks. The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 3.88%, down from 3.89% the previous week and 4.74% a year ago. Rates on 15-year fixed mortgages averaged 3.17%, up slightly from 3.16% last week and below 4.05% a year earlier.
To obtain the rates, 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages required an average payment of 0.8 percentage point. A point is 1% of the mortgage amount, charged as prepaid interest. As we noted in an earlier post, now is a great time to buy a home! Contact us today if you would like more information and/or if you need a mortgage broker referral. We would be happy to assist you!
Image by Salvatore Vuono
Looking Ahead to the Real Estate Market in 2012
It’s always so easy to look back (we all love “Monday morning quarterbacking”) but looking forward can be tricky. At Ellen and Janis Real Estate, we closely monitor real estate sales in Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury and throughout Greater Boston. While the new year has just begun, we are encouraged by recent trends and predictions. Most of the news about real estate is optimistic; economists predict that the housing market will begin its slow recovery from the last few years. As Freddie Mac’s, Chief Economist, Frank E. Nothaft noted,
-Low mortgage rates will support a gradual housing pick-up in 2012
-30 year fixed-rate mortgages will stay below 5% through 2012
-Home buyer affordability will support home sales, thus sales will increase by about 2%-4% in 2012
Happy New Year!
We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to help so many wonderful clients buy or sell their homes this year. While everyone we work with is special, the sellers of 100 Kittredge Street in Roslindale really touched us. This was not just another house, it was a very large home and carriage house that had been in the same family since the 1950’s. As the family said in their holiday news letter, the home held many fond memories of festive family gatherings and holiday celebrations. While the children of the original owners have embarked on a new chapter in their lives, they will “always treasures great memories of their home”, and they know that the new owners will take good care of a property that they will always call home.
This is one of t
he many reasons why we work in real estate. We are grateful to our clients and happy to be working with such wonderful people. Thank you for all that we do together…
Here’s to a happy, healthy & prosperous 2012!
Ellen and Janis
Last Minute Holiday Shopping in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale
With the holidays upon us, we thought it was a great time to share a few local shopping ideas. We’re grateful to be living in a neighborhood that supports local entrepreneurs. The holidays provide us with an opportunity to give something back to the merchants who make our community diverse and vibrant. So, take a look at our recommendations and feel free to share your own suggestions!
Jamaica Plain
Station 8 is a full service hair salon offering a complete menu of spa services. Get a gift certificate for that special someone.
Salmagundi provides a full rage of hats and accessories for your next holiday party! The shop was recognized by the city for leadership in window displays and cutting-edge fashion.
Boing! offers educational toys for children of all ages.
The merchandise at Kitchenwich runs the gamut from practical to silly, affordable to splurgy. Their products have been featured several times in the Boston Globe!
At On Centre you’ll find a surprisingly wide selection of books, clothing, accessories, home decor, stationary, art, and more, nestled in colorful store displays. The store carries the owner’s signature line of jewelry!
Need more ideas? Visit Jamaica Plain Main Streets local business directory!
Roslindale
Joanne Rossman describes herself as a purveyor of the unnecessary and irresistible! Her hand-woven throws and blankets make the perfect gift.
Solera is a shrine to wine offering carefully selected vintages from around the world.
Sophia’s Grotto Can’t give your special someone a trip to Italy this year? Then a gift certificate to Sophia’s Grotto may be the next best thing.
For more ideas visit Roslindale Village Main Streets’ business directory!
Happy holidays!
Ellen & Janis
The Right Property At the Right Price Will Still Get Multiple Offers in Jamaica Plain
As Realtors we frequently hear the question “hows the market”. And our reply is generally “pretty strong”. Most people seem surprised by this response.
Making Children’s Wishes Come True in Jamaica Plain
We’re excited to once again be collecting toys as part of The Home for Little Wanderers’ Big Wishes for Little Wanderers holiday gift drive. Each year, holiday wishes come true for thousands of children and families in The Home’s care through generous donations to the annual gift drive. The items donated to The Home’s gift drive are given to children and families who are currently being served by one of The Home’s more than 20 programs.
You’re invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys at our office, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 713 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, by Monday December 12th. The home serves children of all ages, for gift ideas, click here.
The Home for Little Wanderers is the nation’s oldest and one of New England’s largest nonprofit child and family service agencies. Its mission is to ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development and physical well-being of children and families living in at-risk circumstances. For more information, visit www.thehome.org.
Happy Holidays! -Ellen And Janis
Remember We Fall Back on Sunday Morning!
Remember we “fall back” this weekend, Sunday, November 6, 2011, ending Daylight Saving Time, and returning to Standard Time.
So we hope you are able to enjoy your extra hour of sleep. Of course if you are are out shopping for a new home, please make sure you check the Open House times carefully. We have 2 open houses scheduled so we hope to see you there!
-Ellen And Janis
