Should You Still Buy or Sell
It’s no secret that the current housing market is more complicated than ever. Numbers alone do not tell the whole picture. We are still experiencing low inventory, and properties are selling – days on the market have not shifted significantly, but it’s important to price smartly. Buyers want to buy but are more risk-averse and less willing to reach past their comfort zone. The good news for buyers and sellers is we are in a market area that has traditionally been resilient. Although the 4th quarter may not see a price increase, we at CHS believe we will hold steady. Buying a home is not a short-term investment – even though this is a cautious market, we will have sellers who want to sell and buyers who need to buy. Things to keep in mind: Over the last year and a half we haven’t seen an increase in market price like this. In some areas the market is up almost 35%. So, as a seller it’s important to remember the value of your home today is already greater than it would have been at this time last year. As sellers voice concerns about missing the market window, we would say […]
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Preparing your Outside Spaces for Sale
Now that the warm weather is upon us, the exterior of a home is on full display to potential buyers. Here is our advice on a few small steps you can take to make sure your home “curb appeal” is at its best. Spruce up the landscaping The first thing potential buyers notice when they approach a home is the exterior. If your landscaping is overgrown and not maintained, it can hinder that “wow” moment. According to a 2019 study from HomeLight, a well landscaped home can sell anywhere between 1%-10% more than a home without landscaping. You can spruce up your simply by making sure your lawn is regularly maintained and mowed. Pruning your trees and bushes, along with adding some simple potted plants or planting some annuals are an inexpensive solution for showcasing your property. Clean up the driveway/walkway Much like the landscape, a driveway or walkway is an important part of a home’s curb appeal. If these spaces are dirty, cracked, or have weeds sprouting up through cracks and crevices, it might be harder for potential buyers to see the beauty underneath. Simple solutions can go a long way. Try power washing to make the pavement shine, […]
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It’s Never Too Early
It’s never too early to start thinking about how to prepare your home for going on the market. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to know the exact time you plan to sell before starting the preparation. We’re here to tell you that that’s not true! We understand that getting started is the most difficult part; here are some tips on the early steps you can take to make the eventual process of selling easier. 1. The Semi-Annual Purge Things pile up. One of the most challenging obstacles when preparing your home for the market is figuring out what to do with all your stuff! Our friend, Professional Organizer Lisa Linard, wrote a blog for us on how to get rid of stuff fast once you’ve determined you want to sell. A great alternative is to stay on top of decluttering on a more regular basis. Take that spring and fall cleaning seriously and try to get rid of those unused items that are just sitting in the back of your closet. Once you decide to sell, the decluttering becomes way less stressful. 2. Taking it one room at a time Some spaces in your home do […]
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Introducing Concierge Home Sales by The Kerzner Group
Typically, the real estate market slows down as we head into the winter months. With the colder weather and multiple holidays, people take a break from buying or selling a home. This year, however, in true 2020 fashion, where nothing has been typical, we’re looking at one of the busiest winter seasons in history. With people spending more time at home and interest rates at a record low (hovering in or around 3%), it’s true what people have been saying: now is the time to buy and sell. As a testament to this booming real estate market and to the response we’ve received for the services we provide, we are pleased to announce we are expanding. Concierge Homes Sales is now Concierge Home Sales by The Kerzner Group. This rebranding, including our new logo, reflects the growth and development of our team since launching in 2012. Concierge Home Sales by The Kerzner Group caters to the Brookline, Newton, Metro West, and the Boston communities, overseeing and optimizing every step of the real estate process — whether you are selling or buying. As part of CHS’s commitment, we underwrite the majority of the staging costs, allowing our clients to receive the most significant rate […]
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5 Ways to Stay Busy While at Home
Your home is the place where you should feel the most safe and comfortable. So, while we’re all doing our part to stay home, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to keep yourself and your family busy. 1. Clean out your junk drawer It’s the place you throw all the things that don’t have a home, but when was the last time you actually cleared out your junk drawer? Who knows, you may even find something you thought you had misplaced! Click HERE for a step-by-step how to. 2. Rearrange your furniture Now is the perfect time to switch things up! You never know what will work best until you try it. Here is a great article from Elle Décor that provides furniture arranging tricks to make your home feel bigger. 3. Hang pictures and art How many times have you thought about finally getting around to printing, framing and hanging those family pictures? There are plenty of ways to arrange and hang pictures and artwork as outlined in this Arch Digest article. 4. Learn a new home improvement skill There are plenty of small fixes around the house that you can do yourself. Keep your home […]
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Introducing Wendy Matthews
At CHS, we are committed to providing a hands-on, full-service approach to your real estate needs. To provide our clients with the best possible results, we are always on the lookout for exceptional industry professionals to collaborate with or join our team. CHS Founder Irene Kerzner is very excited to announce that Wendy Matthews is the newest addition to the Concierge Home Sales team. Wendy knows the Greater Boston area like the back of her hand. She’s lived here for over three decades and worked in real estate since 1981. She specializes in servicing corporate relocation clients, empty nesters, growing families, and first-time buyers and comes with a stellar reputation for her purpose-driven approach that has resulted in many repeat clients and referrals. In addition to a successful career, Wendy has taught in the Boston Public Schools’ Early Childhood Program and has served as a Mayoral appointee on one of Newton’s Historic District Commissions for several years. We look forward to having Wendy as a valued member of our team, allowing us to provide top-notch services to even more clients — Welcome, Wendy!
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Getting Your “Financial House” in Order
By Flip Ruben, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) For most people, buying a home may be the single biggest purchase of their lifetime. As you evaluate your housing needs, wants and wishes, it’s also the perfect time to evaluate your financial plans and get your “financial house” in order. As we approach the New Year, here are four year-end planning suggestions (if you aren’t already doing them!) Speak to your accountant or financial advisor about tax savings. Don’t wait until after the New Year. It may seem obvious, but many people do not proactively seek advice in the current tax year. Even if you do not itemize deductions, there may be opportunities to reduce your current year’s tax bill. Make the call today and review your situation. Start budgeting in the New Year. Do your lifestyle expenses align with your savings and long-term planning goals? Are your spending patterns consistent with your values and priorities? Budgeting can be a critical part of your financial well-being. Make an accountability pledge to yourself and begin budgeting. There are numerous excellent options, so pick one and stick with it for the New Year. Re-evaluate your portfolio risk. Did you know that over 90% of investment […]
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3 Organizing Principles to Make Your New Home Work for You
By Lisa Linard, Professional Organizer Moving into a new home comes with plenty of opportunities to start anew. You get to decorate in a new color scheme. You can make new friends in your neighborhood. You can explore new coffee shops and restaurants and find new favorites. It also presents the opportunity to leave behind everything that wasn’t working for you and create new and improved “ways of working” in your new environment. SO EXCITING! Everyone wants to lead a frictionless, unencumbered life. We want to be able to get out the door quickly in the morning, find things when we need them, and spend our evenings relaxing with the people and things we enjoy. Before you move, think about the struggles you have in your current house. Do you: Waste minutes every day looking for your keys? Have a hard time putting together outfits in the morning? Find cooking dinner overly complicated and time-consuming? Ponder over why these things don’t work for you. Do you drop your keys in a different place every day when you get home from work? Are your camisoles mixed in with your sweaters? Do you have to walk back and forth across the kitchen […]
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Decluttering on a Deadline
By Lisa Linard, Professional Organizer So you’ve decided to sell your house and you need to get rid of stuff…fast. Chances are you’ve got a deadline and the thought of decluttering in a short time frame is making you anxious. First, take a deep breath. You’ve got this! You can follow these steps to make the process less daunting, more efficient, and (dare I say it?) more fun. 1. Determine your “why” Why do you want or need to declutter? Some of your reasons might be your own, and some might be suggested by your real estate agent or home stager. Do you want to: Fit all of your belongings into your new, smaller home? Remove personal items for an open house? Get rid of a storage unit? Prepare your home for staging? Make unpacking in your new home go more quickly? Your “why” might be one of these, none of these, or all of these! Write your “whys” down so you can refer back to them if you need to refocus. They will be your North Star. 2. Prioritize and set goals Let’s face it, if you have a short period of time to accomplish your […]
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New on the Market: Hot Finds in Brookline
Much like the weather, the housing market is heating up, and Brookline is hotter than ever! These beautiful properties won’t last long, so if you’re in the market for a new home be sure to contact us for more information before it’s too late. As always, you can stay up-to-date on all our listings and open houses by following us on Facebook and Instagram! Irene Kerzner Phone: 617-731-4644 x347 Email: ikerzner@HammondRE.com 111 Bonad Road, South Brookline/Chestnut Hill $995,000 This striking contemporary-style residence with three bedrooms has a wonderful open floor plan suitable for casual living as well as entertaining. The spacious dining area opens to a large deck and a beautifully landscaped yard with a 2016 retaining wall — perfect for al fresco dining. The main level also features a kitchen with a breakfast bar, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances; a gracious living room with a large fireplace; a 2014 half bathroom; and direct entry into the two-car garage. The second level is comprised of a delightful master bedroom with a walk-in closet and a 2011 bathroom plus two other generously-sized bedrooms and a bathroom. Further enhancing this property are a finished lower level with a full bathroom, steam […]
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