Real Estate Search Blog

On his Cambridge real estate blog, real estate agent Charles Cherney noted the importance of the outer and inner appearance of a home that’s on the market.

“I was struck on my visits today by by how much appearance matters. One condo I looked at is very nice – but you almost wouldn’t know it. The place needs a good cleaning and would really benefit from having someone give some thought to its presentation…”

An example of a staged bathroom

An experienced Realtor or a professional home stager can bring  a valuable, new perspective to the home selling process. A furniture arrangement that has suited a family’s needs for years may not fully compliment a space in the way that it should; for instance, cluttered furniture may make a space feel smaller than it actually is. In addition to finding an experienced Realtor with a talent for staging, here are some tips that any homeowner can follow to create a blank canvas from his or her property.

• Clear off countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms; remove smaller kitchen appliances such as toaster ovens and blenders from the countertops
• Clear the fridge door
• Re-organize closets. The Container Store and Ikea sell inexpensive storage boxes and hanging bags
• Hang curtains 4-6 inches higher and wider than the window to make the room look bigger
• Rent a storage unit for extra clutter that can’t be stored in your home
• Hire a professional to clean your home. It costs under $100 to have a four-bedroom, 2500 square foot home cleaned.
• Before each showing, boil cinnamon sticks or bake cookies
• Have a professional pressure-clean the exterior of your home — it’s amazing how sparkling the outside of a home can look when it’s freed from years of crud! You can also rent the equipment from a hardware store for $50-$75 for the day.
• Mow the lawn, lay down mulch if necessary
• Replace the mailbox and house numbers if they’ve taken a beating over the years

Real estate agent Charles Cherney’s passion for Cambridge MA real estate, for architecture, and most importantly, for other people, make him an ideal residential real estate agent for Cambridge, MA properties. Visit his Cambridge real estate website and Cambridge Real Estate Blog for helpful real estate tips, detailed blogs about neighborhoods and listings in Cambridge, video tours of Cambridge real estate listings, and more.

If you’re reading this blog, you obviously know the value of the Internet when it comes to real estate search. Home buyers today enjoy the ability to search the newest real estate listings, participate in online forums, and find valuable city data. At the beginning of the real estate search, a home buyer might spend the bulk of his or her time digging through thousands of web sites, MLS listings, and countless real estate agents. It’s inevitable that information overload will take its toll, leaving the home buyer even more lost than they were at the start of their real estate search.

This is where the need for a trusted, tech-savvy real estate agent comes in. A few notable real estate agents in the Boston area have attained the e-PRO Designation, a certification which recognizes the ability of a REALTOR® to use the Internet and advanced technology to assist home buyers. The certification is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS® and entails classes and a final exam. Wellesley real estate agent Christine Norcross, Cambridge MA real estate agent Charles Cherney, and Cape Ann real estate agent Rosemary Quarato are three Boston area or Massachusetts real estate agents who have earned the e-PRO Designation.

Here are some benefits to working with an e-PRO (credited to the e-PRO NAR website):

• Online home tours — Check out Cambridge real estate on YouTube!
• Instant access to comprehensive neighborhood data – Look at recent Wellesley real estate and Boston area market reports!
• Extensive property listings – Get instant access to Cape Ann real estate listings!
• Immediate email notification of just-listed homes meeting your criteria
• Referral networks and online forums
• Newsletters on current real estate conditions in your area
• Electronic faxes sent to you by email
• Advanced software, PDAs, and laptops to find you answers on the spot

Whether you’re the type of person who always has the latest gadget, or you’re the type of person who’d rather write a letter than type an email — the benefits to working with an e-PRO designated REALTOR® in today’s technologically charged world are substantial.

Fall River real estate offers the best value on homes in terms of lifestyle, culture, and school systems. The City of Fall River, Massachusetts is an excellent place to look if you have a family, or if you plan to start one in the future. Along with keeping up with the latest technology, Fall River schools frequently launch student programs that promote personal growth. A few reasons to check out Fall River real estate are below.

• Verizon SES Fiber networking in 13 of 19 school buildings
• New middle school recently built (Kuss Middle School)
• FredTV, a student-run local TV studio
• Incredible Kid Day at Kuss Middle School

Need guidance on looking for real estate in Fall River? Marguerite Cashman is the go-to agent for Greater Fall River real estate. Visit her Fall River real estate website and browse the Fall River MLS listings, and contact her with any questions.

On December 31st, 2009, the Boston Herald honored Fall River real estate agent Marguerite Cashman of Arrow Realty Group as its Agent of the Week.

A realtor since 2002, Ms. Cashman attributes her success in real estate in Fall River to the personalized service that she gives all of her clients, rather than the “big box” strategy that other real estate agents often pursue. Clients often find Ms. Cashman through referrals. To reach Ms. Cashman and find out more about the homes for sale in Fall River, call (508) 676-7600 or visit Greaterfallriverrealestatema.com.

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