Real Estate Search Blog

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.

One of the top Cambridge real estate agents is now on Twitter! Follow Charles Cherney on Twitter to receive daily Tweets about new homes for sale in Cambridge!

Charles Cherney is one of the top real estate agents in Cambridge because he is passionate about assisting buyers and sellers of homes in Cambridge. He is constantly seeking new ways to find his clients exactly what they’re looking for by Tweeting about new homes on the market, uploading video tours of homes for sale in Cambridge to Youtube, and keeping in contact with his clients and colleagues on LinkedIn. Below are helpful links to Charles Cherney’s other social networking accounts.

• Visit and Subscribe to the Cambridge for Sale Channel on Youtube
• Connect with Charles Cherney on LinkedIn

In 2009, 54% of people that bought real estate in Massachusetts said that they believed their new home was a better financial investment than stocks. The statistic comes from a study published on February 9th, 2010 by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®. An additional 29% of buyers said that their new home was as good as an investment as stocks. For sellers of property, the feelings were positive as well. Sellers in Massachusetts typically sold their properties at 94% of their asking price.

Why buy property in Boston? Massachusetts property, particularly in-demand Boston real estate, is an excellent opportunity to invest. Right now there are hundreds of condos in Boston, single-family homes in Boston, and multi-family homes in Boston that are on the market — and offered at a great value. Rental property in Boston will always be in demand due to the large number of students and working professionals entering the market at any given time. Buying real estate in Boston is a great opportunity to earn extra income, and hold onto a valuable asset for your future or for the future of your children and loved ones.

If your investment instincts are tickled by Boston MA real estate’s falling prices, there are some things you should do before you even begin talking to a real estate agent. Knowledge is power. To be well-informed about investing in Boston real estate is to be prepared for any surprises that might occur along the way. The following tips are provided by The National Real Estate Investors Association.

1. Buy your own home first. This is the best practice in the real estate investment process. You could eventually use your first home as an investment and rental unit for when you purchase an “upgrade” property later on down the line.
2. Read up. The original tip here is “go back to school,” but there are plenty of free resources out there that offer more flexibility. Browse the latest books, build an RSS feed of real estate blogs, take an online course, join a local investment group. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by talking to other people, so joining a group may be the most helpful option. You can learn from others’ stories of success (and failure.)
3. Learn your investment market. Again, joining local groups may be your best bet here. Even if you have lived in the Boston area your entire life, you may be unaware of the habits of renters and students. By talking to others with more experience, you’ll learn what to expect when investing in real estate in Boston.

Not all classrooms were made equal. The benefit of buying a home in Swansea, MA means that your children will have access to the cutting edge technology that has been installed in every one of the town’s public schools. All schools in Swansea MA, from pre-school to high school, are equipped with SMART Boards, a great interactive teaching tool for teachers and students. SMART Boards are a white board and computer screen rolled into one.

Also new at Joseph Case High School are Senteo wireless remotes, which first popped up onto the classroom technology scene at major universities such as Boston University.

Technology is such an integral part of the learning curriculum in the Swansea, MA school system, that they have an entire department devoted to it. The Swansea Technology Department plans and implements some of the most cutting edge technology initiatives in the nation.

If you’re searching for homes in Fall River or in its surrounding towns, consider the town of Swansea, MA. Take a look at some of the beautiful homes for sale in Swansea MA.

There is no shortage of beautiful waterfront homes on the Connecticut shoreline. New Englanders know that the town of Guilford, Connecticut is the place to find gorgeous historic homes. Some of the homes in Guilford, CT date all the way back to the 17th century. Although the town cherishes its historic roots, there are plenty of dazzling homes with modern amenities. Here are a few gems.

Beautiful waterfront home

This 10-room home at 145 Tuttles Point Road in Guilford, CT has its very own private beach, and as pictured, a dock. The home also has a stone patio overlooking the water, and two professionally designed gardens. This home is waterfront property at its finest.

Your Own Private Island

You don’t have to be a billionaire to own your own island. This 4-room home above is located on tiny Horse Island. The home includes its own private dock, 360 degrees of sandy private beach, a spacious patio, and floor-to-ceiling windows which provide for beautiful views. This home was built for someone that just has to have what everyone else wants. The home is located at 0 Horse Island in Guilford, CT.

Gorgeous Lakeside Home

Some people prefer lakeside vacations to trips to the beach. For children, lakes can be much safer and quieter, and can pose less of a risk when it comes to possible damage from bad weather. Watersports such as wakeboarding and waterskiing are easier on lakes, as well. The 9-room home above is located on the shore of West Lake in Guilford, CT. Still, the home is located less than 5 miles from the ocean. It includes a private, sandy beach, a patio, and an open floorplan on over 2 acres of lush land. Find it at 70 Putzel Avenue in Guilford, CT.

Waterfront property is always valuable in real estate. With the state of the economy, consider taking advantage of the steals and deals available in today’s real estate market.

The CRS Designation is awarded to the nation’s top real estate agents by the Council of Residential Specialists. Fewer than 4% of all licensed Realtors are Certified Residential Specialists. For a real estate agent to receive the prestigious CRS designation, he or she must have significant experience, a particular volume of real estate transactions, and a base amount of gross sales. The agent must also complete advanced educational classes. Last, recipients of the CRS designation must maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors, and abide by its code of ethics.

Why should the CRS designation matter to home buyers and home sellers? Consider the large pool of real estate agents in Massachusetts. For those new to the home buying or home selling process, it might not be easy to tell a good agent from an unreliable one. The CRS designation helps simplify the process. Choosing a real estate agent with the CRS designation assures the home buyer or home seller that he or she is working with one of the best real estate agents in the nation.

Charles Cherney of Hammond Residential is one real estate agent specializing in real estate in Cambridge, MA who has obtained the CRS designation. He was invited to pursue the CRS designation after attaining a required level of sales volume and gross sales. Mr. Cherney has completed the program’s rigorous core curriculum which includes topics in business planning, customer service, and technology, in addition to other available courses which focus on technology as a valuable tool in the industry. Mr. Cherney is one of only 4% of licensed Realtors who have been invited to obtain, and have successfully achieved, the CRS designation.

The GRI designation is considered the nation’s number one real estate designation. Only 19% of realtors in the United States have obtained this designation. The GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute designation) is administered and given by the National Association of Realtors. The designation is comparable to the accounting industry’s CPA (Certified Public Accountant) designation and the financial industry’s CFP(Certified Financial Planner) designation.

Charles Cherney of Hammond Residential is one real estate agent serving the Cambridge, MA area who has obtained the GRI designation. He has completed about 90 hours of classroom instruction on various topics including recognizing and addressing potential legal issues, tax policies, types of mortgage programs, fair housing laws, basics of building construction, and the home inspection process. GRI programs differ by state in order to educate participants on their own local and state real estate practices.

What does this mean for the home buyer or seller? Choosing a real estate agent with the GRI designation means you are working with one of the best and most knowledgeable real estate agents in your state and in the country. Your real estate agent will provide you with a high level of professionalism and in-depth knowledge of every step in your home-buying or home-selling journey. A real estate agent with the GRI designation is theoretically involved in all parts of the home buying or home selling process. While other agents must put blind faith into a home inspector’s findings, an agent with the GRI designation fully understands each detail and will be able to explain the results and further courses of action to the home owner.

Buying a home will most likely be the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime. Only a real estate agent with the GRI designation will understand every detail in the home-buying process, and will be able to provide you with the high quality of service needed to steer you through the process.

Thinking of selling your home in the near or distant future? There are several things you can do to make your home more appealing to potential buyers that don’t require a lot of effort or expense. These tips were pulled from a video on HGTV’s Frontdoor.com.

Tip 1: Hire it out

Hire a designer or realtor for about an hour to check out your home. Though you’ve always liked that art deco backsplash in the kitchen, a potential homebuyer might not. See what works and what doesn’t when it comes to the taste of the general public. If you’re not comfortable doing the work yourself, see these helpful tips for hiring a contractor or remodeler.

Tip 2: Get an Inspection

I’ve spoken with several real estate agents in Massachusetts, and most of them recommend having your home inspected before you do anything else. The inspector can point out major and minor problems that you can fix, before potential homebuyers see them.

Tip 3: Get a Fresh Look

Paint each room in a different earth tone. Doing so will give each room its own distinct feel — a house full of white rooms isn’t very appealing and doesn’t inspire buyers to imagine how they will decorate each room. Make sure to draw attention to accents like crown moldings. Below is a picture of the hallway of one of the homes for sale in Newton MA. The earthy, sandy color that the owners chose for the walls draws sharp contrast to the banister, the moldings, the small window, and the gleaming hardwood floors. Sometimes plain white paint just doesn’t do a home justice.

Tip 4: Decorate

Pick up a few home design magazines and see what you can do to improve the aesthetics of your home. Don’t go overboard with trends and embellishing — after all, when you move out the decor goes with you. Stick with basic decorating details. If your larger furniture has a busy or bright pattern, throw a few neutral slipcovers over them and add a couple of brightly colored pillows. Upgrade bland window blinds to neutral-colored drapes. If you can’t afford to overhaul your bathroom, paint it a neutral color and choose one bright accent color for the hand towels, shower curtain, and rug.

Tip 5: Get an Energy Audit

Visit your energy provider’s website to evaluate your home’s energy efficiency. You can find tips to quickly and inexpensively decrease your home’s electricity costs, like replacing regular lightbulbs with energy-saving ones. If you’re not planning to sell your home for some time, consider replacing windows with better-insulated ones. Take advantage of this federal tax credit which allows for 30% off your home energy-improving expenses (in effect until December 31, 2010.)

These basic tips should put you on the right path to selling a home.