Archive for the ‘Beacon Hill Condos’ Category

What Color Paint Will Help Your Property Sell?

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

According to a color expert at the Paint Quality Institute, “color psychology” can help you choose paint colors that set the right mood for a room.  Here is what the experts say about the mood that each color creates:

 

 

Blue slows the heart rate and lowers body temperature.  Ideal for: Bedrooms, but not dining rooms.

   

 

Orange is another happy color, but is more attention-getting.  Ideal for: Accents and living rooms.

 

 

Green has a calming effect, and is the color of many fruits and vegetables.  Ideal for: Bedrooms and dining rooms.

   

 

Purple is proven to stimulate brain activity.  Ideal for: Bedrooms and studies.

 

 

Red radiates energy and excitement.  Ideal for: Dining rooms and adult bedrooms, but not children’s rooms.

   

 

Black imparts elegance, sophistication and formality.  Ideal for: Accents.

 

 

Yellow, like sunshine, imparts optimism and happiness.  Ideal for: Master bathrooms, dinettes and living rooms.

   

 

White conveys peace, simplicity and spaciousness.  Ideal for: Small rooms and as a contrast to accent walls.

Paint is just one of many details that need to be considered to get your property sold.  Buyers are meticulous, so these details are important.  Let our experts show you how to maximize your property’s potential.

We want to list your property to sell!

For more information or a free consultation, contact Eric Shabshelowitz at 617-894-2138 or eric@cabotandcompany.com.

 

 

 

2011 Year End Boston Retail Market Report

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Positive trends in Boston’s retail market continued in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Vacancy rates declined and ended the year at 4.6%.  Average quoted asking rental rates were down slightly, but not significantly.

Neighborhood Overview

Neighborhood

Vacancy %

Quoted Rates

Back Bay

3.4%

$60.87

Brighton/Allston/Fenway

1.4%

$27.35

Financial District

6.8%

$24.45

Newton/Brookline

6.9%

$28.10

North End/Waterfront

1.0%

$33.27

North Station/Beacon Hill

0.9%

-

Somerville/Everett

4.9%

$19.86

South Boston

1.7%

$17.49

South End

0.5%

$29.19

Source: CoStar

A few things to highlight.  The amount of available retail space on Beacon Hill is very low, which is easy to see in taking a stroll down Charles Street.  Retail spaces on Newbury Street in the Back Bay are also filling up.  While the quoted rent rates are useful to gauge trends, they do not capture actual averages (since numerous properties do not publish quoted rates).

Retail Space Sales in Boston

With retail rents still high, the sales market for retail properties is hot.  We are seeing two groups making moves on these properties.  First, investors are actively looking to increase their retail holdings, particularly in prime downtown areas.  Second, would-be tenants are looking at opportunities to purchase instead of rent.  Currently, there are numerous opportunities for owner-occupants to buy and have their monthly costs (i.e. monthly payments for mortgage, condo fees, etc.) be less than current rental rates.

Call Eric Shabshelowitz at 617-896-5010 or email him at eric@cabotandcompany.com for more details on the latest trends in Boston’s retail market or to learn more about buying, selling or leasing opportunities throughout the Greater Boston area.

2012: The Year for Work and Relocating in Boston

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Welcome to BostonJanuary 2012
Happy New Year!

Congratulations, you have been hired! According to a recent article on Forbes.com, Boston tied for 13th of cities to be hiring this year. Overall, there is an 11% net hiring expectancy in the U.S.

What does this mean to you as a new hire and possible relocater to Boston? Consider that rental prices in Boston are already high and availability extremely low. This is before this job growth news!

5 Tips from Cabot and Company Real Estate

1. Find a reputable real estate agency. Our agents at Cabot and Company in Boston’s Back Bay are experienced professionals. Visit www.cabotandcompany.com or call 617-262-6200.

2. Begin your search as early as possible. As soon as you get the employment green light, preferably 60-90 days in advance, reach out and start your search.

3. Identify the key neighborhoods you will live in. Keep transportation and proximity to work in mind.

4. Make some transportation decisions. Boston has a great public transit system. The city has recently added many bicycle lanes. Boston is a walking city and there are many very accessible short term car rental options.

5. Organize paperwork and funds in advance of finding an apartment so you can act quickly when you see a good option. Once again, the seasoned agents at Cabot and Company real estate can assist you in your search.

Congratulations!

Boston Rents Hit Record High

Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Rent rates are rising in Boston. Now might be the time to buy.

The economy is tough these days. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about owning, instead of renting.

Despite the current state of the economy, Boston is experiencing record high rents.  The Boston Globe recently reported that apartment vacancy in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill is down to 1.2 percent.  According to that same report, the median price for rent in Boston hit $1,665 a month, and a two-bedroom apartment in the Back Bay is averaging $2,658 a month.  From our perspective, those numbers even seem to be understated (we have not seen many two-bedroom apartments in that price range this year).

We are frequently asked why rents are so high and availability is so low.  Based on our observations and the reports we’ve seen, there are a few main reasons.  First, many would-be first-time homebuyers are not buying.  They are continuing to rent due to concerns that home prices are still on the decline, there is uncertainty in the economy, etc.  Second, though while not as prevalent in Boston as other areas, foreclosures have thrust former homeowners into renting.  Finally, the population seems to be growing.

What does this all mean?  Well, it’s a good time to be a landlord, for one.  And if you’re not one now, it’s a great time to explore investment opportunities in residential property in Boston.  It also means that it’s time to start thinking about owning, instead of renting.

If you are interested in discussing Boston real estate investment opportunities, call Eric Shabshelowitz at 617-896-5010 or email him at eric@cabotandcompany.com.

If you are currently renting but want to explore the possibility of buying, call Josh Medeiros at 617-896-5005 or email him at josh@cabotandcompany.com.

 

Back Bay Condo: Summer Oasis

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Get Ready for Summer: This is Your Oasis!

Back Bay Condo featured listing in Boston, MA465 Beacon St, # 1, Boston, MA – $599,000

This Back Bay condo is a gorgeous Parlor level Floor-through One Bedroom plus Study. There is an enormous landscaped deck, and a richly detailed South facing Living Room.

Boston Back Bay Condo with Deck

Also included with this 465 Beacon Street condo listing are three (3) ornately carved fireplaces. There is a Chef’s Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and  window. The bathroom has a stunning marble Jacuzzi, and there is also a private washer and dryer with additional deeded storage available.

Featured Boston Back Bay condo listing

465 Beacon St, # 1, Boston, MA - $599,000

At $599,000, this featured listing is priced well below Assessed Value!

View the full listing for more detailed information and additional images.

To schedule a showing of this beautiful  Back Bay condo, contact Cabot & Company real estate agent Shelagh Brennan at 1-617-896-5002 or by email, shelaghpbrennan@gmail.com

Featured Luxury Condo – 220 Boylston St, # 9012

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Inviting All Offers for This Fantastic Home

Large comfortable living room in the 220 Boylston St. Luxury Condo.

Do you have a desire to live somewhere with great views, spacious rooms, high-quality architecture and a location in the heart of the city? Then we have the perfect place for you. Our luxury condo for sale at 220 Boylston St, #9012 Boston, MA has all that you could ask for and more.

It is a large two bedroom, two bathroom home with beautiful marble baths, walnut stained hardwood floors, custom lighting and brilliant imported French limestone kitchen floors. The condo is outfitted with top of the line appliances from such companies as SubZero and Wolf Range. Its bespoke eat-in kitchen includes a spacious refrigerator, wall oven, microwave, warming drawer and a stainless steel island.

Also provided with this amazing condo are all the great amenities to enhance your living. The building features a swimming pool, luxury fitness center and spa for the health conscious individuals. It has Elkus-Manfredi designed common areas that offer peace and relaxation. And if health and fitness isn’t enough, enjoy five-star service and dining. Additional amenities include one garage parking space and a storage room as well.

A bright spacious bedroom in the 220 Boylston St. Luxury Condo.

The location of this luxury condo in Boston is second to none. It’s situated in the epicenter of the city, just across from the Boston Common and it is in walking distance to some of Boston’s best attractions. Newbury Street with all its shops, boutiques and restaurants are just around the corner, and everything from Fenway Park, North End and the Waterfront are just a view T stops away.

If you’re interested in this Boston Luxury Condo on Boylston Street with first-class amenities, or looking for a luxury condo in the Boston area, please Contact Cabot to schedule a viewing today. You can see more photos and read the full property listing about our featured luxury condo here.

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The condo's foyer is brightened by sunlight in the 220 Boylston St. Luxury Condo.

A beautiful kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and a stainless steel island.

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Happy Thanksgiving to All! And, By The Way, Where Is The Boston Real Estate Market Trending?

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Around this time last year, I wrote a blog asking this same question (to view it scroll back to about the seventh blog…fall of last year). Anyway, it is interesting to look back a year later with 20-20 hindsight vision and see what I saw then and to compare it to what happened and to what trends I see now.

Essentially, what I said a year ago still applies….the unemployment rate remains the key to the real estate recovery. The residential market is still stronger than the commercial market but both sectors have pockets that defy the national trends of lower prices. Back Bay condos, Beacon Hill, South End and other desirable Boston neighborhoods have held their own compared to the suburbs and Cape Cod, where prices and activity are down 20% and more…in some cases, way more. I think the recent election will prove to stanch the excessive government spending and eventually lead to more economic confidence resulting in an increase in employment in the private sector. Hopefully I am right about this.

Either way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Joseph Palermino

Cabot & Company

Tel:  (617)262-6200

Brokers@Cabotandcompany.com

Market Shows Increase in Boston Condo Sales

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

A recent Boston Globe article reveals that Boston condo sales for the second quarter of 2010 have soared. The data, which is based off of comparisons with the second quarter in 2009, shows that sales from this quarter have increased by 30%. In addition, the average sale price decreased by 3.6% to $443,500.

Between the months of April and June, 849 condos were sold, compared to 653 condos during the same period in 2009.

Zeroing in on a more specific slice of the market, sales in luxury buildings increased 9%, and the median price rose to $665,000 (11.8% more than the second quarter in 2009).

The recent sales increase can most likely be attributed to low interest rates and continuing improvements in the economy. Prospective buyers have more confidence in the Boston real estate market, as this data represents the third consecutive quarter of sales growth in the downtown Boston neighborhood, which includes the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South Boston, and the South End.

The rest of the article is here. Also be sure to view our great selection of Boston condos and luxury real estate!

The Super Bowl of Boston Real Estate!

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Boston Real Estate Super BowlIt’s early February, and anyone with a pulse knows that it’s time for the Super Bowl! As usual, the Super Bowl this year is full of all kinds of story lines. The heartwarming story of the New Orleans Saints reinvigorating a city once devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The half human, half machine Peyton Manning making his case for the greatest player in NFL history. The stories are endless.

At Cabot and Company, we have the occasional debate on football, but most of our conversation revolves around what great deals we have in the office. Having said that (any Curb Your Enthusiasm fans here?), what better way to explain how incredible our Boston apartment rental deals are than in NFL football terms?

Lets go straight to the action:

THE HEARTBREAKER: I grew up in St. Louis and naturally became a Rams fan. We had a great run for a few years and even got a Super Bowl ring in ’99, but the loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI crushed me. Not only were we favored, we were favored BIG. I’ve never forgotten about that game and hold a grudge against the Patriots to this day. We have these buildings on Beacon St. that always seem to break the hearts of clients who rush to fill out an application on an apartment only to find out it has been rented. This has happened all too often. Well, we have one of those studios available right now! Don’t get your heartbroken like me…search our rentals now!

THE KREM DE LA KREM: I am by no means a Colts fan nor am I really a Peyton Manning fan, and I know how much you New Englanders are going to disagree/hate me for this but Peyton will end up being the best quarterback and perhaps best player in the history of the NFL. He has completely revolutionized the quarterback position almost to the point where his offensive coordinator can take a nap during the game. He is that good at reading defenses and calling audibles accordingly. If Peyton Manning was 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment in Boston, he would be this unreal apartment we have on Newbury at the Prince building. At $3600, this place boasts of incredible sunlight with floor to ceiling windows, tons of space, in unit laundry not to mention the amenities of a concierge and gorgeous roof deck that the Prince building offers! This, folks, is the Peyton Manning of apartment rentals in Boston.

YOUR REHAB PROJECT SURE NOT TO DISAPPOINT: The St. Louis Rams win/loss record over the last three seasons is 6-42 yet I am still a Rams fan. In fact, as cruel joke, one of my friends bought me a Rams jersey for my birthday with the number 1 on it and where the last name of the player usually is, he had “I Believe” printed on the jersey. What a wiseguy. Anyways, I still wear the jersey with a little bit of sarcasm and a little bit of hope. The Rams have to get better at some point, right? With a healthy amount of draft picks coming in next year’s NFL draft and a fresh batch of guys in the Rams front office who actually understand how to evaluate talent, the Rams are sure to rebound in the next couple of years. Behold an apartment on Beacon St. that has retooled and reloaded with the pizazz that it once possessed long ago. A stunning floor thru 1 bedroom on Beacon for $2100 with a brand new kitchen and bathroom, in unit laundry and great front to rear sunlight. The Rams can only hope to look as good as this apartment looks now.

I’ll end this blog segment with the my prediction for the big game: While Drew Brees leads an inspired Saints squad, Peyton Manning torches the Saints defense. Colts win 27-23. Manning becomes MVP of the Super Bowl dethroning Tom Brady as the best QB in football. Sorry Pats fans. It’s true.

That just about does it for your lesson in how NFL football relates to Boston real estate (first lesson ever taught on the subject?). Snatch one of these apartments up and sit back, relax and enjoy the game.

(Photo credit: http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/images/dolphins-stadium-photo.jpg)