If this sounds like the type of neighborhood you would happily fit into, this studio space might be just what you’re looking for.

This meticulously maintained loft offers 9 foot ceilings, a juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard, and is conveniently located within walking distance to public transportation on the Green line.You will also be able to enjoy the natural beauty that makes JP so special with Leverett Pond and the Emerald Necklace park being so close by.  JP also now has a brand new Whole Foods Market that you’re sure to enjoy.

CONDO QUICK STATS

• Price: 309,900
• size: 868  sq. feet
• Unit level: 2
• Unit Placement: Courtyard
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathroom: 1
• Area Amenities: public transportation, shopping, park, walk/jog/bike path, medical facility, house of worship,
• Exterior features: patio
• Laundry: In unit

If this sounds like the ideal fit for you, Contact Realtor Brendan Cavanaugh to schedule a showing today.

• Price: $ 1,975/month (NO FEE!!)
• 1 bedroom
• 1 bathroom
• kitchenette only (no stove)
• high ceilings
• South facing
• pets considered on a case by case basis
• Washer and dryer in building
• steps to public transit (Hynes Convention Center on Green line, #1 Bus to Red Line and other close by stops)
• 1 year lease

To schedule an immediate showing, contact us today

• Come prepared with a notepad, camera and folder. You want to organize any materials you receive in the most efficient manner possible, in case you’re planning to see more than one property at once.
• If you’re looking at buying a house with someone else and that person happens to be attending the open house with you, don’t bicker in the presence of others. Any serious discrepancies you may have with your co-owner should be discussed at a later time.
• Dress casually. Nothing too over the top, nothing not covering your bottom.
• You’re there to see the property, not attend happy hour. over socialization defeats the purpose until AFTER you’ve taken care of business.
• Ask before you take photos. Even though everyone and their mother has a cell phone with seemingly high res photo taking capabilities doesn’t mean it’s not polite to ask before you Ansel Adams the place. There’s a good chance that the home you’re scoping is still being resided in.
• This may seem like an insult to one’s intelligence, but DON’T go digging through someone’s personal items while trying to determine if the storage space is large enough to hold your belongings.
• Practice your poker face. This one totally stinks if you’re easily excitable or just as easily disgusted, but it’s important not to give away your thoughts. Keep your eyes and ears open however, because not everyone is so steadfast. You might be able to learn a lot about your perspective competition by being observant.
• Ask pertinent questions in a respectful manner. No one likes a busy body. There’s no need to pry for extremely personal details. Here are some questions to consider: Has the owner received offers already? why  are the owners are selling the home? How long has the home been on the market?  Will any furniture will be sold with the home? Is the home in a flood hazard zone? If so, how much are the annual flood insurance premiums? Are there any other hidden costs of ownership? What are the other neighborhood houses like? Always remember to be tactful and courteous when positioning your questions. Keep in mind that just because you ask all the right questions, it does not always guarantee you will get all honest answers. If the SELLER is present however, sometimes they are willing to divulge important information that will help you make informative decisions because they are often more emotional about the whole experience.
• Be mindful that the listing agent might not necessarily be the person who is showing the property during the open house. He/she should be able to direct your questions elsewhere if unable to answer them in full.

Many people think that having a swimming pool in their back yard is the absolute cat’s pajamas, but has it ever crossed your mind to add a natural pool to your home? Here are a few reasons why a natural pool is the bees knees of pool alternatives.

So what in the world  IS a natural pool? Some new age thing that Hybrid driving suburbanites are doing? Well, maybe! Just kidding. I don’t really know if that’s true.  A natural  pool is one that doesn’t rely on a significant amount of manufactured materials and chemical additives.  These pools have been around since the 1980′s and it’s no surprise that that they first showed up in Europe. It always seems like the American’s show up late to the party.

A traditional pool contains plenty of unnecessary chemicals and is filled hazardous warnings. Just because chlorine kills just about everything short of the swimmer doesn’t mean there aren’t better alternatives out there. These natural pools focus on getting back to nature by using gravel stone, clay , and plants to create a more naturally pleasant atmosphere that works to filter itself. If you opt to go this rout, you can create your very own for roughly $2,000 as oppose to a traditional pool which can run you at least five times that, not to mention the upkeep and maintenance.

Even though it’s called a ‘Natural Pool”  doesn’t mean you’ll be paddling around in mud, channeling your inner nonconformist and batting away  irritating mosquitos.  If you keep your the water moving by installing a pump or a bubbler, your plants will be tickled pink with the extra oxygen and the water will never become stagnant. In the Summer months you surprisingly  won’t have to worry about the mosquitos since they don’t breed in moving water.

Don’t be scared of the  natural wildlife that accompanies natural pools. They work hard to perpetuate the survival of the fittest and keep your pool free of the unwanted insects.  You’ll have a beautiful and unique pool/water garden, which is a lovely addition to any home. If you choose to make the pool even more exquisite, you can add a surrounding garden to incorporate more wildlife, or keep it simple by sticking with a more traditional looking natural pool. If you want to go all out and make this a big project, leave it up to the pros like Aquaviva or BioNova, but be willing to shell out much more than you would if you put in the work yourself. If you’re up for the challenge, reap the benefits of your hard earned labor by creating your very own natural pool.

“As it becomes more difficult to buy (harder to get a mortgage, for example) more people enter the rental market. Therefore rental prices increase. It is a good time to be a landlord, so more investors see opportunity in the market.” Says Bushari Group‘s Associate Broker Mara Bushari. The supply for these rentals however is experiencing a decline as the demand continues to rise, which is yet another  reason for this inflation, and why the rent could continue to climb even further still.

If you’re a landlord or multifamily investor, you’re probably grinning ear to ear dreaming about being in a music video where you roll around in dollar bills while using some form of  the popular expression “make it rain” to express your fiscal enthusiasm. If you’re a renter, especially with a family, this may force you to bring up the topic of relocation. Sadly for renters, there is no evidence that these prices will trend in your favor.

I’m gonna take a moment and play devil’s advocate. As a renter, you can’t build your equity and you don’t have as much say in your standard of living. That doesn’t have to mean however, that you’re not still capable of living the American dream. It just means that the American dream has evolved slightly, so renters are just prepared in a new way. If you think about it, based on the past economic downturn and slew of housing foreclosures, people are reevaluating their options.

Owning a home once meant stability and peace of mind, but if the bank owns you, how much security do you really have? As a renter you are free from the burdens of mortgages, which means less debt up front. Let’s not forget that should you decide you don’t like where you’re living, you’re free to move about more easily than you would if you owned your home. Part of the allure to renting could even be argued that American’s thrive on having more than one option for practically everything from cell phone plans to food, to nuptials.

On the other hand if you ARE looking to buy a home in Boston and you want to live comfortably or perhaps  luxuriously  for an extended period of time in one location, there is good news! The number one reason to buy right now is the extremely low interest rates. If you are presently paying dearly for your  Boston rent, maybe it’s time to give some serious consideration to buying. It is a good time to buy because prices still have not dramatically increased from their lows over the past few years, because there are less able buyers out there, and because some great new properties are coming on the market.

The first thing to think about is, what is color? That question can be answered in so many ways but I feel a talk I have recently heard from Beau Lotto sums it up in the most interesting way.

After defining what color is to you, try and make good use of all the furniture catalogs that are mailed to your home. Flip through them and mark off rooms that look like one of what you would define as you dream room. Take photos of color in spaces that you like: store fronts, restaurants, hotel lobbies, flower arrangements, in short any color that catches your eye. Then put these snippets in the space you wish to paint, I would print these out, color on a computer/smartphone screen will not reflect how the color will look like outside the virtual world.

At this point you basically narrowed down the color spectrum that appeals to you, and are ready to go to your local hardware store to look at some color fans. There are so many good companies around, but from experience in Massachusetts most contractors will lean towards using Benjamin Moore Paints I have used them in the past, and was pleased with their  huge selection and quality of paint. It mainly boils down to how much money you are willing to spend on a gallon of paint. In some cases the difference between paint companies would be in how vibrant the color is, how many coats of color will be need to be applied to get the desired color effect, and how fast the color will fade. Another thing to consider is how many toxic fumes are expelled while applying the color or what is called VOC , the use of lead based paint is illegal, I like going with the zero VOC paints. Lastly you’ll need to figure out what kind of finish you would like (or in layperson terms how shiny will the color look). Most walls in dry rooms (i.e. not your bathroom) will receive  an Eggshell finish, window trims, door frames, and baseboards will be in Satin.

Before buying gallons of paint get some samples painted on wall surfaces of the room. If you are painting a house, paint in different rooms to see how the color looks like. I have used one color in my own house that looks like 3-4 different shades, this depends on the time of day or amount of light that hits a certain wall. I urge you not to rush the process in order for you to truly understand what you like you need to train your eye and mind, these things take time.

Enjoy the process and play around with colors it’s one of the easiest and most impacting changes you can add to a room or house. And like the fickly weather in New England, if you don’t like the color – change it!

Quick Tip: To avoid confusion while applying the paint samples use a marker to write the number and name of the color next to where you painted it on.

The views alone are positively spellbinding, making every sunset a truly remarkable experience. The view from the top allows you to see the Boston Common, Back Bay, the Charles River, Downtown and the Harbor.

If you can pry yourself away from the windows long enough, cook up something fit for kings in the gourmet kitchen complete with breakfast bar. After you’ve prepared your completely organic (because frankly there’s really no other option) repast, settle into your formal dining room to enjoy the fruits of your labor, and top it off with a night (or day) cap at your wet bar.

Use your decorating skills to fill the 14 foot ceilings with art work. The floor-to-ceiling windows will brighten this home on even the gloomiest of days, but let’s be honest. It’s not really even possible to experience a  gloomy day in this luxurious penthouse.

STATS:

• Price: $5,750,000 (down from $5,995,000)
• Size: 3770 sq/ft
• Unit Level: 38
• Units in complex: 370
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 4 full, 1 half
• Condo Fee: $5,110
• Parking Spaces: 3
• Fee includes: Heat, hot water, gas, water, sewer, Master Insurance, Security, Exterior Maintenance, Refuse Removal, Valet Parking, Air Conditioning
• Area Amenities: Public transportation, tennis court, park, walk/jog trails, shopping
• Pets Allowed: Yes w/restrictions

For more information on this listing and to schedule a showing click here

Courtesy of Beth Dickerson of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty

Stats:

• Price: 475,000
• Size: 784 sq feet
• Unit Level: 5
• Condo Fees: $509/month
• Units in Complex: 92
• Elevator
• Bedroom: 1
• Bathrooms: 1.5
• Fee Includes: Heat, hot water, gas, water, sewer, Master Insurance, Exterior Maintenance, Snow Removal
• Area Amenities: concierge, Public transportation, shopping, park/walk/jog trails, highway Access, marina
• Appliances: Range, Diswasher, Disposal, Microwave, Refrigerator, washer/dryer

For more information and to schedule a showing, contact Broker Elad Bushari today.

Part of what drew me to Newbury Street was the shopping, a love/addiction I inherited from my couture adoring mother. I started out loving the more youth oriented shops, which I found closer to Mass Ave. As I grow older I find myself more interested in the shops a bit further towards the Public Gardens. I know that would make my mother proud. After all, you can’t always wear hole-ridden jeans and belly shirts to corporate meetings and expect to be taken seriously.

After satisfying a serious Newbury street shopping excursion, one is always either exhausted, hungry, or both. Two months ago I discovered L’aroma Cafe on 85 Newbury Street. What first brought me to try the tucked away underground spot was initially their proximity to Bushari, it’s European style, and it’s cozy atmosphere. What kept me coming back for more was the fact that they have wonderfully flavorful gluten free baked goods and snacks, and they also give you the option to use almond milk in your drinks. If gluten free and almond milk is not something that would ring your bell, fear not. You will still have your choice of delicious quiches, sandwiches, salads, and other freshly baked desserts that are sure to whet your whistle.

L’Aroma’s options absolutely thrill me. Up until now I only knew of three places where I could get beverages with almond milk: Life Alive, Veggie Galaxy, (which are both in Central Square, Cambridge) and the Wired Puppy. I had to stop going to Life Alive because every day they were out of pretty much everything I wanted to order, or all their machines were broken, which basically equates to the same outcome. The only problem with Wired Puppy, also on Newbury Street, is that even though they have great customer service and a more relaxed atmosphere, they charge more than I would like to spend on a every morning, and the finished product sadly does not taste quite as great.

I’ve noticed that gluten free options are taking their sweet time to catch on to the average cafe, though most places pride themselves on at least having vegan options. These two things however, are not the same by any means. Almond milk is definitely friendlier than soy  or dairy in terms of food allergies (unless of course you’re allergic to almonds too). This is also good for those who are trying to incorporate more healthy options into their diets. It’s also great for those who’ve developed sensitivities to many foods offered in most places. I for one definitely feel a lot better than I did prior being mostly gluten/soy free. Thankfully Mayor Menino is working hard to make Boston a more health conscious city, so I have great faith that soon enough all my favorite cafes will have more options choose from.

Don’t forget that while you’re enjoying your morning cup of joe sitting outside on L’Aroma’s outdoor patio while you people watch, you’re just steps away from FLOR at 236 Clarendon too. This way you can have your healthy breakfast and contemplate the addition of eco-friendly, affordable and innovative flooring to your home as well. It’s a great way to start your day!  

At first there was the excitement of meandering through the pre-set path with the tiny pencil and paper measuring tape, adding the truly “necessary” items to the cart, walking through the warehouse, lifting oversized (flat packed) boxes, paying so much more than I had initially intended to, and then the attempt to FIT it all in a small sized sedan. After lifting the boxes into my small walk-up apartment, there came the fun part of assembling the pieces together, only to find out 3 hours later that there are 7 screws I had left out  and that the bed shakes when sat on. After that ordeal I swore off the store for a v e r y long time.

Eight years ago my husband and I, relocated to the Boston area with 4 suitcases, 2 trolleys and a snowboard. We needed to get furniture fast, and with a reasonable price tag. And yes there was that very important factor for us – it needed to look contemporary with a young professional feel. There is no shortage of other furniture stores in Boston, and I had window shopped them extensively, but the price tag did not justify these furniture pieces, we had a whole apartment to furnish. We felt lost amongst the frilly overstuffed sofas and couches in other low cost furniture outlets, none of them spoke to our taste (or age). So we decided to look online, and I had to face the fact I might have to swallow my pride and go back to the land of IKEA.

To my surprise, not only was this a great online experience, we had managed to fully furnish our place for under $2000 (lampshades, sheets, dinnerware included). The assembly didn’t feel as bad (we did follow the instructions to a T), and it looked rather nice.I have since learned to negotiate the meandering path (there are short cuts if you look up from time to time), enjoy the free coffee at 9:30am, and just come better prepared before entering the store. I plan ahead what I want to buy, I measure both the room and my car (all box dimensions appear on the web site). Even my kitchen is from there. I have gone to the extent of designing the store Tis-Tik at Harvard Square using just IKEA furniture fixtures. I might be called an IKEAholic, but for very good reason. The prices are great, to a point where you can actually dare to experiment and customize it to fit your own style. Contrary to all the backlash, the furniture pieces I have, and use are withstanding the test of time and wear. The design is neutral yet contemporary. I mean how wrong can you go?

So it was with great pleasure I recently read about the successful booth IKEA had at the Milan Furniture Fair  – There is nothing more pleasing to know you had made a good design choice. I would recommend you start stocking up on these pieces as I believe some of them might prove to be timeless.

Quick Tip – If  you do not have the DIY bug in you, your local IKEA store will have a list of IKEA approved furniture assembly companies. I personally recommend using a local business to do the work as they seem to be more flexible, and who knows you might find your next handy person to help you out in other projects around the house.