Archive for the ‘Brookline’ Category

Boston Apartment Living: Building Relationships with Your New Neighbors

Friday, September 21st, 2012

You are now three weeks in to your new lease and probably finally feeling settled in your new apartment. You have probably seen your neighbors in the hallways or when you are exiting or entering your apartment building and just greeted them with a quick nod. However, now that you feel more comfortable it is time to possibly build some friendly relationships with the people that share your building, mail room, and maybe even laundry basement. Here are a few pointers for meeting new neighbors!

  • Remember to smile
  • Don’t be afraid of small talk–while exiting or entering the building, in the laundry room, or in the elevator or on the stairs
  • If there is one, join your building’s committee–you’ll definitely meet people and feel as if you have a say in the community and also be able to discuss common issues (such as issues with the landlord, etc.)
  • If you’re feeling bold, plan a building party—invite everyone!

You never know—after making these connections you could make a new friend, or even find a new roommate for next year!!

Good luck,

The Charles Realty

http://www.rent.com/blog/apartment-living-meet-your-new-neighbors/

http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/?p=6211

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Fenway/Kenmore, Jamaica Plain, North End/Waterfront, South Boston, South End, The People, The Trends | No Comments »

Preparing Your Home For Winter

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

We’ve already has some cold days this year! Even though it has warmed back up a bit (I promise you that this is only temporary), I can assure you that winter is coming. However, it is not too late to take some steps to prep your home for the cold months ahead.

1. Give your boiler a check up

Whether you like it or not, your heat is going to get turned on soon (if it hasn’t been already). It’s a good idea to get your boiler tuned up. It could add years to its lifespan! If nothing else, the filter should be changed between cooling and heating, which is not a difficult task!

2. Inspect chimneys!

Now is the time! Do not wait to have them inspected or cleaned if you use your fire place regularly throughout the winter.

3. Weatherstripping

If you’re like me and live in an old building in Boston, you can actually feel the cold air blowing into your home from underneath doors and around windows. Get some floor snakes to go under your doors, and purchase some products to seal up your windows. Not only will you save money on heating, but you’ll be so much more comfortable when it starts getting really cold!

4. Prevent ice damns on your roof!

“Seal air leaks. Shutting down air leakage is probably going to have the biggest effect, and it’s the kind of thing you can do incrementally. The second would be adding insulation. If you have R18 insulation value, turn it into R36. This is where your energy audit will be helpful. And the third is making sure your roof is vented properly, if your house is designed to have a vented roof. Make sure your soffit vents aren’t blocked, your gable vents are open.” (Source)

5. Order a home energy audit

If you’ve been putting this off, now is the time to do it. They use an infrared gun to monitor heat leakage, and the process is so much more successful when it’s cold outside. The results could help you save money and stay warmer this winter!

6. Prepare an emergency kit

Collect a flashlight, batteries, matches, food and water in case of an emergency. Also, collect the phone numbers of your local utility companies and tape them somewhere safe!

Let us know if you have any other suggestions to keep everything and everyone safe this winter!

Source

Source

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Fenway/Kenmore, Jamaica Plain, North End/Waterfront, South Boston, South End, The Happenings, The People, The Trends | No Comments »

Hurricane Irene Hits Home

Monday, August 29th, 2011

This photo, submitted to Boston.com by John Harrington, in evidence that Irene was very present in the Back Bay. I hope that everyone who has been affected by the hurricane is recovering well. The first death in Massachusetts caused by the storm was reported this morning. Our thoughts go out to his family. It will be a team effort to recover from the storm, but after a disaster like this we can rebuild. Please share your hurricane stories with us, we’d love to hear them.

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Fenway/Kenmore, Jamaica Plain, North End/Waterfront, South Boston, South End, The Happenings, You and Us | No Comments »

Bike-Sharing in Boston

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

I was walking to the bank this morning past Government Center, and was astonished to see rows and rows of brand new New Balance bikes parked outside of City Hall. It was certainly a curious sight to see, so I made a mental note to look it up when I got home. Apparently, I am just behind the times because residents of Boston have been excited for some time now about the new bike-sharing initiative that has reached our city.

Officially launching today, the bike-sharing program makes it so that members can take rides around the city from one of the 61 stations around town. “Of the bike stations, about 18 will be in the the Back Bay and Fenway-Kenmore, with four around the Boston University campus and Kenmore Square, stations near Fenway Park, Northeastern University, and Colleges of the Fenway, and Back Bay stations ranging from the Newbury Street to the Boston Public Library. Bikes will also be available at three Beacon Hill stations: on Cambridge Street at Blossom Street; at the Charles Circle footbridge, and on Beacon Street at Brimmer Street.” (source).

However, the Beacon Hill locations are not set in stone just yet. Regardless though, the city seems to be exited about bike-sharing. How do you feel about it?

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Fenway/Kenmore, North End/Waterfront, The People, The Trends | No Comments »

Navagating Boston’s Rental Market

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

The vacancy rate in rental units is down lower than it has been in the Boston area since the end of 2002.

“Boston-area rents are hitting new heights – with the median price recently reaching $1,665 a month” (source). Perspective-tenants are scrambling to find affordable places for September 1st. We hear stories of some landlords taking advantage of the desperation and hiking up rents, and of others requiring extreme items from possible renters in order to consider them.

Here are some tips to navigating this tough rental market:

1. Work with a rental agent.

While it means sometimes paying a fee (typically one month’s rent), working with one agent who can scour MLS and exclusive rental listings that are not on Craigslist will very  be helpful to you. Plus good rental agents have relationships with landlords, and if you have them to back you up as a good fit for the unit, then you stand a much better chance of getting it! A good rental agent can also help you understand your lease, etc. and walk you through the complicated process of renting an apartment in Boston.

2. If you do want to do it on your own…

Search the listings by owner on Craigslist. If you can get a floor in a single family, you could save a lot of money, and a lot of headaches if your landlord shares a wall with you. If Craigslist comes up short, go to the area you’re wanting to live in and look for “for rent” signs in the windows. Just because it’s not online, doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t exist.

It’s hard out there, but perseverance and sacrifices are necessary if you want to find the perfect rental unit for September! Good Luck!

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Fenway/Kenmore, Jamaica Plain, North End/Waterfront, South Boston, South End, The Happenings, The Trends | No Comments »

Marathon Monday

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Boston’s favorite day is finally less than a week away! Boston closes its roads to hundreds of runners on a Monday in late April every year. The traditions surrounding the race are huge in the city, and locals find anyway they can to get downtown to mingle with their friends and cheer on the runners. It is an inspiring event! This year, the 18th of April, Boston will welcome once again marathoners from all over the world for the 115th time. The route, a 26.6 mile tour of the Boston area, is scared.

One of my favorite Boston bloggers has outlined some excellent spectator tips for marathon day including how to get around (driving & parking vs public transportation), where to watch, where to eat or grab a beer, what to wear and more! That can be found here: http://carrotsncake.com/2011/04/spectator-tips-for-the-boston-marathon.html

What are your favorite Marathon Monday stories? I always enjoyed not having class on that day, getting up with my college roommates, taking the camera to go cheer on the runners and stopping to pose with the statues on the Comm Ave mall. We have pictures of us there every year, it has become our tradition! What are yours?

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Posted in Allston/Brighton, Back Bay/Beacon Hill, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dorchester, Fenway/Kenmore, Jamaica Plain, North End/Waterfront, South Boston, South End, The Happenings | No Comments »