The Fair Housing Act (FHA) exists to ensure that all potential tenants are given an equal opportunity to obtain residency. This anti-discrimination policy means that, as a landlord, you are not allowed to base tenancy at your property upon any of the following factors, including: age, race, color, religion, familial status, or handicap. This law is straightforward enough; however, there are certain common instances in which landlords find themselves inadvertently in violation of this act. A common slip-up that can potentially lead to legal troubles down the line is searching for a certain "type" of tenant based upon your property's location, amenities, or general pre-existing demographic. Consider the following scenario.  As clearly stated in the FHA, you cannot base your decision upon ... 08/23/2010

15 North Beacon Boston is a condominium building that offers convenience, and luxury amenities at an affordable price. Only minutes away from Cambridge, Downtown Boston as well as all mmajor routes and highways, 15 North Beacon is a real estate 'diamond in the sand". It is a short commute to Route 128, Back Bay, downtown, waterfront and Logan Airport, 15 North Beacon Boston The Location of the Building Location is one of the most important things when purchasing a new condominium. At 15 North Beacon Boston condos, you will be in the heart of the action for downtown Boston. You are surrounded by a plethora of lifestyle amenities. Within steps, you can enjoy jogging, biking or just relax on banks of the Charles River. Whatever it may be, the 15 North Beacon homes in Boston offer you a lif... 08/20/2010

Roxbury Real Estate Report As of August 19th 2009, the On-Market inventory In Roxbury has increased but the overall values have gone up as well. Lets take a look at the numbers: Total Inventory was 79 on August 19th 2009 and has increased to 97 in 2010 an 23% Increase The Average Number of Days on Market was 132 Days in 2009 and is now 116 Days a 12% Decrease The average list price was $207,244.00 and is now $258,145.00 a 25% Increase It is important to note that the on market inventory for the same time in 2008 was 168. Although the inventory is up from last year, The average number of days On-Market is down 12% and the average list price is up 25% (That is huge). These numbers indicate that market is getting stronger. Even though the inventory is slightly higher than last year, the a... 08/19/2010

The Boston Children's Museum is simply fantastic! The 10th and last day of our extended family vacation was spent in Boston. By this time, togetherness had run its course, and people were ready to go separate ways to enjoy their own activities, and what better city to do that in than Boston? Gene and I took Credense, our 8 year-old granddaughter, off to visit the Boston Children's Museum. Hands down, this is the best museum of the type that I've seen, and Credense had a ball! Fitness and health plays a major part here, very suitable for the active Boston area, which is great for running, walking, bicycling, kayaking, swimming, sailing, etc. I highly recommend a visit--you won't be disappointed. 08/18/2010

If you've ever taken a train trip, you probably remember your seat, your travel companions and maybe even how clean (or not) the restroom was. What you may not have paid attention to was the scenery streaming by you just outside your window. That's how I've often felt about my life as a real estate agent: business keeps me flying from one transaction to another and I forget to learn a lesson or two along the journey. I wanted to take a moment today to share some important lessons I've learned "along the journey" with my colleagues in the industry. Here goes. If I Say "Trust Me," They Won't Much like respect in our work, trust isn't earned, it's given. If I feel the need to utter the words "Trust me" to a client, then I know that I've already taken a step away from having them believe i... 08/17/2010

It's a fact: Some neighborhoods are more safe than others. It's also true that while a neighborhood may be quite safe at the time you purchase an investment property, things can go downhill at any time (happily, this phenomenon can work in the opposite direction as well). To make things even trickier, high crime rates aren't necessarily limited to "bad" areas. Sometimes crime can trickle into nicer areas from surrounding neighborhoods, which is why it's important to really do your homework before investing in a property-some hazards are simply not immediately obvious. If, for any of these reasons (or completely different ones), you find yourself with a property in an area that is suffering from regular criminal activity, there are steps you can take to help make your property a safer pl... 08/16/2010

Here are two video tours of 25 Edgewood Street in Roxbury MA. This is one of my latest development projects. The property was abandoned two family that hasn't been occupied in over 20 years. These videos were taken prior to completion by my team and I. The project is currently 90% complete and scheduled to be finished by the end of this week. Stay tuned for a full tour of the finished product. 08/10/2010

Boston Back Bay Luxury Apartments. For the very Finest Boston has to offer there is no substitute for the Back Bay from the gleam of a modern high rise, to the elegance of carved granite or brownstone facades your discretion is always assured.   220 Boylston St., Unit 1515, Boston $28,500 4 beds, 4 full baths Size: 4,022 sq ft Lot size: n/a Year built: 1985 Parking spots: 3 List agent: Geoffrey Gibbons Listed with First Boston Realty Group 776 Boylston St, Unit E9-A, Boston $23,000 3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths Size: 3,519 sq ft Lot size: 1 sq ft Year built: n/a Parking spots: 2 List agent: Beth Dickerson Listed with Gibson Sotheby's International Realty 400 Stuart Street, Unit 26A, Boston $19,900 3 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths Size: 2,428 sq ft Lot size: 2,428 sq ft Year built: n/a Parkin... 08/09/2010

Gone are the days when going green was a cutting-edge, leftist notion. With environmental issues at the forefront of the media, going green is  now firmly in the mainstream, quickly becoming the norm rather than the exception. Even with all of these new, more eco-friendly options on the market, the truth of the matter is that completely greening your properties and your business in one fell swoop can be an expensive endeavor up-front (though most green measures will likely save you money in the long-run). Our suggestion? Take small measures over time that won't break the bank in the short-run, will save you money in the long run, and will make you feel great about doing your part in the process. AppliancesInstalling energy-efficient appliances in your properties (dishwashers, refrigerat... 08/09/2010

Boston, MA's first Food Truck Festival is this Sunday, August 8.  Food trucks are not as abundant as they are in other cities, such as Austin, Texas, but Boston wants to promote the ones we do have and let people know they are available around town.  Food trucks are cheap and convenient: great for students, quick lunches and tourists. Citysearch is hosting the Festival at SoWa Market (thanks in part to a micro-grant from Feast). Speed's Hot Dogs, M&M Ribs, Cupcakory, South End Pita, and Grillo's Pickles are just a few of the vendors that will be at Sunday's chowdown. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 500 Harrison Ave., Boston. Bring your appetite! 08/07/2010

Live Well in Boston for under 400k Live Well in Boston for under 400k Everyone has their own idea of what living well means to them. But for those of you you who define having arrived as living in an elevator building, but thought that in Boston you would have to settle for a walk up, here is a quick list of Boston Condos with elevators where you can live well in Boston for under 400k   Showing properties 1 - 15 of 17. . (all data current as of 8/6/2010) $339,500 : 170 Tremont St, Unit 607, Boston       0 beds, 1 full bath Size: 507 sq ft Lot size: n/a Year built: 1987 Parking spots: n/a List agent: Diane Giacobbi Listed with Premier Properties of Boston, Inc.           $309,800 : 8 Garrison St, Unit 501, Boston       1 beds, 1 full bath Size: 495 sq ft Lot size: 495 sq ft Year built: 1... 08/06/2010

6 Drake  Way, Boston, MA 02128 (MLS # 71093312) | BostonRealEstateGuy.Com 6 Drake Way, Boston, MA 02128 Price $209,000 Beds 3 Baths 1 full, 1 part baths Home size 1,884 sq ft Lot Size 1,056 sq ft Days on Market 56 OH Sun. 2:00-3:00!! Convenience, Peace and Quiet. Rarely Available Hidden Gem! Tucked between Maverick Stn. and the Airport, on a private way (6 of 7 Houses Owner Occupied Here!) rests a solid, designer ready two family house. Great Height on 3 levels!! Recent rubber roof. PRIVATE PARKING at your front door. Gas light at the corner. Exquisite back yard with Fully mature tree and other plantings, so peaceful no one may know your here! Only steps to Ecco, Santarpio’s and all area amenities!! Property Type(s): Multi-Family Listed with David Brose, City Realty Group The property l... 08/04/2010

It is a Boston, MA tradition since 1877.  Go on the Swan Boats and cruise around the Public Garden lagoon for a 15-minute, peaceful cruise. Animals, except seeing eye dogs, are not permitted. Hours: June 21-Labor Day: daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  A great family activity! 08/03/2010

In July of 2010 there were 9 properties that closed within the month for Roxbury Massachusetts. This is even with last year, as there were 9 homes that closed in July of 2010. The Average list price for the homes that closed in Roxbury for July of 2009 was $187,226 The Average list price for the homes that closed in Roxbury for July of 2010 was $178,356 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Roxbury for July of 2009 was $192,768 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Roxbury for July of 2010 was $152,444 The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Roxbury in July of 2009 was 116 days. The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Roxbury July of 2010 was 87 days.   14 homes went under agreement in Roxbury during the month of July 2010. The avera... 08/03/2010

Boston Property Search of the day! More of those motivated sellers who have dropped their prices by at LEAST 20% in the last 30days!! Written by Dave Brose on July 19, 2010 - 0 CommentsFeatured, Featured Real Estate, Uncategorized The Boston Property Search here at Boston Real Estate Guy is pretty feature rich, and there are lots of different interesting searches you can do with it. Here is one.. Today’s search is for Boston Area Real Estate listings that have reported at least a 20% Reduction in Price over the past 30 days. Think these seller’s could be motivated? Or were they just “testing” the market with aggressive pricing? Showing properties 1 - 8 of 8. See more 20% Price Reductions In 30 Days. (all data current as of 8/2/2010) $199,000 : 8-10 Wilcock St, Boston 9 beds, 2 full bath... 08/02/2010

Bostons Condos have hundreds if not thousands of different web pages dedicated to. pages to find Boston Condosand pages to provide information about them. At Boston Real Estate Guy you will find the most feature rich search environment in thee industry. Most impressive is the mapping capability second is the fact that they don't start sending you email every five minutes as soon as you start using it. They really are there to help and provide information that you need and want about Boston Condos and any other type of Real Estate in Boston and Massachusetts.  Also Since Boston is known as a Walking City they include a Walk Score on every property or you can even search based on the Walk Score. So, Make sure to visit this search website to search using this  state-of-the-art map-based we... 08/02/2010

If there's one document in property management that simply has to reviewed (and updated as necessary) on a regular basis, it's your lease. This is, after all, the document that will ultimately determine your rights and protect your best interests when it comes to issues both big and small.  Because you're dealing with a host of rules and regulations on the federal, state, and local levels, it's imperative that you not only adjust your lease as necessary when laws change, but also that you're in compliance and protected on all three fronts. If you're not proficient in legalese, chances are reviewing your lease (and, moreover, identifying those elements that need to be changed) is a daunting endeavor at best. Following are some tips and best practices for keeping your lease up-to-date and... 08/02/2010

  Boston College student housing , the big question always is should I be on or off campus? It really depends on you here is some info about life at Boston College that will help you decide whether you want to be in Boston College student housing on campus or off campus. Boston College does more than simply train students for careers. The school has a religious set of ideals that encourage students to become an influence for good in society. Boston College’s courses come with heavy workloads so some prefer to be in on campus Boston College student housing . Class sizes vary by major and level. Some intro classes huge , but the upper level classes are smaller, often with a size of only 20. Students say most professors make an effort to provide one-on-one attention outside of class and bu... 08/01/2010

74 Beacon Street is also know as The Benjamin Mansion. It is magnificent, and restored in a way rarely seen, This single-family attached row house is elegant on all levels. It is located on the coveted flat of Beacon Hill, directly across from the magnificent Boston Public Garden, 74 Beacon Street is just a short stroll to the historic Charles River and the international flavor of Newbury Street. The back of the residence faces a quiet, private lane named Byron Street. The home's front faces south faces with commanding views of both the Public Garden and the Boston skyline. This residence has 8,450 square feet of elegant indoor living space, six bedrooms, six full baths, an au-air suite, wine cellar with cigar humidor, a state-of-the-art media center, an extraordinary wood paneled libra... 07/29/2010

Boston, MA ranked third on a national list of the 50 best cities for working mothers, behind only Minneapolis-St. Paul and Washington, D.C. The list was compiled by Forbes Woman, and to determine rankings, Forbes Woman looked at such things as job opportunities, earnings potential, school systems, crime rates, unemployment rates, cost of living, and easy access to trustworthy pediatricians. Boston wasn't tops in any category, but it scored strongly in such areas as income, availability of pediatricians, and spending per pupil. If you are a working mom, this is yet another reason Boston should be on your list of cities to find your next home.  Contact me to get started! Melissa A. Juarez, Owner Massachusetts Buyers Broker Agency, LLC www.massachusettsbuyersbrokeragency.com majesq82@yahoo... 07/28/2010