September 1st is a BIG day in the Boston rental market. Everyone is moving out and in and the streets are crowded with moving trucks. If you resigned you lease and you are going to be paying rent on the same unit for another year, you might be thinking to yourself right now that maybe it's time to actually buy something. What is the [...]

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 [...]

Almost a year and a half ago, the converted Hotel Cambridge located at 483 Beacon Street suffered from a massive, 9-alarm fire. This hotel building was designed and built by Willard Thomas Sears in 1898. The historic monument in Boston's Back Bay was redone in 1985 and the converted hotel now houses 69 residential units. The renovations [...]

This morning I was watching Get It Sold on HGTV while getting ready for work, and it inspired me to write about the sheer importance of staging a home that you're trying to sell. I know it's a common topic, and that I have written about it before but it is more a part of my life now than ever before. Recently, one of our sale's agents had [...]

We all know the current state of the real estate market. If you have been following this blog, or if you have been following Boston Real Estate anywhere, then you are aware that the Boston rental market is through the roof, and people just aren't buying (and therefore people aren't selling). The sales are tricky right [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

As the summer is winding up for the hot months, we are happy to announce that here at The Charles Realty we have a newly wed and a newly engaged! Recently I posted about our Rental Manager, Jessica. She has safely and happily returned from her honeymoon after having been married exactly one month [...]

The keys to selling a property efficiently and for the best price in today's real estate market are sometimes tricky. Today, you are competing with foreclosure and short sale prices in addition to every other home for sale (not to mention for rent).  In my opinion, 2 main ingredients are necessary on top of competitive and aggressive pricing [...]

Much has changed since Whitey Bulger left Southie. Boston.com says that he "would hardly recognize the neighborhood where he grew up." It's true. The gentrification of the neighborhood is occurring quickly. While it is still sometimes regarded as the most dangerous or inexpensive place to live in Boston, it is quickly changing. It now hosts [...]