Luxury Blog

LRG Boston Real Estate Blog

Boston luxury real estate as it happens

Luxury Residential Group Represents The Buyer In The Biggest Condo Sale of July

August 10th, 2010

Joshua A. Golden of Luxury Residential Group represents the buyer in the sale of the Penthouse at The Meads on Commonwealth. The final price settled at $5,400,000 and is Boston’s largest condo sale of July and 6th largest in 2010. Tracy Campion represented the seller.

After previewing over 50 luxury condos throughout Boston, the buyer fell in love at first site. The home had everything they were looking for. I am sure you will agree after seeing all the features and photos:

3,750 square feet of interior, single floor living space
2,034 square feet of private/deeded outdoor terrace
Direct elevator access
Koi pond
Jacuzzi
Single floor living
Wonderful outdoor space
Custom chef’s kitchen
4 bedrooms/3.5 Bathrooms
2 gas fireplaces
Built in surround sound
Private balcony off the master bedroom
Two deeded underground garage parking spaces
Storage

interior2

kitchen

deck2

deck

interior1

Posted in Boston Condos and Homes, LRG In The News, Massachusetts Finest Properties | No Comments »

Closing Costs for Buyers and Sellers

August 9th, 2010

People always ask us what they can expect their closing costs to be when they purchase or sell real estate in and around Boston, MA. Below is Luxury Residential Group’s quick guide, outlining the closing costs for both buyers and sellers.

For Buyers:

Attorney Fees – $400-$2000+ (Varies from attorney to attorney)
Filing Fees – $125 Deed +$175 Mortgage(If cash deal this is not applicable) + $65 Municipal Lien Certificate = $365
Title Insurance – $2.50-$4.00/$1,000 of Loan amount(Closer to $4.00/$1,000 if cash deal)

For Sellers:

Attorney Fee – $750-$2000+ depending on who you use
Tax/Transfer stamps – $4.56/$1,000
Mortgage discharge – $100
Filing fee – $75
Record 6D** Certificate – $75
Fire Inspection – $50 (Charged by the city)
Broker commission – Separate agreement between Seller and their Real Estate Agent

**6D Certificate is a document from the condominium association showing that all condo fees and special assessments have been paid in full prior to closing.

Tags: Closing Costs
Posted in Closing Costs, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Shaq, Call Us, Manny Ramirez’s Penthouse is For Rent – $25,000/Month

August 5th, 2010

Manny Ramirez, has decided to put his Penthouse unit on the market for rent until the sales market in The Ritz Carlton comes back a bit.

Here are the specifics:

$25,000/month
4,421 square feet
4 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms
3 Parking spaces
Private outdoor space
Some of the most stunning views in the entire city of Boston
24/7 Concierge and security
Ritz Carlton Service

To set up a private showing, please contact Joshua A. Golden at 617-233-5800.

living

kitchen

Posted in Boston Luxury Apartment Rentals | No Comments »

Boston – 2nd Quarter 2010 Sales Results

August 2nd, 2010

First Half Year Over Year - sales are up 5.4%

Quarter Over Quarter – Sales are up 3.1%

yearoveryear

Click —– >Boston – 2nd Quarter 2010 Sales Results

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Who Is Rumored To Be Taking The Old Joe’s American Space?

July 29th, 2010

When people think of a great martini bar in Chestnut Hill, what do they think of?

1. Legal Seafood? NO

2. Aquitaine? NO…well maybe but still NO

3. Capital Grille? Nope

We will give you one more guess…………Ok, give up? The answer is:

Met Bar

The Metropolitan Club, the sexy Bar and Grille located in Chestnut Hill, MA. The wildly popular, lounge style, martini bar is well know for its delicious infused vodka’s and cocktail libations. One look at the drink and food menu, one can see why this concept will match, if not exceed the excitement and popularity it has brought to Chestnut Hill and Newton, MA. We welcome The Met Bar to the neighborhood and hope the Back Bay Associations do not give them too hard a time with their licensing and zoning.

Just a small sampling of the deliciousness patrons can expect when dining at The Met:

Met Burger met3 met1 Seasoned Fries Cupcake Dessert Apple Crisp

Tags: back bay, Chestnut Hill, Newbury Street, Newton, The Met Bar
Posted in Boston Brunch, Food, Just Rumors | No Comments »

Why Do I Need A Real Estate Attorney To Buy or Sell Real Estate?

July 22nd, 2010

A lot of our clients ask us, “Why do I need a real estate attorney to buy or sell real estate? Isn’t it something you as a broker can handle and save me the extra money?”

The short answer is NO.

As high end, professional real estate brokers, we at Luxury Residential Group ALWAYS advise our clients to seek the guidance and services of a licensed real estate attorney when purchasing property in Massachusetts. 

Real Estate Attorney Duties:

Look over the offer
Negotiate the Purchase and Sale on your behalf and look out for your best interests.
Run the title search to make sure there are no liens on the property
Acquire title insurance – In MA, there are no title companies. The attorneys act as brokers to acquire title insurance. This differs from state to state.
Review condo documents and budget if purchasing a condo.
Inspect deed for any defects (If the unit does indeed have that parking space included and if it is deeded or just a “Right” to park).
Work with the cooperating attorney and brokers to make sure all dates, deadlines and contingencies are met.
Work with the lender to secure proper financing.
Conduct the closing and explain all the papers you are signing.
Disburse closing funds from escrow accounts.
File the deed and make sure everything goes on record properly.

Along with these services, the use of a lawyer is paramount to protect your legal best interests. Without using an attorney, you leave yourself open to significant liability that go beyond the cost of your condo. At the end of the day, the services of an attorney should only cost you $1,250 to $2,000. If they broker the title insurance, it could be less(note, the average cost above, does not include the cost of the title insurance itself). Your real estate broker understands all the documentation, but they are NOT licensed attorneys. It is unfair to expect them to be.

Tags: Boston Real Estate Attorney
Posted in Lessons Learned 101, Role of Real Estate Attorney | No Comments »

Stephanie’s Restaurant On Newbury Street is a Gem

July 9th, 2010

I recently took a Luxury Residential Group client to Stephanie’s on Newbury for lunch.

StephaniesonNewbury

If you know anything about this place and their amazing adaptations on comfort foods, you should go, and go now! Stephanie’s on Newbury serves familiar dishes, but executed in ways that are innovative, generous (they are known for large portions)and, above all, delicious. I have always found this to be a terrific place to go with out-of-town guests or for an afternoon of people watching with friends from their expansive street-side patio. Stephanie’s is located on Newbury Street in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay.

We were seated immediately on the patio overlooking Newbury Street. The atmosphere was relaxed, the waitresses were friendly and the food (especially the salads) were outstanding. For an appetizer, we shared their very well known ahi tuna tartare, essentially cucumber-wrapped chopped sashimi tuna, with plenty of spice. This amazing combination was topped with crispy wonton strips and peanuts. It tasted as great as it sounds! Then I had their seasonal lobster salad roll, that had a great balance of mayo, lemon and maybe a zing of mustard. To my liking, it was served on a toasted roll. For lobster roll fans, this could be the very best around! My Client had the classic chunky chicken salad that had some toasted almonds and capers which really were a nice touch. The homemade irish soda bread was just perfect with the chicken salad. No complaints there either! Their salads are really very special.

Most everyone will enjoy sitting on the patio on a sunny day because it is such a terrific location and the scenery is ever-changing. I wholeheartedly recommend Stephanie’s On Newbury, and definitely suggest getting a table outside on a nice day and enjoying one of Boston’s great meals with some good company. It lays claim to creating “sophisticated comfort food” so come hungry and prepare to be satisfied! They deliver.

Stephanie’s is located in Boston’s Back Bay at 190 Newbury Street on the corner of Exeter and Newbury.

———–>Menu<—————

Tags: back bay
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Why Macallan in South Boston is a Home Run

June 29th, 2010

The Macallan Building is the first “Green Property” in Boston. It features state of the art kitchens, high ceilings, loftlike open spaces, large windows, garage parking, an on site fitness center and our favorite feature, the rooftop swimming pool which surrounded by lounge chairs and outdoor grills.

Macallan is ideally located across the street from the Broadway Redline train station. It is near the top of our, most recommended properties list. The condo fees are low at about $.50/foot and the prices start in the high $400′s/foot as compared to $1,000′s/foot at The Ritz, Clarendon and One Charles.

Macallan Living Room

Macallan Bedroom

The Macallan Pool

Tags: South Boston
Posted in Boston Condos and Homes | 1 Comment »

Middlesex County High Schools Rank Highly

June 22nd, 2010

Sudbury Home Why live in towns like Weston, Wayland, or Sudbury?

Besides the fact they have some of the most beautiful real estate in the state of Massachusetts,

they also have some of the best schools around.

With the Public High School Rankings being released by Boston Magazine, Middlesex County schools including Weston, Wayland, and Lincoln-Sudbury all ranked within the top 10. With education for children being a key selling point in the home buying process, homebuyers can be confident that their children will receive a quality education in these towns. While Weston High School took the #1 spot, Wayland High and Lincoln-Sudbury followed soon after at #8 and #9 respectively. With a maximum student to teacher ratio of 13 to 1, these schools, which have notoriously been great in the past, should continue to thrive in the future.

For more information on buying a home in these areas, please contact Luxury Residential Group Buying Specialist Jeff Shuman who can be reached by phone at (978)-460-0921 or by email at Jeff@luxuryboston.com. Check out the rest of the rankings here: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/boston/public2009

Tags: Sudbury, Wayaland, Weston
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

John Wooden Passes Away At 99 – A MUST See Tribute

June 5th, 2010

Although this has nothing to do with Real Estate in Boston, we at Luxury Residential Group felt it was important to pay tribute to one of the best athletic coaches to ever live. What is more poignant is this espn tribute to his life. If this does not bring a tear to your eye, you are not human. RIP Coach Wooden.