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    Gibson Sotheby's 2018 year in review
    Lara
    • Jan 24, 2019

    Gibson Sotheby's 2018 year in review

    Three years ago I moved my business to Gibson Sotheby’s and it has proven to be a great decision — I love having the backing of a highly-respected global brand, while being part of a locally-owned affiliate that still has a very small business, boutique feel. And really, what I most love is the people I get to work with every day — from the owners and the CEO to the marketing and operations team and of course, the amazing agents. We may not be a behemoth, but we get things do
    7 Sturtevant Terrace, Medford
    Lara
    • May 2, 2018

    7 Sturtevant Terrace, Medford

    When my clients and I found their Medford home in 2015 it was, shall we say, in need of a little love. A true *grandma* house that hadn’t been touched in years, it was clear that whoever bought it would be taking on a project that would involve some serious time and money. There were many long and detailed discussions between my clients and I before they finally decided to bite the bullet — although the work was somewhat daunting, the house had a lot of space and great bones
    You CAN sell your home in the winter!
    Lara
    • Feb 3, 2018

    You CAN sell your home in the winter!

    Don’t worry about Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter — that doesn’t mean you have to wait to sell  your home… When most people think about listing their home, they imagine green grass and flowers framing the sign on their lawn. The “Spring Market” is the holy grail of real estate and most of us – I include agents here – are conditioned to believe this is the best time to sell or buy a home. However, there’s a lot to be said for listing your home in Jan
    The principles of home staging (2 of 5)
    Lara
    • May 2, 2017

    The principles of home staging (2 of 5)

    Last week I posted the first of this five-part “mini-series” of home staging, focusing on clearly defining the rooms and spaces. This week, I want to talk about the next universal principle… Staging principle #2 – Scale down and scale back When my clients A & J lived here, this cute eat-in kitchen in a small Somerville condo had felt very cramped and difficult to navigate, with a long, six-seat dining table and high-backed dark wood chairs. Since we listed their home after th
    The principles of home staging (1 of 5)
    Lara
    • Apr 26, 2017

    The principles of home staging (1 of 5)

    Very few of us live in a way that we would just be able to throw up a for sale sign and welcome people in — most of our homes require a bit of preparation before we come to market. And no matter the size or style or price point of a given property, the principles of home staging are always the same: Clearly define the rooms and spaces Scale down and scale back to increase the feel of spaciousness and improve flow Lighten & brighten Declutter and depersonalize Clean! I am goin
    State of the market: Spring 2017
    Lara
    • Apr 25, 2017

    State of the market: Spring 2017

    Yes, the stories you are hearing in all the local media are true — the housing market is still going crazy, multiple offers are everywhere, contingencies are being waived left and right and first time buyers are having a VERY tough time breaking into the market. Here are a few real world examples from the market so far this spring: At the beginning of March (very early side of the spring market), I listed a 438 SF condo in mid-Cambridge for $389 — already over any of the comp
    Fall real estate market / news from the trenches
    Lara
    • Sep 22, 2016

    Fall real estate market / news from the trenches

    Hard to believe, but the summer is over, moving day / Allston Christmas has passed and the campuses are once again full. Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us — and snow! But before I get your minds reeling with images of parking bans and ice dams, let’s talk about the fall market… We’re now a few weeks in and are seeing very mixed results. On the one hand, open houses are very well attended — buyers are out there! And multiple offers haven’t gone away — I wrote tw
    Ch ch ch changes… Q&A on my move to Gibson Sotheby's
    Lara
    • Jan 13, 2016

    Ch ch ch changes… Q&A on my move to Gibson Sotheby's

    (Ah Bowie, you will be missed…) I am a big believer in change — whether it’s changing where I live, what I do, how I think about things… it’s part of life and it keeps things interesting. So it should come as no surprise to those who know me, that after six great years with Coldwell Banker, I decided to move my business to Gibson Sotheby’s Cambridge office. And because I have already gotten questions from friends, clients and my real estate peers, I put together this little Q

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