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Friday, December 9, 2011

[Featured Article]: Selling Your Home for the Holidays


RISMedia, found in 1980, has been the leader in the Real Estate Information System. Over the past 30 years, RISMedia has been offering top updates, trends, advices, and strategies to the real estate community. With its large network and prominence, I am very privileged to have my article featured on this site.

"Expert Advice: Selling Your Home for the Holidays" has been featured on the RISMedia site, today (Dec. 9, 2011). I would love feedback or questions relating to this article!! 
James D. Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES
Castles Unlimited®
Realtor®
(617) 733-8280
jim@castlesunlimited.com

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

EXCITING RADIO SHOW UPDATE


Have you tuned into Jim Lowenstern's newly debuted radio show? If you haven't, you've missed out! Here's the buzz:


Week One:

Guest Star: 

1. Mike Phillips
- Number 1 real-estate broker in the entire country. 
- Tuned in from Kansas City, Missouri to speak on the radio show.
- Mike Phillips sold over 1,200 houses over the past year.

2. A top broker from the Metro-west area in Boston.  

Notable News:

Along with these two wonderful guests, Jason Bonarrigo, a representative from Wells Fargo bank, tuned in to talk on the show as well. We were able to listen to random particpants on the street give their answers to real estate terms given by the show's crew. Castlesmag also sponsored real estate news, during this show.

Week 2

Guest Star:
Attorney and Top Broker from North-shore Boston.

Noteable News:
Two listeners called in to ask the guests questions, which was exciting due to the fact that this was our SECOND show. The show also presented the "Dream Home of the Week"- $3million property in St. Johns, USVI (Virgin Islands). 


Both weeks were exciting and new!
Tune in this Sunday (EST 4-5pm) on 1510 AM WWZN Boston, to join Jim! 
WWZN Streaming Live: www.revolutionboston.com
**Podcasts are available for download** 
Click on the image (above) to be directed to the official radio site.
Prepare for a new week with lively updates and good campany!


JOIN THE REAL ESTATE REVOLUTION

Featured Activerain Post: SELLING YOUR HOME OVER THE HOLIDAYS



The holidays are fast approaching. Regardless of what denomination you are- the next couple of months are probably going to be more hectic than most as you prepare to conclude 2011 with friends and family. If your home is on the market, this time of year is also particularly tricky. Fortunately there is great advice for those of you looking to get your home sold during the holiday season (And it doesn't include taking your house off the market). 
Regardless of the time of year, most home stagers will advise a seller to remove as many personal items and decorations as possible, "Less is more." This includes photos, trophies, and even your son's gallery of refrigerator artwork. To you this might make your home feel cold and impersonal, but it allows a potential buyer to envision themselves living in your house- thus upping your odds of making the sale. During the holidays it may be tough to keep your holiday cheer in the attic but it is the easiest way to stage your house as spacious, without blocking pathways or seeming cluttered. 
In addition, it is important to remember that certain cultures might find overtly religious dĆ©cor off-putting and the best way to remain non-offensive is to avoid decorating altogether. Or another option is to exchange your manger for a basket of pine cones and opt for general fall and winter decorations as opposed to those with religious themes. If you must get religious, be strategic in your placement by displaying your menorah on the ledge of a bay window or dangling mistletoe in an arched doorway. Avoid covering up or down-playing selling features that will sell your home like the fireplace, stairs, and windows. In most cases, sellers are better off with a smaller Christmas tree although a tall, skinnier tree is a great way to draw attention to high cathedral ceilings. 
Another vital pointer to remember during the winter is that most potential buyers start their searches on the internet and real estate magazines, so you want to make sure the best possible photos of your home are available, even if it means hiring a photographer. You can also expect less foot traffic due to inclement weather and vacation plans so it might also be useful to create a video tour of your home to allow house hunters a virtual walk through without braving inclement weather.
Showing your home over the holidays can be tough, but it's also the perfect opportunity to target serious buyers that have more free time for house hunting- especially while your competition might be taking a break. Additionally, December is deadline for those buyers trying to make an investment before the new fiscal year begins. 

James D. Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES
jim@castlesunlimited.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Summary and Reflection: In Tasmania, a Place to Watch ‘Nature TV’ (Newsfeed on www.castlesmag.com)



Meet Drew and Bea Beswick. While taking a trip to Tasmania, this couple fell in love at first site. Their love for this 30 acre property with a duck pond, green hills, and the shadow of Mount Wellington in Tasmania, prompted an automatic purchase (on the spot for ~$80,5000). The Beswicks patiently and diligently resided in Urban London for six years, until they were finally ready to move into their surreal location, in Tasmania. 

Aaron Roberts, a rising star in Australian residential architect and a college friend of Mr.Beswick, helped the Beswicks design and build this home. The designing took twelve months, while building took eighteen more months. Nonetheless, being built in one of the world's most sensitive ecosystems, Roberts and the Beswicks created an one-of-a-kind house- enchanting in all aspects.


The Kitchen: The essential point to this house is the kitchen, upon a special request by the couple. They sought to revolve the whole home around this kitchen- in essence of capturing Mrs.Beswick's childhood South-African outdoor home, while still managing to focalize the captivating forest. The grayscale colors used in this room, allows the natural colors from the outside to POP! 

 

Nature vs. Shelter: A weather-resistant coated, two-story house, sits atop a green hill. The assemblage of home and nature is consistent in each room- glass walls, open atriums, and even the intertwining of the surroundings with the house itself.


 

Room of purpose: The stainless steel fireplace complements the black plush furniture, while providing a view of the forest. Even the bathroom encompass nature, with a panoramic window. "An open shower along the far wall underneath a skylight completes the indoor/outdoor experience."


 

This house is endearing and peaceful. The modern simplicity exaggerates the complexity and natural beauty of Tasmania's forests. "It's a little house with big ideas," Mrs. Beswick said.


Photographer: Andrew Quilty From the New York Times.



--> Keep updated by www.castlesmag.com newsfeed! 


Are YOU a part of the Real Estate Revolution?



With Thanksgiving's buzz slowly dissipating, the anticipated Holiday spirits have finally begun to creep. Jolly and uplifting reminders of the upcoming Holidays, are beginning to fill local coffee shops, commercials, decorations, as well as radio broadcasts. Thus I present to you: Jim Lowenstern Radio Show- an early gift for those interested in real estate, the economy, and engaging conversations.

Meet Jim Lowenstern:

Jim Lowenstern, CEO of Castles Unlimited International, Inc. for over 27 years, finally launched a new radio show on November 27th. 

"Hosting my own radio show has been a dream of mine for years and I'm thrilled that it has finally happening. My goal is to encourage an open forum for industry experts to discuss anything and everything real estate." 
-Jim Lowenstern

Jim Lowenstern, with a well experienced knowledge about real estate, encourages and invite guests to be intereactive! So join Jim, along with special guests, and discuss anything and everything- to satiate the entertainment, informative and provacative aspects of real estate.

Join Jim Lowenstern:

Every Sunday from 4:00-5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on RADIO 1510 AM!

WWZN Streaming Live: www.revolutionboston.com

**Podcasts are available for download** 

Click on the image (above) to be directed to the official radio site.

Prepare for a new week with lively updates and good campany!
JOIN THE REAL ESTATE REVOLUTION

Friday, November 18, 2011

Don't forget to follow us on twitter:
http://twitter.com/CASTLESmagazine

& Like our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CASTLES



NEW LISTING: Nantasket Beach, Hull, Ma $1,599,900


UPDATED PICTURES!

  
 
 
Completely renovated, turn of the centry, home with 4,746 sq. ft. of oceanfront view, from each room! Gather up family memories with a beach home (Beach at Kenberma) with 7 bedrooms. Wrap-around porch. 4 private bathrooms. 11 parking spots. 4 Ocean-view decks.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

NEW LISTING: Foxboro, Massachusetts - $1,500,000



Who wouldn't want a serene lake front lot? 3.2 acres of it, to be exact. This single family Colonial house has 11 rooms. 5 bedrooms. 4 full baths. 1 half bath. With the top of the line new construction, this home provides a luxurious get-away experience. You can fully experience tranquility and excitement, all in the convenient location of this beautiful house- minutes away from the Country club, State Forest, and Gillette Stadium.  The house needs some finish work for the occupancy permit.  Many of the finsh materials will be supplied in the price.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

NEW LISTING: St. John, US Virgin Islands - $2,995,000


  
 
 

What do you think of when you hear Virgin Islands?
Why don't I define it through the aspects of this lovely vacation villa and its advantages. 5 spacious rooms. 3 bedrooms. 3 full baths. 1 half bath. Experience waking up to a panoramic view of the waterfront, on your deck. This house offers opportunities to escape urban and rural life. The interior is lively decorated and furnished. Outdoor showers, National Park, wet bars, and a spa are also wonderful aspects offered by this St. John villa. 

NEW LISTING: 7 Lake Street, Natick, MA $1,250,000


   

Don't judge a book by its cover... Well, in this case, an absolutely beautiful and one of a kind house. Don't be fooled by this lakefront house's modest front view. The rear view, more accurately, portrays the house's true size.
Over 4,520 sq. ft. of living space. 2 garages with a heated work area. 12 off-street parking. Master bathrooms/ 4 Full bathrooms. A large patio overlooking the lake. 

This house boasts beautiful sun filled rooms with over 90 windows allowing for views of the lake and your dock! Great commuter location minutes to route 9 and the Mass Pike. This house is truly a vacation in home!