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This 25' wide by 64' deep magnificent mansion with a most gracious staircase, grand scale rooms & magnificent original detail is on the coveted second block of Commonwealth Avenue w/over 6,500 SF of living space & parking for six, (3 tandems)!  It would make an incredible single family conversion or the perfect owner-occupied home w/rental income.The building is currently operating as apartment rentals. Each unit is wonderfully appointed & renovated with granite & stainless steel kitchens.

Pending
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86 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
$5,000,000

1 of the very 1st resales in this sought after, Sold Out, new devlpmnt. Stunning south facing luxury loft style 2bd/2bth w/first to sell out

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285 Columbus Avenue
Boston
$874,000

 


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Home Inspections Avert Future Headaches Share


Suppose you bought a house and later discovered, to your dismay, that the stucco exterior concealed a nasty case of dry rot. Or suppose that when you fired up the furnace in the winter, you discovered a cracked heat exchanger leaking gas into your home. The best way to avoid unpleasant surprises like these is to arrange for a home inspection before you buy.

Home Inspections Help You Avoid Unpleasant Surprises

A good home inspection is an objective, top-to-bottom examination of a home and everything that comes with it. The standard inspection report includes a review of the home's heating and air-conditioning systems; plumbing and wiring; roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation and basement.

Getting a professional inspection is crucial for older homes because age often takes its toll on the roof and other hard-to-reach areas. Problems can also be the result of neglect or hazardous repair work, such as a past owner's failed attempt to install lights and an outlet in a linen closet.

A home inspection is also a wise investment when buying a new home. In fact, new homes frequently have defects, whether caused by an oversight during construction or simply human error.

Getting An Inspector

Real estate agents can usually recommend an experienced home inspector. Make sure to get an unbiased inspector. You can find one through word-of-mouth referrals, or look in the Yellow Pages or online under "Building Inspection" or "Home Inspection."

Home inspections cost about a few hundred dollars, depending on the size of the house and location. Inspection fees tend to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas. You may find the cost of inspection high, but it is money well spent. Think of it as an investment in your investment – your future home.

Some builders may try to dissuade you from getting a home inspection on a home they've built. They may not necessarily be trying to hide anything because most builders guarantee their work and will fix any problems in your new home before you move in. Some builders, in fact, will offer to do their own inspections. But it’s best to have an objective professional appraisal - insist on a third-party inspector.

An Inspection Will Educate You About Your House

Education is another good reason for getting an inspection. Most buyers want to learn as much as they can about their purchase so they can protect their investment. An examination by an impartial home inspector helps in this learning process.

Ask if you can follow the home inspector on his or her rounds. Most inspectors are glad to share their knowledge, and you'll be able to ask plenty of questions.

Inspection Timing and Results

Homebuyers usually arrange for an inspection after signing a contract or purchase agreement with the seller. The results may be available immediately or within a few days. The home inspector will review his or her findings with you and alert you to any costly or potentially hazardous conditions. In some cases, you may be advised not to buy the home unless such problems are remedied.

You could include a clause in your purchase agreement that makes your purchase contingent upon satisfactory inspection results. If major problems are found, you can back out of the deal. If costly repairs are warranted, the seller may be willing to adjust the home's price or the contract's terms. But when only minor repairs are needed, the buyer and seller can usually work out an agreement that won't affect the sale price.

MidtownBoston
Midtown is an upscale residential, retail, and commercial office district. It is comprised of 30 blocks, bordered by Boylston Street, Tremont Street, Washington Street, and Arlington Street. This historic and architecturally rich neighborhood is c... More On This Community
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BrooklineBrookline
Brookline is bordered on three sides by Boston and by the Town of Newton to the west. It is an affluent, residential suburb of Boston with five historic districts. There are several institutes of higher education situated here including Wheelock C... More On This Community
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ScituateScituate
Scituate is a small seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Bay midway between Boston and Plymouth. Scituate was settled by a group of people from Plymouth in about 1627. Fishing was a significant part of the local economy in ... More On This Community
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Bay VillageBoston
One of the smallest of Boston's neighborhoods, Bay Village is comprised of 6 square blocks situated between Back Bay, the Theatre District, and the South End. This tranquil residential neighborhood has brick row houses, tree-lined narrow streets, gas... More On This Community
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Robb Cohen •  BDP •  617.962.0142
745 Boylston Street • Boston, MA 02116
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A Few Really Good Reasons To List With Robb | A Walking Tour of Boston's Back Bay | About Robb Cohen | Back Bay | Bay Village | Beacon Hill | Boston 4th of July Celebration | Boston Annual Events | Boston Arts and Culture | Boston Harbor Islands | Boston History | Boston's Freedom Trail | Boston's Prudential Center | Bring Robb's Expertise to the Sale of Your Home | Bring Robb's Expertise to Your Home Buying Experience | Brookline | Buying a Home | Charlestown | Complimentary Market Evaluation for Your Home | Display Sold Listings | Get Daily Alerts and Search Boston Homes | Get Your House Ready to Show Buyers | Home Inspections Avert Future Headaches | How to Choose a Home | How to Choose A Neighborhood for Your Home Search | How to Set a List Price for Your Home | Jacqueline Cabral | Jill Connors | Joshua Kellerman | Katie Noble | Laurie Carter Noble | Midtown | Mortgage Information and Tips | My Sold Listings | Newbury Street - Boston's Back Bay | Newton | Norma Cohen | Places of Interest | Romancing a Home Sale: Staging to Be Engaging | Selling Your Home | South End | Take Charge When Buying A Home | Tara Bellucci | Technology Overview | Ten Home Finance Mistakes You Can't Afford | The Basics of Making an Offer | The Basics of Marketing Your Home | The Leather District | Waterfront | Whale Watching | Why Choose a REALTOR When Buying a Home? | Why Choose a REALTOR When Selling a Home |

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