Brookline, Newton and Chestnut Hill Massachusetts real estate and homes for sale in Massachusetts, luxury properties and historic homes - Alan Cohen, REALTOR® Alan Cohen REALTOR(r) for Brookline, Massachusetts real estate, luxury properties and historic homes - NUMBER1EXPERT™ Alan Cohen NUMBER1EXPERT(tm) for Brookline, Massachusetts real estate, luxury properties and historic homes
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Alan Cohen, REALTORŪ, real estate agent and broker for Brookline, Newton and Chestnut Hill Massachusetts home listings, property and land for sale - NUMBER1EXPERT(tm)


Condominiums: Brookline, Newton and Chestnut Hill Massachusetts home buying, real estate listings, and homes for sale in Norfolk                        County, MA
Welcome > Local Information > Condomimiums ...


Condominiums...
 

Condominiums comprise a significant portion of Brookline, Newton and Chestnut Hill home inventory. Simply put, a condominium is nothing more than a legal form of ownership of property. Condominium associations are created by the condominium to administer the property and the responsibilities of all the owners. When an offer to purchase is made on a condominium, it is customary to make it subject to a satisfactory legal review of condominium documents and budgets. The master deed which is a legal instrument by which the condominium is created and is recorded at the Registry of Deeds . The Declaration of Trust which details among other things voting powers of unit owners, administration of rules and regulations, insurance requirements, and maintenance procedures for units and common areas. The unit deed describes the real estate and its percentage of ownership in common elements as spelled out in the master deed. 

Condominium budgets generally offer current and planned costs related to the association's expenses for a given calendar year, and is used to determine monthly condo fees. Fees will vary greatly from one condominium project to another, dependent on size of unit, amenities, condition and on-going maintenance costs. Smaller, self-managed associations without elevators or security might be expected to carry lower monthly expenses than an association that pays for professional management, 24-hour lobby security and has a swimming pool to maintain. 

While condominiums come in many shapes and sizes, it is useful to know basic questions to ask, and review your own lifestyles and motivations to decide the best living arrangement for you. Smaller 2- or 3-family condominium conversions often offer more intimate living and yard space in residential neighborhoods, but may carry more responsibility and involvement in maintaining the whole property than say, a larger converted apartment building that is professionally managed and run by elected trustees who make daily decisions on behalf of unit owners. 

Knowing something about the percentage of owner occupancy in an association may sometimes provide a benchmark for anticipating owner cooperation in maintaining a property, and may impact bank financing options, as well. It's also useful to know the history of and need for future capital expenditures relative to capital reserves. Larger associations typically set aside a portion of their monthly fees in anticipation of future maintenance costs, while smaller associations may prefer to hold their money until such time as repairs or improvements are necessary, and assess the costs to unit owners in lump sums. One method is not necessary better than another, but it does behoove a buyer, and seller, to know the impact of association variables on price.
 



Real Estate Tips
Time to Move >Planning the Move

The custom of relying on friends to help make a move from one place to another has been replaced by reliance on professional movers.

Professional moving companies offer a wide range of service options, including professional packing. It could cost you less if you pack your things in your own containers. However, some movers will not insure fragile items, such as dishes or glassware, if they do not pack them.

Begin your preparations for the move by calling several companies for estimates. And start early! Some companies want three-to-six weeks advance notice. Ask each company how they compute the charges, how much time they expect the move to take, and what kind of insurance coverage they offer against loss or damage. If you have to store your things temporarily, ask what arrangements can be made.

Long-distance movers may send a representative to your home for an estimate, while local companies may quote an hourly rate over the phone. Be sure to ask the same questions of each company so that when you compare bids you will be using the same criteria.

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Real Estate Trivia
Q 
What city boasts eight of the world's ten biggest hotels?

A 
Las Vegas has eight of the largest resort hotels; the latest and most extravagant is the $2.7 billion, 2,716-room Wynn Las Vegas.
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Alan Cohen, REALTORŪ, real estate agent and broker for Brookline, Newton and Chestnut Hill Massachusetts home listings, property and land for sale - NUMBER1EXPERT(tm)

Alan Cohen
Hammond Residential GMAC

826 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Voice-Line: 617-796-6166
Office Line: 617-731-4644 ext 302
E-Fax: 617-796-6166
Email: alancohen@rcn.com

Among the area's most prolific and practiced realtors, Alan is also a historic homes marketing specialist. His keen communication, negotiation and visual skills have been refined by many years in real estate and prior experience as a clinical social worker and Children's Museum exhibition developer. During his prior 15-year tenure with Coldwell Banker, Alan was consistently honored among the top 1% of 53,000 national associates. Valued for his market knowledge, attentiveness and reliable counsel, Alan's reputation for dilligence has earned him a strong following among former clients and other real estate professionals who entrust him with their referrals.

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