It almost feels like Spring again – but I know better. Boston has a way of tricking you with a nasty snow storm in March. Let’s hope this 53 degree day proves Spring is finally here.

Perfection! Exceptional layout & condition. Cleverly blended modern and traditional styles to create a unique, comfy environment.

Exquisite renovation of this 2 bedroom home includes a major kitchen and bath makeover. Granite and stainless steel kitchen perfect for entertaining leads to the dining room that easily seats 6-8.

How awesome is this? Apparently you can get it with a beautiful wooden bench that nestles up to it. I’m curious how it burns in real life. Looks like it might be a pain to actually use…
Shaker stove by Antonio Citterio with Toan Nguyen | materialicious

Posted using ShareThis

Gorgeous Sumner Hill Mansard Victorian

Are you in the dog house? Have you besmirched your good name? I have an opportunity for you to redeem yourselves. At the base of beautiful and historic Sumner Hill, across from the old Congregational Church,  you will find this gorgeous Mansard Victorian. Bring your sweetie and give the Valentine’s Day gift of a lifetime! We’ll be having an open house for neighbors only from 11a-11:30a, and then a public open house from 11:30a-1p.

Unique architecture

A landmark property to anyone who travels the streets of Jamaica Plain – the unique overhang is thought to be an architect’s sneak. There’s about 70SF hanging out over the sidewalk. Don’t quote me on that little historic tidbit – I’m not sure where I heard/read it anymore. I’ve got a request into a local historian to find out what I can on this lovely manse.

Fully one-third of this home resides out of view from the street. There is another unit that is roughly half the size of the upstairs, that opens on three sides the the pretty back yard. It’s really neat to see the massive, rough hewn granite blocks that form the foundation under the sidewalk. You can see it from within the fence at yard level.

This stately home got a serious facelift less than 10 years ago. The entire Mansard “hip” was replaced with architectural shingles, new windows and soffits were added as well as copper gutters and downspouts. Quite a bit of old siding was replaced at this time as well. Generally, the exterior is in perfect condition. The current owners have done a smashing job with the interior as well. Josh & Julie have added their own brand of sophisticated, modern charm. There’s definitely more than a hint of the Orient in the decor – including a very tasteful bamboo wall treatment in the master bedroom.

Giant master suite

There are three bedrooms that are  small, medium and large and have a gentle slope to the wall from the roof line. It adds a lot of charm and character without adversely effecting the layout or space whatsoever.

If you’re used to New England bedroom sizes, you’ll find the master suite to be a pleasant surprise.  It’s spacious and light with views out over the neighbor’s roofs to Green Street and the grand architecture of The Bowditch School. The bedroom opens to the bath by passing through a custom closet outfitted with a very well thought out organizational system. Someone with lots of clothes and an analytical mind clearly designed it. The bathroom is large for a Victorian. I doubt this room always served as a bathroom, but it certainly should have. There’s an old clawfoot tub and some bath fixtures that are reminiscent of the period, but in reality everything is new.

There is another full bath on the second level for the other two bedrooms. All the rooms open off a landing flooded with natural light from a skylight opening above the exposed rafters. Downstairs, the first floor flows just as well. The kitchen, dining and living rooms are large and perfect for entertaining – although, make everyone take off their shoes because the floors are truly luminous and it would be a crime to mar them.

The kitchen isn’t so easy to pin down to a specific style. Although the Bosch stainless steel appliances and white cabinets give it a decidedly modern look, the counters are darkly stained wooden butcher block that have a warmer feel than the typical granite counters that are so common of late.

There is a laundry cabinet that doubles as a pantry adjacent to the kitchen – and an ample deck through sliding glass doors, leads down to a beautifully landscaped yard.

The dining room is probably my favorite room in this house. One wall is covered with books, and the others are practically all windows – looking out over the yard, deck and Green Street. There’s a large closet as well, so if you put the table in the kitchen this could actually be a fourth bedroom or an office – but I think it’s configured best as it is.

The location doesn’t really get any better. When I write that this home is steps from everything – I mean it. Maybe 127 steps to the subway? (Give or take 10.) There are shops, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, etc. just a few blocks away on Centre as well as the Mosaic school across the street in the Congregational Church, and Hollow Reed up on Sumner Hill.  There’s a playground around the corner with water sprinklers in the summer and a great play structure. Further up Lamartine Street there’s a baseball field, basketball courts, the list goes on and on.

Check out our website at www.TheBostonHomeTeam.com for more information on this home and other property in and around Jamaica Plain as well as  the virtual tour at www.84Seaverns.com.

I’m really annoyed at architecture for the sake of it. Architecture is not the same as fashion. In that industry you have the runway model. Everyone knows the runway model is there like a moving piece of art. The embodiment of an idea, a fancy.

Sliding House by DRMM

When you see the bouffant hair and the bizarre outfits you understand that it’s to be taken with a grain of salt. Who wears that stuff on the street? I feel the same way about architecture. When I see these projects that have pushed the envelope so far that the house becomes impractical, I can’t help but think they have failed. Beyond the waste of precious resources, the creator has failed at the basic challenge – to build a better house. How can the architect/builder consider a project successful unless it can stand the test of time and utility? This is probably why most of my favorites end up being very sparse. I find myself most touched by clean lines that exemplify volume and materials. I’m also often captured by unique and ingenious use of space. It’s fun to challenge the concept of house, but one is only successful if it actually improves the design…

I’m purposely leaving this video large, sacrificing my format for your viewing pleasure. I’m a fan of this house. It’s one of the rare exceptions of architectural haute couture that really works…

Powder Tower #1, Staré Město, Prague, Czech Republic, 2006

more info: thehallwayjp.com

In my photographs of different cities and countries, I convey a sense of place through architectural and other distinctive regional details – indoors and outdoors. The pictures I make document surfaces long-exposed to time and use, and place importance on ordinary things, usually overlooked or ignored. I search for random events of light and shadow to bring out these details. Many of my photographs transform small fragments of built structures into abstractions, and so they are also formal examinations – of color, texture, light, shadow, shape, and space.

It was surprising to me how many of my seller clients this year were not aware of Boston’s Residential Exemption program. Basically, if you are a home owner residing within city limits, you get a pretty healthy discount on your taxes. More from the City of Boston website below.

Since 1983, the city of Boston had elected to apply a residential exemption to residential property that serves as a principal residence of its owner.

Taxpayers who own and occupy their home can save on their tax bill by having a portion of their tax bill exempted from taxation. To qualify for the residential exemption, homeowners must own and occupy their home on January 1.

The value of the exemption is subtracted from the total full valuation. The fiscal year residential exemption is 30% of the average value of all residential property in the City.

The Fiscal Year 2010 residential exemption subtracts $125.090 from the property’s assessed value, saving qualified homeowners $1,486.07 on their tax bill.

A taxpayer who owns and occupies residential property as their principal residence as of January 1, 2009 may apply for the residential exemption.

For the purpose of this exemption, the principal residence is the address from which your Massachusetts income tax return is filed. To verify eligibility, your Social Security Number is required for identification purposes. The information will be kept confidential and be used solely to confirm a 2008 personal income tax filing from your address with the Commonwealth of MA Department of Revenue.

An individual owner may qualify for a residential exemption on ONE parcel only.

A principal residence is one in which the taxpayer lives and which is used as a permanent home and legal residence for income tax purposes. An individual owner may qualify for a residential exemption on only one parcel.

The residential exemption appears on the FY 2010 3rd Quarter tax bill. Owners who do not receive the exemption on this bill, but believe they may be entitled to a residential exemption, must file an application for a residential exemption with the Assessing Department, within three (3) months of the mailing date of the FY 2010 3rd Quarter tax bill.

The filing deadline is March 31, 2010.

Application forms will be available at the Assessing Department, Room 301, City Hall or at the Taxpayer Referral & Assistance Center (TRAC), Rm M5, City Hall. The TRAC (617) 635-4287 is open Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm.

The Residential Exemption Application is available online
(January 1, 2010 – March 31, 2010 ONLY).

NOTE: Your Social Security Number is required for identification purposes and will be kept confidential. It will be used solely to confirm a 2008 personal income tax filing from this address with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Return the completed application to:

Assessing Department – Room 301
City Hall, Boston, MA 02201

NOTE: Applicants for residential exemption must provide their social security number on their application. This information will be kept confidential by the Assessing Department and used solely to confirm residency compliance.

The residential exemption is granted in addition to any other personal exemption to which a taxpayer may be entitled. However, no parcel of real estate may be assessed for less than ten percent of its fair cash value. (there is an exception for certain persons with physical infirmities and financial hardship.) How is the value of the exemption calculated?

For FY 2010 under Massachusetts law, the residential exemption may be as much as 30% of the average assessed value of all residential property in the city. For example, if the average value of all residential property were $150,000, the exemption could range from $0 to $45,000 (30% of the $150,000 value).

The residential exemption is a dollar amount of value that is exempt from taxation. Each year, the amount of the exemption is based on the recommendation of the Mayor, with the approval of the Boston City Council.

If, for example, the residential exemption were $45,000, a home with an assessed value of $150,000 would be taxed on just $105,000 of value. This exemption value, when multiplied by the current residential tax rate, represents the dollar savings amount of the residential exemption.

The Assessing Department conducts periodic reviews to ensure that only those owners who actually occupy their property as their principal residence receive the exemption. Owners who do not comply with the requirements of the residential exemption – or who fail to respond to requests for documentation – will lose the exemption benefit

The Taxpayer Referral & Assistance Center (TRAC) has three (3) months from the date on which the application was filed to determine the merits of the application.

The filing of an application does not mean that you can postpone the payment of your tax. The tax appearing on each of the quarterly tax bills must be paid in full. If an application for the residential exemption is subsequently approved, a refund will follow.

If the application is denied, the taxpayer may file an appeal to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board (ATB) within three (3) months of the date on which the TRAC made its decision.

The ATB is located at:

100 Cambridge Street
2nd Floor, Suite 200
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 727-3100

Fantastic apartment near Stony Brook T

Our team sold this home to the current landlord just a short time ago. A woman and her aunt had lived here for 40 years and it was in absolutely perfect condition. The garden has been lovingly maintained and the grounds are perfect. Locationally, this rental 2BD rental unit is fantastic. It is only a five minute walk to Stony Brook T, there are shops and restaurants at the end of the street and The Brewery is maybe 6-7 minutes walking. There you’ll find Ula Cafe (coffee/baked goods/sandwiches), Bella Luna & Milky Way (bar/restaurant/dancing) and Jamaica Plain’s only gym, Mike’s Fitness.

The owner is asking $1400/mth. The unit has a three season porch, hardwood floors and washer dryer in-unit! Don’t miss this opportunity to live in one of the best neighborhoods in Boston.

Call Christine Li at 617-828-7725 if you have any questions.

Arthouse - hotel alternative in Jamaica Plain

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Don’t want to clean up after your sister’s lousy kids anymore? Your mother-in-law has just stepped over the line and needs to go? Send them to us! For all of January we’re offering our Winter Warmer Special of $100 a night. No extras, just a straight up deal. Click on the photo to the left for our ad with a photo tour, rates and our calender.

The unit is EXACTLY as the pictures show it. By reading our many 5 star reviews you’ll see we keep the place immaculate. It’s super convenient so give us a ring at 617-828-7956 or email us your reservation request through Home Away.

A little more about our place:

Modern apartment in a JP 2 family. Enjoy our extensive collection of fresh local art. This is not your standard run of the mill rental. Collection will occasionally rotate. Currently showing ‘Ladylike’ by Christine Li and black & white photography by Janelle McCuen as well as other works. Completely redesigned with a SS kitchen, washer/dryer in unit, pantry, huge closets, tall ceilings (12 ft in some places), recessed lighting, modern fixtures, and an office alcove. Versatile floor plan good for couples or roomies. Enjoy Japanese style garden just outside master bedroom. 1blk to T, Bella Luna restaurant/bar, gym, Ula Cafe. Walk to Centre Street’s many shops and restaurants. Convenient central location to downtown, 93, 95, 90, etc. Minutes to Medical area. Absolutely no need for a car unless you’re leaving Boston Metro.

A little about our community:

I had to run an errand for my wife Christine today as our first storm of the year wrapped up. One of her clients is an absentee landlord and it was reported that his rental unit had no heat. Nice. Why does it always happen in the middle of a snow storm? Nevermind, I know why…it’s not profound, just a pain in the ass that heating systems always go kaputt at the least convenient time.

It’s like they’re mocking us. “How you like me now?” the client lives in NH so it’s just a favor to go check out the place for him. (That’s just the kind of operation we run here.) Anyway, I enjoyed my walk across town. It was beautiful and people were coming out to walk their dogs and shovel. I reminded everyone I passed that was shoveling to remember to bend their knees. They all seeded truly appreciative. The snow was frenzied and occasionally defied Mother Nature herself to reverse direction and hang out inside my hood.

The walk brought to my mind the longstanding Boston feud. Oh, yes. We have one too. I thought I was leaving all that behind when I left the Ozarks. Nay, Beantown has it’s own version of The Hatfields & The McKoys. Back home it was The Yokums & The Gideons. Who knows why these people were really feuding but the rumor has it it was about land. Specifically a piece of land with a silver mine. I’m not sure it ever produced more than they required for the fillings in their teeth but nonetheless, that’s the story. Oh yes, and how can we forget the Sneetchs or even better, the Zax?

Yes Boston is no exception. Ours is a battle over real estate as well. It has divided friends, neighbors, even lovers. I’m curious what you think? If you shovel out after a snow storm – do you have right to the spot indefinitely? Do you prefer everyone respects the public way? Here’s a couple of differing points of view. Leave yours in the comments…

“The King of parking space savers”

Elvis space saver

By Globe Staff

Elvis Presley may be gone, but a bust of the King lives on — as a parking space saver.

Reader Jon Titone took this photo on P Street in South Boston, in response to a recent Globe story about the proliferation of space savers that violate the city’s 48-hour rule.

Without adequate enforcement, the space savers remain. That means law-abiding drivers must find another place to park or move the savers — which are often much less creative than Elvis — and live with the fear that their car could be keyed or their tires slashed.

According to the City of Boston’s website, space savers are only allowed after the declaration of a snow emergency, which hasn’t occurred since Dec. 18. Most drivers, however, use space savers after digging out from any plowable snow.

The enforcement of the 48-hour rule resides with city sanitation workers on regular rounds. Trash pickup occurs once a week, which means that at best space savers will be tossed once every seven days. Garbage pickup in some neighborhoods, however, occurs prior to 9 a.m., with sanitation trucks making the rounds well before drivers have left their parking spots.

That means some step stools and buckets can remain virtually undisturbed, saving a parking space from now until Opening Day on April 6.

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said earlier this week that any parking space savers that remain on the street should have been removed long ago. The city, however, has not received enough complaints about space savers from a specific neighborhood to necessitate the dispatch of a special public works crew to collect the cones, chairs, and shovel-and-box combos, Joyce said.

The mayor’s office urged people to report illicit place savers by calling the 24-hour constituent services hot line at 617-635-4500.

Have an stubborn space saver on your block? E-mail a picture here with a precise description of the location.

After Wednesday’s snowstorm, the 48-hour rule was reset. By Friday or Saturday, the Globe will be looking for additional illicit parking space savers.

***

Then check out this great thread on the Yelp forum. Very entertaining stuff. The “no spot saving” crowd is definitely outspoken here.

Saving parking spots in Southie is wrong.

Another fun article is on Universal Hub called:

To protect my parking spot, I use:

Whatever you believe is the best plan of action is your business. All I have to say is that on my street there’s no space saving. We all dig out immediately and deal with the cards we’re dealt just like every other day. Sometimes we help shovel each other out and have a few laughs while we’re doing it. If you put out a lawn chair on my street – it’s toast. Bring it on.