Equity
Harvest Season: Abundance and Need
Harvest Season: Abundance and Need
10/18/24
Fall has arrived, and with it is the idea of “Harvest Season,” bringing to mind images of abundant produce at farm stands and overflowing grocery store aisles (not to mention the ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice in everything from donuts to sausages). Yet, this time of supposed plenty contrasts sharply with the reality that nearly two million people in Massachusetts—about 18% of the population—experience food insecurity. We at Liz & Ellie Local don’t just help people buy and sell houses; we aim to educate people on the issues that affect where we live, too. In a state with so many resources, we feel moved to help our neighbors gain access to healthy and delicious food.
Selling
What Sellers Need to Know About Real Estate Commissions
What Sellers Need to Know About Real Estate Commissions
09/18/24
You may have heard or read about a recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice that resulted in several significant changes to how real estate commissions are handled. We’d like to address how we are responding to the settlement, and how changes may affect you.
Buying
What Buyers Need to Know about Real Estate Commissions
What Buyers Need to Know about Real Estate Commissions
09/18/24
You may have heard or read about a recent settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice that resulted in several significant changes to how real estate commissions are handled. We’d like to address how we are responding to the settlement, and how changes may affect you.
Sustainability
Throwing Shade: Thoughtful Planning to Create Cooler Neighborhoods
Throwing Shade: Thoughtful Planning to Create Cooler Neighborhoods
08/15/24
As urban areas continue to expand and temperatures rise due to climate change, the need for effective shade in cities has become too much to ignore. Cambridge, Somerville and suburban towns have begun the strategic use of trees and canopies. I think these options offer a powerful solution to provide relief from excessive heat and sunlight.
Sustainability
It's Hot: Shave the Peak this week from 4-8 PM!
It's Hot: Shave the Peak this week from 4-8 PM!
07/15/24
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Home Ownership
Our Gardens—and Yours
Our Gardens—and Yours
06/11/24
It’s really starting to feel like summer out there! This past weekend’s weather was glorious, and that rain on Sunday morning seems to have made all the plants grow a foot and start to bloom. Here’s what part of my back garden looks like today. The rhododendrons and azaleas give the perfect backdrop for my re-seeded foxgloves (thank you, Burpee catalog, for the seeds I bought during a Covid-fueled haze two years ago). As beautiful as this part of my yard looks, though, my front stoop’s containers are sadly empty. That means it’s time to procure something beautiful to jazz up my entrance! Any real estate advisor will tell you that “curb appeal” pulls a lot of weight with potential buyers. That also means that even if you’re not selling your home anytime soon, pretty flowers and plants will wow passersby and make you relish coming home to your little oasis this summer.
