Currently Listed Houses with Indoor Pools in the Boston Area - 05/31/11 03:20 PM
These three gorgeous properties just outside of Boston feature a rare characteristic (at least rare for the Northeast): an indoor pool. Contact me for a private showing for these and many other luxury properties. James D. Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES  617-733-8280 (cell)   jim@castlesunlimited.com
1. Brookline-- $5,900,000
7 bedrooms, 5 and 1/2 bathrooms
9,581 sq feet

listing agent:Deborah M. Gordon
listing office: Coldwell Banker

2. Newton-- $4,780,000
6 bedrooms,  6 bathrooms
10,148 sq feet

Listing Agent:  Roman Reznikov
Listing office: Castles Unlimited, Inc


3. Brookline-- $13,995,000
9 bedroom, 7 bathrooms
16,703 sq feet

Listing broker:  Terrence Maitland
Listing office: Landvest
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Get Prepared For Those Long Tours - 05/31/11 12:07 PM

Snacks.  Water. Berries. Nuts.  Looks like I am all set to head to the beach.  However I am really heading out on an 8 hour tour with out of state relocation clients.  I had never met them before and only had a few days to sell them a multi-million dollar home...some with indoor pool pavilions and tennis courts.  How do I get them to focus on a property when they are tired and hungry?  The answer: by not letting their blood sugar levels drop.
After the first 3 showings...over 20,000 sf of interior showings we pulled over at a local … (3 comments)

Just Listed. 464 Commonwealth Ave, Boston- Kenmore Square Rental - 05/30/11 04:07 PM
This penthouse condo/ apartment at The Braemore, 464 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston as been totally gutted/ renovated/ restored lovingly down to the smallest detail including a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances and a pass through, wood floors, millwork throughout, radiant heated floors in the bath, and electric heater/ fireplace with wood mantel and Charles River, Cambridge and city views from the large North facing living room windows.  The building has an amazing rooftop deck with the stair to the deck just outside the unit door.  Watch the fireworks on the "Fourth" from your new rental! $2975.  Garage parking is … (1 comments)

Open House Today. 3-4 PM. #81, 464 Commonwealth Ave, Boston - 05/29/11 09:28 AM
First Open House. New Listing.  Lovingly gutted/ restored/ renovated penthouse unit with Charles River views. Wood floors, charming woodwork, new kitchen , new bath (with radiant heated floors).  Fireplace/ heater provides a focal point for the living room.  Just made available for immediate move-in.  Rental garage parking available.  Just steps to the Green Line, Kenmore Square, Newbury Street, Fenway Park and Boston University. Priced right. $599,500.  A very special unit at The Braemore.  464 Commonwealth Ave.  Jim Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES. 617-733-8280
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I Built That House And You Listed It Wrong! - 05/27/11 11:22 PM
I thought I would cry when I drove past the first house I ever built.  I never lived in it.  It was always a spec house from the beginning.  It is a beautiful 5 bedroom/ 3 1/2 bath...CONTEMPORARY! It now has another broker's sign in front of it. It's for sale.
I built this property in the 90's and I can't remember the broker who sold it.  I think it might be the same broker.  But really...he listed it as a Colonial.
Now if you know the difference between the two styles it is pretty much night and day.  And once … (5 comments)

Just Listed- 2 Bedroom Penthouse On Commonwealth Ave, Boston - $569,000 - 05/27/11 11:10 PM
2 bedroom at The Braemore. Totally gutted to the studs in the last 2 years.  Penthouse with views of the Charles River, roof deck, fireplace, new kitchen and bath.  Must be seen. Located on Commonwealth Avenue just steps to Fenway Park, Newbury Street and Boston University. $569,000.  Jim Lowenstern, 617-733-8280 for a private showing.
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Needham Center 2 Bedroom rental- $1495. Available Now. - 05/26/11 04:53 PM
Bright, sunny 2 bedroom apartment in a charming stucco two-family on a quiet "in-town" street.  This apartment has a recently renovated kitchen and bath, extra high ceilings, replacement windows, wood floors, built-ins, washer dryer hookup in the unit, large eat-in kitchen, dining area,off street parking yard with vegtable garden area. Pet friendly. Available now. $1495.  Jim Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES  617-733-8280.
 
 
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290 Lagrange St, Chestnut Hill, MA --$599,000 - 05/26/11 03:48 PM
 
This beautiful C Hill, Newton, MA 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bathroom Duplex condo has just been listed. Move in condition. It has 3 floor levels, beautiful hardwood floors, granite countertops in the kitchen and stainless steel appliances. The home is in a GREAT neighborhood with wonderful schools. Central heat and Central Gas. Great price for almost new construction!  Only $599,000. For more information please call: Jim Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES (617) 964-3300 jim@castlesunlimited.com www.castlesunlimited.com  
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Inspections Are Even For New Construction! - 05/24/11 08:34 AM
The video that is embedded in this article is something that all home buyers  should watch...even if they are having a custom home built.  This couple in the video/ news story basically have a beautiful home on over 100 acres that will never see blue board and plaster because the roof trusses were "sistered together" which isn't just a code violation...it is potentially deadly depending on how much snow ends up collecting on the roof.  
Inspections for new construction should be done all through the construction process.  That is something that is costly but might just save a life.
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=28752801&GT1=35011
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QR Codes Are Now At Castles Unlimited! - 05/23/11 02:01 PM
QR Codes (quick response) were originally developed by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in 1994.  They are widely used in Japan and South Korea and are slowly being picked up as a quick method for camera phones (such as the I-Phone) to search for a URL just by pointing the phone/ camera at the QR.

Castles Unlimited.com can be quickly search by anyone either walking by our office currently.  Soon all of our listing sheets and yard signs will also have QR on them linking our clients directly to the appropriate web page.
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If I Can't See It I Can't Sell It! - 05/20/11 03:36 PM
Ever have a seller with a house with overgrown bushes?  I just sold the house next to this property.  If you drove down the street you would think it was undeveloped land.  If you look very closely you will see a door at the end of the front walk.  I have met this owner.  Basically he is an older man that has lived on this property his entire life.  He actually pointed to a huge overgrown something or other and proudly told me that he planted it when he was 9 years old.  All I could do was think, "and you … (4 comments)

It's A New Day At Castles Unlimited®- We Just Launched Our New Balloon! - 05/20/11 03:19 PM

Balloons are a necessity of any good branding program in real estate as far as I am concerned.  Open house signs with balloons have been proven to bring traffic to the property and even in front of our office we always have a balloon waving in the wind.  Many times as a child stops to play with the balloon we have found an opportunity to meet a new prospective client.  And there is nothing better than having kids wandering around town all holding a beautiful yellow Castles Unlimited® balloon in my opinion.
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Can Real Estate Agents Talk To Home Appraisers During A Purchase Appraisal? - 05/19/11 11:07 PM
I think that many brokers would not be sure whether this was legal or not.  Apparently it is not only legal but imperetive if you are representing a seller...you must make sure that the appraiser knows the house, condo etc. as well as you do and that they know where its value lies.
Via William D. Cobb FHA Home Appraiser (Accurate Valuations Group):
Can Real Estate Agents Talk To Home Appraisers During A Purchase Appraisal?  In short, they absolutely can!
HVCC was retired yet the policies it set in motion remain in motion. Now, Dodd-Frank's Appraiser-Independence Legislation is the rule of the day and there … (0 comments)

Not Your Father's Recession - 05/19/11 11:02 PM
I have been in the real estate business for some time now.  I mark time by recessions.  This is either my third or fourth depending if you count the Dot Com Crash as a recession.  I don't count that one as a recession by the way.
This one is actually my first depression or third recession depending on how you count depressions.  If you lived through the Great Depression then this is probably not a big deal.  Back then you were careful of falling bodies that might hit you when you walked down the street.
The long, tough, real estate drama … (2 comments)

Newton Centre Parking Meters With A New twist - 05/19/11 10:43 PM
I was always wondering when parking meters would become pieces of art.  Now they are.  Shape your own.  Make it your own.  Make the meter attendant kneel to do their job.  It's all fun...right?  I have offered in the past to pay for the meter cost (25 cents/ 20 minutes) for customers that do business with me.  I have even paid a ticket or two.  So when I saw this meter all i could think was "it deserved it."  :-)

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Beautiful Condo! New Listing In Cambridgeport, MA - 05/16/11 02:33 PM
Great location! Impeccable condition! Beautiful building w/ elevator! The unit was gut renovated in 2009 w/ all new kitchen, bathroom, windows, floors. High ceilings, crown moldings, hardwood floors; quality kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances & granite counters; full size bedroom; generous size living/dining area; tiled bath, Hunter Douglass shades. Investment & pet friendly! Great Cambridgeport location! Walk to Harvard Sq, Central Sq, Charles River, Trader's Joe and more.
55 Magazine Street, Unit 39, Cambridge, MA. Castles Unlimited, Inc. Newton, MA

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North Reading Estate - $2,550,000 - 05/16/11 02:27 PM

New Listing:
ROOMS: Total of 12 plus...4 bedrooms with in-suite baths plus 1 full bath and 2 half-baths2 marble fireplaces3-car garage with AC and heatFull basement2 mechanical rooms
INTERIOR FINISHCherry floors, millworkMarble floorsFully smoothed plaster walls and ceilingsCoffered, elliptical and reflective ceiling
 
Amazing property.  Castles Unlimited, Inc.
James Lowenstern
617-733-8280
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Sherborn, MA- $1,795,000 - 05/16/11 02:21 PM
JUST 10 MIN FROM DOWNTOWN WELLESLEY IN A SYLVAN SETTING LIES THIS BEAUTIFUL 5168 SQFT NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HOME SITED MAJESTICALLY ON 1.6 PRIVATE ACRES ALONG PICTURESQUE FARM RD. QUALITY & ATTENTION TO DETAIL ARE ON DISPLAY AS WELL AS FUNCTION & FLOW OF FLOOR PLAN. GOURMET KITCHEN W/THERMADOR COMMERCIAL GRADE APPLIANCES & LARGE MASTER SUITE BOASTING 3 WALK-IN CLOSETS, SEPARATE SITTING AREA, GAS FIREPLACE & EQUALLY WONDERFUL BATH ARE MUST SEES.
Castles Magazine- James D. Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES  617-733-8280

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Updated Real Estate News 24 Hours A Day - 05/16/11 07:27 AM
This is a great link to have in your favorites: http://castlesmag.com/news.asp
Another one is the home page: http://castlesmag.com  with it's scrolling RSS feed that gives you headlines that you can stop and click on just by moving your cursor over the rolling links.
Where else can you get Forbes, CNN, Money, NYT, Inman etc. real estate headlines constantly all aggregated into one place?  

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Unusual Lease Opportunity In Newton Centre, MA- $12,000/ Month - 05/12/11 12:21 PM

 
Magnificent estate featuring three villa-like courtyard brick patios with outdoor fireplace and exterior sound system surrounding lush landscaping.  This four-level sun-splashed estate is located at the end of a sought after Newton Centre cul-de-sac.  Spectacular kitchen with stone fireplace, grand stone fireplace living room, dining room and gorgeous au pair suite.  Total of 15 rooms/ 6 bedroom/ 7 full baths/ 2 half baths, 4 fireplaces. $12,000.  Call James D. Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES for a private showing.
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Portuguese Palace For Sale - 05/11/11 10:33 PM
I guess sometimes I am amazed at what comes across my desk.
Here is a beautiful "Palace" in Portugal.  I know the average price range on Active Rain is about $300,000 but you never know....right?
We are looking to split a 10% commission so if you know of anyone who NEEDS A PALACE  this palace needs that buyer!
Call me and let's get it SOLD!

I have not listed it in Castles Magazine or on-line in castlesmag.com so you have every chance to earn this commission along with me.
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It's May--There's Still Snow In Massachusetts! - 05/11/11 01:47 PM
It might not be the prettiest pile of snow you have ever seen...it certainly has seen betters days.  Remember those wonderful snowy days during this past Winter that seemed to never end.  Well all that snow had to piled somewhere.
At Shoppers World in Framingham rthere's a pile that might just make it to next Winter.
Sledding anyone?

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30th Anniversay Of Bob Marley's Death - 05/11/11 08:02 AM
http://on.wsj.com/mxjZLn
I dedicate this song to anyone and everyone.  With so much negativity that we can focus on in our lives Bob Marley said it best (sang it best too) in this song.
Today let's celebrate his life with this song:
http://bit.ly/PTnzq
 

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"The Former Generation Didn't Care About the Environment" - 05/10/11 05:20 AM
I love this post.  Yes.  The "Green Thing" is new...but now there's a reason why it is necessary.  Our way of life has changed and we are more sensitive to the environment because of it.
Via Marte Cliff (Marte Cliff Copywriting):
Today's email brought a timely story. I have no idea where it originated, but if it's the truth, someone needs to give the sales clerk a swift kick. Here's the story...
I'll add my 2 cents worth afterward.
 
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic … (1 comments)

Needham Center, MA Two Bedroom Rental - 05/10/11 04:44 AM
Last week (scroll down for photos) I listed the first floor of 78 Maple Street, Needham for rent.  That unit is rented and now the upstairs unit which has a bonus office/ guest bedroom and a walkup attic for storage is available for June 1. The unit also has wood floors, an eat-in kitchen with a pantry and dishwasher and disposal, built-ins in the livingroom, 8 south facing windows and off street parking. Pet friendly. Walk to commuter rail and shops. $1500.
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Obama Failed - 05/09/11 08:52 AM
I know this isn't the week to say that our President failed...but it is already over a week ago that the successful mission in Pakistan resulted in Osama bin Laden's death...so the timing is probably appropriate.  Our President and his advisors have no clue how to right our sinking economic troubles that are stemming from the foreclosure crisis.
This new story: http://on.msnbc.com/ku6DmL
 
says much of what isn't going on...what isn't happening is that after years of "solutions" we are probably worse off than we were before.  If something effective was done, let's say 2 years ago, perhaps trillions of dollar of … (6 comments)

Cities With The Biggest Price Discounts Points To A Market Bottom - 05/08/11 03:18 PM
This is an interesting article.  It doesn't necessarily come to the same conclusion as I do but interesting just the same.
http://on.msnbc.com/j3L4xW
 
The article talks about depressed real estate markets around the country and also talks about percentages of discounting from asking price to selling price in different markets.  In the end the conclusion is that some markets are only showing less discounting because sellers (and I guess with the help of brokers) are learning to price listings closer to actual market values.  
However, in a falling market it almost doesn't matter what the price is because no one … (0 comments)

Most Affordable and Least Affordable Cities - 05/08/11 03:03 PM
I have developed a nationwide referral platform for $1 Million properties (www.castlesmag.com) and now I am almost ready to bring to market a second one that will offer brokers buyers and sellers with built-in loyalty to the referred broker. How does that sound?
Because I am operating a nationwide clearinghouse for quality referrals I often follow what is going on in different markets around the country.  The depressed markets are especially troubling for all Realtors because our national economy...even the world economy rests partly on the strength of our housing markets.
On the flip-side we have the most affordable cities too. … (0 comments)

3+ Family Brick Residence In Brookline, MA - $1.375 Million - 05/05/11 04:38 PM
Brookline-Washington Square. Three+ Family residence. Brick, 18 rooms, 9 bedrooms, 3 fireplaces, 1500 sf basement can be expanded into (poss 4th apt-inlaw).  Total possible built-out sf is 6000 sf!  Great condo project. Castles Unlimited®. Jim Lowenstern, GRI, LI, IRES. 617-733-8280. jim@castlesunlimited.com.  $1.375 Million.
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New Castles® Magazine Listing In The USVI- $6.2 Million - 05/03/11 07:29 PM
An amazing private residence with easy access to the beach at Hart Bay, St John, USVI is now available for $6,200,000.
The 4500 sf Contemporary is built of stone, has high ceilings, custom hardwood doors and windows, stainless appliances, ceramic tile roof and TWO pools!  One with an infinity edge.
For more info see: http://bit.ly/j7rUre

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Bit.ly-A Super Cool Way To Shorten URL's - 05/03/11 07:17 PM
My personal website (btw you can sign up and advertise your $1 Million plus listings for free....just email me for details) www.castlesmag.com  sometimes creates amazingly long URL's.
Here is an example:
http://castlesmag.com/Listings/ListingDetails.asp?ListingID=1072&SearchStateProvinceID=%2D1&SearchCity=&SearchZipcode=&ZipListing=&SearchPriceFrom=0&SearchPriceTo=1000000000&SearchWaterfront=&SearchSki=&SearchCondo=&SearchResort=&SearchCountryClub=&SearchFarmOrRanch=&SearchRental=all&SearchBrokerID=
That's a bit long don't you agree?
Now comes www.Bit.ly     a  free URL shortener tool.  Now the same link after BIT.ly looks like this:
http://bit.ly/j5EilJ
Pretty cool?  Now all of those strange URL's you see on Twitter make sense.  Since the Twitter site limits the characters you can Tweet sites like BIT.ly are necessary.
For my site i use it all the time when I link the listings to … (2 comments)

DropBox.com A New Way To Keep Your Files On-Line - 05/03/11 07:09 PM
I network internationally with some amazing brokers.  One such broker just sent me over 50 photos of a property that I have begun to market.  The photos didn't come in the usual form.  I had expected to receive the photos in a email.  However, because the photo files were very large this broker sent me a link to his DropBox.com account and access to the file where all the photos were stored.
I would recommend this website to everyone who spreads their work over laptops, office computers and phone files.
 
www.dropbox.com
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New Listing- Montego Bay, Jamaica Hotel For Sale - $15 Million US - 05/03/11 07:01 PM
Featured on the CBS Morning Show in January 2011 this classic hotel sits on over 20 acres high on Richmond Hill overlooking Montego Bay.  Poolside bar and beautiful large conference room, 21 spacious bedrooms, private residence has its own pool.  All furnishings stay including antique furniture and priceless artwork. 
See: http://bit.ly/j5EilJ   for more info on www.castlesmag.com

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Needham, MA 2 Bedroom Rental-$1500 - 05/02/11 03:27 PM
Available June 1st in Needham Center, Massachusetts is a two bedroom rental in this charming Stucco Two-Family on a quiet street walking distance to the Commuter Rail station, shops and restaurants.  Washer dryer hookup and walk-up attic storage. $1500.

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Clean Out Help: FreeCycle.org - 05/02/11 01:58 PM

http://www.freecycle.org/
Please help our planet and forward this website link to all of your sellers when they are getting to move.  So many items that can be used again rather than be discarded.  This photo was taken by me just this past week in Massachusetts.  Items just left on the side of the road...not even heading to the landfill...just discarded in the rain.
 
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FOR SALE: Slightly Stigmatized Mansion In Pakistan - 05/02/11 01:43 PM
Ok.  So if you were the owner of this home in Pakistan and wanted to sell it after the recent events what do you do?
Do you mention that it has a place in Al Queda history and ask extra for that?  Is "Terrorist Shrine" an ammenity on the Pakistani MLS listing sheet? 
Perhaps if you are the owner you turn it into a time share and sell weeks through the terrorist equivalent of RCI.  What self respecting terrorist wouldn't want to spend the night there?  Maybe weddings will be held there...sure looks like a great place to celebrate your nuptials...right?
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