What do you imagine when you picture a luxury condo?

You might think a high-rise building overlooking our gorgeous city––floor-to-ceiling windows revealing the sleek furnishings and modern design inside. You might also see a concierge and a doorman, greeting residents much like an upscale hotel.

But others may picture a beautiful brownstone, steeped in history, with red brick and ivy on the trellis. Perfectly restored insides and incredible amenities lift these homes from mid-market to true luxury.

No matter how you shake it, the definition of a “luxury development” can be many different things. So we’ve broken down the different types of Boston luxury apartments you might find on the market today (even if they surprise you):

AMENITIES

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Purchasing your first home is an exciting process––but it comes with some challenges. You want to be sure you make the right financial decision, but you also want to find the home you’ve been dreaming of. And you might feel a little overwhelmed by how competitive the Boston market is for buyers. (It can feel like a feeding frenzy out there!)

As millennials start thinking about purchasing their first property in Boston, the majority of their options will be condos vs. single family homes. While this is largely due to pricing and availability, it’s also because Boston condos have the amenities and perks that are a first-time home buyer’s dream.

Here’s why our millennial customers are opting for condos in the hot Boston market:

BOSTON

A new city, a new job, a new daily routine––relocating is a challenge in almost every way. While you’re (hopefully) making a great career or personal move, navigating this time can be tricky without thorough research or someone to help you transition.

That’s why we work so hard to help clients who are new to our beautiful Boston real estate market. We know how important it is for you to feel stable and supported while finding a place to call home. As we walked our streets this week and carried about everyday life in this historic city, we made note of all of the things we would tell someone who will soon be joining us here. Before you move to Boston, these are the things you simply need to know:

1. BOSTON REAL ESTATE IS EXPENSIVE WHETHER YOU’RE

When most people think “big city,” they think “expensive.” The words almost become synonymous––and rightly so.

A single parking space in downtown Boston can be rented for $400-$500/month or purchased for $35k to over $400k! (No, we aren’t kidding!) This is just the price we pay to have our cars conveniently and safely stored in the heart of the city.

But for those of us commuting to other neighborhoods or to the suburbs and back, we might forget just how walkable downtown Boston is. Even if we’ve lived here for years, we may not have noticed the development of public transportation all around us.

So whether you’re just learning to navigate the City of Champions or looking to upgrade your routine to a more efficient, less expensive one––these

There comes a time for every family to decide whether buying their next home or renting in Boston is the best idea. There are benefits to each option, and your decision will really comes down to your personal preferences.

Your career, financial habits, and even your lifestyle can play big roles in this decision. Every family is different, which is why there is no right or wrong answer. There is also no secret formula that you can use to make this decision for you. This is why––while online calculators like TheUpshot are great for estimates and learning more about your market––even the most experienced real estate agents know that every client will carve their own path to home rental or ownership.

To help get you started with these important

You may be ready to buy a condo in Boston, but you’re probably wondering what the next steps are. You’re not alone – most first time home buyers aren’t sure of how the process works and they don’t know what to expect. That’s why we thought it would be helpful to provide an outline of the steps involved in the home buying process.

Where Do I Begin?

1. Meet with a Buyer’s Agent. Real estate is a complex transaction, which is why you need a real estate professional to help you navigate the ins and outs of the process.
2. Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Unless you are paying with cash, you will need to get mortgage pre-approval from a reputable mortgage banker. Your buyer’s agent will be able to recommend a well-respected, qualified lender.

America’s oldest botanical garden, Boston’s Public Garden, is a relaxing escape for residents of luxury Boston condos like FP3, 45 Province and 360 Newbury St. The meandering paths will give you a chance to take it easy and admire the soothing sights and scents of the garden’s exotic trees and gorgeous flower arrangements.

The Public Garden was built in 1837 according to a plan developed by George Meacham. Meacham won a public design competition with a prize of $100. Today the Public Garden is maintained in the Victorian style, with intricate flowerbeds displaying a wide variety of carefully cultivated blooms. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s greenhouses grow the exotic plants that decorate the Public Garden, supplying them at the peak of

If you are looking for new decorating ideas for your Boston luxury condo, consider visiting the local sites for inspiration. One of the most inspiration places in Boston is the Museum of Fine Arts on Copley Square. Even before visitors enter the expansive development, the Sturgis and Brigham design delights visitors with its stately form. Multiple entrances make it convenient for guest to enter nearer their exhibits of interest.

Since the new Art of the Americas wing opened in November 2010, visitors have been able to view many larger exhibits that have been unavailable to the public for decades. Some of the artwork showcased in the new expansion highlights Japanese artwork circa early 1900’s and a variety of ancient American Indian and Colonial

Applying for a home loan can be a challenging and sometimes unnerving task, especially for first-time homeowners. Even well heeled buyers can feel a bit anxious when going through the application process, thanks to the many pitfalls that could result in a denial. Fortunately, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that trap most applicants with just a bit of good advice. Successfully navigating through the home loan process will help you be on your way towards purchasing a Boston luxury condo, Boston waterfront condo or other Boston real estate.

The first step in applying for a home loan is to choose the lender with the best rates available. Once you’ve arranged a meeting with your lender, the process of approving the loan application begins in earnest.

Charlestown is one of the 21 neighborhoods recognized as part of the greater Boston area. With a population of over 16,000, full of history and yet ever-changing, Charlestown has become the place for young professionals looking for a Boston luxury condo to call home.

North of Boston, between the Charles River and the Mystic River, Charlestown is a great walking town with many interesting historical sites. The monument to the Battle of Bunker Hill is at the north end of Boston’s Freedom Trail. The Charlestown Navy Yard is the home of the USS Constitution, the US Navy’s oldest commissioned ship.

Walking along the residential streets through Charlestown, one notices down the side streets a mixture of the colonial homes first built in the area. They