Home Tips of the Month from Bonny Lamb

Home Tips of the Month from Bonny Lamb Interest rates are the lowest in 3 years; and many homeowners are taking advantage of the low rates and are refinancing. I have a list of lenders whose rates are impressively low, and please contact me if you like. If you are considering selling and getting a home equity loan to assist with the purchase of a new home, please keep in mind that the HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) process can take time and during that time, your home may not be listed for sale. A spilled glass of water contains a lot of water; a split water heater contains 40 gallons and more. Write the date of installation on your water heater with a Sharpie and notice when the 5-, 6-, or 10-year warranty is nearing. A good safety backup is the addition of an alarm to signal any seepage in the pan under the water heater and some attachments stop the flow. However, have the plumber give you details about the alarm and the cost before placing the order. Please dispose of your unused or expired meds properly and not via the sewer system. The meds get into the water that we drink and use for bathing. The best water treatment facilities eliminate 90%-95% of contaminants, but filters we use personally don’t help and our bodies absorb the remainder. 5%-10% might not seem like a large percentage, but the content and potency can’t be measured. I was reading an interesting article about the disagreements couples have when they are discussing or are in the process of buying or selling a house. The weird one was that 23% disagree about whether a house should be cleaned or not for showings. i could understand having a tiff over who was going to do the cleaning or who had made the mess, but as a real estate broker, arguing over whether or not the house or condominium should be clean for showings makes no sense at all. Olive oil is not the only healthy oil to use, and it’s one of the more expensive types as well. Safflower and sunflower oils have heart-protecting benefits and cost less. Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species that strangles and kills trees, like this one in West Cambridge. It’s our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the roots of the plant need to be sawed to destroy the vines.  Bonny Lamb Vice President 1073 Mass Ave, Cambridge 02138 617.803.8080 bonny.lamb@compass.com © Compass 2020 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

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Home Tips of the Month

Home Tips of the Month From Bonny Lamb Mass. Law has changed its regulations regarding smoke detectors, so in order to keep you and your family as safe as possible… Any battery-operated smoke detectors that no longer work or are older than 10 years must be replaced with detectors with 10-year batteries. The batteries are non-removable and non-replaceable. The locations of the detectors remain the same, go online, call your local fire department, or call me for placement. However, please don't assume that the batteries will last 10 years; they might not even work for one day, as I discovered a few weeks ago after buying several of the Kidde brand at Home Depot for a smoke inspection at one of my listings. Please test the batteries regularly; they won't warn you that they're getting old by "chirping." Another change: Manufacturers are replacing ionic batteries with photoelectric, great for us agents who had to know the differences in the rules for smoke inspections. Photoelectric batteries have been required/preferred within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom because they were less sensitive to kitchen smoke and bathroom steam, causes for some occupants of a house or apartment to dismantle the detectors and be unprotected. The hope/intent now is that with all detectors photoelectric, no one will disconnect them. The detectors need to be on the ceiling, not the wall. Salt is important but too much, not. Drink orange juice, rich in potassium, to help regulate sodium intake. White vinegar has so many uses and it's "green." Buy it by the gallon–it's inexpensive. I pour it into a shallow bowl in the kitchen to absorb cooking odors, sometimes also using the microwave vent – it works. There are many more useful and surprising ways to use vinegar.  Check them out here.  For home tips on just about everything, Click here. Another reminder about English ivy, an invasive species, which strangles and kills trees. It's our local kudzu, all too evident in Cambridge, Belmont and Somerville, taking over gardens and climbing trees. At the beginning of the climb, the roots can be pulled from the trees; once securely attached to the tree or wedged within the interstices of the trunk, the roots of the plant need to be sawed to destroy it. Very best, Bonny Lamb

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224 Lexington Avenue, Cambridge 02138

These dazzling duplexes, renovated to the studs, exude quality throughout. Meticulously and thoughtfully designed, the L-shaped living areas are delightfully expansive, the BRs are generously sized; the interior is light-flooded with good window privacy and pleasant views. Sliders lead to the private patios and yard space. These beauties are not cookie-cutter.

224 Lexington Street, second and third floors: 6 rooms, 3 BRs, flex room; 3 full baths; 1 pkg; private outdoor spact; 1,812 sf. $1,425,000.

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226 Lexington Avenue, Cambridge 02138

A work of art! Rarely will you see a renovation (gut) as thoughtfully and meticulously executed as this duplex condominium home, exuding quality and good taste throughout. A grand 9′ long quartz island with waterfalls is central to the kitchen, efficiently flanked by a Thermidor SS refrigerator, 6-burner gas range with hood, microwave drawer and dishwasher. Custom cabinetry is white and gray, accented by open floating shelves, quartz counters and imported backsplash tiles. The expansive L-shaped open plan will delight your stay-at-home hours and wow your guests when you entertain. The bedrooms are generously sized; one is perfect for a convenient office. The mr. suite has a walk-in closet and lovely bath with double vanity. 3 full bathrooms have marble flooring, white quartz counters, and lighting under the vanities; 2 of the bathrooms have radiant heat. Sliders from the living room open to your private deck, patio areas and side yards. Deeded parking. Located in charming Huron Village.

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22-24 Traymore Street, Cambridge 02140

Dynamite location in sought-after Agassiz neighborhood, a delightful, cozy enclave with its own newspaper. This 2-unit house, newly painted and with a surprisingly large fenced yard, is near Harvard, the shops and restaurants on Mass. Ave., and provides a choice of Harvard or Porter Square T’s. Each apartment has an open floor plan, high ceilings, abundant windows and wonderful natural light. The first floor apartment has open living room/dining room/white kitchen; 1 bedroom; a full bath; was recently painted; is lead compliant; w/d in basement. The first floor of the upper apartment has open living room/dining room/kitchen; half bath with washer/dryer; 1 bedroom; and a front porch. Third floor has 3 bedrooms, one with exposed brick, a full bath with skylight and newly replaced fixtures and flooring; a fire escape. This special home has a variety of uses: a rental property; live in one apartment and rent the other; or turn the house into a fine single-family home. Large yard. 1 parking space. 

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