Fall 2015 in the Boston Area!

If you haven’t noticed, take a look up at the next maple tree your eyes lay sight on. You will probably notice at the top that some spotty patches of yellow and orange are starting to appear. That can only mean one thing – it’s fall! Although summer brings out the most in outdoor fun and beach-combing, fall is the season of outdoor adventure and comfort. Say goodbye to the days of 90 degrees and humidity, and enter mid 60’s with clean air, perfect for a long sleeve and shorts. With fall comes a number of fun events in the Boston area.

photo via Wikipedia

The Book of Mormon –From the creators of South Park, Matt Stone & Trey Parker, comes their first Broadway musical. The Book of Mormon has been recognized worldwide as one of the funniest musicals in years. Just like the other works of Stone and Parker, The Book of Mormon might not fit under the umbrella of “family-friendly”, but it is a must-see for those looking to laugh!

photo via Wikipedia

Salem Halloween Festival – With the exception of maybe New Orleans, Salem outdoes every other Halloween festival in the United States, and rightfully so. Century old tales of witch trials that took place up on the seaside North Shore city bring out the annual fright-filled festivities all throughout Downtown. The week of Halloween features live shows, haunted houses, local food and drink specials, and much more!

photo courtesy of BostonDiscoveryGuide.com

Honk! Festival – Both recognized and independent musician and bands from around the United States will flock to Davis Square in Somerville on Columbus Day weekend to play in a marching-band style parade through the streets of Somerville and Cambridge. There will be lots of colorful attire, creative facepaint, and lots of quirky fun for the whole family at Honk!

photo via Wikipedia

New England Patriots Football – After a successful opening night performance versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots will return home on Sunday September 27^th to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. The title defense is going to be tough this year, but with an easier slate of home games this year against weaker opponents, the Patriots should be in the mix come January. Other fall home games include, Sunday October 25^th versus Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets and Thursday October 29^th versus the Miami Dolphins.

photo courtesy of BostonDiscoveryGuide.com

Boston Halloween Pumpkin Festival – On Saturday October 17^th on Boston Commons is the annual pumpkin festival to kick off the Halloween festivities. Perfect for the whole family, if you bring an 8” or smaller pumpkin that has already been carved, and it will be lit and floated on the frog pond. Enjoy refreshments, food stands, and what should be a beautiful day in the common.

photo from Wikipedia

Boston Celtics and Bruins at the TD Garden – the boys of winter return this fall to the TD Garden. Coming off their surprising season last year, Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics face the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and more this year as the NBA season tips off late October. The Bruins are looking to rebound after a tough 14-15 campaign. They drop the puck Thursday October 8^th against the Winnipeg Jets. 

Big thanks to BostonDiscoveryGuide.com for the information and images

Both Demand and Rent Prices are on the Rise in Boston's South Suburbs

You don’t have to be an expert in the real estate industry to know that rents are rising in locations that are seeing peek demand. Economics 101: when demand is high, so will be the price. That couldn’t be a more fitting depiction of the multifamily apartment industry in the city of Boston, particularly in desirable places such as South Boston, Back Bay, West End, Beacon Hill, and the South End. It seems like every month a new large-scale luxury development is going up in the city. Rents in many of these new communities don’t start any lower than $3,000. With many young, post-college students struggling with a tough job market and burdened by large amounts of debt are finding it tougher to relocate to the city than generations past. So while rent within Boston remains far higher than any other neighborhood in the state, the actual largest amount of rent growth in the state is taking place in the South suburbs, a statistic that many find surprising.

Recently, Tim Logan of the Boston Globe wrote an article about the rise in both demand and price point in suburban locations south of Boston. At first glance you’re probably thinking the term “south” is rather vague. Well in fact this rent growth and demand spike can be seen although out south suburbs stretching from Quincy, down to Plymouth, and going as far west as Franklin and Bellingham. Logan cites quotes from regional executives that highlight those are who are priced out of the city and its immediate surroundings, are driving up prices in outlying markets in places such as Quincy and Dedham. Another outside factor is the growing hassle when it comes to commuting in the Greater Boston area. Many companies with centralized offices off of Route 128 or 495 are becoming more popular for job seekers as there is much less stress in commuting strictly suburb to suburb.

The numbers of rent growth and demand aren’t by any means surprising. Rather, they are just another local real estate trend to take note of it. Where we go from here, and what region will see this growth next, we shall see!

Football in the Bay State!

It seems like only last week the city of Boston and surrounding areas were digging out from 8’ plus of snow amongst a flurry of never-ending blizzards. The calendar has flipped to August, which is a scary thought saying where we were just six months ago. As summer sadly begins to wind down, there are some silver linings and bright spots on the horizon. Fall brings out beautiful foliage, comfortable outdoor weather, fresh apple cider, and of course, the beginning of football season. Whether you are a fan of the defending Super Bowl champs, or devoted alumni of one of the many local college teams, there is a ton of upcoming action in the area. Here are some key dates for the fall kickoff!

New England Patriots

photo via CBSSports.com

Fresh off of their 4^th Super Bowl crown of this century, and a tad bit of controversy, the Patriots are looking to get back to their 7^th title game of the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era. Many familiar faces are gone including Darrelle Revis and Vince Wilfork, but a promising young group should provide a spark. The Pats take on their AFC rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday September 10^th on NBC’s opening night kickoff!

Boston College Eagles
photo via Boston Herald

The Eagles look to continue to improve yet again under head coach Steve Addazio. The Chestnut Hill boys are coming off back-to-back bowl game appearances and are coming into this season ranked #56 in preseason rankings, not bad for a team that was in the lower 100’s a couple years ago. Looking to catch some good action this year at the heights? Florida State, Virginia Tech, and NC State headline the Eagles’ home schedule this year.

UMass Minutemen

photo via MassLive.com

Since transitioning from FCS to FBS (Division I) it’s been a rough go of it for the Minutemen. However, the future in Amherst is looking brighter. Last year, UMass posted a 3-9 record which may not look like much, but it’s progress after back-to-back 1-win seasons. On top of that, 4 of those defeats came within the last few seconds. Quarterback Blake Frohnapfel finished in the top 5 in all of college football last year in passing and looks to build on it yet again. 

Don’t forget there are over 150 high schools in the Eastern Massachusetts area that play under the lights each Friday night! You can also catch the action of the many local Division II & III universities. Happy fall football lovers!

Where to Find a Sofa for Under $500

You’ve left a deposit, signed your lease, paid your first month’s rent, and you are in! The lovely new apartment home you feel in love with is officially yours. Now the hard part begins, what are you going to fill it with? Anyone who has ever had to fill their own place, or just watch a furniture commercial on television knows that choosing, BUYING, and moving furniture is a hassle of the highest order. To make your move easier on your mind, body, and budget, we put together a list with the help of ApartmentTherapy of the best sofas you can buy under $500!

please note: all images are from Apartment Therapy, IKEA, AllModern, World Market, and Target

EKTORP Loveseat and chaise in white $499 at IKEA – a great end seat for putting up your feet and relaxing! Comfortable, easy to move, and affordable

KARLSTAD sofa in gray $499 at IKEA – a distinct Swedish brand that seats two comfortably and can fit three. Very light structure makes it easy to move

Button loveseat, $429 from AllModern – This flashy, race-car red sofa is great for a boutique look in your home

Luxe 3-seat sofa fram, $250 and slipcover, $99 from WalMart – a simple but flashy choice that seats an easy three people

Emily futon, $189 from Target – a Hollywood style look will be great to compliment your hardwood floor!

To check our more of Apartment Therapy's fabulous home design work check out their website! 

CMC Continues to Rack Up Awards for Sustainability

We are happy to announce another successful achievement in sustainable multifamily management practices here at Corcoran Management! McNamara House, an affordable apartment community in Allston was honored by the Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR and received a Certification for Superior Energy Efficiency. McNamara House is just one of the growing number of Corcoran communities that are being recognized by government agencies for a commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Along with Parkside Commons, The Commons at SouthField, Canterbury Towers and 50 West Broadway, McNamara House is recognized for a number of recent upgrades and overhauls to increase efficiency and keep costs down. Some of the improvements include fitting the community with LED lights, low-flow water fixtures, and the addition of a condensing boiler for more efficient heating. The heating system’s new ability to use discharged waste in the form of steam to provide recyclable heat for residents is a groundbreaking improvement, especially for a building as old as McNamara House.

As educational opportunities for sustainable maintenance and construction continue to become more relevant, Corcoran will be on the front lines for promoting these initiatives! 

A Mile-by-Mile Guide to the 2015 Boston Marathon!

photo via: hu.wikipedia.org

Some would argue its Thanksgiving, others would say it’s Christmas. There is no wrong answer when debating what the best day of the year is. However if you ask a resident of Massachusetts they might have an outside-the-box answer, Patriot’s Day.

Known around the Commonwealth as simply “Marathon Monday”, Patriot’s Day is a celebration of the opening battle of the American Revolution that took place at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Since 1897, the famed Boston Marathon has been run on Patriots Day each year. Tens of thousands of runners embark on the 26.2 miles journey from Hopkinton to Copley Square, and millions more line the streets and take to the bars along the way. The spirit has never been stronger on this day. With the tragic events of the Boston Marathon in 2013, the importance and legacy of the Marathon have only grown.

This year’s event shall not be outdone. Weather is expected to be mostly sunny with a small chance of showers later in the afternoon, but that shouldn’t dampen spirits. We wanted to include a background guide to the race, with a mile-by-mile analysis. Click here to read CBS Boston’s official guide to the Marathon.

Whether you’re cheering on the thousands of brave athletes from around the world, or enjoying the festivities from your favorite restaurant patio or deck, it should be a day that all should enjoy! #BostonStrong

TWO Corcoran Communities Featured in MFE's Top 5 Massachusetts Rankings!

Corcoran Management Company is honored to announce that 50 West Broadway in South Boston, and The Ledges in Weymouth were each recognized as Top 5 “Properties in Online Reputation in Massachusetts” in 2014 by National Multifamily Executive, a leader in multifamily news and analysis. Of all of the apartment communities in the state of Massachusetts rated for resident satisfaction on social media sites, 50 West Broadway finished 2^nd, while The Ledges came in 4^th, a tremendous accomplishment by both communities! On a 0-100 scale, the national average is a 52, both 50WB and The Ledges scored just a tick under 90.

These amazing results would not be obtainable without our dedicated staff members and the fabulous residents they serve.  We thank you all!

A resident’s voice is the most important voice in your apartment community. That statement rings true before, during, and even after a resident has lived at your community. In today’s mobile-driven scene, review websites and customer feedback are integral parts in a business’ success. This is not just exclusive to the multifamily industry. Review sites such as Yelp, FourSquare, GrubHub, and others control the voice of the audience, and that audience dictates what the public will think of any business.

Since 1951, Corcoran Management has always strived to provide the best experience for residents and their friends and families. Over the last few years we have expanded our outreach and commitment to resident satisfaction as it is conveyed in social…..and the results have clearly shown!

Corcoran Management - A Leader in the Energy Efficiency Revolution

For the last seven years, Corcoran Management has been a pioneer in the New England multifamily scene when it comes to promoting and executing "energy efficiency" at our apartment communities. The past few decades have seen increased education and the ever-growing importance of sustainability and the protection of the environment and ozone. Whether it’s the construction of a new luxurious apartment community or the revitalization of an older community, Corcoran’s construction and renovation practices are focused on using recyclable materials, producing minimal pollutants, and using energy-star approved appliances.

John Corcoran, our Energy-Efficiency Manager, has been working hard these last few years to increase Corcoran’s sustainable footprint in the multifamily industry. Canterbury Towers, an affordable based apartment community in Worcester, MA joins publically-managed communities from cities such as Denver, Houston, Atlanta, and Newport News as nationwide leaders in environmentally efficient multifamily design. Canterbury served as one of Corcoran’s “showcase projects” to demonstrate practices in using lighting, HVAC, and solvents that are more beneficial for the environment.

We are honored to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and are privileged to be looked at as a leader in making the multifamily industry more sustainable. With LEED certified communities such as Parkside Commons, The Commons at SouthField Highlands, and now The Commons on The Green, Corcoran Management will continue to invest resources towards sustainable building practices! Stay tuned for more updates on our future “green” initiatives. 

SatisFacts Names Corcoran Management a "2014 National Company of the Year in Resident Satisfaction"

We are pleased to announce that for the second year in a row, Corcoran Management Company has been named one of the 2014 National Companies of the Year in Resident Satisfaction by SatisFacts! SatisFacts is the nation’s largest residential survey company, who each day sends out surveys to residents all throughout apartment communities in the United States. Residents provide their responses to questions about all aspects of the community where they live. From staff friendliness, to maintenance response times, to the cleanliness of the community, SatisFacts compiles a ton of data which in the end tells determines the chief leaders for resident satisfaction in the multifamily industry.

At Corcoran Management we strive to present the most professional customer service to our residents. Each member of our managerial, leasing, and maintenance staff works to assure that all the needs and expectations of our residents are met in a timely and respectful manner! 

Giving Thanks to The Fabulous Maintenance Teams at Corcoran Management!

Only two days remain in what has been one of the most stressful, difficult, and challenging months we’ve ever seen when it comes to dealing with Mother Nature. The total winter snow accumulation has passed the 100” threshold, something that has only been seen once before in recorded history! From the rural towns outside of 495 to the “parking war-zone” on the streets of South Boston, we’ve all been affected by the snow’s overwhelming reach. At Corcoran communities all throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire, dedicated maintenance staff members have been busy around the clock dealing with insane amounts of snow, ice dams, dangerous black ice, and walkway clearing. Whether it’s a small community of 60 apartments, or a larger community with over 500 residences, it takes around-the-clock hard work and dedication to clear out the amounts of snow that we have seen in the last month.

On behalf of all the residents, employees, and partners of Corcoran Management Company, we want to take a minute to thank all of our maintenance crew members for all of their efforts and accomplishments in February 2015 and throughout the winter! 

One True Sign of Spring: Red Sox Spring Training Has Begun!!

As this blog entry is being typed up it’s currently snowing outside….yet again. For what feels like the eighth time over the last three weeks the Eastern Massachusetts region has to deal with slippery sidewalks, unpaved roads, or public transit disruptions. It’s almost exactly one month from today that spring will officially be ushered in throughout New England. So while it may seem overwhelming to think of the winter we have left there is hope on the horizon, and not just in form of weather! The Red Sox are preparing for yet another campaign at the old ballpark off of Yawkey Way and Ipswich Street. In addition to

seeking their 9^th franchise championship, they will be looking to exercise the demons that saw them perform at an underwhelming 71-91 pace last season.

photo via Bleacher Report

Additions like sluggers Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval join a refurbished pitching staff with the likes of Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson. Those new faces look to acclimate with veterans David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz, Xander Bogaerts, and Mike Napoli. Many questions remain with this team. What will the starting outfield look like? Who is your opening day ace? How deep is the bullpen? It will take time to see how these questions are answered, but for now, we wanted to provide you with some big games on the upcoming schedule!

Thursday March 5^th: Red Sox vs Twins – Ft. Myers,FL
It may only be exhibition, but it’s always nice to see competitive baseball being played. The annual “Mayor’s Cup” between the Red Sox and Twins begins on 3/5. It should be a comfortable 75 degrees.

Monday, April 6^th: Red Sox vs Phillies – Philadelphia, PA
The 2015 journey begins in the city of brotherly love against the Phillies, who aren’t expected to contend this season. The Red Sox have been rumored to acquire Phillies ace Cole Hamels before the season. He could start the season against his old team if the trade comes to fruition.

Monday, April 13^th: Red Sox vs Nationals – Boston, MA
Fenway Park’s 103^rd(!) season of hosting Red Sox baseball kicks off a week after the season opener. We can probably expect the recently acquired Lombardi trophy to be carried out by members of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots!

Friday, June 19^th: Red Sox vs Royals – Kansas City, MO
If the Sox plan on reaching the fall classic they will have to de-throne the reigning AL champions. The Kansas City Royals went on an unbelievable stretch run to make it to the World Series last year.

Tuesday September 1^st: Red Sox vs Yankees – Boston, MA
The final month of the regular season will begin on this date. The Red Sox will play divisional foes from the American League East in every game they play in September. Needless to say, those games will be of the utmost importance.  

Congratulations to The Commons on The Green: Now an LEED Gold Certified Apartment Community!

We are excited to announce that another community within the Corcoran family has been recognized as a leader in environmental-efficiency by the United States Green Building Council! The Commons on The Green, the sister property to 2013 LEED Silver recognized community The Commons at SouthField Highlands, has been honored with being a LEED Gold building! Throughout the planning and construction process Corcoran worked with the architects, engineers, landscape designers, and general contractors in assuring The Commons on The Green would be built to the highest environmental standards. Parkside Commons, consisting of 238-apartments in Chelsea, was the first large scale multifamily community in New England to be recognized as LEED certified back in 2009. So what makes The Commons on The Green stand out amongst the rest?

• Sustainable site design and planning to support the surrounding habitat
• Close proximity to public transportation, cutting down on automobile emissions
• Drought tolerant plantings and drip irrigation were incorporate in the outdoor landscaping to save water usage
• Within the homes, dual flush toilets, low flow devices, and water filtration were major factors in successful water usage
• Recycling programs and green cleaning practices
• Eco-friendly and energy efficient construction materials
• All appliances and lights are Energy Star rated
• Adhesives, cleaning materials, low V.O.C. paints, and carpeting were all selected with care and conservation in mind
• 100% smoke free throughout interiors and everywhere on the grounds

photo via www.hscbuilders.com

It's an honor to be recognized once again as a leader in promoting, developing, and achieving LEED certifications at new communities that Corcoran Management develops. Aside from the environmental benefits, The Commons on The Green also features luxurious features and amenities with ultimate convenience being located next to the South Weymouth MBTA Commuter Rail! 

Staying Safe During the Blizzard of 2015

image via: www.theconservativetreehouse.com

Like Cape Cod in the summer, and apple picking in the fall, a blizzard-esque storm in New England is a yearly tradition. This year is no joke either, the so-called “Blizzard of 2015” is expected to begin tonight at roughly 7:00PM and continue until 1:00AM on Wednesday. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is calling for all drivers to be off the road tonight and considering overnight driving as “life threatening”. Counties throughout Eastern Massachusetts can expect anywhere from 20 – 30” and possibly even more in total accumulation. South Shore and Cape Cod residents will also have to deal with extremely high and dangerous winds that could see gusts up to 65 MPH. We wanted to provide a simple checklist for how you can be prepared for the storm this year. Below are some of the suggestions from the American Red Cross on how you and your family can prepare for a storm that could last for a couple days:

Water: provide yourself with at least a 3-day supply of drinking water. One gallon per person per day

Food: at least a 3-day supply. Non-perishable, easy to prepare foods

Flashlight: A must need in case the power goes out. Also be sure to prepare with extra….

Batteries: aside from a flashlight, batteries serve a number of simple household uses

First Aid Kit: walking outside could be slippery and dangerous, it never hurts to have anti-biotics on standby

Fully-Charged Cell Phones: If the power goes out, the only source you will have left is your cell phone, which die quite frequently

Full Tank of Gas: A very underrated part of preparation. Depending on a certain storm it could serve a benefit to have a full tank in case you have to evacuate or head to a safer location at a later point

Extra Cash: Cash is king, especially in a storm. While ATMs may go down and credit card machines won’t be able to process, it never hurts to have the most simple form of currency

Warm Clothing & Gloves/Hats: Even if your heat is top-notch power outages may not allow you to use the heat. Keep warm with extra layers, a pair of gloves, and a winter hat. 

Your All-In-One Skiing Guide to New England

(image via Boston.com)

Just like lobster in the summer, pumpkin in the fall, and the start of baseball season in the spring, winter is a season that has a tradition that draws interest from many throughout the New England region. Each year, hundreds of thousands of folks hit the slopes at the many mountains throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. While there are some good local skiing options nearby such as Ski Bradford and Mount Wachusett, the purest and most majestic skiing and snowboarding is done up north. We’ve put together a guide of some of the region’s favorite and go-to choices for a get-a-way weekend.

New Hampshire

Wildcat Mountain: When standing atop the 4,062-foot summit of Wildcat you might forget that you’re actually there to ski rather than sight see. Panoramas of the White Mountains and Mount Washington serve as a breathtaking backdrop for one of their 49 trails. It’s a perfect combination of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails. Also be sure to enjoy some of their warm food and cold beverages in their slope-side lounge.

Wildcat Mountain, Route 16, Pinkham Notch, NH 888-Ski-Wild

Cannon Mountain: Set right off of I-93 in Franconia, NH, Cannon Mountain is an easy-to-access yet challenging mountain that is always a great time. Relax on your way up the mountain in their tram which takes you all the way to the summit for majestic views and some of the best powder in the White Mountains. Cannon also runs a number of deals throughout the weekday for discounted lift tickets.

Cannon Mountain, 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH 03580 603-823-8800

Vermont

Mount Snow: Home to one of the largest skiing landscapes in New England, Mount Snow is large enough to satisfy the most seasoned veteran and to teach a rookie the basics of going down the mountain. On the outskirts of Green Mountain National Forest and near the New York border, Mount Snow offers one of the best all-around skiing and lodging experiences. With about 100 trails and plenty of lodging it’s the perfect place to escape for the weekend.

Mount Snow, 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, VT 05356

Stowe Mountain Resort: For those looking for the ultimate experience that blends skiing, shopping, fine dining, spa treatments, and luxury lodging, Stowe Mountain and the town of Stowe are perfect for you. There are over 45 restaurants both on the mountain and in the town. Consistently honored nationwide as a top winter destination, you would be hard pressed to be disappointed in Stowe.

Stowe Mountain Resort, 5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Maine:

Sugarloaf: Home to some of the most extreme terrain in the region, Sugarloaf offers the only lift-serviced, above-tree line skiing in the East. Designed similar to resorts in the western part of the United States, Sugarloaf offers an open-style skiing experience with wider and larger trails. Sugarloaf also presents the most unmatched back country skiing in the area.

Sugarloaf Resort, 5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley, ME, 04947

Sunday River: Maybe the most notable, recognized, and publicized of any mountain resort in New England, Sunday River simply has it all. Featuring 16 lifts, and 135 trails, Sunday River has enough various terrain to challenge riders of any difficulty. Also home to one of the region’s best golf courses, Sunday River offers a great variety of stay-and-ski packages for individuals and families. Plan ahead however, it’s between a 3 and 4 hour drive to get up to Sunday River.

Sunday River, 97 Summit Road, Newry, ME 04261