Written by Joan
Insights and Stories on Real Estate
Here for a particular real estate topic? Perhaps I’ve answered - search my blog.
Looking to shop for the right mortgage lender? Considerations and 10 questions you should be asking.
An excellent mortgage lender doesn’t just quote rates. They’re transparent about all costs. They take the time to give you a clear, detailed picture so you can make confident decisions that align with your financial goals. Here’s a guide to finding a cornerstone of your purchasing journey.
Getting a custom live edge table from Saltwoods in Needham
My experience of getting a custom live edge table from Saltwoods in Needham. From first appointment to final installation, here’s everything you need to know about customizing a dining table!
Cost of treating sewage: Septic vs Public Sewer vs Tight Tank
Quick math comparing the monthly costs of treating sewage in a septic vs sewer vs tight tank.
How to do a custom kitchen remodel? A step-by-step guide to gutting and building a custom kitchen.
This kitchen remodel changed my life. No, I’m not talking about “finally having my dream kitchen”; I’m talking about the life lesson learned by living through 4 months without a stove and eating microwaved foods only. From repairing rodent-damaged framing to sourcing the perfect countertops and engaging a custom kitchen cabinet maker, here’s a detailed look into the evolution of my tiny kitchen space.
Where the wild meets ethereal, in the Isle of Skye
A visual collage of the Scottish Highlands, for anything written is reductive. July 9 - 11, 2025
2024 Update: The Best Public High Schools in Boston
2024’s Best Public High School rankings are in and we’ve got 3 schools that are new to the list: Concord, Cohasset and Sharon. And while the message is the same - the best MA schools are still in the suburbs - Brookline High School that is a 3 mins’ walk to the Green Line made the list this year.
How do land sales work? A case study of a historical home on 8.5ac of land in Littleton.
An 1800s historical structure on 8.5ac of land in Littleton; an owner looking to sell in hopes that the land could be subdivided; a process that took me 3 historical commission hearings and 2 years from start to finish. Here’s how I did it.
What is asbestos and where to find asbestos in homes?
Asbestos is a toxic and carcinogenic material that was popular for its fire retarding qualities and used in homes through the 80s. Today, remnants of this material is still sighted in older homes in MA, commonly in the form of tiles (I took the above photo), ceiling texture and siding. This article delves into its dangers, how to spot asbestos in homes and resources for its testing and removal.
Relocating to Boston? Hear it from this Resident Alien.
Me, green card holder a.k.a Resident Alien, will give you the lowdown on relocating to Boston. Everything you need to know starting from before your move, to the first months of setting up life here, to later where you inevitably will ask, “How do I build generational wealth and pay less taxes?”. Read on to save time, money and avoid stress.
Furnishing your home? Here are 15 places to get creative with furniture purchases without breaking the bank.
Boston transplants, get ready to get furniture- Boston rentals are rarely furnished. But fret not; America thrives on consumerism so there are plenty of avenues for shopping! If you get creative, you could even pay nothing! Here are 15 places to get furniture without breaking your bank.
Navigate Boston like a Pro: A Look at MBTA Transit Lines and Nearby Parking Facilities on Google Maps
A geographically-accurate representation of Boston's MBTA transit routes with insights to parking facilities within 5 mins’ walking distance to a station.
Memories of the Void Deck as told by a former feral kid
The Void Deck—a term uniquely Singaporean, as I later discovered—holds a special place in my heart. It was a playground for my soul. Here’s sharing childhood memories of the outdoors that shaped who I am.
Revisiting my past through present day Chinese New Year in Singapore
A structureless, unfiltered post about the good, bad and ugly, seen through festive lens that is Chinese New Year in Singapore.
Is Title Insurance worth it? 10 FAQ about real estate title and title insurance
How does title insurance work? What’s the difference between “insurable”, “clean” and “marketable” title? What are examples of title issues? What happens when title defect is found? And the golden question… is title insurance worth it? Read on for an expert attorney’s take on the above.
Is it worth switching from oil to electric? Here's a chart to show monthly breakdown of utility bills.
Much has been said about the benefits presented by making a switch from oil to electrical heating, but little concrete data has been shown. This post has been 2 years in the making; an effort to quantify this worth using Y-o-Y comparisons of my own utility bills.
2023 Update: The Best Public High Schools in Boston
2023’s Best Public High School rankings are in and we’ve got 4 schools that broke into the Top 20 ranks this year; yet the geographical distribution remains relatively unchanged. The best MA schools are still in the suburbs. The best MA schools are not within reasonable walking/running/biking distance to Cambridge, Downtown Boston or the Seaport.
Video: Key tenets to successful real estate investing
A juxtaposition of 2 videos; a quick interview with Sid Gehlot, Founder and Principal of Treetop Group, on his successful growth in the past 3.5 years.
Summer exterior home projects: Tree trimming, roof replacement and new solar skylights.
We took a break from interior renovations and focused on exterior projects this year. Tree trimming, tree removal, roof replacement... they were a piece of cake to manage. There's a small side story about my hunt for integrated solar panels in here too!
How to add central air to house? A look into converting an oil furnace into heat pump.
If your house is already with central heat but without AC, making use of the same ductwork and getting cool air out of them is a no-brainer. I had an oil furnace, so that was removed and swapped out for an electric air-source heat pump. Read on for my anti-summer meltdown campaign.
2022 Update: The Best Public High Schools in Boston
Resources for looking up school rankings, a pinned Google Maps of top 20 public high schools, an MBTA map to show commute options to neighborhoods, an interactive chart showing past 3 years’ rankings, AND a dash of personal experience and humor. Go!