Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/498400
illustration by daniel o'leary If home is where the heart is, shouldn't you be able to apply the rules of love hunting to house hunting? You can. The two are very similar here in Boston. Shopping for a home in t he cit y or t he 'burbs feels a lot like online dating. Even if you know what you're looking for, it can be challenging to know where to look. Gone are the days of driving around different neigh- borhoods searching for your dream home, much as one rarely goes trolling for "The One" in a bar anymore. (I mean, even the beloved meat market Daisy Buchanan's has closed.) Match, eHarmony, Tinder, Hinge… that's where the goods are—profiled, buffed, and f luffed like a hot new listing on MLS. Just look at the descriptions: A Back Bay one -bedroom t hat 's "qua int a nd cha r m- ing"—rea lly? We a ll k now t hat mea ns "a sma ll space in need of major renovat ion work." P robably on t he shady side of Marlborough Street. Overlooking an alley. You also need to do your share of decoding in the online dating world. A woman who lists herself as separated probably means "I'm not emotionally available because I'm still not over my ex." If he calls himself a consultant, you know he's not clocking in at a top firm like the Boston Consulting Group, because—come on, he would've mentioned it. Swipe. Next. Here are some pointers to help you wade through the fixer-uppers: Establish the basic criteria that meet your needs. What are the property taxes on that Brookline estate with the pool? Does that MIT-educated tycoon lack social graces? Costly risks, both! There are other brownstone and brood consider- ations: Does the town offer a good school system sufficient for the number of children you two could parent? What is the bedroom- to -bat h room rat io i f you f i nd you rsel f attracted to a femme fatale with five drama- queen daughters? E l i m i nate t he dat i ng profiles with outdated photographs—a clear sign of someone who will never know about the hottest tapas restaurants, much less that Barcelona Wine Bar has opened a second location. Similarly, any listing that shows only the front of the house means there's wood rot in the back. No exceptions. Keep i n m i nd, t hough, t hat h idden behind the exterior walls of a classic brown- stone or a conser vat ive accou nt a nt , you may find a modern, industrial-style interior or a Simpsons-loving jokester. Be willing to take a longer look—or a second date—if you sense something unique or unexpected. Trust your instincts. Remember, follow- through is critical. If you aren't willing to close the deal after a hot date, you'll likely lose out to a higher bidder. Happy clicking. BC NestiNg.com It's sprIng In Boston, when huntIng for a house and a romantIc partner have a lot In common. by sarah cornell "match, eharmony, tinder, hinge... that'S where the goodS are—profiled, buffed, and fluffed like a hot new liSting on mlS." 140 bostoncommon-magazine.com PARTING SHOT