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The family 2017
Monica, Jonathan, Kathy, Carlos, Cristiana and Matthew
Celebrating Matthew and Cristiana’s engagement at Del Frisco’s in the Boston Seaport.
Tips for Buying a Classic Car
Spring is here, and if you are like some people, you may be thinking about looking into purchasing a classic or antique automobile. When it comes to cars, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Sure, modern cars have rear-view cameras, Bluetooth, and a million other snazzy features. But for some old souls, there’s nothing quite like a leisurely drive in a classic car. I’ve done some homework, and hope that you may find these tips for buying a classic car useful!
Do a Thorough Check for Rust – Many classic car experts have one firm rule – don’t buy rusty cars. A few small spots are easily fixed, but any signs of ‘the brown stuff’ under the car, inside fenders, and under doors should be a red flag.
Perform a VIN Number Check – It’s getting harder and harder to find a number matching car. If you can find one, it may be worth more. On the other hand, pointing out that a car’s numbers don’t match could be a good point of negotiation if you’re still willing to buy.
Weigh the Mileage Numbers – Classic cars are all used, but they are not all created equal. Some buyers will only consider low-mileage classics, while others are okay with higher mileage vehicles (as long as the price tag reflects the increased use).
Be Patient – If you’re in the market for a classic vehicle, don’t jump at the first car you like. Wait for a car that you can’t live without. After all, this should be considered an investment – there are plenty of great fish in the sea if you’re willing to cast your line and wait a while.
Get an Insurance Quote – We can help you with a quote on your new Classic Car, or your current Classic car. Just give us a call 617-298-0655 to get a quote on Massachusetts insurance for the classic car of truck you’re considering.
Watch the video here.
I would LOVE to know your thoughts if you own a classic or antique car (or have additional tips) leave a message below.
Carlos
Get The Recognition You Deserve With NAHREP’s Top 250 Award!
Get the Recognition You Deserve with NAHREP’s Top 250 Award!
The Top 250 Award has become one of the most recognized and decorated programs in real estate. Honorees earn recognition from their peers and industry leaders as drivers who set the industry standard. Nominate a real estate agent or a mortgage originator for the Top 250 award before March 31.
Click here to learn more
Also, check out NAHREP Boston’s 1st Annual Business Rally #BETOP10
Topics Include:
– NAHREP 10: Principle 2- Be in the Top 10% of your profession
– How To use Social Media to promote your business
– How to Grow Your Business Through Networking and Referrals
Thursday, April 6th, 2017 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Registration starts at 2:30 PM
Networking from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Food will be provided, Performance by Pachanga Latina
Hilton Boston/Woburn: 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, MA 01801
MEMBERS: $39, MEMBERSHIP & EVENT BUNDLE: $69
ATTENTION MEMBERS:
Please click on “Enter Promotional Code.” Type in your email address used to register to NAHREP. Click on “Apply,” member tickets will be shown. Choose the number of tickets. Click on “Register.” For help, please call (857) 288-1493
For questions and sponsorship opportunities Email us at boston@nahrep.org or call (857) 288-1493
Click here to learn more
Hispanic homeownership increased for the second consecutive year, click here to read more.
We are here to help you or anyone your are working with, with their home or condominium closing. Whether it’s to review their current insurance policy or provide them with a quote, we would love to hear from you. Just send an email to our team at quotes@vargasinsurance.com with your buyers’ information and we will do the rest!
Best and Worst Places to Store Your Wedding Rings
When you get married, you may think that you will never take your wedding rings off. And while some people don’t, many prefer to err on the side of caution occasionally, like when things in the kitchen get messy (mixing meatloaf or kneading dough), when using harsh cleaning products, or when exercising.
If you are the kind of person that occasionally takes your ring or rings off, where do you put it? Here are some tips on what to do (and what not to do) with your precious jewelry:
- DO store your rings in a fabric pouch or a ring box
- DO put your rings in a memorable place
- DON’T put your rings on the edge of a sink or counter
- DO opt for a drawer where the rings can’t fall into the drain or trash
- DON’T leave your rings in a locker when you’re at the gym
- DON’T put your rings in your pocket – they could fall out or go through the wash
- DO thread your rings onto a necklace if you need to take them off in a pinch
To make sure that your expensive jewelry is protected, ask your Massachusetts insurance agent about using a jewelry rider. This rider is typically an addition to your home insurance, renters insurance or condominium insurance that covers expensive items, like jewelry, art, collections, and more. This is especially important because your home or renters insurance may not fully protect expensive items like these – call 617-298-0655 and ask your insurance agent for a full explanation.
Building Permits for Residential Renovations
They say that the only constant in life is change, and I tend to agree. If you’re in the mood for a change in your life, why not make an improvement to your home? A home renovation can be a great way to improve the value of your house, as well as give you a fresh new take on your living space.
If you want to make a modification to your home, you will probably need a permit. The types of projects that almost always require a permit include, but are not limited to:
- Electrical Updates
- Changes to sewer or plumbing
- Mechanical Improvements
- Alterations to the roofline
- Adding a fireplace
Things that sometimes require a permit include building a deck, replacing siding, and building a fence. Just remember – it is always worth checking with the proper parties before taking on a project that may require a permit, even for small projects that probably don’t need one. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Remember – while getting a permit for your renovation may seem like an unnecessary obstacle, it is a requirement to keep everyone safe. Ensuring that building improvements are up to code means that new structures and changes to existing structures follow the current laws and regulations.
It’s also important to let your Massachusetts insurance agent know about any changes you plan to make to your home, so that your home insurance policy may be updated accordingly. Your home insurance policy covers your home for the replacement cost of your home and not the market value. So as you do improvements or increase the living space of your home, your insurance agent should be kept current of the changes. And remember – keeping things up to code, and installing safety features, will keep your insurance premiums low!
Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always here to help answer any questions you may have.
The Mentor (and me YIKES)
As always I like to start the day with some positive words:
“I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
-Thomas A. Edison
Even though we can see that the circumstances of today are different than those of our past, our tendency is to write today’s story using our past circumstances.
- We tell this year’s story using last year’s point of view.
- We enter a new relationship with baggage from the old one.
- We start a creative project with judgments and biases of the past.
I’m all for wisdom and learning from our mistakes, the key is to strike a balance between what you already know and the willingness to look at what lies ahead of you as a blank canvas. If you clutter the canvas with your existing biases, knowledge, and judgment, you leave little room for innovation.
Once you realize that every single moment of your life is temporary, you can finally separate yourself from your circumstances. But sometimes our temporary circumstances last longer than we want them to.
- It takes a bit longer for you to lose the weight
- Your business grows slower than you thought it would
- Debt is not paid off as soon as you had hoped
- You’re single for longer than you thought you’d be
When your temporary circumstances last longer than you hoped they would, it’s easy to fall back into believing they are your identity.
This is one of the most important times to remember that everything is temporary. I know it can be hard to see something that lasts for many years as temporary. But I believe that anyone who has achieved anything of great significance sees their struggle as short-lived.
- I’m single, but the next one will be the girl of my dreams
- I am unemployed (or underemployed) but I know that things will change if I give it time
- I may be at rock bottom but what’s coming is a spectacular take off
You have to believe in a future that doesn’t look like today. I was having breakfast with my friend and mentor Vasco Rodrigues this morning at his favorite breakfast joint (can you guess where it is? Hit reply now and let me know) and he said “People who do great things always believe their idea at that moment is the best idea in the world – even when it’s not.” POWERFUL!
They believe so strongly in the future that “THIS IS TEMPORARY” becomes the lens through which they see the world.
I hope that you have someone like Vasco in your life, (read this Forbes article on why most successful people have a mentor)! He is responsible for all that I am and all that I have, as he saw “something” in a two job working 20-year-old community college dropout and hired me. (Do you see what he saw? Scroll down – just don’t laugh). And as Paul Harvey use to say “now you know the rest of the story”.
03-03-2017 We’ve been meeting for breakfast for over 30 years, taken at one of our breakfast places
03-27-2012 UMASS Boston’s Chancellor’s Award for Longstanding Community Commitment and Service
03-17-2015 Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration Norwood MA.
YIKES 🙂
5 Things You Should Always Tell Your Houseguests
When you are planning to play host for a group of houseguests, whether for a weekend or an indeterminate amount of time, there are things that they should know. You need to tell them where to find their clean towels, and where the coffee is, for example.
According to the American Red Cross, there are a few other things you should go over with overnight guests for safety reasons, and they are easy to forget when a guest walks in for the first time. These tips include:
- The rules of the pool or hot tub, if either will be in use, especially if there are children visiting.
- Potential hazards for young children, including breakables and unsecured furniture. Designate an ‘off-limits’ room in which to store items that are hazardous.
- A health emergency plan, for events like allergic reactions (make sure to ask about allergens and special diets ahead of time and warn guests of foods to stay away from).
- The escape plan in case of fire, including locations of all emergency exits from your home.
- Location of a nearby shelter if severe weather strikes.
If you want some suggestions for activities in the Boston area that your guests will love, follow the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Facebook Page! We are always posting about upcoming events that can help you fill your time making great memories. And know that you can also always call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for a simple and free insurance review for all your Massachusetts insurance policies.
