Madeline Bilis

Boston

Writer and Editor at Freelance

writer, editor, nothing else. previously @AptTherapy @TravelLeisure @BostonMagazine. she/her

Articles

5 Expensive Mistakes First-Time Home Sellers Always Make

3 days ago | realsimple.com | Madeline Bilis

Credit: MicroStockHub/Getty Images Key TakeawaysPricing your home too high due to emotional attachment can backfire, leading to fewer offers and ultimately a lower sale price after markdowns. Personal decor, strong odors, and clutter can turn buyers off—neutralizing your home helps others imagine themselves living there. Strong screen appeal, including high-quality photos and staging, plus choosing a skilled local agent, can significantly boost your final sale price.
There’s a piece of Modernist architectural history on the market in Framingham

4 days ago | boston.com | Madeline Bilis |Kaitlyn Johnston

Home buyers on the hunt for architectural gems often start their searches in towns like Lincoln and Lexington, where pioneering architects built houses with clean lines and angles in the years after World War II. But a rare International-style Modernist home just hit the market in nearby Framingham, and it has some extraordinary architectural cred.
A classic mismatch: New buyers, old homes

1 week ago | bostonglobe.com | Madeline Bilis

Put yourself in the shoes of a first-time home buyer. In this market, not only are prices high, but so are interest rates, further tightening a budget. After several competitive open houses, you come across a beautiful antique Colonial for sale in Dedham, built in 1801. During your tour, you’re drawn to its historic charm, but take note of the foundation problems and outdated electrical system, both of which will cost a pretty penny to remedy. Is this a house you’re going to put in an offer?
The One Question You Should Always Ask Before Picking Out Shower Tiles

1 week ago | realsimple.com | Madeline Bilis

Credit: Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images Key TakeawaysChoose shower tiles based on how often you want to clean—some types are way easier to maintain. Bigger tiles with darker grout lines hide dirt better and need less scrubbing than small, grout-heavy designs. Pick a tile style you love, but make sure it’s something you can live with for years. Picture this: The time has come for a top-to-bottom bathroom renovation.
Five Perfect New England Lake Vacations

2 weeks ago | bostonmagazine.com | Madeline Bilis |Miles Howard |Lake Champlain |Jacqueline Cain

Whether you’re chasing that golden-hour paddle across mirror-smooth water or channeling your inner speed demon on a jet ski, we’ve mapped out the insider’s guide to the region’s top freshwater escapes.
This Paint Color Has Been Benjamin Moore’s Best Seller for Years-and Designers Swear by It

2 weeks ago | realsimple.com | Madeline Bilis

Credit: Benjamin Moore It’s common knowledge that one of the best ways to improve the look of a room is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Choosing a paint color, however, is not as simple. With so many options—and only minute variations even between neutrals like “canvas tan” and “natural linen”—it can be tough to pinpoint what’ll look best in your space. The paint pros at Benjamin Moore are familiar with the struggle.
This Paint Color Has Been Benjamin Moore’s Best Seller for Years-and Designers Swear by It

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Madeline Bilis

It’s common knowledge that one of the best ways to improve the look of a room is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Choosing a paint color, however, is not as simple. With so many options—and only minute variations even between neutrals like “canvas tan” and “natural linen”—it can be tough to pinpoint what’ll look best in your space. The paint pros at Benjamin Moore are familiar with the struggle.
When the house you want to sell needs work, what’s worth the investment?

3 weeks ago | boston.com | Madeline Bilis

When it comes time to put your home on the market, you’ll likely try to envision it through the eyes of a buyer. Will they bristle at the cherry wood kitchen cabinets? Will the carpeting in the bedrooms be a turnoff? You may wonder: Should you make any renovations before listing? “It is the absolute most common question that we get,” said Pamela Bathen, a broker with Oak Realty in Ashland.
When the house you want to sell needs work, what’s worth the investment? - The Boston Globe

3 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Madeline Bilis

The living room in a Jamaica Plain home before it was updated.Courtesy of the Muncey GroupWhen it comes time to put your home on the market, you’ll likely try to envision it through the eyes of a buyer. Will they bristle at the cherry wood kitchen cabinets? Will the carpeting in the bedrooms be a turnoff? You may wonder: Should you make any renovations before listing? “It is the absolute most common question that we get,” said Pamela Bathen, a broker with Oak Realty in Ashland.
5 Things Homeowners Wish They'd Known Sooner About Buying a Fixer-Upper, According to Redditors

3 weeks ago | realsimple.com | Madeline Bilis

Photo: Urfinguss/Getty Images Navigating today’s high-priced housing market as a buyer is no small feat. Attending open houses and home inspection walkthroughs can be tiring, but the hardest part is often finding a property that fits within your budget. That’s why many buyers turn to fixer-uppers. Though they require some work after moving in, the cheaper price on the front end seems worth it for many. For the inexperienced, though, there can be rude awakenings.