In my three decades working in Boston real estate, I've helped hundreds of clients sell homes and investment properties. I help my clients meet and exceed their real estate goals while minimizing the stress that can come with the process.

For my seller clients, selling your Boston condo or home is my number one business priority. This is what I do and what I love. My strength is in maximizing demand for your property, as well as in negotiation and transaction management. I can also give you good advice on pricing. Here's how I approach pricing a Boston home or condo for sale. My goal is to help you maximize your chances of a best-price, best-terms, best-timeline real estate sale.

Here are some of my recent listings and sales.

For my buyer clients, I honor my duty to advocate for you and you alone, to help you find the correct home or condo for you, and not advocate for any other entity. Here are some of the ways a buyer agent is legally obligated to you, the buyer.

I'd love to help you achieve your real estate dreams. The first thing I do is have a preliminary consultation with you in order to form an action plan according to your needs. Please get in touch so we can begin!

Here are some endorsements of my real estate services.

You can call me at 617-584-9790, or email joe.wolvek@gibsonsir.com.

Im pleased to share that at the 2021 Inman Luxury Connect conference, Sothebys International Realty was awarded the honor of Top Luxury Brokerage, inducting the brand into the prestigious Golden I Club. 

The club recognizes real estate professionals who consistently push the boundaries in the industry, from cutting-edge marketing, trailblazing technology, record-breaking sales, and exceptional serviceall of which help define our great brand.  I look forward to future success backed by the power and prestige of Sothebys International Realty!

Remember, I can handle your real estate needs here in Boston as well as globally. If you have questions about buying or selling homes in Boston or beyond, please get in touch! You can call me at 617-584-9790, or email joe.wolvek@gibsonsir.com.

One of the joys of summer in the city neighborhoods is enjoying dinner and drinks on our condo decks, balconies, or patios. This time of year I like to share the City of Bostons fire safety rules for these outdoor spaces. These rules exist for the sake of everyones safety. In addition, knowing and following them helps safeguard your legal and financial liability. So lets all stay safe and stay legal!

Boston has fire safety rules to be aware of if youre planning to cook in your outdoor space.

What follow below is a simplified list of the rules.

Plumbed gas grills:  These are permitted on the exterior of any building level. The gas line must be installed by a licensed plumber who has procured the required permits.

Electric grills are permitted on the exterior of any building level. As with the gas grills, the line you are using has to be installed by a licensed electrician, and has to have a permit and be up to code.

Charcoal grills are NOT permitted at all on or within a building structure, or on roof or rear decks. Regulations do not specify whether they are permissible on an outside patio, but the regulations highly discourage them, and you may be legally and financially liable for any damage or injury you cause from flying sparks, fumes, etc.. *Read the regulations in full for charcoal grill safety recommendations.

Liquid propane (LP) grills: Permitted by the City of Boston except:

       are not permitted inside the building.

       are not permitted on balconies above the first floor of any building or structure used for habitation.

       are not permitted on balconies or decks on any level that are covered or enclosed. This includes a first floor deck with a deck above it.

I highly recommend that homeowners read the regulations in full.

Remember Im here to help if you have any questions about Boston real estate matters. You can call me at  617-584-9790, or email me by clicking the blue button below. If youd like to find a beautiful new home in Boston with a deck upon which to grill (legally, of course), you should definitely get in touch!

If youre a medical student who is graduating medical school in May and beginning your residency in June/July, youll want probably to get settled in somewhere around June 1st.

While your new job may have a substantial salary, your debt-to-income ratio may be a bit high and you may think you downt have a sufficient down-payment. Plus, you may not be starting your job for 60 days or so. You probably want to get into your new home with low or no money down, and also to keep your payments low. There are mortgage programs especially for doctors, medical students, and residents prior to starting a new job.

I have the lenders for you to speak with for these special doctor's or physician's mortgages; they have successfully helped many of my medical clients. There are several different programs. Each one will have specific features and benefits.

I am a 29+ year Realtor serving the Medical areas of Boston. As a certified DRS-Agent, Im a vetted agent who will provide you with the very highest level of experienced service. Using a certified DRS-Agent, approved by the AMA, AOA, AMSA, and SOMA, is the quickest, easiest way to find a trusted professional real estate agent for the purchase or sale of your home. Ill help get you oriented to the city, neighborhoods, and Bostons real estate buying process.

I am also an Accredited Buyer Agent a trained professional REALTOR who has earned the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) designation from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). I know the neighborhoods around and accessible to the medical facilities and can help you manage the intricacies of searching for and visiting appropriate properties. I will help you manage your transaction to a successful conclusion with as little stress as possible and as little drain upon your time as possible.

Heres a bit about real estate transaction basics. But remember, Im here to help through each step!

Heres more about special mortgage programs for residents, doctors, and medical students.

Please reach out to me with any questions you may have at 617-584-9790 or joe.wolvek@gibson.sir.com. The sooner we can started and get you situated, the more time youll have to focus on your new life and work here in Boston!

And congratulations! I love Boston, and I know you will, too.

BOSTON MEDICAL COMMUNITY: Match Day 2021 (Friday, March 19) is nearly here! Welcome to our fair city, Boston Massachusetts!

As your realtor Ill help get you oriented to the city, neighborhoods, and our real estate buying process, and connect you with buyer resources such as mortgage programs for residents, doctors, and medical students.

I have been a Boston realtor for over 29 years, and have assisted many incoming medical residents as well as new and transferring doctors and medical students in locating and transacting a new home. I would love to help you as well.

I know the neighborhoods around and accessible to the medical facilities and can help you manage the intricacies of searching for and visiting appropriate properties.

As with most things, our real estate purchasing process is somewhat different than just about everywhere. I will help you manage your transaction to a successful conclusion with as little stress as possible and as little drain upon your time as possible.

I have your A-Team; Great, doctor loan lenders, recommended attorneys, home inspectors, contractors, etc.

Heres more about special mortgage programs for residents, doctors, and medical students.

This eclectic 5 bedroom house high on the west bank overlooking Seneca Lake is listed by Timothy Spooner of my affiliate Sotheby's brokerage, Select Sotheby's International Realty. Built around 1830 by the first Dean of the Geneva Medical College, this home with 186' of lake frontage is designed to have lake views from every room. Entering the front door there are immediate views of the lake through large windows and French doors. Enjoy the views from large open porches on each level with direct access from the kitchen, great room and bedrooms. Home offers the original charm and character of high ceilings, grand woodwork throughout, multiple fireplaces, master suite, modern kitchen with quartz counters, updated baths, and 2nd floor laundry. The 1,074 sq ft finished lower level offers an array of uses from in-law suite to a home based business with private exterior access, and of course views of the lake.See more details and photos for789 South Main Street, Geneva, NY.I can handle your real estate needs here in Boston as well as globally. As always, if you have questions about buying or selling homes in Boston or beyond, please call me at617-584-9790, or send me an email via the link below.  

This beautifully designed Camden, ME home is listed by Heidi Steele of my affiliate Sothebys brokerage, Legacy Properties Sothebys International Realty. This home is a Camden Harbor Classic in a private setting with tennis court and 300 feet of waterfront. It is filled with refined spaces and natural light. A cook's kitchen opens to a formal dining room with an adjacent patio for alfresco dining. A well-appointed cater's kitchen enables entertaining with ease. It features bedrooms with sweeping views, a private office, an oval library with hand-carved woodwork, and a cozy family room.See more photos, video, and details for26 Harbor Road, Camden, ME.I can handle your real estate needs here in Boston as well as globally. As always, if you have questions about buying or selling homes in Boston or beyond, please call me at617-584-9790, or send me an email via the link below.  

This spectacular custom Tudor Revival home is listed by Louisa Aguiar of my affiliate Sothebys office, LIV Sothebys International Realty. Nestled on 2.53 acres, it has breathtaking views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountain vistas. This one of a kind home offers peace, privacy, beauty and sophistication. Beautiful craftsmanship, masonry, woodwork, and whimsical features compliment every space, including reclaimed hand made French clay tile throughout the high-end kitchen, utility room, sunroom, and mudroom; antique stained glass, antique lighting & chandeliers, 6 gorgeous fireplaces, 100 year old reclaimed glass, and veranda with Sonos surround sound system that expands throughout the house. Grand arches are seen throughout the home along with custom paneling, woodwork, and 100 year old Dutch hand carving.The many features include a large master suite, large 4 car garage, cedar closet, fire retardant system, water softener, in-floor heating, perimeter sprinkler system, drip water system for flower beds, in-ground fertilizer, private vault, 2 heated pet rooms with pet doors opening to two separate yards, central vac and more!The Cathedral Pines Colorado Springs community residents can enjoy the neighborhoods 450 acres of parks, open space, eight miles of trails, multiple ponds, water features and picnic areas.See more photos and details for 4340 Foxchase Way, Colorado Springs, CO.I can handle your real estate needs here in Boston as well as globally. As always, if you have questions about buying or selling homes in Boston or beyond, please call me at617-584-9790, or send me an email via the link below.  

Boston Real Estate Headlines:

• Developer presents renderings of new Allston Green project
• Mortgage interest rates slide (October 8)
• Could your neighbors political signs kill your home sale?

Featured Boston Real Estate:

• 232 Bunker Hill Street, #1, Charlestown $939,000
• 80 Lexington Avenue, #3, Cambridge $1,325,000
• 5 Appleton Street, #6A, South End $1,369,900

This beautiful Harpswell, Maine summer cottage is listed by John Collins from my affiliate, Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty!This classic 4 bedroom summer cottage enjoys rare bold ocean frontage on Orrs Island in Harpswell. Relax on the expansive deck and take in long Casco Bay views over Ragged Island toward Cape Small and points Down East. The well cared for home retains all of its period charm. The beautiful elevated site is just over one acre and is quite private. There is a cleared path to access the rocky coast to get an even closer view of the daily variety of lobster boats and pleasure craft working their way along the eastern shore. The perfect getaway!The property is currently rented/occupied, so please respect privacy - Strictly no drive-bys.Please take a look at the details, photos, and 3-D video tour for this property.I can handle your real estate needs here in Boston as well as globally. As always, if you have questions about buying or selling homes in Boston or beyond, please call me at617-584-9790, or send me an email via the link below.  

Boston Real Estate Headlines:

• 12 homes you can tour from your couch (updated August 12)
• Fannie and Freddie Mac will impose new fee on mortgage refinances
• Longterm US mortgage rate is up but stays below 3%

Featured Boston Real Estate:

• 2451 Washington Street, #403, Roxbury $494,000
• 1-3 Claremont Park, #1, South End $1,029,000
• 4 Mt. Vernon Street, #2, Charlestown $1,050,000

My pristine 800 square foot 2 bedroom 1.5 bath condominium listing at 360 Bunker Hill Street, #2, listed at $659,000, went under agreement for over asking price after the first day of showings. This home is located at the top of Bunker Hill, with beautiful direct views of Doherty Park. It has very high ceilings throughout, and a spacious living room great for entertaining, with beautiful wide pine floors, bay window and gas fireplace. The living room is open to the kitchen which has granite counters, stainless appliances, and cherry shaker cabinets. The large sunny master bedroom features solid birch floors and additional space for office or sitting area. Best of all, this unit includes a private roof deck with spectacular views!By the time I put this listing on the market last week, I had adopted a No Open Houses: By Appointment Only policy. On my day of scheduled showings, I followed a protocol of only one buyer party at a time with time enough time in between showings to disinfect common surfaces. People were provided with hand sanitizer at the door and asked to use it. They were also asked not to touch anything. I stayed in one corner of the main living area to provide distance between us.By the next day, we had multiple over-asking price offers and accepted one of them that evening.See more photos and details for360 Bunker Hill Street, #2.Results like this are not a given, even in a sellers market. It takes experienced sales representation, quality professional showings, the highest quality marketing, and expert transaction management.If youre planning to sell your Boston area home or condo, take advantage of the widest possible exposure for your property to the most highly qualified clientele in the world. As Associate Director of Sales, a longtime South End resident, and a 25+ year sales associate, I combine my local expertise with the powerful global marketing resources of Sothebys International Realty. Im also currently exploring ways of using video technology to virtually show properties to those buyers who prefer not to personally enter homes right now.You can view myrecent sales and listingshere.If youhavequestions about buying or selling Boston real estate, please call me at617-584-9790, or send me an email via the link below.  

Boston Real Estate Headlines:

• Brokers Hit Pause on Boston-area Open Houses Due to Coronavirus
• Hyde Park Development Would Add 48 Condos Along Two Commuter Rail Stops
• New WBZ-TV Studios Could Mean Additional Development in Allston

Featured Boston Real Estate:

• 470 E 8th Street, #2, South Boston $739,000
• 300 Pier Four Boulevard, #3I, Seaport $3.595,000
• 1 Charles Street S #4G, Back Bay $2,095,000