buying a home: Advice to Couples Buying Their First Home, One Step At a Time - 03/03/14 11:09 PM

First time home buyers are the spark in the real estate market which gets everyone else moving.  If it wastn't for you, no one could move!
When buying your first home, take advice from the post below by Debbie Reynolds.  One of the most important sentences is, "Don't let anyone make you feel stupid."
Buying a home is complex for seasoned buyers, let alone first time home buyers.  Hiring an agent with whom you are totally comfortable is your first step.
Agent should answer all the stupid, silly, and obvious questions you have, no matter how many times you ask them. … (0 comments)

buying a home: Bait-and-Switch Practice by Home Buyers Common in Brookline MA - 01/06/14 02:55 AM
Bait and Switch Practice by Home Buyers Common in Brookline MA Last year was an incredeble year to be a home seller in Brooklin MA.  Multiple offers and buyers paying over asking were commonplace.  The most obvious reason for the tight seller's market was the low inventory, in both condos and single family houses.
Sounds rosey for the sellers.  In the meantime, buyers were getting slammed out there.  Losing on opportunities, having to pay and pay, and taking on much of the transaction risk.
Many buyers, though, who could afford to take on some risk, found a way to get some … (0 comments)

buying a home: Three Signs You Buyer Agent is Not So Good - 08/02/13 04:57 AM
Three Signs You Buyer Agent is Not So Good Stop your home search, start your buyer agent search!  If you are not getting results, find a better agent. In the seller’s market, working with a hard working competent buyers agent is necessary in order to buy a property at the right price. 
Is Your Real Estate Agent Asleep At The Wheel? Yet many buyers are failing at securing a home, and buyers are getting caught up in the stressful and intense market.
Here are three signs your buyers agent may not be your ideal advocate, and perhaps it’s time to switch.
… (51 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: Canton MA - 07/09/13 04:36 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: Canton MA Originally part of Stoughton, Canton was incorporated in 1797, and has been home to various industries.  The name “Canton” comes from the early belief that Canton, China was on the complete opposite side of the earth (antipodal). With plenty of green space, and quiet side streets, it’s worth a visit
 
Search Canton MA houses for sale.
 
Why People Live Here?
Canton offers a charming town with great accessibility. If you need access to the highway, or a short train ride to the City, Canton is a great location for commuting.  
Houses here … (7 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: Newton MA - 07/09/13 04:27 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: Newton MA Newton MA is really a City compromised of several villages.  Each one of Newton’s village has its own center, and most offer public transportation options.  The public school system in Newton is well known for its consistently high ranking.  It is also home to several private schools and Boston College.
And yes, the Fig Newton was named for this fair City.
Search Newton MA houses for sale.
 
 
Why People Live Here?
This is an easy questions.  Newton is highly converted for an unwaivering dedication to an excellent school system.  Despite its size, Newton has … (1 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: West Roxbury - 07/09/13 04:25 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: West Roxbury West Roxbury is NOT a suburb.  It looks like a suburb but it is part of the City of Boston.  West Roxbury is a popular destination for young families in trading a small apartment or condo for a house.  The area is known for the easy commute into the City and the friendly neighborhoods. 

When walking around West Roxbury, you’ll meet those who were born, raised and now raise their children here.  Westies are loyal.
In the middle of the 19th century, West Roxbury was home to Brook Farm, an experimental Utopian community … (0 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: Lexington - 07/09/13 04:24 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: Lexington One of the prettiest suburban town centers belongs to Lexington, where Massachusetts Avenue is lined with wide cobblestone sidewalks.
Whether using city streets or the highway, it’s an easy commute inbound, (depending on traffic).  And don’t forget it offers a great schools system.
Search Lexington MA houses for sale.
Why People Live Here?
Lexington is often chosen by young families for the prestige, schools and expansive homes.  It offers a great school system in a more suburban and rural setting than Newton. 
There is rail service along with several bus lines running through Lexington, and … (0 comments)

buying a home: Recent Sales in Boston Suburbs - 06/20/13 01:17 AM
Recent Sales in Boston Suburbs  Young families are getting a bit crammed in the tiny apartments and condos in Brookline, Brighton and Jamaica Plain.  If you can't afford a large million dollar condo or multi-million dollar house, then you need to step our of the City.
I've been working with several clients ready to put a few miles between them and downtown Boston.  Click on the link to learn more about the best Boston suburbs for young families, and sign up for my free report.  Here are a couple of those recent sales:
20 Parliament Lane, Woburn (10+/- Miles North)
Chosen … (0 comments)

buying a home: Where to Live Near Boston? Explore Stoughton - 06/13/13 08:19 AM
Where to Live Near Boston?  Explore Stoughton Stoughton MA offers the balance of large commercial districts and protected open space resources.  This is a perfect town if you are looking to step out of the City, while finding a home which is affordable in a family-friendly setting.

 
Search Stoughton MA houses for sale.
 
Why People Live Here?
With quiet neighborhoods and a family-friendly setting, Stoughton also offers a commuter rail station for easy access to downtown Boston.  The schools take music and fine-arts very seriously, and a town has protected a significant amount of conservation areas.
Stoughton is far … (0 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: Needham MA - 06/13/13 08:00 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: Needham MA Are you looking for a community near Boston perfect for young families?  Needham MA offers a fun downtown, good schools and a short commute.

Needham MA has been known as the more affordable alternative to Newton.  Yet, it has been catching up fast.  A wonderful town, with a bustling center and excellent commuting location, Needham captures the heart of many young families.
Search Needham MA houses for sale.
Why People Live Here?
Only 10 miles Southwest of Boston, Needham is well accessed by public transportation.  The commuter rail has several stops and a short trip to … (0 comments)

buying a home: Boston Suburb for Young Families: Natick MA - 06/13/13 07:29 AM
Boston Suburb for Young Families: Natick MA Natick is a picture-perfect town with unparalleled convenience.

Natick has something for everyone.  Pretty downtown, homes in all sizes, great shopping nearby and an improving school system.
Access either Route 9 or the Mass Pike for a direct drive East for Boston, or easily commute to anywhere further west, while staying in the Greater Boston area.
Search Natick MA houses for sale.
Why People Live Here?
A house in Natick will cost about half of than in Newton.  Yet you can find neighborhoods offering a similar experience of pretty streets and historic homes.  Much of Natick … (2 comments)

buying a home: What's That Smell?!? How Smokers Lose Money - 04/13/13 08:45 AM
How Smoking Affects Your Home Value Smoking is expensive.  Not just expensive in the health and wellness aspect, but expensive in the dollars sense.  Other than the cost of cigarettes, smokers lower the value of their home with every puff indoors.
Last week I took ready willing and able buyers to see a home which seemed to have everything.  The pictures look good - Colonial on a quiet street, plenty of land, good location.   Yet, it has been sitting on market on market for 200 days, so we knew something was wrong.  With an open mind, we went.
Outside we … (52 comments)

buying a home: Contingency to Sell Home: Selling a Condo and Buying a House in Boston - 03/30/13 12:41 AM
Contingency to Sell Home: Selling a Condo and Buying a House in Boston Area If you need to sell your condo to buy a house in Brookline, Newton and the Greater Boston area, you are not alone.  With housing so expensive, not many can manage to keep both homes, or even pay for the house without the proceeds from the condo.
A contingency to sell your home is a common way to protect you in this situation.  You make an offer with a contingency on an accepted offer, purchase and sale, or closing of the condo you are selling.
Sounds like … (1 comments)

buying a home: Mortgage Requirements for Condominiums in Boston - 03/28/13 05:01 AM
Mortgage Requirements for Condominiums in Boston Buying a condo in Boston, MA with a mortgage?  Prepare yourself for this process!  Many buyers are overwhelmed by the process and wonder why so much information is required.  Other than your personal financial information, a condominium purchase has many other elements.  Use the checklist below, and you can have an easy home buying process.
1. Closing date.  Tell your mortgage officer your expected closing date as soon as possible so your rate can be locked, even before the application is submitted.
2. Application.  Your mortgage application to buy a condo or any other property … (1 comments)