Massachusetts Home Buyer Guide, First-time Homebuyer Tips, Advice MA

What Does It Mean When a Seller Pays Closing Costs in Massachusetts?

Jul 19, 2021 4:08:39 PM

For many Massachusetts first-time home buyers – and for move-up buyers who might have lost equity in their homes during a real estate downturn – the biggest obstacle to purchasing a home often is saving enough money for the down payment and closing costs.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Condominium, Mortgages 101, Real Estate Misc.

4 Questions First-time Homebuyers Ask About Appraisals

Jul 7, 2021 9:54:12 PM

When a homebuyer buys a home, the mortgage lender will want to know whether the house, condominium, or multi-family home is worth the amount of money the homebuyer has agreed to pay. The lender needs to evaluate the home to discover anything that might negatively or positively impact the home's fair market value. To determine a home's value, lenders order a home appraisal.

Topics: Home-buying Tips

Do Massachusetts Home Buyers Pay Taxes When Buying a Home?

Apr 6, 2021 5:42:00 AM

No, Massachusetts home buyers do not pay taxes on the purchase of real estate, but home sellers do pay something called tax stamps.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc., Massachusetts Relocation, Real Estate Law, Boston Relocation

Pre-Offer Home Inspections. What Massachusetts Homebuyers Should Know.

Jan 21, 2021 1:54:39 PM

A buyer agent should never recommend homebuyers waive their home inspection; however, homebuyers have an option to make their offer more appealing without completely giving up their ability to have the property inspected.

Topics: Home-buying Tips

5 Credit Score Myths Homebuyers Should Know

Jan 9, 2021 9:21:00 AM

What is the recipe for those 11 herbs and spices? How does that cola taste that way? How did they come up with my credit score?

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Mortgages 101, Real Estate Misc.

What is Debt-to-Income Ratio for Massachusetts Homebuyers?

Dec 1, 2020 8:58:34 AM

Massachusetts homebuyers should understand their debt-to-income ratio when applying for a mortgage loan because it is one way in which lenders measure your ability to manage monthly mortgage payments.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Mortgages 101, Loan Programs

What to Know About Biden's First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit?

Nov 15, 2020 9:23:02 PM

Then-candidate and now president-elect Joe Biden proposed several housing initiatives, including a first-time homebuyer tax credit "up to" $15,000.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc., first-time hombuyer

What Massachusetts Homebuyers Should Know About Using Propane to Heat

Sep 9, 2020 8:58:12 AM

Many prospective homebuyers are surprised to learn the home they are touring uses propane gas to fuel the furnace or boiler.

Topics: Home-buying Tips

What's Home Buying in Massachusetts Like in a COVID-19 World?

May 4, 2020 10:46:04 AM

It's peculiar and, at the same time, somewhat amusing and sad, to watch people dressed as burglars, donning masks, gloves, and shoe booties, tentatively walking through homes for sale.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Home-buying Tips

8 Places in Massachusetts with Ridiculously Low Real Estate Inventory

Apr 30, 2020 3:04:07 PM

The amount of real estate inventory in Massachusetts is limited. That's an understatement.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Home-buying Tips, Haverhill MA, Braintree MA, Melrose MA, Salem MA, Milford MA, Waltham MA, Malden MA, East Bridgewater MA

MassHousing Down Payment Assistance Helps More First-time Home Buyers

Apr 11, 2020 11:02:05 AM

Not enough cash for a down payment? That may not be an obstacle to homeownership for qualified Massachusetts first-time homebuyers.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Community Information, Mortgages 101, Loan Programs, Haverhill MA, Lowell MA, Melrose MA, Peabody MA, Salem MA, Mansfield MA, Lynn MA, Taunton MA, Everett MA, Worcester MA, Malden MA, Lawrence MA, Revere MA

How Will Coronavirus Impact Boston's Real Estate Market?

Mar 14, 2020 5:36:47 PM

First, let's start by stating the obvious. The health of homebuyers, sellers, real estate agents, their families, and others in the real estate industry is what's most important. It's wise to take precautions and put staying healthy first and foremost.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc., Mortgage Rates & News