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

Homebuyers Regret Waiting Too Long to Prepare to Buy

Mar 20, 2017 9:54:02 AM

An unfortunate scenario occurs over and over again every weekend in the Greater Boston area. It plays out something like this.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc.

Do Your Homework Before Choosing a Buyer Agent

Mar 9, 2017 9:32:09 AM

You've heard it over and over again. Buying a home likely will be the biggest financial transaction of your entire life. It's a cliché at this point, but it is true.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc.

Learn About the Home Loan Process

Dec 22, 2016 9:41:22 AM

The following audio is from an interview on April 21, 2016, on Boston Herald Radio's Bizsmart show with host Rick Shaffer.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Loan Programs, Real Estate Misc.

Massachusetts Has New Smoke Alarm Regulations

Dec 20, 2016 12:45:13 PM

New Massachusetts regulations, in effect as of December 1, 2016, require replacement of old and expired smoke alarms.

Topics: Real Estate Misc., Homeowner Tips

Nationally, First-time Homebuyers Making a Comeback

Nov 21, 2016 1:32:33 PM

Despite increasing home prices in most parts of the United States and the burden of student loan debt, first-time homebuyers nationwide made up 35 percent of the home-buying population, according to a data compiled by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) for its 2016 homebuyers and sellers profile.

Topics: Real Estate Misc., National Association of Realtors

15 Mortgage Loan Terms MA First-time Home Buyers Should Know

Nov 16, 2016 8:58:00 AM

Massachusetts first-time home buyers sometimes feel like they are listening to a foreign language when learning about the many lending terms related to a mortgage loan. There are many and several sound similar. The following are 15 loan terms first-time home buyers should definitely know.

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

7 Tips for Massachusetts Homebuyers Purchasing Homeowners Insurance

Nov 10, 2016 8:45:00 AM

One of the costs Massachusetts homebuyers will incur during the home-buying process is homeowners insurance, which is often referred to as hazard insurance. Although you might be focused on a multitude of other costs associated with purchasing a home, homeowners insurance is vitally important to protect you from damage to or the total loss of your home.

Topics: Home-buying Tips, Real Estate Misc.

Do Massachusetts Home Buyers Pay Taxes When Buying a Home?

Mar 5, 2016 4:28:44 PM

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

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

Who Pays for the Home Appraisal?

Mar 4, 2016 10:00:00 AM

When you buy a single-family home or condominium in Massachusetts your mortgage lender will want to know whether the home you are buying is worth the amount of money you have agreed to pay the seller.

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

What is a Real Estate Appraisal?

Feb 25, 2016 7:03:34 AM

A real estate appraisal, sometimes referred to as a home appraisal, is an estimate of a property’s value. Property value is based on such factors as location, amenities, structural condition, square footage, number or bedrooms, number of bathrooms and recent sales of similar nearby properties.

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

Rising Prices Didn't Stop Massachusetts First-time Homebuyers in 2015

Feb 10, 2016 6:52:55 AM

Massachusetts first-time homebuyers didn't let increasing home prices and a lack of inventory deter their participation in the real estate market. Massachusetts first-time home buyers made up 41 percent of the total home-buying population in 2015, an increase from 39 percent in 2014, according to the 2015 Massachusetts Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Massachusetts Association of Realtors, Real Estate Misc., National Association of Realtors

Will Rising Interest Rates Reduce MA Real Estate Inventory Further?

Jan 20, 2016 8:56:43 AM

Massachusetts homebuyers, especially in the Greater Boston area, have seen real estate inventory decline for several years, and some real estate professionals believe rising mortgage interest rates may exacerbate the situation.

Topics: Real Estate Market, Real Estate Misc., Mortgage Rates & News