There's an expectation when you see the phrase "completely remodeled" in a home listed for sale. 'Remodel', according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary means "to change the structure, shape, or appearance of something". When the phrase "completely remodeled" is...
When on the hunt for your dream home, there are a few security features you should pay attention to. We've outlined the key points below: What should a house hunter know about locks? I took this picture in a condo building. It was the kind of building that had one...
When a real estate brokerage serves both the buyer and the seller, what can go wrong? The seller’s agent – who must get the best price for the seller – is the same company that must get the best price for the buyer. Legally, and structurally, companies are run by a...
I look forward to two nights and three days on the Cape – mid-week – every July. I get time off in the winter, so these summer days off are rare and special. This year, I had a lousy time. When I deconstruct what bothered me most, it made me a better buyer’s agent. I...
Regardless of real estate market conditions, first time homebuyers need to know, what loan programs and grants are available to help as they begin the home buying process. If you do your homework, there are many programs and grants available to first time homebuyers...
Avoiding a Big Mistake and Still Being A Competitive Buyer One really big mistake the house hunters are being talked into is waiving your home inspection. Why do you need an inspection? If you hire an experienced exclusive buyer’s agent, you have the backing of...
Summertime is when Massachusetts heads outdoors, so does most of the US. Sometimes, this leads to tragedy. A fire in Arlington, Massachusetts reminded me that smoking on the porch is not a foolproof way to keep your house safe from fire. Smoking Can Set a House On...
1. Most of the time, if you have a documented pre-approval, you will get your mortgage, so a mortgage contingency is not really necessary, right? Wrong. It is only unnecessary if: You can afford to lose 5-10 percent of your...
Consider the not so perfect house; why prioritizing the location, lot size, and lay of the land before considering the interior features of the home is so important in this market. These are challenging times for home buyers. Housing inventory is at record low levels....
Not every year is the same, but there’s a pattern. First, though, I want to remind you that it takes about five weeks to close on a house, once you have an accepted offer. Here, I am talking about when you get your offer accepted, not when you close. So, for example,...
Real Estate Negotiations are Handled by a Home Buying Expert Home buying assistance from exclusive buyer’s agents focus on negotiations since they devote their work to the buying side and are considered home buying experts. They understand that home buyers value their...
In real estate, there’s often a misunderstood and confusing part of the buying process. Who pays for the buyer’s agent? Most real estate agents fall into two categories, the Exclusive Buyer Agent or the seller’s (listing) agent. As the names suggest, seller’s agents...