Keep Your Head Above Water: How to Check a House for Water Problems
Looking to buy a home and want to check if a house has water problems? Use your nose! This sounds silly but trust me, in some cases your nose will be just as important as your eyes when searching for water damage. Whenever my clients and I enter a basement I will...
What is a post settlement occupancy agreement?
A post settlement occupancy agreement happens when sellers and buyers agree to allow the seller to stay in the house after settlement. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, sellers need to stay in a home to finish out the school year. Other times they...
Is that Condo a Good Investment?
A condominium can be an excellent first home purchase. Condos tend to be smaller and less expensive than a single-family home. Buying a condo can be a good way to start building equity in a home. So what do you need to know? What is a condominium? A condominium is a...
What Does ‘Completely Remodeled’ Mean? 6 Things to Look For
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...
What Security Features Should House Hunters Look For?
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 with one hall...
Friends don’t let friends hire dual/designated agents
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...
Being a Fussy Hotel Guest Made Me a Better Buyer’s Agent
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 deconstructed what bothered me most, it made me a better buyer’s agent....
Illinois First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Loans
Regardless of real estate market conditions, first-time home buyers 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...
Yes, you need a home inspection.
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...
Don’t Waive Mortgage Contingency
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 purchase price. The mortgage contingency...
Consider the not so Perfect House – Buyer Strategies for Challenging Times
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....