Resources ... Let Us Know How Can Help
If you plan to purchase your first or tenth home, start here. Buying property in Massachusetts is not difficult, but it's helpful to understand and be aware of the local customs before you start your search. Our goal is to help guide you toward the best decision for your unique situation. To do this, we believe that a well-informed client will ultimately be the most satisfied, too. We look forward to discussing the current market conditions and trends with you - most important, we can't wait to help you discover your dream home!
Check out our on demand home buyer video seminar here! After registering, you'll have instant access to our on demand buyer consultation and we'll immediately mail (USPS) your home Massachusetts Home Buyer Booklet. It include everything you need to buy a home in Massachusetts - even sample forms. Click here to get access now!
Selling your home is a big decision. It's not just about moving, it's about identifying a proven seamless process that will help maximize the value of current property within a timeline that meets your specific needs.
There's no doubt that this can be a stressful process, but after successfully selling 100s of homes, we've identified the smoothest processes, most effective marketing strategies and negotiation techniques to ensure the highest sale price with the least amount of hassle. Contact us today for a no obligation consultation.
Senior Options
Connect with experts to discuss senior living options. Knowing where to begin is the hardest part, so we've included a few helpful resources below:
Home Hazards
Asbestos - Asbestos.com provides a Guide to Asbestos in The Home ... it outlines common asbestos locations, related heath concerns and how to deal with asbestos when it's found. Tips on how to hire an asbestos remover can also be found at asbestos.com.
Lead Paint - Slowly phased out in the 1960s and 1970s, lead paint was ultimately outlawed in residential use in 1978. Consequently, all homes older than 1978 are suspect; however, there are many ways to mitigate lead paint and costs can vary. In recent years, the government has eased mitigation requirements to encourage lead compliance. The below sites provide additional information about lead paint safety ... you can even search property to see if it's been tested for lead paint.
Mass.gov - Search property testing history
Massachusetts Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s Lead Safe Homes 1.0 database
New England Lead Prevention - Information for home buyers, tenants, landlords, etc.
How to Price Your Home Right the First Time in Greater Boston
The Biggest Mistake Home Sellers Make
When it comes to selling your home, pricing it correctly from day one is the single most important decision you will make. Many sellers believe they can start high and come down later if needed. The data tells a very different story.
Buyers in Greater Boston are well-informed. They are tracking the market online, comparing every new listing against recently sold homes, and they notice when something sits on the market longer than it should. An overpriced home earns fewer showings, attracts lower offers, and often sells for less than it would have if priced correctly at the start.
Why Overpricing Costs You More in the Long Run
The first two weeks a home is listed are the most critical. That is when you have the attention of every active buyer in the market. If your price is out of range, those buyers move on, and your listing goes stale.
Once you reduce the price, buyers start asking questions: Why has this been sitting? What is wrong with it? That skepticism is hard to undo, and it puts downward pressure on the final sale price. The sellers who try to "test the market" with a high number often end up netting less than the sellers who priced it right the first time.
There is also the emotional toll. Extended days on market means more showings over more months, more disruption to your schedule, and more uncertainty around your next move. Pricing it right protects your time as much as your equity.
How to Know What Your Home Is Actually Worth
Accurate pricing is not guesswork. It requires a close look at recent comparable sales in your specific neighborhood, current competition on the market, and how fast homes in your price range are actually going under agreement.
A few things that matter more than most sellers expect: the condition of your home relative to the comparables, the direction the market is trending right now (not six months ago), and what buyers in your price range are actually paying versus listing price.
Working with a local agent who pulls this data regularly, and who understands how buyers in Middlesex County are making decisions this summer, is the difference between a confident, well-supported price and an educated guess.
Ready to make a move this summer? Let's connect -- call 617-433-9225 or visit mikehughesteam.com.
Other Useful Tools
Financing ... everyone's budget and cash flow is different. Whether you you get paid on a salary, hourly, bonus or commission basis, understanding your monthly obligation is critical when buying a home.
Here is a link to a mortgage calculator to help you start your planning.
Explore A Career in Real Estate!
Real estate can be a very rewarding career ... each day we have the opportunity to meet and help new people! Being able to help someone start a new stage of life is an extremely gratifying experience.
It's relatively easy to get started, but knowing where and how to start is the biggest challenge. Unfortunately, the state licensing exam doesn't cover any marketing or business planning ... so new agents are often left to sink or swim! In 2023, the National Association of Realtors estimates 10,000 agents are being forced to leave the business each month!
After being in business for 20+ years, I've been able to help many buyers, sellers AND agents succeed. Getting started the right way with the right company can make or break an new agent. eXp Realty is now selling more homes than any other brokerage, so we have tools and training to help you succeed. Moreover, it would be my pleasure to introduce you to the company's tools, answer any questions that you have about the business and share my systems and training so that you are able to quickly launch your new business. Let's connect!