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 Your Crawlspace Can Affect the Air Quality in Your House
If you’ve noticed a musty odor or poor air quality in your home, the problem might be originating in your crawlspace. Conditions in the area beneath your house can have a direct impact on the quality of the air you breathe.
Common Problems in Crawlspaces
Rainwater can seep into a crawlspace, or a plumbing leak can allow water to slowly enter the area. No matter how moisture gets there, if the crawlspace doesn’t have adequate ventilation, it can become a breeding ground for mold.
For rodents and insects, crawlspaces are attractive places to seek shelter. They can build nests and leave behind waste with a foul odor.
Insulation in a crawlspace is supposed to keep outdoor contaminants and moisture from getting into the house. If insulation has gotten damaged over the years, it may be unable to provide the protection it’s supposed to.
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that’s found in soil. If a crawlspace isn’t well insulated, radon can enter.
How Conditions in Your Crawlspace Can Affect Your Indoor Air Quality
Air from your crawlspace can naturally rise and make its way into your house. If that air contains mold spores, waste, allergens, or radon, those contaminants will also be drawn into your home.
Poor indoor air quality can be a serious problem, especially for people with preexisting conditions, such as asthma and allergies. If you or a member of your family has experienced worsening symptoms recently, it’s likely due to contaminated indoor air. If radon gas enters your house, you won’t notice ill effects right away, but long-term exposure to radon can have devastating consequences. It’s been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.
Find out If Your Crawlspace Is Affecting the Air in Your House
Homeowners often assume that poor indoor air quality is due to dust, pet dander, or other allergens in their house or think their HVAC ducts are overdue for a cleaning. Those are common sources of poor indoor air quality, but problems can also originate elsewhere. If you have a crawlspace, that might be the source of the issue.
You can inspect the crawlspace yourself and check for mold or signs of a pest infestation or hire a contractor to perform an inspection. Once you know what you’re dealing with, the contractor will be able to recommend an appropriate solution, such as installing a vapor barrier to keep moisture out, insulating and sealing the crawlspace, or using vents and fans to improve ventilation and prevent the growth of mold.
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!