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.
Should You Remodel Your House to Change the Floor Plan?
If your home feels cramped, you might be thinking about remodeling to create an open floor plan. That can make your house more functional and comfortable, but it can be expensive and disruptive. There might be a simpler and more affordable solution.
Reasons to Change the Floor Plan
An open floor plan can make your house feel more spacious. That can be particularly helpful if you have an active family or if you frequently have guests over for holidays and other events. Removing one or more walls can give your kids more room to play, give family and friends more space to mingle, and make it easier for you to keep an eye on your kids and prepare for special occasions.
Altering the layout can also increase your home’s resale value. Houses with open floorplans are popular, especially among buyers with young kids.
Potential Problems
Contractors might have to remove several walls to create an open floor plan. That can be an expensive, messy, and time-consuming project. Workers might discover problems that nobody was aware of, such as mold or outdated electrical wiring. Although you'd want to be aware of these "hidden defects," dealing with such issues can add thousands of dollars to the cost and put the project weeks or months behind schedule.
Debris, dust, and tools can make your home unsafe, especially if you have kids or pets. Your family might have to move out temporarily while your house is being renovated. If you decide to stay in a hotel or a short-term rental, you’ll have to factor that into your budget.
Other Options
You might be able to make your house better suit your family’s needs without dramatically changing the layout and spending tens of thousands of dollars. If your home feels cramped, its architectural design might not be the problem.
The real issue might be clutter or the way your furniture is arranged. You might be able to improve traffic flow by getting rid of things you don’t need, organizing the items you decide to keep, or rearranging furniture.
If you decide that remodeling would be the best way to solve your problems, you might not have to dramatically alter the floor plan. You might just need to remove one wall or widen a doorway to make your home’s design work better for your family.
Get Professional Advice
Changing your home's floor plan might be the best way to make it fit your needs, or there might be an easier, more affordable option. Your house’s current design will influence your options and the project's cost. An architect or a contractor can help you make a decision that fits your goals and your budget.
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!