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.
Cooking for a Crowd? Don't Make These Mistakes
If you’re having a big group over for a festive meal, it’s often both exciting and a bit stressful. With so many pressures placed upon the chef, a misstep or two is usually inevitable. Entertaining experts at Martha Stewart asked professional chefs to highlight some key what-not-to-dos when cooking for a crowd. Next time you’re expecting company, heed their advice.
Getting stuck in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, the chef can end up spending most of the event in the kitchen, laboring over a complicated meal designed to impress guests. But don’t forget—you’re also the host. With that in mind, chefs recommend choosing a dish that doesn’t require constant attention, such as an elegant roast, so you can spend time with your guests.
Having guests make the first cut.
Chefs advise pre-slicing foods you’re serving, such as a block of cheese or a baked ham, as guests generally don’t want to be the one to make the first cut. Instead, cut some pieces to get things started, or put out shelled versions of seafood, such as shrimp or oysters. The idea is to make it as easy as possible for guests to enjoy the food.
Forgetting about allergies or dietary restrictions.
When serving a crowd, it’s essential to consider any special needs among your guests, such as food allergies or dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or vegan. Chefs recommend making sure your menu has something for everyone, or checking with guests first to inquire about any special needs.
Skipping the taste test.
When you’re under the gun and anxious to serve guests, it’s tempting to plate your meal and get it to the table as soon as possible. But by doing so, you could be missing a crucial step—tasting the food. According to chefs, doing a quick taste test is critical to make sure everything is cooked and seasoned correctly—keep tasting spoons, salt, and pepper at the ready.
Not building in enough prep time.
The key to any successful event is proper planning, so don’t make the mistake of not building in enough time. Shop at least a day in advance, make sure all dinnerware and glasses are cleaned, create a seating chart, fill the ice cube trays, etc. Then take care of any cooking prep work that you can, such as chopping onions and veggies. This will ensure you have plenty of time to prepare the meal on the day of your event and to mingle and enjoy your guests.
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!