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.
5 Things to Look for When Touring a Home This Summer
Do Not Let the Staging Distract You
Summer is peak season for home sales, and sellers know it. Homes are professionally staged, flowers are in bloom, and everything looks its best. That is exactly why you need to know what to look for beyond the surface. Great staging can make a mediocre home feel like a dream -- and that costs buyers money.
Here are five things to pay close attention to on every tour this summer.
The Five Things That Actually Matter
1. Water stains and signs of moisture. Check ceilings in every room, the basement floor and walls, and around every window frame. Yellowish staining, bubbled paint, or a musty smell are signals worth taking seriously. Water damage is one of the most expensive repairs a home can need, and it is often not visible until you look closely.
2. The age and condition of the HVAC system. Ask directly: how old is the furnace, and when was the central air last serviced? A system that is 15 or more years old is approaching replacement territory. That is a real number to factor into your budget and your offer.
3. Natural light and ventilation. Summer tours happen during peak daylight hours when every home looks bright. Try to picture the same rooms in November at 4 PM. Note which windows face north or are blocked by neighboring structures. If the space relies entirely on one set of windows for light, that is worth understanding before you fall in love with it.
4. Storage and daily flow. Walk through the home and ask yourself: can you actually live here? Open every closet. Look at where the laundry is and how you would get groceries from the car to the kitchen. A home can look beautiful on tour and feel cramped once your furniture and your life move in.
5. The neighborhood at different times. The street during your 11 AM showing is not the street at 6 PM on a Tuesday. If at all possible, drive through the neighborhood on your own, at a different time of day. What is traffic like? What are the neighbors doing? That context matters as much as anything inside the four walls.
These are not reasons to walk away from a home. They are the right questions to ask before you make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. A good buyer's agent helps you see past the staging and into the real picture.
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!