Resources ... Let Us Know How Can Help

Buying

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

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:

Mass-ALA Senior Living Options

Caring.com

SeniorHousingNet

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.

Installing a Dimmer Switch

Installing a Dimmer Switch

April 09, 20241 min read

If you feel like the lighting in your home is too bright or too harsh, installing a dimmer switch can help create a more comfortable and customizable atmosphere. 

Select the correct switch

1. You must select a dimmer compatible with the type of bulbs used in the fixture. For example, LED bulbs require LED dimmers because they work on DC current. Compact fluorescent light (CFL), halogen, and incandescent dimmers are best suited to those individual bulb types. 

Turn off the power 

2. Locate the circuit breaker box and find the switch for the room where you plan to install the dimmer switch. Turn off the power to that circuit. Use a noncontact voltage tester to ensure the power is off before you begin.

Remove the old switch

3. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the old switch in place. Carefully pull out the switch from the electrical box and take note of the wire configuration for later.

Connect the dimmer switch wires

4. The dimmer switch should come with a manual that illustrates its wire setup. Typically, the black wire is your hot wire, the white is your neutral wire and the green is your ground wire. 

Install the dimmer switch

5. Carefully tuck the wires into the electrical box and screw the switch mounts into place. Turn on the power and test your new dimmer switch. If it doesn’t work, double-check that the wiring is correct and that the switch is securely mounted.

dimmer switchhome lighting
blog author image

Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes is a real estate broker with approximately 20 years in the residential business.

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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!