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.
With thoughtful planning and intentional design, designing an outdoor space that delights children while also serving as a beautiful oasis is possible. An outdoor living space that blends functionality, elegance, and fun creates a seamless extension of your home’s aesthetic that your children (and guests) will love. Here’s how to design a kid-friendly outdoor space that feels like a backyard retreat for adults.
Create zones
The most stylish family-friendly outdoor spaces are well-zoned. Instead of dedicating an entire yard to toys or a playscape, divide the space into zones for play, dining, lounging, and garden enjoyment. Use natural materials like tall planters, low hedges, or a line of bluestone pavers to visually separate these areas without harsh boundaries.
Design tip: Install a pergola or pavilion over the adult lounge area and balance it by framing the kids’ zone, which may have a swingset, playhouse, sports equipment, and more, with a custom border of cedar or stone.
Select durable, timeless materials
Durability doesn’t have to mean plastic. Teak, powder-coated aluminum, or sustainably sourced hardwoods for outdoor furniture will stand up to weather and active kids. Select textiles in performance fabrics like Sunbrella in elevated patterns—think ticking stripes or crisp linen-like weaves—that hide dirt and dry quickly.
Design tip: Incorporate removable, washable slipcovers in neutral tones with just enough texture to camouflage spills and sunscreen stains.
Install play structures that complement the home’s architecture
Traditional play sets can be an eyesore, but custom or thoughtfully selected play structures can enhance your backyard’s aesthetic. For example, a cedar playhouse painted to match your home can look like an intentional design selection.
Design tip: If your property allows, carve out a hidden nook with a treehouse or a small natural climbing wall made from reclaimed stone. This adds adventure without overwhelming the main entertainment space.
Layer in nature play
Children love to explore. Nature-based play areas blend effortlessly into a refined backyard. Incorporate raised garden beds where your kids can grow strawberries or herbs, or add a rock garden, water table, or sensory path using natural pebbles and soft moss.
Design tip: Edge beds with materials used in the home’s hardscaping for visual consistency.
Incorporate stylish storage solutions
Outdoor clutter is the enemy of a polished backyard. Stylish storage makes it easy to keep the space clean while still being accessible to children. Built-in benches with hidden storage, custom cabinetry along an outdoor kitchen, a pool house, or an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) outfitted with labeled baskets can neatly corral toys and outdoor gear.
Design tip: Use woven lidded baskets in outdoor-safe materials to store bubbles, chalk, and pool toys. This will help to control the mess, while maintaining a cohesive look.
Prioritize safety
As dusk falls, well-designed lighting transforms a backyard into a magical retreat. Choose soft, layered lighting, like lanterns, string lights, and low-voltage path lighting, to create ambiance and ensure visibility for evening play.
Design tip: Moonlighting fixtures placed high in trees cast a soft, natural light downward. LED-lit stepping stones create an elegant yet whimsical effect.
Create a year-round family retreat
If your climate allows, consider adding features that extend the use of your outdoor space beyond summer. A built-in firepit, heated patio floor, or covered outdoor movie screen area with plush seating can make your backyard a cozy family destination year-round.
Design tip: Add a sculptural swing or hammock in a shaded area for quiet reading time.
With a careful blend of intentional design, high-quality materials, and imagination, you can create outdoor spaces that foster play and creativity for children, while also being beautiful and restful for you.
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!