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.

5 Ways to Come Up With a Down Payment

5 Ways to Come Up With a Down Payment

June 02, 20252 min read

If you’re dreaming of buying your first home, you may be feeling discouraged about affording the down payment, especially given the rising costs of goods in general and any potential debt you might be burdened with.

But don’t give up! There are several strategies that can help you come up with a down payment—all it takes is focus and a commitment to your goals. The following ideas may help you build your nest egg faster than you think.

Don’t pay rent if you don’t have to. Imagine how much money you could save if you didn’t have to pay monthly rent? While this might not be possible for everyone, for those who have family that they may be able to live with for a period of time, doing so could significantly jump start your downpayment savings. In lieu of paying rent, offer to help your family member in other ways, such as child care, housework, painting or lawn care. Or negotiate a small sum to pay as rent. For many family members, your daily presence in their lives for a period of time will probably be reward enough.

Moonlight. If your current source of income just isn’t cutting it, consider temporarily taking on an after-hours job that taps into other skills or passions you may have, such as bartending, dog sitting, flower arranging or performing. You can also work part time as a driver for a car service or a clerk at a retail shop. While the thought of working more hours may feel burdensome, keep in mind that it’s a temporary situation to get you to your down-payment goals. And, if you’re doing something you enjoy or that is stress-free, it will make the extra work less taxing.

Ask for a promotion. Evaluate your current job situation to see if you can ask for more responsibility and, therefore, a higher salary. While there might not be an obvious promotion opportunity, don’t assume it’s not possible. Recognize a need or void that currently exists at your workplace and approach your manager with a gameplan of how you can solve it. Be sure to reiterate your commitment to your team and the organization—in other words, let your manager see that you are worthy of promoting.

Consolidate debt. If paying off debt is preventing you from saving for a downpayment, talk to your local bank or a financial advisor to see if debt consolidation is a possibility. This option could help you turn high-interest rate debt into one, more affordable monthly payment, allowing you to put more money toward your down-payment fund.

Find out about grants. Talk to a local real estate or mortgage professional about any grants or programs you may be eligible for. There are several down-payment assistance options available, so get educated on what’s out there. There may be one just for you.

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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!