The Home Buying Process- A Road Map for Success

Putting The Home Buying Process To Work For You If you are a first-time homebuyer or haven't bought a home in a while, it might be time to step back and look at the home buying process and the home buying process timeline. Having an understanding of how long it takes and the steps it takes to buy a home will help you make the most of your home purchase. Of course, the home buying process has many twists and turns and the experience is different for everyone.  But I will approach … Continue reading...

Assessed Value vs. Market Value

tax assessment vs market value

Most buyers and seller's main concern is.... ....what is the value of the home I am about to buy or sell?  Looking at a home's tax assessment can certainly give you a quick value of a home. But assessed value is not the same as the market value of a home.  Relying on tax assessment when it comes time to sell your home or purchase a home will just lead to trouble. Property tax assessment vs market value will not lead to the same number for a home.  The value determined either by … Continue reading...

19 KILLER Questions To Ask When Buying a House

19 Questions To Ask When Buying a House

Buying a home can be scary.  Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a move-up buyer or a downsizer there is so much to know about buying a house.  Often we get so caught up in the house we forget to consider other things.  Let's look at some questions to ask when buying a house. There are certainly a number of questions you can ask when buying a home.  This list of questions a home buyer can ask either themselves, the seller or an agent will certainly get you started on … Continue reading...

The Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

Compartive Market Analysis pr CMA uses Comparable homes

A home seller's first thought when it comes time to sell is what is my home worth? But no only does a seller want to know what their home is worth but more importantly, how much will they net from the sale of my home.  This is when a homeowner turns towards a REALTOR or a Real Estate Agent to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA to determine the fair market value of a home. The single most important thing you need to do when selling a home is to price your home correctly. Your CMA … Continue reading...

How To Buy A House With Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

It is tough enough to buy a house under the best of circumstances. But add bad credit to the buying process and you add another layer of difficulty to buying a home.  Let's take a look at how to buy a house with bad credit. It doesn't matter if you are trying to buy a foreclosed home with bad credit,  you are a first-time homebuyer with bad credit or are moving up or down with bad credit, your sub-optimal credit score will be a stumbling block for you. So, can you buy a house with bad … Continue reading...

Haunted House for Sale- Must A Stigmatized Property Be Disclosed?

Are haunted or stigmatized property a disclosable issue?

With Halloween around the corner, you might be wondering.... do I have to disclose my house is haunted? Or if there was a murder or a suicide in the home?  So a stigmatized property may or may not have to have a disclosure to the potential buyer depending on the state you live in. Do I Disclose My House Is Haunted? When we talk about haunted houses fo sale, we classify it as stigmatized property or home. What does stigmatized mean? It means to mark with disgrace or infamy. A stigmatized … Continue reading...

The Ultimate Final Walkthrough Checklist Before Closing

what to look for during your final walkthough

Buying a home can be an exciting journey filled with many twists and turns.  Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking and other times very exciting.  You have spent months looking at homes, negotiated an offer, did your home inspection, negotiated repairs after your inspection and now it is time to do your final walkthrough before closing on your new home. Your final walkthrough shouldn't be skipped.  The final walkthrough is a necessary task before you close on a home. It is your final … Continue reading...

Is Rent to Own A Good Way to Purchase a Home?

Rent to Own Contract the devil is in the details

Today we are going to discuss whether rent to own is a good way to purchase a house or not.  You may hear other terms for rent to own like lease to own or lease option to buy. While not terribly popular in New England because of the strong housing market, rent to own homes can still be found.  I probably get several calls a month from a hopeful home buyer looking for a home they can lease to own. The rent to own or lease option gives the hope to many to buy a home instead of renting … Continue reading...

7 Great Reasons To Buy A Condo

7 great resons to buy a condo- is condo living right for you

Is Living in a Condo Right for You? Condominiums have come along way since the 80's.  While the concept of condos was new and approached with hesitation back then, condos are now a stable, viable source of housing in today's real estate market. There are many good reasons to buy a condo. Condominiums come in all shapes and sizes.  You can get a unit all on one floor, a townhouse with no one living below or above you, stand alone units, a condominium in an over 55 community, a luxury … Continue reading...

What Is Earnest Money In A Real Estate Transaction?

What is earnest money in a real estate transaction?

Eventually, when you go about buying a home there will come a time you want to write a contract on a home. And, you will run across the term earnest money deposit.  For many buyers, they will think what is earnest money? How does earnest money work? If you have previously bought a home you probably already have an understanding of earnest money.  But as a first time home buyer, it can be confusing. Sometimes you will hear the term good faith deposit, home deposit or escrow money as … Continue reading...