The True Value of Owning a Home for Millennials

There is a value of owning a home for millennials. But, home ownership is down among the Millennial generation as reported by Business Insider and many other news outlets. There are lots of reasons why this could be happening, tighter credit standards, change in lifestyle, lower incomes out of college, high student debt and the fact that millennials are marrying later and having children later in life. And certainly coming out of one of the worst recessions in US history, many … Continue reading...

Make Your Life Easier By Making Your Agent’s Job Easier

As a home shopper, there are a few things you can do to make your life easier…and that is to make your agent’s job easier. You two have aligned goals, so it is best to work with each other instead of against each other. I have observed both sides of the transaction enough times to know a few of the items consumers can do to help their REALTOR®. Here is that list. Be Upfront and Communicative All good relationships are built … Continue reading...

Get Ready for Your Home Inspection- You Only Have One Shot

Get the most out of your home inspection

You have put an offer in on a home that was accepted!! Congratulations. There is probably no doubt you decided you should have a home inspection on your new home before closing. Today we will talk about how to get ready for your home inspection. Your home inspection is your last line of defense in insuring your home is safe and sound when you move in as well as alerting you to any repairs they may need to be done immediately or in the near future. I won't go into depth … Continue reading...

5 Reasons not to Hire a Family Member as Your Real Estate Agent

hiring a family member as your real estate agent

So I just arrived back at the office from a showing where I heard, I have a "family member who is a real estate agent" they will be handling the transactions. This article discusses 5 reasons why may not want to hire a family member as your real estate agent. This woman spent a half an hour on the phone with me saying her and her husband are wanting to downsize their home and they don't know where to start. I layed out the steps for her that made sense for their … Continue reading...

Rent to Own – A Good Way to Purchase a House?

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. Other terms for rent to own could be lease to own or lease option. While not terribly popular in New England because of the strong housing market, rent to owns can still be found. However, 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 of buying a home instead of renting … Continue reading...

70 Austin Street, Unit 5, Lowell MA 01854

70 Austin Street Lowell MA 01854 for Sale

For Sale- 70 Austin Street, Unit 5, Lowell MA 01854 Open House- Sunday September 3rd 1-2:30pm Price: $182,500 Living Area: 1155 square feet Bedrooms: 2 Baths: 1.5 Taxes: $1969 a year 70 Austin Street, Unit 5 is a great way to own an affordable home in Lowell Massachusetts. It provides the best the city of Lowell has to offer with less than a half mile walk to Lowell's Arts District. Besides it close proximity to the … Continue reading...

Should I Buy or Rent My Next Place

Many renters are asking should I buy or rent a home right now. As renters are looking to renew leases or seek another place to live they are starting to realize that it may be cheaper to own. A recent study by Trulia shows that nationwide it is 36% cheaper to own. Realize that statistic can be radically different by region Lets take a look at if you should buy or rent your next home from a financial standpoint. While there are other reasons to buy a home, the financial … Continue reading...

Will Going Directly to the Listing Agent Save You Money?

Does going directly to the listing agent save me money

Does Going Directly to The Listing Agent Save Money? Some home buyers think that if they go to an open house or call the listing agent directly on a home they will save money. The thought is if they go directly to the listing agent they will receive an edge in negotiations and/or the listing agent will give up part of their commission to make the deal work. So will going directly to the listing agent save you money? In reality, yes you may have the illusion of saving money upfront on … Continue reading...

Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Multi Family as an Owner Occupant

One option home buyers have entering the real estate market is what type of home to buy. Common options are a single family, condominium or a multi family home. We are going to talk about buying a multi family as an owner occupant. There are two types of buyers interested in multi families. The investor who wants to obtain positive cash flow through rental income and the owner occupant who lives in the home and uses the additional units to help pay the mortgage. The … Continue reading...

Are You Chasing Unicorns? Searching for Homes That Don’t Exist

are you wasting time looking for homes that don't exist

I have a term for when home buyers waste valuable months searching for homes that don't exist, but have no clue they are involved in an impossible or near impossible task. I call searching for homes that don't exist chasing unicorns. Just like the mythical creature that doesn't exist neither does some home buyer's dream homes. Home buyer's that don't have a handle on existing markets conditions and the available inventory will waste months or even longer, while getting more and … Continue reading...