Massachusetts Real Estate- Merrimack Valley
Real Estate in Essex and Northern Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts
My brother was moving back to the area. He recently called me about a rental he found on Craigslist, that he and his wife were excited about. Unfortunately, I quickly saw it as just another rental scam on Craigslist. The home my brother emailed me from Craiglist, was a beautiful 2600 sq ft Cape Cod style home built in the last 20 years and listed for $1400 a month. Market rent was more in the range of $2600. While my brother and his wife fell in love with what they saw on … Continue reading...
No matter where you turn in New England you will find a Cape Cod home. The Cape Cod homes (or Cape) charm starts with its roots. Which of course is the region it is named after.... Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The Cape Cod style home is the classic American Cottage. Really, who doesn't love a weathered shingled Cape style home with a white picket fence. Yes, it has charm and it certainly is one of the most romanticized homes. Better yet picture one set on New … Continue reading...
It is important your home is equipped with properly working Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Doing so provides a level of safety to your home's occupants from fire and equipment malfunctions. Many states like Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island require a certificate of compliance prior to a home sale. The certificate of compliance is to make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are of the right type, placed correctly and are working. Other states, like … Continue reading...
The Covid-19 pandemic took full effect in late March of this year and has certainly disrupted the spring real estate selling season. An influx of inventory usually hits the spring market. What do you need to know about Covid-19 and selling your house? Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic left so much uncertainty in home buyers and sellers minds that the spring real estate market came to all but a screeching halt shortly after the lockdown occurred. Initially, home sellers were scared … Continue reading...
Whether I am working with a home seller or a homebuyer the question often comes up "is this a bedroom?" This leads us to "what is the legal definition of a bedroom?" A bedroom is not always a bedroom when it comes to the legal requirements for a bedroom. Most of the information that defines a bedroom as a bedroom leads back to the International Residential Code incorporated in the state building code. The Dollar Value of a Bedroom A legitimate bedroom is worth money.... it … Continue reading...
If you are about to sell your home it is important to take a quick look at fair housing laws. Fair housing laws have been enacted on both the federal and state levels to prevent discrimination against certain classes of people. While most sellers have no intention of discriminating against a potential buyer, it is easier to say something that could be misconstrued as a violation of fair housing laws than you think. As a full-time agent of almost 20 years, there are plenty of home sellers … Continue reading...
Checking your credit on a regular basis is important to maintaining a healthy credit profile. Even more so when your about to buy your first home. At the first thought of buying a home definitely pull your free annual credit report. By getting your hands on your credit report early, you have time to check for mistakes and fraud that could be impacting your credit score. Accessing your free annual credit report early will also give you time to take some measures to improve your … Continue reading...
When purchasing a home it is important for a home buyer to do their due diligence. Part of the due diligence period is having a home inspection done on the home that is being purchased. This includes testing for radon in a home. A general home inspection of a home's systems and structures is a good idea. You should also consider additional inspections, including the testing for radon gas.... not only in the home but the well water if the home is on a private well. What Is … Continue reading...
Owning your own home is a great feeling. After years of scrimping, you have finally saved up enough money for a down payment on your dream house. And now that you're a homeowner, you’re able to use specific credits on your tax return. While using deductions and credits might sound complicated, it's easier than you think. Follow these tips to make the most of tax season. Image from Unsplash.com Tax Credits and Deductions Even though both are used on your tax return, there is a difference … Continue reading...
Being an informed consumer and homebuyer is essential to purchasing your new home. You might be a first-time homebuyer, so you should equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible before hitting the open houses with your REALTOR®. A deciding factor in the purchasing process can come down to a home inspection, so you should know what they entail, and what the possible outcomes mean for your potential home. Here’s what you should look for in a home inspection. What’s a Home … Continue reading...
