Two Questions To Ask Yourself if You’re Considering Buying a Home

 

If you’re thinking of buying a home, chances are you’re paying attention to just about everything you hear about the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends [...]

Can you sell your home  “As Is” In Massachusetts? 

Yes you can.   The real question is .. should you?

We have met many home sellers over the years that prefer not to invest the time and/or money in making repairs to a home before or during the sales process.  The benefit of advertising a home “SOLD AS IS” is that the expectation is set for potential buyers that any repairs would be their responsibility.  Simplifying the home sales process is certainly appealing to many home sellers but may have some drawbacks. 

If a home needs major repairs, such as a failed septic system, the home may not qualify for many types of financing.  Limiting financing options can drastically reduce the amount of potential prospects. Contractors and home flippers with access to cash or alternative financing can make the process convenient and hassle free for home sellers, however typically expect a steep discount in return for sweat equity.

If a home is otherwise in decent shape, potential home buyers often interpret “AS IS” much differently than home sellers. Some potential buyers automatically think “worst case” scenario.   They may view the home as one that needs excessive repairs and get scared that there may be an underlying problem that isn’t visible.  Compared to investors, home buyers looking to live in a home are usually willing to spend a lot more money. Many of todays buyers are not savvy when it comes to home repairs and maintenance, and can be easily spooked if a home is perceived as needing lots of work.

Even if a home is listed “AS IS” a home buyer may in fact still request repairs or attempt to negotiate.   On the other hand, if a home is not listed this way, a seller typically isn’t required to make concessions or repairs.   For sellers that have leverage by attracting lots of buyers and multiple offers, selling a home “AS IS” is often enough a by-product of market conditions.

In the suburbs north of Boston, most of the homes we sell are older and often need some sort of work.  Every situation is unique, so contact us to discuss your specific situation! 

 

Are you thinking of buying a Massachusetts Condominium?  

By Attorney Richard Carter

A condominium is defined as “a building or complex of buildings containing a number of individually owned apartments or houses”.

There are several advantages in purchasing a condominium.  First it may be a more affordable option than purchasing a single [...]

How photogenic is your home? Perhaps the question has crossed your mind in this snap-happy, hygge-obsessed Instagram era. Whether you are selling your apartment or listing it on Airbnb, a camera-ready home is a must. An inviting photograph can draw in people scrolling through listings online; a messy or disheveled room will quickly turn them [...]

How to Use Color to Influence Your Mood and Productivity

WRITTEN BY BLAKE MILLER

The five senses are an incredible thing. Smell and taste are two of the most powerful tools at evoking emotion. But sight must not be forgotten. After all, what you see can have an incredible impact on how you feel. Even more so, color can inevitably influence [...]

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price for it with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes [...]

March 14, 2017

The spring market is off to a very strong start this year in the communities North of Boston, MA.  The uncertainty of mortgage rates are causing many buyers to feel a high level of urgency. While it is a sellers market, depending on the type of home, location and price point, the level of demand can vary greatly.  Many homes [...]

Want your place to look like those home design website images you drool over? Of course you do! Problem is, your budget may not match your design aspirations. Fear not! Making your home look high-end isn’t always about spending tons of [...]

 

Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. [...]

 

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016 

The Federal Reserve hiked short-term interest rates Wednesday, in a move largely predicted by economists. So, what does this mean for mortgage rates and buyers?

Read more: Fed Warns About a 'New Housing Crisis'

First off, the Fed does not set mortgage rates. Short-term rates are [...]