Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever make. And a new law in Massachusetts will make the process fairer, safer and more transparent. As of fall 2025, every home buyer has the right to inspect their new home before they buy...
Real estate transactions come with lots of paperwork, which can be overwhelming, but a clear understanding of industry-specific terminology will help make the process feel less daunting. This first of two articles will break down the lingo to know when buying or...
On Sept. 17, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, or 0.25%. This is positive news: Variable interest rate costs have gone down, and such things as credit card rates, auto loan rates and home equity loan rates all should be lowered....
If you plan to brave the New England winter at home, you’ll want it to be as cozy and comfortable as possible. If you’re a snowbird, you don’t want to return to a disaster. In either case, the following steps will help ensure that your house has a happy new year....
The DIY (do-it-yourself) movement experienced a surge during COVID and continued in the aftermath, as many people realized they were perfectly capable of trimming their own hair or even replacing a kitchen faucet. But some things are still best left to the...
Whether buying or selling a home, it’s important to understand the specifics of a home inspection. The purpose of a home inspection is to assess the condition of a property. This differs from a home appraisal, which serves to determine a home's market value. A home...
Some homebuyers see a swimming pool as a property enhancement — an aesthetically pleasing feature that provides entertainment for friends, family and neighbors and endless fun and exercise for the kids. It's almost like being able to vacation every day at the comfort...
A home is a significant investment, and protecting it with home insurance is critical for homeowners. According to the National Association for Insurance Commissioners, "Home insurance covers the structure of your home and your personal property, as well as your legal...
Metrowest Boston tends to have high levels of radon in many homes, because we have a lot of rock or ledge in the area. As rock and ground erode, it releases a naturally occurring gas called radon into our atmosphere. You can't see it, and you can't smell it. High...
Thinking about selling and wondering what improvements will yield the biggest return on your investment? Let’s start with the entryway! Curb appeal is the first impression. With the snow gone, now is a great time to walk around the home and see how it faired over the...
Recently perceived changes to the structure of real estate commissions haven’t really changed things much at all. This was noted in the Professional Insights article published in the Dec. 18, 2024, issue of the Hopkinton Independent. Many home buyers have long had the...
The inflation rate is closer to the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, sitting at 2.7% as of December 2024; a significant decline from 9.1% in June 2022. The Fed cut its rates for the first time in four years on Sept. 19, 2024, from 5.5% to 4.5% on Dec 18, 2024, and...
As most have heard, changes with how real estate commissions are structured for buyer agents have “changed.” Well, not really. In 2019, Midwest anti-trust lawsuits claimed sellers were paying inflated costs, that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was...
Doesn’t it feel good to turn a healthy profit in a real estate transaction? Selling your property can be a lucrative move, but capital gains taxes can reduce your profits. Understanding how to reduce these taxes allows you to keep more money in your pocket. In...
Looking to enhance your retirement income? Real estate investing is a great option. We all know saving for retirement is important. Diversification is key, so why not add some real estate investments to your traditional investment portfolio? Whether your interest lies...
Thinking about selling and wondering what improvements will yield the biggest return on your investment? Let’s start with the entryway! Curb appeal is the first impression. With the snow gone, now is a great time to walk around the home and see how it fared over the...
Spring has arrived, and the real estate market is blossoming alongside the flowers. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, spring and early summer offer a strategic advantage for sellers. Trends in home sales show that sellers could potentially get...
Whether you’re buying or refinancing your home, getting a home appraisal is crucial for securing a mortgage or determining the fair market value when buying or selling a property. Real estate agents are not licensed appraisers. They can provide a comparative market...
According to Forbes Magazine, in 2021 there were almost 700,000 divorces reported by 45 states. Divorce is thought of as an ending, but it’s also the beginning of a new life for all involved, so it’s crucial to wrap up loose ends and let everyone move on without being...
We all hear about homes selling so quickly because there is no inventory, but we may not realize all the prep work that goes into getting those homes ready. Real estate agents often are called in months in advance of selling a home, as people want to plan ahead and...
