T H E B L O G
Key Real Estate Terms for Buyers
There's a lot to understand when buying a home, starting with some of the key terms you'll hear from your Realtor, Lender and Bank. So what do they mean? Credit Score Your credit score helps your lender determine the likelihood that you'll repay your future debts, including your mortgage. Scores ra
Winter Homeselling Preparation Tips
Are you thinking of selling this winter? We can give you time-tested advice on what to do to maximize your return on your home sale, but get a jump on things by doing these tasks: - Clean vents and baseboards, and replace furnace filters - Check lightbulbs and replace as needed, using the most energ
Thinking of Purchasing a Home This Winter?
While mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year, you still may be thinking about buying a home soon. Higher interest rates will impact how much it costs to borrow money for a mortgage, so it's imperative to come up with a plan and be mindful of your "must haves" and "would like to haves
Moving With Your Pet
No one loves us like our pets love us! So if you're planning a move, be sure to prepare for moving your pet safely. Did you know that more than 10 million pets go missing each year? A good number of those wander off while their families are preparing for or in the midst of a move. So be sure to take
Should You Buy a Home This Year?
Should I Buy a Home This Year? Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-term benefits
Prepping Your Home For Sale
Today's housing market is different than it was just a few months - or even a few weeks - ago. So you need to work with your agent to create a plan to get your home sold in the least amount of time and with the least amount of hassle. Start with preparing your home before it hits the market. Price Y
Add Storage to Your Kitchen
Hidden Kitchen Storage Ideas Is your kitchen small? Or does it feel small because you lack storage space? A small kitchen can be hard to work with, especially when you don't have room for all your essentials, let alone items you want to add to your kitchen just to spruce it up. If you want to add st
Different Types of Carpeting
While some people dream of hardwood or tile flooring, sometimes carpet is the better choice! The process of choosing new carpet isn't as easy as pointing to a sample and knowing "it's the one." There are so many options to choose from, and it can be hard to know which carpet type is best for you. D
Mortgage Pre-Approval. Don't Go Home Shopping Without One!
What is a mortgage pre-approval? It is provided by a licensed lender. The lender will ask you for information about your income, debt, assets and employment. Using that information, along with information about your credit history from the 3 major credit bureaus - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian
MassDREAMS Mortgage Grant Program
MassDREAMS is made possible by federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provides assistance to states to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic. MassDREAMS is a Massachusetts program that provides down payment and closing cost grants to first-time homebuyers who meet
It's In Your Best Interest To Use A Realtor
If you're thinking of buying or selling a home, you'll want to have the most up-to-date information about current market conditions and factors that are influencing it. The best way to make sure you get the most detailed and correct information is to work with an expert - an experienced local Realt
Debt-to-Income Ratios - What Are They?
When your mortgage lender talks about your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), just what does that mean? Your DTI impacts your ability to qualify for a mortgage. So knowing your DTI even before you apply for a mortgage can help you best move forward into home ownership. What is debt-to-income ratio? Your
The $64,000 Question!
Did you know that if you own a home, your net worth likely just got a big boost thanks to rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. Based on recent home price appreciation, you’re building equity far faster than you may expect. Here's how: Because
Pricing Your Home Correctly
Are you ready to make a move and take advantage of today's sellers' market? With many homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be the time to get the price and terms you’re looking for on your home sale. It's important to have an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves,
Raising Your Credit Score
Do you have idea what your credit score is? It's good to keep an eye on it and know how to maximize it, especially if you're going to apply for a mortgage. Your credit score is one of the most important ways a lender determines your financial health and whether to extend credit to you. Here are 8 t
Prepping for Your Move
Moving Day You’ve nailed down the day you close on your home. Now to start packing. But where do you start? Moving can be stressful, so let’s look at some tips for making it easier. Start with purging. Decluttering is a good way to start preparing for your move. If you don’t use an item there is
Air Conditioning and Fans - How Much Do You Know?
It's that time of year when our thoughts turn to fans and air conditioning, and many homeowners have questions about which is best and how to use each most beneficially in the home. Here are some tips and general information about both fans and A/C. Whole-House Fan. Whole-house fan is a large vent
Which Are Better: Decks or Patios?
Many people are drawn to one-floor homes because the accessibility they offer in terms of outdoor space is plenty. However, if you want outdoor space, you don’t necessarily have to move into a single-story home. If you move into a multistory home, yet there isn’t already a deck or a patio in place,
How PMI Can Help You Buy a Home
What is PMI? It is Private Mortgage Insurance, and it may be your savior when it comes to buying a home in this market. With home prices at the highest levels ever, and limited inventory to choose from, competition for affordable homes is fierce - especially with recent mortgage rate increases reduc
Things to Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage Loan
So, you're offer on your dream home has been accepted and you've applied for a mortgage loan. Before you get too excited and go shopping for new furniture and electronics, keep these things in mind. Otherwise, you could jeopardize not only your loan, but your chance at living happily ever after in