Boston, MA – Should You Buy a Home Now?

If you are thinking about buying a home in Boston, MA you are likely getting a lot of advice from all sorts of sources. Although your friends and family have your best interest at heart they may not be fully aware of the current Boston, MA real estate market or your exact real estate needs. You may wonder if now is a good time to buy. Answering these three questions will help you determine if now is a good time for you to buy a home, or not.

1. Why am I buying a home? Finding your motivation for buying a home is essential. More times than not it isn’t actually about money and instead non-financial reasons. Being able to answer this question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.
2. Where are home values going? Home values are projected to increase over the next 12 months. So what does that mean to you? If you wait a year the Boston, MA homes you are interested in now will have grown in price and therefore your future down payment will need to be higher, assuming you do not want to raise your monthly costs.
3. Where are mortgage interest rates going? Just as important as the price of your home is the percentage of interest you will pay for the life of your mortgage – for the next 15 – 30 years. Even a small increase in interest rates can add a significant long term cost to your home, over the course of the loan.
   

The bottom line is only you and your family will know for certain if now is the right time for you to buy a home. If you decide now is the time and are looking to enter the Boston, MA real estate market in 2016, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Do You Need a Realtor?

Buying or selling a home can be quite an adventure. Whether you are in the market to sell your Boston, MA home or you are wanting to buy a home in Boston, MA you will benefit from the help of a real estate professional. Think you can go it alone? Think again. Here are some considerations.

Paperwork. What to do with all of this paperwork? Buying and selling a home requires stacks and stacks of paperwork and the rules and regulations seem to be constantly changing. A Boston, MA real estate agent can guide you through these piles of paperwork to help you make your dream a reality. 
 
What happens next? So you found your dream home, what happens next? Let an expert guide you through each step as they have been there before, many times. 
 
Negotiation. Let a proven expert negotiate on your behalf. Not only do you have the buyer, who wants the best deal possible, you also have to consider the appraiser. I’ve discussed before how an appraisal can derail your Boston, MA home sale. Let me navigate those tricky waters for you. 
 
How is the market? Even if you pride yourself on keeping up with the real estate market trends there is no substitute for an expert. An expert in the area will know exactly how to price your home to sell for top dollar and quickly. A real estate agent will also know where to start with putting in an offer on your Boston, MA dream home. Hiring a real estate agent with their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying or selling experience an educated one. 
 
As a Boston, MA real estate agent I am well versed in what it takes to get the job done. Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent when you are ready to start the buying or selling process. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA – Prepare for Spring

February is here and before we know it spring will be here too. Along with the spring weather also comes the spring market – easily the busiest time of year in Boston, MA real estate. If you are looking to sell your Boston, MA home this spring, now is the time to start preparation. There is of course plenty to do to stage your home on the inside, but, don’t forget about the outside. Here is a list of several projects you can get started on soon.

Deck maintenance. Give your deck a face-lift by cleaning and re-staining it. An oxygen-bleach wood cleaner does the job well and won’t harm your plants around the deck. After a good rinse and dry it’s ready to stain. We all know curb appeal is important and that goes for the back of the house too so don’t neglect your deck. 
 
Paint patio furniture. Soon it will be warm enough for outdoor living and we want to remind your possible Boston, MA homebuyers of the possibilities of outdoor living for your home. Clean and arrange your furniture and re-paint any metal lawn furniture that needs it. 
 
Shampoo the rugs and curtains. Every home deserves a good spring cleaning, especially if you have your home on the real estate market. Now is a great time to either have the pro’s tackle the job or rent a DIY carpet cleaner to do the job yourself.

If you are looking to Boston, MA real estate market this spring, please be sure to contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you find the perfect home for you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston, MA - Tax Deductions

It’s that time of year again – tax season is here. If you sold your Boston, MA home in 2015 then you have some tax deductions owed to you from the IRS. It does involve you itemizing your taxes, but, it is worth your while to get the benefits. Here are a few tax deductions to speak to your tax expert about.

Selling Costs. There is an exclusion on any taxes on your Boston, MA home sale profit if the profit is less than $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 if filling a joint return with your spouse. If you happen to not qualify for that exclusion you will need to pay taxes on any profit so make sure you deduct all your selling costs from your gain such as commission, legal fees, escrow fees, and more. 
 
Moving Deduction. If you sold your Boston, MA home because you are relocating for work you may be able to deduct some of your moving expenses such as transportation, storage, and lodging.

Home Improvements. If you made any improvements to your home that helped you sell your home, such as fixing a leaking roof, you may be able to deduct these costs. The improvements need to be made within 90 days of the closing to be considered selling costs. 
 
There are other home sale deductions possible and it would be best to check with your tax expert to confirm as deductions can vary from state to state. If you haven’t sold your Boston, MA home but are preparing to do so in 2016, contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I am happy to help you sell your Boston, MA home!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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