When is the Best Time to Sell Your Boston Home?

Spring is in the air and the 2019 real estate market is really beginning to ramp up. If you are looking to sell your Boston home you are going to want to get the best price for your Boston home and the quickest sale possible. Is there an optimal time during the year when your home will sell the fastest and for the best price? One group of researchers at Zillow says yes. 
 
After searching through sales of more than 20 million homes between 2008 and 2015, Zillow researchers concluded that listing time does indeed make a difference. Researchers found that “homes listed in the late spring (May 1 through May 15) sell around 18.5 days faster and for 1 percent more than the average listing.” Optimal times can vary by location and Boston's time does tend to be a bit later, May 16 through May 31. Good advice to follow is that when the weather is mild and the flowers are blooming, it is an excellent time to sell. 
 
This is great news for Boston home-sellers as May is just around the corner! I’d be happy to work with you to give you a comparative market analysis of your home and speak about timing your sale just right. A Boston, MA real estate agent will have their finger on the pulse of the market and know the best way to proceed. Contact a real estate agent about selling your Boston home today! I hope to hear from you soon.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Your Boston Home – Is a Home Warranty a Good Choice?

When buying a home in Boston, MA, you may wonder if it is worth the extra investment to purchase a home warranty. Is it worth the money? Will it help to protect your investment?

First, let’s clarify what a home warranty is. Do not confuse a home warranty with home insurance, they are two very different things. For example, if your basement floods, that is something that would be taken care of by your home insurance. A home warranty is a service contract that covers some of the appliances and systems in your home. For the length of the contract, the warranty provider will pay for repairs or replacement on those appliances and systems. How much is covered, the deductible, and what isn’t covered will vary with different warranties and providers.

Most Boston, MA home warranties last a year, and can be renewed, if desired. It’s a good idea to find out the age of the appliances in your new home before deciding to purchase a home warranty. If the appliances are older and may need to be replaced soon, a home warranty can give you the peace of mind that you won’t have to pay the full cost to replace them during that first year in your home. If the appliances in your new home are relatively new, it may not be something that you need.

As a local Boston, MA real estate agent I can recommend home warranty companies if you are interested in purchasing a warranty or requesting that the sellers offer one as part of the home sale. The most important thing to remember is to carefully read the contract and pay special attention to what is and is not covered so that you know exactly what you are purchasing and how you’ll be able to utilize it. When a home warranty is understood, and utilized for its intended purposes, it can be the easiest way to save on home repairs and reduce the extra stress that comes with buying a home.

If you have any questions on home warranties, or if you are interested in buying a home in Boston, MA, please contact a Boston real estate agent! I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Are You Ready to Buy a Boston Home This Spring?

Warmer weather will soon be on the way and spring is days away. Spring is well-known as one of the busiest times in the Boston, MA real estate market. If you are you planning to buy a home in Boston, MA this spring, you are not alone. Over the next month, the Boston home inventory will soar and you'll have a whole new crop of homes to consider. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or if it’s been a while since you’ve gone through the home buying process, it’s important to know that there are a few items you should start thinking about right away. Here are three tips to ensure you are ready to jump into the spring Boston real estate market.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. In a competitive real estate market, home sellers favor buyers who have been pre-approved for a mortgage. Though the terms are commonly used interchangeably, pre-approval differs from pre-qualification in that pre-approval includes having your financial information run through the underwriting process. This will give you an accurate picture of how much you can expect to borrow from your lender and therefore how much home you can afford.

Be prepared with a down payment. It’s generally recommended to put 20 percent down when you buy a home. However, this amount can vary depending on the type of mortgage you’ll be applying for. For those seeking a traditional mortgage, it’s important to note that you’ll have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you don’t come up with a 20 percent down payment. There are other options if you cannot put 20% down.

Choose the right realtor. Unless you’re a seasoned pro, having a Realtor on your side can make a big difference. Making an offer on a house in a competitive market can require more than just a willingness to pay the price. If a seller must choose between multiple buyers, they’re likely to choose the one that’s coming to them with the best overall package. A good Boston real estate agent will present your offer along with other information, including your ability to get a loan, your down payment, and anything else that might make you more appealing than someone else vying for the same property.

Buying a home in Boston, MA is one of the most exciting milestones you’ll reach during your lifetime. Before you start scouring the Internet in search of your new pad, be sure to keep in mind the three important items above. And when you are ready please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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