Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Your First Step in Buying Your Boston Home


The process of buying your Boston home starts long before you start searching the internet for the perfect home. One of the first steps is to organize your finances and understand your credit. Because of recent stricter rules governing mortgage applications, having good credit has become a crucial factor in purchasing a home. If you happen to need to improve your score, or you are wanting to keep the good score you have, follow these steps to strengthen and solidify your credit score, before you start scouring the internet for your dream Boston home.

Get your credit report. If you don’t already have a credit report in hand then get one now. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once a year so make sure to take advantage.

Fix any mistakes. If you have any errors or inaccuracies on your credit report, you need to start that process now to fix them as it could take several months or more. There are step-by-step guides on the major credit bureau websites, follow the guide and keep a good record of your dispute.

Stay current. Never miss a payment, ever! Even one missed payment will affect your credit score negatively. Paying on time will help increase your score over time and keep it in a steady upward climb.

Low balances. Keep your balances low and if possible, less than 50% of the limit on your revolving credit. Paying more than the minimum each month also helps build better credit, even if you are paying just a bit more than the minimum.

Keep your old car. When in the market to purchase a new Boston home, it is best to avoid any big changes to your finances. That means no big purchases like new cars.

When you are ready to start searching for your home, contact an experienced Boston, MA real estate agent. I am committed to providing you with the highest quality buyer service. When making the type of investment that buying a home requires, you deserve to have all the latest market information and the very best advice, both of which I can provide you with. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Wednesday, September 18, 2019

So, You Want to Buy a Home in Boston?


The fall Boston real estate market is here and we still have a lot of buyers compared to the number of homes currently on the market.  This shortage of homes has led to a competitive marketplace where Boston home buyers often need to stand out. To stand out among the competition and to show you are a serious Boston home buyer it is a must to be pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search. A pre-approval also brings with it the advantage of knowing your budget before you look so you don’t fall in love with a home you cannot afford.

One of the many advantages of working with a Boston real estate professional is that we have relationships with lenders who can to help you with this process. Once you have selected a lender, you will need to fill out their loan application and provide them with important information regarding your financial standing.

Freddie Mac describes the 4 Cs that help determine the amount you will be qualified to borrow:
  1. Capacity: Your current and future ability to make your payments
  2. Capital or cash reserves: The money, savings and investments you have that can be sold quickly for cash
  3. Collateral: The home, or type of home, that you would like to purchase
  4. Credit: Your history of paying bills and other debts on time
Getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and it often helps speed up the process once your offer has been accepted.

When you are ready to purchase a home in Boston, contact an experienced Boston real estate agent. I am committed to providing you with the highest quality buyer service. When making the type of investment that buying a home requires, you deserve to have all the latest market information and the very best advice, both of which I can provide you with. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Fall Events in Boston, MA


There is no shortage of events to enjoy this fall in Boston! To help you make some plans, as your Boston real estate agent, I’ve put together a list of upcoming events, activities and festivals. Plan ahead, call up some friends, gather your family, or head out on your own to meet new people. Enjoy!
  • Boston Film Festival runs at the same time, September 19th – 22nd. Head to ShowPlace Icon Seaport during these dates to check out films from evolving filmmakers. Then enjoy Q&A sessions with the directors after each film. Awards will be presented at the end. Check out the schedule and decide what you’d like to see! 
  • Museum Day Live falls on a Saturday, which is perfect for visiting local Boston museums that you don’t normally get to visit. September 21st, get a free ticket for two and visit one of 34 Massachusetts museums that will be free that day. Plenty to choose from! 
  • ·         Let’s Talk About Food takes place September 28th at The Plaza at the Harvard Science Center, One Oxford Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Enjoy a fun-filled and inspiring day of cooking, demonstrations, hands-on skills, head-to-head competitions and tastings, innovations and explorations.
  • ·         Harpoon Oktoberfest takes place October 4th – 6th this year at Harpoon Brewery! Those age 21 and up look forward to this event every year in Boston! Enjoy celebrating German culture with beer in a souvenir pint cup, bratwurst, musicians in lederhosen, contests and more. 
As you can see, you’ve got many options for fun in Boston during the rest of this month! Get out and enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer.

When you’re ready to accomplish your Boston real estate market goals this fall, contact me. As a Boston real estate agent, I am here and ready to answer all of your questions and to guide you through the home buying or home selling process, or both! The market is still hot, so don’t put off your real estate goals. Together, we can accomplish them. Give me a call!

Lucas Garofalo
Keller Williams Realty
(617) 861-3631
Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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