Boston, MA - What Does a Buyer’s Agent Do for You?

If you are in the market to buy your own Boston home you likely could go it alone and purchase your dream home, but why should you take on that burden all by yourself? This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and you need a Boston real estate agent if you want to do it right. Here’s why.

Expertise. A Boston real estate agent has loads of expertise. Real estate has its own language of acronyms and jargon and your realtor is trained to speak that language fluently. Buying a Boston home requires various forms, reports, and other technical documents.  Real estate agents have the expertise to help you prepare the perfect deal, all while avoiding delays or costly mistakes.

Searching power. The internet is awesome, and you can shop for almost anything, including real estate.  But, realtors have access to more listings than you will find on your favorite online real estate listing site. Many times, properties are available, but not actively advertised, they can help you find those hidden listings.

Negotiation. Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—and as today’s housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated. Don’t you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you?

Connections. Real estate agents make it their mission to know everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home.  Professionals such as mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, and more are part of your Boston real estate agent’s network.  More connections equal less work and research for you.

This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility realtors take lightly. Whether you are in the market to sell your Boston home or you are wanting to buy a Boston home you will benefit from the help of a real estate professional. When you are ready, contact a Boston real estate agent real estate agent.

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston House Hunting with Kids

Congrats! You’re in the market for a new home in Boston, MA. After searching online for the perfect Boston, MA home and narrowing down your list, you’re ready to start actually going to some prospective homes. Before you go property-hopping, though, there are some pint-size participants to consider: your kids. We all know home buying is a complex and sometimes overwhelming process, especially for children. Here are tips to help survive the house-hunting process with your family while keeping your sanity fully intact.

Whenever possible, don’t bring the kids. Parents might not like to hear it, but most real estate agents agree that its best if kids, especially the 9-and-under crowd, are left at home during showings. They can be a distraction and keep you from fully seeing the new home. You may spend more time watching your kids than looking at the house.

But if they must come, keep them busy. If child care options are scarce and you’re in a time crunch, keep them as busy as possible so you and your spouse can focus on the task at hand. Walking through owner-occupied homes where young kids live can be incredibly distracting for your own children, who will likely be fighting the urge to dig into their toys. Help them fight this temptation by coming well-equipped with their favorite games and activities.

Maximize your time at each showing. Plan on spending 10 to 15 minutes at each property. If you’ve come prepared with diversions, you’ll get in and out with minimal meltdowns and distractions. If you walk into a property and know right away that you don’t love it, speak up so you can all move on to the next listing. You don’t want to waste time when your kids are in tow.

Build the excitement for them. Once you’ve chosen the right home, sit down with your kids (depending on their ages) and explain what they can expect in the weeks ahead. It’s best that kids of all ages know what to expect so you can calm their nerves. Also make sure you talk through the moving process with them as well. 
 
If you’re planning to buy a home in Boston, MA, I’d be happy to help! Please contact a Boston, MA real estate agent to find out how to start the buying process. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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Boston Real Estate – Neighborhoods Matter

Any good Boston, MA Real Estate Agent will share the mantra, “location, location, location” when talking about the attributes that help a home hold its value and potentially appreciate. However, no one neighborhood is right for every Boston, MA homebuyer. Determining which neighborhood meets your needs and your budget requires research and some soul searching about your priorities.

Establish Your Priorities. Before a I can begin to help you look for a Boston, MA home, you should develop a list of needs and wants. For some buyers, the home itself is of paramount importance: they want a particular style or size. For others, the neighborhood is more important. If you have an unlimited budget you may be able to find the perfect home in a perfect neighborhood, but since most buyers need to meet a budget, you may have to compromise on either the house or the neighborhood.

Schools Matter – Even If You Don’t Have Kids. If you have children or are planning to have a family in the future, buying a home in a community with good schools is already likely to be a priority. Even if you don’t have children to educate, though, you should be aware that homes located in a good school district typically hold onto their value better than those in less highly regarded districts. The Fair Housing Act prevents a Boston Real Estate Agent from providing information directly to buyers about specific schools, but I can share links to websites that rate schools and to local school systems.

Transportation Issues. A major consideration for most home buyers when it comes to choosing where to live is how they’ll get to the places they go regularly. Map out your route to work and other frequented places to ensure the commute is doable for you.  If you aren’t familiar with public transportation in Boston, the MBTA website will you find the best route and give you an estimate on time. All you need to do is plug in your possible new address with your workplace address.
 
How to Compare Neighborhoods. It’s important to visit a prospective neighborhood at various times of day and on both weekdays and weekends to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Look at how the homes are maintained to see if they meet your standards. Finding the right neighborhood takes some legwork, but it’s important to choose a place to live where you want to come home every night.

When you are ready to purchase in Boston, MA look to an experienced Boston Real Estate Agent. I'm 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 am always here should you have a question on a Boston, MA neighborhood such as South End, Fenway, Beacon Hill, or any other. I hope to speak with you soon!

Lucas Garofalo

Keller Williams Realty

(617) 861-3631

Lucas@LucasBostonHomes.com

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