The Benefits of a Home Inspection

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So, you think you’ve found the home of your dreams! All that stands in the way of your dream home becoming a reality is some paperwork, a plethora of signatures and a few meetings, right? How exciting! Before you decide to dive headfirst into this impending purchase, you need a home inspection. The benefits to this extra step far outweigh the small additional time it may take to secure your home. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing the full ins and outs of your potential purchase.

 

Inspections save you money and unneeded surprises

 

Home inspections, based on the findings, can pay for themselves. Home inspectors detect things such as water leaks, roof damages, foundation issues or unseen safety hazards that could be extremely costly, for the new buyer, once noticed. Knowing, up front, what potential problems lie ahead allows you to plan for repairs or, even, ask the sellers to chip in for or make repairs prior to your purchase agreement.

 

You may be able to bid less on your prospective home

 

Once a home inspection is complete the potential buyer receives a full, and thorough, list of suggested repairs and findings. Depending on the size (and number) of repairs proposed by a home inspector’s report, you may be able to negotiate a lower price on the cost of the home should you agree to take on the issues and fix them yourself once purchased. 

 

Sellers can make needed repairs

 

As part of your home buying agreement, you may ask the seller to make the outlined repairs noted by the home inspector. You can negotiate on having them handle the larger repairs while you agree to take care of the smaller, less hazardous issues. If they agree to make the repairs, you may have to agree to asking cost for the home (or higher) to appease them based on the additional out-of-pocket money they have to fork over for the repairs. The good news with that is it should still be within your purchasing budget, so don’t stress it too much! 

 

Confidence in your purchase is established

 

There is nothing quite like reassurance when making a large life-changing purchase. Knowing the intricate details of your potential home is priceless when it comes to buying power. This is, most likely, the largest purchase of your life, so details definitely matter. Review the report with the home inspector, in detail, and ask any questions you have for clarification. It is important to understand the report in its entirety so you can make sound decisions on the next steps in your potential purchase. 

 

When it comes to buying a home, it is vital that you understand the full scope of your purchase, even if that includes some not-so-great but needed repairs. Knowing details from the structural makeup to the appliances current standings helps you make an informed decision on your purchase. Working alongside the home inspection and seller will, more than likely, lead you to a collaborative decision on closing. If you are in the midst of house shopping and want more advice on home inspection don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would love to discuss this more with you!

Preparing Your Home for a Seller’s Market

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As you prepare for the adventure of selling your home, there are certain tips to follow to ensure you entice potential buyers and get offers that excite you to sign on the dotted line. Oftentimes, because we’ve been living in our homes for years, we overlook little details that potential buyers may be looking directly at. Following these tricks of the trade will ensure your home is ready to sell quickly allowing you to move on to your next purchasing journey quite seamlessly.

 

Make necessary repairs

 

This one seems like a no-brainer when it comes to getting your home ready to sell, but don’t overlook the small stuff. Patch up any holes in the wall, replace any broken windows, clean the gutters and ensure there are no leaks in your roof. Buyers are extra particular when it comes to checking for repairs, especially if they are not the fixer-upper type.

 

Clean up the exterior

 

The outside of the home is the first thing that potential buyers see when pulling into the driveway for the first time. Make sure that your landscaping is up-to-date, and your lawn is mowed neatly. A clean appearance sets others at ease almost instantly. A messy exterior can give potential buyers the impression that you are slacking off and immediately push them to question whether you are neglecting the inside of the home too. Create trust with a clean exterior. Bonus points if you clean up garden beds, prune the shrubs and replant window boxes to keep everything in tip-top shape. Curb appeal is key, even to potential buyers. 

 

Depersonalize and neutralize

 

Everyone’s style is unique. If your home is over personalized with bright wall colors, custom wall hangings and eclectic furniture, consider switching things up and toning it down a bit. While some unique features may be considered selling points, an overabundance of personal style may become off-putting to some. Creating a color palette that is inviting and neutral will attract and retain more potential buyers. The wider the range of buyers, the better the options you have when accepting an offer.

 

Organize closets and storage spaces

 

Potential buyers will scan your house meticulously. Ensuring all areas, including closet spaces and storage rooms (such as an attic or basement) are organized is key to a successful showing. This tactic also helps with personal privacy as numerous potentials are scouring through your belongings to see if your spot is the one for them. If you notice, while organizing, that you have a lot of excess clothes, belongings or furniture that you’d rather keep out of the house during the showings, consider renting a temporary storage unit to safely house your things. 

 

 

Clean the interior from top to bottom

 

This seems like common sense, I know, but it’s something that can be overlooked with all of the other checkboxes on your home selling list. Vacuum and shampoo carpets and shine wood floors. Dust ceiling fans and tops of cabinets. Deep clean countertops, appliances and bathrooms. Make sure your house looks pristine for your potential buyers. Afterall, you want them to love the place as much as you did when you purchased it, right?

 

Preparing your home for a successful sale takes a lot of work and planning, but it’s worth it to find buyers who pay the price tag. Pay attention to the details within your home and set it up to sparkle. You want your home to stand out from all the others that they may be looking at, so following these simple, yet effective ideas will knock your home out of the park. Need a bit of extra guidance on your current home’s condition along with ways to get it ready for sale? Contact me today! I would love to walk you through the process to sell your home.

4 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell While Social Distancing

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If you’ve been planning to put your home up for sale but feel stuck with moving forward due to the current COVID-19 crisis, there’s actually some good news: this is a great time to work on getting your home ready to be put on the market and you can accomplish a lot, even while staying home. 

Getting a home market ready takes some work, and many homeowners spend weekend after weekend repainting, making trips to the home improvement store, and rearranging furniture. Spending extra time at home means you can spread out projects over the course of several days or weeks, instead of giving up all your free time on the weekend. Plus, since you’ll be home, you might notice some smaller projects that need your attention, as you’ll be more focused on your space. 

Deep Clean

You want your home to look and smell clean when it’s time for an open house and/or private showings. Of course you’ll need to dust and vacuum the day of, but most of us have areas of our home that need to be deep cleaned every few weeks. Being home right now is the perfect time to tackle some bigger cleaning projects. Not only will your potential homebuyers be more impressed with the state of your home, but it will make it more enjoyable for your and your family as well. 

Bathrooms and kitchens are two spots that tend to need a deep cleaning every so often. Both areas are used frequently by everyone in the home, so naturally dirt, grime, mildew, and stains build up. Consider cleaning the floors, counter tops, sinks + faucets, the stove top, and appliances. In the bathroom, give your shower or tub a deep clean and notice how shiny and new it looks after. Your potential buyers will definitely take notice, and your family will absolutely enjoy using spaces that feel and look clean. 

Patch Up Walls and Get Rid of Scuff Marks

Scuff marks happen from normal wear and tear. Usually they are pretty easy to get out, but some might require a little elbow grease. Mr. Clean Magic erasers are great for getting scuff marks out of walls and doors. If that doesn’t work, you might need to do a little paint touch up. And while you’re at it, patch up any holes or spots that have been damaged over time. Kids, pets, moving furniture, deliveries, family gathers, etc., all lead to things and people bumping into the walls. 

Some areas, such as entryways, get a ton of use each day and can usually use a bit of a touch up. Baseboards also collect dust and can end up with cracks or holes, so don’t forget to look down when doing an audit of what needs some work. Doors can also get scuffed up, and it makes a big difference when a door looks clean and bright as you’re walking through a home. Remember — potential home buyers want to feel like they can move in without having to do a ton of work to fix up the home (can you say move-in ready?).

Repaint Using Neutral Colors

Many homeowners use paint colors to add style and personality to their homes. But, when it comes to selling a home, neutral colors go a long way. Buyers don’t want to have to picture what a space will look like in white, grey, or another neutral color. And you have to remember that not everyone has a good imagination, so you want to make things as easy as possible when it comes to what they see and take all the guesswork out of it. Plus, certain neutral colors will make a space look bigger + brighter. Making your dining room, living room, and other common areas seem more open and spacious gives interested homebuyers more possibility when it comes to how they see and feel about the space. 

Declutter 

Marie Kondo came into our homes and hearts (via Netflix) last year and taught us that we need to let go of items that don’t bring us joy. Decluttering your home creates mental space as well, and will make a world of difference in how your home shows during an open house. You might think that stuffing things into drawers and closets is a good temporary fix, and while it might work for a showing, it doesn’t help you in the long run. By getting rid of clutter now, you’ll make your upcoming home sale much easier. Don’t forget — selling a home means you’ll be moving too, so having less junk to sift through for your own move will make life much easier. If you’re living in the Northshore of MA, check out Junk, Junk, Baby for help with getting rid of furniture, appliances, and more. Your declutter project might lead you to toss large items as well, and having professionals help could make it easier and save you time.

In addition to Junk, Junk Baby, below are a few of my favorite local North Shore and Southern, NH vendors to help make selling a breeze.

  • If organizing is not your forte, My Mad Packers, is a local favorite to help keep things in order.
  • Love the impact of a deep clean but don’t want to do it yourself? Try Cleaner Details.
  • Does the idea of painting make you cringe? Patriot Painting does a wonderful job.
  • Staging can truly entice potential buyers to make an offer. If you need expert staging, I love JB Homestyle Interiors

My 10 Best Tips for First Time Home Buyers Revealed

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Buying a home for the first time can be exciting… and overwhelming. Especially when you see homes being purchased at a median cost of $426,000 in Massachusetts and flying off the market as soon as you can find them.

With these current real estate trends, it’s understandable that you may find yourself tempted to impulse buy the first home you find – one doesn’t check all your boxes and worse, one that could hurt your financial goals and keep you locked into a mortgage well into retirement.

Nobody wants this. You don’t want this and I don’t want this for you! Trust me when I say it’s worth the patience and doing things the right way. The right way meaning buying a home that you love, of course, and one that doesn’t break the bank.

I know what you’re thinking… “Yeah, that’s all well and wonderful, Maura; but where do I even start?”  

That is possibly the best question you could ask a top-performing Keller Williams Realtor in Massachusetts. I know exactly how to get you through this trying time and I’d be happy to help you. First, let’s start with my top 10-tips that I’ve assembled to help first-time homebuyers tackle the home-buying process. Buying a home should be a blessing, not a burden – so let’s walk through these tips together.

Top Ten Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

  1. Pay off all debts & set aside some emergency cash.

Owning a home is EXPENSIVE. Once you purchase your dream abode, you become responsible for SO many things. Broken faucets, leaky shower drains, frozen pipes… the possibilities are endless when it comes to maintaining a home and the costs can and will add up. So, before even thinking about buying your first home, wipe your slate clean and pay off all of your debts and prepare an emergency fund for up to 6 months of expenses.

2. Determine just How Much House you Can Afford

Budget, Budget, Budget. It’s easy to fall in love with a massive beauty but can you afford the massive mortgage payment attached to it? You need to budget accordingly and leave room for other necessities (including HOA fees, taxes, insurance, etc.)

For example, let’s say you bring home $5,000 a month. Multiply that by 25% to establish your maximum monthly house payment of $1,250. Based on a 15-year mortgage with a 4% fixed interest rate, here are the home options you can afford (not including taxes and insurance)…

Let’s do some math:

  • $187,767 home with a 10% down payment ($18,777)
  • $211,238 home with a 20% down payment ($42,248)
  • $241,415 home with a 30% down payment ($72,424)
  • $281,650 home with a 40% down payment ($112,660)

That’s an easy way to find a number in your ballpark. But don’t forget that property taxes and homeowner’s insurance will affect your monthly payment. You’ll also need to factor those numbers in before settling on a maximum home price.

If you use the above example and enter $211,238 into this handy mortgage calculator, you’ll find that your maximum monthly payment of $1,250 increases to $1,515 when you add in $194 for taxes and $71 for insurance. To drop that number back down to your monthly housing budget of $1,250, you’ll have to lower the price of the house you can afford to $172,600.

Since property tax rates and the cost of homeowner’s insurance vary, check with your real estate agent and insurance company for estimates to calculate how much house you can afford.

3. Continue to Save up for that Down Payment

Rule of thumb? 20% (or more) of the total house price is recommended as a down payment on a home purchase.

4. Save for Closing Costs

Remember when I said maintaining a home was expensive? I meant to say buying one was as well. Along with your down payment, you are going to need to set aside money to pay for closing costs. On average, closing costs are about 3-4% of the purchase price of your new home. Your mortgage lender will give you a total number so you know what to bring with you on closing day. You may be wondering what this fee covers. It covers:

  • Appraisal
  • Home Inspection
  • Credit Report
  • Attorney
  • Homeowner’s Insurance

5. Get Preapproved

Did you go ahead and clear your debts, stay debt-free, and save your money the down payment as well as the closing costs? YES! Then you are ready to go ahead and start your application for a loan. I happen to know the best loan originator around if you are looking.

Stephen J. Lewis

Licensed Mortgage Originator

Branch Manager

c. 781-706-1145

o. 978-750-1080 x.11

e. [email protected]

Preapproval is important because it shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer which is a great way for a buyer to stay ahead in a competitive market.

6. Find a Home for Sale in your Price Range

This is the FUN part. According to recent data reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), most buyers either found the home they purchased online (50%) or through a real estate agent (28%). Doing both sets you up for success! You can find your dream home simply by looking through my listings or contacting me to do the search for you.

7. Research Neighborhoods

Finding the perfect home is important but don’t choose a home based on the property alone. The quality and location of the neighborhood need to be a factor in your decision. Ask your real estate agent for information on crime rates and the quality of schools around your prospective neighborhoods. Calculate your new commute times to see if they seem manageable. Visit the neighborhood at different times and days to check for traffic conditions and noise levels and to see if people are comfortable being outdoors. Only choose a neighborhood that you and your family feel good about.

8. Attend Open Houses

Once you’ve narrowed down which neighborhoods you like the most, visit open houses of homes you weren’t even considering. Why? It’s a great way to learn about where you want to live – maybe meet the people you want to eventually live beside and call your neighbors; become acquainted with the area. The house may not be your dream home, but when do eventually find the house you love, you’ll know because you’ll have something to compare it to.

9. Make an Offer

You’ve found your HOME. You’re already preapproved which is GREAT and you want to make an offer. But, how much should you offer? This is where you can rely on an experienced Keller Williams Agent, like myself, to use my expertise and guide you through buying a home for the first time. It’s important to make sure your offer is competitive but well within your budget and the home’s value. Don’t be impulsive and offer a value higher than you can afford in an effort to subdue the competition. Sometimes, the simplest effort can win the prize.

PRO TIP. Writing a personalized letter to the seller of the home helps your offer stand out amongst multiple bids.

10. Prepare for Closing

Your offer has been accepted! It’s time to prepare for the average closing process of 43 days – which gives plenty of time to tackle a few items.

  • Appraisal
  • Home Inspection
  • Homeowner’s Insurance

Your realtor will schedule the few remaining steps, such as the inspection and final walkthrough and keep you updated every step of the way. As you prepare during this very exciting time, be sure to read every document. If you don’t understand something, ASK; especially before you sign an official contract.

Need help finding a home in Massachusetts or New Hampshire? Get in touch with me, Maura Allard, Senior Real Estate Specialist with Keller Williams Beverly.

Stephen J. Lewis

Licensed Mortgage Originator

Branch Manager

c. 781-706-1145

o. 978-750-1080 x.11

e. [email protected]

Preapproval is important because it shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer which is a great way for a buyer to stay ahead in a competitive market.

6. Find a Home for Sale in your Price Range

This is the FUN part. According to recent data reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), most buyers either found the home they purchased online (50%) or through a real estate agent (28%). Doing both sets you up for success! You can find your dream home simply by looking through my listings or contacting me to do the search for you.

7. Research Neighborhoods

Finding the perfect home is important but don’t choose a home based on the property alone. The quality and location of the neighborhood need to be a factor in your decision. Ask your real estate agent for information on crime rates and the quality of schools around your prospective neighborhoods. Calculate your new commute times to see if they seem manageable. Visit the neighborhood at different times and days to check for traffic conditions and noise levels and to see if people are comfortable being outdoors. Only choose a neighborhood that you and your family feel good about.

8. Attend Open Houses

Once you’ve narrowed down which neighborhoods you like the most, visit open houses of homes you weren’t even considering. Why? It’s a great way to learn about where you want to live – maybe meet the people you want to eventually live beside and call your neighbors; become acquainted with the area. The house may not be your dream home, but when do eventually find the house you love, you’ll know because you’ll have something to compare it to.

9. Make an Offer

You’ve found your HOME. You’re already preapproved which is GREAT and you want to make an offer. But, how much should you offer? This is where you can rely on an experienced Keller Williams Agent, like myself, to use my expertise and guide you through buying a home for the first time. It’s important to make sure your offer is competitive but well within your budget and the home’s value. Don’t be impulsive and offer a value higher than you can afford in an effort to subdue the competition. Sometimes, the simplest effort can win the prize.

PRO TIP. Writing a personalized letter to the seller of the home helps your offer stand out amongst multiple bids.

10. Prepare for Closing

Your offer has been accepted! It’s time to prepare for the average closing process of 43 days – which gives plenty of time to tackle a few items.

  • Appraisal
  • Home Inspection
  • Homeowner’s Insurance

Your realtor will schedule the few remaining steps, such as the inspection and final walkthrough and keep you updated every step of the way. As you prepare during this very exciting time, be sure to read every document. If you don’t understand something, ASK; especially before you sign an official contract.

Need help finding a home in Massachusetts or New Hampshire? Get in touch with me, Maura Allard, Senior Real Estate Specialist with Keller Williams Beverly.

Tips on How to Declutter

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The Process of Selling a Home

I was recently tasked with cleaning out the home of a deceased love one.  It was part heart-breaking, and part treasure-hunt.  Throwing away a loved ones’ belongings is difficult, and when family members are short on time, unfortunately, many items that could be donated or gifted end up in the dumpster.  

After reflecting on this process I offer the following practical tips – many which we used this past weekend – but as a homeowner, you can start doing now.  And yes, purging can be difficult, but it can also make you feel lighter!

  • Books – keep your treasured books, the ones that you enjoy rereading or have made an impact on your life, and donate the others to a local library.  The library will provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.
  • Clothing – items in good condition can go to consignment shops, clothing can be donated to back-to-work programs that provide professional clothing for low-income individuals to look fantastic on the job. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrift stores are also great resources.
  • Antiques – garage, attic, and basement overflowing with antiques or fine furniture?  Estate sale companies can take these items off of your hands and into the hands of people who also appreciate antiques.
  • Paperwork – Label important paperwork in an easy to find place.  Invest in a quality shredder and shred anything more than 7 years old.  Recycle magazines, newspapers, etc.  You cannot use 7-year-old coupons!

For everything else, I was fortunate that I found a company that will come in and take any item that can be sold at auction; afterward, they provide a percentage of the proceeds. And there’s also Give Back Box, which makes donating easy.

It is never too early to start removing clutter and “stuff” from our lives!

Questions?

If you have any questions about getting your home ready for a big change, please get in touch!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

Home Buying Help from an Experienced Realtor

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Happy 2020, Friends!

You may have recently seen on social media that I am the one moving on this time! I have joined Keller Williams in Beverly. I extremely grateful and thankful for all I learned at Century 21 and the tremendous agents and staff that supported me over the last 5 years. I’m very excited about the forward-thinking technology that Keller Williams offers which will allow me to help both my sellers and buyers.

If you’re thinking of selling this year NOW is the time to talk.  Let’s meet, determine the value of your property and discuss what projects that may need to be done to get your home looking ready to SELL this year.

Is this the year we BUY your first home, dream home or downsize to a smaller home? 

Winter is a great time to start looking for a home. There’s less competition, buyers are most serious, and there’s less wait to get a loan. 

Great news! Nothing has changed. You can still reach me by calling/texting 978-835-8954 or dropping me an email at [email protected]. You can also fill in the form below!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

The Homebuying Wrap-up

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Thank you all!

As we wrap up 2019 (and the decade!), I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to all of my clients.  By the end of the year, I’ll have helped 50 families buy, sell, or lease their homes!

Many years ago, I was a single mom with two young beautiful boys struggling to make ends meet.  I could never have imagined then the way my life would look now.  When I think about how far I’ve come, I’m humbled and grateful to the clients whose trust in me allowed me to build such a successful business.

I try to show my gratitude in simple small ways – every year I deliver cupcakes to all clients who bought or sold with me during the year, and to clients who have referred their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to me.  I also make a trip to my clients in assisted-living and bring along some extra cupcakes for their new friends to enjoy.  

Luckily, my talented cousin does the baking!  She runs “One Little Cake” from her home in Beverly, ever since leaving her corporate job to stay home with her son with Cystic Fibrous.  I highly recommend her baking, especially at this time of year!

Cupcakes for everyone!

Let’s Talk!

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the North Shore in 2020, we should talk!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

Real Estate in Saugus, Massachusetts

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Why we Love Living Here!

Do you love the beach and nature? In Saugus, you can get away from it all, but still enjoy easy access and short commutes. If could be the right place for you and your family!

But it’s a popular place to live, and the real estate market is very competitive – so make sure you work with a realtor who knows (and loves) the area!

Let’s talk about Saugus!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

Buying a Home in Lynn, Massachusetts

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Have you ever thought about living in Lynn, Massachusetts?

It’s close to Boston, the airport, and has great transit connections.

Best of all, Lynn is diverse and has a great downtown.

Let’s talk about finding you and your family a home in Hamilton/Wenham! Send me a message below.

Let’s Talk!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

Real Estate in Hamilton, Massachusetts

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Hamilton/Wenham is great for families and nature-lovers. And I think The Musary music instrument lending library is one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard of!

It’s no wonder Hamilton/Wenham has been rated as one of the best places to live in the area.

Let’s talk about finding you and your family a home in Hamilton/Wenham!

Get in Touch

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PLACES TO LIVE IN BOSTON’S NORTH SHORE

Buying a Home in Peabody • Living in Beverly • Homes for sale in Danvers

500 Cummings Center
Suite 1550
Beverly, MA 01915

978.835.8954
[email protected]
[email protected]

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