Find Your Real Estate Match: How To Select the Ideal Realtor for Your Needs

These tips will help you choose the right agent for your real estate needs.

Selling your Massachusetts home? Get a home value report

Buying a Massachusetts home? Click here for full MLS access

How do you select your real estate agent? You have so many options, but you need to be smart when it comes to choosing which Realtor to work with. To help you make the right choice, here’s what you need to do: 1. Use word of mouth. Talk to people you know and find out if your family or friends have worked with real estate professionals. Determine what kind of experience they had. 2. Ask around town. Good Realtors are typically involved in their community and social activities, so talk to people in your town and see if they know one. 3. Use the internet. The internet provides access to a wealth of information about what real estate agents are doing. You can find out how many properties are being sold by an agent and what types of exposure your agent might have on the Internet.

"Ask about the marketing plan the agent is offering."

4. Use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Virtually every Realtor website enables you to access the MLS. By using this tool, you can judge whether the agents you find online have the expertise you're looking for. 5. Check license designations. Do this by visiting the Massachusetts Association of Realtors under the Realtors Board of Registration. 6. Conduct interviews. Find out if your agent is a full-time broker, how many years of experience they have, how many homes the agent has listed in the last two years, and how many of those were expired listings. Also, inquire about the marketing plan the agent offers to expose your property locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally. 7. Check if they’re prepared. During the meeting with an agent, see if they come prepared with documentation or information on recent price listings that are similar to your property. Also, you need to learn about the type of agency the agent is offering. Some specialize with buyers, some with sellers, and many represent both. Ensure that they clearly communicate and abide by the legal requirements of representation. If you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns, feel free to reach out. Call or email me anytime. I look forward to hearing from you!

Discover the Latest Trends in the Boston Real Estate Market: Home Sales Are Down

What buyers and sellers need to know about the Boston housing market.

Selling your Massachusetts home? Get a home value report

Buying a Massachusetts home? Click here for full MLS access

Today, I’m here to share some information about the Boston real estate market. The market trends for 2023 are very unique, so it’s important to stay caught up.

First, know that single-family home sales have fallen for the eighth month in a row, decreasing by 33.8%, down to 500 homes. The sales volume also reflects this trend, with a 44.8% decrease. Same with condominium sales, which are down 24%, from 728 last year around this time to 553 this year. Another important statistic to pay attention to is the list-to-sales-price ratio, which is at 96.6%. Plus, active listings have increased recently, climbing 55.5% to 925 listings last month. Lastly, you should know that buyers are returning to the market. This is because inventory levels are expected to improve soon, and rates are set to decrease, so people are eager to get into the spring market. If you have questions about any of this or have concerns about the market, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call me anytime at (978) 256-3306 or visit my website by clicking here. I hope to hear from you soon!

3 Things Inspectors Check in a Home Inspection

The three areas that inspectors typically check during home inspections.

Selling your Massachusetts home? Get a home value report

Buying a Massachusetts home? Click here for full MLS access

Do you know what things a home inspector looks for when they visit a property? Home inspectors will investigate every nook and cranny from the foundation to the roof to find anything that might affect the property’s value. Here are the main things that they will check:

1. Roof. Inspectors look for leaks, damaged or missing shingles, and moss growth. They also look for any problems with the flashing, gutters, vents, attic ventilation, and skylights, if your home has them. Make sure everything is watertight to avoid any major issues.

"Home inspections reveal the current condition of the home."

2. Structure. The foundation of the home should be solid and be able to stand the test of time. The inspector will usually check for cracks in the foundation or water damage to the siding or supports.

3. Utilities. The HVAC, filtration, plumbing, and electrical systems will all be thoroughly inspected to make sure they are all working properly and have no safety compromises. If they’re damaged or faulty, you should find out how much it costs to repair or replace them.

Depending on the age of the home, this can be a scary report, but take note of these areas and keep them in working order because the results of the inspection can influence your final price. Your Realtor is also there to help you understand the report and negotiate any repairs. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me by phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you!