How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent
The Essential House-Hunting Guide for First-Time Homebuyers, Part Four: Identifying the Real Estate Agent Who Will Be the Best Fit for You There may be nobody who will play a more important role in the homebuying process than your real estate agent. When you select the professional you want to work with, you are entering into a relationship that is likely to last many months,...
Read More 10 Q&As About the Mortgage Preapproval Process
The Essential House-Hunting Guide for First-Time Homebuyers, Part Three: Getting Preapproved for a Mortgage One of the most important steps in the homebuying process is getting preapproved for a mortgage. To help you understand how this process works and why getting a preapproval letter from a lender is something you should do as soon as possible, we have gathered advice from several local professionals,...
Read More How to Find Your Perfect Home
The Essential House-Hunting Guide for First-Time Homebuyers, Part Two: Creating a Comprehensive Wants-and-Needs List to Help You Find Your Perfect Home Before you get too deep into searching for a home, it’s a good idea to have a clear vision of the features you’d like in your first condo or house. Otherwise, using house-hunting apps, with their millions of home listings, can quickly lead you...
Read More Financial Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
The Essential House-Hunting Guide for First-Time Homebuyers, Part One: Start by Reviewing Your Financial Situation If you’re at the beginning of the homebuying process, we know this is an extremely exciting time in your life. However, we also know that the homebuying process might be causing you to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and confused because there are so many things you need to do to...
Read More Why It’s Essential to Have the Right Replacement Cost Coverage for Your Home, Condo Association, or Apartment Building
Whether you’re a homeowner, a trustee of a condominium association, or the landlord of an apartment building, one of your most important duties is taking good care of the property you’re responsible for. This obligation goes well beyond making sure the landscaping is maintained, necessary repairs are performed, and the building is up to code. If a catastrophe, such as a fire or hurricane, were...
Read More Protect Your Home Systems, Part 3: Home Systems Insurance
What Is the Best Way to Protect Your Critical Home Appliances, Systems, and Equipment? (Part Two of a Three-Part Blog Series) When you own a house or condo, there is no truer statement than, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” (Murphy’s Law). Your furnace is likely to call it quits in the middle of winter, your garage door opener is going to break...
Read More Protect Your Home Systems, Part 2: Home Warranty
What Is the Best Way to Protect Your Critical Home Appliances, Systems, and Equipment? (Part Two of a Three-Part Blog Series) A lot of time, effort, and money goes into buying a home. Once you’re moved in, though, especially if it’s your first time purchasing a house or condo, you may be thinking that it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of...
Read More Protect Your Home Systems, Part 1: Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty
What Is the Best Way to Protect Your Critical Home Appliances, Systems, and Equipment? (Part One of a Three-Part Blog Series) Murphy’s Law states, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” When you own a house or condo, there is no truer statement. Your furnace is likely to call it quits in the middle of winter, your garage door opener is going to break...
Read More Getting Your Home or Condo Ready for Sale
What You Should Be Doing to Prepare Your House or Condo for Sale Putting your home on the market can be a stressful endeavor, no matter when you choose to make the leap. So, attempting to sell during a national crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic may seem like an insurmountable challenge that sellers might want to avoid. However, based on information from the Massachusetts Association...
Read More Ice Dams: Interesting Facts and Important Prevention Tips
Should you be worried about an ice dam forming on your roof and gutters when colder weather arrives? If past winters are any indication, the answer is yes. New England has traditionally been a hotbed for these seasonal hassles, especially following a heavy snowfall. Even if we happen to have an unusually warm winter with little to no snow accumulation, your home will not necessarily...
Read More