Things are changing in the real estate business. Full-service brokerages are under attack by the Feds, the Internet, by guys working out of their second bedrooms in their pajamas (…). The article below is about a “discount” broker – that’s a company / person who does the barest minimum of work for a seller, and […]
Moving to a new city: own or rent?
If you’re moving to a new city, should you buy a home right away, or rent for awhile? My friends, it’s an easy choice. First, though, I’m talking about if you are moving into a city, not near a city. If you are moving into the suburbs, I think you should probably buy, especially if […]
Buying a property with your unmarried partner can cause trouble
So, what if you decide, for whatever reason, to buy a property with your lover? Or, with a friend? Is it possible? Yes, of course. Is it easy? Not too difficult – most real estate lawyers, in this day and age, have handled these types of transactions. Definitely check with an attorney, before you and […]
Boston Condos 2018: All about title insurance
It’s something you pay for, as a buyer, when you close on the purchase of a house or condo. Yet, you might not think about it, too much. Well, until you get to the closing table, and you face a bill of $1,000, or $2,000, or more. What do you do? You figure it must […]
What is the value of your home?
I read last week that real estate agents shouldn’t be asking, what is your home worth, but, rather, what is the value of your home. Apparently, there’s a difference. Especially, when you’re trying to get your sellers to lower their price. Anyway, how can you find out the value of your home (meaning, house or […]
Most awesome comment, ever
Ashburn, Va.: I’m so mad at my neighbor. I bought my new home here in Ashburn last summer and plan to sell it next year (after holding two years to avoid taxes) to make a nice return on my investment. The problem is my neighbor is trying to sell his house (very similar to mine) […]
Hi, it’s me, your developer. We’re renting out the rest of our Boston condos
Has anyone had this happen to them, yet? I don’t know the legality of it (I’m sure your condo docs cover it … or maybe, they don’t, seeing as the developers are the one who wrote them), but I fear that some of the new projects coming online may end up being partially rented out, […]
Ten things to ask your home inspector (actually, eleven)
Having a home inspection before you sign the purchase and sale contract on your new condo is a must. In Massachusetts, someone wishing to become an associate home inspector must assist in at least 25 home inspections, attend classes, and pass a state-administered exam. Someone wishing to become a home inspector must assist in at […]
When your apartment complex goes condo, and then doesn’t
Apartment renters definitely get a bad deal, a lot of the time. I know, only too well, the pitfalls of renting. Ugh. It’s never fun. Either your apartment is run-down (cold water, much?) or you pay way too high a price in rent. Things could definitely be worse, however. It doesn’t happen a lot in […]
Most awesome mortgage calculator, ever!
Shout out to past (and future) client, Scott, from LA, who sent me the link to this great mortgage loan calculator. Actually, it’s a rent vs. buy calculator. You punch in the cost of the condo you want, how much you are putting down, estimated closing costs, annual taxes and insurance costs, and condo fees, […]
