An “as-is” home sale proposition releases home sellers from liabilities and repairs stemming from the home’s condition post-sale. That doesn’t mean a prospective buyer can’t request an inspection. It just means that the seller is not responsible for whatever the buyer discovers in that inspection. So if the inspection reveals issues, you can still sell your home.

If the home in question is a foreclosure, home buyers may be able to negotiate repairs a little more easily with a bank, particularly as they relate to safety hazards.

However regular home sales or short sales are often a different story. Time is generally a motivating factor and multiple offers may speed the process. Home sellers offering a good price are not going to want to do needed repairs if they can sell the property “as-is” to an anxious buyer.

Check local statutes and discuss them with an established real estate expert in your area to determine what you must disclose about your home, before deciding to sell. If you question the integrity of some area of your home, an “as-is” sale may be just the thing!

The post Selling Your Home “As-Is” appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

We are excited to announce some staffing changes at Boston Connect Real Estate (BCRE).

Susan Santilli will be working directly with Sharon McNamara, Broker|Owner as Team Liaison & Coordinator along with Mary Baker who will continue to work with Sharon as the Broker Assistant & Client Liaison as they continue to grow their real estate team to best serve their clients and continued referrals from them.  This newest position will ensure that Sharon will have more time with her client relationships as she is committed to always “Serving With Excellence”.  It will also gain her more time to her commitment to assist the Real Estate Advisors at BCRE to grow their individual real estate businesses.  At the same time, this new position will free up the Office Administration so they can concentrate and focus on the needs of our Real Estate Advisors.

Adele O’Neill will be taking over as the newest Office Administrative Coordinator and Agent Liaison along with Kate Sullivan who continues in that role.  Their time will be dedicated to maintaining the office and assisting the agents in their needs to best serve their clients.  Both will work in conjunction with our Office Manager & Training Director, Trish Flynn.

Trish Flynn will continue her role as Office Manager and will manage the Office Administrative Coordinators.  She will also continue her role as Training Director for new agent education.  She will be working in conjunction with the continued efforts of Donna Bagni, Mentoring Coordinator as she continues to nurture the development of our new agents.

Boston Connect Real Estate is committed to grow our organization from the inside out.  We are excited to make these adjustments in our staffing so we can continue to “Serve Our Clients & Agents With Excellence”.

Thank you for your continued confidence in us as your Real Estate Advisors.  We are grateful for your support.

The post appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), builders have begun recognizing the need to design and construct homes around younger buyers these days. “As the economy recovers and young people who had to live at home with their parents move forward with their lives and achieve their dreams of homeownership,” reports NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, “home builders are delivering homes that cater to the floor plans, features and affordability that this generation desires.”

That means that energy efficient homes, tankless water heaters and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances top the list and that doors, windows and insulation are a focus, as well. In large part these options are requested due to the longer term annual savings over the life of the home. A recent NAHB study found that older homes (constructed prior to 1960) can expect maintenance costs of $564 a year, while homes constructed after 2008 averaged only $241 annually.

With that in mind Judson stresses that now is the time for young professionals to buy homes. “There are outstanding opportunities in the current market,” Judson explained. “With near record low interest rates, competitive prices and new homes being built that include open layouts, energy efficient components and other features that cater to young buyers.”

To learn more about current building trends, check the NAHB website or visit NAHB on Pinterest to get project ideas for updating your home.

The post Take a Look at Your Home – It’s National Homeownership Month appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

Melissa and Scott Appleton

The post I Highly Recommend You Work With Sharon McNamara appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

5 Tips To Maintaining Your Home

1. A yearly inspection of your HVAC system should keep air flowing nicely through your home, at the temperature you prefer. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to make it easy. At the very least, change the air filter (this really should be done monthly).
2. Evaluate the siding, particularly if it is wood, on your home. Repair any that has been exposed to moisture before it becomes a larger issue and complete any needed painting while the weather is warm.
3. Check the slant and grade of the ground around your home. It should flow away from the foundation, not towards it, to avoid flooding and puddles during storms.
4. Consider pruning plants and determining the health of large trees to avoid future problems.
5. Review your roof, attic, crawl space, basement, and fireplace chimney, making sure all pieces and parts are securely attached to avoid leaks and further damage.

Checking over these areas in your home and making any necessary repairs will allow to enjoy your weekends more this summer and take advantage of any available sunshine! Enjoy the warm weather!

The post 5 Tips To Keep Your Home Easily Maintained appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

Before the sale is closed and the deed transferred, you will need to have a professional inspection done anytime you purchase a home.

A full report can be completed in about two hours and will leave you with peace of mind and an awareness of potential issues in your future home. You may even choose to have a professional licensed in asbestos, lead, chemicals, mold, mildew, or pests inspect the home, too, to notify you of any unknown dangers.

Your home covers  the basics concerning:

• walls
• ceilings
• floors
• your roofs
• firewalls
• windows
• your foundation and slab
• electrical power
• water supply and pressure
• gas lines

Landscaping, walkways and driveways will also be evaluated.An inspector will note grading and drainage.  Any exposed general framing in beams, attics, roofing, HVAC and plumbing systems will be inspected, as well. Generally speaking the age and condition of roofing materials, plumbing and rain gutters will be noted, too, giving you an idea of your home’s maintenance history. Water heaters, fireplaces and the sprinkler systems, if applicable, should also be evaluated, as should appliances, alarms, and smoke detectors being left in the home to ensure a safe move-in.

The post Don’t Forget To Inspect Your Home in the Excitement! appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

Please Tune in to Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and Co-Host Andrew Monticone of Leader Bank as they discuss Loan Options.

You can Connect Directly with Andrew Monticone at

Leader Bank
AMonticone@LeaderBank.com
Ph: 781-474-5085
Cell: 617-680-3076
Fax: 781-465-7948

The post Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and Co-Host Andrew Monticone of Leader Bank appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

Please Tune in to Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and Mike Damon CPA as they discuss Tax Changes.

To Connect with Mike Directly
MDamon@damoncpa.com
(781) 924-5684

The post Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and Co-Host Mike Damon CPA appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

Please Tune In to Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and her Co-Host Janet LeBerge of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

You can connect with Janet Directly at
(781) 308-4447
www.dirtydeedscheap.com

The post Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara and Co-Host Janet LeBerge of Dirty Deeds appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

This is good news for you and your home because it gives you an easier way to communicate when it comes time to buy or sell your home.

Perhaps you are in the market to buy a home… simply show favorite home ideas to your real estate agent to see if any similar properties are currently for sale. You could also show your ideas and ask how they compare to your price range.

As a home seller, you can use the millions of photos and idea books to decide quick fixes to get your home ready to be placed on the market.

With photo spreads, both buyers and sellers benefit. There is no longer the need to labor over how to express yourself with words when it comes to explaining a home look. You can even see post renovation shots that are similar to projects you are considering for your home. However, viewing some the pictures may have you reconsidering whether or not you really want to buy or sell your home, too!

One other benefit you’ll find on Houzz is the compilation of excellent contractors and renovators found there. Many have uploaded projects and idea books in the Houzz galleries, too, complete with reviews on their services, to give you a very clear understanding of how each one works.

Houzz reports that 10% of Houzz home owners and 50% of Houzz renters plan on buying a home in the next 2 years. Additionally 10% more will be building a custom home, according to the 2013 Houzz & Home survey. Using Houzz as a tool may make the buying process smoother in ensuing years. If you’ve had a positive experience explaining your home needs through photos, please let us know.

The post Communicate More Easily About Your Home with Houzz appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

The Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) reported the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) at 3.59% (0.7 point) last week, which is still lower that the average rate of 3.78% a year ago. The current average 15-year FRM came in at 2.77% (0.7 point), versus the reported 2012 rate of 3.04%.

The rate increase has been gradual and is not expected to affect your home sales at this point.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, at Freddie Mac, responded to the higher rates, saying,”While this may slow some of the refinance momentum, rates are nonetheless low and home-buyer affordability high, which should further aid home sales and construction in coming weeks. For instance, in April, single family housing permits rose to the strongest pace since May 2008 while existing home sales for the same month grew the most since November 2009. Moreover, the National Association of Realtors® reported that the median number of days on the market for these sales fell from 62 to 46 days, the fewest since it began collecting the data in May 2011.”

Little change was seen in the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), shown at 2.63% (.5 point) for May 23, 2013 as compared to 2.83% for the same time period last year, and the 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM is currently averaging 2.55% (0.4 point), while last year it came in at 2.75%.

To read more about the housing market and review current and historic rates, please click here.

The post Will Creeping Mortgage Rates Affect Your Home? appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

If you are selling your home, you probably are already trying to pare down your belongings. Less clutter in your home will result in a quicker sale, easier staging and a reduction in relocation cost, due simply to volume. If you are buying your home, its best to curtail spending until the close of escrow for two reasons; less to move and your finances look better for loan qualification.

As a home seller or home buyer, it is paramount to recognize the time you will need to spend on transitioning your home. Take all deadlines and estimates seriously and make a plan early that breaks down the steps of your move.

Add Order to Your Move
Create lists that detail your timelines and milestones. Plan when your moving date is and then step through the weeks between and set specific dates when you will hire movers or pick up boxes and bubble wrap. Think about how you want to notify neighbors of your move and who might help you as your seek to sift through your belongings.

You can elect to pack up your home room by room, color coordinate labels, or enlist the help of others if you approach the move to your home with lists that are easily understood, too. Recognize that you can always call in help if needed through rental, moving and cleaning services and friends if you discover your plans are being frustrated.

It’s Hard To Say Goodbye
Though your move will undoubtably be a good thing long-term, any change can be difficult. As you consider leaving friends, co-workers, and relatives on your new adventure, try to plan a last activity where you can all connect, update contact information, and relax. You’ll find that moving can be an emotional whirlwind and having your support group invested in your success will make it easier. If you have children and pets, recognize that they are moving too and plan extra activities and decompression time for them as well.

Stay Well During The Move
Even if you’re the best planner, be prepared for the unexpected. Getting enough sleep, healthy eating, and taking care of yourself will help you adjust to mix-ups and changes. Rely on your lists to give you direction throughout all stages of your move and help you more fully enjoy and embrace relocating your home.

The post Reducing Stress When Relocating Your Home appeared first on BOSTON CONNECT REAL ESTATE SERVICES.