A Quick Spring Checklist
Maintenance makes a difference! As much of a pain as it can be at times, some small maintenance items can save you quite a bit of money. Here are five things to accomplish this spring:
Get your HVAC serviced.
HVAC repairs can get expensive quick so having your system cleaned and serviced yearly before you run the A/C all summer can make a difference! Usually this will only run you about $75-100. At the VERY LEAST make sure you change the filter and clean your condenser. Hose it off, use a shop-vac to clean out the coils, and make sure there isn't any dirt or plants up against it. These things will trap moisture and cause the unit to deteriorate.
Clean your window weep holes.
What's a weep hole? At the base of your window on the outside, you'll see small holes or slits (like this). Make sure they are clear, use a small pick to clean them out if necessary. These weep holes allow your window to drain any water that may have seeped in which could lead to rotting if it stays trapped.
Seal cracks and check for rotted wood.
After the winter your home and driveway has likely suffered some frost damage. Take a walk around with an acrylic caulking gun and reseal any cracks or gaps you may see on the outside of your home. And if any of the wood appears to be rotten then it would be good to replace it. Also, check your driveway... Have any major cracks sealed to prevent further deterioration. No one wants to repave their driveway if they don't have to!
Clean your dryer vents!
These last two items are important safety concerns. Make sure to clean out your dryer vents both from the inside and outside of your home. You'll be surprised how much lint makes it passed your filter and a clog can lead to a greatly increased risk of fire.
Test your smoke & CO detectors!
We say this a lot, but it can not be stressed enough! Make sure your detectors work, have fresh batteries, and are not expired. A small chore like this can quite literally save your life. A good rule of thumb is to do this every time you change the clocks back or forward.
728 Auburn St G2, Whitman, MA
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Sold
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$230,000
2 beds - 1.5 baths - 1,156 sq. ft.
MLSPIN #: Coming SoonView on Google MapsA great opportunity to buy a move-in ready town home in historic Whitman, MA! This two bedroom condo has new flooring, fresh paint and a recently replaced water heater. A home perfect for anyone looking for the low-maintenance lifestyle that comes with condo living. Enjoy the summer months barbecuing on your private back deck overlooking the woods, and in the winter, build a warm fire in your wood-burning fireplace and cozy up while watching a good movie. Call today to be first in line to see it for yourself!
Floor Plan
Click to enlarge. This floor plan is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Community
Name: Eliot WoodsYear Built/Converted: 1989Total Units: 68Parking: 2 outdoor spaces
Utilities
Cooking: ElectricHeating: Forced air, natural gas, 1 wood fireplaceCooling: Central airWater: Private waterSewer: City/town
Estimated Costs
2018 Taxes: $3,151 per yearAssociation Fee: $250 per monthFee Includes: Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Exterior Maintenance, Road Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Refuse Removal[/trx_column_item][/trx_columns]
6 Adam St #8, Easton, MA
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Under Agreement
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$234,500
2 beds - 1.5 baths - 1,052 sq. ft.
MLSPIN #: 72311563A wonderful opportunity to live in one of Easton's most popular condo communities! Aside from being incredibly well-maintained, this two bedroom townhome has an impressive list of updates including quartz counters and stainless Frigidaire appliances. The kitchen sits next to the open living/dining area that is perfect for time with friends and family. Just outside you have a private patio for grilling and enjoying those summer nights. Upstairs you'll find the two bedrooms, a full bath and laundry (no carrying baskets downstairs!). The spacious master bedroom w/ walk-in closet is sure to impress. Easton Crossing is a lovely, pet-friendly community with a pool, community room, and athletic courts - all just minutes from Route 24! First showings at the open house on Sunday, April 22nd from 1-3pm.
List of Improvements:
- Kitchen Quartz Counters - 2017
- Tile Backsplash - 2017
- LG A/C Units - 2017
- Frigidaire Kitchen Appliances - 2016
- Pad and Carpet - 2016
- Bosch Washer and Dryer - 2014
Floor Plan
click to enlarge
[/trx_column_item][trx_column_item span="1"][trx_button type="square" style="light" size="medium" align="none" top="15" bottom="20" link="#Showing"]Book a showing[/trx_button]
Community
Name: Easton CrossingYear Built/Converted: 1976/2005Total Units: 188Parking: 2 deeded outdoor spaces
Utilities
Cooking: ElectricHeating: Electric baseboard, 2 zonesCooling: 2 wall mounted A/CWater: TownSewer: Community treatment plant
Estimated Costs
2018 Taxes: $3,035 per yearAssociation Fee: $370 per month (+ $36 assessment for new roofs, added insulation for lower energy costs, and Pex plumbing)Fee Includes: Hot Water, Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Swimming Pool, Exterior Maintenance, Road Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Tennis Court, Exercise Room, Clubroom, Refuse Removal, Reserve FundsClick here to view the Easton Crossing budget, condo docs and site plan.[/trx_column_item][/trx_columns]
Make your offer stand out!
As you may know, when the real estate market is competitive it means as a buyer you could likely be competing with multiple offers on the same property. When this the case you need to make your offer stand out! Here’s a few ways to do just that.
Offer Price
This is obviously the most important part of the deal. When there are multiple offers it almost always means that you need to match the seller’s asking price or beat it. Going above the asking price is a good way to show that you are serious. How much above the asking price? Well that depends on many factors that you and your agent can sort through, but you need to make sure that you can still finance the home and that you don’t offer too much money (although it is OK to splurge a bit if this is the home of your dreams).
Financing
This is the second most important part of your offer, because without financing there is no deal, unless you happen to be a cash buyer. Assuming your offer price is the same or close to the other offers on the table, the seller will be looking for the buyer with the strongest financing, aka the least chance of their loan falling through. Cash is always king in these scenarios, so if you aren’t a cash buyer then you should try to put as much money down as you can reasonably afford to.
Contingencies
The common contingencies in real estate are the mortgage and home inspection, and sometimes the buyer’s home sale. Ultimately, the most attractive offers have the fewest amount of contingencies. If you need a mortgage then it’s impossible to waive that, which is why cash offers are always preferred. It’s also impossible to waive your home sale contingency if you need the equity from your current home to purchase this new one. So what can you control? The home inspection. Depending on you and the property, it is sometimes OK to forgo a home inspection or make it so that the results of the inspection cannot impact the sale. We only advise this if the home is in great condition, or if you have the ability and know-how to tackle the issues that could be hiding in the home.
Other Factors
What else can you do? Be flexible and kind! Try your best to accommodate the seller’s timing. Also, having an easy-going demeanor around their listing agent can go a long way as they often share those things with the seller. No one likes working with people who aren’t pleasant and reasonable. Finally, a nice touch is to include a short letter that tells them a bit about yourselves and what you love so much about their home. Sometimes some sincerity and nice words will go a long way!
Home Inventory is Down 37%
Over the past 3 months, home inventory (single-family and condos) through Massachusetts has dropped 36.6% from 15,879 total homes on market to 10,066.
What does this mean?
It means two things. First, if you've been thinking of selling, now is a great time to get your home listed for sale. In these market conditions, a good agent who properly markets your home should be able to make your home stand out among the rest. While it can't be guaranteed, the low inventory should help your chances of seeing a multiple offer scenario. > Learn about selling with us and reach out for an estimate of your home's value.Second, if you're a buyer, the market is going to be fairly competitive as new homes pop up for sale. This means that you need to set your self apart as a "strong buyer". You should have a solid pre-approval, the ability to put down a decent deposit on the home, and the flexibility to adapt to what the seller is ideally hoping for. These factors vary from home to home and seller to seller, so an experienced agent will know to ask the right questions, and will then be able to position your offer for the best chance of success. A great first step is to have a quick discussion with us about your situation. > We'd love to help find you a home!