Ken Talks Boston Real Estate Blog: April 2014

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Spring Home Sprucing for Boston Real Estate

A new season is here and many home sellers in Boston are newly confident not just in the local real estate market, but in their ability to sell quickly and at the right price. But that coveted real estate transaction doesn't come without work! First, a bit of spring cleaning is in order, especially to boost curb appeal at your Boston homes. Boston homebuyers are looking for inviting properties this spring and with these tips you can make a great impression:

Spruce Up the Yard

What is the first thing you notice when looking for homes in Boston? The exterior! It's a great idea to start your spring sprucing with the yard. Messy yards don't exactly leave homebuyers with a positive feeling when they walk through the door. This spring, clean up the yard and remove all debris, including weeds. Also be sure to mow your yard to a short length and trim all of the flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Spruce Up the Exterior

It was a long, harsh winter and your home probably shows signs of that. Spring is the time to wash away all dirt and grime that has shown up on your home's exterior. Homebuyers will appreciate a clean home, even from the outside, and especially now that confidence is booming in the Boston real estate market.

Spruce Up the Flowers

If you're preparing to sell your Boston home, landscaping should be on your mind. Adding curb appeal by planting flowers, adding new trees, well-manicured shrubs and edging can really complete your yard this season. Take a look at the other homes in your neighborhood— are you impressed by a certain property's landscaping? Consider that when sprucing your yard. Homebuyers will likely be impressed by the same at your home.

Spruce Up the Lighting

Boosting your home's curb appeal may have placed it at the top of a Boston homebuyer's must-see list. Next up, add exterior lighting or replace your current fixtures to bring all of your home's best features to light, even after dark. If a homebuyer scouts the property when the sun goes down, your home will still be able to shine.

As your Boston real estate expert, I am happy to help you sell your home this spring. Contact me today to make a plan and chat about how you can further impress Boston homebuyers with your home's appeal.

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Your Moving Guide for Boston Real Estate

Now that spring is here in Boston, the weather is favorable for an easy moving experience. If you've taken advantage of this exciting time in the real estate market and purchased a new home, you'll soon be packing up the boxes. But no matter if you're a seasoned mover or you've just purchased your first home in Boston— moving tips are always helpful, especially from your local real estate agent. Here are a few tips to help keep things organized during your move to new Boston homes this spring:

Find a Reliable Moving Company

This should be your first step in the moving process. Not all homeowners like to do the heavy lifting themselves— that's where a moving company comes in handy. But it can be tough finding a moving company you can rely on, especially if you've never hired one. Get recommendations from family and friends, and better yet, your Boston real estate agent likely has one of their own they can steer you towards. Your Boston real estate agent has their finger on the pulse of the community, don't be afraid to ask for referrals.

Start a Moving Checklist

When it comes to moving, there is no such thing as too organized. Sit down and make a timeline, map out every step that will be involved. Break down the tasks that you should be doing each week and the pieces that should be moved during which times. You can even take organization to the next level and color coordinate your moving boxes. Keep a log of them with your timeline and to-do list. The earlier you start and the more organized you keep things, the easier the process will be!

Keep Your Budget in Mind

You've budgeted for your Boston home purchase, but what about your move? Many homebuyers often overlook the costs involved with moving. Your real estate agent is the best person to discuss the budget required for a move and what should be included. Do you have a tight budget? Your agent is just the real estate resource who can help you get it down to the essentials in order to keep costs low.

Referrals and Recommendations

All of the services you'll need for a move can be difficult to find. You'll save time and money in the long run when you use a trusted company with a proven record, so ask your real estate agent for the best picks. As KCM suggests, your Boston real estate agent can also "provide [you] with a list of people [they] recommend, including a cleaner, exterminator, interior decorator, handyman, contractor, and anyone else [they] find necessary or helpful during the moving process."

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Boston Real Estate Agents Essential This Spring!

For many this spring, buying a home in Boston is still very much a part of the American Dream. The housing market is continuing to recover, visibly stronger than it has been in past months, but prospective buyers are still wondering if they need to hire a Boston real estate agent. As you plan to get a jump on current mortgage rates and housing prices, keep in mind the following that an agent will help you achieve, including the purchase of a new Boston home!

They Have Experience
One of the smartest moves you can make as a Boston homebuyer, or home seller, is to team up with a Boston real estate agent that knows the area. If you're ready to buy, your real estate agent will know the which neighborhoods are the best fit for your homebuyer wants and needs. If you're ready to sell, your agent will know how to market your home to attract the right buyers. Remember, even if you're new to the Boston real estate market, you don't have to know everything. You can leave it to the pros!

They Know the Area
As a home seller, you'll want to make sure your home has a competitive price, given others in the area. Your Boston real estate agent will compare your home to similar properties and help find the best selling price. Once we determine how your home stacks up to others in the Boston real estate market, we will be able to market the home to the right buyers at the right price. Spring is going to be an exciting season for real estate— teaming up with an agent will help you take full advantage of the changing market.

They Know the Process

During the process of buying a home in Boston, lots of paperwork will be signed and filed. If you're a first-time buyer, this may look foreign to you, but don't worry! Your real estate agent will be there to explain every step and you can be assured they are working with your best interests in mind. One of the biggest benefits to you as a Boston homebuyer is having someone who's been through the process before in your corner, happy to answer any questions.

As your Boston real estate agent, I am happy to help you from the beginning stages of your home search to the final closing. Let's chat about how I can help your homeowner goals this spring!

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Saving for a Downpayment in Boston Real Estate

When considering a home purchase in Boston, it's easy to get caught up in how much to save for a downpayment. You may have even started considering your options— including credit lines. But before you exhaust all of your time learning how much will please your mortgage lender, take into account the following factors that also make a difference in your down payment:

The Downpayment

Unless you're a cash buyer in Boston real estate, there is no way around a downpayment for a home. Very few loan programs will actually allow you to buy a house without any money down. Buyers are typically putting down money of 5 percent to 20 percent when purchasing homes— but depending on the type of your loan, this can vary. "Conventional and FHA loans typically require minimum down payments of 5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively," reported AOL Real Estate. "On a $200,000 mortgage, that's $10,000 for conventional and $7,000 down for FHA. But buyers often put even more skin in the game."

The Backup

When you've pulled together enough money for a downpayment, lenders often want to know you have enough left to keep your mortgage payments going. One way the lenders can make sure you're fit to buy a new home in Boston is to require a certain amount of reserves. Restrictions of course vary by the type of loan and the borrower, but lenders may require at least one month of reserves that would be equal to your monthly payment on a new home, including the property taxes and insurance.

The Income

Lenders will also take into account your income when you begin your homebuying process in Boston. One significant aspect they will look at is how much money you will have left over after paying major expenses— this is known as residual income. Also, "lenders will take a close look at the ratio of your major monthly debts against your gross monthly income," AOL Real Estate added. "This is known as debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and different loan programs have different requirements."

When preparing to buy a home in Boston, it's important to get a handle on your finances and your options for a downpayment. Research the best loan types for your homeowner goals, consult your Boston real estate agent, and ask if you have questions. This is likely the most important purchase you will make; being financially prepared and thus, educated is the first step to success.

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

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