5 Ways Owning a Home in Boston Beats Renting

Today's real estate market has seen a boost in homebuyer motivation, given the rising costs of renting in Boston. Aside from the simple payment aspect of owning a home in Boston (one that goes toward your own mortgage and not your landlord's), there are numerous ways homeownership takes the cake.

For instance, net worth. A homeowner's net worth is over 30 times that of a renter. If you've been on the fence about buying a home in Boston, now might be the time for you to make it happen.

You can make it your own

When you choose homeownership over renting in Boston, you have the opportunity to truly make the spaces your own. The home is yours and you can choose to do with it what you will! There is no need to worry about losing your security deposit simply because you want to renovate the bathroom.

You are investing your money

Think of all of the money you've spent on rent over the years and how you could have applied that to a home in the Boston Metro Area. Each month you are paying a mortgage and through "forced savings" you are investing it in your home instead of spending it on other purchases. Then when the time comes to sell the home and your mortgage is paid off, you will more than likely walk away with a profit!

There are no landlords

When you own a home, there are no landlords to deal with— no landlords to prod about fixing that leaky faucet or one who might raise your rent next year. Owning a home means you are in charge of the home and you don't have to put up with landlords ever again.

You have tax deductions

Owning a home in Boston comes with a few perks, including certain tax deductions. As a homeowner, you have the ability to deduct mortgage interest payments and also eligible expenses like energy-efficient improvements. 

You'll buy less furniture

Did you know that homeowners generally spend less on furniture than renters? Renters tend to think of their homes as temporary and purchase furniture that will simply "fit the space." When you buy a home and settle in for years to come, you purchase pieces that you can see growing with you and those you'll want around for the long haul.

Ready to buy a home in Boston? I'm ready to help! Contact me today to see what's available in your desired neighborhood and how you can start your journey toward homeownership. 

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

Visit My Website

See Homes for Sale in Boston

Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

Contact Me

Boston Homebuyers Hold the Key to Speedy Sale

You may have heard the groans of past Boston homebuyers who believe the process takes too long, from start to finish. But what if I told you the time it takes to buy a home in Boston is ultimately up to the homebuyers themselves?

When surveying how long it takes to purchase Boston real estate, many will cite the amount of time to close on the mortgage once a buyer is under contract. However, that hardly factors in all of the steps leading up to that moment, from financial preparation through the home search and then to the closing. Every journey to buying a home in Boston is different, but ultimately up to the buyer.

Financial Prep
Saving to buy a home can take as long as you'd like, if you're planning to stockpile a larger downpayment for instance. It's always a great idea for homebuyers to clean up their credit scores and pay down their existing debt and this step can take years depending on the homebuyer's budget, especially if this is their first time buying Boston real estate.

Home Search
Finding the right home can be a challenge, given the inventory that's available at the time you begin house-hunting. According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers typically looked at 10 homes over 12 weeks before signing a contract last year. This is the most crucial (and personal) part of the homebuying process and finding the right balance between needs and wants in a home can take time.

Mortgage Closing
The closing on a home loan is often what buyers refer to when determining how long it takes to buy a home. Once under contract, the typical time frame is around 30 to 45 days, but that all depends on the loan type. The clock on this stage of the real estate process starts as soon as the purchase agreement is signed, but can often go on to require additional documents and resources to complete.

Your journey as a Boston homebuyer can take as little or as long as you'd like, but ultimately the timeline is up to you. Getting all of the documents and financial prep out of the way ahead of time makes the process that much easier and will get you from house hunt to closing quicker than those who skip a few steps along the way. As your Boston real estate expert, I'm here to help you move things along. Contact me today with any questions about how you can better prepare to buy this summer.

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

Visit My Website

See Homes for Sale in Boston

Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

Contact Me

How to Know If You're Ready to Buy Boston Real Estate

In my last blog post, I touched on how more Americans now see their homes as the best long-term investment, over others like stocks, gold and even simple savings. Another similar study found that homebuyers are now more confident than ever that now is the right time to buy a home in the Boston area. But the real question comes just before you begin that journey to purchasing a new home in Boston— are you really prepared? This season, especially before the busy summer gets underway, consider the following and factor into your preparation as a Boston homebuyer:

Time Your Purchase

Timing your Boston Metro real estate purchase can really make or break the sale— it's all about knowing which time will work best for you. A good rule of thumb is to begin your preparation one year before you plan to buy. Start with a mortgage calculator to find how much home you can afford, weighing the costs against your current expenses and determining how much you'll be saving (or not saving.) Be sure you take into account other expenses like homeowner's insurance, utilities and property taxes to get a good idea of total cost. Remember, if the numbers aren't exactly where you'd hope they'd be, you can always wait to purchase a home. Timing is everything.

Tend to Your Finances

Finances are the majority of what factors into your home purchase in the Boston area. Now is when you can start looking through your credit report, searching for errors to correct, and if you've not seen your credit score before, take the time to see if you can improve it. After all of your credit errors have been solved and your finances are clean and ready, you can begin saving for your home's downpayment. To purchase a home in the Boston area, you'll need at least 3.5 percent, so take that into consideration.

Know What You Like

When the time comes to start searching for homes for sale in Boston, make note of what you like. What types of homes catch your eye? Is it the number of bedrooms, the square footage, the overall style of the home? Learn exactly what features you want in a home and make a homebuyer wish list. Knowing what you like will make your home search much easier and you can narrow down homes by location and price range.

Preparing to buy a home in Boston is a process and one that may be best if started at least 12 months in advance. Don't delay! Get started today on the tasks above and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me! As your Boston real estate expert, I'm happy to discuss other steps you can take to ensure your homebuyer success this season.

Ken Snyder

Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro

Visit My Website

See Homes for Sale in Boston

Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

Contact Me

How Millennials Can Save Up to Buy a Home in Boston

As you probably know, buying a home in Boston is one of the biggest investments you’ll make during your lifetime. Saving up enough money to cover your mortgage payment, homeowner’s insurance and utility bills, not to mention having enough cash saved in case of an emergency, can be a big adjustment for even the most financially equipped homebuyer. For Millennials, the struggle is even more challenging. Faced with crippling student loan debt and a weak job market, the goal of buying a home in Boston is an uphill battle at best. Although homeownership may not be realistic in the immediate future, there are some steps you can take to begin improving your financial situation right away.

Examine your spending habits

There are various websites and mobile applications that can help you track your day-to-day spending. Do you often eat out for lunch, or get a coffee on your way to work? Start grocery shopping and meal planning to see instant savings.

Consider getting roommates

If you’re currently renting, getting a roommate or two is an excellent way to reduce what you spend on rent and utilities. Who knows, you may even form a lasting relationship with someone who can help you pay your mortgage in the future.

Eliminate unnecessary monthly expenses

Make a list of your monthly expenses and start making some changes. Cancel the gym membership you never use, downgrade your cable TV package, and unsubscribe to all of those magazines that have been piling up.

Save your income tax refund

You may be tempted to spend your income tax refund on a new wardrobe or an elaborate vacation. However, putting that money towards a down payment will be much more gratifying in the long term.

Set up a new savings account

There’s nothing more motivating than watching your savings grow. Open a new savings account dedicated to your goal of buying a home in Boston, and set up an automatic deposit from your salary earnings.

Though the dream of homeownership may seem unattainable at the moment, these financial tips and tricks will have you on the path to buyinga home in Boston before you know it. Once you’re ready to start exploring the Boston real estate market, please get in touch with me. I’ve helped countless first-time homebuyers find their dream homes, and I would be honored to provide you with the same service. Whether it’s in six months or six years, I look forward to connecting with you!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
Contact Me

5 Organization Tips for Your Boston Home in 2014

The New Year is the perfect time to reset the clock and get a fresh start. Whether you’re gearing up to get in shape, save money to buy a home in Boston, reduce your carbon footprint, or jumpstart a healthy eating plan, the start of a new year allows us to reinvent ourselves in any way we choose. While setting goals for making improvements in your personal and professional lives is important, January 1^st is also a great time to get your home organized for the New Year. As you begin packing up your holiday decorations, reference this room-by-room guide for getting your home in top shape.

1. Foyer

The first room your guests will see when they enter your home is often the most chaotic. Invest in a bench with built-in storage bins for hiding miscellaneous items like umbrellas, backpacks, dog leashes, and more.

2. Living Room

Take advantage of vertical space by adding tall shelves to your living room. You’ll have plenty of room to store books, photos, and decorative pieces without infringing on your living area.

3. Kitchen

Glass-front cabinets are going to be a major trend in kitchen design in 2014. By default, transparent cabinetry will force you and your family to be more organized with how you display dinnerware, drinking glasses, and dry goods.

4. Bathroom

Generally speaking, bathroom drawers have a high potential for messiness. By investing in some wooden boxes and trays, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in half the time. Go ahead and sleep in an extra five minutes!

5. Bedroom

If you have the available space, add a bench to the foot of your bed. You’ll increase the surface space in your bedroom while giving yourself a place to store extra blankets and pillows.

As we wrap up the holiday season and look forward to 2014, I hope these tips help you organize your home. Not only will each room look neat and tidy, you’ll feel more energized, clear headed, and prepared to tackle your personal and professional goals in the New Year. If buying a home in Boston happens to be one of your resolutions for 2014, please get in touch with me. As a Boston real estate agent, I’ve helped numerous homebuyers achieve their goals of homeownership, and I would be thrilled to offer you the same outstanding service. 

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
Contact Me

5 Tips for Keeping Your Boston Home Warm this Winter

Now that November has arrived, there’s a crisp chill in the air that indicates winter is well on its way in Boston. Though snow has yet to fly and Thanksgiving is still weeks away, it’s never too early to start making small changes around your home in preparation for the numbingly cold months ahead. After all, the earlier you prepare your Boston home for winter, the sooner you can start saving on your monthly utility bill! Whether you’ve recently decided to buy a home in Boston or are a longtime homeowner in need of a quick refresher, these tips for preparing your home for winter will ensure you’re warm and toasty all season long.

1. Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to preset the temperature in your home so it’s colder when you’re at work and warmer when you get home at the end of the day.

2. Check your air filter. A dirty air filter slows the flow of warm air into your home. It also means your heating system is working harder than it needs to be, and is therefore wasting energy.

3. Keep the cold air outside. Adding a door sweep and installing clear plastic film across the inside of your windows will prevent warm air from seeping outside and cold air from rushing in.

4. Let the sunshine in. Allow the sun to warm your home by opening drapes during the day and closing them just before sunset. Be sure your windows are clean to allow maximum sunlight to shine through.

5. Clear the area around your heating vents. Make sure beds, dressers, couches, chairs, and other large pieces of furniture aren’t blocking the flow of heat into each room in your home.

As you stow away your Halloween decorations and start thinking about the holiday season ahead, be sure to give your Boston home the attention it needs to perform at it’s peak this winter. While routine home maintenance tasks usually aren’t at top of mind this time of year, the small changes I have noted above are quick and painless, and cost just a few dollars at most. You should start seeing a difference on your utility bill in as little as one to two months! If you’d like any additional tips for how you can reduce heating costs and keep your Boston home warm this season, feel free to reach out to me. As a Boston real estate agent, I’m happy to lend a helping hand to homeowners long after their transactions are complete. I look forward to catching up with you soon!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
Contact Me

Prepare Your Boston Home for Halloween

Isn’t it hard to believe that All Hallows’ Eve will be upon us in less than a week? I hope you’ve been able explore all there is to see and do in Boston this season, and that your plans included a trip to the pumpkin patch. After all, it just doesn’t quite feel like Halloween until you’ve carved a Jack-o-Lantern.

As you put the finishing touches on your costume, it’s time to start thinking about heading to the grocery store so you can stock up on enough candy to satisfy all of the hungry trick-or-treaters who will knock at your front door. Once you’ve set a big bowl of Snickers and Skittles in your entryway, you may think you’re ready for the Halloween crowd. However, there are a few additional steps you can take to prepare your Boston home for Halloween.

Turn on your porch light. Make sure your Boston home is inviting and trick-or-treater friendly. With a well-lit exterior, you can also see who is approaching your front door.

Make sure your front walkway is well lit. Twigs and wet leaves combined with cumbersome costumes can make for a potentially dangerous situation.

Set out a bowl of candy. If you don’t plan to be home or aren’t comfortable answering the front door, leave a bowl of candy on your front porch.

Minimize the risk of fire. By replacing wax candles with flameless candles, you’re covered if an over-eager trick-or-treater knocks over one of your Jack-o-Lanterns.

By taking these simple precautions, your Boston home will be inviting, safe, and festive this Halloween night. Do you have any additional tips as to how you prepare your Boston home for Halloween? If so, feel free to share your ideas on the KenSnyderHomes Facebook page. If I can be of any assistance to you and your family as you prepare to buy a home in Boston this fall, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m passionate about helping home buyers navigate the Boston real estate market, and I’d be honored to do the same for you.

Happy Halloween!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
Contact Me

3 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Moving Company

So, you’ve finally achieved your dream of buying a home in Boston. Now the fun part begins – moving! While memories of moving days past may have you dreading the day you bid farewell to your existing home, your experience doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation, attitude, and professionals helping you through the process, I assure you the final days of your journey through the Boston real estate market will be smooth sailing. Before dialing up the first moving company that comes to mind, ask each potential candidate these questions before making any final decisions.

Q: Will you perform an on-site, in person estimate of my belongings?

By having a moving company visit your home and assess the amount of belongings you have, you’ll get a more accurate idea of how much you’ll be charged. You’ll also want to find out how each moving company calculates their estimates (by weight per pound and distance, hours, cubic feet, etc.)

Q: What does your quote include?

Some moving companies offer packing services for those homeowners who would prefer to be as hands-off as possible during the moving process. Find out if the quote they provide you only includes labor or if it also includes materials like boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and the usage of carts and dollies.

Q: Does your company offer insurance?

When hiring a moving company, you’re essentially entrusting the care of your personal belongings to a group of strangers. Making sure you and your prized possessions are protected is a key part of making sure your move is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Ask each moving company about the insurance terms for the move. Typically, you can purchase additional insurance to cover the value of your belongings if they are lost or damaged.

Though this isn’t an exhaustive list of questions to ask each potential candidate, these inquiries will have you on the right track to getting enough information to make some informed decisions. If you’re still on the fence about leaping into homeownership and would like to explore your options with the help of a Boston real estate agent, please give me a call! I would be happy to stand by your side throughout the home buying process from start to finish. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Ken Snyder
Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
Visit My Website
See Homes for Sale in Boston
Connect with Me: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin
Contact Me