When it comes to purchasing a new home and getting a mortgage it could be a little bit of a stressful process. It’s especially stressful if you’re a first-time homebuyer. However, there is a lot of false information out there about the process of obtaining a mortgage. Within this article, a Waltham Realtor explains 4 of the most common myths around mortgage and why they are indeed not true! 

 

Myth #1: “Buying a home is no longer affordable.”

With inventory low and demand high, many homes on the market are selling fast. Not only are they selling quickly but they are selling for a lot over the listing price. This is why many people believe that it’s becoming too expensive to afford a home. However, a Waltham Real Estate Agent is here to let you know it’s very possible to afford to buy a home right now. With today’s low interest rates people have more buying power because rates have come down faster than home prices have gone up. With a lower interest rate, your monthly payment will be lower. This allows buyers to have a larger home price budget to work with. 

 

Myth #2: “I can’t buy a house if I still have student loans to pay.”

Lender’s definitely take debt into consideration before approving a mortgage, however, it’s unlikely that everyone who buys a home is 100% debt-free. So while you may have student loans, car payments, etc. what matters most is your debt-to-income ratio. A Waltham Realtor can assist you with figuring out your debt-to-income ratio and then take it from there! 

 

Myth #3: “I have to put 20% down to buy a home.”

This statement is a myth Waltham Real Estate Agents hear all the time! But did you know that about 80% of first time home buyers make down payments that are less than 20%? If you aren’t able to put 20% down, there are a lot of mortgage products that will allow smaller down payments. 

 

Myth #4: “I should go with the lender who has the lowest rate.”

It might sound ideal to find the lender with the lowest rate, however, there are many other factors to consider when searching for a mortgage lender. Waltham Realtors also suggest finding a lender that has experience, is reliable, can get things done quickly, and can help educate you on the whole process. When it comes to making an investment this big, it’s important to go with a lender you trust and that has been successful in the past. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent 

If you’re looking for someone to assist you during every step of the home buying process, choose an experienced Waltham Realtor! We will help you communicate with lenders and get the best loan possible. Even if you think buying a home is too expensive, we’re here to help make it happen on your budget. Contact us today by giving us a call at 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

Have you been toying with the idea of moving to Waltham, MA? If so, now is the time because the Waltham Real Estate Market is hot! Waltham, MA is a great place to live as its beautiful suburban feel and historical background has kept it a popular place to both reside and work for many years. 

Waltham, MA is very diverse. Whether you’re looking for an apartment, single family home, duplex, etc. you’ll be able to find it in Waltham. Waltham is also a great place to start a business as it offers a wide range of retail, office, and industrial spaces. In this article a Waltham Real Estate Agent guides you through all the details of living in Waltham so that you can get confident and ready for your move to this awesome city! 

 

Waltham, MA Real Estate - Population & Demographics

Waltham, MA is a fairly big city with a population of almost 63,000. It is located in Middlesex County. Waltham Realtors always make sure to let clients the many attributes of living in Waltham. 

Living in Waltham you can expect very friendly people/neighbors and many families. The median age of residents is about 35 years old. This makes it a popular area for people to buy a home, settle down, and start a family. 

 

Waltham, MA Real Estate - Neighborhoods

Waltham Real Estate Agents of course always know the best areas and neighborhoods for our clients. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Waltham are Warrendale, Highlands, Glenmeadow, Lakeview, South Side, and Cedarwood just to name a few.

 

Things to do in Waltham

As mentioned above, Waltham has a rich historical background. Because of this there are some great museums in the area such as The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation and the Golden Ball Tavern Museum. Waltham is also filled with many parks and fields for fun family activities and picnics. 

For a fun night out in Waltham, Waltham Realtors suggest a delicious meal at any of the amazing restaurants downtown. Downtown Waltham comes to life at night as it is filled with vibrant music scenes and some of the most delicious food. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent Today

Have we made you more confident to pursue a move to Waltham, MA? It’s a great time to buy one of the Waltham, MA homes for sale! Get yourself a knowledgeable and experienced Real Estate Agent like Hans Brings and start the process today. If you have more questions about Waltham and its Real Estate Market don’t hesitate to reach out! Fill out a contact form or call 617-968-0022.

When it comes to buying a home, having a good credit score is extremely important. Figuring out your credit score can be confusing if you’re not sure what causes your score to grow or drop over time. A Waltham Realtor put together a handful of reasons why your credit score might not be where you want it to be. Read through these reasons so that you can work to improve your score and be able to purchase the Waltham home you’ve always wanted! 

1. Late or Missed Payments

Your payment history has about a 40% impact on your score, which is huge! This means if you’re late or miss any payments, it’s going to greatly affect your credit score and not in a positive way. Waltham Real Estate Agents encourage you to make your payments on time so that you can build your score and be able to successfully receive a mortgage loan from the bank. 

2. Poor Debt to Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income ratio is the total amount of debt you have compared to your annual income. So in this case, your credit score will drop if the debt you owe is greater than your income. A Waltham Realtor's best advice for this issue is to focus on paying down your debt before acquiring new debt so that you can improve your debt-to-income ratio.

3. Too Many Credit Inquiries

Every time you apply for or open a new credit card the creditor pulls your score. When they do this, it actually lowers your score. If it’s only a couple inquiries it won’t lower your score too much, however, if there are too many inquiries you score will be negatively impacted. Waltham Real Estate Agents say to avoid credit inquiries for a period of time and be particular about how often your credit is being pulled in the future. 

4. Closing Credit Cards

Around 20% of your credit score is determined by the length of your credit accounts. If you close credit cards that you’ve had for a while, your score will drop. Keep your accounts open even if you’re not using them too often. Even just using them periodically will help your score. Waltham Realtors say to focus on keeping your credit usage below 30% and keeping your accounts active rather than paying the credit card off completely and then closing the account. 

Contact A Waltham Realtor

To learn more about your credit score and how it can impact your ability to purchase your Waltham home, contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent today! Waltham Realtor’s have years of experience working with clients who have a wide range of credit scores. We’ll assist you in every way possible so that you can purchase the Waltham home you’ve always wanted! Give us a call today at 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

Waltham home sellers often ask, “should I price my home higher to leave room for negotiations?” While we, Waltham Realtors, understand the thought process behind this, the short answer is no! For real estate sales, pricing your home higher does not work the same way overpricing a car or piece of furniture does. Let’s dig a little deeper as to why Waltham Real Estate Agents say that overpricing your home to leave room for negotiations is not the right move. 

 

Buyer’s Agents Will Ignore Overpriced Homes

The first step in the home selling process is getting people to come to see your home. If your home’s price is listed too high, that’ll do just the opposite. Buyer’s agents will likely advise their buyers that your home is overpriced. This will lead to the buyers not even wanting to look at your home at all. Keep in mind that Waltham Real Estate Agents have years of experience and know the market exceptionally well, if you’re overpricing your home they will not advise buyers to give attention to your property. 

Overpricing Eliminates Eligible Buyers

When selling your Waltham home you want as many people interested in your home as possible. If you list your home at a higher price, you might be eliminating many people who are eligible to buy your home at its correct price. A buyer might not qualify for that higher price or it may be out of their ideal budget. In this case, you once again won’t get people to even look at your home.

Waltham Realtors state that one thing you might do is succeed in getting buyers into your home who are looking in that price range. However, the problem is that they will be looking for more since the home is priced so high. They will be comparing your home to other homes in that price range and they will likely notice that your home does not compare to the others.
 

Overpricing Lengthens Time on the Market

Waltham Real Estate Agents say that overpricing your home can lead to it staying on the market longer because you’ll have trouble selling it. And did you know that the longer your home stays on the market the less money you’ll eventually get for it? If the average selling time is 60 days and your home has been on the market for 120 days, the buyers and buyer’s agents will think there is something wrong with the home. They will wonder what is wrong with the home and also believe that the seller must be desperate. If they believe you are desperate to sell (which you might be) they will start lowballing offers and you will get even less than your home is worth.

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

If you’re looking for assistance in selling your Waltham real estate, contact a Waltham Realtor today! We have the knowledge and experience to help you properly price your home so that you can get as many people as possible interested in your property. This doesn’t mean we will underprice your home, we’ll make sure you get exactly what your home is worth if not more (as long as we initially list it correctly!) Contact Hans Brings today for all your Waltham real estate needs. Call 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form.

 

As most people know, the home selling process can be long and tiring. If you’re looking to sell your Waltham home but want to try to make the process as quick as possible, we have some tips for you! Here’s some insight on how to prepare your home, score the most money, and close the sale on your Waltham home ASAP. 

1. Sell at the right time

If you’re not sure when the right time to put your home on the market is, spring is a good time because there are quite a few buyers looking now. “Real estate can be seasonal,” says a Waltham Realtor. If you’re looking to sell your home fast, Waltham Real Estate Agents say that when homes are in high demand is the best time. By putting your home on the market during the busiest real estate months, it’s likely that you’ll have many interested buyers which would certainly speed up the process as you’ll have many offers to choose from. 

2. Price your home right 

Waltham Realtors say that it’s extremely important to price your home correctly right from the beginning. This will help your home sell faster and also help you get more money for your home! If you were to price your home incorrectly right when you list it, your home would probably stay on the market for a lot longer than you would like. Buyers are more likely to get into a bidding war if your home is priced correctly and new to the market. 

 

3. Hope for a cash offer 

If you were to receive a cash offer on your home, you would be able to avoid getting the banks involved. This would avoid a ton of paperwork and save a lot of time during the selling process. Accepting a cash offer could help you close in weeks or even days! Waltham Real Estate Agents say this is the best way to sell your home as fast as possible. 

 

4. Use incentives to sweeten the deal

Leaving a nice piece of furniture or flat-screen TV behind? Willing to pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs? Giving buyers a sweet deal will help your home stand out and attract more buyers. Certain items in your home might not be of use to you anymore but if they’re in good shape and you want to leave them behind, they might be something a potential buyer is interested in. Talk with your Waltham Realtor to see what’s legally allowed in the market. 
 

5. Choose the right realtor 

Choosing the right Waltham Realtor is also a big factor when it comes to selling your home fast. You want to have an experienced professional by your side to help make the process easier. Hans Brings is one of the best Waltham Real Estate Agents and can assist you in selling your home as quickly as possible while also getting a fantastic price. Inquire today by giving Hans a call at 617-968-0022 or by filling out a contact form!

 

 

 

 

An HOA, also known as Homeowners Association is a community that provides rules for maintaining common spaces and properties. Waltham Realtors state that HOA’s are usually present in condos but can also be present in some single-family properties. Along with following these rules, home and condo owners in these properties have to pay a monthly fee which goes towards taking care of the area and buildings. HOA’s have legal power over properties, so if a homeowner does not pay the HOA fees, the HOA can place a lien on the property.

What is an HOA Fee?

As mentioned above, an HOA fee is what property owners pay each month for the amenities and upkeep of their living community. HOA fees can vary, however, they usually depend on how many and what kind of amenities are available within the complex.
 

Does An HOA Have Power Over Your Property?

Every HOA is different. Some homeowner’s associations can be strict and give out certain rules. These rules can include what colors you’re allowed to paint your home, how tall your fences can be, or if pets are allowed. They can also determine whether or not you’re allowed to rent your property. However, some homeowner associations are more relaxed and are only focused on keeping up with the properties so that the property values can stay up.

Advantages & Disadvantages of HOA’s

Waltham Real Estate Agents say there are both advantages and disadvantages when buying a property with a homeowners association. Homeowners association fees can be great to help maintain your property and the look of your community but they also might make you pay for maintenance that you don’t see necessary. Let’s dive into a little more detail on the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of HOA’s

HOA rules can avoid conflicts with neighbors. If everyone has the same rules for their property, there shouldn’t be any issues. Having rules can keep things consistent and give everyone amazing access to amenities such as pools, gardens, recreational centers, etc. HOA fees also usually pay for snow removal, trash removal, outdoor landscaping, some utilities, and more. Not having to worry about these things makes the HOA fee feel very worth it says Waltham Realtors.

Disadvantages of HOA’s

Of course, all advantages come with some disadvantages. A few of the disadvantages of having an HOA is that you might need approval to make changes to your home. Homeowner associations have the authority to deny certain improvements and additions to your home. Also, if owners in your complex are not paying their HOA fees it could be difficult to sell your property. Buying your own home usually means you have free range to do anything you want, but in some HOA’s you might not have that same freedom.

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

If you’re wondering if buying a home within a homeowners association is right for you, contact a Waltham Realtor. Your Waltham Realtor will discuss the conditions with you and see if they are a fit for what you’re looking for. For some people, buying a home or condo within an HOA is ideal but for others, it’s not. You can rely on a Waltham Real Estate Agent to help you find the perfect home and community for you! Contact Hans Brings today at 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form!

 

 

Everyone always talks about the complicated and stressful process of buying a home for the first time, however, selling a home for the first time isn’t too different. It is still time-consuming, challenging, and a little bit of a stressful process. It’s sometimes likely that sellers can make mistakes that get the process off track and cause it to be prolonged. Here are some of the most common mistakes sellers often make and how you can avoid them to encourage a smooth sale on your Waltham real estate. 

 

1. Underestimating the costs of selling a home

Sellers often don’t realize that selling your home doesn’t just mean money in your pocket. When selling your home, you need to realize there will be expenses for you as well. There will be closing costs, agent commissions, home inspection repairs, staging costs, moving costs, etc. These costs can greatly add up and overwhelm you if you’re not prepared for them. Make sure you’re aware and prepared! Your Waltham Real Estate Agent will be able to outline these costs for you so that you have an idea of what they will be. 

 

2. Not hiring a real estate agent

Some sellers believe that not hiring a realtor will help them save money. However, this is entirely false. While you will have to pay your Waltham Real Estate Agent, they are essentially going to assist you on getting the highest amount for your property. Without them, you might not know how to negotiate and get the amount your home deserves. Also, when problems come up during transactions a professional Waltham Realtor will be able to easily assist you. Your real estate agent’s knowledge and expertise are key to a successful and less stressful home sale. 

 

3. Pricing your home incorrectly 

Pricing your home incorrectly can be something that throws off the whole selling process. While we understand that everyone wants to get the most out of their home, pricing too high could turn off buyers who are serious about your Waltham home. By turning off serious buyers, the process will prolong and you might find your home on the market for a lot longer than you anticipated. 

The best way to price your home correctly is to hire a Waltham Real Estate Agent. A Waltham Realtor will be able to easily compare your home to other similar homes on the market. By pricing your home correctly the first time, you can get serious buyers off the bat, potentially get multiple offers, and then drive up the price from there. 

 

4. Neglecting important repairs

While it may cost you more money than you would like to make repairs, making these repairs will increase your chances of a quick sale. Many homebuyers don’t want to make the small but important repairs when they first move into a home. Not having important repairs done could turn potential buyers away from your home. 

Some of these repairs could include painting, replacing light bulbs & loose locks, replacing doorknobs, fixing plumbing issues, etc. Small repairs like these can go a long way. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent 

While there will be challenges throughout your home selling process, having a Waltham Real Estate Agent there to assist will make all the difference. One of the most important things when selling a home is being prepared for what is to come. Your Waltham Realtor will make sure there aren’t any huge surprises and will help you every step of the way. Inquire with Hans Brings today if you’re looking for assistance in buying or selling your Waltham home. 

 

During your home buying or selling process, you’ve most likely heard or will hear the term “contingent.” A Waltham Realtor explains that in real estate terms, contingent is the status you’ll see on a listing where the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer. However, this accepted offer doesn’t necessarily mean it is sold yet. Offers that include contingencies have requirements that need to be met in order for the sale to officially close. If the contingencies cannot be met then the buyer can back out of their offer. 

Contingencies usually include a list of factors that need to be examined. When contracts are written during the home purchasing process, they often include all possible contingencies that may arise. Here are some examples of contingencies that need to be met in order to officially sell or purchase your Waltham Real Estate. 

Home Inspection

When purchasing Waltham Real Estate you’ll definitely need to get a home inspection done. A home inspection will check things like the plumbing, electrical amenities, the roof, and the home’s structural integrity. Home inspections are so important because if the home has a lot of issues that you were unaware of, an inspection will let you know. The last thing you want is to purchase a home and then find out after the fact that there is a lot of costly work that needs to be done. 

Financing

Most buyers will need to obtain a loan in order to buy a home.  During the financing process, the buyer will have to provide documentation to the lender to verify income and down payments, have their credit reviewed, and appraisal performed.   Once financing is obtained, they can proceed with their Waltham Real Estate purchase. 

Seller Repairs

During the home inspection, you may find issues with the home that you as a buyer, don’t want to be responsible for. You can sometimes request that the seller perform repairs or credit you for these repairs through your Waltham Real Estate Agent. 

A Final Walkthrough

After all the inspections and repairs have been done, it’s important to do one more walkthrough of the home before officially closing. A final walkthrough will let you see all the repairs and changes that have been made to make sure you accept them. 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent 

Waltham Realtors will also suggest leaving some room in your budget for possible contingencies that arrive in the future. There are so many layers to the process of buying or selling Waltham Real Estate. This is why it’s ideal to have a Waltham Realtor to assist you every step of the way. Contact Hans Brings for all your buying and selling needs in Waltham.

 

When people are ready to sell their home, they don’t always love the idea of making renovations or upgrades. This is because since they won’t be living there much longer, they don’t really want to spend money on things that aren’t going to increase their home value by a lot. This is why Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest making small upgrades and renovations over time. If you’re not quite ready to sell your Waltham home but you know you will be in the next few years, start making these upgrades now. This will allow you to be able to enjoy these upgrades while you still live in your home and they will also help catch the attention of potential buyers once you are ready to sell. 

Keep in mind these popular features that buyers look for so that you can be ahead of the game and prepared for when it’s time for you to sell your Waltham Real Estate. 

 

Hardwood Floors

Most homeowners these days prefer hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is long-lasting, easy to clean and maintain, and also gives any space a cleaner and more organized look. So when it comes time for you to sell your Waltham Real Estate, switching to hardwood flooring (if you don’t have it already) will greatly benefit you. Waltham Realtors are always speaking to buyers about what they’re looking for and hardwood flooring is definitely something that is always brought up. 

Open Floor Plans 

Open floor plans are very popular these days as they come with a lot of benefits. They allow for an easier entertainment layout, increased natural light, and for parents with children, it’s easier for them to keep an eye on the kids while being able to get things done around the house. If your Waltham Real Estate doesn’t already have an open floor plan, it may take some extra work to make it happen, but if it’s something you’re interested in doing it’s guaranteed to stand out to buyers. 

Stainless-Steel Appliances & Granite Counter Tops

Renovating a kitchen is something new homeowners really don’t want to worry about. Waltham Realtors say that buyers tend to make higher offers on homes that have stainless steel appliances and granite countertops since they won’t have to upgrade those things themselves. 

Energy Efficient Windows and Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances and windows are things that all home buyers look for. Everyone always tries to cut costs in utility bills and so when a buyer knows that a home is energy efficient, it makes them more interested in that Waltham Real Estate. 

Curb Appeal

Waltham Realtors claim that curb appeal often makes or breaks a buyer’s interest in a home. If someone doesn’t like the outside of a home, it’s not likely that they’ll even want to take a look at the inside. Also, no one wants to purchase a home that looks like it’s not taken care of. By having great curb appeal on your Waltham Real Estate, it’ll be a lot easier to attract buyers. 

 

Contact A Waltham Real Estate Agent 

In conclusion, new homeowners don’t want to have to make all these upgrades and renovations right when they move so it’s likely that people will look for homes where these upgrades are already made. To make your selling process easier, try to have most of these upgrades and renovations done. While some of these features won’t increase your home’s value by a whole lot, it will definitely be a quicker and easier process to sell your Waltham home. If you’re looking to buy or sell your Waltham Real Estate, contact Hans Brings today! Hans Brings will assist you in the buying or selling process every step of the way.

 

 

Buying a home is a huge decision! Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll probably make in your lifetime. When you think you’ve found the home for you and you’re ready to make an offer, how do you know it’s definitely the right home? At the end of the day, you don’t want to think you found the right home, and then it ends up not meeting all your needs. Here are 4 main questions Waltham Realtors suggest you ask yourself before officially purchasing a home. 

 

1. Does the house meet your requirements?

When looking for a home, most people know what they do and don’t want. Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest making a list of all your must-haves in a home. Keep that list on you when searching so that you can check off your boxes as you tour different homes. When you think you have found the perfect home, go through the list one last time to make sure all the boxes are checked. When it comes to buying a home, you don’t want to settle. So making sure it has every single thing you’re looking for is very important. 

 

2. Does it have potential?

Even if you have found a home that checks off all your boxes, it’s likely that there will still be some elements that you need to compromise. So ask yourself, is there potential to fix these compromises sooner or later? 

An example of this would be if anything in the home needed to be redone or reinstalled such as the bathrooms, the floors, the ceilings, etc. Make sure to keep these fixes in mind and figure out how much work may have to be put into these projects. Then, ask yourself if all that work is realistic for you. 

 

3. Do you like the area?

Liking the town and neighborhood your new home is in is extremely important since that is likely going to be the place you live for several years.

Before making an offer on a home, do a lot of research on the area. Make sure it is convenient and offers everything you are looking for in a community. 

Waltham Real Estate Agents recommend taking a drive and exploring the area before you make an offer. When driving around, look out for the essentials such as the closest grocery store, bank, schools (if you have children), etc. You should also look around for some entertainment spots such as local restaurants, bars, shopping centers, bowling alleys, and more. As mentioned before, if you have kids, making sure there are good schools in the area is a must. 

 

4. Does it fit your future? 

Whether you’re buying a home to be in forever or just for the near future, it is quite an investment. Keep in mind how convenient the home will be for you in the future and if it aligns with your future plans. Make sure you can picture yourself in the home for at least 5 years. Waltham Realtors always remind you to factor in future plans such as marriage or babies when purchasing a home. The last thing you want is rushing to buy a home and then realizing after that it doesn’t have everything that you and your family will need. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

Buying a new home is never an easy task. That is why Waltham Realtors are here to assist you and walk you through the whole process. We’ll bring up questions and concerns you might not have thought about. Our goal is to assist you with finding the perfect property so we too want to make sure your future home suits all of your needs. Contact Hans Brings, your local Waltham Real Estate Agent today by calling 617-968-0022 or by filling out a contact form.