You’ve just signed the closing papers with your Waltham Real Estate Agent on your new home. You walk into your new home, everything is still in their boxes and ready to find their place. The excitement and overwhelming feelings are starting to settle in. Are you looking at the empty home realizing there are more imperfections than you thought? Are there chips or dents on the walls? Stains on the floor? Broken knobs on doors, cabinets, or drawers? Old ceiling lighting? 

Don’t worry. This is a common thing when purchasing an older Waltham home. Even if only one person lived there before you, it’s often rare to move into a pristine property if it’s not brand new. Here are some tips from a Waltham Realtor for sprucing up your new “old” home to make it feel brand new to you. 

1. Paint

Simply adding a new, fresh coat of paint to the inside of your home can bring a whole new light to your home. Repaint the ceilings, walls, doors, etc. Choosing a bright white or off white color is your best bet to lighten and freshen up the rooms in your home. You can also touch up your home’s cabinets, door frames, and window frames with a fresh coat of paint. 

Another trick is to paint the insides of your closets with bright white-colored paint. This will make them seem larger and gives your clothes and belongings a bright, clean space to live. 

Waltham Realtors recommend painting before everything is moved into your home so that you have an open space to paint and your belongings won’t get ruined. Visit your local hardware store as they will likely have great recommendations on colors and finishes if you’re not sure exactly what color route to go. 

2. Floors 

Fixing the floors is something to take care of before moving in, if possible. Get the hardwood floors with dents and scratches refurbished first. Having shiny and clean floors will make the room seem newer, fresher, and brighter.

For the rooms with carpet, if the carpet is old and worn out, consider ripping out the carpet and adding hardwood floors. As mentioned above, hardwood floors make a home look newer and fresher. If the carpeting is relatively new and you are happy with it, get it steam cleaned. You can do it yourself or hire professionals. Steam cleaning your carpets will make them look and smell brand new. 

3. Lighting and Ceiling Fans

Look up at all the lighting and ceiling fans in your home. Do they look old and seem like they could use some fixing up? Waltham Realtors suggest replacing them with newer, more stylish options. This doesn’t have to be done as soon as you move into your home but is a great way to spruce up your home to make it look and feel newer. 

4. Knobs

Knobs on your doors and cabinets are small things, yet can make your home look much older. Fixing these knobs is an easy and inexpensive fix. You can either repaint these knobs to give them a new look or replace them altogether. 

Waltham Real Estate Agents say that the small action of replacing or repainting your knobs can dramatically improve the look of your bathroom, kitchen, or furniture. 

5. Windows

Your home’s windows can dramatically change the look of your home. By installing new windows in your home you can make your home look and feel so much newer and up to date. If the windows are somewhat new and don’t need to be replaced, consider simply cleaning them and replacing the window coverings. Purchasing new blinds and curtains can also dramatically change the look and feel of your windows. 

 

When purchasing a Waltham home, your Waltham Real Estate Agent will assist you every step of the way. Since every home can’t be new and perfect, we’ll give you insight on what fixes are easy and possible and what fixes you might want to stay away from. We’ll never steer you in a bad direction! Contact a Waltham Realtor today to get started on your journey of finding the perfect home for you!

 

Going green and investing in environmentally-friendly products is not only great for the health of the environment but it can also have an impact on the value of your home. Waltham Real Estate Agents have found that homebuyers of all ages are looking for eco-friendly upgrades when searching for a home. There are many easy eco-friendly upgrades that will help sell your home. Here are a few suggested by a Waltham Realtor. 

 

Smart Thermostats

Something as simple as upgrading your thermostat can make your home feel newer, smarter, and more tech-savvy. Smart thermostats interact directly with your home systems. Once the smart thermostat is installed and it is in use for about a week, the thermostat will pick up the patterns of the homeowners and be able to adapt to their behaviors. This will help minimize energy consumption in the home. Waltham Realtors claim that people will spend three to five percent more for a home that includes smart features.

 

New Windows

A lot of older homes have old windows that are poorly insulated. By simply upgrading your windows you will be able to save more energy and maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature in your home. It was found that homes with energy-efficient windows save up to 12 percent on their annual energy bill. Waltham Real Estate Agents say this simple upgrade will make your home highly marketable to potential buyers. 

 

Upgraded Insulation

Old or ineffective insulation can definitely lead to higher energy bills. This is because the cold or heated air may be flowing in and out of your attic. Waltham Realtors say that investing in a new and proper rated insulation system is always very attractive to buyers. A new and improved insulation system will reduce the need for extra heating and air conditioning which will obviously lower overall energy costs. 

 

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are attractive when buying a home because they only heat water when needed, unlike other water heaters that use unnecessary energy to store hot water. Most models of tankless water heaters last about 10 years so investing in one right before you put your house on the market can really attract buyers. Waltham Realtors claim that tankless water heaters can also help homeowners save up to $100 a year. 

 

Solar Panels

Waltham Real Estate Agents say the biggest eco-friendly upgrade you can make for your home is to invest in solar panels. Studies have found that each watt of solar adds about $3 to a home’s value. This could bump up your home value by $15,000! 

 

Contact a Waltham Realtor

Whether you want to make small simple upgrades to your home or fully dive in with solar panels, a few eco-friendly upgrades will definitely appeal to homebuyers that are looking to save on future energy costs. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Waltham, MA reach out to a Waltham Real Estate Agent today! Waltham Realtors have years of experience assisting buyers and sellers in getting the best deals. Contact Waltham Realtor, Hans Brings today by filling out a contact form or giving him a call at 617-968-0022.

 

 

A lot of millennials have yet to purchase a home of their own. Studies have shown that this is mostly because of student loan debt. These debts have been holding back millennials from purchasing a home for two reasons. One reason being they have a higher debt-to-income ratio in which most lenders stay away from. The second reason is that it’s harder to save for a down payment while paying these loans each month. 

Fortunately, while it may be difficult and a bit of a longer process, Waltham Real Estate Agents are here to say that it is possible to buy a home while still paying student loans. Here are the steps to take suggested by a Waltham Realtor to help you navigate the process of buying a home while still in student loan debt. 

 

Step 1 - Improve Your Debt-to-Income ratio

The best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting approved for a mortgage loan is to lower your debt-to-income ratio. Waltham Realtors say that this is one of the most important factors that lenders look at when evaluating your application. This is because they want to make sure you have the income to pay your mortgage payment each month on time. Here are some ways to improve this ratio:

 

• Pay down your debts wherever possible. Work on shaving down not only your student loan debt but also your credit cards and any other balances you may have. Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest using tax refunds, bonuses, or any other extra money to make more of a dent in these loans. 
• Increase your income. You can work to increase your income by asking your current job for a raise. If asking for a raise isn’t possible, consider a second job, side hustle, or freelance work. Any type of extra income can make a big difference. 
• Refinance your student loans. Refinancing your student loans can help lower your monthly payment and interest fees. 

 

Step 2 - Increase Your Credit Score

Credit scores are another thing that plays a big role in your mortgage application. Your credit score gives lenders an insight into how well you pay off your loans and debts. The higher your credit score, the more likely you’ll be approved for a mortgage says a Waltham Real Estate Agent. Make sure you are paying your student loans consistently and on time each month as this will help increase your score. You can also increase your score by: 

• Lower your credit utilization rate. This rate is how much of your total available credit you’re using. The less available credit you’re using, the higher your score will be. 
• Pay all bills on time. Make sure to pay every bill you have on time every single month. Late payments are simply not good for your credit score. 
• Don’t close any credit cards. Another important aspect of credit is your credit history. The longer you have been building your credit the higher your score will be. Even if you have a card that is paid off and you don’t use it anymore, do not close the account.

 

Step 3 - Get Pre-Approved for A Mortgage Before You Look for Houses

Waltham Realtors always urge the importance of getting pre-approved before you start house hunting. Getting pre-approved before house hunting will give you more insight into what your budget is. Also, a pre-approval will show sellers that you’re serious about purchasing a home. 

 

Step 4 - Consider Assistance for Your Down Payment

If your student loans and other bills are making it hard for you to save up for a down payment, there are other options available. Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest considering assistance programs to help you with your down payment. Do some research on assistance programs to see if you qualify for any and if they can help you! 

 

Step 5 - Look into Loans and Programs for First-Time Homebuyers

It’s possible for you to qualify for first-time homebuyer mortgage programs in addition to down payment assistance programs. These programs help immensely by lowering interest rates and some require no down payment at all. These programs could be a big help when buying your first home if you have a ton of student loan debt weighing you down. 

 

Contact a Waltham Realtor

If you’re a first time home buyer and still have student loans, contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent for assistance! A Waltham Realtor will take the time to sit with you to discuss your options and figure out what can work for you so that you are able to purchase a home! Fill out a contact form or give us a call to set up a time we can discuss your first-time home buying options!

 

 

With the pandemic still going on, you probably have more time on your hands during the weekends. If you’re looking for productive things to do to keep you busy, why not make some easy home improvements to increase the value of your Waltham home? Increasing the value of your home doesn’t always require expensive tasks. Waltham Realtors suggest these 5 easy home improvements that can be done in a weekend that have been proven to add value to homes. 

 

1. Grab A Paint Brush

Most Waltham Real Estate agents agree that a good paint job goes a long way when improving the value of your home. Repainting the outside of your home, certain rooms, or even every room is an easy and cheap way to majorly upgrade your home. Paint can freshen and liven up a room and it also cleans up any stains or scuffs on your walls. Waltham Realtors suggest using neutral colors like whites and beiges for both the inside out outside. 

 

2. Change Your Hardware

If the hardware in your home looks to be a little outdated, it may be time to replace them. Hardware such as door handles, cabinets, faucets, sinks, etc. should be on the newer side if you’re looking to have them help you increase your home’s value. Replacing your hardware is easy, fast, and inexpensive which makes it a great weekend project! Waltham Realtors highly suggest this easy upgrade as it is one less thing a buyer will have to do, making it more likely for a buyer to make an offer. 

 

3. Power Wash the Outside 

People often forget to clean the outside of their homes since they spend most of their time inside. Giving the outside of your home a good power wash is a great and extremely easy way to upgrade your home to look brand new again! Nowadays, people are mostly searching for homes online which means your listing photos play a crucial role in selling your home. Waltham Real Estate agents suggest power washing your home before taking listing photos. This can help your home really stand out online. 

 

4. Steam Clean the Carpets

Deep-cleaning your home will increase the value of it, but Waltham Realtors suggest paying special attention to the carpets. Waltham Real Estate agents say that dirty carpets may cause the buyer to wonder what other things around your home have not been maintained well. Take the time this weekend to deep clean your carpets so they look fresh and brand new. 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

If you’re looking for assistance in selling your Waltham home contact Waltham Realtor, Hans Brings! Hans will walk you through the process and let you know exactly what you should be doing to prepare your home for sale. Fill out a contact form or give Hans a call at 617-968-0022.

Renting offers a lot of flexibility - you can move mostly whenever you want, and you don’t have to carry around a mortgage payment. However, many people who rent look forward to eventually buying a home. Do you think you are ready to settle down and purchase a home? Here are a few reasons why you might be ready to become a homeowner. If you find that some or all of these reasons resonate with you, it is probably time to start talking to a Waltham Real Estate Agent so that you can start looking for your dream Waltham home! 

 

1. Your rent keeps increasing

In many areas of the country, rent continues to rise every year. It can be extremely frustrating to have your rent increase each year because it’s not guaranteed that your pay increases as well, leading you to not be able to accurately plan your finances and save as much money. Waltham Realtors suggest if you’re tired of your rent constantly increasing it might be time for you to start searching for a home. 

2. Interest rates are incredibly attractive

One reason many people decide to stop renting and to buy a home is when money is cheap. When interest rates and mortgages are in your price range, you sometimes cannot give up the opportunity you have right in front of you! Waltham Realtors know first-hand that interest rates don’t stay low forever, so if they’re low and it makes sense for you then it might be time to buy that Waltham home you have been dying for!  

3. You manage debt well

How you manage your debt is especially important when it comes time to buy a home. Lenders take a close look at the amount of debt you have and how you manage it. Waltham Real Estate Agents recommend paying down your credit cards before you start the process of searching for a home. You don’t have to pay them off fully but consider paying them down enough so that you can appeal to lenders. 

4. You just got married 

One of the most common reasons people go from renting to buying is when a significant life change happens, like getting married. When two people settle down together, they are usually ready to take the next step and purchase a home. 

5. You need room to grow a family

Having more room and storage space is a huge reason for purchasing a home. If people do not purchase a home when they get married, it’s usually once they start to have children and grow a family. Purchasing a home for your family can offer many benefits. You’ll have more rooms and storage as well as a backyard for your kids to play in. Waltham, MA has some beautiful homes with all the right amenities for young families and Waltham Realtors are here to help you find the perfect home! 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent 

As mentioned above, Waltham is a great place to buy your first home. Waltham, MA offers great neighborhoods, convenient commuter access, tasty restaurants, nearby attractions, and more. If you’re ready to make the move from renting to buying in Waltham, MA contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent. They will be sure to walk you through every step of the process so that you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Home staging is important when it comes to selling your home. You want your home to look its best for the potential buyers so that people will be interested and you’ll receive more offers. If you don’t know exactly what home staging is, it’s a way of decorating your home to highlight it’s most impressive features and assets in order to help buyers envision that as their home. Waltham Realtors encourage sellers to put some time and effort into this as it’s known to be effective when selling a home. When a home is staged before a showing, it helps buyers feel more comfortable and be able to picture their belongings in there. Here are 6 tips to follow when staging a home to help your home sell faster and for more money. 

 

1. Stage Where it Counts

It’s not necessary to stage all the rooms in your home. You want to focus on staging the rooms that have the biggest influence on buyers’ decisions says a Waltham Real Estate Agent. The rooms you should focus on staging are the living rooms, kitchen, and master bedroom. These rooms have a huge influence on if a person is going to buy your house or not. Don’t waste time and energy staging less influential rooms such as bathrooms and other bedrooms. 

 

2. De-personalize the space

The main goal of home staging is to help potential buyers picture themselves living in your home. In order to do this, you’ll want to somewhat de-personalize the space. Of course, you want space to still have style but Waltham Realtors suggest avoiding personal touches so that people have an easier time envisioning the space as their own.  That said, leaving out some family photos can be good to make a home feel more welcoming.

 

3. Get rid of clutter

By getting rid of clutter you make your home look bigger and much tidier. Waltham Realtors also suggest to de-clutter your closets as well. When buyers are touring your home they are going to look in closets to see how much closet space there is. By having neat, organized, and put together closets it will show the buyer all the storage room they will have. The less clutter in your home the bigger it will look and the more appealing it will be to buyers. 

 

4.Clean, clean, clean!

Cleaning your home top to bottom is extremely important! You want every inch of your home to shine. Nothing is more appealing to buyers than a clean home. A clean home will suggest to the buyers that you took great care of the property. 

 

5. Light up your home

No one loves a dark home or darkroom. Brighten up your home by letting as much light shine through as possible, open all of the blinds and shades! Waltham Realtors suggest that adding more light to rooms also helps the rooms seem bigger. Before a showing, you should also turn all the lights in your house on including lamps and closet lights. 

 

6. Rearrange the furniture 

Rearrange the furniture in your home to make as much open, walkable space as possible. This helps buyers both navigate the space and better visualize their own furniture in the home. If you have extra furniture that may be damaged or too unique and personalized, consider moving it to storage for the time being. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

Staging a home does not require a ton of money but it does require smart decisions. A Waltham Realtor will be able to help you stage your home and make changes that will entice buyers and add value to your home. Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent today if you’re looking to sell your Waltham home and need professional help in doing so! 

 

A house with a pool is a very attractive asset for some Waltham home buyers. Having a pool offers entertainment, swimming, in-water exercise options right at home, and is a great thing to have during the summer months when you want to cool down and relax. However, it’s important to keep in mind the upkeep and maintenance having a pool requires. Here are a few things Waltham Realtors suggest to keep in mind before purchasing a home with a pool. 

Maintenance 

Maintaining a well-kept and clean pool requires ongoing costs and definitely a good amount of work. You’ll need to make sure to regularly clean the pool as well as treat it with chemicals to make sure bacteria and algae don’t take over the pool. You’ll also need to regularly replace the pool filter and skim the water to remove debris that gets into the water such as leaves, twigs, and insects. If you're interested in a heated pool, keep in mind that could greatly increase your utility bills.

If your pool is uninsured and something breaks such as the pump, the lining, etc. it could result in unexpected costs that could end up being hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. It has been reported that homeowners with pools spend an average of $80-$150 a month. Waltham Real Estate Agents encourage you to consider these monthly costs before closing on a home with a pool. 

Safety and Regulatory Compliance 

It is crucial before buying a Waltham home with a pool to make sure it meets federal, state, and local regulations for safety requirements. Families with small children must always use supervision and also consider other safety measures around your pool. It has been found that drowning is the number one cause of unintentional deaths for children between the ages of 1-4. Consider installing alarms or have your pool in a fenced-in area to assure your children stay safe. 

Insurance Costs

Homeowner’s insurance often covers a pool under the “other structures” section of your policy. However, keep in mind that the homeowner would potentially be held liable for injuries that happen due to the pool. Waltham Realtors will assist you in making sure you’re aware of any pool safety requirements imposed by your insurance. 

Resale Information

People may think that the money spent on installing/maintaining a pool would be a good investment for when it’s time to resell the home. However, that is not entirely true. There is a chance your pool doesn’t have a significant impact on the resale value. This is especially true in New England since the pool is only usable for a couple of months of the year. There is also a chance it takes longer to sell your home because a pool might be a deal-breaker to some buyers. Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest viewing the pool as a lifestyle investment rather than a financial one. 

Contact a Waltham Realtor

Interested in buying a home in Waltham with a pool but not entirely sure if it’s the right move for you? Contact a Waltham Realtor! A Waltham Real Estate Agent will talk you through the pros and cons to assist in your decision. Waltham Realtors are extremely personable and always work their hardest to help you find your dream home. Call today at 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form! 

 

It’s common to be in competition with many other buyers when trying to buy your dream home. The last thing you want is to lose your dream home because someone else’s offer was better than yours. Here are 5 ways suggested by a Waltham Real Estate Agent to make your offer stand out so you can get the home you’ve always dreamed of. 

 

1. Include A Pre-Approval 

It’s a good idea to get pre-approved before you even sign an offer says a Waltham Realtor. This is because it shows the seller how serious you are about the home. It also eases the seller’s mind that you aren’t going to back out of the offer if you come to find out your credit isn’t as good as you might have thought it was. Make sure to include the pre-approval letter from the bank with your signed offer. 

 

2. Make a Decent Serious Deposit

If you believe the house you’re looking at is your absolute dream home, don’t play around when it comes to the amount you offer for a deposit. Earnest money shows the seller once again how serious you are about getting this home since you are ready to give up that much money if you were to back out of your offer. There is usually a particular amount offered for homes in the area, so to look really good Waltham Realtors recommend going above and beyond that amount. 

 

3. Make Your First Offer Your Best Offer

When you’re competing with multiple other offers, don’t waste time and rely on negotiation to get the deal you want. Base your first offer on solid research of surrounding comparables and offer what you really would be able to pay. If you don’t, your offer may be easily overlooked. Waltham Realtors suggest even possibly offering over list price if it is the right home for you.

 

4. Get Personal and include a letter to the sellers with your offer

Don’t be shy to let the sellers know why you want the house so badly. Maybe you’ve dreamed of raising a family in that neighborhood, or you have close family that lives nearby. Whatever the reason is, let them know. However, make your letter to the sellers short and simple and don’t sound too desperate. 

 

Contact A Waltham Realtor 

Having the right realtor is a very important part in figuring out the best way to close on your dream home. A Waltham Real Estate Agent will walk you through every step of the way and help you create an offer that is hard to refuse. Contact Hans Brings today for all your Waltham Real Estate needs

 

 

When you put an offer on a home the endless check writing process begins. There are many costs when purchasing a home such as a realtor fee, lawyer fees, etc. The total cost of these fees ends up being pricey and you may want to look for different ways to save. While you may want to skip the home inspection in order to save some money, Waltham Real Estate Agents suggest to not skip the inspection. Here are 6 great reasons you should get one. 

1. It Provides an “Out”

A home inspection can show you important information about the condition of the home. This helps the buyer see what costs, repairs, and maintenance updates the home may need. If as the buyer, you realize the home is in need of a lot more work than you expected this gives you an opportunity to back out of your offer before it’s too late. Waltham Realtors say this step is extremely important because it could end up saving buyers thousands of dollars 

2. Safety

A home inspection can help you become aware of safety issues. It can detect radon, carbon monoxide, and mold. All homes should be tested for these so that you can ensure the safety of you and your family before moving in. It’s important that your home-buying contact explains that if these hazards are present you have the option of opting out of your offer. 

3. Negotiating Tool

Waltham Realtors say that a home inspection presents the opportunity to ask for repairs to the home or even an opportunity to request a price drop from the seller. Work with your Waltham Real Estate Agent to help understand what you can request based on the inspection report in order to get a better deal on the home. 

4. Forecast Future Costs

As mentioned above, home inspections will show you the condition of the home. With this information, you will find out what systems need to be updated such as the plumbing, heating, and cooling. You will also find out other updates and fixes the home needs. By seeing the inspection report you can get an idea of how much money you may have to spend on updating and fixing some of these issues. This will help you decide if you want to put money into these tasks or if you want to opt-out of your offer.

5. Shows You the Big Picture 

If you are a first time home buyer, you may not realize how much work and money really goes into buying a home. Waltham Realtors say that sometimes people get so excited about the idea of the home such as the location, the layout, the size, etc. that they don’t realize other issues that can make their “dream” home become an inconvenience. A home inspection will help point out these issues so that people know what they are getting themselves into before just excitingly and instinctively buying the home. 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent

These are just a few of the reasons why home inspections are extremely important before purchasing a home. Hire a Waltham Realtor to assist you in your home buying process! They will walk you through everything you need to know and help you get the best deals possible on your dream Waltham home.

 

When buying a new home, getting a great deal is a goal. However, besides getting a good deal on the home, there are other ways you can save money. Here are some suggested ways to save money by a Waltham Realtor when searching for the perfect, affordable home. 

 1. Hire an Experienced Real Estate Agent

The first step is hiring someone who can assist you throughout the process. Hiring a knowledgeable and experienced Waltham Real Estate Agent will save you a lot of time and money as it is ideal to have someone assist you in all your real estate decisions. A knowledgeable Waltham Realtor will be able to ensure finding the best deal for your soon to be Waltham home.  People often think not hiring a Realtor will save them money, however, that is not the case. A Waltham Real Estate Agent will be able to negotiate many things within the contract in which you most likely wouldn't have been able to catch yourself. 

 

2. Get Loan Quotes from Multiple Sources

Interest rates change based on lenders so Waltham Realtors recommend you gather quotes from a few different mortgage companies in order to see where you can get the best deal. By asking for a quote from different lenders you will be able to see all of the fees they will charge and you can then compare them all to see which one would be most beneficial for you. You can also use these quotes to help negotiate lower fees and rates. 

 

3. Increase Your Credit Score

Your credit score is extremely important when it comes to buying a house. The higher your credit score is, the cheaper your loan will be. A few ways you can up your credit score before applying for a mortgage loan is to pay down your credit card balances as well as don’t apply for any new loans or credit cards. Focus on keeping your credit card balances below 15% of your credit limit. 

 

4. Buy a Home in the Winter

The time of year you buy your home has an impact on the price. A lot of people look to buy in the spring and summer months which results in the prices being higher since the demand is higher. Waiting until the winter months to buy a new home could result in thousands of dollars being saved claims a Waltham Real Estate Agent. 

 

Contact a Waltham Real Estate Agent 

 If you’re looking to purchase a new home and are in need of a reliable Waltham Realtor to assist you, contact Hans Brings! Hans will be able to walk you through finding your perfect Waltham home and making sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Give Hans a call at 617-968-0022 or fill out a contact form!