North Shore's Real Estate Podcast with Mike Quail: Recent Episodes
Mike Quail
A Video Blog about the North Shore Real Estate Market for buyers and sellers By Northshore's premiere Realtor Mike Quail of the Quail Group.
Did you know that Peabody, Massachusetts is home to an awesome indoor skating rink? In this episode of Love Where You Live, I’m taking my daughters to the James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Skating Rink for some fun on the ice. We’ll check out all the activities and fun this venue offers to New England residents of all skill levels.
Getting Out On The Ice
It’s March in New England, there's snow on the ground, and it's raining. When it's cold and raw like this, the best cure is to find a fun activity we can do indoors. Today, we’re going to do some indoor ice skating at the James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Skating Rink.
We grabbed our rental skates and I got the kids ready to go, first—which was a bit of a chore. Once I got my skates on, we were ready to get out on the ice. Emma did a great job skating by herself with just a little help, while Ally glided off around the rink.
All Skill Levels Welcome
I’ve probably skated three times in my life, but I have a bit of a feel for it. I picked up speed and was doing great until I had my first wipeout; it was definitely a little humbling. I was going fast because it was fun, and I tried to do a hockey stop. Crash, bang, boom! That’s when I went down.
We all had a great time at the skating rink, and being on the ice was tons of fun. I’d definitely recommend it as a great option to escape the elements and test your skating skills. Once the public skating session was over, it was time for some hockey players to take the ice. These guys are so skilled in skating and are definitely fun to watch, and the rink also hosts high school and pickup games.
So whether you want to test your hockey skills or just enjoy a free skate, James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Skating Rink is the place to be. Make sure to check it, and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you can see what fun we have next. Stay tuned for the next video!
Are you looking for a fun indoor activity to do with the kids this winter? In this episode of Love Where You Live, we’re heading to Nashua, New Hampshire to visit Fun World. We’ll explore everything from classic arcade games like Centipede and Air Hockey to NBA Showtime to give you an idea of the fun you can have here.
Welcome To Fun World
Sometimes in New England—especially in the wintertime—there’s nothing to do outside. My daughters and I thought it was the perfect day to have an adventure, so we got dressed up to go to Fun World. This arcade is located just across the border from Massachusetts in Nashua, New Hampshire. It’s been there since I was a boy, and 28 years later and it’s still just as fun as I remember.
Inside, you can exchange your dollars for tokens to take advantage of all the arcade games. There’s the classic Air Hockey, which is always a great game for both kids and adults. For a truly retro experience, a game of pinball is always a good choice. You can find multiple levels of games, rides, a playground (though it was closed when we went), and more for the whole family.
Play And Prizes
One of the best parts of a day at the arcade is winning prizes. Some of the arcade games—like the classic claw game—allow you to win toys that the kids will love. You can also score tickets on many of the games, which both my daughters love to do.
After a day of fun, take your tickets to the Ticket Eater to count them all up. This machine is almost a game in itself for the little ones! You can take your receipt with a barcode to the prize counter and choose from tons of fun toys and trinkets. It’s a great way for the kids to remember the awesome time they had at Fun World.
Fun For The Whole Family
Emma and Alex loved their time here at Fun World with me, and we had a blast exploring all the activities. It’s an affordable experience that won’t break the bank but still provides a day of entertainment.
So if you’re on the border of Massachusetts, hope right over to Nashua, New Hampshire and visit Fun World. I’m an original Grand Stater from New Hampshire, and it was great visiting a place I went to as a kid. Be sure to check this place out, and stay tuned to the next episode of Love Where You Live to see where we head next!
Did you know there’s a cafe in Georgetown with farm-to-table food, a garden, and mini-golf? In this episode of Love Where You Live, my girls and I are going to visit Café Sarina, a great local spot north of Boston that you’ve got to check out. We’ll get a sneak peek at everything from their menu to games so you know exactly what you can enjoy here.
All About Café SarinaI decided that a rainy Sunday was the perfect opportunity to get my girls out for a fun experience. If you’re looking for a great activity north of Boston, Café Sarina is the place to go. It’s located just 25 to 35 minutes north of Boston in Georgetown, Massachusetts.
Café Sarina is housed on Nunan’s property, a 100-year old greenhouse, nursery, and florist shop. Here you can rent or buy plants, have custom bouquets built, or get supplies at the garden center. And one of the best parts of Nunan Florist & Greenhouses is Café Sarina.
Sandwiches, Ice Cream, And Golf
The menu at Café Sarina includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options made from scratch. They use local, organic, and grass-fed ingredients wherever possible, making their dishes delicious and healthy. So whether you want a Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich, Tuna Melt, or an ice-cold beer, the café has you covered.
One of the best things we tried was ice cream from Kallie’s Kones, named after the owner’s daughter. They serve Richardson’s ice cream, sweet treats from a family-owned farm with a variety of flavors. You can also find tasty cookies and other sweet treats baked fresh.
After you’ve fueled up, don’t forget to play a game of Garden Golf, a mini-golf course that’s both scenic and fun. Play through holes that feature plants from Nunan’s, water features, and challenging obstacles. It’s a great way to enjoy a day outside and take in the lush landscape.
Enjoying Georgetown
I hope this gave you some good ideas of fun activities you can enjoy north of Boston. Café Sarina is a great example of all that Georgetown, Massachusetts has to offer. So if you want to spend a day enjoying food and having fun, this place is one you’ll want to check out.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of my show, Love Where You Live, where we talk all about living just north of Boston. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!
Are you thinking of hiring an agent to help you buy or sell a home but are wondering how much it’s going to cost? In this video, we’re going to go over the costs of hiring an agent to help you purchase a home or sell your existing one. We’ll look at some common fees and what they’re used for so you can make the best decision about hiring a realtor.
Assessing Your Goals
Before hiring any company for a product or service, one of the things you want to look at is the cost. In real estate, this will change depending on whether you’re buying or selling. While you might be doing both, we’ll take them one at a time to see how much it will cost you.
Let's imagine you're buying a home. First of all, you need to talk to us to figure out what your goals, needs, and wants are. What are you looking to do? We call that a buyer consultation. We’ll sit down and show you everything we do for buyers—which is way beyond what most agents do.
What We Do For Buyers
Most agents just get you access to active properties on the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service. We, however, get you access to 13-15 different sources of homes that nobody else knows about using our proprietary system.
When you decide to work with us, we’ll get active and get to work for you. What's cool is that most of the properties on the MLS are all represented by other agents. They're already offering out what they call a buyer agent fee, buyer broker fee, or compensation. All or most of our fees are already included in that. And if we bring you to an off-market home—such as for sale by owner or a previously expired property—we can negotiate our fee with the seller.
Fees typically range anywhere from 1- 4% when you're hiring a really good agent. As a buyer, you never need to pay us out-of-pocket for our services. While we do have some premium services that you may want to upgrade to, these can be included in the transaction. We often get the seller to pay for that so it doesn't come out of your pocket. While every situation is different, just know you have very little out-of-pocket expense when you're hiring a buyer's agent.
Negotiating For You
When you’re looking to buy a house, we'll go over all the details when we talk to you and show you all your options. Once we find you a great home, we're going to make sure we get it for you. We’ll negotiate based upon your wants, needs, and desires—which means getting you the home at the best price possible, listening to you, and taking your instruction on what goals you have for acquiring that property.
Once we help you acquire the property, we go through the whole due diligence period to make sure you're not buying a lemon. We help you throughout the financing and all the title work, with professionals to help you at every step. We hold your hand throughout the whole process.
Each agent partner—plus our team, staff, and transaction coordinators—help you get through all the details. Eventually, we get you to closing and we hand you the keys. The good news is that you never pay for any of our services unless we actually find you a home. Plus, we get paid out of the deal.
What We Do For Sellers
Now let's imagine that you're selling a house. In this case, costs vary. There's no set price for any agent, which is called price fixing; you can't do that in our industry. Our team has a menu of available services. Our fees can go as low as 3% up to 7% in tiers of gold, silver, and bronze plans. We’ll have a little bit of nuance in each of those plans, depending on where the buyer comes from.
When you pick one of our plans and you're ready to go to the market, we need to help you prepare your home for sale. One of the big value adds we bring to the table is getting your home ready for sale so it looks its best. Imagine going on a date and wanting to look the very, very best you can. That's what we're doing; we're about to date the marketplace. We want to get your house looking the best.
What does this include? We're going to clean up, paint some rooms, and possibly remove some furniture to open up the space. My favorite line in terms of preparing your home for sale is, “we want to sell the space, not your stuff.” We normally have one of our professional stagers—at our expense—go in and give you advice on what to do and what not to do to get the most money when we put your home on the market.
Once that's done, we go to the multimedia phase. We bring in our professional photographer and professional videographer, depending on what plan that you picked, and do all the work upfront. You don't pay any of this out of pocket; you only pay when we actually sell your home.
Getting You The Best Deal
Once we get your home prepared for sale—meaning it’s looking amazing, we have the photos, the 3D virtual tour and video are done, and we’ve uploaded floor plans—we’ll next go to market. We can either go privately to market (non-MLS) or we can go directly to the MLS. There are pros and cons to each, and we can talk to you about that when we get there.
Once we go live, we'll produce marketing on Facebook and Google and spend money on advertising. Again, all of this is not out of your pocket at all. Next, we go online, and then we host open houses or private showings. Our whole staff is dedicated to making sure we do a great job for your home, getting it the maximum exposure.
Once we get showings and offers, it’s time to negotiate the deal. Once the deal is negotiated, our staff makes sure every I gets dotted and every T gets crossed to make sure you get your big check—which will usually be wired directly into your account. Finally, we’ll get paid at closing depending on whatever plan you picked, anywhere from 3- 7%.
I hope this gave you a good idea of how much it costs to hire an agent, whether you’re buying or selling. If you have any more questions or would like more information on working with us, make sure to reach out and we’d be happy to connect!
Are you thinking of hiring an agent to help you buy or sell a home but are wondering how much it’s going to cost? In this video, we’re going to go over the costs of hiring an agent to help you purchase a home or sell your existing one. We’ll look at some common fees and what they’re used for so you can make the best decision about hiring a realtor.Assessing Your GoalsBefore hiring any company for a product or service, one of the things you want to look at is the cost. In real estate, this will change depending on whether you’re buying or selling. While you might be doing both, we’ll take them one at a time to see how much it will cost you.
Let's imagine you're buying a home. First of all, you need to talk to us to figure out what your goals, needs, and wants are. What are you looking to do? We call that a buyer consultation. We’ll sit down and show you everything we do for buyers—which is way beyond what most agents do.
What We Do For BuyersMost agents just get you access to active properties on the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service. We, however, get you access to 13-15 different sources of homes that nobody else knows about using our proprietary system.
When you decide to work with us, we’ll get active and get to work for you. What's cool is that most of the properties on the MLS are all represented by other agents. They're already offering out what they call a buyer agent fee, buyer broker fee, or compensation. All or most of our fees are already included in that. And if we bring you to an off-market home—such as for sale by owner or a previously expired property—we can negotiate our fee with the seller.
Fees typically range anywhere from 1- 4% when you're hiring a really good agent. As a buyer, you never need to pay us out-of-pocket for our services. While we do have some premium services that you may want to upgrade to, these can be included in the transaction. We often get the seller to pay for that so it doesn't come out of your pocket. While every situation is different, just know you have very little out-of-pocket expense when you're hiring a buyer's agent.
Negotiating For YouWhen you’re looking to buy a house, we'll go over all the details when we talk to you and show you all your options. Once we find you a great home, we're going to make sure we get it for you. We’ll negotiate based upon your wants, needs, and desires—which means getting you the home at the best price possible, listening to you, and taking your instruction on what goals you have for acquiring that property.
Once we help you acquire the property, we go through the whole due diligence period to make sure you're not buying a lemon. We help you throughout the financing and all the title work, with professionals to help you at every step. We hold your hand throughout the whole process.
Each agent partner—plus our team, staff, and transaction coordinators—help you get through all the details. Eventually, we get you to closing and we hand you the keys. The good news is that you never pay for any of our services unless we actually find you a home. Plus, we get paid out of the deal.
What We Do For SellersNow let's imagine that you're selling a house. In this case, costs vary. There's no set price for any agent, which is called price fixing; you can't do that in our industry. Our team has a menu of available services. Our fees can go as low as 3% up to 7% in tiers of gold, silver, and bronze plans. We’ll have a little bit of nuance in each of those plans, depending on where the buyer comes from.
When you pick one of our plans and you're ready to go to the market, we need to help you prepare your home for sale. One of the big value adds we bring to the table is getting your home ready for sale so it looks its best. Imagine going on a date and wanting to look the very, very best you can. That's what we're doing; we're about to date the marketplace. We want to get your house looking the best.
What does this include? We're going to clean up, paint some rooms, and possibly remove some furniture to open up the space. My favorite line in terms of preparing your home for sale is, “we want to sell the space, not your stuff.” We normally have one of our professional stagers—at our expense—go in and give you advice on what to do and what not to do to get the most money when we put your home on the market.
Once that's done, we go to the multimedia phase. We bring in our professional photographer and professional videographer, depending on what plan that you picked, and do all the work upfront. You don't pay any of this out of pocket; you only pay when we actually sell your home.
Getting You The Best DealOnce we get your home prepared for sale—meaning it’s looking amazing, we have the photos, the 3D virtual tour and video are done, and we’ve uploaded floor plans—we’ll next go to market. We can either go privately to market (non-MLS) or we can go directly to the MLS. There are pros and cons to each, and we can talk to you about that when we get there.
Once we go live, we'll produce marketing on Facebook and Google and spend money on advertising. Again, all of this is not out of your pocket at all. Next, we go online, and then we host open houses or private showings. Our whole staff is dedicated to making sure we do a great job for your home, getting it the maximum exposure.
Once we get showings and offers, it’s time to negotiate the deal. Once the deal is negotiated, our staff makes sure every I gets dotted and every T gets crossed to make sure you get your big check—which will usually be wired directly into your account. Finally, we’ll get paid at closing depending on whatever plan you picked, anywhere from 3- 7%.
I hope this gave you a good idea of how much it costs to hire an agent, whether you’re buying or selling. If you have any more questions or would like more information on working with us, make sure to reach out and we’d be happy to connect!
Are you thinking of buying or selling a home and wondering if you even need a realtor? In this video, I’m going to outline the pros and cons of hiring a real estate agent. From finding properties and negotiations to closing, I’ll explain the roles of a realtor so you can decide if hiring one is right for you.
Making Educated Real Estate Decisions
The main reason people hire a realtor is to make an educated decision when buying or selling. You want to make sure you have someone in your corner that knows what they're doing and that does it for a living. Whether you're buying or selling, hiring a realtor will give you peace of mind when making such a big decision.
For example, when you're purchasing a property, it's a big investment. You're hoping that it's the correct investment and that I will actually grow. You know what they say: you don't make money when you sell your real estate, you make it when you buy it smart. Thankfully, working with a realtor as a buyer doesn't cost you anything upfront, as the realtor gets paid out of the proceeds from the sale.
Finding You Properties And Negotiations
Different realtors offer different buying programs, so you want to make sure you interview them and find out what they do to help you find homes. For example, do they just look on the MLS active properties or do they search off MLS properties? At our team, we have 13-15 other sources that we're digging in constantly to find our buyers properties that aren't just on the MLS active search sites. While most of the properties are there, we're going to go everywhere to find you the property that works for you.
Once your agent finds you the property, their job is to negotiate and get you that property at the best price. They’ll then walk you through the entire contract to close process, as there's a tremendous amount of detail. If you have an agent or agent team like ours that doesn't have processes done every single day, the ball can get dropped and your deposits can be at risk. You may end up not even being able to own that home and you'll have a lot of disappointment.
Choosing The Right Realtor
It’s important to make sure you hire a really good realtor that has a great track record. On the other hand, when you're selling a property, you're going to get the most money possible when you hire a realtor. So how do you choose the right one?
First, make sure you hire the right realtor that's going to create more demand for you than the other realtors. For example, our team on average gets $23,500 more than the average realtor in our MLS—which is something we're really, really proud of. You can talk to us about that and our whole VIP seller program when we chat.
Representing Your Interest
Once you choose the right realtor, what’s their job when they're representing you in your home sale? First of all, they're going to make sure that they get rid of all the tire kickers—the people that aren't serious. If you were to sell it on your own as “for sale by owner,” you have a giant target right on your house that says, "Please come and try to take advantage of me." They know you don't have a professional representing you, filtering out all the people that want to do all kinds of strange, funky financing.
“Hey, can you let me do a rent to own?” You typically get that kind of question when you're for sale by owner. When you're listed with a quality realtor team like ours, those calls don't even come to us. And if they do, we shut them down so we're only showing your home to financially qualified buyers.
Besides helping you get the right buyers, what do we do? We help you prepare the home for sale. We tell you what to do and what not to do to get the most amount of money when preparing your home for sale. We use professional home stagers to come in and give us a third party view of your home. I call them one of our secret weapons. When a buyer walks into your home and it’s staged correctly, it makes a huge difference. And when I say staged, don't think that we're getting rid of all your furniture; we're bringing in all brand new, expensive rented furniture.
In staging, we oftentimes use your own stuff but just in a different way. Maybe we trim back some of the furniture by 20-25%. Maybe we paint a wall or make a small repair. When they walk in and feel that the home is inviting and warm, they're much more likely to pay a higher price.
Closing The Deal
Once we get a buyer and need to negotiate the deal, what's the value of an agent? Well, they're going to make sure they negotiate in your best interest, getting you the best offer at the best price. They’ll also ensure you get the best terms and the strongest buyer that will show up on closing day and hand you that big old check.
Now we have this great buyer, how do we get them to the point where they hand us that big old check? Well, we have to walk them through that whole contract to close process. The buyer has a home inspection and their bank will do an appraisal. There could be some different inspections that have to happen, such as on the well, pool, and radon. We help our sellers navigate that entire process, making sure that the property appraises at the right value. And if it doesn't, we walk you through the entire process of negotiation.
We also help you to prep the home for the final walkthrough when the home is supposed to be empty. When are we closing? What day of the week? Why is that important? Why don't we want to close on a Friday? I'll tell you why. If there's some delay in closing and you were expecting to get your big check on a Friday, now you have to wait until Monday. The buyer's going to ask if they can store things in your home even though they don't own the property, which creates a mess.
We want to make sure we do things properly. We like to do our closings on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday so we never run into a weekend issue. A good realtor with experience will know to make sure you don't get yourself in a jam.
Is Hiring A Realtor Right For You?
I hoped this helped you understand the role a realtor plays in your transaction. If you guys have any questions on whether hiring a realtor is right for you, you can ask me or any of our agent partners and we'll be happy to share with you what we know!
Did you know that Peabody is home to a renovated mill that’s now a gourmet food hall? In this episode of Keeping It Real, we’re heading to Eatery 58 Marketplace to enjoy a delicious lunch and amazing desserts. Whether you want to grab a slice of authentic Napoletana pizza or enjoy a coffee and chocolate croissant, you’ve got to try all the options at this delicious food court.
Plenty Of Options At Eatery 58
Located at 58 Pulaski Street in a renovated mill, Eatery 58 Marketplace offers a variety of options to choose from—both shopping and dining. We headed to this gourmet food hall to experience everything they have to offer. From pumpkin pie and pizza to delicious burgers, this place has it all.
Donning our masks to be COVID safe, my daughters and I got a sampling of various entrees. We ordered fresh-off-the-girl burgers from Filets Grille, serving its “All-American Favorites.” They also offer low-carb options for their burgers, which is great if you’re trying to stay healthy. Pizza from Frankie Slice is also not to be missed, with a variety of authentic pies, subs, and salads.
A Unique Setting
Located in a revitalized mill built in the late 1800s, every vendor at Eatery 58 Marketplace has a cool vibe and amazing style. It’s a great place to come and dine indoors or out, with plenty of choices for everyone. The well-designed space also includes stores where you can purchase everything from antiques and home décor to clothing and accessories.
So if you want to grab a croissant, sip on a brew from Capito Coffee, and shop for unique items, this place has it all. Not only will you have a great time, but you’ll also be supporting small business in the process. My daughters approved, and I’m sure you will too!
Welcome to Keeping it Real! On this series I am going to review community spots and local businesses from an HONEST perspective. You can count on me to give you the truth. Today we are going to explore In The Game with two of my three daughters.
This new entertainment hub is HUGE! They have a ropes course that extends up several stories and an illuminated rock wall. In The Game also has every carnival game under the sun.Do you want to play laser tag? They’ve got you covered. Bowling? You guessed, they’ve got it. In The Game is an immersive gaming experience featuring the newest cutting-edge games.
Playing all of those games will work up an appetite. In The Game has a large pub food style menu. Burgers and wings are their signature dishes. They serve craft beers and cocktails too so the adults can have some fun.
If you are looking to celebrate a birthday or event, they have a variety of preplanned party packages that can take the stress out of organizing a get-together. They will let you bring in your own cake so all you need to do is grab some candles and your celebration is covered! Contact one of their party planners for more information.
Now here’s our final review. My daughters and I loved the games, the prizes, and the variety. Since we are on Keeping It Real, we did think it was pretty packed and pretty expensive so be sure to keep an eye on your kiddos and come with some cash!
Are you looking for a great spot to satisfy your sweet tooth? With Summer right around the corner, I’ve found an awesome local spot serving up the best tasty treats in Danvers! On this episode of Keeping It Real: Living North of Boston, we’re taking you Good Lickin’, an authentic 1950’s ice cream parlor serving up delicious frozen creations. From cookies and sodas to sundaes and sorbets, young and old alike will something to enjoy. Join me and my two daughters as we sample some of Good Lickin’s flavor varieties and get the inside scoop on this awesome local spot.Located on Maple Street in Danvers, walking into this hidden gem is like being transported back in time. Bright turquoise blue paint on the walls and red vinyl seats are accented by a black and white checkerboard-tiled floor, giving off that classic 50’s vibe. Fun additions to the shop include a vintage jukebox, gumball machine and even a selfie station to share your tasty experiences. Counter seating offers a cool opportunity to hang out and watch all the frozen creations being made while you enjoy your own!
Good Lickin’ serves up dozens of delicious treats, serving Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream from a family-owned creamery in Maine. Customers can choose from 30 flavors that will satisfy every craving: from fresh and fruity Black Raspberry or Southern Peach to rich, indulgent Mississippi Mud Pie or Campfire S’Mores, every scoop is heaven on a spoon! In addition to ice cream, visitors can try fresh-baked snacks like muffins, cookies, and baggies of delicious popcorn. Sodas, frappes, and hot coffee round out the experience, with hot chocolate offered seasonally. And don’t worry that a trip to Good Lickin’will break the bank: browse their dollar menu for smaller, single servings of many of their goodies.
Another cool feature that Good Lickin’ offers is party packages, catered at your location or hosted in the parlor for an awesome, theme-ready good time! Birthday packages include two themes—Sock Hop 1950s or Classic Carnival—that include invitations, photo ops and dress up, arts & crafts, snacks and drinks, music and games, and a make-your-own sundae bar. Other events can be accommodated, and you can give Good Lickin’ a call to set up your ultimate ice cream party that your guests will be sure to love.When the hot days start rolling in, you’ll be happy to know about this awesome spot to go grab yourself a refreshingly cold treat. Be sure to visit Good Lickin’, and stay tuned for the next episode of Keeping It Real to see which local spot north of Boston we visit next!
With the official start of summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds our community. If you’re looking for an awesome spot to take a walk or go for a bike ride, I’ve found an awesome location you have to check out: Danvers Rail Trail! On this episode of Keeping It Real: Living North of Boston, my daughters and I will journey through trees and swamps, traveling on a path that was once part of the historic Boston to Maine railroad. With plenty of wildlife to spot and some historic spots along the way, Danvers RailTrail is the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon with the family.Situated along over 10 miles of packed dirt and stone pathways, the Danvers Rail Trail winds its way through suburbs and woodlands from Peabody to Wenham, offering lots of sights to see along the way. The Danvers section of the Rail Trail is just one part of a bigger stretch that will eventually span 28 miles, reaching from the Boston suburbs to the New Hampshire border once complete. Once home to the Essex Railroad in 1849, the abandoned railroad corridor is now a path for all to bike and walk on while they enjoy the surrounding nature. The trail also links the neighborhood together, connecting schools, parks, and downtown areas with historical landmarks and beautiful natural sites.There’s plenty of wildlife to spot while you traverse the trails: turtles, frogs, deer, ducks, fox and turkeys can often be seen in among the wooded sections of the path. Eagles, hawks and a variety of bird life lend their songs to the overall peacefulness of the area, while evidence of local beavers can often be seen near by felled trees and dams. The best chance of seeing these busy animals is near the SwampWalk, a wooden boardwalk that covers a portion of the Wenham Great Swamp. This marshy area is a unique part of the trail, and young and old alike will have great fun trying to spot the two large beaver lodges on the pond.Detours along the Danvers Rail Trail are an added element of fun, including informational kiosks, rest stops, picnic tables and historical points of interest. Near Pine Street, walkers and bikers can stop by a local market and café for a snack or beverage, or visit the nearby RebeccaNurse Homestead to learn about the Salem Witchcraft Hysteria that took place in the late 1600s. The trail is also the perfect means to get around during the Danvers Family Festival, with a variety of events through the city from June through July. It’s a great way to get exercise, enjoy the season and explore hidden gems in the area.Of course, there’s a few caveats: make sure to protect yourself from mosquitoes and bugs, and watch out for poison ivy along the trails. As long as you keep on the path, you’re sure to enjoy the Danvers Rail Trail as much as we did! Stay tuned for our next episode to see where I head next, as we discover more awesome perks of living north of Boston.
Summer is the perfect time to let your sense of adventure lead the way, and there’s no shortage of places to explore here in Danvers. With miles of rugged, rocky New England coastline at our doorstep, one of the best ways to discover new sights and sounds is out on the water—which is exactly where we’re taking you today! On this episode of Keeping It Real: Living North of Boston, join me and Brian Mahoney of Guaranteed Rate Mortgage as we launch our vessel from the Danversport Yacht Club and into the blue ocean beyond. Starting from the Danvers River, we’ll make our way through Northshore waters to the Atlantic Ocean as we find awesome beaches, coves, harbors—and maybe a fish or two—along the way.Since my daughters were busy with schoolwork, I recruited fellow real estate champion Brian Mahoney (and his boat) to join me on a scenic North Shore adventure to discover more of what makes Danvers such an amazing place to live. Danversport Marina, our port of origin, features 304 slips and is located just 20 minutes from the open ocean. Besides providing a place to moor their boats, members have access to a variety of additional amenities, including a swimming pool, bathhouses, and picnic areas. This scenic marina is the perfect spot to begin your adventure as you tour a section of classic, scenic New England coastline.Gliding through deep blue waters as you make your way from Danvers River and through Beverly Harbor, it’s hard to believe the vast Atlantic Ocean is right at your proverbial doorstep. Many points of interest can be seen along the way, from Manchester Harbor and West Beach to small islands in between. Fishermen often visit House Island, a rocky uninhabited spot of land where you can catch anything from striped bass to the sought after bluefin tuna. Great Misery Island, once home to a turn-of-the-century country club and golf course, is a popular destination for explorers or those who just want to sink their anchors at Cocktail Cove for a good time. Not to be missed is the gorgeous New England coastline, where four cities can be seen simultaneously in one spot!With so many amazing places to explore by boat, it’s easy to see the appeal of captaining your own watercraft. Brian keeps it real for us, pointing out that there are some challenges involved in owning any type of vessel. While you can have a lot of fun, vigilance is always required to stay safe: keeping an eye on the weather, water conditions and your passengers is essential for everyone involved. Maintenance and housing can also be costly, but in the end, the adventures you’ll enjoy are well worth any expense.Whether you want to go for a short cruise or a day-long fishing trip, the Danvers Yacht Club is the North Shore’s best spot to launch your adventure. Stay tuned to my next episode to see where I go next, and you can be assured that I’ll always keep it real.
Nothing says July like a big cone of creamy, frosty ice cream and fun times with the family. If you want to spend a classic New England midsummer day with the kids while enjoying a tasty treat, I’ve got the best spot in Massachusetts that’s a must-see this season. On this episode of Keeping It Real: Living North of Boston, my trusty co-hosts and I are visiting Richardson’s Ice Cream, located in Middleton on a historic, family-run dairy farm. With plenty of outdoor fun available at next-door-neighbor Golf Country, you and your family are going to love this special venue just as much as we do.
If you see a line of people outside Richardson’s Ice Cream stand, don’t be surprised: their handcrafted recipes are popular with both kids and adults, with a variety of delectable flavors to choose from. It’s no wonder, since the Richardson family has been perfecting their craft since 1952. In operation for over 300 years, the 9th generation of Richardson’s currently manages the dairy farm and attracts many visitors throughout the year. Their current roster of flavors includes all the classics, while adding in specialty flavors like Maine Black Bear—a red raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate-covered raspberry truffles—and many more unique creations.While the sweet treats at Richardson’s Ice Cream are enough of a reason to visit, there’s so much more available to see and do. Next door, Golf Country’sgolfing facility provides a relaxing space for families and individuals to hone their skills and have some fun. The driving range is a great place to practice for any skill and age level, and lessons are offered from a PGA pro. Golfers can choose from turf stalls or a special natural grass area that’s open seasonally. If you want to practice your putting skills in a fun-filled group setting, you’ll want to check out Golf Country’s 18-hole Miniature Golf Courses. Challenge yourself as you meander through a charming, landscaped setting featuring a millpond and stone bridge; lights illuminating the course in the evening create a whole other ambiance. Since Golf Country is open from 7am to 11pm, you’ll have plenty of time to try both day and night play! Last but not least, make sure to take a turn at the Batting Cages (or as Ally likes to call it, “The Death Cage”) for a challenging practice session with softballs or baseballs. Various speeds are available, and each token gets you 15 pitches to try to land a home run.
Ending a long day of play with Richardson’s Ice Cream will be the cherry on top of an awesome Of course, we always keep it real: the lines can be a bit long, and the bugs can be a bother during the hottest days. As long as you come prepared, nothing will stand in your way of having an amazing day at GolfCountry and enjoying the best ice cream that Massachusetts has to offer.summer experience.
Summer is coming to an end, school is starting and you want to fill your weekend with family funbefore the cold comes in? Well I have the perfect spot for you. On this episode of Keeping it Real, my daughters Samantha, Alexandra, Emma Faith, and I take on Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to relax by the beach, play at the park, or any type of sport, then look no further.With two beaches, a large playground, picnic benches, two baseball fields, a basketball court,a dog park there are plenty of activities to do for the whole day. The overlooks the water to serveas a nice view for both you and your children. There is plenty of seating for you to enjoy the water, drink coffee, or read a book! Looking for a more active thing to do? Or maybe you want to show off your competitive side?There is access a sand volleyball court, a baseball field, a basketball court, and tennis courts forendless sport opportunities. When lunch time starts to roll around and hunger strikes you can settle into one of the many picnic tables and cooking areas to start enjoying your food. Just be sure to bring your own grill if you want to cook though! If you’re not in the mood to cook there is also a privately owned restaurant which is open to the public that serves delicious food. During the summer season, there are outdoor concerts, fireworks, and storytelling events for children, festivals, farmers markets, and several other events. When we arrived there, we were surprised to find that there happened to be a festival going on! There were plenty of food trucks and tents there with different vendors. Our favorite was a woman who wrote a book about a dog who was paralyzed and had no use of his back legs. My daughters got to pet a dog and we also ended up buying the book! A bedtime story that will remind us of the fun we had there every time we read it. If your child is of the furry kind, then you’re in luck! State Fort Park is dog friendly! Although they are not permitted to be on the beach, they are welcome to roam on a leash with you throughout the rest of the park!There is nothing negative we really have to say about the Stage Fort Park and our experience there. The only thing I would say is that a lot of the activities are geared towards older children, but there is plenty of field space for you and your baby to make fun of your own! We definitely recommend you head out and give it a look! Thank you for reading, stay tuned to see where we go next!
Living in Massachusetts, we know that after summertime, there are fewer and fewer comfortable days we can spend at the playground with our kids. Nowadays, it’s also hard to find a clean and safe place where you can actually relax while your kids play. Thankfully, my family and I stumbled upon this gem called The Children’s Piazza. This spot takes play places to a whole new level.The owner, Charae D’Ambra, found out soon after becoming a mother that there are very few "toddler friendly" places to hang out. This ignited her passion to create a space that supported early learning AND provided the adults with things like coffee and free wifi in return as well. So, in February of 2014, she opened her first location in Beverley and then her second location in Peabody in 2018. This place was designed not only to be a playland paradise for children, but also as a place for parents alike to know that they matter and that even when they show up with baby food on their shirt, that everyone is happy they are here. There is plenty of seating areas and free wifi for any parents wanting to get a little work done or just be able to scroll through the web. There’s also a cafe that serves gourmet coffee. You don’t have to have a child to grab a cup or this joe! The Children’s Piazza is extremely clean, no matter how busy they are, and is inclusive to children of all ages and abilities. It is a place you can bring your child and be at ease that they are having a good time and are absolutely safe. The padded floor offers cushion for those adventurers, or children who are just beginning to walk. There is an arts and crafts room for children to express their creativity with things like paint, and also a super cool start room that glows in the dark! There is plenty to do here that will keep your children entertained and learning all day long. All three of my daughters love coming here and I am sure that your children would too. We frequently come here and have never had anything bad to say about it. There are indoor and outdoor play areas and your classic playground staples like swings, slides, and a jungle gym, plus plenty of things to climb on.
Come check out everything this place has to offer, you won’t regret it!
For more information such as hours and location, take a look at their website https://www.thechildrenspiazza.com/. Thanks for tuning in!
Every year the Topsfield Fair comes to town and this year me and my girls decided to use our professional critiquing abilities and check it out. We spent the day walking around the fair, riding plenty of the rides, playing the classic games, and of course, enjoying the food.This is definitely a place for people of all ages and walks of life. They do a great job making sure that there is something for everyone. Most of the Fairgrounds is paved to accommodate guests in wheelchairs and on scooters. Conveniently located near the Picnic Area, a private Nursing Mother’s Lounge and an Adult Changing Room, which is in the same area as our haven for the Kids Safe Zone, which is staffed whenever the Fair is open. There’s also plenty of hand wash/hand sanitizing stations throughout the Fairgrounds to keep everyone healthy and happy.
There was over 200 vendors present at the fair offering a wide variety of quality goods, services, demonstrations, and food. We could spend all day enjoying ourselves. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and the food was delicious as well.
Walking around it seemed like they offered just about everything! They had wood stoves, leather goods, jewelry, dog treats, novelties, books, toys, tractors and more. Naturally after working up an appetite walking around the fair and smelling all the delicious aromas, you can have your choice of food. They offer everything from traditional “fair” food to more restaurant-type fare… apple pie, cinnamon rolls, fried Oreos, and ice cream sundaes… Italian, Greek, Mexican, and Chinese foods, BBQ, and seafood. Once again, definitely something there for everyone. In our typical “keeping it real” fashion, we are inclined to tell you the things that weren’t so great. Although admission to the fair itself isn’t too pricey, if you plan on playing any games, enjoying the food, or riding any rides throughout the day, it can definitely start to add up. Aside from that though, my daughters and I can both agree that this is a can’t miss activity that happens every year in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The Topsfield Fair always ends on Columbus Day and runs for the 10 days prior.
What if I told you furniture shopping was fun for the kids? Well, at Jordan’s Furniture in Reading, MA, shopping has never been so much fun for the whole family. This place is not your average furniture store…
In addition to a massive showroom everything from beds to dressers to recliners and more, the Jordan’s Furniture store has Beantown, a replica of Downtown Boston made up of nearly twenty-five million Jelly Belly jelly beans. Beantown consists of Sweet House which is a candy shop, selling unique kinds of sweets, like Jelly Belly jelly beans, Big Dig Ice Cream which is a 40-foot ice cream sundae made from over 4 million jelly beans and houses a Richardson's Ice Cream shop, too. There’s also liquid fireworks with a light, and sound display that shows fountains of water spraying to the beat of music. This is a place the whole family can enjoy!When you walk in you can’t miss Wally The Green Monster. Fenway Park’s mascot takes up almost an entire wall. You also can’t miss the Beanstalk Adventures Rope Course. Sammy and Ally loved adventuring on up and Emma and I got to watch them from down below. Jordan’s Furniture also hosts a 500-seat, 8-story Sunbrella IMAX 3D theater which plays hit movies like Frozen 2. You could spend an entire day here at the furniture store and never get bored! After working up an appetite running all over the store and laying on every couch, mattress, and chair they had to offer, we went over to the Fuddruckers inside to enjoy some milkshakes and chicken fingers and burgers. Anyone who has been to a Fuddruckers knows the food is tasty and it’s no different here!All in all the only thing any of us had to complain about was the lengthy lines, but aside from that this was a fun experience that we will definitely be doing again. This store has something for everyone whether you’re looking for a high adventure, a relaxing movie, or some sweets, this place has it all and is definitely incomparable to any other furniture store out there. After all of that, my daughters still admitted that walking around and seeing the different furniture was their favorite part, go figure! Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Keeping It Real!
Are you in need of some new ideas for a fun filled weekend with the kids? On this episodeof Keeping it Real, living north of Boston, me and my girls take you to three of our favorite spots in Ipswich that are sure to cure your boredom. One of these spots is our little secret,but we’ll give you the inside scoop because it is just too good not to share.Our first stop of the day was to Great Neck Park. This place is filled with fun. There’s pathsto walk on, a basketball court, a soccer field, and my girl’s personal favorite, the playground.A big pirate ship makes up the majority of the playground where the girls had endless laughs spinning, sliding, and climbing. It’s not too big where you feel overwhelmed keeping an eye on all your children, but just big enough to keep them entertained. Definitely a great spot for kids of all ages. After exerting a large portion of our energy on the playground, we decided to head just across the street to a small beach called Pavilion Beach to splash around and relax. This quaint beach is filled with shells during low tide, which is my favorite, so you can walk up and down the soft sand searching for beautiful treasures from the ocean. There is also a boat launch and picnicking areas available here. You have a beautiful view of the ocean, all of the boats there, and you can even see Plum Island in the distance! Although this beach is small, it’s the perfect spot to escape the crowds and a bit of the noise to enjoy the scenic view. My girls loved splashing in the water, but one thing to look out for is sharp shell pieces. It wouldn’t be a Quail beach trip if we didn’t stop for ice cream afterwards. There’s nothing better after a warm, fun, but exhausting day then grabbing a scoop. Close by is Down River Ice Creamwhere you can pick from a large variety of flavors, all of which is made on site, and enjoy it while sitting in some nice chairs. This place has the perfect mix of old flavors, as well as some new fun creations. If you’ve been here, let us know your favorite flavor in the comments!We had the best day visiting all of these spots and we hope that you share the same experience too! Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe to see where we go next.
Being a move-up buyer comes with its own set of home buying challenges. Here’s how you can avoid them. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationToday I want to share five mistakes to avoid when you’re moving up into a larger home. Moving into a significantly bigger home is so much more complicated than moving into an apartment or your first home. A lot of move-up buyers are moving into their forever homes, so here are five things you should avoid:
1. Looking at the property with rose-colored glasses. Maybe you’ll drive by a huge home without knowing what the price is. Get real on what prices are today and make sure you know you can afford a home before you fall in love with it.
2. Not getting pre-approved. This will ensure you can afford what you’re looking at. A lot of homebuyers end up disappointed because they realize down the line they can’t afford their dream home.
3. Not selling your home first. You want to make sure that your current home is at least under contract with a buyer when you purchase your new home. If it’s not, you’ll have to offer more money on your new home to compete with sellers who are already under contract. You also may have to lower the price on your current home to ensure that it sells quickly. A better way to do it is by getting your home on the market, getting it sold, having a delayed closing or rent-back, and then purchasing your new home. There are a lot of different things you can do.
“It takes a lot of work to coordinate your closings, but it’s very advantageous to your move. ”4. Failing to make necessary improvements to get top dollar. If you’ve ignored something for years, get it fixed. The new buyers will notice that.
5. Not coordinating the closings together. It takes a lot of work to do this, but it’s certainly possible and advantageous to your move.
There you have it. Avoid these five mistakes and you’ll have a smooth process moving up into your new home. If you have any questions for me in the meantime or you’re thinking about moving up to a new home anytime soon, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are selling your home yourself as for sale by owner (FSBO), I want to help. I can provide you with a marketing tool kit, or I can list your home myself. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationFor sale by owner (FSBO) – To many people it sounds horrible, but to others it sounds like a really smart idea because of all the available technology. They think the process will go smoothly, which it can sometimes. But, it's as easy to go to Las Vegas and win $10,000 while gambling, as it is easy to sell your home by yourself.
Some FSBO home sellers sell for more money, save on commissions, have no legal issues, and have deals which work. However, I have found that 75% of FSBOs end up hiring an agent. There are many reasons for this.
Even though you can go online and get loads of information, selling your house is still an intense process. It is much better to hire a professional. The biggest reason you want to work with a professional is because you can get more money, even after you pay the agent's fees.
If you are interested in selling by yourself, offer the buyers’ agents a 2.5% to 3% commission to get good buyers to look at your home. This will bring in people who are more likely to spend the most money. People working without a buyer's agent are looking to take advantage of sellers who are selling on their own.
“When professional agents list homes, we track the premium buyers who are spending the most money. ”In fact, I took a class where they encouraged us to go after FSBOs to see if we could get a large discount. We found that most FSBO homes are sold for 10% less, which is actually more money lost than it would have been had they hired an agent for a 5% commission. And, the owner would not have had to do all the work. When professional agents list homes, we track the premium buyers who are spending the most money. By offering a 2.5% to 3% commission, you are spending very little to get a lot more.
We have found that FSBO sellers sell for a lot more with our help. If you reach out to us, we’ll provide you a copy of our marketing tool kit so that you can try to be one of the 25% who is successful at selling your home on your own.
If you’d like our help with selling your home on your own or you have any other questions or real estate needs, give me a call or send me an email. My team and I would be happy to help.
Commissions are variable with all agents and the above is just an example.
I’ve checked over the numbers from May, and I want to share five interesting statistics about the market in this latest update. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationToday I have a market update to share with you that includes five super cool statistics about the state of our market.
1. We have 5.4% fewer single-family homes listed, comparing the end of May 2018 to May 2017.2. The number of units sold is down from 1,962 units to 1,910, which constitutes a 2.65% drop. This decrease is caused by the lack of inventory, not by the lack of demand—as you might have seen by now, buyers in the market are hammering listings with multiple bids.3. The median days-to-offer is 14 days. This means that it’s taking roughly two weeks for listings to receive offers.4. The median sales price is $440,000. This is a $35,000 increase from last year, or 8.63%, which is great news for sellers. What’s more, based on market trends, I don’t see this changing for at least two or three years.“It’s taking roughly two weeks for listings to receive offers. ”5. The median sales-to-list price ratio is 98.83%. To explain, if a home was put on the market for $100, on average, it would sell for about $98. However, if you hire the Quail Group to sell your home, we’d sell it for $101.If you have any questions about the market with respect to how it will affect buyers and sellers, feel free to reach out to us. I, or anyone else on my team, would be happy to help you out.
If you are unable to put at least 20% down when you buy a new home, your bank may require you to also purchase private mortgage insurance. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price EvaluationToday I want to talk about private mortgage insurance, more commonly known as PMI. Is PMI horrible? Is it good? The truth is that it oftentimes lies somewhere in the middle.PMI is basically an extra fee for those homebuyers who do not put at least 20% down on a mortgage. PMI is something nobody really wants to pay. However, it allows people to buy, for example, a $400,000 home without putting down $80,000.If you put less than 20% down, you will have to pay a fee every month for private mortgage insurance to ensure your bank’s peace of mind. They only want to be in a position where they have lent out 80% of the loan. If they have lent out 95% of the loan, they have a greater risk. They don’t want to risk losing money if you lose your job or there is some other reason that you are unable to pay your bills, forcing you to sell the home. If they do not get all of their money back from the sale of the house, then the private mortgage company pays the difference.Generally, it is a good thing. It helps you get into the market and helps you build equity. If you can afford the extra money per month for the policy, which is on a scale, it is worth it.“Banks do not want to risk losing money, so they require private mortgage insurance when homebuyers are unable to put at least 20% down. ”Most buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, put down less than 20% and have PMI. There are some special programs which waive PMI, so give us a call and we can put you in touch with some of our preferred lenders and they can give you some extra information.Once you own your property or you have equity of at least 20%, you can actually get rid of your PMI. It does not have to be there forever. Some loans you have to refinance to get out of them, however, other programs allow you to get a new appraisal once you reach the 20% value of the home and remove it easily.If you have any additional questions about this or are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Here’s the truth behind four common real estate myths most people believe. Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? **Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation There are a lot of real estate myths floating around out there that you shouldn’t believe. Here are four major myths and the truth behind them.
1. Real estate agents are paid a salary and keep all the commission from each deal.
I wish this were true, but it’s not. For 99% of us agents, our salary is commission-based. We don’t get all of the commission from a real estate transaction, either. It actually gets split four ways—the listing agent splits it with the buyer’s agent, and each of those agents split their remaining half with their brokerages.
2. A home either “passes” or “fails” a home inspection.
The home inspector’s job is to see what’s wrong with the house and then report any issues back to the buyer—not give it a “pass” or “fail” grade. After they do this, the buyer can either negotiate for certain repairs to be made, negotiate a lower price for the home, or walk away from the deal.
3. Zillow says, therefore it is.
Zillow is a fantastic website for consumers and I like it very much, but their Zestimates, or the algorithm they use for home valuations, are flawed and can be off by as much as 30%. If you’d like a far more accurate valuation of your home, just call me and I’d be happy to take a look at it.
4. All agents are the same.
They’re not. For the most part, agents spend their own money marketing homes—the brokerages pay for very little. This means it’s up to them as far as how much demand they can create for your home and whether they can help you sell it for a high price. The market is great, and almost anyone can sell a house right now, but you might be leaving money on the table by not working with a high-powered agent such as myself who has a high-powered marketing program.
“Contrary to popular belief, not all agents are the same. ”If you’d like to read the original Inman article that inspired this topic and read about more real estate myths consumers commonly believe, click here.
As always, if you have any questions or real estate needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
Our team is growing, and we’re looking for talented, outgoing, high-achieving people to join us.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation**
Today, I’m presenting you with a Keller Williams high achievement certificate award with the name covered up.
Why? We’re looking for the next person to fill in that blank. Our team is growing, and we’re looking to add more awesome salespeople to help more of our clients.
“
We’re looking for talented people to join our team.
”Our mission is to care for clients and grow people. Our values include:
* P²: Productivity x pleasure to be around.
* Grit: It’s a hard business, and a lot of deals fall apart. You have to have perseverance and passion.
* Growth: We want to grow all of our people in all areas.
* No one succeeds alone: We work together as a team.
* Whole-life success: We’ll help you in all different areas of your life, not just business.
We want talented people who are looking to have unlimited potential income and are willing to care for buyers and sellers and help them with the biggest transactions of their lives. It’s not always an easy field to be in, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
If you have any questions about this position, you think you fit this description, or you know anyone else who does, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!
Today’s market is crazy! If you’re a buyer or a seller, here’s what you need to know.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation**
What is going on in today’s market? It’s crazy. Inventory is super low, and I’d like to offer you some perspective.
I recently gave an interview on a Boston.com real estate program where I talked about the North Shore and Essex County in general. Ten years ago in 2008, we had 3,000 homes for sale. Today, we have 700 homes for sale—that’s 2,300 fewer homes available.
If you’re a seller, there’s never been a better time to sell. There are so many buyers but not enough homes to sell to them all, so each seller’s property is a hot item that should sell fairly quickly and for a good price.
Buyers might think it’s a good idea to wait until prices go down, but I don’t see that happening. We won’t have a collapse like the last dip in the market, since that was underpinned by weak mortgages and people who got no-documentation loans. These days, everyone has been getting loans that are properly documented with every i dotted and every t crossed.
“
You might as well enter the market now and ride it up with the prices.
”In the Greater Boston area, people are moving in to take advantage of the jobs and colleges we have, but there isn’t enough housing to suit them all. We also can’t build anymore homes, so we’re stuck with what we have.
Rents are going up and home sales are going up, so if you’re a buyer, the prices will be even higher. You might as well enter the market now and ride up with the prices. That way, when you sell in five or 10 years, you’ll have gained all that equity. If you lower your expectations a little bit and get in the ownership game now, your next purchase can more in line with what you desire.
If you have any more questions about our current market or you're thinking of buying or selling a home, don't hesitate to call me or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to help.
How are rising interest rates impacting people in our current market?Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation**
As you may already know, we’ve recently seen a rise in interest rates. Last year, interest rates were around 3.4%. Now, they are up to 4.4%.
This rise has a direct impact on buyers and sellers in today’s market. The amount sellers can ask for a property and the amount of buying power people have during their home search are two primary examples of this.
Let’s imagine a home with a purchase price of $400,000. A 1% rise in interest rates would cause buyers to lose around 10% of their buying power.
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Rising interest rates have a direct impact on buyers and sellers in today’s market.
”Decreased buying power affects sellers, too. If sellers hope to entice today’s buyers, they must set lower prices than in the past.
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I can see that it’s becoming more expensive for buyers in today’s market.
In other words, now is the time to lock in rates while they’re still relatively low. If you’re a seller, now is also a great time to list, since waiting could make it harder to command top dollar.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, now is the time. We’re offering a $1,000 credit to all sellers who sign a listing agreement with us by April 15.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation**
I have an exciting announcement for you today. There is a new tax credit that’s only available with The Quail Group—not the city, not the state, and not the federal government.
We are offering our sellers $1,000 off any of your expenses that come from commissions, seller attorney fees, or recording fees. We are giving you $1,000 when you close with us.
To qualify for this $1,000 credit, you just have to sign a listing agreement with us by April 15. You just have to hire us; if you want to wait to put your home on the market until later in the year, that’s fine. Just make sure you hire us by April 15.
This is just our way to help the economy a little bit. The other thing is there aren’t a lot of homes on the market. There are a lot of buyers out there, so if you’re looking to sell your home, you can get some money off some of your fees through us and get your home on the market.
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Hire us by April 15 to get your $1,000 seller’s credit.
”There are a lot of bidding wars going on right now, with some houses getting as many as 10 offers and selling for $10,000, $20,000, $30,000, or even $40,000 over asking price. So, not only can you sell your home for a lot of money right now, you’ll also get $1,000 off when you work with us.
We just want to help get things going as the spring market starts. If you are interested in selling your home, give us a call and help us end this inventory shortage. We would be happy to help you!
Rents right now are on the rise. It’s time to get out of the rental trap and take steps toward long-term wealth.Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation**
Right now, rents are on the rise. People here on the North Shore are seeing just how hard it has been lately.
That said, I don’t want you to get caught up in the rental trap. Rents are up 2.7% nationally and over a quarter of renters are spending half their income on rent. Renters also aren’t earning any equity for the money they’re paying toward their housing situation, and renting lacks the tax benefits of homeownership.
These days, it is actually cheaper to buy than to rent. This is partially due to the fact that homeowners have the benefit of mortgage interest deductions on their taxes.
Still, many people find themselves uncertain of how to transition from renting into homeownership. A recent survey found that while 80% of millennials plan to purchase a home, 72% had no concept of when they would do so.
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You can never gain long-term wealth if you’re caught in the rental trap.
”A large portion of people who would like to own a home feel they lack the funds to do so, due to the false belief that you must save 20% for a down payment. In actuality, there are options for buyers to get into a home for just 3% or 3.5% down. For veterans, there are even financing options that require no money down at all.
The bottom line is that you can never gain long-term wealth if you’re caught in the rental trap. While buying a home isn’t always the right option, it isn’t an out-of-reach alternative to renting.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.