Frequently asked questions about buying a home in Boston

I’d like to buy a home. What’s the best way to get started?

Get a preapproval letter from a reputable lender. We’d be glad to put you in touch with the lenders we and our clients have had great experiences working with. They’ll talk with you over the phone to learn more about your finances and your goals for buying a home. They’ll ask you to provide documents (listed below) and they’ll run a credit report before emailing you a preapproval letter.

What information do I need to get a preapproval letter?

Generally, the lender will want to see two years of W2s and tax returns, paystubs and bank account statements from the past three months, current mortgage documents (if you currently own a home), as well as recent statements for other assets, such stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts.

I’m self-employed. What information should I provide to get a preapproval letter?

Usually the lender will ask you to provide two years of your business tax returns, year-to-date profit & loss statement, and year-to-date balance sheet.

I’m just starting house hunting in Boston and I have no idea where I want to live. Where’s a good place to start?

We find that many professionals who are moving to the area have a lot of flexibility in where they choose to live. They may be drawn to the top rated public schools in Boston’s Metrowest suburbs, like the idea of living by the beach in Boston’s South Shore areas, or want to live minutes away from work in Boston or Cambridge.

If you’re not sure what area is best for you, please call or email and we’d be glad to share information and contacts to help you get started before you arrive in Boston. We can chat about some good options that will work for you based on your needs and interests, such as top Boston school systems, commuting distance, housing budget, desired characteristics (urban, suburban, rural), desired amenities, etc.

Kyle & I would love to show you around Boston’s MetroWest suburbs. We also have wonderful colleagues in the South Shore, North Shore, Brookline, and Boston’s Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill neighborhoods who would be glad to help you get to know those areas. We often work together to help Boston newcomers find the best community for their individual needs.

Do you recommend working with a buyer’s agent?

Yes, it costs you nothing to have a buyer’s agent represent you, and can be very helpful to have someone representing your interests. Our goal as buyer’s agents is to help:
•    Save you time in finding the home, neighborhood, and community that works best for you & your family 
•    Navigate the home buying process
•    Point out the pros and cons of homes you’re considering buying
•    Share advice, resources, and contacts (lenders, home inspectors, real estate attorneys, movers, painters, electricians, contractors, interior designers, landscape designers, and more) to help make the home buying process a pleasant one

I hope you’ll take a moment to read testimonials from many of our previous clients.

Do I have to be shopping at a particular price range for you to represent me?

No. We’re happy to represent home buyers at any price range.

I’ve been getting home listings from Realtor.com but often the homes seem to be sold before I ever get a chance to see them. What should I do?

Most third-party real estate sites receive data feeds from the Boston-area Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and there can be a lag time in receiving these updates. The fastest way to be updated about homes that fit your criteria is to:
•    Sign up to receive emails of new listings.
•    Drop me a line & let me know what you’re looking for so we can keep an eye out for homes that are coming on the market that may be a good fit for you.

What’s the best way to learn about the home buying process?

Give us a call and we’d be glad to chat with you by phone or in person to walk you through the process. You can also download our free Home Buyer Guide for a step-by-step process on buying a home in the Boston area. 

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