Megan Francese MA Realtor ️

05/25/2022

A special congratulations to my first time home buyers for closing on their new house today! Spring & Summer are such enjoyable times to buy in New England because you get to immediately utilize all the home has to offer in its outdoor space- heres to the first of many summers enjoying the pool & backyard with your family ☀️ This closing is another reminder that Homeownership IS WORTH the EFFORT! 🔑🏡❤️

03/21/2022

Say goodbye to interest rates in the 2s and 3s. Homebuyers can expect higher financing costs after the Federal Reserve raised its short-term benchmark rate for the first time in three years. The central bank is expected to increase its rates SIX MORE TIMES by the end of the year as it tries to tame the highest inflation in 40 years! Contact me today to find out how higher interest rates will affect your purchasing power as a buyer!

Rates above 4% are likely the norm for the foreseeable future.

01/03/2022

How First-Time Buyers plan to take on 2022 and make homeownership happen!

More than a quarter of inexperienced house hunters were unable to purchase a home this year. They’re looking to be more strategic next year.

12/06/2021

Is your New Years resolution to purchase the home of your dreams? Is 2022 finally the year you stop renting and start building equity on your own home?
If you’re looking into homeownership, now is the time to start the buying process.

There are a lot of variables that go into buying a house that could make things move faster or slower. The timeline is different for each individual, and just depends on your financing needs, the housing marketing, inventory, time of year, and the type of home you’re looking for.

If one of your 2022 goals is to buy a home, I’m here to walk you through every step of the way. My #1 advice though, don’t WAIT to begin the process! If you want to buy in 2022 there are things you can do to start preparing for your purchase NOW! By preparing NOW you will be in the best position to get started right in January!

Let's talk — shoot me a DM or give me a call, and let's get started on your journey to purchasing a new home!

11/18/2021

Homes are more frequently left empty in the whirlwind of Christmas shopping, activities, gatherings, and vacations, which means it’s important to take precautionary safety measures to protect your home during the holidays. 🎄🎅🏻🎊

Here are a few things you can do to keep your home safe and secure this season! Swipe for the list!

10/29/2021

Thinking about selling? Make your house look and feel bigger + brighter with some of my top tips!

1. Keep colors light and neutral

Bold patterns and colors can make a room feel smaller. Use light, neutral colors for a bright and airy feel!

2. Use mirrors

Mirror are one of the best ways to open up a room and make it feel more spacious!

3. Hang curtains

Curtains give the illusion that your ceilings are taller than they actually are, and since they draw your eye upwards, it makes the room feel bigger than it is.

4. Don’t have too much furniture

Too much furniture in your home makes the space look tight and crowded. Carefully place your furniture with room to walk around.

5. Correct rug size

Small rugs can make a room feel smaller and stuffier. Consider a large rug or put your rugs away if they aren't the right size!

Looking for a real estate agent to sell your house? DM me and let's get started on the process!

10/25/2021

My #1 secret moving tip? 🤫 Pack an “unpack first” box filled with all the essentials you’ll need when you first move into your home! This could look different for everyone, but here is what would be in my unpack first box:

🛏 Bedding / Linens to make your bed cozy for your first night
🧼 Cleaning Supplies to wipe down surfaces
🍷 Wine / wine opener to relax after your moving day
🕯 Candle / lighter to freshen your space
🧻 Toilet Paper & Paper Towels
🍿 Quick & easy snacks
💄 Personal Care / Hygiene Items
☕️ Coffee Maker & Coffee
🛠 Basic Tool Kit
🩴 Cozy Cloths & Slippers

10/14/2021

“How Much Do I Need To Put Down On A Home?”

This is a question often asked, yet the answer completely differs with your individual situation!

Your minimal down payment depends on the type of mortgage, the lender, and your finances. While 20% is still a highly recommended amount to put down on a house, there’s no size-fits-all figure. Think of it this way, the more that you put down on your home the quicker you will be able to pay it off, the sooner you will own it, and the less your monthly payments will be. If you are considering buying a house in the near future, the first thing you should do is find a dependable and reliable lender to walk you through the process and determine how much you should save for your down payment. As your realtor I can definitely recommend you to one!

10/13/2021

"Do I need a real estate agent if I'm looking to buy a house?" 👀

Some people try to do it all on their own - but there’s really no reason to do so. The home buying process can get complicated, and since you aren’t an expert, why wouldn’t you turn the job over to someone who is?

A good buyers agent will protect you, advise you, and pioneer the entire buying process for YOU - they have your best interests at heart and will guide you through, step-by-step!

Read on for some of my Responsibilities as a buyer agent ➡️

- Finding homes that meet your needs and criteria

- Taking you out to open houses and showings on your schedule

- Educating you about the home buying process

- Providing guidance and support to find you a lender so that you can get pre-approved + finance your home purchase

- Having insight on upcoming homes for sale and exclusive new listings

- Being able to network and talk with other agents to get the inside scoop on the current market

- Helping to negotiate contingencies, closing timelines, and final contract prices

- Writing and submit all offers to purchase home

- Being the main communicator between you, the seller agent, lender, broker, attorney, etc

- Giving you extended information on different areas and neighborhoods

- Assist you in choosing + scheduling inspections as well as negotiate home inspection repair requests

- Making sure everything is running seamlessly and that you are able to move into your new home without major complications and issues

-Finalize all the necessary paperwork and walk you through the entire closing process

If you’re hoping for a smooth-sailing journey to homeownership, I’m your girl! It’s never a bad time to send me a message to get your home buying process started! 🎉

10/12/2021

Tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking, and your October maintenance checklist!

Click the bookmark button to save this post and start tackling your fall projects this weekend! 📌

- Service heating system 🔥

- Inspect and clean your gutters 🌧

- Seal cracks on windows and doors 🪟

- Schedule a chimney sweep 🪵

- Rake leaves 🍃

- Check attic vents 💨

- Clean and cover patio furniture 🪑

- Check water softener 💧

- Test CO2 and smoke detectors 🧯

- Bring out the cozy bedding and put away your summer linens ⛄️

10/11/2021

Monday Motivation ➡️
Looking to get your finances in order and manage your money better? This checklist is for you!
It’s hard to work towards something if you don’t know where to begin - so here are a few things you could do to get started 💸 Swipe for my ideas- my #1 that I do is tracking my spending & setting budgets for certain categories on my banking app💰

10/06/2021

To successfully reach a goal, it's important to have a “why”.

A “why” is a deeper, more meaningful reason behind what you want to achieve. This is something I apply in my everyday real estate business! If you don’t define your why, it can be hard to see the path that will lead you to successfully achieving any goal.

If you are considering homeownership, you need to know your WHY. What’s YOUR reason for wanting to buy a house?

If you are buying a house as an investment property, you may look for a home that is low maintenance, is in a central location, and has a good ROI (return on investment)

If you are buying a home to start a family, you may look for something that has a warm and homey feel, is close to work/in a good school district, and has enough space to grow into.

As you can see, these two home wishlists are very different!

Whatever your reason may be, it’s important to always remember your “why” throughout the home buying process. Knowing your “why” will help you to figure out your priorities and what you need in a home.

Reflecting on your “why” also helps you to look at the end-goal, which will keep you motivated, determined, and inspired, even in a crazy market.

Have questions about homeownership? It’s always a good time to send me a message!