Real Estate and Commercials Brokerage

08/03/2018

07/25/2018

European Salon and Day Spa in Leicester, MA for sale

Turn-key opportunity to be a business owner of a beautifully well-established salon and day spa. Gorgeous 2 level building with experienced and reliable staffs already in place. Located in a high traffic main street in a loyal community. Over 15 years, this spa has built an outstanding reputation and strong customer base in the community. The spa offers hair, make-up, facials, massage, body treatments, waxing, and nails. We have so much more information to share. Please contact 617-633-1120 to speak with a broker today!

07/20/2018

Frank, a smart and tech-savvy Denver homeowner, thought he’d skip the agent commission and sell his house himself. He researched his home’s property value, found a buyer and got the house under contract. It seemed like a done deal.

06/21/2018

Giá nhà ở Mỹ tăng nhanh gấp đôi tiền lương và lạm phát

(Cnbc.com) – Tình trạng thiếu hụt trầm trọng loại nhà có giá vừa phải tại Hoa Kỳ sẽ tiếp diễn trong năm tới, khiến giá nhà sẽ tăng nhanh hơn mức lạm phát và mức gia tăng tiền lương, theo phần lớn những nhà phân tích thị trường bất động sản được Reuters thăm dò.

Sau khi bất động sản mất hơn một phần ba trị giá ở một thập niên trước đây, đưa đến cuộc khủng hoảng tài chánh và một vụ suy thoái kinh tế trầm trọng, giá nhà tại Mỹ đã lấy lại những mất mát đó, phần lớn nhờ một thị trường lao động khỏe mạnh đã thúc đẩy các hoạt động kinh tế và nhu cầu nhà ở.

Nhưng số cung đã không thể bắt kịp số cầu đang gia tăng, khiến nhiều người khó đủ sức để mua nhà.

Tốc độ gia tăng lợi tức chưa tới 3% một năm, mặc dù giá nhà đã tăng trung bình hơn 5% trong mấy năm qua.

Cuộc thăm dò mới nhất đặt câu hỏi với gần 45 nhà phân tích, được thực hiện từ ngày 16 Tháng Năm đến ngày 5 Tháng Sáu vừa qua, cho thấy chỉ số giá nhà hỗn hợp S&P/Case Shiller tại 20 thành phố được dự đoán sẽ tăng tới 5.7% trong năm nay.

Trong khi đó mức gia tăng lợi tức chỉ lên tới trung bình khoảng 2.8% và tỉ lệ lạm phát 2.5% cho năm 2018, theo một cuộc thăm dò khác của Reuters được các kinh tế gia trả lời.

Giá nhà tại Hoa Kỳ được tiên đoán sẽ tăng 4.3% trong năm tới và tăng 3.6% trong năm 2020.

Đây không phải là một hiện tượng tạm thời. Vài năm nay giá nhà đã tăng nhanh qua mặt lợi tức gia đình tại Hoa Kỳ và trong khi nhu cầu đã nguội bớt đôi chút, lãnh vực cung cấp vẫn rất eo hẹp, theo ông Sal Guatieri, kinh tế gia cao cấp tại BMO Financial Group.

Theo ông, giá nhà sẽ tiếp tục tăng nhanh hơn lợi tức trong ít nhất một năm nữa và sẽ cần thời gian để nhu cầu chậm lại và số cung gia tăng phần nào.

Cuộc thăm dò mới nhất diễn ra, sau khi các dữ kiện về những vụ mua bán nhà trong Tháng Tư (cả nhà mới xây lẫn nhà có sẵn) đều tỏ ra yếu ớt.

06/20/2018

Choose the right lender who will understand your situation and offer a sweet deal.

06/20/2018

40 Important Things for First-Time Home Sellers
-Nick Gerhardt-

Choose Low-Maintenance Materials
If you're doing some last-minute upgrades to sell your home, such as replacing flooring or countertops, choose low-maintenance materials. Many potential buyers don't want to spend a lot of time with cleaning and maintenance. Also, make sure your yard is low-maintenance so buyers aren't intimidated by potential upkeep.

Remove Personal Items
If you have a lot of family photos on the wall or several pieces of your child's artwork on the refrigerator door, you should take them down and store them out of sight. This will help buyers see the home as a clean slate they could make their own. It might be sad to take those personal items down but it will help you sell your home in the meantime.

Clear the Clutter
Nothing turns off buyers more than clutter. So get rid of that clutter to sell your home. Clear off shelves, the fireplace mantel and tables of any unnecessary items. These Clutter-Busting Strategies for Every Room can help.

Upgrade Lighting
If your lamps and other light fixtures are outdated, consider replacing them with modern ones. Buyers don't want to feel like they're taking a step back in time with outdated fixtures. This is an easy fix that will help sell your home.

Fix Pet Issues
Did Fido leave a stain on the living room carpet? Does the basement smell like a cat's litter box? Address these issues before potential buyers visit the home. Pet smells are serious turn offs when trying to sell your home.

Update Paint
Since not everyone has the same color preference, apply fresh coats of neutral-colored paint on the walls.

Do a Thorough Cleaning
Dusty tables, dirty countertops and messy bathrooms won't appeal to buyers. Make sure your home is in show-worthy shape by doing a thorough cleaning. Also, be sure to keep things as tidy as possible while the home is on the market as Realtors could request a showing at any time.

Address Minor Issues
If possible, make minor repairs such as replacing chipped tile, broken door handles and torn window screens before putting your home on the market. The fewer problems your home has, the more attractive it will be to buyers. And this will help you to sell your home faster.

Up Curb Appeal
Buyers will first see your home's exterior so make it memorable. Mow the lawn, clean up debris and add some flower pots during the warmer months. During the winter, make sure walkways remain clear of snow and ice.

Wash the Exterior
If your house has siding, carefully use a pressure washer to clean the exterior. Also, make sure the windows are clean and the gutters are clear before you try to sell your home.

Get a Home Inspection
Before trying to sell your home, hire a home inspector. While buyers usually have the home inspected, have an inspection prior to putting the home on the market. This will make you aware of any potential issues that may come up during the sale.

Brag About Walkability
Write out positives about your home's neighborhood and leave the list for potential buyers. Tout your home's walkability, nearby businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants, parks and proximity to public transit.

Add Tech
Adding a smart thermostat or fixtures that can be controlled by a smart phone are attractive upgrades to younger buyers.

Fix Fencing
A fence adds value to your property. If your wood or chain-link fence needs a little TLC, be sure to take care of any repairs before trying to sell your home.

Roof Repairs
Few things turn away buyers more quickly than a leaky roof, so address roof repairs before trying to sell your home. If your roof needs serious work, be ready to negotiate a lower price with buyers.

Fix Cracks
Fix any cracks in the driveway, walkway or patio. And this will help increase your home's curb appeal and will surely help you sell your home.

Remove Wallpaper
If you have wallpaper or a mural in your home, get rid of it. Then, give those walls a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color before attempting to sell your home.

Clean the Carpet, Polish the Floors to Sell Your Home
Dirty flooring is an immediate turnoff to potential buyers. Rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional to freshen dirty carpet. If you have wood floors, make sure they are polished and make sure tile floors are spotless.

Update Hardware
If the k***s or handles on your kitchen cupboards or drawers are outdated, update them. It's a cheap upgrade that will give your home a more modern look and will help sell your home.

Clean Fabrics
Clean or wash cushion covers, duvet covers and pillow cases to ensure furnishings look tidy and well-kept. To make your home look more cozy, add a few decorative pillows. If fabric-covered furniture is outdated, remove it or cover it with a neutral-color slipcover.

Finish Projects
Every homeowner has at least a couple ongoing projects that never seem to get finished. Now is the time to finish painting the guest room, install the ceiling fan you bought last summer and stain that beadboard you put up in the pantry. If painting is on your list, this collection of tips will help you finish the task with a lot less mess.

Think Neutrals
If you decide to do some interior painting, stick to neutral colors. You've heard it before, but it's the truth. Neutrals don't distract and they allow potential buyers to imagine their things in your home. If you'd like some guidance on choosing colors, check out this collection of tips.For help on painting, check these ideas.

Rearrange Your Furniture
Your furniture is arranged the way it best suits you and your family. When you're staging your home to sell, you'll need to use your furniture as marketing tools to help create inviting vignettes.Avoid having furniture lined up along the walls. Pull the sofa away from the wall and pull chairs close to create a conversation area. Also, you may need to remove some furniture so it's easy for people to walk around in the rooms. If you've toured model homes and had the feeling you could move right in and live there, that's what you're going for. Be sure to use best lifting practices as well.

Uncover Windows
If your windows are covered with heavy drapes, flouncy curtains and/or clunky valances, take all that stuff down. You want every possible ray of natural light coming in through your windows. It’s also a way to make a room look bigger.Most people want shades or blinds to provide privacy, with as little obstruction as possible.

Buy Fresh Flowers and Plants
If the weather allows, plant flowers in pots, window boxes or right in the ground to add color and pump up the curb appeal. Pay close attention to the plants, keeping them watered and trimmed.Inside the house, fresh flowers in vases add color, life and the feeling that you, as the home seller, are putting your best foot forward. It may not matter to some buyers but others will appreciate this detail and take it as a sign that your home has been well cared for.

Create a Welcoming Entry
The potential buyer's lasting first impression takes place at the front door. Curb appeal is important, but a negative impression as a buyer steps up to and through the door could be a deal killer.Be sure the steps and/or walkway up to the front door are in good repair with no big cracks or overgrown weeds. Check that the door (and storm/screen door, if you have one) is in good shape and is working properly. Also, check the lock. You don't want the real estate agent to fumble trying to open the door. Check the threshold to make sure it's clean and in good repair. Replace any dangling or loose weather stripping.And finally, put a wreath on it. hokey or not, a simple wreath on the front door is an inviting and welcoming sign of good thing to come inside.

Organize Closets
Messy, packed closets read: There's not enough storage in this home. Weed-out closets by 50 percent, and make sure what's left is clean and organized in stacks or bins. Buyers will open closet doors and kitchen cupboards; make sure they don't see a big mess!

Simple Decor
It's a good idea to keep the decor simple when selling a home. Sellers want to allow potential buyers to imagine the possibilities of a house. Distracting decor will turn buyers off from the thought of trying to picture how they can decorate a room.Need some ideas on how to make simple look stunning?

Luxuriate the Bathroom
The bathroom can be a highlight of a house and when putting a home on the market, sellers should make it shine. A soaking tub can be the perfect place to unwind for a potential buyer. Make a bathroom feel like a spa.

Prepare the Paperwork
Obviously the better prepared a seller is for a home sale, the easier it will go. That being said, don't forget to have all the paperwork for the house organized and ready to go. Some of the paperwork that a seller will need includes: deed, homeowners insurance information, loan information, property tax statements, appliance warranties, title report, purchase agreement and any other information regarding the property.

Landscaping
Creating curb appeal is one thing but try extending that idea to landscaping, too. Well-manicured landscaping will impress.

Plan Out Activities for Kids
Selling a house with kids requires a little extra planning because you'll need activities for them while you're out of the house. Find some quick getaway places like the library or a park while you have a viewing of the house. Just make sure you get enough notice ahead of time before a viewing.

Research Agents
It's never a bad idea to get a second opinion when trying to find a real estate agent. Many people work with the same agent they did on an earlier deal or use someone recommended by a friend or relative. Make sure to talk to others who have worked with an agent, you might be surprised what you find.Make sure you avoid doing things like adding a sunroom when selling a house, it could cost you.

Research the Comparabales
Look for home sales in the past three months. Appraisers only look at comparable homes sold in the last three months. Avoid trying to inflate the square footage of your home. The appraiser will know exactly how much square footage your home has.

Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working
Make sure your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and other safety devices are working properly. Also, be sure to have an up-to-date fire extinguisher.

Make Sure Appraiser Knows of Improvements
Have your documents on the ready to show any home improvements you have made including additions, HVAC units, exterior work, roof and other remodeling.Keep a binder of appliance manuals handy

Is the Appraiser From the Area?
Your appraiser should ideally come from a nearby place, ideally even a 10-mile radius. That’s so they are familiar with the neighborhood. It’s a good idea to ask how long the appraiser has worked in the industry along with which data sources they use beyond the MLS.

Be Aware of Recent Developments
If the area near your home is seeing growth or there are plans for future developments, let the appraiser know. It might not be on their radar.

Give the Appraiser Room to Work
Appraisers are likely greeted by eager home sellers all the time. But back off and let them work. You can make their work pleasant but don't go overboard and trail them through every room. It's likely to set off alarms.

Review the Appraisal
Appraisers aren't infallible so it's important to review their work to verify the facts are correct. Square footage totals can vary from appraiser to appraiser.

06/17/2018

Should you buy a home in the second half of 2018?
Written by James Brumley (InvestorPlace)

Given the recent headlines and expert opinions, now doesn’t feel like a particularly great time to purchase a home. Although home prices continue to rise, rising interest rates set the stage for a sudden squelching of demand that could gouge prices.

At the same time, while home prices have grown tremendously since 2011, that growth may have been more a function of limited supply than overwhelming demand.

If the supply spigots suddenly get turned on by home builders, like KB Home (NYSE:KBH) or Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH), that finally break their self-imposed discipline, that too could drag new home buyers underwater shortly after taking on a home loan.

What if, however, the real estate market was actually poised to climb its wall of worry?

That’s apt to be the case.

Ask ten realtors if now is a good time to buy a home, and you’ll likely hear “yes” all ten times (and in all ten cases, the agent in question will just happen to have a listing you have to see).

Even beyond the self-serving rhetoric from realtors, though, now may well be a great time to purchase a new home despite what seems like relatively high home prices. Three reasons stand out among the rest.

Interest Rates Are Still Relatively Low

Yes, as of March, the Federal Reserve has imposed six quarter-point rate hikes since coming out of the subprime meltdown. Depending on when you read this, that tally may be seven. The Fed was/is largely expected to raise interest rates again in mid-June.

The average interest rate on a 30-year mortgage now stands at a 4.56%, matching its multiyear peak hit back in the fall of 2013. The 2016 low rate of around 3.4% isn’t even a fading memory anymore.

A little perspective may be in order, though. Between 2003 and 2008, the average 30-year loan sported an interest rate of around 6.0%.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that while 4.56% is a quarter point more than the rate of 4.31% available just a few weeks ago, on a typical $250,000 mortgage, that only increases the monthly payment from $1239 to $1276. That $37 difference isn’t earth-shattering.

Home Prices Are Still Relatively Low

Whether you’re talking about the FHFA’s data or the Case-Shiller home-price index, the average reported home sales price now exceeds 2006’s highs, loosely implying we’re back in the same frothy boat we were in just a decade ago.

A little perspective may be in order, though.

First, with the exception of 2008’s highly unusual circumstances, home prices have always edged higher — even when that growth may have slowed down during a recessionary phase. Second, after factoring in the inflation that’s occurred between 2008 and 2018, home prices are actually still lower than where they were a decade ago.

Granted, incomes are also not what they were then, once adjusted for inflation. But as of March, wage growth is accelerating again. We may have just unlocked another wave of would-be home buyers.

The Economy Is Still Accelerating

Last but certainly not least, buying a home sooner than later makes sense simply because a booming economy has only just started to prod that next tranche of home buyers into the market. The stronger the economy gets and the better incomes workers earn, the more they’ll demand houses.

Yes, the economy has technically been on the mend since 2009. We’re now actually in one of longest economic growth phases ever seen, suggesting a recession is inevitable in the foreseeable future.

And, maybe it is.

But take a closer look at the economic data now and compare it to the economic data logged between 2009 and 2016, and you’ll see the pre-2016 economic growth pace was tepid. Namely, the velocity of money — the number of times a dollar exchanged hands over the course of a 12-month stretch — continued to fall to multi-decade lows despite forward progress for the nation’s GDP.

As of the third quarter of last year, though, we’re finally seeing the velocity of the greenback start to edge higher in step with real, sustainable GDP growth. A couple of major banks are looking for Q2 GDP growth of around 3.7%, which would be one of the best growth readings in years.

Bottom Line on Home Prices

Don’t misread the message. In certain markets, it remains all too easy to pay too much for a house that will be difficult to sell if and when such a time comes.

There are real estate investments meant to pay off for the long haul, providing you a place to live in the meantime. Then there are bad bets taken on by buyers that make misguided assumptions about a job, an industry, or about what they can afford.

There’s also always that chance of an economic curveball.

But, for most consumers and potential home buyers that just want a nice, affordable house that will appreciate in time, the current environment isn’t even anything close to being a repeat of 2008’s wildly overheated real estate market.

Go ahead and start looking before a few-too-many soured loans force lenders to make borrowing more difficult for everyone. There’s more currently working in favor of home prices than not.

As of this writing, James Brumley did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. You can follow him on Twitter, at .

06/17/2018

In this red-hot housing market, if a 'for sale' sign goes up, don't blink—you might miss it (Source: CNBC)

If a "for sale" sign goes up in your neighborhood, don't blink, you might miss it. The average home sold in May went under contract in just 34 days, according to real estate brokerage Redfin.

May's number broke the previous month's record of 36 days. Redfin began tracking this metric in 2010.

Homes are selling so quickly because there are so few for sale. More new listings did come on the market in May, 4.3 percent more than in May 2017. While that helped to increase the number of sales, it did not help the overall supply situation much because demand is so strong.

The total supply of homes for sale in May was 5.4 percent lower than a year earlier. Redfin recorded a 2½-month supply of remaining homes for sale at the end of the month. A six-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

The shortage of listings continues to drive prices higher and incite bidding wars. Of the homes that sold in May, 27.6 percent went above their list price — another record in the markets Redfin tracks.

Interestingly, nearly a quarter of sellers in May dropped their prices, the highest percentage since September.

"Prices are still increasing, but not at the same rate we saw earlier in the spring," said Redfin senior economist Taylor Marr. "While it's still very much a seller's market, price growth and rising mortgage rates may be pushing buyers to the limit of what they're able to pay."

Mortgage rates have been rising since the start of this year and are now hovering around their highest level in seven years. The expectation is that rates will continue to rise modestly through the second half of this year.

"Fortunately, the economy is strong and wages are rising," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. "If housing supply can be increased through new home building, then the negative impact of rising interest rates can be mitigated."

The nation's homebuilders have been increasing production, but slowly, and mostly in the move-up price market. Demand is strongest at the entry level, and supply here is leanest. That will continue to keep most markets competitive throughout this year.

Regionally, Denver is the nation's fastest sales market, according to Redfin. The average home there is going under contract in just six days. Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, were the next fastest markets at seven days, followed by Boston and Grand Rapids, Michigan, at eight days on the market.

06/14/2018

Make this your next home! Pristine, oversized Cape-Cod home with 4 Bedrooms and 2 full baths! Generous amount of space for the 1st Floor Bedroom as well as the 3 bedrooms upstairs. Open floor plan with beautiful Brazilian Cherry Wood hardwood throughout the house. Updated kitchen with granite counter-tops, newer high enegery efficient heating system, central air, roof and electrical.. Attached garage, and fenced yard. Close to highways, local shops, and other amenities. 10 Minute walk to Webster Lake Beach. All the major work is done, just move in and make it your own. MLS #: 72345529

06/14/2018

Don't miss out on your chance to own this rare nicely renovated single-family home in a desirable location of Brockton! Much renovation has been done, saving you thousands of dollars and hassles. Renovation list includes new exterior vinyl, vinyl replacement windows, new window, new roofs, and gas heating systems, and update electrical panel, hardwood floors throughout, trim work, all new doors, panel doors front and rear porches, kitchens and bathrooms. These units offer a chic and contemporary custom designer kitchen with granite countertop, tile flooring, and stainless steel appliances including gas stove, hood vent & french-door-refrigerator. Sleek and clean modernized bathrooms with tile wall and flooring (whirlpool bath and standing shower). New concrete paver driveway, patios and new decks and beautiful landscaping. Ideal situation to be owner-occupied, please come and see for yourself! MLS #: 72320697