If you are thinking of buying or selling  a home in Wellesley & Metrowest Boston CT,  your best opportunity could be right now... in January!  Yes, it is cold outside, and rainy, but mortgage interest rates are most likely at their lowest levels for 2014.

The interest rate on a 30 year mortgage, if you were to obtain your loan today, is 4.51%...but predictions show the rates rising by year-end to the 5.75% level.  It is even better for the 15-year mortgage as it is at 3.56% today.  Getting into the housing market early this year is going to make all the difference in the world when it comes to costs. Rates like this make it feasible for Wellesley & Metrowest home buyers and refinancing homeowners, to eventually live mortgage free!

However, with the Fed announcing the pull back of the stimulus packages of the past year, the rates will start climbing soon.  In addition to mortgages and rates, inventory of homes will be a key component in buyers being able to obtain their desired residence.  At present, the Wellesley & Metrowest housing inventory is somewhat low...So homeowners thinking of putting their home on the market, will want to do so now.  This way they are guaranteed more of a "sellers market" and a better chance at getting the asking price of their home. Buyer demand and limited inventory does drive up prices...and the peak selling season is NOW!

Take a look at the most recent Wellesley MA Market Update below:

For more information about the wonderful Wellesley & Metrowest homes for sale, or to learn about our unique Team Marketing & Selling plans, give us a call!  Our knowledge and experience in the Wellesley area marketplace combined with our client satisfaction program will give you the confidence that Team Lynch Real Estate is the only place to call  for all your real estate needs.  Let Team Lynch be your guide to all Wellelsey & Metrowest Real Estate.

Be prepared. While it might seem smart to lay your offer on the table right away, don't do so unless you are fully prepared, pre-approved for a loan, and have all your paperwork and finances in order. Otherwise the seller won't take you seriously and will pass your offer over for someone who has completed their homework.

Be quick. This may sound counterintuitive to being prepared, but it's important to act fast when you see a home you like, or it will go to another bidder.  This is why it's important to get your finances in order before you even begin searching. That way, you can put in an offer right away when you find a good fit.

Don't overbid.  Offering more than the home is listed for may seem like a way to get a leg up on the competition, but overbidding and exceeding the home's appraised value can decrease your chances of a loan-- and the seller (or their agent) knows that. If you overbid make sure, be sure you can afford the excess cost flat out.

Don't underbid.  In a bidding war, your offer needs to be just right.  Just like the seller won't take you seriously  if you overbid too much, they surely won't consider your lowball offer if they have offers from many other buyers. To find your "Goldilocks" price point, figure out the maximum you can afford, and then offer that.

Get under their emotional skin. Last year, everyone was back to writing "love letters" to the seller of a home they were crazy about. Now, you can one-up everyone and really stand out from other offers by making a video of you and your family talking about why you love this home, and why you can see yourself in it.  Does that third bedroom look perfect for your new baby?  Then get her on the camera!  Is that basement office perfect for running your business?  Talk about that.

As a team, we have a wealth of  real estate and homeownership  information that may be of help to you.  Feel free to contact us any time, to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Now that Fall has begun in Wellesley, and the selling season is off to a terrific start, it's important to be mindful of the first impression a potential buyer has of your home.  Many interested buyers will drive by a home and neighborhood to get a feel for what living there would be like.  So make sure you've put your best foot forward and that the front of your home and it's landscaping are up to par and says "Welcome to our Home".

Although this is usually the last place you look to "tidy up", prospective buyers can be very particular about the landscaping of the home, and may not even get  to the inside if they don't like what they see outside.  Therefore, it is important to make sure your landscape say's "this homeowner pay's attention to details and has kept up all the maintenance of the home".

First place to start...your lawn!  Buyers love to see pretty green grass, regardless of season, so make sure you have kept the grass cut to a low manicured level- usually 3 inches, and have used seasonal seeding in areas that are sparse. Watering may be necessary with seeding or to perk it up, so water a few times if needed. A few brown spots are bound to happen, and aren't the end of the world, you'll just make sure that the focal point is elsewhere.

Second, make sure you've edged your sidewalks and driveways, and taken care of any weeds that are lurking in and behind bushes and shrubs.  Using a Round Up type weed killer will save your knees, and make sure you've gotten even the most stubborn weeds out of the way. It is also the season for those lovely Fall leaves to cover the ground, so be sure to rake on a consistent basis and bag the leaves as you go.

Third, make sure your shrubs and bushes are nicely trimmed, and pruned, if necessary. Nothing is worse that driving up to a home with bushes and shrubs that are overgrown. If you have wood chips or stones around these areas, you may want to add a few bags just to freshen them up. A little effort goes a long way with landscaping basics, and you'll be surprised how beautiful it will look.

Lastly, add a "pop" of color!  Although we have beautiful colors in the trees, once leaves are on the ground they look pretty dingy, so look for some Fall flowers that will give you a nice spot of color and emphasize the entrance to the home. Chrysanthemums, Mums, Sunflowers , and Astors are all hearty Fall flowers and take minimum effort to keep them looking great.