Soak up the sunshine and enjoy the weather before it’s too late! Soon you'll be packing lunches and getting the kids ready for school so get out and enjoy some of the great adventures right in our own backyard.  The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary has an event planned for everyone. From yoga and kayaking to bird watching and butterflies, there is something that is sure to fit your interests. Register the kids for a class about turtles and reptiles or take a moonlight hike with your special someone. After all, the summer days are coming to an end. Explore your outdoor adventures below and visit the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. 

If you'd like to do something with a little more action, Morses Pond Beach has Beach Volleyball, Boot Camp Fitness, Yoga, Kayaking and more! The weather is great and we have so many great activities right here in the Metrowest area to keep us busy in the great outdoors before the cooler weather starts moving in...and the kids are back in class, Have fun with what's left of summer in the the great Metrowest!

Just as in any type of sales job, a home is never truly bought, or sold, until the money has changed hands and the keys have been given. You may have received an offer on your Wellesley or Metrowest Boston MA home, and are fairly certain that the buyer possesses all the right credentials to allow the sale to go through smoothly, but there are still steps that you need to go through before the sale is final.

One of those critical steps is the....HOME INSPECTION of your Wellesley or Metrowest Boston MA home. Now, unless your home is flawless, of which most are not, you will be in for some negotiations with the buyer. The best way to handle these types of negotiations is to have the best Real Estate Team on your side. The Team who would have suggested that you had an inspection of your Wellesley home prior to the home being put on the market so that you could have taken care of these issues on the front end. However, if that wasn't the case here are my suggestions:

First, you need to be realistic and understand that every home is going to have some issue(s) that need to be fixed. So don't get stressed out, get in "fix it" mode and take care of what needs to be done.

As realtors,  We hate to see a buyer use the Home Inspection as a means to "renegotiate" the contract. Don't get me wrong, for the most part when a buyer is asking for a negotiation on something it is justified- damage on a roof, plumbing, foundation, etc. A Home Inspection is meant to protect the buyer against "major" problems, not to nitpick and try to get a seller to virtually give you a brand new home. Sellers, you need to rely on your Real Estate Team for advice!

Inspection Credits versus Repairs

After the inspection is completed on your Wellesley or Metrowest Boston MA home, and there are legitimate repairs that need to be completed, try to push for a closing cost credit or a price reduction. This would be the easiest for you, the Seller to do. Besides, you don't want to be in the position of having to do repairs and having the Buyer not satisfied with the repairs that are done and having to redo them or losing the sale!

Negotiating the Home Inspection Problems

Remember, you are not obligated to repair your Wellesley or Metrowest Boston MA home before you sell it, but you MUST be up front and honest with the Buyer. One of the difficulties in going through the inspection process and then losing a buyer is now knowing EXACTLY what was found needing to be repaired and disclosing it to another potential buyer.   In this case, you must now learn the art of "haggling".  Nothing new, but you'll need to look at the list of repairs and decide which you are willing to make and which you aren't,  and negotiate it with the buyer in a way that will allow you to spend less money....but NOT LOSE YOUR BUYER!

The bottom line is to be prepared up front. Work with a professional Real Estate Team who knows what needs to be done up front to avoid the pitfalls of the Home Inspection process. Once you've found that Team, put your trust in them and listen & adhere to their advice.

For more tips on Selling and Buying homes in the Wellesley & Metrowest Boston MA  area please visit our website at www.teamlynchrealestate.com, or give us a call. We know the Metrowest Boston area well after living and working here for the majority of our lives and can answer all your questions or help you get your home ready to be put on the market.

It's finally spring and you're ready to find the right Wellesley MA area home for sale. We've put together some tips to help make your Wellesley MA home buying process go smoothly.

1. Find the Right Real Estate Professional. This is such an important step and will truly make the difference in the home you buy, your stress level and the money you ultimately spend.

2. Make sure you are Pre-Approved for a Mortgage. You've heard it said before, but it's true, you need to know how much you can afford. Unless you are buying in cash you'll need a financing source and you'll need to know how much that source is willing to finance.

3. Create a 'Must Have" List. This is your list of non-negotiable's and allows your agent to select only listings that meet the qualifications of this list, so that you're not looking at every home on the market and wasting your valuable time.

 4. Open yourself up to Suggestions. Share your must have list with your Real Estate Agent. They will be able to make suggestions that you may not have considered about the style or type of home/neighborhood you are looking at and could ultimately change your requirements or amenities list.

5. Make sure to check out the Neighborhood. Now that you've found your home, walk the neighborhood at different times of the day, and even at night. Talk to neighbors to find out about the people, what they like, dislike, recommendations etc. Make sure it would be a good fit for you and your family.

6. The Home Needs to be Inspected! You'll need to make sure that YOU walk through the home and do a total checklist of your own. But you aren't a professional inspector so make sure you hire one to go through the home, once that has been done make sure you follow through on all of their recommendations.

7. Submitting a Reasonable Offer. This is another reason why you need to work with a local Real Estate agent. Understanding the local housing market, the inventory of homes, home values and if a home may get multiple bids is all information that goes into the offer YOU will make.                                                                                                                                                        

8. Understand the Process & the Paperwork. Your agent should have gone through all of this with you in the beginning of your search, but don't hesitate to ask questions along the way. This can be an overwhelming process at times. Once you have found a home you will be advised to seek an Attorney to handle the legal aspects of the sale of the home.

9. Stick to Your Pre-determined Price. It's always tough to have your heart set on a home and lose it in a bidding war, but it is much worse to go above what you can afford! It is better to find a second home that you like "almost as much" as the first so that you have something to lean back on if the situation arises.                                                                                  

10. Don't expect the Sellers to make too many Improvements.Things like worn carpeting and countertops are figured into the sales price of the home upfront, so trying to get the homeowner to make more adjustments at the end can be difficult. Rely on your agent to know what is permissible and what isn't.

 For more Wellesley MA home buying tips check out our website at www.teamlynchrealestate.com. We've lived and worked in the Wellesley MA  area for 20+ years and would be happy to give you a tour of our town and all the great homes for sale. Give us a call any time!

It's spring and you've always been told that this is the perfect time to put your Wellesley or Metrowest home on the market. That's TRUE, but what else should you focus on to insure that your home sells quickly; at the highest possible price? Here are a few things to consider when you're looking objectively at your Metrowest Home:

You know you have an incredible house that you've put your loving touch into, but what else can you let potential Buyer's know?

 1. Are you living in an area with spectacular views of wooded lands, water, historical significance?

 2. What is your neighborhood like? Is it extra friendly where neighbor helps neighbor when someone's in need?

 3. Your local schools....what are they like, can you highlight something specific with the teachers, teaching philosophy, awards?

 4. Do you have outdoor living space? Great patio or deck, outside stove for cooking summer meals, plenty of space for entertaining?

5. Is your yard exceptionally large or beautifully landscaped?

6. Do you have a corner lot?

 7. Have you recently put on a new roof, siding, shingles, windows?

Then look inside your home and do the same.

 1. Do you have a fireplace and hearth that is different than many they may see in other homes?

 2. What about your kitchen, the heart of your home? Granite or Marble Countertops? Designed by a Home Interior Professional? Center island with vegetable sink?

 3. Is your home friendly to the environment? Have you used energy efficient windows & doors, do you have solar panels, is the flooring bamboo or cork?

 4. What about storage space, mud rooms, bonus rooms?

 5. Are there beautiful hardwood floors under your carpets?

 The graph above shows the percentage of home buyers that felt these "Hidden Gems" were worth every penny they cost in the overall sales price of a home.

 These are all things that you want to highlight about your home, that shows the buyer the difference and special "gems" in your home versus other ones they may look at... and why your home is the only one they'll want to buy. At Team Lynch Real Estate, we look at all these special selling points with you to develop a marketing strategy that optimizes these features and in turn highlights them for potential buyers.

 If you plan to put your Wellesley or Metrowest home on the market  this spring, NOW IS THE TIME. Give us a call and we'll be happy to come to your home and evaluate all these points with you, and share up to date market conditions here in Wellesley & Metrowest Boston. Buying & Selling homes in the Metrowest area is what we do best! We've lived her our entire lives, and participate in many community projects and events. We have also received the many awards this past year including International President's Elite, joining the top 1% of sales associates both nationally & Internationally, along with the NAR Green Designation. That means a team of Metrowest Community / Real Estate Experts', with exceptional local knowledge, great technology and the most current real estate information, will give your home the exposure and fast sale you deserve.

This week I'm going to tackle the age old question.....should I rent my home out, if it doesn't sell?  A recent study did show that 39% of sellers prefer to rent out their last residence than sell it when purchasing a new home. With many homeowners refinancing at a low rate, and the housing market struggling with low inventory, the amount you could charge for rentals has gone up. 

If you are a residential real estate investor, than this tactic makes sense.  However, if you really don't want to become a landlord and are only looking at it as a way to purchase your new home, while covering the mortgage on the original home...then you need to ask yourself these questions:

 1.)  How will you respond if your tenant says they can't afford to pay the rent this month because of more pressing obligations? (This happens most often during holiday season and back-to-school time when families with children have extra expenses).

2.) Because of the economy, many homeowners can no longer make their mortgage payment. What percent of tenants do you think can no longer afford to pay their rent?

3.) Have you interviewed a few experienced eviction attorneys in case a challenge does arise?

4.) Have you talked to your insurance company about a possible increase in premiums as liability is greater in a non-owner occupied home?

5.) Will you allow pets? Cats? Dogs? How big a dog?

6.) How will you actually collect the rent? By mail? In person?

7.) Repairs are part of being a landlord. Who will take tenant calls when necessary repairs arise?

8.) Do you have a list of crafts people readily available to handle these repairs?

9.) How often will you do a physical inspection of the property?

10.) Will you alert your current neighbors that you are renting the house?

Once you have answered these questions, you will be in a good position to decide what is best for you and your family.  

(Information courtesy of KCMBLOG)

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.

In Massachusetts, and our Wellesley & Metrowest Boston area, the housing market had a banner year in 2013.  Home sales and prices hit numbers that haven't been seen in a while...But what does that mean for 2014?   Experts agree that 2014 will be a year that sees continued growth and stabilization in the housing market, with home prices rising, greater activity among underwater homeowners, and fewer foreclosures.

What is important to note is that to buy a home in the 2014 marketplace, you will need incredible credit or have the ability to put together a cash offer.  In November of 2013, the average FICO score for conventional home loans was 756, while the average score for denied applications was 729.  Don't expect the credit standards to loosen up anytime soon, with the new regulations from Dodd-Frank, lenders will be closely monitored to prevent risky products from entering the marketplace.

Still, even Warren Buffett is smiling about the state of the housing market, and knows the numbers will continue to climb- offering many individuals the opportunity to own a home.  What does that mean for the Wellesley & Metrowest area?  Sticking with the 3 elements to home ownership;

1- Fixed Mortgage

2- Affordable Payments

3- Long-term Hold

​If you are looking to buy or sell in the Wellesley MA & Metrowest Boston area....NOW IS THE TIME TO ENTER THE MARKET!  Know what you want, do the research on the home and area you desire, and put together a plan and budget of how you will achieve your goal.

Team Lynch has the knowledge, technology and Real Estate Experience to bring together your dream home...and YOU.  Give us a call today to develop your personal marketing or sales plan.