Boston Real Estate for Sale
Loading...
So you’re looking at Boston downtown condos for sale? That’s exciting!
When touring a Back Bay condo or Beacon Hill condo for sale, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The key to looking at prospective homes is to know what to look for, both good and bad.
Some issues can be easily fixed. Others, like location or bad foundation, can’t.
Be on the lookout for the following the next time you are viewing Boston condos for sale
1. Mold and Water Damage in a Condominium
Take a look at the walls and ceiling. Is the paint bubbling up or are there signs of mold? This is most commonly found in bathrooms or near the kitchen.
Additionally, if you are interested in the rest of the home, take a look at the basement. If there is any water down there, that signals a big problem.
2. Cracks in the Condominium Wall
Looking at the walls again, are there any apparent cracks? Cracks point to poor foundation and movement.
3. Window and Natural Light in the Condo
It’s good to check out properties during the day so that you can see how much natural light each room gets. Natural light boosts your mood and can also save you on electricity.
More so, look at the windows. Make sure they open, shut, and lock properly. Get an even closer look to make sure they aren’t askew, as window replacements can be expensive.
4. Recent Condo Renovations
Do the walls have a fresh coat of paint? This can signal that the home is well taken care of, or the sellers could be hiding something. Get to the bottom of it!
What about the kitchen and bathrooms? Are they recently upgraded are well you have to pay out more money to get the exact appliances you want?
5. Location, Location, Location
Sure, you can fix the above issues with time and money. But the one thing you can never change about a property is its location.
Here are a few questions to consider when thinking about a potential home’s location:
- What school district is it in?
- What’s the neighborhood like?
- How close is the nearest grocery store?
- What is your commute like to work?
- How close is the nearest main road?
- Is there an airport nearby? Will you stay up all night because of the airplanes flying overhead?
While your potential home might not check off all the boxes, also consider what you’re willing the budge on. Are you okay with driving an extra 10 minutes to work just so that your other points of interest (the beach, grocery store, movie theater, etc.) are closer?
Boston Condos for Sale
Loading...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In today’s real estate market, with low inventory dominating the conversation in many areas of the country, it can often be frustrating to be a first-time Boston condo homebuyer if you aren’t prepared.
In a recent realtor.com article entitled, “How to Find Your Dream Home—Without Losing Your Mind,” the author highlights some steps that first-time Boston condo buyers can take to help carry their excitement of buying a home throughout the whole process.
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search
One way to show you are serious about buying your dream Beacon Hill home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search. Even if you are in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach.
This step will also help you narrow your search based on your budget and won’t leave you disappointed if the home you tour, and love, ends up being outside your budget!
2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’
Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Could the ‘man cave’ of your dreams be a future renovation project instead of a make-or-break right now?
Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like and then qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help keep you focused on what’s most important.
3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood You Want to Live In
Every neighborhood has its own charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, the article suggests test-driving the area. Make sure that the area meets your needs for “amenities, commute, school district, etc. and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit.”
4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It
Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home that would best serve those needs. Just because you’ve narrowed your search to a zip code, doesn’t mean that you need to tour every listing in that zip code.
An example from the article says, “if you have several younger kids and don’t want your bedroom on a different level, steer clear of Cape Cod–style homes, which typically feature two or more bedrooms on the upper level and the master on the main.”
5. Document Your Home Visits
Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together. The article suggests keeping your camera handy and documenting what you love and don’t love about each property you visit. They even go as far as to suggest snapping a photo of the ‘for sale’ sign on the way into the property to help keep the listings divided in your photo gallery.
Making notes on the listing sheet as you tour the property will also help you remember what the photos mean, or what you were feeling while touring the home.
Boston Condos and the Bottom Line
In a high-paced, competitive environment, any advantage you can give yourself will help you on your path to buying your dream home.
