To be sure, purchasing a home is the largest financial transaction that most people make in their lifetimes. There is also no disputing that price is the factor upon which nearly every buyer focuses when buying a house. However, it should be pointed out that the decision to own a home is not purely a financial one. Couples with children, in particular, are drawn to homeownership because it enables them to establish a stable environment for their families. Homeowners can derive security from establishing roots in the community, keeping their housing costs constant, ensuring continuity in their children’s school and social lives, and upgrading their living environments as they see fit. Homeownership helps families thrive.

 

CENTURY 21 SEXTON & DONOHUE is pleased to bring you interesting and informative real estate topics. Whether you aspire to purchase or sell real estate (or both!), our knowledgeable and experienced real estate agents are here to assist you. Reach us today at (781) 665-6660. We will arrange an initial meeting to discuss your real estate goals. The office is conveniently located at 29 Essex St., just across the street from Shaw’s. We are "A Team Effort�. We are here for you!

 

HINT: Buyers should carefully assess how long they expect to live in their new homes in order to sufficiently recoup down-payment and transaction costs. 

 

 

            If you are wondering what new homes will look like over the next few years, modifications will largely be geared toward making them more efficient. To begin with, homes will be smaller, making them less costly to heat and cool. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, single-family homes will measure an average of 2,150 square feet by the year 2015 compared with the current 2,400 square feet and 2,521 square feet in 2007. Living rooms as we know them are likely to disappear in favor of "great rooms,â€� which combine the family and living rooms with the kitchen. Also expect to see more spacious laundry rooms, master suites with walk-in closets, and ground-floor master baths with walk-in showers.

 

If you are looking to purchase a smaller home, or to "downsizeâ€� from your current property, reach CENTURY 21 SEXTON & DONOHUE today at (781) 665-6660. As members of the Multiple Listing Service®, we can show you most any property that is for sale in your chosen community. You will benefit from our real estate knowledge and experience. The office is conveniently located at 29 Essex St., just across the street from Shaw’s. We are "A Team Effortâ€�. We look forward to meeting you!

 

HINT: Other features expected to catch on with future buyers include screened porches, ceiling fans, eat-in kitchens, and "universal design� elements that appeal to safety-conscious and older buyers.

 

            One of the biggest trends in real estate is "house staging,â€� which involves getting rid of clutter and arranging a home’s existing furniture in an attractive manner. Prospective buyers do not like to see too many of the seller’s personal items, which block their vision of how they might make the house their own. Thus, sellers are encouraged to get rid of unnecessary items and leave only the essentials behind, which can be arranged to showcase the home’s space and architectural features. To this end, it is often a good idea to rid the living room of personal photo collections. A professional house stager can provide the vision needed to see your home through a buyer’s eyes.

 

CENTURY 21 SEXTON & DONOHUE hopes you found this topic to be both interesting and informative. If you need advice about how to best show your property for sale, contact us today. Many prospective buyers select the homes they wish to see based on photos and videos of the properties. To learn how your property can be best represented, contact us at (781) 665-6660. We will arrange an initial meeting and discuss an individualized marketing plan with you. The office is conveniently located at 29 Essex St., just across the street from Shaw’s. We are "A Team Effort�. Learn how we have earned our superior reputation!

 HINT: House staging involves four general steps: decluttering, repairing, cleaning, and revitalizing.

 

 

            As prospective buyers deliberate about how long they wish to wait before purchasing a home, they should bear in mind that there is more to the homeownership equation than housing prices. The fact is that mortgage rates are at historical lows, and no one can gauge with any certainty how long they will remain so. As interest rates rise, the increased cost of borrowing can add to the cost of homeownership as much as rising real estate prices. At the present time, both home prices and mortgages rates are relatively low, which begs the question: How long can this fortunate set of circumstances be expected to last? We may just look back on this time as a tremendous buying opportunity. 

 

Are you considering the purchase of real estate? If so, contact CENTURY 21 SEXTON & DONOHUE. We have a successful history of assisting buyers achieve their real estate purchasing goals. We will walk you through the transaction, step by step. To discuss your options, reach us today at (781) 665-6660. We will arrange an initial meeting. The office is conveniently located at 29 Essex St., just across the street from Shaw’s. We are "A Team Effortâ€�.  We will exceed your expectations!

 HINT: To make the most of low mortgage rates, review your credit score and make sure that it accurately reflects your creditworthiness.

 

            If you are sitting on the fence  when it comes to deciding whether or not you want to put your house on the market, take a good look at local conditions. A real estate agent familiar with the immediate area can tell you how many listings are on the market in your area and how many homes have been sold over the past year. Using these numbers, you can calculate how fast homes are selling and how many months’ inventory remains on the market. Anything less than six months’ inventory of unsold homes tends to favor sellers. A knowledgeable agent can also provide a further breakdown of the local competition (local homes comparable to yours) and provide pricing recommendations

 

If you are considering selling your real estate, contact CENTURY 21 SEXTON & DONOHUE. We will meet with you and provide you with a free market analysis of your property, including an estimate of its current value. Get the best return for your real estate investment! We’re here for you at (781) 665-6660. The office is conveniently located at Essex St., just across the street from Shaw’s. We are "A Team Effort�. You will benefit from our real estate knowledge and experience.

 

HINT: Now more than just about any other time in recent memory, real estate is local, so pay closer attention to what your local agent has to say than to national statistics and widespread generalizations.