Real Estate Information Archive

When you’re looking to purchase a home, you know that you need to get your financial affairs in order so that you can get approved for a mortgage. One of the things that you will need to do to get your dream home is to make sure that your credit score is as high as possible. There are several ways to do this – which methods you use will depend on how much time you have before you want to purchase your home.

For those of you that are just in the starting stages of buying a home, raise your credit score by using a third or less of your available credit. In addition, ensure that you are paying your bills on time to eliminate negative marks for late payments. Hold off on opening new credit accounts or making large purchases until after your purchase is complete.

If you’re further along in the process, there is one more thing that you can do that might raise your score. Check your current credit scores and check for errors. Credit bureaus aren’t perfect, and you may be able to find and clear up a mistake. This could raise your credit score a few points, if any faults exist.

If you want more information about the mortgage process, call the Greater Boston Realty office and ask to be referred to a mortgage professional. We have many contacts in the West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Jamaica Plain areas that will be able to help you on your journey.  And, of course, when you’re ready to look for your next home, we’ll be here for you!

Before you start touring houses to find your perfect Boston area home, you need to know what you’re looking for. That’s why it’s important to gather anyone involved in the decision and determine the answers to these three questions. Once you have these basic guidelines in mind, it will be easier for your real estate agent to show you homes that suit your unique needs.

What type of home do you want? – Homes in the greater Boston area come in many styles, and your Realtor will need to know if you want a single-family home, townhouse, condo, etc.

What features are “must-have” in your home? – You probably have an idea of what you want but making a physical list can be a huge help for the home search process. Include the categories “must-have” “highly desirable” and “would like” as well as “cannot have.”

How much can you afford to spend? – You’ve likely been pre-approved for a mortgage, but the number that you’re willing to spend may be different. Consider how much you have for a down payment, what you want your monthly mortgage payment to be, as well as how much you will be paying for home insurance and home maintenance. Use these numbers to help determine your price range for your next home and let your real estate agent know your limits.

When you’re ready to talk to a Realtor about starting your home search, just call Greater Boston Realty at 617-469-4040. We can help you narrow your search and find the perfect Roslindale, West Roxbury, or Jamaica Plain home for you and your loved ones.

Here at Greater Boston Realty, we give people advice on the best way to get their home ready to sell. We always recommend that a home look fresh and clean, and one of the best ways to make a good first impression on a potential buyer is with clean and stain-free carpets.

· Carpets should be vacuumed regularly to remove the everyday grit and grime that accumulates. To go above and beyond, use a carpet cleaning powder. These often help with set-in stains and eliminate odors.

· If something is spilled, take care to blot the stain to absorb the excess liquid. Don’t rub it in – this will only spread the problem and push it further into the carpet’s fibers. There are many household products that will help remove a stain if blotting alone doesn’t solve the problem. These include vinegar, club soda, and even shaving cream!

· Spot cleaning isn’t a long-term solution. Deep cleaning your carpets before you list your home on the market will ensure that it looks new when buyers come to tour. You have the option of purchasing your own carpet cleaner or hiring a local professional to do the job with their commercial grade equipment.

Want more advice on how to get your home ready for a showing? Read our blog post on being showing-ready and call our office at 617-469-4040 to learn more home staging tips. Our agents will help you sell your home for top dollar, so don’t hesitate – call Greater Boston Realty to tell us about your home!