Market & Neighborhoods
Q: How competitive is the market? Greater Boston has been a seller’s market for several years. Multiple-offer situations are common for well-priced properties, especially for single-family homes near good schools and public transit. Even so, with slight increases to inventory, buyers can find opportunities on those properties lingering on the market.
Q: How I determine which areas to search in based on my commuter needs? Traffic patterns around Greater Boston can be unpredictable. Areas that look close on a map, may have a longer commuting time than you think. As local market experts, we will help you compare communities, discuss the pros and cons, and create a targeted search that aligns with your lifestyle and commuting needs.
Q: What’s the difference between buying in Newton, Brookline, and Boston proper? Newton and Brookline are largely residential, single-family and condo markets with top-rated schools and a suburban feel, while many Boston proper neighborhoods (Back Bay, South End, JP, Southie, etc.) skew more toward condos, higher density, and walkability. Prices and inventory vary block by block, so it’s worth comparing specific neighborhoods rather than towns as a whole.
The Buying Process
Q: Do I need an attorney to buy a home in Massachusetts? Yes. A real estate attorney plays an important role by negotiating and explaining the Purchase and Sale Agreement, ensuring your legal interests are protected. In addition, they will address any title issues, coordinate with your lender, and answer any legal questions that arise throughout the transaction. Your attorney may also act as the lender’s closing attorney. We are happy to recommend experienced real estate attorneys who provide excellent service and work collaboratively to help ensure a smooth closing.
Q: How much do I need for a down payment? It varies by loan program. Conventional loans often start at 5–20% down, FHA as low as 3.5%. Local lenders can review your specific options. We will make an introduction to our favorite lenders.
Q: What other costs should I budget for beyond the down payment? Every transaction is different, but here are the most common costs when buying a home. Closing costs are typically 2–5% of the purchase price, including lender fees, attorney fees, title services, recording fees, prepaid taxes, homeowners insurance, and escrow funding. In addition, you should budge for the home inspection, appraisal, moving expenses, and any immediate home improvements.
Q: How long does it take to buy a home once I find one? Typically 30–45 days from accepted offer to closing, depending on financing and inspection contingencies.
Q: What’s an escalation clause, and do I need one? It’s a clause that automatically increases your offer up to a set maximum if a competing offer comes in higher. In competitive multiple-offer situations, it can help you stay competitive without overpaying upfront. However, there are sellers that do not accept escalation clauses because they want you to “own the number”. We will ask the seller’s agent if an escalation clause will be accepted.
Financing
Q: Do I need to be pre-approved before we start looking? Yes. Sellers will not accept an offer without a pre-approval letter or in the case of a cash offer, proof of funds. The pre approval from your lender helps you understand your real budget before you fall in love with a home.
Q: Can I still buy if I need to sell my current home first? Yes, though it adds complexity. Options include a home sale contingency, bridge loan, asset-based portfolio loan, or timing the sale and purchase closings close together. Unlike a bridge loan, which is based only on the equity in your current home, an asset-based portfolio loan is based on your full asset portfolio. We can talk through what fits your situation.
Inspections & Condition
Q: Is a home inspection required in Massachusetts? Under a 2025 Massachusetts state law, every offer document includes a mandatory inspection contingency. The buyers have the right to waive the inspection only after offer acceptance and can no longer waive the inspection as part of the offer. A home inspection is your main opportunity to understand a property’s condition before you’re committed.
Q: What if the inspection finds problems? Depending on your offer contract, you may be able to negotiate repairs, a credit, a price reduction, or walk away.
Q: Are older homes (common in this area) harder to finance or insure? Not usually, but older homes may need extra attention to items like knob-and-tube wiring or underground oil tanks. The seller may need to address these items before closing.
Taxes & Ongoing Costs
Q: How high are property taxes in this area? Each town and city sets their own tax rate. Some municipalities such as Boston and Brookline have Residential Exemptions for owner/occupants that reduce the tax bill. We can pull exact current rates for any property or town that you’re considering.
Working With Us
Q: Does it cost anything to work with a buyer’s agent? Buyer Agent agreements are now the rule in the US. The contract lays out the duties and responsibilities of the Buyer Agent and the fee that they charge. That fee is not standardized and is negotiable. The buyer agent fee is now submitted in the offer contract for the seller to pay. Most sellers agree to pay a Buyer Broker fee.
Q: How do we get started? Reach out to us. We’ll talk about your motivation for purchasing a home, your budget, must-haves, and timeline. We are a resource for lenders, attorneys and inspector recommendations. And that is just the beginning of our relationship.
