buying process

Finding a buyer’s agent: interview questions

What is an exclusive buyer’s broker and what is not When we say “exclusive buyer’s agent,” we mean an agent who works in a company that always supports buyer’s in their quest for the best property at the best possible price, without exception. Exclusive buyer’s agents, like us, never represent sellers who are trying to

Denied a mortgage because you are pregnant?

As a house hunter, you are under no obligation to tell your lender that you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant. Pregnancy is not a legal reason for a lender to deny you a mortgage, unless your income changes in a way that makes you no longer qualified for the mortgage. In 2008, when

By |2022-04-24T19:57:40-04:00April 13th, 2022|Categories: buying process, Fair Housing, Legal questions|Tags: , , , |

NPR, You Disappoint Me (and My Buyers) Again

It was only last August when WBUR published this story about home-buying. I critiqued it here. In short, the story encouraged buyers to do five things (in bold). A summary of my critiques is in italics after the “advice”: Prepare To Waive Contingencies. No, no. no, no, never. Check The Basement! Seller says you have

What a seller’s agent can tell our buyers

Buyers (and buyer’s agents) get frustrated by the communication they sometimes get (or don’t get) from the seller’s side, during an offer situation. First, remember: The seller’s agent is duty-bound to follow the seller’s instructions. The seller’s agent may not disclose any information that is not approved by the seller. The seller’s agent’s goal is

By |2022-03-08T12:41:21-05:00March 9th, 2022|Categories: buying process|Tags: , , , |

The annual “scare the buyers” article from The Boston Globe

The first week of February is too early for the annual “scare the buyers” article from The Boston Globe. I guess it was a slow news cycle in the real estate division. This annual tradition of throwing together statistics without context usually occurs a bit later in the year. In 2017, it was at the

By |2022-02-20T10:13:52-05:00February 23rd, 2022|Categories: buying process, Market data and conditions|Tags: , , , , |

Getting a mortgage: the paper trail you will follow

If you have a new year’s resolution to buy a house in 2022, here are some things you can do to smooth the path to getting a mortgage. The paperwork does not have to be overwhelming, if you are prepared. The mortgage broker, also called a loan originator, is responsible to the lender to prove

By |2022-01-17T12:03:42-05:00January 18th, 2022|Categories: buying process, Mortgage matters|Tags: , , , |

Getting Ready to Buy? How’s Your Credit Score

There is a logic to the way the lenders choose who can borrow for a mortgage. Since 2014, mortgage loans have standard guidelines that require that any mortgage borrower be able to prove that they can repay their loan. Lenders document income, but also debt. How you have been handling debt will affect your mortgage

By |2022-01-03T19:11:20-05:00January 12th, 2022|Categories: buying process|Tags: , , |

Winter House Hunting

Who wants to buy a house in the winter? People who want to be in a house before the spring. People who hate the hoopla of the competitive spring market. People who want to save money. Since August, 2021, 4 Buyers Real Estate has been rocking it in the softer, less competitive market. I am

By |2021-11-28T11:24:19-05:00December 1st, 2021|Categories: buying process, House Hunting|Tags: , , , |

Why won’t my Realtor® tell me about whether there are children in this neighborhood?

All real estate licensees, not just Realtors®, are obligated to follow Fair Housing laws. That obligation includes not providing information that could be used to enable their clients to discriminate. Children are a protected class – protected against real estate discrimination. Children are protected under the general heading of “familial status” in National Fair Housing

By |2021-11-01T10:22:00-04:00November 3rd, 2021|Categories: buying process|Tags: , , , , |

What is a Use and Occupancy Agreement?

Question: The listing sheet says: “Seller requires Use and Occupancy until January 7, 2022.” What does that mean? A Use and Occupancy Agreement is a contract that allows a seller to stay in the property after closing. Although there are templates online, my advice is to have an attorney write or review any Use and

By |2021-10-19T19:44:49-04:00October 20th, 2021|Categories: buying process, Legal questions|Tags: , , |