Boston Area Markets Strong, According to CNN

Outside Boston city limits, there are homes available like this vintage three-bedroom Cape in Medford, MA for $349,000.

Check out my listing on CNN Money!

Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston College and other top-tier universities and colleges in the area attract elite scholars from all over the world. Many stay after graduation, either filling high-paying management and tech jobs or starting their own successful companies — and buying homes with their newly-earned cash.

That’s helped Boston’s economy weather the recession better than most metro areas with unemployment at only 6.5% in April, down from 7.2% a year earlier. Median household income tops $85,000, more than 20% above the national median.

The area also boasts many stable, blue-collar communities in which homes stay with families for years and are sold by word of mouth to people who grew up in the neighborhoods. Both of these factors have helped keep prices high.

Helping too, is the charm of many of the area’s towns and neighborhoods. There are many old homes and well-kept historic districts that are in strong demand among area buyers.
Read Full CNN Money Article Here

Your Neighborhood Realtor
Kristy B.

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Ask The Realtor!

What should I do to get ready to buy a house?

First and foremost, get a satisfactory pre-approval letter from a reputable and reliable lender. It should be subject only to a satisfactory appraisal and a purchase and sale agreement. I have a list of trusted lenders that I would be happy to share with you. I have seen a lot of bait and switch on rates and closing costs, and many lenders who simply do not live up to the promises they make when they start doing business with the buyer. I can not overemphasize how important it is to do business with any of the people I know, because when a problem arises (they always do!) these people will be responsive to us and the team of attorneys, surveyors, title examiners and appraisers that work with that lender. If you can learn from other people’s mistakes, please learn from the many people I have worked with over the years who report that they wish they had not worked with someone unknown to me. Remember, if your bank is not prepared to close on closing day, you will be in default, and your deposit of five percent will be forfeited. Again, I’d be glad to provide a list of people who wish they had taken this advice and incurred a lot of undue stress. This is likely to be the piece of advice you are most likely to ignore, but at least I’ll sleep at night knowing I tried to help you avoid the problems you may encounter with a stray lender.

If you already own a house, your pre-approval letter should say that you are qualified to bridge if your home is not sold. If you choose not to bridge, or don’t qualify for a bridge, you may want to consider making an offer with a 48-hour kick-out clause, which would mean the sellers could come to terms with you but would continue to market their property. Should the seller receive a bonafide offer, you would have 48 hours to either drop your contingency to sell your home, or to waive it and go forward under the terms of your offer.

Your Neighborhood Realtor
Kristy B.

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Open House Pre-Games are back!

Spring buyers… Get your game on!

When: Sunday mornings 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: RE/MAX Heritage 536 Main Street, Melrose

What: Every Sunday, from 10-11:30 a.m., stop by our new cutting edge office in downtown Melrose to get a winning game plan. Pick up an open house list, area maps, community information and more to help you get the most out of your tours of local open houses.
If you are a current client or someone looking for buyer representation,
contact me ahead of time for a more detailed list of properties to visit and suggested routes that will help you cover the most ground in the least amount of time.
First time home buyers are encouraged to stop by for a free buyer’s
consultation and to meet with a mortgage broker to get pre-approval – a step critical to almost any home search. Current home owners are also welcome to stop by and test the waters, or speak to a mortgage broker about refinancing.
Whatever you’re looking for in your next home, stop by before heading
out on the open house trail. Fill your coffee mug on us and pick up a
complimentary open house survival kit – bottled water to keep you
hydrated, granola bars for energy, maps to keep you on track, and much more.

Your Neighborhood Realtor
Kristy B.

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February Reports Now Available

Ever wish you had a crystal ball to look into the future of real estate? Well here is the closest thing!

Check out my Monthly Market Trend Reports which will show you critical monthly reports which help to forecast market trends for the coming year. Should you wish to learning more about your local market or town, I would be glad to set up a meeting to discuss some of my great market data.

February Trends
Months of Inventory

It is important to know that 5 months of inventory is considered a stable and balanced market.

Absorption Rates

This chart indicates the direction of the market and shows a percentage of how many properties are being absorbed (sold) out of how many active properties are on the market. To simply interpret this information, a balanced market is an 18-22% absorption rate. When absorption rates dip below 10% the market prices are plummeting. What absorption rates are between 10-16% the market is soft.

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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What is your home really worth?

Are you looking for ways to maximize the equity in your home?
Whether you are thinking of a move now, or five years from now, I can help you make smart, economic choices so that you can enjoy your home and reap the financial benefits.

Personal Consultations can include, but are not limited to:
Recommendations for Small Projects that will add HUGE Value;
With a little imagination, you can make your home look like a pottery barn showroom. Seriously!

Tips for Choosing the Right Paint Colors
Paint is the easiest way to update a room and freshen up your interior, but the right color can create a mood, add height or bring warmth to your space. What colors are most attractive or offensive to buyers?
You would be amazed!

How to Organize, Declutter and Simplify (and donate)
A well-built home in good condition will be assumed as neglected by a buyer, if there is clutter.

Answers to Popular Questions, like; Are we Overspending or Upgrading?
Did you know that nine out of ten buyers would prefer a new kitchen to a new roof?

Helping You Get all this Done
I have a list of reliable and dependable resources for you like roofers, electricians, painters, etc. Just call me!

What is Happening in the Market Right Now and What Does is Mean for You?
I can provide you with real-time market intelligence reports that analyze the market trends, absorption rates and months of inventory. Accompanied by a market analysis, these reports will indicate the current value of your home.

I look forward to helping you now and in the future with your Real Estate needs.
This is a no obligation; no fee service being offered to you. Please contact me today so that we can get started!

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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January Reports Now Available

Take a gander at one of the newest features on my blog: Monthly Market Trend Reports!

Making informed decisions is critical when buying or selling a home and because of this, I sharing the monthly market data with my readers. Should you be interested in sales trends and learning more about your local market or town, I would be glad to set up a meeting to discuss some of my great market data. The real estate market is changing everyday, right in front of us. The Monthly Market Trend Reports are your crystal ball into the local market.

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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Featured Listing: Somerville

This listed and SOLD so quickly, I didn’t even have a chance to share it on my blog. Somerville is hot, hot, hot and hey, I have happy sellers.

Live right in Inman Square neighborhood or rent this terrific 2-family, occupied Mansard. Roll up your sleeves and jump into this fantastic investment opportunity. Owner unit has 8rms, 3brms, 1ba (two levels). First unit has 4 rooms, 1brm, 1ba. Both units have soaring 9ft ceiling, preserved hardwood floors, and washer/dryer hook ups. Sold As Is. Estate Sale. Executor makes no warranties or representations about property.

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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Honored as Real Estate Professional of the Month by Credentials Legal

Credentials News Connector welcomes Kristy Bonaventura, Real Estate Professional of the Month. Kristy has been a Realtor® in Massachusetts since 2003. Kristy lives in Medford with her loving family and currently is an agent with RE/MAX Heritage in Melrose. She specializes in the market North of Boston including Medford, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester. Her education from Emerson College and experience as a Publicist and Marketing Specialist helps her understand the constantly evolving real estate market.

Kristy believes that education is an essential part of every real estate transaction, and that an educated consumer is the best customer. As Kristy, explains, “That’s why I do all I can to explain to my clients the complete home buying (or selling) process, and to prepare them for the inevitable ups and downs of any sale or purchase. Real estate is not a pass time for me – it is a passion. I truly enjoy helping people buy and sell homes, and I do everything I can to make each transaction a success.”

For more information about Kristy or to read some of her articles, visit www.RealEstateSkinny.com and www.KristyB.com.

For more information on Credentials Settlement & Legal Services please visit their website at www.crelegal.com

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Ask The Realtor!

What do I need for deposit money?

This question is typically asked by first-time homebuyers as well as buyers who have something to sell. The first thing I can say about the deposit money is to arrange to have it now, so it will be ready when you need it, particularly if your money is tied up in your current home. Even if you are expecting 100 percent financing, it is unlikely that a seller will accept your offer without a “good faith deposit” or earnest monies. Traditionally, 5% of the purchase price is given as a remaining deposit on the home at the time that you sign your purchase and sale (minus your good faith deposit); however, some towns have a norm of 10% of the purchase price. If you need to take a home equity loan out the bank will not give you a home equity loan if you house is on the market. You must get a home equity loan before the sign is in the ground or your property is listed in MLS.

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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Announcing: Ask The Realtor!

Have a question about Real Estate, your community or market trends?
Join me each Thursday when your questions will be answered!

Whether I’m at a party, playdate or the supermarket, I’m typically asked the same questions — How is the market?  Is it a good time to buy?  How much do you think my house is worth?  I quickly realized that it’s not just active buyers and sellers that are curious… everyone wants to know how the Real Estate market is affecting them.  This is what inspired me to to create this new series on my blog.  Throughout the week I will compile a few questions that I am asked and answer them here on the blog so you have them to always refer to.

Here’s how we are going to do it…..

  • You can leave a comment on the blog (under any post)

OR

  • You can email me by clicking the snazzy email button in the right hand column of the blog.

Submit your questions today!  It will be totally anonymous.  Need more resources?  Visit my website to download FREE market trends reports!

Kristy B.
Your Neighborhood Realtor

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