How do I choose the right agent for me?
How do I decide between Renting and Buying?
How much can I afford?
How do I begin the home buying process?
What happens when I decide on a house I want to buy?
Can my agent show me property in other states?
How long will it take to buy a house once I find one I like?
What happens once I sign a Purchase and Sales Agreement?

Questions from Sellers

General Questions

Questions for Buyers

How do I choose the right agent for me?
The right real estate agent should be well educated in real estate regulations and current market trends. They should be good negotiators, have a positive attitude and, most importantly, be someone you trust. Ask friends and neighbors who they used for real estate transactions and how satisfied they were with the results. Assess your personal needs and preferences and see if your agent is a good match. A good place to start is the Meet Our Agents page, where you can view the r�sum�s of all our Realtors.

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How do I decide between Renting and Buying?
While renting offers a great deal of flexibility and ease, it might not be the strongest financial or lifestyle choice. Many people do not consider buying a home because they feel too overwhelmed or they think they can�t afford it. A good agent will be able to separate legitimate concerns from ones that are easily dismissed. They can guide you through the steps of buying a home or finding the right rental for you.

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How much can I afford?
There are many mortgage programs available for people from a wide array of income levels who want to buy a home. On your behalf, your agent will work with a mortgage broker who can assess your financial situation and give you an idea of how much you can spend on your home. A good place to start is our mortgage pre-approval center.

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How do I begin the home buying process?
The process of getting the right home might take a while, and there might be some disappointments along the way, but making a commitment to a course of action will serve you well in the long run. Depending on what the real estate market is doing, you might feel that you have too many choices or too few. Get an agent that you trust and let them get to know you as you get to know them. Express your preferences, concerns and impressions of the home buying process. Let them guide you through the process and you won�t feel confused or overwhelmed. Getting pre-approved is a good start so that you know what you can afford and where to look.

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What happens when I decide on a house I want to buy?
When you see a property that you like, tell your agent that you would like to make an offer. They will provide you with an offer form that will specify, among other things, how much you are willing to pay, how much you can put down, when you would like to close, and what you would like to be included in the sale of the property. Once you sign it, it is presented to the seller through your agent. Consider your offer as a �wish list� of terms. The seller might agree to some items but not to others. Be flexible and prioritize your requests. The seller will either accept or reject your terms, or make a counter offer for you to consider. Your agent will be instrumental in coordinating this stage, as well as giving insight on the offer and counter-offer. If your offer is accepted, Purchase and Sales Agreements will be drafted and you will review and sign them and make a deposit on the property.

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Can my agent show me property in other states?
Agents must be licensed by each state to conduct business in that state. Many of our agents have licenses in adjoining states. If you are interested in looking in Massachusetts or Connecticut, tell your real estate agent. If they do not have a license in that state, they can have a licensed agent assist them. If you are interested in buying farther away, our Relocation Department can find you an agent anywhere in the world!

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How long will it take to buy a house once I find one I like?
Purchase and Sales agreements will be drafted as soon as your written offer is accepted. Once they are signed by all parties, inspections are conducted and financing is usually secured. Sometimes buyers and sellers are in different states, time zones or even countries, and getting paperwork back and forth can add time to the process.

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What happens once I sign a Purchase and Sales Agreement?
Once signed by all parties, the Purchase and Sales agreement is considered fully executed and you will most likely make a formal application for a mortgage and have inspections conducted on the property. Again, your agent will help you interpret the results of the inspection and ask the seller to repair or replace anything on the inspection report you consider unacceptable. The buyer will review your requests and will either agree to complete all or some of them, or reject your requests. At this point, you will probably have the option of changing your requests, or telling the seller that you would like a refund of your deposit and consider the agreement null and void. Your agent will offer guidance on each step of the process.

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