Choosing the right community is so important, as how you can you really love where you live unless you love the neighborhood?  There are many different neighborhoods in Andover and North Andover.  Some may suit your needs more than others. In the frenzy of finding a home and scheduling moving day, many people forget that researching the neighborhood is one of the most important ways to insure happiness at your new destination. Before making your final decision on a home, don’t forget to:

• “Profile” the neighborhood. Ask yourself these questions: Is the quality of the school system important? Is the commute do-able for you? Do you like to be within walking distance to shops and restaurants? Do you like quiet?
• Once you zero in on a neighborhood you like you must research all school information, crime statistics, parks and recreation, neighborhood association fees and tourist attractions. Armed with this information it will be easy to make a wise decision for you.
• Take the time to visit. Don’t downplay your first impression. Take note of the community’s rush hour patterns, it’s social ability factor, it’s streetlights at night. Drive by the schools. Shop in the local grocery store. Try to meet some of your potential neighbors. All of these visual clues can be very revealing.

Elegant North Andover Colonial home for sale

 Elegant Colonial set on a picuresque acre lot. Sophisticated style and first class amenities throughout including central air conditioning , hardwood flooring, custom built-in cabinetry, 5 true bedrooms, 3.5 baths and more than 1000 square feet of beautiful lower level living space. In home office, plenty of storage and desirable cul-de-sac location.  Take a virtual tour  of this fine home, schedule a private showing by contacting me at RE/MAX Partners in Andover, MA or search the entire MLS and sign up for free email updates!

A surprisingly peaceful backyard retreat that comes with this charming Cape style home. From top to bottom this bright and sunny home is truly move in condition. All systems go-including new roof 2004, oil tank and chimney 2006 and bonus pellet stove to reduce heat costs. Close to Andover Center and commuter routes, this home offers expansion possibilities as well as an oversized 2 car garage perfect for storage, workshop or hobbies. Abuts acres of conservation land. To schedule a private showing contact me at RE/MAX Partners in Andover.  To search all current listings and recieve free email updates in Andover, North Andover and all of Massachusetts sign up for my MLS Property Finder!

The new $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers isn’t just good news for homebuyers.  It’s great news for home sellers as well.  First time homebuyers taking advantage of this incentive will make it possible for many sellers to find qualified buyers for their homes.  Those sellers in turn will then be able to purchase their next home and so on and so on and so on.  This NECN interview with the President of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors may answer some of your questions about the $8000 tax credit program and the current Massachusetts real estate market in general.

Low prices, great inventory, mortgage interest rates at historic lows!  It’s kind of like department store’s after Christmas sales events…take a look at this interesting commentary on today’s housing market…I think you’ll find it interesting. Then if you’d like more information about the real estate market here in Andover, North Andover and Boxford, give me a call or contact me at REMAX Partners.  Whether you’re considering buying a home for your family or as an investment, now is the time to buy.

I’m excited to introduce a new feature for my website and blog.  Called “Market Snapshot“ this feature allows you to instantly track market activity your own neighborhood. By signing up for your personalized market snapshot, you’ll have access to:

Benefits of the Market Snapshot

View a sample market snapshot. 

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Andover, North Andover, Boxford or anywhere in Massachusetts, you’ll want to know what’s happening in your local market.  Contact me for details or sign up for your FREE MARKET SNAPSHOT.

For many home buyers, a condominium offers an excellent lifestyle and an affordable alternative to buying a single family home. If you’re considering  buying a condominium in Andover or any other community, be sure to take time to find out everything you can about your condominium association. 

Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you’ll learn how responsive—and organized—its members are. Start by asking the condominium board  with the following 10 questions.

1.      What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the more marketable the units will be at resale.

2.      What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date can’t rent out their units, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have an attorney review property docs, including the master deed, for you.

3.      How much does the association keep in reserve? How is that money being invested?

4.      Are association assessments keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation? Smart boards raise assessments a certain percentage each year to build reserves to fund future repairs. To determine if the assessment is reasonable, compare the rate to others in the area.

5.      What does and doesn’t the assessment cover—common area maintenance, recreational facilities, trash collection, snow removal?

6.      What special assessments have been mandated in the past five years? How much was each owner responsible for? Some special assessments are unavoidable. But repeated, expensive assessments could be a red flag about the condition of the building or the board’s fiscal policy.

7.      How much turnover occurs in the building?

8.      Is the project in litigation? If the builders or homeowners are involved in a lawsuit, reserves can be depleted quickly.

9.      Is the developer reputable? Find out what other projects the developer has built and visit one if you can. Ask residents about their perceptions. Request an engineer’s report for developments that have been reconverted from other uses to determine what shape the building is in. If the roof, windows, and bricks aren’t in good repair, they become your problem once you buy.

10.  Are multiple associations involved in the property? In very large developments, umbrella associations, as well as the smaller association into which you’re buying, may require separate assessments.

Reprinted from RealtorMagazineOnline with permission of the National Association of Realtors. Copywrite 2005. All rights reserved.

As your real estate consultant, I can help you find the answers to these and other important questions. So contact me anytime or search the MLS for condominiums.

Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable real estate option to single-family homes in Andover and North Andover Massachusetts. But here are just a few of the many  facts to consider before you buy.

1. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings.

1. Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you hate yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

1. Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

1. Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home.

1. Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even door attendants. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency.

1. Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees agreed to by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity or not.

1. Resale. The ease of selling your unit is more dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Single-family homes usually are more individual.

1. Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.

1. Proximity. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or townhome. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors before making a decision.

Search for condominiums for sale in Andover, North Andover and surrounding communities.

Reprinted from Realtor Magazine Online with permission of National Association of Realtors Copywrite 2005 All Rights Reserved.

If you’ve asked yourself this question my guess is there is something about your current home that does not meet your lifestyle needs.   What is it about your home or neighborhood that isn’t meeting your needs?  If you like your neighborhood but your home is too small does remodeling make sense?  Has your job location changed?  Is you home too large now that your children have moved out? Have you always wanted to live closer to the city or the seacoast?  Are you retiring and looking for a warmer climate or lower cost of living? What would it cost to make a move?  Once we review these questions I can help you gather the information you need to make the decision that works for you.  So, the answer the the question “Does buying or selling a home in Andover or North Andover now make sense?” will be different for you than for your neighbor. Check out my “Wants vs Needs Checklist.”  I think you’ll find it a helpful exercise as you begin to consider whether or not buying or selling a home now makes sense for you.

As we head into the holiday and winter season, I’m often asked if this is a good time of year to buy or sell a home in Andover, Boxford or North Andover Massashusetts.  Statistically it is true that we have more home sales in the spring and summer months and without a doubt there are many families with school-aged children  who choose to move during the months when school is not in session.  However, it is incorrect to assume that homes do not sell during the fall and winter months or that the home values decline during the holiday or winter seasons. There are many factors to consider when deciding when to buy or sell a home.  Changes in family circumstances, job opportunities and mortgage interest rates are just a few examples of important considerations which are not generally influenced by the season of the year.  I can help you develop a customized real estate plan specifically taylored to your individual needs and goals.  Contact me at REMAX Partners in Andover for a free introductory consultation.