It is no secret that the best maintained homes receive a higher sell price than homes that need work.  In order to receive the most money for your house in a buyer’s market, don’t wait until selling your home to do maintenance repairs. 

Many times, just staying on top of maintenance can help minor problems from turning into major expenses.  Summer is the ideal time to evaluate the condition of your home. 

Leaks, painting, roof repairs, any rot or molds need to be addressed to avoid major problems down the road. 

If you are unable to spot problems even when you are looking at them, contact a home inspector once a year to inspect your home. 

Not only will you be saving money in the long run by addressing home maintenance problems, but that diligence could even fetch you a higher selling price in this buyer’s market. 

For more information on how to sell your home in the Malden, Everett, or Medford area, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX.

During the home buying process many buyers request a home inspection.  This is important in order to foresee any problems the house or property might be facing down the road. 

It is always important to be present with the seller during the home inspection, and even though it costs extra, do request a written copy of the home inspection report. 

This written form can be very helpful when the buyer of the house decides to sell.  At that point you can provide sellers with written documentation about any old issues with the home, and whether they have changed or not. 

Just like the inspection made the difference of buying or passing by the house when you were looking into the market, this can be true for when you are selling the home to new buyers as well. 

For more home buying or selling tips in the Malden, Everett, or Medford area, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX.

One of the best ways homeowners can contribute to selling their home is staging.  Staging is the "process of arranging the interior of the home to show off its full potential."  Numerous things can be done to achieve this goal. 

One is to simply remove clutter.  Clutter can be the usual mess, but also too many pictures on the wall or too much furniture in one room.  The important thing is to remove clutter completely from the house, whether by donation or garage sale.

Another way to stage is to get potential buyers to envision themselves living in your house.  Taking down down a lot of family photos, religious or political affiliations will help buyers to feel like they aren’t trespassing in someone else’s home. 

Of course your house should also be extremely clean at all times when it is on the market.  A clean house always gives off the impression that the house has been properly cared for and maintained. 

For other suggestions or information on how to properly stage a home for sale, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX.

When choosing a real estate agent it is important to look for certain qualities. 

A great agent really listens to your preferences, and will go the extra mile to make your purchase or sale less stressful, not to mention a great agent will be objective during emotional time of making the largest transaction of your lifetime. 

Of course, the best agent will have fantastic knowledge of the local area, including history and hot spots, as well as, neighborhood sales history, and current sales information on comparable houses.

Buying or selling real estate is most people’s greatest investment, and finding the best agent is a process.  However the tips above gives a little insight on how you can narrow the field. 

To find the best agent in Everett, Malden, and Medford,  to set up a consultation.

Local real estate market conditions in Medford, Massachusetts are currently considered a buyer’s market with a Market Action Index of 16.35. 

There are a total of 175 residential properties on the market.  The median single family home price is $707,139.  Other great incentives for new home buyers are the abundance of properties on the Medford real estate market and fair interest rates now being offered. 

However, one thing buyers’ should keep in mind no matter what the market conditions are - the best properties don’t last long. Buyers’ need to remember that when they find their dream house. 

For more information on finding your dream property in Medford, MA, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX with all of your Medford real estate questions.

Local real estate market conditions in Malden, Massachusetts are currently considered a buyer’s market. 

There are a total of 312 residential properties on the market.  This breaks down to 117 single-family homes, 91 condo properties for sale, and finally 104 multi-family units available.  Home buyers are ecstatic about substantially lower prices in Malden, MA. 

Other great incentives for new home buyers are the abundance of properties on the Malden real estate market and fair interest rates now being offered. 

However, one thing buyers’ should keep in mind no matter what the market conditions are - the best properties don’t last long. Currently 1 in 2 properties have sold in Malden in the last 6 months.  Buyers’ need to keep that in mind when they find their dream house. 

For more information on finding your dream property in Malden, MA, please contact John McCann with all of your Malden real estate questions.

Although the Boston metro area isn’t as high in the nation in foreclosures as other cities, delinquent house payments still happen - even to the best of us. 

During the foreclosure ordeal, one very important thing to keep in mind is persistence.  Many lenders want one less foreclosure process on their desk, and one way to remind the lender that you are interested in working out payments is to call him.  A lot.  And preferably before you are late on a payment.  Y

ou will be in the strongest position if you call or leave a message for your lender at least once a week to let him know that you are interested in refinancing or working out some other means of repayment. 

To constantly call your lender shows a high level of responsibility and persistence, even if it is to the point of annoyance. 

For other real estate tips or information on Boston metro area real estate, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX Real Estate.

During this current mortgage situation, many Massachusetts homeowners are facing foreclosures.  To add to their foreclosure woes, many of these foreclosed homes are considered "underwater" on their loans. 

This means that the homeowners currently owe more to their lender than what their home is worth.  Now homeowners trying to avoid the possibly credit destroying result of foreclosure, and are instead choosing to sell their home for less than what they owe the bank. 

This process is called "short sales", and of course has created a tremendous buyer’s market, while helping the homeowners unload their homes. For more information on Massachusetts "short sale" homes or about the foreclosure procedure, please contact John McCann at RE/MAX Results.

Industry members of the Hope Now Alliance are trying to ratify the current mortgage crisis all over the nation.  Their plan to help homeowners who hoped to refinance their adjustable-rate mortgages before the high interest rates were set, is being met with mixed results. 

The program, set into place by the nation’s main financial institutions, will give homeowners in the foreclosure process an extra 90 days to meet their payments or come to terms with their lenders.  

This law to protect homeowners began with a "Right To Cure" period of 30 days but has been ratified to include an extra 60 days before foreclosure proceedings can begin. 

The new law has helped the foreclosure rate in Massachusetts.  In May, Massachusetts foreclosure rates dropped 89% from April and an 82% drop from May 2007.  This new law has given Massachusetts homeowners a chance to get back on their feet and continue with their mortgage payments. 

For more information on Massachusetts foreclosure proceedings and the Hope Now Alliance, please contact .