The Massachusetts Home Buying Process: Step by Step
Ten practical steps from budgeting and representation through inspection, financing, final walkthrough and closing.
Real estate guides
Practical guides to buying, selling and planning your next move in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
What Does a Buyer’s Agent Do in Massachusetts?
Understand representation, written agreements, negotiable compensation and questions to ask a Massachusetts buyer’s agent.
How to Prepare a Competitive South Shore Offer
Build an evidence-based offer with a clear budget, realistic financing, workable timing and current Massachusetts inspection protections.
Massachusetts Offer to Purchase vs. Purchase and Sale Agreement
Understand the roles of the offer and P&S, negotiated deposits, contingencies, notices and attorney review.
How to Check South Shore Property Taxes Before Buying
Find the correct fiscal year, assessed value and residential tax rate, then verify the actual property bill and exemptions.
Mortgage Rate Locks Explained for Home Buyers
What a mortgage rate lock is, when buyers usually lock, how lock extensions work, and which questions to ask before committing to a lender.
Massachusetts Home Inspection Rights and Contract Terms
Review current Massachusetts inspection protections, disclosures, reasonable timing and questions for your attorney.
Escalation Clauses: Examples, Caps and Questions
Understand escalation-clause arithmetic, proof provisions, price caps and financing risks before submitting an offer.
The Massachusetts Home Inspection: A Buyer’s Checklist
Prepare for a home inspection, review accessible systems, plan specialist evaluations and organize follow-up decisions.
Seller Preparation Checklist for Massachusetts and Rhode Island Homes
A practical seller checklist covering documents, repairs, access, disclosures, photography readiness, smoke/CO, Title 5, and closing preparation.
How to Think About List Price Without Overpromising the Outcome
A seller-focused explanation of list price strategy, comparable sales, condition, financing risk, appraisal risk, and market feedback.
Renter Application Prep Guide: Documents, Budget, and Lease Questions
A practical renter guide covering application documents, move-in funds, lease questions, insurance, utilities, and future purchase planning.
From Renting to Buying: How to Prepare Before You Start Touring Homes
A renter-focused homebuying preparation guide covering savings, credit, pre-approval, lease timing, and transition planning.
Investment Property Basics for Massachusetts and Rhode Island Buyers
A neutral guide to investment property due diligence, including financing, reserves, inspection issues, insurance, taxes, leases, and cash-flow assumptions.
Homeowner Maintenance Records That Help Before Selling
Which home maintenance records, permits, warranties, service history, and utility information can make a future listing easier to prepare.
Condo Buying and Selling Guide for Massachusetts and Rhode Island
A practical guide to condo documents, reserves, budgets, assessments, rules, financing considerations, and attorney review.
Selling a Home in Massachusetts: Step by Step
A practical seller roadmap from documents and pricing through offers, inspections, closing preparation and possession.
Offer Accepted in Massachusetts: What Happens Next?
Organize inspection, P&S, financing and closing tasks after an accepted Massachusetts offer.
Massachusetts Closing Checklist: The Final Week and Closing Day
Prepare documents, closing figures, funds, walkthrough questions and possession arrangements before closing.
Title 5 Septic Inspections: Steps for Massachusetts Buyers and Sellers
Plan a septic-system sale review, locate records, arrange the required inspection and address findings with qualified professionals.
Planning a South Shore Commute to Boston
Compare a real door-to-door trip, service schedules, parking and recurring costs before choosing a South Shore home.
South Shore & Southeastern MA Market Update — June 2026
Mortgage rates are holding in territory that buyers have largely learned to work with. According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, the 30-year fixed rate sits at 6.47% as of June 2026. That's not the rate anyone would have d…