In this episode we discuss when planting at home make sure to choose drought tolerant local native plants. This can help you from needing to endlessly water your plants as the summer heat sets in. Planting a shade tree can help keep your home from getting so hot. Choose a few locations on your property to protect your lawn, family, and home from the heat. Installing a pool is a fun and cool way to beat the heat. Remember stay-cations save money and make great memories.

In this episode we discuss when hiring a contractor, always make sure they are licensed and insured. Failure to do so puts yourself in a very precarious situation. Failure to pull permits can really burn you in the long run. When selling a home often the new buyer or the appraiser will discover the un-permitted work and it can blow the deal. The best place to find a contractor is through a happy referral. The best contractors are not cheap or always available but they are always worth it.

In this weeks episode we discuss why for sellers there are so many challenges when it comes to accepting an offer. Accepting the wrong one can put you in a much worse position. When looking at offers, checking over every contingency is important. Understanding what each term means is the best way to ensure you only choose the right one. Keep in mind while it is important to understand every term it is also important to understand the demand for the home. Turning down a good offer at the start could lead to worse offers in the future.

In this episode we discuss why when buying a beach house there are a lot of things to think about. One important thing to think about is what level of use will you be wanting on the beach. Buying a home on freshwater or saltwater is always a big decision. Freshwater often offers warmer waters and less severe weather whereas the saltwater offers larger views mixed with cooler water. Are you comfortable with big storms and high winds? If not, buying on the beach may not be the best choice for you.

In this episode we discuss when you own a home you usually have space to store things. Take advantage of sales and storing to beat the rising costs. When it is time to buy home heating oil it is usually the most expensive. Try to time the market and buy your oil in bulk for the winter heating months. Starting a vegetable garden can be a fun and inexpensive way to create a lot of great food. Use some of that yard space to create a cornucopia of fresh produce.

In this episode we discuss why America is wired for monthly payments and pays little attention to sales price. When rates rise so does the monthly payment which pulls down a buyer's spending power. Even with a lack of housing inventory there is always a limit to affordability. This will not be a sharp decline here in Massachusetts; it is just the start of a leveling. If you are looking to sell a home that is a little harder to sell for the most money, now may be the time to go. Waiting can lead to a much lower sale price as buyers begin to have choices.

In this episode we discuss why cash is king most of the time. Be careful to know where the market is and what the interest looks like before low balling. Cash offers that include an inspection and appraisal contingency are very similar to a normal financed offer. If a buyer has a creditable pre-approval most sellers will see it as a similar offer to the cash deal. When working with cash make sure to check in with your money manager and attorney. Both will be needed to understand when you can get access to the capital and how quickly you can close the deal.

In this episode we discuss five things to do in Massachusetts including visiting Duxbury beach. Whether you buy a beach pass or you pay for the public lot it is always a great day. Wompatuck Park is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy nature. With endless biking and hiking trails and a place to hit the water it has it all. Blue Hills is right in Canton, Milton and is really close to Boston. Hiking up the Blue Hills is the perfect way to get a bird's eye view of South Eastern Massachusetts.

In this episode we go over five things to do in Pembroke, MA including getting an ice cream as an inexpensive way to spend a weekend day. Dairy Twist makes for a great day for all the friends and family. Pembroke is a lake and pond community with unlimited places to access water. As the year heats up, cool down at one of the public beaches. If you like to hike look no further than Pembroke. From well constructed boardwalks that meander the woods to abandoned bog land they have it all.

In this episode we discuss that price is just one part of the equation. There are several other factors that go into a winning bid but sometimes the bottom line wins it. Letting someone move out on the date they choose can be priceless. This is especially true when they have a large number of people living in the home. Waiving your right to a home inspection can be very risky. It also can be very reassuring to a seller that the transaction is more secure.