FHA adjusts their loan limits on an annual basis. If you are purchasing a property this season and would like to to use an FHA loan, it is essential to be familiar with the applicable limits and how they can fluctuate. The good news is, in many communities, the limits have gone up to reflect increasing property values. Below is …
MA Home Sale Closing Procedures
Every home buyer and home seller knows that a closing is basically the last step in the real estate process. It is often a day of both nervousness and excitement. There are critical tasks and milestones leading up to the big day. Below are a few of the important steps for MA home sale closing procedures. Clear to Close Although a buyer …
Bedroom Count in MA Homes for Sale
Everyone knows that the number of bedrooms in a home will affect its price. Sellers will naturally want to maximize that bedroom count. However, it is important to avoid some common mistakes when it comes to bedroom count in MA homes for sale. What Makes a Bedroom Simply adding a closet to a room will not make it a bedroom. First …
Changes to MA Sex Offender Classification Regulations
There were recent changes to MA sex offender classification regulations. These regulations determine who must register as a sex offender in Massachusetts. Here are some details on this change and who it applies to. The Specific Change In the past, the legal standard for determining classification level of a sex offender was based on a “preponderance of the evidence”. In …
MA Neighbor Property Line Disputes
Disputes between neighbors can be extremely stressful. There’s nothing like going to war with someone who lives right next door and who you may see every single day. Your home should be a peaceful and happy place, so it is important to avoid disputes whenever possible. Here are a few ways that you can avoid MA neighbor property line disputes. …
Bicycle Accidents, Car and bicycle Accidents in Massachusetts
Bicycle accidents are not as common as vehicle accidents; however when they do occur the injuries incurred are usually quite serious. With the increase in bicycle use and allocated bike paths in Melrose MA and beyond, there has been a significant increase in related injuries. If you are a loved one is involved in an accident of this nature it …
MA Law on Rental Security Deposits
If you are a landlord or renter in Massachusetts, it is important to know the law when it comes to security deposits. Massachusetts law requires deposits to be handled in a specific manner. Here is an overview of the MA law on rental security deposits. What Are Rental Security Deposits Security deposits are usually required by landlords in Massachusetts. Deposits are …
Avoiding Identity Theft in MA
It’s been in the news again,… the discovery of skimming devices at ATM machines. Between this and continual reports of security breaches at major retailers, it is becoming clear that we live in a world where identity left is a constant and real concern. How can you protect yourself? Here are a few tips on avoiding identity theft in Massachusetts. …
MA Bill to Clear Title on Foreclosed Properties
On December 31, 2015, a MA bill to clear title on foreclosed properties was signed into law. This is great news for anyone who may have purchased a property that was previously foreclosed. Below, we provide some helpful information to understand the details of this law, its impact, and why it’s needed. The Foreclosure Title Issue It is common for mortgages to …
Responsibilities of Closing Attorneys in Massachusetts
In the real estate industry, a lot of terms are used under the assumption that everyone already knows what it is. “Closing attorney” is one such term. If you’re unsure what the responsibilities of closing attorneys in Massachusetts are, this information might help. Responsibilities of Closing Attorneys in Massachusetts As the title implies, a closing attorney performs the actual closing for …