Residential Tips for Homeowners

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR® June 20, 2025 If you're thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions that comes to mind is probably: "How much is my home worth?" Reviewing a CMA It's a good question, and the answer depends on a few important factors. What Determines Your Home's Value? Home value is based on what a ready, willing, and able buyer would pay in today's market. That value can be influenced by : Recent sales  of similar homes (also called "comps") Location  —

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR® ✨ Instant Joy vs. Lasting Satisfaction  A donut gives you that sweet pick-me-up. You savor every bite. Owning a home does the same: the moment you walk in feels fantastic, and that feeling builds into lasting memories. Enjoying a donut is like owning a home! 🎨 Choose Your Flavor & Style  Just like you pick glazed, filled, or sprinkled, homeowners pick paint colors, décor, and landscaping. Both let you express your personality in a delicious (or cozy) way

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR® June 4, 2025 I'm one of the crazies. I play pickleball a lot. We're so hooked, we built a pickleball court in our yard. If you've caught the pickleball bug, too, you know how addictive the game is. Surprisingly, it has a lot in common with something else I know well: selling your home . You might think, "That's a nutty comparison, Bob." I know  one  uses paddles and a plastic ball, while the other involves contracts, staging, and offers. But they're alike

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR® June 3, 2025 Many find it challenging to purchase a house when mortgage rates hover around 7%. So, what is one to do when ready to buy a house? What strategies can you use to make an $800,000 more "affordable?" I'm not a mortgage professional or a financial advisor. I turned to my research assistant, ChatGPT, and asked it to outline ways to reduce a mortgage payment on an example purchase of an $800,000 house. Strategies for lowering your monthly mortgage

Bob Wiltse, REALTOR® June 2, 2025 When estimating a home’s value quickly, many buyers, sellers, and agents turn to Automated Valuation Models (AVMs). These computer-driven algorithms analyze public records, recent sales, tax assessments, and other data points to generate a value estimate. In this post, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of AVMs in residential real estate, using a specific example property, a 3-bed, 1-bath house with 1,823 sq ft of living space on

Bob Wiltse May 29, 2025 Understanding the value of your home is a powerful tool for any homeowner, whether you're planning to sell or staying put for the long haul. A home value price opinion  (a broker price opinion or BPO) provides an expert estimate of your property's worth, offering insights that can shape your financial future. Even if selling isn't on your radar, here's why getting a home value price opinion is a smart move, along with actionable benefits to help you ma

Bob Wiltse May 27, 2025 Selling your home in Massachusetts? Congratulations! As you approach the closing table, you'll need to check off several essential tasks to ensure a smooth, stress-free transition. From legal inspections to utility coordination, here's a comprehensive checklist for home sellers to complete before closing. 1. Schedule Your Title 5 Septic System Inspection Massachusetts law requires a Title 5 inspection  before closing if your home has a septic system. T