Buyers entering the Massachusetts real estate market should start by making two (2) lists:

a "NEEDS" and a "WISH" listing.

What do you want? What are your NEEDS? WISHES?

Identifying your needs before you start will ease your search and will likely result in a more satisfactory and gratifying sales experience.

The goal of your Heidi Churchill Real Estate Professional is to find a home that serves all your "NEEDS" and as many of your "WISHES" as your purchase power will allow.

Are you paying too much?  When you work with a Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional, our background in residential valuations and appraisals will ensure that your decision is an educated and informed one.  

YOU FOUND THE HOUSE,  NOW WHAT?

With the interest rates leveling off, the market is still competitive for reasonably priced homes.  Your Heidi Churchill Real Estate Professional will guide you through this complex process.

2nd STEP - THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

Your Offer has been accepted.  Your Home Inspection went well.  There still may be other contingencies that need to be considered, but now is the time to look at your Purchase and Sale Agreement.  This is your sales contract for your new home.  Your Purchase and Sale Agreement will spell out the remaining terms and conditions that need to be met prior to the closing.  It will address all outstanding contingencies such as your mortgage contingency, home sale contingency and other issues important to a real estate transaction.

As with any other contract, it is always a good idea to have this document reviewed by your attorney.  If you do not have an attorney, your Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional can recommend a number of real estate attorneys who are knowledgeable about the local real estate market.

Now is the time to work with your bank or mortgage company.  Make sure they have all the documents they will need, including a copy of your Purchase and Sale Agreement.  Your Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional will stay in contact with your banker or mortgage broker in order to ensure that your mortgage contingency, if applicable, is satisfied.

Once your Purchase and Sale Agreement has been reviewed and approved by your real estate advisor (preferably an attorney), you will be required to sign 3 – 5 original copies of the document.  Your Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional will guide you through this process and will ensure that all copies are disbursed accordingly.  Also, this is the time when your deposit on your home is due.  Depending on your mortgage terms and bank requirements, this is the amount that was originally declared in your Offer to Purchase.

Your Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional will maintain contact with your mortgage lender and coordinate your home appraisal, schedule and attend all subsequent inspections, such as smoke inspections, CO₂ Inspections, and septic inspections.

After you have signed your Purchase & Sale Agreement, and after your contingencies have been met...

START PACKING!

3rd STEP - THE CLOSING

You’ve signed your Purchase and Sale Agreement · All contingencies have been met ·

YOU’VE PACKED AND ARE READY TO MOVE!

Now all you have to do is attend the Closing (otherwise known as The Passing). 

Your lender, or the lender’s attorney, will contact you prior to the Closing in order to confirm all closing figures, to address any open items and to schedule the Closing itself.

Typically, your Closing will take place at the Registry of Deeds.  The new deed, listing YOU as the new owner, is considered a recorded “instrument” and will be “recorded at the applicable county’s Registry of Deeds.

Ideally the people in attendance should be yourself as the Buyer, your attorney (if you so choose), the Seller(s) and their attorney, both the listing and selling brokers, and the lender’s representative, which is typically a conveyancing attorney.

At the Closing, all documents will be signed.  It is at this time that you will collect all the keys and other pertinent items such as garage door clickers, alarm codes, etc.  Congratulations, you are...

A NEW HOME OWNER!

Always remember that your relationship with your Heidi Churchill Real Estate professional will continue.  If there any issues that may arise regarding your new home, we will be always be there for you.   

FINAL STEP - THE MOVE

Obviously, your Heidi Churchill real Estate professional has experienced the successful moves and the not so successful moves.  It is very important to be knowledgeable, organized, and prepared for your move.  We can recommend and help you to evaluate what movers will work the best for you.

Your planning will be guided by a number of things:

Planning is key. Stock up on boxes, packing materials, tape and markers. Always mark boxes so that movers will know where goods should be placed.