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Buying a new home or condominium Unit can be a challenging process. Buying a new home or condominium Unit that is not yet built and only exists on paper is even more daunting. Below are some helpful tips to navigate a new construction purchase. Research the Builder To a certain degree, a Buyer is going into business with the builder. The Builder will determine the design and workmanship of the new property. The Builder also controls the timeline of the process. The Buyer will want to check the Builder’s reputation, reviews [...] more

We recently handled a “condominium conversion,” converting a client’s two-family home in Jamaica Plain into a two-unit condominium. When the client first contacted us, we checked the Registry website and discovered that the title was in the Land Court. The Land Court has many benefits, but for a condominium conversion, the review and approval process can drag on for months. For a Buyer obtaining financing and/or a Seller who is reliant on the proceeds of the sale to fund another transaction, the unwieldy length of the process can be daunting. Moreover, in an industry that [...] more

The Boston Sunday Globe's spring real estate edition hits newsstands, err, mobile apps this Sunday. This article discusses actions a Seller should take in a hot real estate market. The Globe ran several of my quotes in the piece. I noted that a skilled realtor is the key to navigating the transaction.  Globe Spring Real Estate Article [...] more

Many lenders are now requiring that in older buildings, Condominium Association’s carry “Ordinance of Law” insurance coverage. Failure to obtain the coverage can delay or imperil a closing. Ordinance or Law coverage is extra coverage that pertains to the added cost of rebuilding, by enforcement of ordinances or laws regulating construction and repair of damaged buildings. Older structures that are damaged may need upgraded electrical, heating ventilating, HVAC and plumbing based on city codes. The lowest limit available is $25,000. There is typically an additional premium to add to the existing coverage. [...] more