Step 4: Inspection and Attorney

GET IT INSPECTED

After you have an accepted offer,  the next step is to schedule a home inspection. Jeannine or Jessica will be there with you, but we ask buyers to schedule the inspection themselves. Also, here is the link to the Massachusetts list of state-licensed Home Inspectors.

This is a list of the inspectors we have liked for our buyers:

Once your inspection takes place, you will get a very detailed, VERY SCARY report with pictures and colored text. You may be renegotiating the price you will pay for the home if the inspection report details major, unforeseen/hidden structural or safety defects. You probably won’t be renegotiating if you won a competitive bidding situation, but in many cases, this is a point for further negotiations. However, because inspectors are prohibited from discussing how much anything would cost to correct, you will probably need to get back into the house with a contractor/roofer/handyman/arborist/plumber/electrician/etc. to get an estimate for the work that you need to have done.

Here are some that we’ve worked with:

Windows:

Wayside Glass in Marlborough: (508) 485-3600

Heating/Cooling/HVAC:

Bassnet (We LOVE Rob) in Littleton (978) 997-1738

Carpenters/Contractors:

Greg Stein: (978)265-8459

Chris Higbee (978)580-6089

Electrician:

Bob Rosata: (781)864-1060

Plumber:

John Sylva: (781) 647-3236

 

GET AN ATTORNEY

If you already have an attorney, great! You’re best served by an attorney who specializes in property transfers (and has to be in MA). Below are some of our favorites.

Marisa Gregg with Gregg Hunt Ahern & Embry in Lexington, mgregg@ghaelaw.com (617) 494-1920

AnnMarie Colasanti with Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti in Lexington, amc@massfirm.com (781) 325-1786

John Brady, Dane, Brady & Hayden in Concord JBrady@danelaw.com  (978) 369-8333

Randall Barron at Mcwalter, Barron & Boisvert in Concord rbarron@mcwalterlaw.com  (978) 369-2252

When you engage an attorney, we’ll send them the info they need to get started working on your Purchase and Sale agreement. Then your attorney will exchange and negotiate the Purchase and Sale (P&S) with the seller’s attorney. If you have any questions about the content of your P&S, ask your attorney — they are dense contracts! The P&S takes you up to the time of the closing and describes your obligations and contingencies. Note that any work the sellers have to do before selling (perhaps that you’ve negotiated after inspection) will probably be in the P&S unless the work was already done. Alternatively, a separate repair agreement can detail the agreed-upon repairs. However, if the work is in the P&S and you’re applying for a mortgage, your lender will probably need evidence that the work was completed to your satisfaction.