• Image - Living room

    BUYING WITH INDIGO

    Whether you’re wondering if you’re ready to buy your first home, looking to trade-up to a bigger and better space, or considering downsizing to suit a lifestyle change, we can help you navigate homebuying in an organized way. Each client envisions the buying process going a little differently. We will plan and strategize together at the onset and stay flexible and attentive through move-in day.

  • YOUR SEARCH, MADE BETTER

    Our expert relationship-building paired with deep market knowledge (and a bit of hustle) has brought the best results to our clients. Let us help you overcome the challenge of low inventory and high competition.

  • Image - Kitchen

    BEYOND THE BUY

    Our services extend well beyond closing day. Did you sacrifice space for location? Style for price? Work with us to perfect your purchase with an optimized layout and smart design choices. We are well-connected to the best industry contacts to make transformation happen and can manage your project from start to finish, on-time and on-budget.

Buying, in a nutshell.

  • Obtain a copy of and review your credit report. Clear up any errors.

    Keep your bank accounts clean. Hold off on any large purchases or unordinary transfers into and out of your accounts. Your mortgage company will question everything they see, so keep your accounts “business as usual.”

    Reject the hard sell at the Nordstrom check out and avoid opening any new credit card lines. New credit inquiries will negatively affect your credit score.

    Do not quit your job. Job longevity counts!

  • Research mortgage lenders. Ask us or a friend who has bought for a recommendation. Reputation is important; a local mortgage lender is usually preferred by a seller over a large national bank, who tend to have more red tape that elongates the process. Tell the lender you are thinking of buying a home and need to get pre-approved.

    Learn about the types of mortgage loans. Review with your lender the types of loans that you could qualify for and the corresponding down payment that will be necessary for each.

    Obtain a pre-approval letter. The mortgage company will collect your pay stubs, 1-2 years of tax returns, bank account statements, loan info and any other relevant financial documentation they need to qualify you. They will then issue you a letter stating the maximum home price for which you’re likely to be approved for a mortgage.

    Determine your budget. Prepare a budget including your approximate monthly mortgage amount plus taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA/condo fee (if applicable) and maintenance. Your mortgage lender or real estate agent can help you crunch these numbers. Through this exercise you may find that your pre-approval amount is much more than what you’re willing to spend for housing on a monthly basis. In this case, keep your search to homes under a list price that keeps your costs at a range in which you’re comfortable. Be smart and don’t overextend.

    Note: Your real estate agent will need to submit your pre-approval letter with any offer you make on a home, as it shows that you are a qualified buyer who is in a good financial position to purchase. It is for this reason that it is recommended that you have a mortgage professional assess your finances and give you a pre-approval before you commence your housing search.

  • Find an agent. There are thousands of real estate agents in MA, but the quality of professionals varies greatly. Choose an agent who will take the time to walk you through the process and make a complex transaction easy to understand. He or she should be well-acquainted with the neighborhood(s) you are considering including things such as schools, healthcare, shopping and nightlife. We hope it’s us.

    Review your property criteria. Once you choose an agent, you will meet to discuss what type of property you’re looking for (such as condo, single family or multi-family) so they can appropriately target your search. You will review your pre-approved budget, desired number of beds and baths, target neighborhood(s), and property must-haves (parking, outdoor space, storage, etc.).

    Get listing alerts from MLS. After your initial meeting, your agent will then take your housing criteria and set you up to receive property listing alerts from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). MLS is the official system used by realtors for all real estate transactions (excluding private or “for sale by owner” properties) and has the most accurate and up-to-date listing information. You will receive an email alert when a new listing matching your search criteria comes on the market.

    View properties in person. When you see a property that you feel is a good match, let your real estate agent know right away. He or she will call the corresponding listing agent and get you the “inside scoop” on the home and set up a time for you to view the listing in person (or arrange for you to attend an open house). As Boston-metro is a very competitive market, often listings are on the market for only a few days before an offer is accepted. It is for this reason that it is crucial to act right away when you see a property that may be a perfect match.

  • Make and negotiate the “Offer to Purchase” contract

    Complete a home inspection

    Choose a real estate attorney

    Review and sign the “Purchase and Sale” contract

    Apply for a mortgage

    Close the sale