Meet the Team: Connor Hayes

August 9, 2021/in Community /by Cara Chatellier

With record low mortgage rates and inventory at a staggering low, the real estate market is maintaining quite a boom as we head through the latter part of 2021 and into 2022. Growth is a beautiful thing when it comes to securing a new home for you and your family. We understand that this will most likely be one of the biggest commitments of your life and we want to ensure we provide you with ample assistance and direct care throughout your buying or selling journey. Your real estate venture is important to us. We care deeply about creating a long-term client-realtor relationship with you. Because of the increase in demand, our team is rapidly expanding and we are so excited to welcome new faces to the Keller Williams crew to help our amazing clients’ dreams come true.

We are thrilled to welcome our newest Massachusetts realtor, Connor Hayes. He is a wonderful addition to our Keller Williams team, bringing with him a plethora of real estate industry knowledge, a deep understanding of the local market and a commitment to our client-first approach. We know that he will do great things for the Maura Allard & Company real estate team.

Why did you get into Real Estate?

The world of real estate is unique, exhilarating and, sometimes, challenging. We believe it takes a certain type of person to excel within the industry. To be a successful real estate agent you need heart, commitment, strong customer service skills and a deep knowledge of both the home buying and selling processes. We are proud to say that Connor has all of that. He decided to become a realtor because he always loved the idea of having control over his career. He proudly states, “I get to plan every move and succeed in ways I never imagined with previous jobs.” He enjoys digging into new opportunities and discovering ways to capitalize on them through various means with a client-first mentality. Previously, Connor worked in the retail and sales field for over nine years which translated well when he decided to pivot to the real estate sector.

If you had to give someone one piece of realty advice what would it be?

When it comes to real estate advice, Connor’s is simple: “never, ever stop learning.” He wholeheartedly believes that every day presents itself with new opportunities to learn from both wins and mistakes that ultimately make you a better person and real estate agent in the long run.

Why did you decide to work with Maura?

Connor decided to work with Maura because their ideals aligned when it came to focus, passion and client care. He loves the way she, and her team of realtors, cares deeply about each client’s individual goals and wishes when it comes to both home buying and selling. He admires her deep industry knowledge and her solid roots in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire communities she works in. When asked his biggest reason to work alongside Maura he said, “I can see someone who is determined and focused. She has a hunger for real estate, much like myself, and I try to work with people that share the same passion and hunger as I do.”

What does your dream home look like?

Location, location, location. When it comes to Connor’s dream home, his choice is clear. He would love to live in Greece one day. There is definitely something to be said about the Greek coastline, the sunshine and all of the beautiful architecture there.

Give us 3 random fun facts about you.

We love to share fun facts about the people who mean so much to us. Here are three fun facts about Connor:

He is an identical twin.
He loves to travel around the world.
Family and friends are very important to him. He is constantly surrounded by both.

We are so delighted to welcome Connor to our team. He will work alongside us, assisting clients throughout Massachusetts. If you would like to learn more about Connor, or other members of our team in the Massachusetts or New Hampshire market, contact us to set up a consultation today. We are excited to meet you.

Understanding a Mortgage Pre-Approval

May 10, 2021/in Loans & Mortgage /by Cara Chatellier

When it comes to purchasing a home, a mortgage pre-approval is often the first step in your process. It is nearly impossible to begin your home search without understanding the amount of money you qualify for. No matter the type of loan you decide to use, from VA to conventional or FHA, all mortgage lenders can (and should!) provide you with a pre-approval to use as the basis in your home purchase search. With this in hand, you can confidently work with a realtor to scope out and secure the home of your dreams.

A mortgage pre-approval dictates your purchasing power.

In short, a mortgage pre-approval is an official letter that you receive from a lender that advises the max amount of money you can borrow for the purchase of a home. It shows realtors and sellers that you have been vetted and are pre-approved for a home loan. This provides security for all parties involved. Most lenders use the terms, “preapproval” and “prequalification” interchangeably when it comes to a borrower’s purchasing power, but there may be a slight difference that you want to look into. Typically, pre-approvals require a more in-depth review of a borrower’s credit history and financial health. With prequalifications, some lenders don’t require a full credit review prior to providing you with their prequalification letter. It is best practice to stick to one that reviews your financial health to set you up for the best home purchase success once you decide on a home to put an offer in on.

Mortgage pre-approvals require personal information.

In order for lenders to make a reasonable decision on your pre-approval request, personal information must be provided and reviewed securely by your lending institution.

Some of the most standard and requested information includes:

Credit history
Proof of income
W2’s for the last two to three years
Pay stubs
A copy of your identification (license or state ID card)
Bank statements
Social security card
Asset list
Debts to determine your debt to income ratio

Pre-approvals are not indefinite in their timeframe.

Although pre-approvals are the best way to secure your stance in the real estate market as a buyer, they don’t last forever. Going into the purchasing process knowing what you want in a home is important to beginning the search, even prior to your pre-approval receipt. Once you decide on purchasing a home sit down and make a checklist of what you need prior to seeking outside assistance from a lender and realtor. Include a pre-approval on your list of must-haves along with your dream home needs. Remember that it’s also important to have all documentation ready to go prior to meeting with your lender. This keeps things moving and keeps everyone involved more organized. As you search for your home, be concise in your decisions while keeping your pre-approval letter in mind. Typically, pre-approval letters are good for 60 to 90 days from issuance, but it varies by state. Check with your lender to ensure the exact timeframe on your pre-approval and request what additional steps need to be taken if you go past that timeframe without securing a home.

There are many factors to consider when deciding to purchase a home. Whether it’s your first home or your tenth, a mortgage pre-approval is key to your leverage and security in the purchasing process. If you think now is the time for you to buy the home of your dreams, let’s work together and start your pre-approval process and home buying checklist today.

Spring Cleaning Tips to Declutter Your Space and Mind

April 21, 2021/2 Comments/in Housing, Organization /by Cara Chatellier

Spring is in full swing which brings about a sense of change, renewal, and anticipation for a season of warmth, togetherness, and sunshine. Spring leaves the winter season behind allowing us to pack up our snow gear and dreary decor replacing it with bright, happy, and welcoming designs in our home. There is just something so refreshing about annual spring cleaning that resets our minds and our homes for the better. Allow decluttering to set the tone for the whole season this year.

Here are some of my favorite spring cleaning tips to rid yourself of the clutter and ease into spring.

Plan it out

Every successful event begins with proper planning. The same is true when it comes to the upkeep of your home. Before you begin spring cleaning, which may feel like an overwhelming and mundane task, create a checklist for yourself. Consider organizing your list by room and make note of the things you need to clean, update and get rid of. As you go, your list may change slightly based on what you decide to tackle. To stay extra organized add dates you plan to take care of each space on the list. If you live with others make it a group effort and assign tasks based on abilities and specific needs. The more organized you are, the easier the tasks will become. Plus, there is just something so rewarding about checking tasks off of your list as you complete them.

Don’t forget the windows and walls

During our normal cleaning time we are quick to mop the kitchen or vacuum the upstairs rugs, but what about cleaning the walls and windows? These simple tasks are often forgotten amongst the list of necessary tasks on our weekly checklists. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to tackle these tasks. When creating your checklist by room include wall and window cleanings as well. Don’t forget the baseboards, trim, and window sills. When cleaning the windows ensure you are spraying down both the interior and exterior glass and panels and deep cleaning the screens. When cleaning the walls make sure to use a cleaner and cloth that won’t affect your wall paint, wallpaper, or any particular wall decor. Window and wall cleanings should be done, at least, every few months so it’s a perfect seasonal chore to check off on your list.

Pay special attention to rooms that need some extra love

When’s the last time you deep cleaned your laundry room? Or even your washer and dryer for that matter? Spring cleaning requires an unconventional approach to your to-do list. This season focus your efforts on rooms that haven’t been cleaned from the ceiling to the floor.

Some must-clean areas include:

Laundry room
Pantry
Mudroom
Porch or patio area
Garage
Bonus room
Guest bedroom and bath
Basement
Outdoor workspace or shed
Storage room

Replace the staple pieces

Now is the perfect time to go out with the old and in with the new. Replace things like shower curtains, entryway mats, outdoor mats, tablecloths, placemats, bathroom towels and bathroom rugs. These items are typically in high-traffic areas and wear down more quickly than other must-have items in your home. Aside from the cleaning aspect of, well, spring cleaning, it’s also a nice time to create a fully refreshed look in your space.

Here are some of my favorite ways to refresh spaces in your home:

Change out darker and heavier curtains for light and airy.
Opt for floral or pastel-colored throws in your living room in place of heavy winter blanket options.
Add vases of fresh, in-season flowers to focal tables throughout your home.
Replace any winter-themed decorative items for one that match the season.
Swap out winter photos with some of your favorite memories from springtime past.

Reorganize your junk drawer

Yes, even the junk drawer can have junk in it that you no longer need. Almost everyone has that one drawer or space in their house where they keep random junk (think: pens, notebooks, batteries, hand sanitizer, tape, flashlights) that is easily accessible when needed. Take time each season to dump out the junk in your drawer and toss items you no longer need. Make sure the pens still work and the batteries are within their use-by date. Consider adding a drawer organizer in your drawer to keep the space more organized year around. You may be surprised by how much you toss out.

Spring cleaning is a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity to refresh our living space. Take time to create a curated list of must-dos this season and begin with top priority items. Once you start checking off your list you will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work. The bonus? Your space will feel and tidy, ready to take on all the events of the current season.

New to the Market this Week! Multi-Family in Haverhill with Water Views

March 12, 2018/in Community, For Sale, Housing /by Maura Allard

Coming Soon in Haverhill!

Mint condition Multi-Family with water-views of the Merrimack River! Here you can enjoy the pleasures of a newer heating system, hot water heaters, roof, and windows. The first and second floor boasts 2 bedrooms as well as a large eat-in kitchen.

Move-in for Spring to enjoy the sunsets from your great fenced in yard!

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Preparing your Home to put on the Market

March 5, 2018/in For Sale, Housing, Organization /by Maura Allard

Staging your Home to put on the Market

You have made that scary decision to list your house on the market… congratulations! The next step is to get your home ready for the public to view. The Container Store is your new best friend. You will want to make a trip there and pick up totes, totes, and more totes. Start decluttering; no personal pictures, religious items, school treasures, stuffed animals, knick-knacks or shot glass collections need to be on display. Par down closets, clean off countertops. Adopt the mindset you are moving and start packing. If your house is cluttered people will be distracted by the clutter and will not see the features of the house.

Take a look around. Ask yourself, how is the paint? Are there scuff marks on the stair risers? Do your walls need a fresh coat? Paint is your friend. Pick a neutral shade and brighten up your home. Take a trip to Walmart or Target. Pick up some new fresh white towels for the bathroom, maybe a new white shower curtain as well. Pretty throw pillows also look great on a couch or bed! No need to spend a lot of money to make a few powerful changes.

Make sure everything is sparkling clean. Hire a cleaner if you need to. If you list with me I will pay to have your home professionally cleaned prior to the first open house. If you have pets, get them groomed and rid the house of pet hair.

Decks and porches will shine with potted plants! If your deck is lackluster, stain it. Lay mulch where needed to add curb appeal. Put your best foot forward before putting the for sale sign on the lawn!