The hour, topic by topic
What you can really afford on the South Shore
The full monthly cost: mortgage, property taxes, insurance and, for condos, the monthly fee. Condo fees vary a lot from building to building. Townivo lists real fee ranges for Braintree condo buildings.
Pre-approval, down payment and first-time buyer programs
How pre-approval works, what lenders look at, and the Massachusetts first-time buyer programs and down payment help worth asking a lender about.
How buying works in Massachusetts
The steps from offer to keys: the offer to purchase, home inspection, purchase and sale agreement, mortgage commitment and closing, plus where your attorney fits in.
Condo or single-family?
What to check before you buy a condo: the master deed, reserves, rental rules and whether the building qualifies for your loan. Condo vs. single-family, side by side.
Live Q&A
Bring your questions. Nothing is off the table, and there is no sales pitch.
Your host
Justin Rollo is a broker associate with Signal Real Estate in Braintree (MA license 9534264). He runs BraintreeMA.com and Townivo, a free directory of condo associations and monthly fees across Greater Boston and the South Shore.
Questions
- Is it really free?
- Yes. There is no cost and nothing to buy.
- Do I need to be on camera?
- No. You can just listen and type questions in the chat.
- Do I need to live in Braintree?
- No. It covers buying anywhere on the South Shore and the Boston area.
- I am not ready to buy yet. Should I still come?
- Yes. It is most useful 6 to 18 months before you buy, while there is still time to plan.