Buying a home in Boston and Eastern Massachusetts
We help you find the right home, write an offer that holds up, and get to closing without surprises.
Tell us what you want and we send matching listings from MLS PIN as they come on the market. We explain the buyer agreement in plain words, tour with you, price and write your offer, and stay with you through inspection, financing and closing.
How we work with buyers
1. A first conversation
Towns, budget, must-haves, timing. We tell you what that budget buys in the towns you are considering, using the latest sales.
2. The buyer agreement, in plain words
Before we tour, we sign a written agreement. It says what we will do, for how long, and how we are paid. Ask us anything about it. It should make sense to you before you sign.
3. New listings by email
We set up alerts from MLS PIN based on what you tell us, and adjust them as you see homes. Set up your alerts or see all the ways to search with us.
4. Offers that hold up
We price your offer from real sales, explain each term in the Offer to Purchase, and help you compete without overpaying or giving up protections you need.
5. From accepted offer to keys
We track the inspection, Purchase and Sale, mortgage commitment and closing dates with your lender and attorney.
Every step and every form, in order: the buyer process, step by step.
Why buyers pick us: see buyers and sellers side by side.
Buyer guides
The buyer process, step by step
First call to keys, with every form you will sign and what it does.
How to buy a house in Massachusetts
Every step, from pre-approval to keys, with the timeline.
First-time homebuyer programs
MassHousing, ONE Mortgage, down payment help, and who qualifies.
The Massachusetts Offer to Purchase
What you are agreeing to, deposits, and how to compete without overpaying.
Buyer agent commission in Massachusetts
What changed after the 2024 NAR settlement and who pays now.
Buying a condo in Boston
6(d) certificates, condo documents, fees and reserves.
Request a buyer consult
A short call to talk through towns, budget and timing. No pressure.
Questions this page answers
Do I have to sign a buyer agency agreement?
Yes, before you tour homes with an agent who belongs to the MLS. Since August 17, 2024, agents must have a written agreement with buyers before showing homes. It sets out what we do for you and how we are paid. We walk through it with you line by line before you sign.
Who pays the buyer agent in Massachusetts?
It is negotiable and written into your buyer agreement. A seller may agree to pay some or all of it, or you can ask for it in your offer. Offers of buyer agent pay no longer appear on the MLS. Ask us how this works on a specific home.
Can a seller make me waive the home inspection?
No. Massachusetts rules in effect since October 15, 2025 (760 CMR 74) bar sellers from requiring a buyer to waive a home inspection. You can still decide how to use the inspection in your offer.
Is the Massachusetts Offer to Purchase binding?
Usually, yes. Once the seller signs it, the standard Offer to Purchase is generally a binding contract, followed by a longer Purchase and Sale Agreement. Read it carefully and have an attorney review it before you sign anything you are unsure about.
How much money do I need to buy a house?
Plan for a down payment (from about 3% to 20% or more, depending on the loan), closing costs, and deposits. In Massachusetts a small deposit goes with the offer and the total usually reaches about 5% of the price at the Purchase and Sale Agreement. A lender can tell you exactly what you qualify for.