Chippopotanuse t1_irdfmjy wrote
4 kids and $600k will be a big ask unless you only need a 3br house.
Maybe Milford?
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_irea68w wrote
Thank you! We will need a 4 bedroom so it does narrow down the options when I’ve been looking. We’re also not afraid of a fixer upper though. My husband is very handy and we’ve done some remodels.
Anonymousreddit8854 t1_ireegh1 wrote
Remodeling in MA is different than other states. We require permits for pretty much everything. Also, if you have a house built before 1979 (I believe?) you have to test for lead and asbestos. Remediating that is big $$$. A lot of the older home have things out of code that will cost a tremendous amount to fix. You touch one thing and now the electrical system from your 1940’s home must be brought up to code. Add an extra $5-10k. A “simple” remodel can be a huge headache in MA. I have friends from the Midwest and the South that dabbled in remodeling/investing in properties in MA. They both said it was 3x the cost compared to what they’re used to and many more hoops to jump through (permits). Neither said they’d do it again. Not saying you’ll have the same experience, just that you might be in for a surprise when you realize how different the process is here. Even people who live in NH (just over the border) can’t believe how strict MA is when it comes to remodeling.
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_irenim3 wrote
That is good to know! Thanks for the info on that. My husband did have concerns about the age of some of the homes we had looked at online that needed work and bringing them up to code.
Anonymousreddit8854 t1_iris1yn wrote
Yes, a lot of older homes can be “historical” houses too… definitely research before you buy! The historical homes have regulations on what you can/can’t do when renovating
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_irix4ex wrote
Ohhh good to know!! I love the older homes but have seen a lot that need some significant work so good to know there are additional regulations on what we could do.
Anonymousreddit8854 t1_irn3wpt wrote
Another thing to consider, aside from older homes, are homes that are affected by wetlands/conservation land. Not sure how things are in OK, but in MA you can get in serious trouble for interfering with wetlands. Had a neighbor whose house backed up to conservation land. When he bought the house, he thought it was so great, because the realtor sold him on how no houses could be built behind his, he’d see lots of nature, etc. The reality? He was not allowed to put up a fence. Because it was conservation land he had to go before the town and ask for approval. Town said no. He wanted to add a small addition to the back of his house. Had to get lawyers involve, present to conservation committee for approval. When it was all said and done he moved. Wasn’t worth the headache.
Just putting that out there because a lot of times realtors will sell you on things like “the charm of an older home” or “the nice conservation land behind the house” when in reality these issues make big headaches..
Massachusetts is a “caveat emptor” state, so do your due diligence. Ask for disclosures. Call the town. Ask for permits. See the plot plan at town hall before you buy.
Not trying to scare you, but I’ve had colleagues move here from NH (just one state above us) who are shocked at how different real estate is in this state. Good to have realistic expectations.
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_iroy8bw wrote
Thank you!! That is soooo good to know!!! I have seen some houses backing up to conservation areas and literally thought how great it would be with nature etc but did not realize what a headache and issues it could bring (especially since we’d want a fence I’m sure).
Chippopotanuse t1_irehrs5 wrote
I love the little patch of towns near Milford/Mendon/Millis. Mendon has a drive-in and a zoo where you can feed deer by hand. Really quaint and fun for the kids.
Plenty of fixer uppers that were built in the. 1950-1979 timeframe in those towns, and it’s a it more spread out than some of the tightly clustered suburban towns. But those fixer-upper places that have the BR/square footage you’d probably need are going to be along these lines.
Schools are more than fine in those towns (especially compared to Oklahoma).
A lot of contractors who work in the “rich” Boston suburbs of Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Wayland live out there (and in the neighboring towns like Uxbridge, Upton, Hopedale, Northbridge, and Grafton) as well.
Anyways good luck and welcome to MA!!!!
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_ireln2w wrote
Thank you so so much for all the info!!! We are so so excited to move. I will let the hubby know which towns to market his business in as well 😆
Anonymousreddit8854 t1_iris8mg wrote
I second the above recommendation! That area is very nice and geographically your husband’s business would be in a great spot to thrive.
I forgot to add: when looking for good school in that area, avoid Millville, northbridge, blackstone, and Douglas
RadiantAd3776 OP t1_iriwz50 wrote
Thank you!! We definitely want to know areas to avoid as we’re looking.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments