Anonymousreddit8854 t1_ireegh1 wrote on October 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM

Reply to comment by RadiantAd3776 in Advice on where to move. Excited to move my family from Oklahoma to Massachusetts but need help narrowing down towns :) by RadiantAd3776

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 on October 7, 2022 at 2:16 PM

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 on October 8, 2022 at 3:00 PM

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 on October 8, 2022 at 3:43 PM

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 on October 9, 2022 at 3:07 PM

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 on October 9, 2022 at 10:37 PM

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).