Looking for somewhere not more than 30 Mins from Boston, very high budget (Brookline: buy, estates)

[ogre]

For instance, here's some facts about Andover, MA. that I thought you should know. It's about 35 minutes from Boston for one thing.

I dunno. I have serious doubts about whether you'd do this trip in 35 minutes during rush hours. Just bringing this up for anyone who could benefit who might happen to read this thread. Haven't seen the original poster on here for a while. I'm guessing he's gotten all the info he wants from this forum and has moved on to the next step.

[westonlegacy]

i know an excellent custom home builder in weston. weston is the town where you want to be. meets all of your criteria. more than willing to give info on builder.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by westonlegacy

i know an excellent custom home builder in weston. weston is the town where you want to be. meets all of your criteria. more than willing to give info on builder.

Talk about ressurecting an old, dormant thread . . .

[Parsec]

He's just trying to discreetly advertise his building company. All his posts are the same -- "I can give you info on a local builder"

[ogre]

Originally Posted by Parsec

He's just trying to discreetly advertise his building company. All his posts are the same -- "I can give you info on a local builder"

Yeah, I've seen a few of his posts. This was just my way of asking why he bothers to add one here. I suppose maybe he's hoping other high-end buyers will see the post. The OP is long gone. Interestingly enough, Weston wouldn't have many (if any options) that would meet the OP's requirements. Not many old houses the size the OP wanted. Not actually all that many new houses that size, despite the town's upscale reputation. Anwyway . . . isn't there supposed to be some policy against using this forum for commercial purposes?

[puffle]

This is a tired old thread and should be shut down IMO.

[Valerie C]

It definitely was a ploy for whatever reason (the original OP, I mean) but I have to admit that it was great fun to search the MLS for high-end homes in Manchester by the Sea, Weston, etc if only to sigh at the beautiful homes and their settings...

Originally Posted by ogre

Interestingly enough, Weston wouldn't have many (if any options) that would meet the OP's requirements. Not many old houses the size the OP wanted. Not actually all that many new houses that size, despite the town's upscale reputation. Anwyway . . . isn't there supposed to be some policy against using this forum for commercial purposes?

[ogre]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

It definitely was a ploy for whatever reason (the original OP, I mean) but I have to admit that it was great fun to search the MLS for high-end homes in Manchester by the Sea, Weston, etc if only to sigh at the beautiful homes and their settings...

Yes. Those who criticized users for responding to the OP may not have realized that some of us were having some fun making a game of seeing whether we could figure out places that met all his criteria--besides the fact that in your case (Valerie) it's probably useful professionally to stay up to date on what real estate is out there. And, as you say, maybe some of us were doing some window shopping as well.

[MichelleLane]

I am a realtor, so let me qualify how it works. You can certainly go looking at houses and make an offer on any property without a realtor representing you.

But if you want a realtor to help you and take you around looking at houses, the realtor would want you to sign a buyer's agent agreement with them so that they can get paid. The way it works is the realtor selling the home charges the person selling the home a commission in MA that is typically equal to 5% of the home's sale price. If you have a buyer agent representing you, and that agent brings you to the sale, then the selling agent splits the commission with your buyer's agent. So, without that agreement, the buyer's agent could do all that work and not get paid because the selling agent would not split the commission with them.

The upside for you is that you would not be the one paying a realtor because you are on the buyer side and your agent would get paid by the split with the selling agent. But you can also end your arrangement with a buyer's agent at any time if you are not happy with their service. If you end the agreement, the only obligation would be that if they had brought you to see a house and you did wind up buying it after you ended the agreement, they would likely go to the selling agent for their half of the commission because by law, they brought you to the sale.

Generally, it is in your best interest to be represented by a buyer's agent because you don't know the area, the value of homes here, etc. The selling agent represents the sellers and will not be looking out for your best interest. A buyer's agent will negotiate on your behalf and make sure you get the best deal on the home and will know what the home is worth, whether the town meets your needs, etc. They can also help you through the process by helping you find all the other resources you will need - lawyer, home inspector, etc.

Hope that helps clarify how it works here in the US. It's probably much the same a the UK.

[maemae]

If money is no object, then Weston is your town.