Get to Know the Town of Southborough
Suburban location, pleasant neighborhoods, historic school system and an easy commute to Boston - These are all descriptions appropriate to the Town of Southborough.
In its early days Southborough was known as "Stony Brook" and was actually part of the nearby Marlboro (or Malborough) in the 1600s. The Town of Southborough did not become a town on its own until July 17, 1727.
During that period, the Town of Southborough was primarily a farming and agricultural community with saw and grain mills as well as iron works. The town's inhabitants spent their days tending crops, working in the orchards and watching over their cattle. One of the remnants of that life is still the existence with the much beloved Galloway Striped Cows.
Railroads and small factories began to spring up by the mid 1800s along the two branches of the Sudbury River. One of these factories was the Cordaville Cotton and Woolen Mill, a mill that made blankets for the Civil War. Its name "Cordaville" remained as a name to one of the four villages in Southborough.
By 1898 water was becoming more of an issue for the community and the Fayville Dam was built. Even after this, the town of Southborough remained a rural community until after World War II. The housing boom of that period along the coming of the" high tech" industry along Route 495 began to change the landscape of the entire area.
Today, there remains a great deal of open space in the town of Southborough with a quarter of the town taken up by the Sudbury Reservoir. And now there are a number of neighborhoods that have been built including Killam Farm, Liberty Estates, Pine Hill Estates and Presidential Estates.
The Southborough Town Hall, called the "Southborough Town House" is part of the downtown area along with a several shops, restaurants and a nail salon that I frequent.
Along with a number of surrounding towns, Northborough (Northboro), Marlborough (Marlboro) and Westborough (Westboro), the town of Southborough has two distinct ways to spell its name.
How do you spell "Southborough?"
Actually, whichever way you choose.
Copyright 2012 "Get to Know the Town of Southborough"
This post was written by
Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage serving the Greater Metrowest area
MLS Property Search With No Registration Required
The Elements of a Massachusetts Offer to Purchase Real Estate
Once you have found the perfect home, it is the job of your Realtor® to write up an Offer to Purchase. Since Massachusetts has a two-contract process, the Offer to Purchase is the first step, to be followed in 7 days to a week by the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
The Massachusetts Offer to Purchase is typically written on the standard preprinted form provided by the local board. However, the contingency pages are another matter. These pages are specifically geared to protect your interests as a home buyer, and specifically - your deposit.
The contingencies should always include the following:
The Financing Contingency - This states the amount of financing you will be applying for and accomplishes two things. One, it protects your deposit should your financing be turned down and states that if you are unable to obtain your loan by a certain date, you may withdrawn from the transaction and have your deposit money returned. Two, it tells sellers how strong a buyer you are. They can see from the mortgage amount whether you are a 5%, 10%, 20% down or more buyer and this could be a factor in a multiple offer situation.
The Home Inspection Contingency - Written into the offer is a time-frame, usually one week, to give you a chance to have the property inspected. This gives you a chance to thoroughly inspect the property you are buying along with a professional home inspector. It should be written in a way that allows you to get out of the transaction, if the home does not meet your needs, with your deposit returned.
Additional Contingencies - These will be tailored to meet the particular circumstances of the buyers' needs. For example, perhaps there is an unknown fact about the property that must be checked into, i.e., "Offer is contingent on information regarding the adjacent vacant lot."
The body of the offer should contain the following:
Keep in mind that the price is not the only point of negotiation, although it is usually the strongest. Other factors are: how strong you are financially, if your closing date is agreeable with the seller's plans and how flexible you can be.
Some Massachusetts home buyers make the mistake of thinking that since the Purchase and Sale Agreement will be the ultimate contract, the Offer to Purchase is unimportant.
Make no mistake - The Offer to Purchase Real Estate is a legally-binding document and one that needs to be written with great care.
Copyright 2011 "The Elements of a Massachusetts Offer to Purchase Real Estate "
This post was written by
Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage serving the Greater Metrowest area
MLS Property Search With No Registration Required
Buying a Home in Massachusetts - What to Expect at Your Closing
All the heavy lifting has been done. You have completed your home search, found the perfect house, been through an inspection, signed the purchase and sale agreement, secured your mortgage financing and conducted a final walk-through. The time for your closing has finally arrived and there are some details that you should be aware of.
Who attends your Massachusetts closing?
A closing is usually attended by your buyer agent, the listing agent, the closing attorney and, sometimes your attorney. It is a good idea to have your attorney present if at all possible. But, the next best thing is to make sure that she is reachable, in the event of any last minute issues.
Items you must bring to your Massachusetts closing:
Items that are brought by the seller:
Filing for Homestead Protection at your Massachusetts Closing
The Massachusetts Homestead Act provides you with protection against lawsuits. There is now an automatic protection of $125,000 even if you do not file. But if you do file, you are afforded protection of $500,000. The closing attorney should have the necessary papers for you to sign.
When is the home officially yours?
After the papers are signed, the deed must be filed at the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds. If your closing takes place at the registry, this will happen within minutes. However, most closings are done at an attorney's office. In that case, a specially designated person will pick up the deed and bring it to the registry within the hour.
When all of the documents have all been signed, money has changed hands and the keys are handed to you, your closing is done.
You are now, officially, a homeowner.
Copyright 2011 "Buying a Home in Massachusetts - What to Expect at Your Closing"
This post was written by
Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage serving the Greater Metrowest area
MLS Property Search With No Registration Required
Massachusetts Real Estate Closings Must Now be Conducted by Attorneys
An important ruling was handed down last week concerning the role of attorneys in Massachusetts real estate closings. The decision will have, not only an impact on the legal profession in The Commonwealth, but will also affect home buyers.
A dispute that began in 2006 between the Real Estate Bar Association and National Real Estate Information Services was settled by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
The original argument stated that closing companies such as NREIS and their provision of services to mortgage lenders which included the practices of title examinations, drafting closing documents and disbursing settlement funds amounted to "the unauthorized practice of law." Via an article in The Boston Globe.
This case was originally ruled on in 2009 by a U S District Court judge who found in favor of the Pennsylvania based real estate services company. The local real estate bar was ordered to pay nearly $1 million in fees and court costs. However, last year a federal court overturned the ruling and sent questions to the Supreme Judicial Court. The main question was - whether or not real estate closings need to be performed only by licensed attorneys.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court made its decision last Monday requiring "substantive participation" of attorneys in all real estate transactions thereby limiting the amount of work that can be outsourced to out-of-state entities that have had an interest in taking over the main functions of local residential closings.
Why is this decision so critical to home buyers?
A home purchase is a significant investment and usually the largest one that an individual or family will make in their lifetime. Buyers need to have that investment protected and the presence of a qualified attorney can help to insure that this happens. During the closing process complicated forms need to be explained to the consumer and a "closing company" that is simply providing a notary or a witness of document signing does not provide any actual legal guidance.
This recent ruling applies to refinancing as well as residential home purchases and confirms the importance of having a qualified attorney oversee the entire process.
Copyright 2011 "Massachusetts Real Estate Closings Must Now be Conducted by Attorneys"
This post was written by
Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage serving the Greater Metrowest area
MLS Property Search With No Registration Required
Architectural Styles for Massachusetts Home Buyers
If you have been looking for a home in Massachusetts you may have noticed a number of different styles that appear on landscape. Some architectural styles are more popular than others but, to be sure, there is something available for a range of tastes.
Here are some of the more popular home styles you will find in Massachusetts:
Cape - The Cape Cod is one of America's oldest house styles. It was a popular style through the 1840s and later experienced a revival when mass production techniques allowed builders to fill developments with capes after World War II. The cape is usually symmetrical in design. The roof is a steep gable type covered with shingles. Originally, capes were small in scale. Now, there are many large capes with additional wings and dormers to increase their useable space.
Colonial - The colonial is the most popular architectural style in the United States. It was developed in the 18th century which is considered the Colonial period. The original colonials were symmetrical with four equal sized rooms on the first floor and four rooms above. The basic colonial still has two windows on either side of a central doorway and five windows across the second floor. The floor plan for the standard colonial is a central hall with stairs, a living room to the left that is two rooms deep and a dining room on the opposite side with the kitchen behind it. All bedrooms are located upstairs.
Gambrel - The gambrel has a ridged roof with two slopes on each side, the lower slope having the steeper pitch. The shape of the structure allows for a maximum of attic storage while still providing a weather tight roof. Because of the efficiency of storage the gambrel roof is often found on agricultural buildings as well as residential. The gambrel is thought to be attributable to the Dutch since Dutch colonials have a similar roof style.
Garrison Colonial - It is widely-thought that the garrison colonial's style was influenced by colonial block houses that were used for protection against unfriendly Indians. The overhang section was there to provide a good vantage point from which to safeguard the house from intruders. Other historians dispute this and say that the style was taken from the popular Elizabethan townhouses of the period that were being built in the overcrowded cities of England. This was due to the fact that the overhang area created additional living space on the upper floors.
Saltbox - In 17th Century New England, adding a single-story lean-to shed to the back of a house was a clever way of increasing space. By the 18th Century, the lean-to was being built into the original construction. The hallmark of a Saltbox is the sharply sloping gable roof that resembles boxes which were used for storing salt in old country stores. The front of the house is a two-story structure while the back slopes down until it becomes one story.
Tudor - The most distinctive feature of the Tudor house is called half-timbering. In this type of construction the actual framework of the house is left exposed and the space between the timbers is filled with brickwork or white stucco. This presents the appearance of what has sometimes been referred to as a "black and white house." Modern Tudor houses are often created using decorative woodwork that is, actually, false half-timbering. Other characteristics of the Tudor style are diamond-pane windows, steeply pitched roofs, Tudor arches and bay windows.
Ranch - The first ranch home was designed by Cliff May and was built in San Diego, California in 1932. The ranch style embraces the ability to move freely about, all on one level, without steps and into private patios and back yards. Today, many one-story homes are referred to as ranches.
Split Level - The split level home originated in the 1950s and 1960s with the purpose of having a separation of the formal, informal and sleeping areas of the house. The basic split level has the main living on the second level. This is where the living room, dining room and kitchen are. The bedrooms are located in a separate wing on the same level. It is standard to have the lower level function as a family room as well as additional recreation and storage areas.
Of course, these aren't the only homes found in Massachusetts. There are also Victorians, Queen Annes, Dutch Colonials as well as Contemporaries.
Whatever your taste may be, I am sure that you will find the perfect style to call home.
Copyright 2011 "Architectural Styles for Massachusetts Home Buyers"
Source Material from Buying a Home by Claudette Millette 2004
This post was written by
Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
An Exclusive Buyer Brokerage serving the Greater Metrowest area
MLS Property Search With No Registration Required
 |
|
|
Professional Buyer broker since 1992. An experienced negotiator and advocate for the home buyer. Finding the very best homes for my clients' needs. Tough, determined - and always in your corner.
After entering the real estate profession in 1992, I wanted to find a way to work with buyers and to be able to offer a high level of service and representation to them at the same time. I made the decision to become a professional buyer broker.
Over the years, my commitment to my business, my clients and to superior service has remained the same. And because of this, I am pleased to say that a great deal of my business comes from repeat buyers and personal referrals.
First-time home buyers need someone who is patient and caring and I strive to keep these qualities on the front burner at all times. Testimonial of a first-time home buyer client
Move-up and luxury buyers - Many of my clients have returned to me over and over again and it has been my pleasure to help them in their transition phase from selling their current home to buying a new one. I also have extensive experience in the purchase of luxury homes in Newton, Lexington, Shrewsbury,Southborough, Sudbury, Hopkinton, Natick, Wayland, Walpole and Westborough. Testimonial of a move-up buyer
New Construction Homes - Purchasing new construction requires 
different skills and experience than buying an existing home. I have helped numerous buyers in their purchase of new construction and in so have covered every aspect of a new home transaction from negotiating on price and upgrades to a structural final inspection which I consider to be an important part of the process. Testimonial of a new construction client
Relocation Clients - Relocating buyers from different parts of the world has been an important part of my business. I use, not only extensive photography of potential homes, but also video. Testimonial of a relocation client.
Through my exclusive buyer brokerage, I am able to offer a high level of market and negotiating expertise on any residential purchase which enables me to get the best possible deal for my clients.
In addition to getting the best price and terms, I also give back through my exclusive Home Buyer Rebate program.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, I spent a number of years in the San Francisco Bay Area and received my education at the University of San Francisco.
I have been a resident of the Metrowest Massachusetts area for the past twenty years. Of that, I have been a real estate agent for 18 years and a real estate broker, owner for 16 years.
With offices in Ashland as well as on Route 9 in Framingham, I have helped people in their home purchases in towns throughout Metrowest Massachusetts, as well as Lexington, Arlington, Waltham, Wayland, Newton,Shrewsbury and Sudbury. However, my primary areas are Hopkinton, Holliston, Ashland,Natick and Southborough.
Metrowest Neighborhoods:
Ballard Hill Estates - Ashland
Orchard Hill Estates - Ashland
Blossom Estates - Ashland
White Oak Estates - Hopkinton
Hopkinton Highlands - Hopkinton
Timber Glen - Hopkinton
The Preserve - Hopkinton
Forestside Estates - Hopkinton
Hearthstone - Hopkinton
Charlesview Estates - Hopkinton
Highland Park - Hopkinton
Roosevelt Farms - Hopkinton
Oak Hill Estates - Hopkinton
Springwood Estates - Hopkinton
Ravenwood - Hopkinton
Liberty Estates - Southborough
Pine Hill Estates - Southborough
Presidential Estates - Southboro
Sanctuary Estates - Natick
Brandywine Village - Franklin
Highland Hills - Shrewsbury
It is my goal to provide you with information on the Metrowest Massachusetts area that is information and up-to-date to enable you to make the best possible decision about one of your largest financial investments - your home.
As a long time resident of this area with extensive knowlege of these communities I have seen the changes to this market and gone through numerous cycles. Pricing has changed, values have risen and declined and I have kept on top of all of these developments throughout the years.
When you are making your most important investment you deserve the best help and service available. In a business that is more about people than it is about houses, I strive that personal touch to every client I work with.
Moving and relocating families is one of my greatest pleasures.
Continuing education is essential in any successful real estate business and to that end, I hold the following real estate credentials.
ABR- Accredited Buyer Agent - Real Estate Buyer Agency Council
GRI - Graduate Real Estate Institute - Massachusetts Association of Realtors
E-Pro- Electronic Information Professional- The National Association of Realtors
ALHS - Accredited Luxury Homes Specialist - The Luxury Home Council
MGBA- Graduate, Buyer Agency- The Massachusetts Association of Buyer Agents
I also hold membership in the following organizations:
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) Massachusetts Association of Buyer Agents (MABA) Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GREB) Multiple Listing Service (MLSPIN) National Association of Professional Women Luxury Home Council
For more information on my services, please read what my clients have written, below.
To Whom It May Concern:
Dependable, thorough, classy, professional. These are just a few of the many adjectives we enthusiastically use to describe Ms. Claudette Millette. Earlier this summer, we determined that our family needed to relocate from 
Wisconsin to Massachusetts. From prior experience, we knew we wanted to enlist the services of an Exclusive Buyer Broker. That was where a dedicated, well-qualified, experienced professional was needed and Claudette fit the bill perfectly. During our first phone conversation , she made sure to ask questions regarding what we wanted and needed. Then, she listened and answered all my questions, about Real Estate in general and about the local market specifically.
We knew we'd be on a rather tight time schedule and would have to act quickly. Claudette was more than up to the task. When we arrived in Massachusetts for a whirlwind house-hunting tour, we were able to get right to work because of all the groundwork she'd done. With Claudette's expert guidance, we found the right property, determined the right offer and got it accepted, all within one week. All the aspects of the purchase transaction were addressed: selection, mortgage, legal and home inspection were all part of a total package. Each member of this top-notch team treated us as if we were his or her only client and each was simultaneously personable, knowledgeable and professional and an absolute delight to work with! The real star of the show, however, was Claudette. In addition to her roles as Broker and advisor, she acted as coordinator, expeditor and as our stand-in when we could not physically be there.
In short, this was without a doubt the smoothest real estate transaction we've ever undertaken (and we've moved 4 times in the past 10 years). If our next move is still in the Greater Boston MetroWest area, we will, without hesitation, call upon Claudette and The Buyers' Counsel!
Susan Morgan Crooks and Lawrence Crooks
Lexington, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
We were living in Hong Kong and attempting to buy a house in Massachusetts. In light of the logistics we decided to enlist a Buyer's Broker. It was the personalized attention Claudette Millette afforded us which made us thankful for that decision.
The town we selected was a hot market. However, the additional challenge of responding to listings in a different time zone, not being able to view them in person etc, was alleviated by working with Claudette. She was always responsive to our messages when we conveyed our interest in a property. She went directly to the new property to take videos with commentary which would be downloaded that same day. We could
have a real feel for the property instead of just ‘staged' photographs. We could absolutely rule a property a contender or not from her videos.
Claudette was always cheerful, friendly, and most importantly, professional with all dealings with us. She went the extra mile with everything she did. We could not recommend her highly enough for the work she did in helping us to buy our property.
Claudette didn't just sell us a house. She found us a home that suits our needs without wasting our valuable time since we only had a week in the area after flying from Hong Kong. Claudette listens, acts and works with her clients as one team.
Even after we returned to Hong Kong she assisted with the logistics regarding the closing and contractors.
Many thanks, Claudette, for your dedicated assistance in finding our new home; we will recommend our friends who are buyers to see you.
Jim, Mandy and Devon Araya Hopkinton, MA
Dear Claudette:
Now that the dust is settling from my closing and I have a space to write, I would like to send you a letter of appreciation for the property you helped me with so much. Claudette, you are the third buyer's broker with whom I have worked and by far the most professional and easiest to work with. Your initial meeting with me was incredibly information and supportive. You listened well and were incredibly responsible to my particular-and changing-needs, every step of the way!
You are thorough in your work and knowledgeable about the entire process. Your website is very helpful, and the book therein about buying a home was one which I referenced again and again throughout the process, and which helped me understand the finer details. Although this is the 4th home I have bought in Massachusetts, there are some aspects of the buying process that nobody every explained well to me until you came along.
Thank you so much for your care, your knowledge and wisdom and your hand-holding and reassurance from start to finish. I would recommend you without reservation to any home-seeker.
Sherry Zitter
Hudson, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
How do you buy your dream house in a "hot" real estate market and a limited budget? You need to hire Claudette Millette.
We met with Claudette one afternoon to discuss the home buying process and our" wish list." Right from the start, 
Claudette demonstrated all the qualities that we were expecting from a broker. She was courteous, very well organized, listened attentively to us, patiently answered all our questions and provided insight to some of the nuances that we were not aware of.
With Claudette's help we identified the "one" house that fit almost all the requirements on our wish list. That was the easy part. The price we were willing to pay was significantly lower than the asking price. We all knew that it was going to be a challenge to make this deal go through. The stage was set to test Claudette's negotiation skills, commitment, industry expertise, perseverance, patience and many other qualities. In the end, Claudette made it happen for us and did it with a smile. But for Claudette, we wouldn't be happy homeowners today.
Claudette has some unique qualities that make her one of the best real estate brokers we have dealt with. She is extremely patient. She never discouraged us with the offers we wanted to make. She is committed 100% to her clients. She is honest and works earnestly to fulfill her clients' needs. She truly believes in building a long-term relationship with her clients. Claudette has excellent references and a team of real estate professionals to make your home buying experience easier. We are very happy to have hired Claudette as our broker.
Mosur and Chitra Saisekar
Needham, MA
Dear Claudette:
I wanted to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for your time and effort in helping us with our home 
purchase in December.
At that time, we were in the process of selling our house and moving up to our dream house. Since we were considering some towns which we were not very familiar with, your extensive research provided us with valuable and time-saving information that helped us in making our final decision.
Since we had gone through this process previously when purchasing our first home, we appreciated the fact that you listened to our needs, wants and preferences and only showed us appropriate properties. In our first experience we had noticed agents dragging us out to completely inappropriate houses and wasting time in this regard. In contrast, you were able to quickly identify what we were looking for and showed us only places that we were interested in. Since we chose a house that was under construction, we needed your guidance throughout the construction process. This entailed much more than we had anticipated and your help and expertise was very important to us.
Throughout the entire home search, construction of our new home and months that followed, we experienced, first hand, your patience, humor and knowledge of your industry. We would highly recommend your services to anyone.
Theresa and Jim Roberts
Littleton, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
We would like to offer our highest recommendations for Ms. Claudette Millette. Right from the very start we knew we were working with a professional of the highest caliber. Not only was Claudette knowledgeable about the neighborhoods we were interested in, she also had the insider's perspective on the professionals working with us and the sellers. She 
always took the time to explain and offer insights on the subtleties of the home-purchasing process, and she was always responsive to our myriad of queries.
Claudette continued to surprise us with her resolve and resourcefulness as the search for our dream home continued. Each seller we dealt with presented us with a unique set of challenges, yet Claudette anticipated problems and took care of them. We were thoroughly impressed by how she went to bat for us behind the scenes, often straightening out issues even before we knew there were issues to be straightened out! Her ability to show us properties on a moment's notice (and hours before a Nor'Easter was expected strike) was the only reason we got our offer accepted the day before others could see the house.
We felt protected and well looked-after throughout the process. We simply cannot imagine surviving this daunting journey without Claudette's guiding hand. We would not hesitate to recommend her superb services to friends and family.
Eric Poon & Michael Pelletier
Ashland, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
- Who represents the BUYER exclusively?
- Who negotiates actively on your behalf to lower the sales price and therefore lowers her own commission?
- Who rescues you after an accident on a snowy day and stays with you for three hours while waiting for the town truck and then takes you home?
- Who, after you've discovered the house needs a new roof badly, and she's already gotten the sellers to knock $10,000 off the selling price towards a new one, goes back and gets another $2000 off when you were happy to the -$10K price?
- Who do you hire to be on your team, even though you have purchased and sold several properties, hold a real estate salesperson's license (although not employed in the field) and consider yourself reasonably well-informed about the local housing market?
THE BUYERS' COUNSEL, Claudette Millette, that's who!!
Claudette helped reduce both the cost of my new home and the anxiety that accompanies such a major decision.
Byron M. [Ron] Roscoe
Northborough, MA
Dear Claudette:
I can finally write to say that we are all settled in our new home at Brandywine Village!
We wanted to thank you for your tireless support and encouragement during our home search. As newlyweds who had 
never owned a home, starting our search was a daunting process. But, choosing you as our buyer broker was the best decision we made.
Throughout the entire process, we felt like we had someone in our corner working just for us and what we wanted every step of the way. When there was miscommunication on the part of the selling broker and builder, you helped us straighten things out and get what we wanted. Your knowledge and experience was truly invaluable at those critical moments. Not to mention that you were always professional, thoughtful and available to answer our questions (or just listen to us vent).
Although new construction was a bit terrifying at times, you made the entire process seem smooth and easy. I think we even had some fun along the way! We would highly recommend you and your services to anyone thinking about purchasing a home.
Michelle and Kevin M.
Franklin, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
My husband and I had just started looking to buy our first home a few months ago when we found Claudette Millette's website describing the benefits of using a buyer's broker. After reading her online book, "Buying a Home", and talking to her in person, we decided she was just what we needed to take us through this overwhelming process.
At one point we had fallen in love with a big house that seemed like a great deal. When we walked through it with Claudette, however, she pointed out all sorts of things we hadn't noticed before, and we realized that the place would have been a huge money pit. In each house we went through with Claudette, she was good at pointing out potential problems and helped us understand the scope and cost of dealing with those problems. Claudette was instrumental in helping us find a good, well-cared-for house.
The team of professionals (mortgage broker, inspector, and attorney) that Claudette brought to us was terrific. The inspector was extremely thorough and gave plenty of suggestions as well as giving us a sense of how urgent each one was. The attorney was patient, thorough and stayed on top of things. In short, we had complete confidence in our team and closing went very smoothly.
Claudette Millette was a great help in making our home-buying experience as uncomplicated as possible.
Maureen Roihl
Waltham, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
In preparing to house hunt a couple of years ago, I did a bit of reading and ran across the term "Buyers' Broker" - someone who represents the interest of the buyer in a real estate purchase. That sounded like a good idea. Who wouldn't want someone on their side as they make, what is for most people, the biggest purchase of their life?
I have to admit that my first experience with a buyer's agent wasn't satisfactory. This agent worked within a regular real estate agency and couldn't be completely objective if it turned out that his agency was representing the seller as well. But that wasn't the biggest problem. I found that he really didn't listen. Anyway, I didn't find anything and, somewhat discouraged, decided to put my search on hold for several months.
When I resumed my search again, I sought out another buyer's agent. I never gave up on the idea of having someone on my side. Voila! Claudette Millette and the Buyer's Counsel. What a difference! Always professional as well as personable, I found working with Claudette a very helpful and satisfying experience. I never felt that there was a question I couldn't ask, and she was extraordinarily prompt in returning calls. She also referred me to a loan offer, equally supportive, who walked me through the loan application process, in person step by step.
I would highly recommend Claudette Millette and The Buyers' Counsel to anyone setting out to buy a home.
Betty Spargo
Millis, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
A few months ago, we had decided that it was time to start shopping for a house. Because we were first time buyers, we had read many books on the subject and searched the internet, but we still felt that there were pieces of information missing. Given the vast amount and complexity of the information, we realized that we needed to work with someone who understood the local real estate market and the home-buying process very well.
We came across Claudette's website and were immediately impressed by the rich content of the site. This included the information regarding the advantages of using a buyer broker and her comprehensive and easily understandable online book, "Buying a Home". At that point, we decided to schedule an appointment with Claudette. During the appointment, we were impressed with her knowledge and advice, as well as her patience in making sure all our questions were answered and in ensuring we left with all the information necessary to begin looking at homes.
With Claudette's help, it didn't take us long to find a great house, and when it came time to make an offer, Claudette was truly instrumental in the negotiation process. She helped us craft a credible, complete and competitive offer and her skills and strengths in a difficult negotiation secured the acceptance of our offer on our terms. But Claudette's assistance did not end there. Once the offer was accepted, Claudette referred us to an excellent home inspector and attorney who made the next set of steps incredibly smooth for us.
We were so glad to have had Claudette help with the purchase of our house; she definitely made sure the process ran as smoothly as possible. We would recommend her without any hesitation.
Derek and Marta Mitsumori
Lexington, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is in reference to the Buyers' Counsel and Claudette Millette. I cannot praise her enough! I spent the past year and a half looking for a home. The economy was good and housing costs were high. I was buying a home by myself and I demanded a good neighborhood!
Claudette listened to me. That's what sets her apart from other realtors! She listened when I told her I didn't want to live in an apartment any longer. She listened when I told her I wanted a real neighborhood, the kind I grew up in. I had other realtors who showed me apartments turned condo-they didn't listen!
Without stretching my budget, she suggested a lovely community about 15 minutes west of Framingham. She suggested one property, in particular. It was almost like the house I grew up in! It had charm, character, hardwood floors, a back yard and a real basement! She asked me how much I wanted to offer then suggested that I go lower! What real estate agent does that?! After that, it was a smooth ride all the way. She had a team of experts that were actually on my side! The inspection agent was more than thorough, the loan officer spoke to me in a language that I could understand and the lawyer was phenomenal! I couldn't ask for a better team! She then recommended the best cleaning crew, who turned my home (which hadn't been lived in for about 6 months) into a sparkling new castle! The best part of everything is that I felt that everyone was working in my best interest!
I plan on living here for a long, long time and have Claudette to thank. However, if I ever decide to purchase a larger home, Claudette will be my only phone call, because I know she will get it done.
Ellen J. Mushlin
Northborough, MA
Dear Claudette:
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for a job well done by The Buyers' Counsel as my family'
s relocation to the Metro West area of Boston reaches its completion.
Not being from this area, it was extremely important for us to have a buyer broker with in-depth knowledge of the area's real estate and keen awareness to our needs. Not only did you fully satisfy those requirements, but you also followed up on every question and issue throughout the ENTIRE home buying process. And not once did we feel as if you weren't on our team.
As an added bonus, your home inspector and attorney were extremely diligent in their work. As a result of their competence, we were successful in identifying potential surprises and more importantly, we achieved concessions from the sellers.
The end result is a very satisfied family looking forward to many enjoyable moments in our new home. Thank you again for your effort.
Todd Chelak
Westborough, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
A few years ago Money Magazine published an article on the benefits of using a buyer agent when purchasing a home, along with criteria on how to recognize the one right for you. My wife and I only had to interview one prospect because in our first meeting it was obvious that Claudette Millette met all of those standards, and, as we would eventually learn, 
more.
Right from the start we knew that Claudette was working in our best interest. She went toe-to-toe with builders, agents and sellers to make sure we got the information necessary for us to make our decision. She asked probing questions, did the research and was extremely good at follow up. But looking back, what was for us her most viable asset was her ability to listen. She would take the time to understand our wishes and when things appeared to be moving in a different direction she would get clarification so that no one's time was wasted.
Claudette has established a network of industry professionals who will help to move the process along quickly. Buying a home is stressful and time-consuming but she did everything to relieve us of those duties and responsibilities that would demand much of our time. We were always asking "You do that, too?"
Claudette is reliable, very patient and she has integrity. In short, she's everything you would expect a professional to be. For us, we ended up in the home we wanted, in the community we wanted, for a price we were prepared to pay. That makes our purchase a success and we couldn't have done it without Claudette.
Gerald M. F. Willoughby
Milton, MA
Dear Claudette:
I wanted thank you and express my appreciation for all your hard work in helping me with the purchase of my condominium.
You worked with me in showing the available listings in my price range for a number of different locations including Newton, Needham, Waltham, Lexington and you investigated other cities as well. We must have gone out about a dozen times looking at various places, but you didn't waste my time showing me places that were inappropriate. In the end, we came back to Bishops Forest in Waltham as the one that came closest to meeting all my requirements.
Throughout the whole process, your advice, guidance and support was more than what I had anticipated and certainly indispensable in getting me through the looking process and sorting out what I really wanted.
You showed a high degree of professionalism not only during the looking process, but also helped with the closing process by recommending and contacting an attorney, home inspector, calling the bank for the mortgage and calling the developer on issues relating to the new construction.
I would highly recommend your services to anyone.
James Spelfogel
Waltham, MA
To Whom It May Concern
Over a year ago we began the process of looking for a home. After reading about the different types of real estate agents, we decided to go with an exclusive buyer's broker. We researched buyers' brokers on the internet and decided to interview three of them. Claudette was the third broker with whom we met. During our initial meeting with Claudette, we 
were impressed by her calm and professional demeanor, as well as her sincere interest in helping us find a home at a price that would suit our needs.
We decided to go with new construction and Claudette had considerable experience in this area. Once we found a lot, we were concerned about the property behind it. Claudette called the town hall to find out who owned the property. Then she contacted the owner and questioned her about future plans for it. In addition, Claudette asked the builder for references and asked for us to tour other homes that he had built. She set up the appointments and accompanied us on the home visits. This was very helpful.
During the process we learned that with new construction, the builder rarely accepts an offer under the asking price. However, Claudette was able to negotiate a few "extras," such as hardwood floors and an increased budget for lighting fixtures.
Working with Claudette made our home buying experience a positive one. Her personality, experience and professionalism fit our needs. We recommend Claudette without hesitation.
Tom Purcell and Beth Delahunty
Southborough, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and enthusiastic support for the work of Claudette Millette.
During the fall, I began my search for a suitable home for myself and for my future wife. We will be married in April of this year and we wanted to live in a convenient and safe area of greater Boston. As a police officer I have a busy and hectic schedule and needed professional help in my search. I called an ad by the Buyers' Counsel and met with and enlisted the help of Claudette. Very early in the process I knew that I had made the right decision and that her professionalism and integrity were evident from the start.
After attending an open house one Sunday afternoon, my fiancé and I decided that we wanted to put an offer in on it. We called Claudette after 6:00 pm; she readily returned our call and put together an offer, getting it through to the broker along with several other offers the broker had gotten from the open house. Claudette was able to structure the offer so that it was the one the seller chose to go with. Although we eventually decided not to continue with that home, we were highly appreciative of the timeliness and professionalism that Claudette showed in that successful negotiation.
We did, eventually, find a home that we wanted to purchase. Once again, Claudette successfully negotiated and secured the house we wanted. We are happily moved into our new home and can now focus on our up-coming wedding. My fiancé and I are very happy with the work that Claudette did for us and we would highly recommend her services to anyone.
Ben Carrasco
Hyde Park, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
We had the pleasure of working with Claudette Millette as our buyer's agent. She listened to what we wanted and was a great help picking out houses for us to see. They were in the price range and house type we were looking for. Additionally, she saved us a lot of time by screening out those houses that would not interest us.
I felt she was working 100% in our best interest during the whole process from hunting through purchase. She was always easy to get in touch with and made herself very available to meet our needs. Claudette is very knowledgeable, professional and fun to work with. I recommend her services.
Lisa Eisenbud
Framingham, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
As first time home buyers, we were thankful to have Claudette Millette as our buyer broker. With Claudette to advocate for us and answer our questions, our home buying process was efficient, smooth and (amazingly) not as stressful as we had expected.
People sometimes ask if you really need a buyer broker to help you find and buy a house. Perhaps you don't, but you do need someone like Claudette to keep you from going insane during the process and to make sure that everything gets accounted for.
We were lucky enough to find a house that we loved quite quickly. Once we found the property though, we had a large number of questions. We started to wonder how or when we would ever find all the answers, but one quick email to Claudette and that process was all done. Several of our questions were about plans for abutting properties. Claudette was able to quickly get answers from city hall and some neighboring property owners about building plans on those properties.
Having Claudette on our side also eliminated the stress of coordinating the myriad tasks and people in the home buying process. Just an example, when the home inspection turned up an unknown insulation substance, she obtained a same day analysis that put our worries to rest. We always felt like our home search was a top priority for her.
We would be glad to speak with anyone considering working with Claudette Millette. She truly takes the needs of her home buyers seriously and will be a great aid in anyone's home buying search.
Christopher and Jennifer DesAutels
Medford, MA
Dear Claudette:
We would like to take a moment from unpacking and decorating in our beautiful new home to thank you for all your efforts on our behalf in securing this place. We truly believe that we would never have ended up with such a wonderful place without your help. We would strongly recommend your services to anyone going through the process of purchasing a new home. Through our time of working together we learned a lot from you about real estate and the buying process.
We have to commend you on your patience and professionalism and your prompt response to all of our telephone calls and requests for information, especially during time we were away on vacation. We found you to be efficient, honest and very personable. Indeed, you were a please to work with.
We wish you the best and would be happy to speak with anyone on your behalf.
Sheila M. Violette and Roland J. Mehtala, Jr.
Norwell, MA
Dear Claudette:
We want to thank you for helping us find not one but two wonderful condos in the locations we really wanted.
When we considered moving from Rhode Island several years ago, we knew that we wanted to live in this area. We had heard good reports about Whispering Pines but there was little turnover of the condos there. When one came open you were able to get us in ahead of others who had wanted to view it and when we decided it was what we wanted, you moved quickly to get in an offer that resulted in our buying the unit we wanted. As a result of that we enjoyed eight great years there.
When mobility problems caused us to consider moving to a condo development with elevators, you were on the ball again viewing many units and reporting back to us on their advantages and disadvantages. Your looking them over before we came to see them made life much simpler for us. However, when we did decide on the one we really liked, the price was more than we planned to spend, but your negotiation brought it down to within our means. There was still the matter of a garage parking space. You once again negotiated in our behalf and got the one closest to the elevator. We bless you every time we go in and out.
You took care of all the processes involved in completing the sale - offer, purchase and sale, inspection and even arranged for the closing to be held at your office (the need for elevators again.)
Hopefully, we'll be staying her for a long time, but if we ever need to move, we know we can call on you and you'll find us just the right place and handle all the details. Thank you so much.
Charles and Dorothy Wahl (Bud & Dot)
Hudson, MA
Dear Claudette:
Now that I am getting settled into my new home, I wanted to write to express my appreciation to you for your help in finding and buying it. Without that help and the knowledge that I truly had someone "on my side," the process would have been so intimidating that I don't think I could have managed it. Your moral support, not to mention all the work you did to make it happen, certainly made the process as painless and expeditious as possible.
In addition, you picked up very quickly what type of property would appeal to me, so that we were able to find just the right place in a very short time, without wasting a lot of time looking at inappropriate properties.
I would recommend you as a buyer's agent without reservation to anyone looking for a new home in this area.
Cheryl Hayden, PhD
Shirley, MA
Dear Claudette:
This is to express our thanks for all the work you did to enable us to find and close on our new home. When we first decided to look for a place of our own, we also made the decision to hire a buyer's agent, since we were not that familiar with the area and really did not relish dealing with an endless series of seller's agents. We certainly got lucky when we met you and contracted for your services.
We quickly learned to rely on you for timely and relevant information and quick, efficient, and very professional assistance. Our search was so much easier because of your efforts and we found you to be great to work with and to talk to. We thank you for all your efforts on our behalf and for making the whole process go smoothly and easily.
Again, thanks and it's been a pleasure.
Darlene Fladager & Larry Griffin
Littleton, MA
Dear Claudette:
Xing and I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for helping us to purchase our home this spring.
Coming from a different culture and being first-time home buyers, we, no doubt, needed a real estate agent who represented us, the buyers, exclusively. After a couple of months of unsuccessful house hunting (with a seller's agent), we were about to give up. Your ad in a local newspaper got out attention. The Buyers' Counsel. Is this something different? With doubts in mind, we called you. Our experience proved that we made the right decision to work with you to secure our home.
English is not our first language, however, we would like to use one word to describe the service provided by you: top-notch! We would be more than happy to speak with anyone about our experience with the Buyers' Counsel.
Xing Yang & Shen Luan, Ph.D.
Franklin, MA
Dear Claudette:
Now that we are in our new home, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us through the "home buying" process.
When we first began looking at homes, we were looking at the lower end of our budget. Once you observed our tastes, requirements, etc. you had us look at a house slightly above our price range. You felt that this house would be exactly what we were looking for and you were right. Your help in negotiating with the seller's broker dealing with some issues that arose from the inspection and putting us in contact with a bank that got us a great rate, made it possible for us to purchase a house that we may have overlooked.
Your experience in the field worked to our advantage and we were glad we had you on our side. You were always available for questions and supplied us with the information we needed to make informed decisions. We are delighted we went with a buyers' broker and would eagerly recommend your services to anyone interested in purchasing a new home.
Lauren & Peter Morse
Hopkinton, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
We spent five months thinking about buying a home before we started looking. During that time, we gathered information about the home-buying process and made two decisions: we wanted a small mortgage and we wanted a buyer broker to represent us.
We contacted The Buyers' Counsel and met with Claudette who immediately came across as professional, honest and truly concerned about us finding the right home. Claudette understood our wanting a small mortgage and informed us that our limited choices would need repairs. She then wisely advised us to look in a slightly higher price range. This increased our choices and she was able to negotiate the price into one we could afford. While showing a house, she often pointed out things we didn't see and was always accessible when we called.
The house we purchased was indeed a "handy-man special." The only loan available to us was the FHA's 203(k) loan which has an additional level of paperwork not found in a traditional mortgage. Claudette supported us each step of the way by answering our questions and alleviating our concerns when we ran into difficulties. We would not have wanted to navigate the home-buying and mortgage application processes without her.
Claudette offers the highest of level of customer service and professionalism. We sincerely recommend The Buyers' Counsel to anyone who wants a buyer broker representing them or to anyone desiring quality service.
Michael & Diane Umholtz
Ashland, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
This is an enthusiastic letter of support for Claudette Millette of the Buyers' Counsel. I was looking for a home and found Claudette's ad in a real estate booklet. Being normally suspicious, and, in addition, unclear about the notion of a buyer broker, I did what I thought to be the necessary homework: I surfed the web for information, contacted Claudette's references at random and consulted friends. It was clear from our first meeting that she is an ethical professional who knows her work well.
I was really glad that I got Claudette working on my side. She did a lot of homework for me, giving me unbiased information on houses (pointing out both positive and negatives), and is tough in negotiating with the sellers and their agents. I saved a tremendous amount of aggravation in not having to handle many of the nitty gritty details, such as checking for comparables and the all of the negotiations-Claudette handled them wonderfully. For a busy professional like myself, this was indispensable. She also made sure that I got the home at a good price.
I would unhesitantly recommend Claudette to anyone looking to buy a house. The home I'm currently living in was actually the first house the Claudette and I checked out and I have been very happy here since I've moved in.
Sing Bing Kang, Ph.D.
Arlington, MA
Dear Claudette:
Thank you so much for helping us find the perfect house!
When I saw your ad in one of the real estate magazines, I thought, "that's who we need, someone who will represent our interests." I really don't like the idea of relying on someone, as a buyer, who is obligated to the seller. In that relationship there is always some information that I can't tell him/her and even worse, some information that he/she will not tell me. A seller's agent can't help me make a well-informed decision.
Immediately after our first meeting with you, Mary and I just looked at each other and smiled. We felt good about that meeting, and it set the tone for the rest of the process. You took the time that first day and every time that we met with you to put us at ease and guide us through the process. You were really more like a friend who knew what to look for and what questions to ask. We were also very satisfied with the work of the home inspector and lawyer that you recommended.
Although it only took one day after our initial meeting to find the perfect house for us, the experience would have been much more stressful on our own with a seller's agent. In fact, I think it only took a day because you showed us all of the houses in the area and prices range that were available so that we could visit those that we liked most.
I have already told my co-workers about you and would recommend you to anyone who I thinking of buying a house. Of course, if we ever purchase another home in this area, you can be sure that we will look you up.
George & Mary White
Framingham, MA
Dear Claudette:
With everything that has gone on in the last month I never got a chance to thank you, so THANK YOU!!! I really appreciated your honesty, attention to detail and your calm demeanor. It seemed at times your role was more of a therapist than a real estate agent! Anyway, we are in the house. The floors have been refinished and things are great
Again, thank you very much for you help!
Thomas Porter
Arlington, MA
Dear Claudette:
Thank you so much for helping George and I find and secure our new home. We are so pleased with both the house and the Medfield community. I am certain we would not have fared so well, if it were not for your tenacity, guidance and patience.
With so much conflicting information out there about home buying, it was wonderful to have someone working not only for us, but with us to help navigate through, what can be a most confusing and intimidating process.
Again, our most sincere appreciation for your assistance. I would heartily recommend your services to anyone considering the purchase of a new home.
Susan D. Hucul
Medfield, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
When we made the decision to buy a home, we first took the route of contact listing brokers of different agencies. If we drove by a house or read an ad about a home that seemed interesting we would contact the listing broker and set up a time to see the house. This meant a lot of time was spent with brokers who were not able to reveal any negative issues about the property they were representing. Buyers need to have a professional real estate broker representing them.
We contacted Claudette Millette and she was very informative about the real estate market. She did an incredible amount of work for us as we researched housing in various areas. After looking at numerous houses and not finding "the one" our adventure became frustrating and difficult. Claudette always maintained an outstanding professional composure and a positive attitude. Our selling and buying was not a simple procedure but our buyers' broker helped us through the process. We feel very satisfied with the final results. Claudette is highly recommended to represent buyers in any real estate transaction.
Dianne & Pete Leblanc
Grafton, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
This is an enthusiastic endorsement of the services of the buyer agent Claudette Millette. We tested her abilities under perhaps the severest conditions an agent can face. We are buying our first house, but are older and presumably pickier than most first-time buyers, without the reality-testing that comes from prior experience. At the time we decided to buy a house in the Boston area, we were living in Washington. One of us was working in a job with very little slack or ability to travel. The other was working slightly fewer hours-but was seven months pregnant.
Through phone, mail and fax she kept us abreast of each market in which we were interested. Each time either or both of us could make a trip to the area, she made herself available, and exhaustively prepared appointments to make the best possible use of every minute we had for house-hunting. She was very solicitous of our time-if she thought it unlikely we'd be interested in a house, she didn't have us see it. If she thought it was borderline, she'd go through it carefully herself, and give a telephone report. If she felt there weren't enough good prospects to justify a trip, she'd urge us to cancel and try again later. She seemed determined not to let us make a bad purchase.
I suppose she had other clients during those months, but we certainly didn't notice. She returned every phone call promptly and always seemed ready to a do bit of research or make an inquiry. Since when we started the process we didn't know a Victorian from a split-level, and didn't really understand what was important to us and what wasn't. Claudette had to diplomatically educate us about the whole field of real estate in the course of helping us buy a house.
We would recommend her strongly to anyone who is less than fully expert on the local real estate market, or able to devote less than full time to the task of house-hunting. She is diligent informed, perceptive, and extraordinarily good-natured. Claudette made what might have been a nightmare into an interesting, and generally satisfying experience.
John D. Donahue and Maggie Pax
Lexington, MA
To Whom It May Concern:
Claudette had helped us buy our first house a few years back and we were extremely pleased with her work, so when it came time to upgrade to a larger house we knew we wanted her on our side to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Claudette took the time to understand our needs and our wishes, and helped us narrow down the field and quickly find the perfect new house for our family.
In addition, everyone on her team - home inspector, mortgage specialist, attorney - is a top-notch professional and made us feel much more confident every step of the process.
We have no reservations recommending the services of Claudette Millette: she's professional, determined, knowledgeable and caring.
Nuno Santos
Westford, MA
Dear Claudette,
Gavin and I would like to express our gratitude for the support and invaluable advice you have given us throughout the daunting process of finding and purchasing our first home. Thanks to you, our first-time home buying experience was a relatively easy and pleasant one. We appreciate that you took the time to understand our needs and wants and wisely pointed us into the right direction, helping us to choose a home that is a perfect fit to our lifestyle.
We could not have chosen a better person to represent us and protect our interests. You efficiently managed all issues and obstacles associated with the home buying process, and helped us bring this project to completion sooner than we had anticipated.
Thank you for your professionalism and ultimate care! We will highly recommend you to all our friends who are looking to buy a home, and will not hesitate to seek out your services when we are on the market for our next house.
Ivelina & Gavin Luckens
Ashland, MA
To Whom it May Concern:
Claudette did a great job helping us find a new house when we moved to Massachusetts. She understood what type of house we were looking for and helped us see a large number of prospective houses in a short time while we visited the area.
George Lengel
Norfolk MA
Dear Claudette:
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! You were a great help and your entire team from your attorney to our house inspector was excellent. Our house is wonderful and we love the neighborhood we are in. Thank you so much!
Stephanie and Mark Giglio
Framingham
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
