Buying a home on the North Shore? Make a friend or two at City hall.

There are many things that one should do when purchasing a home on the North Shore of Boston. One idea that realtors seldom talk about is getting to know the people at City hall of the town you want to purchase in.

If you plan on doing any remodeling that would require a building permit you will need to get that permit through the building department. Setting up a brief appointment with the town's building inspector and asking them about what can and can't be done will go a long way in creating a good relationship with them. Having a town's building inspector guide you from a town's code perspective will reduce the potential for headaches half way through a remodel project.

If your home is on septic and you wish to add another bedroom, consult the town health department for a copy of your potential homes septic design. Also, be sure to ask what the zoning is at the property. Some town's only allow 3 bedroom houses in an area, even if you have several acres of land.

Another item to do at City hall is request to look at the public file for the home. It may include items like a plot plan, approved plans for recent additions, and other useful information.

If you're looking to purchase a home or property on the North Shore of Boston give me a call. I'd be happy to help you and provide some more guidance.