Free Consultation Want to run your numbers before you start shopping? John Donlon can walk through exactly what a condo’s HOA fee means for your budget. No cost, no pressure.978-922-4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Call John Today What Are HOA Fees and How Do They Affect What You Can Borrow? By John Donlon Published March 20, 2026 · […]
Tag: Rent vs Buy
Free Consultation Not sure if you qualify as a first-time buyer? Let’s find out. John Donlon can check your eligibility for MA first-time buyer programs in minutes. No cost, no pressure.978-922-4446 [email protected] Call John Today What Is a “First-Time Home Buyer” in Massachusetts? (The Definition Might Surprise You) By John Donlon Published March 22, 2026 […]
Free Consultation Condo or house? Let’s run your numbers. John Donlon has been helping North Shore buyers think through exactly this decision since 1998. No cost, no pressure.978-922-4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Call John Now Condo vs. House on the North Shore of Massachusetts: Which Is the Smarter First Home in 2026? By John Donlon Updated March 2026 […]
By John Donlon, Principal & Co-Founder, GoldCoast Mortgage (NMLS #4931) Serving Boston & the North Shore of Massachusetts 📞 978-922-4446 | ✉️ JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Wondering what you qualify for? Two minutes, no pressure. Get My Free Consultation What Are the Biggest Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Make in Massachusetts? The biggest ones are order-of-operations mistakes: calling a […]
Need help deciding whether to buy? We’re here to help. John Donlon 978 922 4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Written by: Matt Teeter Reviewed by: John Donlon Published on: January 21, 2026 | Reviewed on: January 21, 2026 Living at Folly Hill Meadows and Considering Buying a House in Beverly, MA? Quick takeaway: If you’re frustrated by rent […]
Need help deciding whether to buy? We’re here to help. John Donlon 978 922 4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Written by: Matt Teeter Reviewed by: John Donlon Published on: January 21, 2026 | Reviewed on: January 21, 2026 Living at Sofi Danvers and Wondering if You Can Afford to Buy Your First Home in Massachusetts? Quick takeaway: If […]
Need help deciding whether to buy? We’re here to help. John Donlon 978 922 4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Written by: Matt Teeter Reviewed by: John Donlon Published on: January 20, 2026 | Reviewed on: January 20, 2026 Living at 14 North and Wondering If You Should Keep Renting or Buy Your First Home on the North Shore? […]
Keep renting if your rent is genuinely below market, your income is unsettled, or you might move within two or three years. Start working on buying when three things line up. The next rent increase would push you past what a mortgage payment could be. You plan to stay put for three years or more. […]
Need help deciding whether to buy? We’re here to help. John Donlon 978 922 4446 JDonlon@GoldCoastMortgage.com Written by: Matt Teeter Reviewed by: John Donlon Published on: January 16, 2026 | Reviewed on: January 16, 2026 Renting vs. Buying in Massachusetts: A First-Time Homebuyer Perspective Introduction Since 1999, we’ve watched homeownership reinvent itself again and again. […]
Written by: John Donlon Reviewed by: Matt Teeter Who Are the People You Deal With When Buying a Home in Massachusetts? The short answer There are seven people on a Massachusetts home buying team. A homebuyer class instructor, a loan officer, a buyer’s agent, a real estate attorney, a home inspector, an advocate, and you. […]
Living on the North Shore of Massachusetts: A 2026 Practical Guide for Homebuyers The North Shore of Massachusetts has become one of the most sought-after residential regions in New England. Stretching from Lynn through Gloucester and up toward Newburyport, the area offers a rare blend of coastal beauty, strong schools, commuter access to Boston, and […]
Top 10 Steps for First-Time Home Buyers on the North Shore (2026 Guide) Written by: Matt Teeter Reviewed by: John Donlon Introduction: If You Feel Stuck Renting… You’re Not Alone If you’re renting in Boston or on the North Shore, it may feel like you’re paying more every year and getting nothing in return. Maybe […]
Stop renting and start building equity! This comprehensive 2026 guide for first-time homebuyers on the North Shore of Massachusetts covers everything from low down payment programs (MHP ONE, Conventional 97) to the 7 key steps of the buying process. Contact GoldCoast Mortgage to start your journey today.