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How Rumors Get Started 101
2008-05-01 06:18:00
I read an article from the Milford Daily News this Sunday that made me pause.  The article headline reads: Clerk: 805 Vacant Homes in Franklin Now that got my attention because the town is not THAT large and the housing stock isn’t all low end condos or multi-families, which I am noticing large inventories of vacant and ...
More About: Real Estate , Rumors

My Buyer Clients Want Your Home!
2008-04-24 04:57:00
I have searched the MLS for any indication of this phenomena that I am experiencing the past few weeks, and have come up empty.  Stats or no stats, I am using my 10 years as a Realtor to tell you the following: There is not enough inventory! and If you are considering a move, now is the time ...
More About: Real Estate Market , Home , Buyer , Clients

Growth Coming to Hopkinton - Ready or Not!
2008-04-11 20:23:00
The town of Hopkinton has a terrific nursery on the eastern edge of town that has been a great neighbor, a resource of great plants, and a beautiful scene to pass while driving down Route 135.  Hold on, change is coming! A 708 acre parcel owned by Weston Nurseries was put on the market in 2005, and the scramble has begun.  Politicians in town are working to protect their visions of the town, and for a project this size, many citizens also become very vocal. No matter which side you are on, this sale is going to change the landscape of Hopkinton in the years to come (pun intended!). (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Growth , Ready

Holliston Discusses School Budget Shortfalls
2008-03-22 23:51:00
Holliston School Committee member and my neighbor, Erica Plunkett, keeps us up to date with the status of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Process. Here is her meeting updates that she sent me thru e-mail blast: As you may recall, the gap between the Finance Committee’s guideline of -1.72% and the School Committee’s voted ...
More About: Budgets

Our Soldier is Home!
2008-03-21 04:34:00
During this Iraq War, there is seldom a time when we have an opportunity to show our support for the great sacrifices that our Armed Forces are making for us.  On March 8th, I had the opportunity, and privilege, to welcome home my brother-in-law, Michael Sanger.    In the early morning hours, and during an upstate NY ...
More About: Home , Soldier

Who Else Wants to Make Money in Real Estate?
2008-03-19 16:38:00
It wasn’t until the past month that I have turned the corner on seeing real estate as being a great investment.  I know, I am a Realtor, and should be preaching this night and day, but I haven’t.   Now is the time! I am usually a skeptic while reading the newspapers and magazines (just ask my ...
More About: A Real Estate , Estate , Money , Real Estate , Investment

Navigating the New MA Auto Insurance
2008-03-11 15:13:00
My head is still spinning after reading the “section” in Sunday’s Boston Globe about the upcoming changes to the Massachusetts automobile insurance rates.  In case you did not have a few hours to review all your different options, let me give you some quick advice. Pick up the phone and dial your trusted insurance agent to ...
More About: Insurance , Auto Insurance , Auto

The Dirt on Senior Housing in Holliston
2008-02-29 21:39:00
Senior housing is going to become a larger need, as we all know by now, over the coming years.  Each town tends to have its own authority providing a number of units for strictly senior residents.  These units are not “assisted living”, but mostly comprised of small apartments that are easily accessible. Ken Curley, from Promise Lenders in ...
More About: Senior , Housing , Dirt

Massachusetts Foreclosures Plummet to .3% of Households
2008-02-26 15:01:00
Sounds exciting doesn’t it?  The statistic is real, but the presentation of the facts is the point.  This .3% of households number is actually a 186% increase from Jan 2007, based upon a report from RealtyTrac.com. I am getting calls every week to head out to a bank owned property and secure it.  We then clean it up and list the property on MLS.  In my personal business, this niche of the market is growing fast.  But in today’s age of selling newspapers with headlines, lets give out a dose of Number Reality… (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Foreclosures , Massachusetts , Households

Great Expectations from a Short Sale
2008-02-21 05:48:00
 A friend of mine called today to tell me about an upcoming offer they were going to make on a Short Sale property.  I wished them great success, but there was a lot to prep them for! They are a young family who are First Time Home Buyers.  This market holds great opportunities for these Buyers, and a Short Sale is one avenue.  Now let me tell you about my fears! (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Great , Expectations

Massachusetts Kids Highly Recommend Utah 529 Plan
2008-02-19 05:49:00
Research regarding saving for my almost 4 year old daughter’s education can be classified as slim to none.  Ashamed to say it, but I pledge to catch up!  What drove the new interest is a good article from Money Magazine about Utah ’s topnotch 529. My daughter, Lara, will thank me in 14 years if I make a move now.  Using all my knowledge from my Finance degree from Bryant College, as well as years of reading about personal finance, I have been enlightened with one main rule of thumb. (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Kids , Massachusetts , Plan

Top 10 Ways Sellers Guarantee Their Home Won’t Sell
2008-02-06 18:17:00
Fellow Re/max Realtor Paul Pastore, of Arizona, created this top ten list that just so happens to fit the Metrowest real estate market also!  Sell ers are still having success in selling right now, it is just that they have to work a bit harder at it.  As a full time local Realtor, I have tools that help to carry some of that load. 1. Price it wrong. A home properly priced is half sold. No amount of full-color ads, glossy fliers, multiple photos, virtual tours, (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Home , Sellers

Ouch, Low Credit Scores Can Drive You Into The Poorhouse
2008-02-03 21:09:00
 Many people don’t know their credit score.  When buying a home, this can translate into costing you a lot of money.   The interest rates that mortgage companies can offer you are mostly dependant upon this 3 digit number. I will spell out the top reasons why you should care about your score, as well as how to get started! (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Credit , Drive , Ouch , Scores

Foreclosure Real Estate Secrets
2008-02-03 20:38:00
First time buyers of real estate are salivating at the idea that the Buyer’s Market in Massachusetts is offering “steals” in every neighborhood. They hear of foreclosures, auctions, and people unloading property at every turn. This is not only a falsehood, but when buyers learn of the process, they usually run for the hills. Let me explain how foreclosures work… (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Estate , Real Estate , Foreclosure , Secrets , Real

Solutions for Making a Smooth Move with Children
2007-11-28 00:09:00
You Say:  “Guess what?  We’re moving to a new house!” The Reaction from the Kids:  Anxiety.  Young children are creatures of habit and like the certainty of routines. How to Make it Better: (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Children , Move , Solutions , Smooth

4 Crucial Reasons to Buy In this Perfect Market
2007-11-27 23:26:00
You have been hearing all sorts of bad news in every newspaper article for the past 2 years. These are the 4 reasons why this is THE perfect time to be a Buyer. You should not delay, even if it means dealing with getting less for your current home! As a full time Realtor in the Metrowest area for the past 10 years, I have seen mostly “good times”. But were they? My buyer clients were buying with multiple offers in the first few days a home was listed. Interest rates were good, but prices were climbing at double digit rates. Ok, they were good times for Sellers. (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Market , Reasons , Perfect

What??! Boston Area Real Estate “fairly valued�??
2007-11-21 21:11:00
SmartMoney Magazine reports in the December 2007 issue that Massachusetts real estate is considered “fairly valued”.  They compared local housing prices with other factors, including household income, population density, and interest rates.  (more…) Bookmark to:
More About: Estate , Real Estate , Boston , Real , Area