Great news.......... on tax credit extension/expansion!
The Senate just voted 98-0 to pass the Tax Credit in combination with the Unemployment Bill. It will go to the House next. It appears to be on a fast track with the Democrats. It could get to the President on Friday. Stay tuned!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Check your smoke alarms CO detectors
With Daylight savings time coming up this Saturday, October 31st, it's good to get in the habit to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks. There should be a test button on each detector.
Though the regulations can change some from town to town as to the placement of the detectors and the age of the house could affect whether you need battery operated and/or hard wired alarms, in general you should have a smoke detector on each living level (on the ceiling) and at the base of the basement stairs on the ceiling as well. On the bedroom level there should be one centrally located between them again on the ceiling. If one is already covering that living level an addition one is usually not requires.
Carbon monoxide detectors need to be on each living level. If the basement has a finished room, one would be required. Plug in co detectors are usually acceptable as long as they have battery back up.
In Massachusetts, it is a requirement to have the smoke alarms and co detectors inspected and certified by the local fire department relating to the correct placement and tested to make sure the work properly.
Though the regulations can change some from town to town as to the placement of the detectors and the age of the house could affect whether you need battery operated and/or hard wired alarms, in general you should have a smoke detector on each living level (on the ceiling) and at the base of the basement stairs on the ceiling as well. On the bedroom level there should be one centrally located between them again on the ceiling. If one is already covering that living level an addition one is usually not requires.
Carbon monoxide detectors need to be on each living level. If the basement has a finished room, one would be required. Plug in co detectors are usually acceptable as long as they have battery back up.
In Massachusetts, it is a requirement to have the smoke alarms and co detectors inspected and certified by the local fire department relating to the correct placement and tested to make sure the work properly.
Friday, August 14, 2009
JULY Numbers Look Great
The 1st time buyer tax credit is proving to be a major player in the market activity. You can see in reflected in the activity for July!
Franklin County
Sales up 38.1% · Median Price up 8.1%
July 2008 -- July 2009
Closed Sales (units) 42 -- 58
Closed Sales ($Vol) 8,686,020 -- 12,137,138
Average Sales Price 206,810 -- 209,261
Median Sales Price 176,000 -- 190,250
Franklin County
Sales up 38.1% · Median Price up 8.1%
July 2008 -- July 2009
Closed Sales (units) 42 -- 58
Closed Sales ($Vol) 8,686,020 -- 12,137,138
Average Sales Price 206,810 -- 209,261
Median Sales Price 176,000 -- 190,250
Hampshire County
Sales up 15.3% · Median Price down 8.9%
July 2008 -- July 2009
Closed Sales (units) 98 -- 113
Closed Sales ($Vol) 29,502,018 -- 31,464,398
Average Sales Price 301,041 -- 278,446
Median Sales Price 275,500 -- 251,000
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Location... Location... LOCATION
You've heard these famous 3 words before..... Yes, Location is VERY IMPORTANT when it comes to home buying and selling as well as the ability to build equity.
If you are own your home and are thinking of making improvements, please, please, PLEASE get the advise of a knowledgeble Realtor as to what if any improvements you are planning to do, because depending on your neighborhood range of value you may or may not get your money back.
If you are looking to buy...make sure you check out the neighborhood, get a feel for the neighborhood value range and discuss with your Real Estate Professional the types of improvements your are considering to make sure your investment is solid.
Lastly, the rule of thumb is to buy the "worst" house on the street, not the "best"one. You will build equity much faster and it should prove be a good solid investment. (as long as the improvements don't exceed the neighborhood value range).
If you are own your home and are thinking of making improvements, please, please, PLEASE get the advise of a knowledgeble Realtor as to what if any improvements you are planning to do, because depending on your neighborhood range of value you may or may not get your money back.
If you are looking to buy...make sure you check out the neighborhood, get a feel for the neighborhood value range and discuss with your Real Estate Professional the types of improvements your are considering to make sure your investment is solid.
Lastly, the rule of thumb is to buy the "worst" house on the street, not the "best"one. You will build equity much faster and it should prove be a good solid investment. (as long as the improvements don't exceed the neighborhood value range).
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
To Paint or Not to Paint.... That is the ?
Whether to paint or not to paint is a question I am asked quite often. In most cases the answer will be YES. It is always best to put your best foot forward when selling your house.
First impressions are very important. A buyer may pass by a house if the outside is in need of paint, thinking the house needs "too much work" even if the inside is in good shape.
Y0u may want to freshen up the inside as well. Buyers want to picture themselves living in the house. Neutral colors are always the best. You want the buyers coming through your house to focus on and remember the nice floor plan, woodwork and floors, not the house with the bright blue room.
Before you make any changes or improvements, call me, I will be glad to come by and talk with you about preparing your house for sale.
First impressions are very important. A buyer may pass by a house if the outside is in need of paint, thinking the house needs "too much work" even if the inside is in good shape.
Y0u may want to freshen up the inside as well. Buyers want to picture themselves living in the house. Neutral colors are always the best. You want the buyers coming through your house to focus on and remember the nice floor plan, woodwork and floors, not the house with the bright blue room.
Before you make any changes or improvements, call me, I will be glad to come by and talk with you about preparing your house for sale.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Local Market UPDATE
While the 1st Quarter 2009 Single Family Sales in the Pioneer Valley sales (volume) totaling all 3 counties fell 12% and the median sales price dropped 13.1% from 1st quarter 2008.
Franklin County once again is beating to is't own drum. While the volume of sales dropped 20.0% the median sales price is UP 3.0% from $179,500 to $184,950.
The March numbers are in and the volume of sales are UP 3.9% across the Valley compared to March of 2008.
Spring has sprung.... buyers are out.>>> Spread the word- the $8,000 1st time buyer tax credit is here through Dec 1. Times a ticking.
Franklin County once again is beating to is't own drum. While the volume of sales dropped 20.0% the median sales price is UP 3.0% from $179,500 to $184,950.
The March numbers are in and the volume of sales are UP 3.9% across the Valley compared to March of 2008.
Spring has sprung.... buyers are out.>>> Spread the word- the $8,000 1st time buyer tax credit is here through Dec 1. Times a ticking.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Home Buyers & Sellers using the Internet
A new study on Home Buyers & Sellers in Massachusetts show that 90% of all Home Buyers and Sellers are using the Internet as part of their home buying and selling process as well as choosing to work with a real estate professional. This data is from the 2008 Massachusetts Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, compiled by the National Association oof Realtors (NAR).
So, if you want to Sell your home, you would be wise to make sure that your home is well positioned on the Internet with exposure on all the major Real Estate web sites displaying good qualilty photos and clear & accurate Virtual Tours.
So, if you want to Sell your home, you would be wise to make sure that your home is well positioned on the Internet with exposure on all the major Real Estate web sites displaying good qualilty photos and clear & accurate Virtual Tours.
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