WINDEX USE - 07/31/12 03:40 AM
Here is a new use for Windex. I never would have thought of this! ~~~ Windex tip New use for Windex If you ever get the sudden urge to run around naked, You should sniff some Windex first. It'll keep you from streaking. Have a Great Day and do keep your windows clean … (10 comments)

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE CORVAIR SOCIETY HELD ITS - 07/30/12 01:10 PM
2012 convention in Sturbridge, Ma this weekend.  Ralph Nader wrote his book "Unsafe at any speed".  It was about 1960 to 1963 Corvairs.  It was his introduction into the spotlight as a consumer activist.  The real issue was the tire pressure.  He sued GM over personal credibility assassination issues and won a fortune.  This launched his careerr.  Corvairs had a very short run for GM.  Less than ten years.  They are a funky rear engine vehicle.
… (3 comments)

WHAT IS A WEEKEND? - 07/29/12 04:43 AM
Being on duty 24/7 doesn't allow for the week to end.  Nights and weekends we are out showing homes.  During the day we are dealing with home inspections, appraisers, presenting offers, etc.  Try not answering phone calls or emails for one day.  You feel like the number 1 slacker.
Try getting your attorney or banker on a Sunday.  We are required to be available 24/7.  Tough to get buyer loyalty without a contract.  I tell people there is no way my job is going to out sourced to India.  Most real estate agents are never really on vacation.  They need their … (17 comments)

OOPS NOT GOOD - 07/28/12 07:45 AM
A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. "But officer." the man began, "I can explain." "Just be quiet," snapped the officer. "I'm going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back..." "But officer, I just wanted to say...." "And I said to keep quiet! You're going to jail!" A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, "Lucky for you that the chief is at his daughter's wedding. He'll be in a good mood when he gets back." "Don't count on it," answered … (11 comments)

WEBSTER 3 BEDROOM RENTAL - 07/28/12 03:44 AM
div id="rb-wrapper" style="width: 640px;"> Webster rental … (2 comments)

121 YEW ST., DOUGLAS SOLD - 07/27/12 03:29 AM

… (15 comments)

THE QUACKERS HAVE A PROBLEM - 07/25/12 02:59 PM

It looks like a fox to me is after the adopted family.  Long story short.  My neighbor rescued 6 duck eggs and raised them to adult hood in the small pond in back of my home.  They came back this spring along with a couple of buddies.  He actually went after them while they were in the water.  The ducks took to the air and escaped the fox.
The the fox decides to lay down and wait for them to come back.  Not on my watch the fox isn't doing that.  Armed with a five aluminum pole I went after … (13 comments)

NAR SURVEY ON WHY BUYERS DON'T BUY - 07/25/12 03:33 AM
Recent surveys show that more Americans are eager to buy a home.  NAR's survey shows a 59% increase in buyer inquiries this year.  So what stopping them?
The top three reasons "preventing" home buyers from purchasing:  Economic insecurity about employment; having problems getting a mortgage; problems trying to sell their existing home.
We are slowly creating a positive environment for the insecure buyer.  Prices have bottomed out.  Interest rates have bottomed out.  This is the last great time to buy in this generation.
Don't be "a could have".
… (13 comments)

TO GO BANKRUPT OR NOT? - 07/24/12 03:34 AM
Awful position to be in.  There are two forms of personal bankruptcy.  Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.  You need to talk to an experienced  bankruptcy attorney to find out the pros and cons.
Chapter 7 is for individuals who have little property or assets.  Once you file creditors cannot contact you.  Most of your unsecured debt gets discharged.  There are exceptions like the IRS, student loans, mortgages, spouse and child support.
Chapter 13 is for individuals that have significant equity in property that they want to keep.  Chapter 13 is more complicated and takes longer.  Fees are generally more expensive.  You … (17 comments)

BUILDER INCENTIVE - 07/23/12 02:37 AM
It is not a contest.  Buy their new home at the Savannah Preserve in Sarasota and get a check for $10,000.  You have three European travel packages - Italy, France or Ireland/Great Britain or customize you own trip.
Clever ad and the prices start at $250,000.  That's 4% of the price.  It sound a lot better than seller will pay up to $10,000 for closing costs.  I wish the builder lots of success.
… (12 comments)

LIES, LIES AND DAMNABLE LIES - 07/22/12 03:41 AM
I have been in Southwest Florida for the last week.  Every other ad is a presidential one.  I am from Massachusetts so I have a familiarity with Mitt Romney.  I absolutely do not agree with all of his positions.  Have I changed my opinions in the last 40 years?  Of course!  I am more mature and experienced.  I was a liberal because my parents were.  Governor Romney was a consensus builder.  He got legislation through.  That is more than President Obama can say.
Romney's ads have been demonstrative vis a vis his position vs President Obama's.  President Obama's have been total … (19 comments)

RETURN OF THE SELLER'S MARKET - 07/21/12 04:28 AM

When is the last time you saw this title in a newspaper?  Was it 2004, 2005?  This newspaper article was in yesterday's Sarasota Herald-Tribune.  Even with inventory lacking the sales volume was up 18% over June 2011.  Typically June sales fall off because the snowbirds have left.  Sales price were up 2% over June 2011.  Not a monumental increase but the trend is our friend.
So do you have any newspaper article with titles like this?
… (10 comments)

HSN (HOME SHOPPING NETWORK) - 07/21/12 03:30 AM
I don't know a lot about HSN.  My wife wanted to go to their outlet today.  Wonderful.  It is an hour away from Sarasota down Route 75.  I decided to go online and learn a little about HSN.  I have never watched it on TV.  After going to the HSN Outlet in Brandon, Fla I won't be watching it.  The outlet is a huge store.  It caters mostly to females.
HSN is the second largest shop at home television network.  QVC is the largest.  HSN reaches 81 million households.  That number blew me away.  HSN started in the 1970's on a AM radio … (8 comments)

BUILDERS ARE BUILDING. YEAH! - 07/20/12 03:30 AM
Builders are putting up more houses than they have in the last  four years.  The annual adjusted number for new homes for this year is 760,000 which is the highest since 2008.  We need to build 1.5 million new homes just to keep up with population growth.  We hit a low of 478,000 in April 2009. 
New homes only account for 20% of the total housing market.  Yet it is the new homes prices that affect the existing home values.   New construction creates jobs and generates property taxes for cash starved cities and towns.  Recoveries have been led by the housing market … (12 comments)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LENDERS ARE LENDING AGAIN - 07/19/12 03:32 AM
More evidence that real estate is out of ICU.  The number of mortgages recorded by the top 10 lenders has jumped 34% over a year ago.  According to one banker they are now approving 50% of the loan applications vs 30% last year.  They recorded  3,146 mortgages year to date which is 802 mortgages over this time last year.
Interesting statistic shows that six in ten sales in Manatee County had no mortgage.  These are the investors taking advantage of the low prices.  Mortgages don't necessarily translate into sales.  For example Bank of America's mortgage applications showed that 70% were for … (9 comments)

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE 1% TRANSACTION ON EVERY TRANSACTION? - 07/17/12 03:28 AM
1% Tax as a Transaction Fee Watch for this AFTER November elections; remember this BEFORE you VOTE in case you think Obama's looking out for your best interests.?? This government just cannot think of enough ways to hurt the American people! I sure hope this dies!!!!?? HR 4646 - ANOTHER NEW OBAMA TAX SLIPPED IN WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP. .?? President Obama's finance team is recommending a one percent (1%) transaction fee (TAX). Obama's plan is to sneak it in after the November elections to keep it under the radar.?? This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial … (31 comments)

TROPICANA STADIUM AND THE RED SOX - 07/16/12 02:11 PM
My wife Paula and two good friends Yolanda and Bob went to St. Petersburg to the game.  Tropicana Stadium is a domed air conditioned baseball park.  It was 92 degrees outside but a comfortable 75 air conditioned degrees inside.   Our big right hander Josh Becket started off by giving up three runs to Tampa Bay in the first inning.  It didn't look good.  We eventually prevailed 7 to 3.  Although the bases were loaded in the ninth for Tampa Bay.  One of baseball most feared hitters, Hideki Matsui up with two outs.  He hit a towering shot to right field.  It was not … (7 comments)

SENATOR BROWN AND FLOOD INSURANCE - 07/15/12 03:32 AM
I wrote to Senator Brown and asked for his help with the bill.  This was his response.
 
 Senator Brown is the real deal.  Please consider voting for him in November if you are a registered voter in Massachusetts.
Thank you.
… (14 comments)

OPEN HOUSE 3 BEDROOM RANCH OXFORD, MA 7/15 1PM - 3PM 8 PRATT AV. - 07/14/12 04:31 AM
3 Bedroom ranch in Oxford, Mass … (7 comments)

STATUE OF FRAUDS IN MASSACHUSETTS - 07/14/12 04:18 AM
What does that have to do with real estate?  It means that real estate agreements must be in writing.  Oral agreements mean nothing.  If a buyer makes an offer on paper and there is no written acceptance then the offer is not binding on the seller.
There has to be signatures by both the buyer and seller in order for the offer to be valid.  Oddly enough we can have a verbal listing be valid.  I would never do that.  All my listing commitments are written and signed by both parties.
In order to have a valid offer make sure all … (7 comments)

MASSACHUSETTS PENDING HOME SALES INCREASE IN JUNE 2012 - 07/12/12 03:49 AM
The number of pending home sales in Massachusetts increased 29% over June of 2011 according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.  According to MAR buyers placed deposits on 5,273 homes and 2,029 condominiums.
This is the fourteenth straight month of year over year increases of pending sales.  While these are not closed sales they bode well for the real estate industry.  Prices seemed to have found their bottom.  We need new home construction for prices of existing homes to begin to increase.
Fingers crossed.
… (13 comments)

SUCCESS IS BITING OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW--AND THEN CHEWING IT - 07/10/12 03:29 AM
This quote is attributed to Anon.  Anon is this mythical wise person.  Nobody knows who he was or where he originated.  He has never signed, sculpted or painted anything that he signed.
Success comes from going outside your comfort level.  You can't grow if you don't challenge yourself.  Peter's Principle talks about people reaching their level of incompetence.  Basically you keep getting promoted until you reach a job you can't do.  Its a government thing:) 
The more you stretch the more comfortable you become making decisions.  You are not afraid of failure because it is not the end.  You learn and … (14 comments)

LEOVICH LANDING IN OXFORD, MASS. - 07/09/12 03:26 AM
       Leovich Landing is located at 52 Dudley Rd in Oxford, Mass.  It is owned by the Dudley Conservation Land Trust.  This is an all volunteer organization dedicated to the conservation of land.  What make this landing unique is its location.  This is one of the few places where a public road, the French River greenway route and a paddling access point come together.  The DCLT sponsors a spring paddling event from Leovich Landing.  Great spot to paddle for miles.
Enjoy.
… (8 comments)

WHAT IS A GROUP OF BABOONS CALLED? - 07/08/12 07:54 AM
The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective nouns for the various groups of animals. We are all familiar with a Herd of cows, a Flock of chickens, a School of fish and a Gaggle of geese. However, less widely known is: a Pride of lions, a Murder of crows (as well as their cousins the rooks and ravens), an Exaltation of doves. And, presumably because they look so wise: a Parliament of owls. Now consider a group of Baboons. They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the … (12 comments)

WHY DO I NEED THE DEED? - 07/08/12 03:31 AM
Because how do you know what "bundle of rights" goes with the property.  The are mineral rights that often do not go with the property.  There could be right of ways over the land.  There could restrictive covenants.  Restrictive covenants are usually there to protect the neighborhood.  You can't have commercial trucks, above ground pools, unregistered cars, etc.
You will never know until you get a copy of the deed and read it.  Usually the seller will have copy.  The assessors usually have a copy.  The Registry of Deeds is online in Worcester County so it easy to get a copy.  … (8 comments)

CAN I DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY PROPERTY TAXES? - 07/07/12 03:30 AM
Maybe.  The first thing you need to do is go to the assessor's office.  Some times you can do this on line.  You want to view your property card.  Why?  To see if it is accurate.  They could have entered the wrong information about your property,  Check the room count.  Check how many bathrooms.  Get a tape measure and measure your home to make sure the living area is correct.
In Massachusetts our assessed values are supposed to be 100% fair market value.  If you have questions about your value go speak to the assessor.  They are usually very helpful.  Mistakes … (12 comments)

I AM CONFUSED ABOUT FISCAL YEAR AND MY PROPERTY TAXES - 07/06/12 03:30 AM
Join the crowd.  In Massachusetts our fiscal year starts on July 1st.  So in Massachusetts we are in fiscal 2013 even though we are in calender year 2012.  To confuse you even further assessed values are determined as of January 1st.
So let's see if I can really lose you.  The assessed value of your property for fiscal 2013 was determined on January 1, 2012.  It really made a lot of sense when the fiscal year and the calender year were the same.  Don't get confused with property value and property taxes.  The tax rate is set by dividing the total … (14 comments)

OLYMPICS IN LONDON - 07/05/12 03:29 AM
It's 2012 and it's the Olympics in London. A Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman want to get in, but they haven't got tickets. (Who has?) The Scotsman picks up a manhole-cover, tucks it under his arm and walks to the gate. "McTavish, Scotland," he says, "Discus," and in he walks. The Englishman picks up a length of scaffolding and slings it over his shoulder. "Waddington-Smythe, England," he says, "Pole vault," and in he walks. The Irishman looks around, picks up a roll of barbed wire and tucks it under his arm. "O'Malley, Ireland," he says, "Fencing." … (16 comments)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA - 07/04/12 06:51 AM
Happy 236th America.  Did you know that July 4th didn't become a national holiday until 1941.  It make you wonder why it took so long.  A no brainer to me.
The colonies tried to work out their differences with England for over a year.  They didn't want to declare war.  By June of 1776 a committee was formed to declare their independence.  It was headed by Thomas Jefferson.  Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston, John Adams and Roger Sherman were also on the committee.  Thomas Jefferson wrote it and presented it to the congress on June 28th.  There were a number of changes … (7 comments)

FULL BUCK MOON - 07/04/12 03:39 AM
I forgot to post this.  This full moon heralds the growing of new antlers by the buck deer.  It is also the coming of the dog days of summer according to the Farmer's almanac.  It has a couple of other names.  The Full Thunder Moon because of the frequency of thunderstorms.  Also know as the Full Hay moon because of the first cutting of the season.
… (7 comments)

CONGRESS FINALLY GETS IN ACT TOGETHER RE: FLOOD INSURANCE - 07/03/12 03:31 AM
I have been lambasting Congress for its unrealistic approach to the Flood Insurance Program.  Over the last four years they have been giving as little as two month extensions.  On June 29, 2012 the Senate and House passed The Flood Insurance Reform Act as part of H.R. 4348.  This extends the program for five years. The President is supposed to sign it in a couple of days.
I have to give NAR a lot of the credit for the passage of this bill.  They lobbied long and hard.  There are more than 5.6 million business and home owners who rely on … (14 comments)

CAN I USE A SQUARE FOOT PRICE FOR INDICATING THE VALUE OF A HOME? - 07/01/12 03:34 AM
The quick answer is no.  Unless you live in a 400 home cookie cutter subdivision then the land value will skew these numbers.  Let me explain the square footage method.  You have a 2500 sq ft colonial that sold for $375,000.  $375000/2500 = $150 a square foot.  In theory if you had a home in the same subdivision that had 2100 sq ft you could multiply the $150 and come up with a value of $315,000.
The real issue is that style differences, extras, location, etc do not allow the square foot method to have any real measurement value.  Ironically the … (10 comments)

 

Find MA real estate agents and Webster real estate on ActiveRain.