When is it Spring in Real Estate? - Massachusetts Blog - 01/31/09 12:45 PM
The spring market.  It is a crucial time of the year in real estate.  Even with the current weakness in the economy there will be buyers coming out of a winter's hibernation who are ready to look for a new home. 
For those who are looking to buy as well as sellers who said last year that they would list "in the spring" -- when does the season actually get started?  That depends on a number of factors.
Weather is key in Massachusetts.
Often sellers do not want to have people trekking through their homes while there is still snow on … (2 comments)

Home Warranties - Are They Worthwhile? - 01/29/09 03:56 PM
   
During the real estate boom years it was fairly common for a home warranty program to be included with a home purchase.   Many brokers would use them as listing tools and also to provide an incentive for home buyers to feel more comfortable with their purchase.  Now, with home sales down and agents needing to cut costs, the inclusion of a home warranty as part of the sale has become less prevalent.
When counseling new home buyers, I encourage them to consider a home warranty plan as part of their purchasing strategy. 
What is a Home Warranty?
As with any … (3 comments)

Hopkinton MA Luxury Homes – Special Financing - 01/26/09 04:34 PM
In the wake of a flat new construction market, Toll Brothers has announced an incentive 30 year loan with a 3.99% interest rate.  The loan comes with no points paid up-front for qualified buyers. 
The special loan is available in 270 Toll communities across 21 states and can be locked in right now for 9 months. 
One community qualifying for the Toll loan program is the "Estates at Highland Ridge." 
Now available:
  
 

 
3 Overlook Road, Hopkinton, Ma
New Construction - $850,000
 
Highland Ridge is a luxury Toll Brothers community nestled in the heart of Hopkinton … (1 comments)

Assessing the Value of a Home - 01/20/09 10:00 AM

 I was recently asked about the connection between a property's assessment value and its potential selling price.  There is often confusion about the various methods that are used to evaluate property and it's important to be able to distinguish between them and to know how they may be helpful to you in your home buying decision.
Property Assessment - The assessment is a tool the town uses to determine your property tax amount.  In Massachusetts each town has an assessor who is responsible for determining the value of each property and its improvements.  The assessor reviews sales data from the … (2 comments)

Tapping the TARP - Will it Help the Housing Market? - 01/16/09 12:17 PM

Barack Obama has asked for and has been granted the release of the second $350 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to the treasury.    
The request had been met with some debate from lawmakers, some who have argued that the first $350 billion were largely wasted and that there has not been enough transparency to show if and how the bailout program has worked. 
Originally sold as a two-step rescue program, TARP was designed for the government to buy Wall Street's failing mortgage investments and then to rewrite those loans to help homeowners. 
Much of the first half … (0 comments)

Is a Short Sale Right for You? - Massachusetts Blog - 01/10/09 10:17 PM
                                                                               As foreclosure rates soar, some lenders are eager to negotiate short sales in order to avoid the expense of seizing a delinquent borrower's property.  A short sale is one in which the seller is trying to get the bank to accept an amount that is lower than what is owed on the property.  This will be a home that is facing foreclosure due to the fact that the homeowner is in financial distress.  In fact, a bank will usually only agree to a short sale if the borrower can prove a case of hardship, often due to a job loss or a major … (0 comments)

Help for New Home Buyers in the New Year - 01/05/09 01:37 PM
 

As we say good-bye to a year that was one of the worst for the financial and housing markets since the Great Depression, it is incumbent on us to try to find a silver lining. 
What has 2008 left in its wake that may actually be helpful for new home buyers?
 
                       LOW INTEREST RATES
Since the Fed announced a plan to buy up to $500 billion of mortgage securities backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae interest rates have dropped to their lowest in 37 years.
The government's plan, which may continue to drive … (0 comments)

 

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