plymouth county ma: Wait a Minute Mr. Postman (or woman). - 11/15/14 08:45 AM
     It is so easy to order the big, bright and shiny full color postcards from the comfort of the home office, that I have decided to do more of it in 2015.  This past order was a 'Just Sold' card that is going to 200 homes around this Brockton, MA  property.  The printing, labeling and postage came to about $65. per hundred, or $130. total.  These are going to be hand delivered to each home and will be physically handled by the homeowner.  It will be information that should be of interest to them.
     People get less … (11 comments)

plymouth county ma: Going Backward With Technology. - 12/17/13 09:46 AM
Active Rain Contests     The challenge put forth was to explain how we are going to implement technology in our businesses in 2014.  In the movie Caddyshack, the obnoxious Al Cervic, (played by  Rodney Dangerfield) instructed his stockbroker to do the opposite of everyone else.  “If everyone is buying, then sell,sell, sell, and if they are selling, then buy,buy, buy.”  That was his trading philosophy since he was a Real Estate developer and didn’t appear to know anything about stocks.
    
     As it was with Al in stocks, so it is with many of us with technology.  Armed with an … (54 comments)

plymouth county ma: Time to Run the Dehumidifier!!! - 05/18/11 02:49 AM
    As the relentless, wet weather continues here in the north east it may be a good time to go to the basement and check for funny odors.  Even if you don't have any history of water entering there, the ground is now so saturated that moisture may eventually find its' way in. There may not be puddles along the edges of the wall or pooling in the corners, the dampness could be sweating inside the basement walls, or being absorbed by sheetrock.
     The first level of defense is to run a dehumidifier and keep a humidity measuring device in … (2 comments)

plymouth county ma: A "Home Audit" Home Run!!! - 04/30/11 03:39 PM
     On a recent "Seller Home Audit" , a free service where I view a home through the eye of a buyer, the most striking change was to remove an old wall to wall carpet to expose an oak hardwood floor.  The carpet was old, soiled and a turn off.  The Oak floor was actually in good shape and just needed a good cleaning, which the owners did themselves. 
     This was in the living room, which was the first room that a buyer would see.  The natural beauty of the floor actually enhanced the look of the fireplace and mantel … (1 comments)

plymouth county ma: Dan De Homes - Free Audit for Sellers - 04/12/11 06:35 AM
Dan De Homes Presents
A new FREE SERVICE!!!
 
 
      Dan De Homes, of Keller Williams Realty, has long been associated with superior service.  Dan Derito has announced that he will be taking it to another level with his free ‘Home Prep' analysis for sellers who are thinking of putting their homes on the market.  At no charge to the home owner, Dan will come out and tour your home using the eyes of the home buyer.
 
     It is virtually impossible for most sellers to do this in any sort of impartial manner,.  What may be endearing to … (4 comments)

plymouth county ma: Why You Should Love Your Mechanic - 03/21/11 06:49 AM
     Let's face it, we all hate car trouble.  It just screws everything up.  While our society is obsessed with the joys of being frugal, a good thing, one area where folks take a wrong turn is trying to scrimp on car maintenance.  Whether you are just trying to make a good living or plan on becoming fabulously successful, a dependable car is is more important than a smart phone, charm, wit or incredible good looks. You just can't get anywhere without one.
    My mechanic is honest, not cheap.  If I go over the recommended mileage between oil changes then, I … (1 comments)

plymouth county ma: Brockton Boxers, More than just Division 1 Football - 10/12/10 03:14 PM
     The Brockton High School football team is a perennial powerhouse in Massachusetts.  They compete in a three team league and are thus relegated to playing a mostly independent schedule.  The Boxers will play any team and often have to travel out of state to fill their schedule.  For a mere $5 a ticket it is a great way to get a bang for your buck.
     What makes it more special, however, is the atmosphere that surrounds the game.  The halftime show with the Brockton High School Marching Band, Majorettes, Color Guard and Cheerleaders is one of the best shows this side of … (2 comments)

plymouth county ma: Death of a Short Sale - 09/12/10 02:43 PM
    Last week an offer on a short sale property in Massachusetts was rejected by a bank in North Carolina because the offer was below the figure established from a drive by BPO.  The property has a heating system that doesn't work, and a mold issue in the finished basement that needs to be remediated ($5000.00) before moving in. These are just a few of the problems found by the home inspector. There were many more.
   The offer was 25% below the price paid in 2005 when the home was in great condition, while the market has dropped by as much as 33% since … (7 comments)

plymouth county ma: Not Your Typical 'Smarty Pants' Realtor - 06/24/10 05:15 PM
Toby Boyce is a big wheel in the NAR Young Professional Network.  He blogs regularly on their "YPN Lounge" site.  For some reason, like I probably signed up for it and then forgot about it, they send me updates whenever someone posts an interesting insight or piece of advice.  This is awfully nice of them to do since I am encroaching on the 60th anniversary of my first spanking.  Well scrubbed, college educated and brimming with enthusiasm these young practitioners are adept at things that I am not. 
     Todays' piece by Toby showed that some of the younger folks … (2 comments)

plymouth county ma: Why Some Adult Communities Are Dying on the Vine. - 05/17/10 03:02 PM
    It seems like only yesterday that Over 55 sub divisions were sprouting up everywhere.  While most were catering to boomers who were downsizing, others were laden with high priced features, including living areas that far surpassed the square footage of the old homestead.  Nothing mattered because we were selling those 50 year old homes for 'funny money' and buyers were lined up around the block with mortgage approvals in hand. That is, until the spit hit the fan.
     We are seeing developments catering to the higher end of our market going belly up, or at the very least, lying dormant.  The more … (2 comments)

plymouth county ma: Brockton, MA - The '60s, 3 Deckers and small city living - 03/24/10 02:43 PM
     During the 1950's and 60's Brockton, MA was still a bustling industrial city that was noted for being a shoe manufacturing center.  While those factories were closing, many of them moving south for cheaper labor costs and tax breaks, enough of them were still running to provide employment.  In addition, the skilled laborers often possessed craftsmanship that could not be taught, only learned from those who had come before them. The industry as a whole, however, was on the move.
     As a youngster Brockton was a collection of four sections and mine was the North End, also called Montello.  We … (0 comments)

plymouth county ma: Should the NAR join forces with the Weather Channel - 01/26/10 12:39 PM
It's always fun to listen to clients discuss the latest trends from the Real Estate experts, as seen on CNN, FOX, or any of the other national broadcasts.  You know that they are trying to figure out if it is good or bad news for them, and will often ask your opinion. A friend, who I decided not to work with, followed such trends for more than two years until he was sure he had timed it perfectly.  So for two years he and his fiance lived in seperate apartments in different towns and spent every weekend going to open houses. 
    Whenever he asked … (1 comments)