homes for sale: Save Money with Energy Star
- 09/28/09 07:29 AM
With the heating season quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good time to pass along some energy-saving tips to help you both indoors and out. Not only can you reduce your energy bill, but you can reduce your carbon footprint by following some simple, easy steps: Energy Star Lighting - Energy Star labeled light bulbs and fixtures are very energy efficient without sacrificing performance or design. Special promotions and rebates are also available at many home improvement and other select stores. You can also visit the Energy Star web site for more information or call 877-378-2748 for more details. … (1 comments)
homes for sale: Arlington MA Real Estate Update
- 09/11/09 03:27 AM
Week Ending 9/10/09 The average price per square foot for Arlington MA was $283, a decrease of 12% compared to the same time last year. The average sales price for homes, condos, and multi-families in Arlington MA for the period 8/10/09 to 9/10/09 was $411,196 based on 96 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the average home sales price decreased 17%, or $85,260, but the number of home sales increased 71%. There are currently 41 resale and new homes in Arlington MA (not including bank-owned or pre-foreclosure properties). The average listing price for single family homes … (1 comments)
homes for sale: Would you refuse a listing?
- 08/11/09 04:34 AM
I've seen a couple of discussions on various group blogs about curb appeal and staging of a home prior to listing. I think we can all agree, these elements are of utmost importance when listing a home. However, I can't believe the number of pictures on the MLS I see with cluttered bedrooms, overgrown outdoor shrubbery, kitchens with dishes piled in the sink, etc. I just can't believe the agent even has the nerve to post these pictures. But this leads me to my question - have you ever, or would you, decline to take a listing because the home owner … (7 comments)
homes for sale: Arlington, MA Housing Sales Trends
- 08/09/09 12:30 PM
In these swiftly changing times, it's hard to look at one month's worth of data and try to predict what's coming next. But if we look at three month's worth of data, usually considered a "trend," we begin to get a more clear picture of the direction of the market. Here's what's happened with Single Family and Condo units in Arlington, MA from April 2009 through July 2009:
Total April Sales (in units): 27 Total July Sales (in units): 72 Avg. Days on Market in April: 77 Avg. Days on Market in July: 43 Avg. Sales price, April: $441,992 Avg. … (0 comments)
homes for sale: Save Money by Buying an Eco-Friendly, Green Home
- 07/21/09 08:10 AM
I already knew this from my EcoBroker course and the research I've been doing, but now my (new) favorite channel, Planet Green, has show after show confirming it - you don't have to spend a lot more money in order to buy eco-friendly housing. If you're building anew or remodeling, follow the three R's - reuse, renovate, and recycle - and you'll spend maybe even less than your original budget to be eco- and energy-friendly. In both cases, you'll more than make up for it on the back-end with reduced utility bills, greater home comfort, and improved personal health. Wanna do … (0 comments)
homes for sale: First-time Homebuyer Energy Efficient Seminar in Somerville MA
- 07/17/09 09:10 AM
Hi, I'm trying to gauge the interest level of first-time homebuyers who would be interested in attending an event, possibly in Davis Square Somerville sometime in the beginning of September, for first-time and other homebuyers who are in currently searching the real estate market and thinking about upgrading their future purchase to an energy-efficient, more comfortable home. I plan on having a solar installation vendor, a home energy rating inspector, a radon/air quality inspector, and a lending representative with knowledge of green financing options present, each giving a 15-20 minute overview of their services. If you would be interested in attending … (2 comments)
homes for sale: New Green Real Estate site launch
- 07/17/09 05:20 AM
I'm proud to announce a new look to my web site, courtesy of Agent Image web site designs. My new site can be found at: CyberGreenRealty.com If you have any green suggestions for features or information you think I should include, please don't hesitate to let me know! I'm open to all feedback and suggestions! Thanks for taking the time to check it out. … (4 comments)
homes for sale: House of Horrors - The Day the Mold Spores Spread
- 07/14/09 04:19 AM
I recently toured a home wherein the listing agent referred to the basement as having "slight discoloration" from water damage. Of course, this is a bank-owned property so I took it with a grain of salt, expecting more than just some discoloration. Particularly after learning the house had been empty all winter and the pipes had burst in the first-floor kitchen, I knew there had to be more than just "discoloration." I informed my buyer, who's looking for a "good-deal fixer-upper," and off we went to view the property. Let's start by saying this listing agent should have her license revoked … (5 comments)
homes for sale: Acton, MA Makes #16 in U.S. Best Places to Live
- 07/13/09 04:32 AM
CNN's Money magazine will have its annual rankings in the August 2009 issue. Acton, MA makes number 16! Read more here: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/CS2500380.html … (0 comments)
homes for sale: What is a 203(k) Loan and How Can It Help You?
- 07/08/09 04:01 PM
For some reason, I’ve been attracting a lot of buyers interested in finding a rehab property lately. Perhaps it’s because there are so many foreclosures on the market now, it’s the prevalent type of property to grab at a good price. I’m surprised, though, at the number of people who aren’t familiar with the 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage program, available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Here are just a few details on the program: 203(k) mortgages can be used for both single family purchases as well as condos. However, there are certain restrictions regarding the condo loans, … (1 comments)
homes for sale: What's Your Opinion on the Clean Energy Bill?
- 07/02/09 05:33 AM
With so much discussion this week regarding the new clean energy bill now heading to the Senate, I thought it would be interesting to hear what other Realtors and real estate professionals think of the latest version of the bill. As a Certified EcoBroker, I am, personally, disappointed that NAR helped to water down the requirements for energy audits in real estate transactions, but I can also understand their concern, and the concern of my fellow Realtors, about its affect on real estate sales. Which is more important to you - selling property or trying to live up to some sustainable-living, … (3 comments)
homes for sale: Middlesex and Suffolk County Massachusetts S.F. June 2009 Sales Trend Data
- 07/01/09 02:56 PM
Now that we've begun July, we can take a preliminary look at the June 2009 Sales Trends for Middlesex and Suffolk Counties in Massachusetts. You can view the data below and perform your own analysis, but here are some interesting highlights: Highest Median Sales Price: Weston, MA ($1.29m) Lowest Median Sales Price: Lowell, MA ($187k) Largest sales price increase, year-over-year: Dunstable, MA (+13.10%) Largest sales price decrease, year-over-year: Shirley, MA (-30.00%) Within my local area, Arlington MA has not been affected, median-price wise, by the recent turmoil in the real estate market. The prior period (2007 - 2008) median sales price … (0 comments)
homes for sale: What green or eco-friendly changes improve the value of a home? Share your top 3 tips here!
- 06/28/09 11:03 AM
Every EcoBroker or NAR Green designee will have a different answer, but here are my favorite top three: Installation of Energy Star appliances - lighting and appliances account for 27% of all energy used in a residence and account for more than 45% of total energy costs. You can actually show how much is saved in a home by comparing the old utility bills to the new, estimated costs by using the Energy Star ratings and your local utility rates. This shows an ACTUAL value increase in the home. Installation of new, energy efficient windows. Current windows are even more efficient … (5 comments)
homes for sale: Arlington, MA Median Listing Prices Up Over Quarter
- 06/19/09 03:22 PM
From my CyberGreenRealty blog on 6/19/09: Despite the perception the market is still languid, the median listing price for single-family and condo properties in Arlington, MA is up 10% over the last quarter (3/19/09 – 6/19/09), to a healthy $439,450. The average listing price is currently $476,684, a 5% increase over the same time period. To read more and see the data, visit CyberGreenRealty's Blog. -TMC … (0 comments)
homes for sale: Cambridge, MA Median Home Sale Prices Increasing
- 06/18/09 11:18 AM
From my blog on 6/18/2009: The most recent Cambridge, MA, single family median sales price data show prices have jumped a healthy 12.7% compared to the same period last year. Arlington, MA and Somerville, MA have each experienced small declines in pricing (-5.2% and -6.3%, respectively). But combining all three locations, we find the median sales price has dipped only -1.4% compared to last year. For more, read my blog at CyberGreenRealty's Blog. --Tim … (0 comments)
homes for sale: How Much $ Could You Save by Going Solar?
- 06/17/09 12:35 PM
Let’s calculate some savings for you with a case study: Assumptions for Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner with 2 teenage children; Average monthly utility bill: $230; Annual utility rate increase: 5.5% per annum (avg. of last 30 years in CA) Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner get a qualified energy audit done of their home (appx. $500-800, depending on your part of the country) and it’s recommended they install a solar system to help heat their home, hot water, and even supply excess energy BACK to the energy grid (think of this as your roof making money!). Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner decide to go … (1 comments)
homes for sale: Energy Efficient Mortgages
- 06/16/09 01:51 PM
Did you know the average home costs the homeowner about $1,900 per year in utility costs? Of course, this depends on the area of the country, the climate, the number of people in the household, etc., but this is the average cost - yours may be higher or lower. OK, so maybe you already knew that, but did you also know that an energy-efficient home (as rated by a licensed home energy rater) can save you as much as 10-15% per year in utility costs? It's true! By taking some simple steps based on your home energy audit, such as sealing … (0 comments)
homes for sale: What's the "Heavy" on Lead Paint?
- 06/15/09 11:18 AM
Did you know that most homes built in the United States before 1978 contain lead? And not just on the walls.... Of course, the walls and window sills are probably your biggest sources of lead in your house, but elevated levels of lead may also be found in: Lead dust (that paint that's peeling on your window sills breaks down into dust and can be more easily breathed in); Drinking water; Older painted toys and furniture (remember that mantle from your grandmother's house you loved and incorporated into your living room? It just might contain lead paint!); Certain hobbies can expose … (2 comments)
homes for sale: What you should know about Radon in your Home
- 06/15/09 11:14 AM
First things first: the recommended EPA radon rating is < 4 pCi/L (4 picocuries per liter). It's important to remember that this is only an endorsement and is not dictated by any existing laws. Radon levels will vary widely from home to home, neighborhood to neighborhood, and even country to country. So it's important to know what the standard is for your area. You can do that by clicking here. OK...now that you know what an acceptable level might be, you might be wondering what radon is, after all. In short, it is a radioactive gas released from the natural breakdown … (5 comments)
With the heating season quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good time to pass along some energy-saving tips to help you both indoors and out. Not only can you reduce your energy bill, but you can reduce your carbon footprint by following some simple, easy steps: Energy Star Lighting - Energy Star labeled light bulbs and fixtures are very energy efficient without sacrificing performance or design. Special promotions and rebates are also available at many home improvement and other select stores. You can also visit the Energy Star web site for more information or call 877-378-2748 for more details. … (1 comments)
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