Archive for August, 2008
No Interest Loan of $7500 for Buyers
August 28th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Updates, Real Estate
President Bush signed into law the “Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008“. This rescue plan for the housing market contains a tax credit of up to $7500 for buyers. Here are the details:
If you are a First Time Home Buyer who closes between April 9th, 2008 and July 1st, 2009, you may be eligible. First time home buyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years.
The amount you can claim is the smaller of 10% of the purchase price or $7500.
This tax credit should be viewed by the consumer as an interest free loan, because unfortunately, Read the rest of this entry »
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Ashland: Boston Magazine Sticks a Label on You!
August 27th, 2008 Categories: Ashland, Real Estate
Congratulations Ashland, Boston Magazine reports that you are the top town in Massachusetts for a buyer who is “single and you want peace and quiet.”
Ok, so it’s not a very prestigious award, but you made the list!
When it comes to nightlife, Ashland offers little more than cricket symphonies. What it does provide in abundance are small houses and fully loaded townhouses, priced in the $300,000s, that you can swing on a single income. There’s also the promise of future gains: Metrowest has been home to a sales-appreciation gravy train in the past decade, and this town sits at the next stop.
The article also provided some stats.
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How to Judge a School System?
August 26th, 2008 Categories: Framingham, Holliston, School Info
I received my Community Newsletter from the Holliston Public Schools last week. It is the type of information that I hope every town resident receives. I do not have kids in school, but it is an interesting read.
A client looking for a home in the area turned me on to another school website that you may find interesting.
Prior to using this site, my wife turned to www.SchoolMatters.com. She passed it along to our real estate clients as a good resource. It was attractive for the clear and concise information laid out to the reader.
The data from the state website is more thorough and up to date, but it is a jumble of data.
Massachusetts Department of Education
and the Individual school district’s No Child Left Behind Report Card data:
As a Realtor, I am always asked about whether a town has a “good” school system. The answer is
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What if City Hall Bossed You Around?
August 10th, 2008 Categories: Milford, Town Hall Info
The principle is this: as a citizen you should have a “problem” if City Hall tells you how to run your business / investment / or life. Milford City Hall did this recently with their bylaw regarding rental housing.
The purpose of the bylaw may be reasonable on its face, but it wouldn’t make as much sense if it was affecting you directly. The basics on this new law is:
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- Landlords must register their multi-family home with city hall. $50 per unit cost.
- A fee is required for each unit, and it is measured and inspected by the city. $15 per unit annually.
- Penalties could be $300 per day if you fail to comply.
The stated purpose of the bylaw is to help in the increased issues with overcrowded rental units and unsanitary conditions. Noble idea, but there are already laws regarding this! Read the rest of this entry »
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