Town of Milford
The town of Milford is one of the large communities in the area, with over 27000 residents and some areas of denser housing. This mixture of residential neighborhoods, multiunit buildings, and commercial properties gives a diverse community feel.
There are many restaurants, grocery stores, small businesses, and salons. There is easy access to the major highway, Route 495, with 3 exits that residents use.
Metrowest Town’s Recycling Programs
July 13th, 2010
Thank you to the person on www.HollistonFreeCycle.com (which is a Yahoo Group) for the links to all the local Metrowest recycling information.
I feel that Massachusetts does a pretty good job, either thru grassroots organizations or towns saving money, in providing recycling opportunities to the local residents.
Ashland Recycling Program Info
Framingham Recycling Program Info
Holliston Recycling Program Info
Hopkinton Recycling Program Info
Milford Recycling Program Info
Sherborn Recycling Program Info
Check out the previous posts regarding related sites:
Asbestos Removal Article from 2008
I hope you find these links as a useful source of information whenever you are searching out information on your town’s recycling program.
Ed Daniels of the MAHome Team can be reached at Ed@MAhome.com or 508-341-7880. He calls Holliston his hometown and works with Re/Max Executive Realty selling homes all around the Metrowest area.Categories: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Local Communities, Medway, Milford, Natick, Real Estate, Town Hall Info
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Metrowest Election Results for Senate
January 20th, 2010
The election results are IN for Senator in Washington. The Metrowest region had a great turnout and for that we can all be proud that democracy is working!
Below are results from each Metrowest MA town and the vote counts for either Scott Brown (R) or Martha Coakley (D):
Town - Winner - Vote count
Ashland Brown 3467 vs 2897
Bellingham Brown 4090 vs 2179
Framingham Coakley 10329 vs 9149
Franklin Brown 8828 vs 4470
Holliston Brown 3725 vs 2921
Hopkinton Brown 4123 vs 2600
Marlborough Brown 6817 vs 5037
Medway Brown 3641 vs 2044
Milford Brown 5432 vs 3561
Millis Brown 2430 vs 1383
Natick Coakley 7208 vs 6954
Northborough Brown 3816 vs 2486
Shrewsbury Brown 7867 vs 5242
Southborough Brown 2689 vs 1845
Upton Brown 2125 vs 1138
Westborough Brown 3822 vs 2996
Results for other towns not posted here can be found by
Good luck to Scott Brown as he heads to Washington to help all citizens of Massachusetts. The people have spoken with their votes and now it is his job to take care of us!
Ed Daniels of Re/Max Executive Realty is a local Realtor and home owner in Metrowest Boston.
He can be contacted at 508-341-7880 for help in learning about the Metrowest area and buying/selling a home.
Categories: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Local Communities, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Natick, Southborough, Town Hall Info, Westborough
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What if City Hall Bossed You Around?
August 10th, 2008
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!
Here is the Boston globe article on the subject. Click here.
I am a landlord of a 14 unit building in Shirley, MA. I am regulated by the State Sanitary Code. It covers the gap that is allowed in a window, the temperature that the building needs to be at different times of year, railings, screens for windows, etc. etc. etc.
See the 35 pages of Sanitary Code here. I need another regulation like a hole in the head!
As a resident, your town hall officials are going to have more work to inspect and document all of the town’s multi-family housing stock. As a landlord, you are opening your doors to a city official to pick apart your investment.
I hope that my tenants keep their place in the same condition I keep my own home, but the reality is that they do not. Most of the rental units are very poorly maintained. We are talking about cleanliness and care of the property.
Early in my experience as a landlord, a tenant who did not want to pay for their rent decided to unleash the Board of Health on me. I spent several inspections where the tenant pulled off the smoke detector and broke a pane of window glass prior to the inspection so that I would fail. I had to have the inspector come over right after I installed the glass for the 3rd time and I put up a new smoke detector while the inspector watched. It was the only way to pass the health code.
Additionally, there are town by-laws that regulate many different areas that naturally regulate the number of people who generally live in a unit. One example is parking. Residential zoning in Milford requires 2 off-street parking spaces per unit.
OK, I admit that after researching the section of town bylaw, Fire Marshall Code, and State Building Code, I have not been able to find a clear defination of how many persons can live in a residence. I expected 2 per bedroom, or 2 per 500 sq ft, or something like this. It is tough to define, and maybe that is why it has not been defined.
Milford residents: your town hall officials are going to have more work to inspect and document all of the town’s multi-family housing stock. As a landlord, you have additional fees each year and now open your doors to inspection. That is bad for every landlord.
Finally, we ask who gains from this new by-law? Renters cannot share costs living with “overcrowded” living situations and will have to figure out how to live with more money going towards rent. Renters will most likely bear the additional fees being put onto landlords shoulders. Citizens will most likely experience more city costs with managment of this program and legal fees to enforce it. Neighbors to these overcrowded residences may be the only winners, even though they could have complained to the Board of Health prior to this by-law.
Bad idea Milford!
Ed Daniels – full time Realtor for The MAhome Team of Re/Max Executive Realty welcomes your comments about this local issue. The Team would be happy to counsel you regarding anything about the local real estate market. Ed is also an owner of a 14 unit apartment building. The MAhome team can be reached at 508-341-7880.
Categories: Milford, Town Hall Info
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Important Info on Local Hospitals: Customer Satisfaction
May 10th, 2008
The Metrowest Boston towns are just a short drive to some of the most highly regarded hospitals in the country. I don’t think I have ever heard of Massachusetts residents complaining about the level of care that is available nearby.
There is a survey that I discovered that does highlight some customer satisfaction numbers you may find interesting.
Surveys are interesting subjects because there always seems to be a motivation behind them. This survey was conducted by The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). This government body seems to give hospitals a tool to get better at their care, but more importantly, it gives the consumer a way to compare hospital care.
My wife and I are about to have our second child. This time around we are using Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as opposed to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston the first time around. The choice was strictly based upon health insurance reasons, but if it wasn’t, I would use this site to try to evaluate the level of care.
Our method of choosing a hospital prior to a site like this would be asking a handful of friends about their personal experience during their stay. You can see how this might get a little difficult if you are talking about personal matters with your health.
The Metrowest Daily News wrote a good article about the site and the method of the surveys. Click here for the full story.
The link for the HCAHPS can be reached by clicking here: www.HospitalCare.hhs.gov.
Here in the Metrowest area, there are several regional hospitals for residents to choose from:
Metrowest Medical Center Framingham, MA
Milford Regional Medical Center Milford, MA
Marlborough Hospital Marlborough, MA
Newton-Wellesley Hospital Newton, MA
UMass Memorial Medical Center Worcester, MA
Metrowest Medical Center - Leonard Morse Campus Natick, MA
The survey asks questions of patients regarding noise, cleanliness, communication with staff, clear home recovery instructions, among other areas.
It allows hospital management to track how they do compared to other hospitals and where they are lacking in the eyes of the patient.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital reported an 82% rating of patients who said they would definately recommend the hospital, which was the top score from the hospitals listed above.
I am glad to hear that, and I am sure you will hear about it if I fall within the 18% who doesn’t!
Categories: Framingham, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Preferred Business
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Foreclosure Real Estate Secrets
February 3rd, 2008
First time buyers of real estate are salivating at the idea that the Buyer’s Market in Massachusetts is offering “steals” in every neighborhood. They hear of foreclosures, auctions, and people unloading property at every turn.
This is not only a falsehood, but when buyers learn of the process, they usually run for the hills.
Let me explain how foreclosures work…
Home owners who do not pay their mortgage over time will have the bank try to take it over or sell it. The process is known as foreclosure, and the first attempt to sell the property is known as the auction.
The auction is advertised in a legal section of your local newspaper. To participate, you would bring a deposit check to the event. The bidder than stands on the curb and raises their hand if they are willing to pay x dollars for the home.
Notice how I did not say anything about looking inside the property, inspection conditions, or financing contingencies… this is because they don’t exist! You buy sight unseen, perhaps someone will still be living there when you end up buying it, and if you don’t show up in 30 days with payment in full, the deposit is retained by the auction house.
Not a great course of events for a rookie home buyer.
A bank representative is usually at the auction also. They are there to “bid” if the bank wants to buy it back rather than allow anyone else to “steal” the property. They will then prepare the home for listing with a local realtor. This is also known as a REO property, referring to the Real Estate Owned department of the bank.
A buyer can now preview the home, conduct an inspection, and negotiate on price, but at this point the bank usually spends a bit of money on the process and still is not going to allow the home to sell for an outrageous price.
There is certainly a lot more REO property in Massachusetts recently, but these properties are not for buyers who do not have financial resources or lack nerves of steel. They usually need at least cosmetic work, but most have quite a few inspection issues. There are companies out there that are in this business full time and they are also going to compete with your bids.
My official recommendation in 2008, stick with the listed properties and do your due diligence on a property you plan on buying. Currently it is a slim margin of benefit that you will receive from buying a foreclosure and not worth it. It may be in the future, just not right now in Metrowest Boston.
Contact me if you have questions or concerns about REO properties or click here to view listings on the MLS.
Categories: Ashland, Framingham, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Market Conditions, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Real Estate, Southborough, Westborough
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4 Crucial Reasons to Buy In this Perfect Market
November 27th, 2007
You have been hearing all sorts of bad news in every newspaper article for the past 2 years. These are the 4 reasons why this is THE perfect time to be a Buyer. You should not delay, even if it means dealing with getting less for your current home!
As a full time Realtor in the Metrowest area for the past 10 years, I have seen mostly “good times”.
But were they?
My buyer clients were buying with multiple offers in the first few days a home was listed. Interest rates were good, but prices were climbing at double digit rates.
Ok, they were good times for Sellers.
Many of my home buying clients paid over asking price and had to convince the appraiser that the place was worth it. Many appraisers used appreciation factors in their assessments and the banks signed off on them.
So now is the “Good Times” for the Buyers! Here is why:
1. Interest Rates: They are falling again and today I was just told by my mortgage brokers that they have dipped to 6%. You can’t find 100% deals easily or have terrible credit, but others should take advantage
Call the MAhome Team if we can connect you to a professional, ethical and competitive local mortgage broker for a free pre-approval.
2. Motivated Sellers: There are the foreclosure and short sales, but overall most of the people selling in this market are doing it because they need to. Job change, growing families, or financial struggles are some of the reasons that they are moving.
You need to have a professional Realtor in your corner to deal with the “distressed” situations, but having a strong negotiator on your side will result in even benefits. Negotiate in your mortgage points or closing costs, have condo fees paid for the year, or have inspection issues corrected are some of these benefits.
3. Choices: Buyers of homes around Metrowest have lots of options. A few years ago buyers would be looking every day at the new to market listings. Today we could take your dream home criteria and have several days of homes worth to tour.
Make sure to visit the MAhome Team MLS search to see a map search. Slide bars to fit your criteria and watch the push-pins pop up all over the Metrowest area that are for sale!
4. The Move Up Premium: It is not an easy environment to Sell a home, but WHEN you are successful, you will get a discounted price on the purchase.
For example, you are selling your home to get a “better” one. It will cost more and have lots more room and be located in the primo neighborhood. You sell your home for 10% less than you could have 2 years ago, it takes 6 months, but you did it! It listed for $390000, but only sold it for $351000.
Now, the move up home is in the $600K price range. You negotiate hard and get a good deal on the perfect place. You estimate it is 10% less than you could have bought it for 2 years ago! Therefore, you get the $660000 home for only $600000.
There it is… “losing” $41K off the sale and “discounting” the purchase by $60K. A buyer who is upgrading their home is doing better than they would 2 years ago!
Take advantage of a professional Realtor who will keep your best interests as the priority, the MAhome Team is that Realtor. If you know of someone thinking of buying or selling a home, who would appreciate the kind of service I offer, we would appreciate your referrals.
Categories: Ashland, Framingham, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Market Conditions, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Real Estate, Southborough, Westborough
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What??! Boston Area Real Estate “fairly valued”??
November 21st, 2007
SmartMoney Magazine reports in the December 2007 issue that Massachusetts real estate is considered “fairly valued”.
They compared local housing prices with other factors, including household income, population density, and interest rates.
Generally, when home prices and incomes grow in tandem in a particular metro area, that market is probably fairly valued; when home prices rise much faster, the market becomes overvalued and a real estate slump is a real danger.
Link to Smartmoney Stats: http://www.smartmoney.com/mag/download/december2007housing.xls
Link to SmartMoney Magazine Article:
http://www.smartmoney.com/mag/index.cfm?story=december2007-housing
Here are the stats that the article reports:
Worcester MA Median Price of $244,300;
10% overvalued; -3% home price chg 06-07
Springfield MA Median Price of $214,100;
10% overvalued; 1% home price chg 06-07
Essex County MA Median Price of $333,800;
6% overvalued; -3% home price chg 06-07
Boston-Quincy Median Price of $345,100;
2% undervalued; -3% home price chg 06-07
Cambridge-Framingham MP of $$379,500;
5% undervalued; -2% home price chg 06-07
All of these areas fall within the study’s classification of “fairly valued”. For all you people who are wondering where NOT to go buy a home because it is “extremely overvalued”, stay away from Miami, California, and Honolulu. They recommend the “undervalued” markets of Dallas, Rochester NY, and Tulsa.
Categories: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Milford, Natick, Real Estate
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