Monday, October 29, 2007

Dynasty?

The Sox have done it again, they swept the Colorado Rockies in 4 straight.

Congratulations to all involved!

Go Pats!

- Geof

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Another Globe Headline

Well, by now we should be used to the headlines in the Globe. Yesterday it was about how the Mass. Real Estate market has had the biggest drop in a year.

Then it goes on to mention that the 50-some-odd cities and towns around Boston don't seem to be affected by this trend as much as all the others.

Anyway, the news still isn't fantastic, but if you read the articles you'll find that it also isn't all that bad.

Just my $.02

Random Observation: Tim Wakefield you are a class-act!

Go Sox!

- Geof

Monday, October 22, 2007

ALCS - YeeHa!

It's a beautiful day, 75 degrees, CAVU.

So the Old Town Team sent the Indians home last night. I guess it really isn't Tribe Time is it?

Cleveland is a formidable opponent, almost the entire team was hitting in the 300's, even the ninth batter, Blake, was hitting .318 for the series.

Lot's of folks contributed to last nights win, the team was managed beautifully and I can't wait for Wednesday night.

Go Sox!

- Geof

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Foreclosures

Today's Globe carried a couple of stories about local foreclosures. They concentrate on areas outside of Boston, Essex County, Northern Middlessex etc. There is also an article about the Middlesex North Register of Deeds Richard P. Howe Jr. (Search Boston.com for Richard Howe) and his views on the market. All of these articles give insight into what's happening.

They are all worth a look-see (IMHO). If you are interested in copies I might be able to help.

Go Sox!

- Geof

Today's Market

I never get tired of the question on peoples' lips when they see me. "How's the market?" is typically what they're asking. Depending on who it is and when they are asking, I can never tell if they are truley interested in what's going on in the marketplace, or if they are looking to find out how good/bad things might be from my reaction.

Anyway, needless to say, when I get the question "Hows' the market?" I enjoy answering them as honestly as I can. It's always with what I know to be the state of the local market, the one I do my best to understand on a daily basis so I can best help my clients make informed decisions.

To answer the question for today I would say that the market is pretty robust in our little neck of the woods. The number of properties that are selling not only remains constant in units over last year, but in truth there are more units selling this year, year-to-date, than last year in the same time frame.

The next question I typically get is: "But I hear that the market's falling apart, nothings selling and what about those foreclosures from the sub-prime mortgage markets?"

Of course, there is no definitive answer to these questions, and there are actually three questions being asked in one breath.

First, the stories of the market's demise are greatly exagerated (to boldly misquote a famous American writer). These types of headlines sell! They are also usually pretty general in nature or tell the story of some extreme situations.

Secondly, all real estate is local, truley local. I'm happy I don't work in other areas of the country. Some markets in Florida, Nevada and Southern California are really scarey! But here in our little corner of the world, though prices may be softer than 18 months ago, the number of units selling are outpacing last year year-to-date.

The third question is all about the sub-prime mortgage issues. Yes they exist and are putting a damper on the overall market, but in the immediate area the number of properties moving into foreclosure are fewer than some cities and towns not to far from here. Mortgages are available and if you understand your financial situation and do your homework you can avoid most of the "upsets, issues and surprises" that make up the horror stories folks love to tell.

In summing up, if you're looking to buy or sell, the time may be right for you. Each situation is uinique and worth looking at independently to determine what the best course of action might be.

Cheers -

Geof