The Warren Group is recognized by many as a leading real estate research firm.
Willard Warren, from the Warren group, answers questions about Massachusetts' market for Boston Globe reporter Kimberly Blanton.
http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2008/03/30/will_home_market_blossom_in_spring_a_cold_hard_look/
It makes for an interesting read and compares the market today with the last real downturn back in the 1990's.
Tomorrow is the "road opener" for the Olde Town Team and I for one am excited to see Dice-K throw.
Go Sox!
- Geof
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Blip or Turn Around?
I just had to do it. I know I will (may) be accused for seeing the glass as half-full but I can't resist it when I come across news that says something about the real estate market picking up.
It turns out that existing home sales in February showed a slight up-tick says NAR, and USA Today picked the story up. In short it says that contrary to the analysts predictions and expectations the number of properties sold went up in February.
The complete article is here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-03-24-home-sales-february_N.htm
It's not all good news though, the average price still was headed down vs. a year ago.
Tomorrow morning is Opening Day at the Tokyo Dome. It will seem weird, but I plan on being in front of the tv with my peanuts and orange juice to watch the first pitch.
Go Sox!
- Geof
It turns out that existing home sales in February showed a slight up-tick says NAR, and USA Today picked the story up. In short it says that contrary to the analysts predictions and expectations the number of properties sold went up in February.
The complete article is here: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-03-24-home-sales-february_N.htm
It's not all good news though, the average price still was headed down vs. a year ago.
Tomorrow morning is Opening Day at the Tokyo Dome. It will seem weird, but I plan on being in front of the tv with my peanuts and orange juice to watch the first pitch.
Go Sox!
- Geof
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Interesting Web Sites
We all have them, someone who sends us jokes and other "non-work-related" emails. In my case it's my father-in-law. I enjoy most of them and it's nice that he takes the time to think of me as often as he does.
Anyway, this morning I got an email from him about a website that I thought might be of interest to you all. It is a site that will display demographics based on zipcode.
You go to the site and type in a zipcode. The site then puts together some demographic data about the zipcode and displays it for you.
Give it a try!
http://zipskinny.com/
Also, a brief word about the "validity" of the site might be appropriate at this juncture. If you read the "About ZIPskinny" you will discover that the site was based on 2000 Census data and there also might be some issues with sample size. Browse the About ZIPskinny tab to read the developers message. And as always Caveat Emptor - and remember the credo of all web-denizens, "If it's on the web IT MUST BE TRUE!"
Go Sox!
- Geof
Anyway, this morning I got an email from him about a website that I thought might be of interest to you all. It is a site that will display demographics based on zipcode.
You go to the site and type in a zipcode. The site then puts together some demographic data about the zipcode and displays it for you.
Give it a try!
http://zipskinny.com/
Also, a brief word about the "validity" of the site might be appropriate at this juncture. If you read the "About ZIPskinny" you will discover that the site was based on 2000 Census data and there also might be some issues with sample size. Browse the About ZIPskinny tab to read the developers message. And as always Caveat Emptor - and remember the credo of all web-denizens, "If it's on the web IT MUST BE TRUE!"
Go Sox!
- Geof
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Two Great Condos in Watertown
If you are looking for:
A one-bedroom condo with an open floorplan, parking, a large yard and new kitchen, look no farther than my listing at 37 Melendy Ave., Unit 1 in Watertown. Oh yeah, did I mention that there is also public transportation at the top of the street. And shops, restaurants, taverns and conveniences abound?
or
Three Bedroom, two bath with in-unit laundry, private entrance, parking, new kitchen, private deck and balcony? It also benefits from the location.
Check them out at: http://37melendy.com
Go Sox!
A one-bedroom condo with an open floorplan, parking, a large yard and new kitchen, look no farther than my listing at 37 Melendy Ave., Unit 1 in Watertown. Oh yeah, did I mention that there is also public transportation at the top of the street. And shops, restaurants, taverns and conveniences abound?
or
Three Bedroom, two bath with in-unit laundry, private entrance, parking, new kitchen, private deck and balcony? It also benefits from the location.
Check them out at: http://37melendy.com
Go Sox!
6 Rules for Surviving a Soft Market
Today's Boston Sunday Globe Magazine included an article with the title "6 Rules For Surviving a Soft Market". The article lays out cleanly and succinctly some guidelines for both Sellers and Buyers to help them relax in today's real estate market.
Of course, I look at these articles with keen interest to see if there are any pearls of wisdom to glean especially with the conversations that I find myself in on a daily basis. Almost everyone I see asks me, often without saying "Hello" first, "How's the market?"
What I see in the article is the type of advice I tend to give when asked by buyers and sellers. Here's a link to the story if you didn't happen to see it today.
http://www.boston.com/realestate/gallery/0316six_rules/
-----
Congrats to Daisuke and his Wife on the birth of their second child.
-----
Go Sox!
Of course, I look at these articles with keen interest to see if there are any pearls of wisdom to glean especially with the conversations that I find myself in on a daily basis. Almost everyone I see asks me, often without saying "Hello" first, "How's the market?"
What I see in the article is the type of advice I tend to give when asked by buyers and sellers. Here's a link to the story if you didn't happen to see it today.
http://www.boston.com/realestate/gallery/0316six_rules/
-----
Congrats to Daisuke and his Wife on the birth of their second child.
-----
Go Sox!
Friday, March 7, 2008
A Couple of Newsworthy Items - Capital Gains and Mortgage Guidelines
It seems that every conversation about buying or selling Real Estate naturally comes around to a discussion of finances. Over the last few months there have been a couple of changes, they aren't directly related, but both will more than likely be considered good news depending on your situation. Of course, I'm not a financial advisor so please check with your own advisor to see if either of these changes are appropriate to your situation.
Capital Gains - or - "Wait A Year...."
In a nutshell, the US Congress has finally come around to change a law that was needlessly penalizing folks. As many know, the common advice when a spouse passes away is to "Wait for a year before you make any big decisions." More often than not, these "big decisions" include whether or not to sell a home.
In the past, if you waited too long, your eligibility to avoid some of the Capital Gains Tax often expired during this year of mourning.
Well, the US Congress has changed the law. You can learn more about it at: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20071228_washingtonreport.htm
New Mortgage Guidelines
There are new guidelines from the government loan agencies (Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae) regarding loans written in our region. They have raised the cap amounts and also changed some of the funding guidelines. To read more about this go to:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/03/07/limits_lifted_on_us_backed_mortgages/
Thanks for stopping by.....
Go Sox!
- Geof
Capital Gains - or - "Wait A Year...."
In a nutshell, the US Congress has finally come around to change a law that was needlessly penalizing folks. As many know, the common advice when a spouse passes away is to "Wait for a year before you make any big decisions." More often than not, these "big decisions" include whether or not to sell a home.
In the past, if you waited too long, your eligibility to avoid some of the Capital Gains Tax often expired during this year of mourning.
Well, the US Congress has changed the law. You can learn more about it at: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20071228_washingtonreport.htm
New Mortgage Guidelines
There are new guidelines from the government loan agencies (Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae) regarding loans written in our region. They have raised the cap amounts and also changed some of the funding guidelines. To read more about this go to:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/03/07/limits_lifted_on_us_backed_mortgages/
Thanks for stopping by.....
Go Sox!
- Geof
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