Top Five Questions to Ask at an Open House Posted by Pat Baker on 7/8/2016 If you're searching for a new home open houses can present many learning opportunities. It's your chance to gather information--not only about the particular home you're touring, but also about buying homes in general. It's also your chance to get used to working with real estate agents to learn what they can offer you. Many people arrive at an open house with an open mind. This isn't a bad thing, but it is good to be prepared with some questions for the agent. In this article, we'll talk about some important questions that will help you make the most informed real estate decisions as possible. But first, let's talk open house preparation in general. Open House EtiquetteMany people expect to be pounced upon by an... 07/09/2016

Title: Benefits of an Irrigation System One of the most forgotten tips for increasing a home's resale value is to look into installing an irrigation system. So many people have their property professionally landscaped without realizing how much the selling price of their home will increase by installing a sprinkler system as well. After completing major landscape projects, or improving your lawn by planting grass seed, or laying sod, installing a sprinkler system ensures all your hard work is sustainable. Along with routine maintenance and regular fertilizing, consistent watering is essential to maintain all of your shrubs, flower gardens and lawn. Irrigation systems also help homeowners save time and money when it comes to watering all of these areas. Sprinkler systems really are a gre... 06/24/2016

Here Comes the Housing Inventory!! Here Comes the Housing Inventory!! Wednesday June 15th, 2016Tuesday June 14th, 2016 simplify For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print Almost every real estate conversation revolves around the continuous rise in house values over the last four years. Some have even mentioned a concern about another possible bubble forming. However, the recent increase in prices can be attributed to a very simple principle: supply and demand. DEMAND Demand for single-family housing has continued to increase as the economy slowly moves forward. Recent surveys have shown that over 80% of each generation still believes that homeownership is a part of the American Dream. And a recent Gallup survey showed th... 06/14/2016

Harvard: 5 Reasons Why Owning A Home Makes Sense Financially Real Estate with  Pat Baker Get in Touch Home  Language   Harvard: 5 Reasons Why Owning A Home Makes Sense Financially Monday June 13th, 2016 First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print We have reported many times that the American Dream of homeownership is alive and well. The personal reasons to own a home differ for each buyer, but there are many basic similarities. Eric Belsky is the Managing Director of the Joint Center of Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University. He authored a paper on homeownership titled - The Dream Lives On: The Future of Homeownership in America. In his paper, Belsky reveals five financial reasons why people should consid... 06/13/2016

Is Your First Home Within Your Grasp Now?   Real Estate with  Pat Baker Is Your First Home Within Your Grasp Now? Tuesday June 7th, 2016 First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they are married and have a family. Others may think they are too young. And still others might think their current income would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage. We want to share what the typical first-time homebuyer actually looks like based on the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. Here are some interesting revela... 06/07/2016

Real Estate with  Pat Baker Get in Touch Home  Language   Wall Street Journal: Housing Recovery Picks Up Steam Thursday June 2nd, 2016 For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print Yesterday, we ran a post quoting major housing experts on the increasing strength of the U.S. housing market. We were pleasantly surprised that, on the same day, the Wall Street Journal decided to run a front page story titled, “Housing Recovery Picks Up Steam” (article available to WSJ subscribers). The first paragraph of the article says it best: “Home prices are back to near-record highs across the U.S. amid rising demand and supply constraints, a sign that the lopsided housing-market recovery of the past five years is gaining some str... 06/02/2016

A Possible Housing Meltdown? These Experts Respectfully Disagree   Real Estate with  Pat Baker Get in Touch Home  Language A Possible Housing Meltdown? These Experts Respectfully Disagree Wednesday June 1st, 2016 For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print We want to let you know that “rumors of a new market meltdown” are not based on any reputable data. As proof, we offer you the comments of the following experts who have a totally different view on the current housing market. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR: “In spite of deficient supply levels, stock market volatility and the paltry economic growth seen so far this year, the housing market did show resilience and had its best first quarter of existing-sale... 06/01/2016

Sell NOW Before Competition Hits the Market Sell NOW Before Competition Hits the Market Wednesday May 25th, 2016Tuesday May 24th, 2016 simplify For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Pricing SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print //In their current edition of the Home Price Expectation Survey released last week, Pulsenomics asked this question of the 100+ economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists they surveyed: “In your opinion, what is the primary driver of recent home value growth in the U.S.?” Here are the top four reasons given by those surveyed: As we have stated before, the current lack of inventory in most housing markets has caused home appreciation to increase at greater percentages than historical averages. This means that... 05/25/2016

Where Are Home Values Headed Over the Next 5 Years? Where Are Home Values Headed Over the Next 5 Years? Tuesday May 24th, 2016Thursday May 19th, 2016 simplify First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Pinterest Print //Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. The results of their latest survey: Home values will apprec... 05/24/2016

Finish That Basement! Posted by Pat Baker on 5/20/2016   Does your home have a basement? If you own a home with an unfinished basement, you have a prime opportunity to add significant value to your home. In fact, some states will allow you to count a finished basement's square footage as part of the house, thereby additionally increasing your home's value. Here are a few other incentives for you to start what may be the most lucrative home remodeling project you can undertake as a homeowner. Freedom - Not only does finishing your basement add value to your home, it also gives you an opportunity to create an entirely new floor plan from scratch. You can make a new family den, a couple of small rooms for storage, study, or playtime, or you can construct a fully functioning extra level of ... 05/21/2016

The Urge To Tear Down/ReBuild Needham The article below has captured Real Estate in the town of Needham very well.   It is up to the minute and those interviewed make for a very interesting article.  This is by no means a new phenomenon in the town of Needham however.  There isn't the land availability and where there are new neighborhoods, such as off Charles River Street the homes are in the $2 Million.  Certainly a very good and interesting article by Edgar B Herwick III WGBH News.Having been a long time resident of Needham MA since 1965 I know personally how it is.  Then add the fact that I am a real estate agent working in Needham MA.  It is true what what Will Payne says about "the younger kids have been forced out of town."    The the average list price in Needham $1,426,727.  Pr... 05/14/2016

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Register O'Donnell Reports on April '16   I think the most important information from this report is the phone numbers for residents struggling with foreclosure notices near the end of this report.  I apreciate this report and thought some others may too.   Below are the towns included in Norfolk County Avon Bellingham Brookline Canton Cohasset Dedham (traditional county seat) Dover Foxborough Holbrook Medfield Medway Millis Milton Needham Norfolk Norwood Plainville Sharon Stoughton Walpole Wellesley Westwood Wrentham Real Estate Activity Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported a mixed bag when it came to Norfolk County real estate activity for April 2016. The Register stated, "There was definitely some conflicting statistics when ... 05/14/2016

 Double the Lifespan of Your Home AppliancesTaking care of your home appliances is a lot like taking care of your vehicle. Both are expensive, and if they aren't maintained properly you'll find yourself pouring money into repairs that could have otherwise been avoided. Today we'll cover five common missteps when it comes to up-keeping your household appliances and show you how to plan ahead to save on repairs.•Clean refrigerator condenser coils or fans Just like changing the oil in your car, the best approach to maintaining your appliances is by keeping a schedule. The coils or fans beneath your refrigerator aren't something you probably look at often. But they can get covered in household lint and dirt, which will shorten the life of your unit. We recommend cleaning them twice a year (... 05/14/2016

New Home Buyers Look For Green Options [INFOGRAPHIC]   Real Estate with  Pat Baker   New Home Buyers Look For Green Options [INFOGRAPHIC] Friday April 22nd, 2016 For Sellers, Infographics SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Print   Some Highlights: 11% of new homebuyers stated "energy efficient features" as the reason for their purchase. The most popular remodeling projects done for energy efficiency were insulation upgrades, HVAC replacements, and vinyl & wood window installations. Research shows that word preference does make a difference when it comes to attracting "green buyers." You might also enjoy reading... A+ Reasons to Hire A Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC] 45% of Homes Sold in Less Than A Month! [INFOGRAPHIC] NAR’S Latest Existing Home Sales Report [I... 04/22/2016

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Norfolk County Registrar   Please pay heed to this message from the Norfolk County Registrar. Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scam Continuing his efforts to combat consumer fraud, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today expressed his ongoing frustration regarding Norfolk County residents who continue to receive direct-mail solicitations offering them a certified copy of their property deed for an exorbitant fee ranging anywhere from $59.50-$83.00. Register O'Donnell stated, "These companies are making outrageous profits. If a consumer knew that the Registry of Deeds would provide them a certified copy of a property deed for a charge of only $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 for postage... 04/17/2016

Real Estate: 2016 Will Be the Best Year in a Decade   Real Estate with  Pat Baker   Real Estate: 2016 Will Be the Best Year in a Decade Wednesday April 6th, 2016 First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers SHARE THIS POST:   Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Print A few weeks ago, Jonathan Smoke, the Chief Economist at realtor.com, exclaimed: “All indicators point to this spring being the busiest since 2006.” Now, Freddie Mac has doubled down on that claim and is saying that 2016 will be the best year that the real estate industry has seen in a decade. In their March Housing Outlook Report, Freddie Mac explained: “Despite the challenges facing the housing market, we expect this to be the best year for housing in a decade. Home sales, housing ... 04/06/2016

Home Remodels to Avoid Posted by Pat Baker on 3/25/2016If you are looking for ways to increase the value of your home, then there are some simple guidelines to follow, as well as a few projects you may want to consider avoiding altogether. Depending on the region, a particular home remodel has the potential to make or break a potential sale.Swimming Pools - Homes with swimming pools generally do better in the warmer states, where they can be seen as a welcome addition during the hottest months. However, a home in New England that has a pool is increasingly likely to be viewed as a headache. Maintenance costs, family safety, and seasonal accessibility make this addition one that is in reality more likely to hurt the chances of being able to sell your home quickly. Not to say that you sh... 03/24/2016

Needham MA Open Houses 3/19 and 3/20 2016 MLS #      Status        Address      Town      Description      DOM      Date/Time          List Price71973364 NEW 16 Central Ave Needham, MA : Needham Heights 6 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Garrisonx17 3 Mar 19 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM $649,00071972817 NEW 30 Hunnewell St Needham, MA 6 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath Colonialx30 3 Mar 19 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM $562,90071966257 ACT 155 Noanett Rd Needham, MA 7 room, 3 bed, 2f 1h bath Raised Ranchx18 17 Mar 19 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM $794,50071969525 ACT 25 Enslin Road Needham, MA 12 room, 5 bed, 4f 1h bath Colonialx12 10 Mar 19 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM $1,575,00071965592 ACT 55 Lantern Ln Needham, MA 8 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath Garrisonx13 17 Mar 19 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM $1,334,00071970515 ACT 87 Pheasant Landing Rd Needham, MA... 03/19/2016

What If I Wait Until Next Year To Buy A Home?   Real Estate with  Pat Baker Get in Touch Home  Language   What If I Wait Until Next Year To Buy A Home? Monday March 14th, 2016 First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Print As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As either a first-time or repeat buyer, you must not be concerned only about price but also about the ‘long term cost’ of the home. Let us explain. There are many factors that influence the ‘cost’ of a home. Two of the major ones are the home’s appreciation over time, and the interest rate at which a buyer can borrow the funds necessary to purchase their home. The rate at which thes... 03/16/2016

Gap Between Homeowner’s & Appraiser’s Opinions Widen   Real Estate with  Pat Baker Get in Touch Home  Languag Gap Between Homeowner’s & Appraiser’s Opinions Widen Tuesday March 15th, 2016 For Sellers, Pricing Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Print In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal. If prices are surging, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate, comparable sales (similar houses in the neighborhood that closed recently) to defend the price when performing the appraisal for the bank. Every month, Quicken Loans measures the disparity between what a homeowner believes their house is worth as compared to an appraiser’s evaluation in their Home Pri... 03/16/2016