We are all getting ready to watch some football here in Canton MA. This is Patriots country and all of the football fans are gearing up for the big playoff game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. I have been tying up some loose ends and attending to some things today so it will all be done in time for the kickoff at 4:30 pm. I am sure there are many game watching parties being planned. Some have probably already started. And, I KNOW the tailgating in Foxboro MA has already started. People were in the grocery store this morning stocking up on tailgate supplies. It is a cold day to be tailgating and watching the game outside but at least the sun is out. And, the crew over at Gillette Stadium has been working hard for days to make sure the stadium and parking lot are c... 01/16/2011

Scheduling a Home Inspection for your Home Purchase in Canton MA.................. (or anywhere else!) Upon having an offer accepted, buyers typically ask me about the home inspection - when to schedule it, who to use, what to ask for and who will be present. The home inspection should be scheduled as soon as the buyer has an accepted offer on a property. The Offer will have a specific guideline outlining the deadline for inspection. It is usually between 7 and 14 days on average. As soon as my buyers have an accepted offer, I will go over with them all of the specific deadlines. The first on the list is the home inspection. The home inspection should be scheduled for as early as possible within the inspection period. That way, if there are items needing further inspection is needed or ... 01/15/2011

It's a Beautiful Weekend for Skiing in Canton MA Just a few weekends out from New Years and we have a long weekend. The recent blizzard dumped a lot of snow on us and that can only mean one thing - skiing and snowboarding at the beautiful Blue Hills in Canton MA. Located on the border of Canton MA and Milton MA, the Great Blue Hill is the perfect local place to enjoy a day or evening of skiing or snowboarding. With the Martin Luther King Jr holiday upon us, the ski area is sure to be full of activity. They are open on Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and Monday from 9 am to 9 pm. Lessons and ski rentals are available. Tonight there were skiiers enjoying night skiing under the lights and the parking lot was full. While the cold weather is not for everyone, those of us... 01/14/2011

Canton's Dean S Luce Elementary School is presenting a concert by the up and coming band, The Varsity Girls, tomorrow, January 14th, at 7:00 p.m. at Canton High School. Proceeds from the concert will go towards the new playground fund for the Luce School.   Opening for the band is Canton's own local band, Eco-Project. Eco-Project is a band made up of students from Canton High School. They have their own loyal, local followers and have performed at many events in Canton and other local venues. I heard them perform at last year's benefit concert for Canton's problem solving teams and they are quite good. The Varsity Girls, an all-girl band made up of natives from Fall River, made their public debut last February. Since then, they have released a hit single "Be You" and were chosen to reco... 01/13/2011

The Importance of an Owner's Title Insurance Policy Many clients ask me: If I am required to pay for a Lender's title insurance policy at closing, why do I also need to purchase an Owner's Title Insurance Policy? Title insurance insures against any defects in the title to your property. If a claim is brought by someone claiming legal title to your property, the title insurance company will defend the title and, if the defense fails, they pay out damages according to the terms of the policy. That is the basic description. As part of the closing process, the Lender will require the buyer to pay for a Lender's Title Insurance Policy. This insures the Lender's mortgage interest in the property only and covers only the mortgage amount. That is to say, if there was a valid claim against the t... 01/12/2011

How BUYERS Can Prepare for the Spring Market Much has been written lately about how Sellers need to start getting ready now if they are going to put their home on the market this Spring - staging, de-cluttering, painting. I have also read suggestions for real estate agents to get ready for the spring market - cold calling, listing appointments, marketing.  There are also steps Buyers can take to get ready for the Spring Housing Market. Get Your Loan Preapproval.  Talk with your lender about a mortgage preapproval.  You don't want to start looking for a house in March only to find out you do not qualify for what you thought you would.  Shopping for a mortgage early in the process also gives you time to see who is offering a good program for you and also who will take the time to explain ... 01/11/2011

What is the Difference Between a Short Sale and A Foreclosure? This is a question that has been emailed to me and asked of me by clients.  The basic difference is simple. In a Short Sale, the homeowner still owns the house but is selling the house for less than they owe on it.  In a Foreclosure, the Lender already has taken possession of the house. In a Short Sale, the homeonwer is in financial distress and, generally due to market conditions, need to sell the house for less than is owed on it.  In order to do this, they will need approval from the Lender that holds the mortgage on the property.  The inital negotiations are between the Buyer and the the Seller  homeowner.  It is only after the Buyer and Seller reach an agreement that approval is requested from the Lender.  The Seller's ... 01/10/2011

Canton, Mass.-Real Estate Market Report-2009 compared to 2010! In  2009 there were 120 homes that closed within the year for Canton, MA. This is a increase of  20 units as there were 140 homes that closed in Canton for 2010 The Average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for 2009 was $480,839 The Average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for 2010 was $515,418 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for 2009 was $460,029 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for 2010 was $490,726 The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Canton for 2009 was 135 days. The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Canton for 2010 was 120 days. Thinking of selling your home in Canton or other Norfolk County towns. Call or emai... 01/10/2011

Massachusetts High Court Rules Against Lenders in Foreclosure Case   In a much awaited ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a unanimous decision yesterday that upheld the Land Court's ruling that basically invalidated two foreclosure proceedings due to the fact that Wells Fargo and US Bancorp, the lenders in question, did not hold clear title to the property.  The decision could potentially call into question the validity of titles to real estate throughout the state.   The simplified version of the facts is that the homeowners had mortgages on their property.  As is often the case, the mortgages had been assigned from the original lenders to other lenders.  In fact, the loans were bundled with other loans and securitized and sold.  We have all learned in recent years... 01/08/2011

Useful Tip to Lower Your Mortgage Payment This morning I read about a way to lower your monthly mortgage payment without refinancing.  It is something I had never known about before.  It is called recasting or re-amortization.    It is described in this New York Times Article.   The way it works is that some lenders will allow you to pay a lump sum towards principal on your existing mortgage loan.  They then will reamortize the loan, under the original interest rate, over the remaining term of the loan.  It does not change the rate nor does it extend the term of the loan.  It does, however, reduce the monthly mortgage payment as well as save interest over the life of the loan. The article suggests that it is a useful tool for those who may not be able to refinance due to some past credi... 01/07/2011

Support for Public Education is Alive and Well in Canton MA Canton is lucky to be blessed with an excellent public school system.  Well, maybe it is more than luck.  Overall, the citizens, parents, teachers and elected officials in Canton have time and time again provided support to our public schools whether it be through funding, private donations or just plain moral support. One group in particular that provides funding and support for our schools is the Canton Alliance for Public Education, otherwise known as CAPE.  CAPE is a non-profit, community based foundation that is run completely by volunteers.  Their mission is to promote innovative and unique programs that challenge students and teachers alike and help them reach their full potential.  Throughout the year, the tireless CAPE... 01/06/2011

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! Yes, it is that time of year again!  For those of you Thin Mint fans, it's your favorite time of the year.  The Girl Scouts are out selling their cookies and this is the only time of year that you can get them. Now, I'm all for full disclosure so I feel it is important to note that I have three Girl Scouts living in this house.  I had mentioned the Boy Scouts in a post earlier this week so I felt that it was important to give equal time to the Girl Scouts. While many Girl Scouts will still go selling cookies door-to-door, one thing that has changed from when I was a Girl Scout is that they now have cookie booth sales outside your local supermarkets, at the malls and whereever might be a good place to sell.  Like real estate, it is all about location, locatio... 01/05/2011

Spotlight on Canton MA Real Estate There are currently 113 homes on the market in Canton MA.  There are a wide variety of homes currently on the market to appeal to many different buyers, from a one-bedroom condo listed at $96,000.00 to a six-bedroom home listed at $1,599,000.00.  Canton also offers a variety of neighborhoods, from in-town locations to more rural wooded locations, along with a combination of new and older homes, including single family homes and condominiums.  There is something for nearly every taste and budget, making Canton MA a great place to buy a home. One of my current favorites is an adorable three bedroom cape priced at $283,000.00.  It is quite rare to find a three-bedroom single family home in Canton for under $300,000.00 so this is quite unique.  It is locat... 01/04/2011

New Year...New Plans! Like many people after the holidays, you may be slowly re-organizing yourself and your home in Canton MA. The ornaments might still be waiting to be put away. You've turned the calendar page to January and you're working on what's coming up next.   If you have been thinking of selling your Canton MA home, now is a great time to start the process. You may have heard that the "Spring Market" is the best time to sell you home. Well, the "Spring Market" starts long before the official first day of spring. The time to get your Canton home ready for sale is now!   Getting Ready Checklist: There are several things to do to get ready to sell your Canton MA home. 1. When a seller contacts me, I first set up an appointment to meet at your home to talk with you about your pl... 01/03/2011

Where to Get in Shape for the New Year in Canton MA One of the most common, if not THE most common, New Year's Resolution is to lose weight.  As a Canton MA buyer agent, I have had buyers considering a move to Canton MA ask me if there were any good gyms that were conveniently located near Canton.  So, the answer to that email question also provides a good source of information for those looking to get in shape for the New Year. The good news is that there is a plethora of gyms and work out facilities located in and around Canton MA.  There is one to suit every budget and need. My personal favorite is Elite Health and Fitness Center in neighboring Stoughton MA.  Why is it my favorite?  Well, because that is where I work out!  The staff is very friendly and helpful and they even remember... 01/03/2011

Canton MA Real Estate Market Report - December 2010 If you are thinking of buying a home in Canton MA or selling a home in Canton MA, having information about the current market conditions will enable you to make an informed decision. The Canton MA real estate market is very localized. What happens to real estate markets in other states or even other towns is not necessarily what is happening in Canton. Knowing what is going on with regard to inventory and sales is important for making an informed decision. If you are thinking of selling your Canton MA home you'll want to know how to price it to sell correctly. If you are thinking of buying a Canton MA home, you'll want to know what the sales prices are for homes like the one you want to buy. Here is a summary of the Canton MA real esta... 01/03/2011

What To Do With Your Christmas Tree in Canton Massachusetts Now that the holidays have come to an end, many people in Canton MA will have taken down their lights and removed the ornaments from their Christmas tree.  The tree now looks a little sad - completely unadorned and more than a little bit dried out.  Where does it go now? If you live in Canton MA, you cannot put the tree out for pickup with your regular trash pickup.  Lawn and yard waste, including Christmas trees (and other live greens) are not allowed in the regular trash.  They must be brought to the Pine Street recycling facility, where they will be composted, like other yard waste.  The recycling facility closed for the season on November 30th but is open for Christmas Tree disposal for the first two weeks in January. So, y... 01/02/2011

2011 Is a Great Year to Buy A Home It's the first day of the New Year.  If buying a home is on your list of goals or resolutions, 2011 should be a great year to buy a home. Interest Rates are Still Low It's true that the rates are starting to inch up but they are still historically low.  If you are thinking of buying a home, then consider doing so before the rates head up further.  As the rates go up, the amount of money you can qualify to borrow goes down.  Talk to your mortgage advisor and find out where the rates are and take the time to get that mortgage preapproval.      Not sure where to apply for a mortgage?  Talk to your REALTOR, who can provide you with some recommendations.  If you are looking for a mortgage in Norfolk County, your Canton MA Buyer Agent can provide you with so... 01/01/2011

Ways to Celebrate New Year's in and around Canton MA     Canton Massachusetts' close proximity to Boston and to recreational areas gives Canton area residents many options to choose from on New Year's Eve or Day. One of the most popular ways to ring in the New Year is to attend First Night Boston on New Year's Eve.  Commuter rail trains run from the Canton Center MBTA station and the Canton Junction MBTA station so park your car, jump on the train for a quick ride to enjoy the First Night Festivities. The MBTA is free after 8 pm on New Year's Eve and they are running on an extended schedule.  First Night originated in Boston about 35 years ago and is still going strong.  Festivites start as early as 1:00 pm for those with little ones and run through midnight with fireworks over Boston H... 12/30/2010

Our Offer Was Accepted - Now What? This is the question that I sometimes receive from buyers once they have an accepted offer.   I generally anticipate the question by outlining the important dates and items that need to be addressed and email it or discuss it with my clients as soon as we have that accepted offer.  There are many details that are involved in a real estate transaction so it is important to stay on top of them.  (Each state is different in its practices and norms so keep in mind that this is written for a Massachusetts buyer.) The dates and deadlines are pretty much governed by what is in the final accepted Offer.  And a well-written Offer takes into consideration the upcoming timelines so that they are realistic. Home Inspection Deadline.  That means that the buyer has ... 12/29/2010