Tri-County, MA Real Estate Blog: December 2009

A CHRISTMAS CARD FOR THESE TIMES.

 

Via Bob & Bonnie Horning (Homes and Land of Lancaster County):

Santa headlines

 

Design by:

Reblog with credit only please.

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Erin Golding

REALTOR

Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc

116 Mechanic St Suite 7

Bellingham, MA 02019

781-571-9039

eringolding@realtyexecutives.com

www.eringolding.listingbook.com

 

3 commentsErin Golding • December 21 2009 12:18PM

Diary of a Snow Shoveler --- Funniest Thing You Will Read This Season

Sound familiar?  Let's home we don't get this much snow in Massachusetts this year!

Via Pocono Mountain Lakes Realty:

I was sent this two Christmas' ago by an old buddy. I laughed so hard I couldn't get rid of it so I saved it to share every Christmas Season with everyone! Enjoy!

Diary of a snow shoveler, probable location - North East
 
December 8 - 6:00 PM

It started to snow.
The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat  for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven.
It looked like a Grandma Moses Print.
So romantic we felt like newlyweds again.
I love snow!
 
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape.
What a fantastic sight!
Can there be a lovelier place in the whole world?
Moving here was the best idea I've ever had!
Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again.
I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.
This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again.
What a perfect life!
 
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow.
Such a disappointment!
My neighbor tells me not to worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas.
No snow on Christmas would be awful!
Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again
I don't think that's possible.
Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
 
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night.
The temperature dropped to -20.
The cold makes everything sparkle so.
The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks.
This is the life!
The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again.
I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.
I wish l wouldn't huff and puff so.
 
December 15

20 inches forecast.
Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer.
Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels.
Stocked the freezer.
The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out.
I think that's silly.
We aren't in Alaska, after all.
 
December 16
Ice storm this morning.
Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt.
Hurt like hell.
The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
 
December 17
Still way below freezing.
Roads are too icy to go anywhere.
Electricity was off for 5 hours.
I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm.
Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her.
Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her.
God I hate it when she's right.
I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
 
December 20
Electricity's back on, but had another 14 inches of the damn stuff last night.
More shoveling!
Took all day.
The damn snowplow came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey.
I think they're lying.
Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out.
Might have another shipment in March.
I think they're lying.
Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me.
I think he's lying.
 
December 22

Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white   shit fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August.
Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss.
By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel.
Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy.  I think the asshole is lying.
 
December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today
And it warmed up to 0.
The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning.
What is she, nuts?!!
Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago?
She says she did but I think she's lying.
 
December 24
6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, l broke the shovel.
Thought I was having a heart attack.
If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snow plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and beat him to death with my broken shovel.
I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been!
Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.
 
December 25
Merry freaking Christmas!
20 more inches of the damn slop tonight -Snowed in.
The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil.
God, I hate the snow!
Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel.
The wife says I have a bad attitude.
I think she's an idiot.
If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
 
December 26
Still snowed in.
Why the hell did I ever move here?
It was all HER idea.
She's really getting on my nerves.
 
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.
 
December 28
Warmed up to above -20.
Still snowed in.
The BITCH is driving me crazy!!!
 
December 29
10 more inches.
Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in.
That's the silliest thing I ever heard.   How dumb does he think I am?
 
December 30
Roof caved in.
I beat up the snow plow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his ass.
The wife went home to her mother.
Nine more inches predicted.
 
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house.
No more shoveling.
 
January 8
Feel so good.
I just love those little white pills they keep giving me.
Why am I tied to the bed?  

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Erin Golding

REALTOR

Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc

116 Mechanic St Suite 7

Bellingham, MA 02019

781-571-9039

eringolding@realtyexecutives.com

www.eringolding.listingbook.com

 

5 commentsErin Golding • December 18 2009 10:53AM

Predictions are Like Buttholes. Everyone Has One.

With 2009 coming to an end and the dawn of 2010 on the horizon we stop and reflect on what was and take out our crystal balls in an attempt to predict what will be.

As members of the real estate community we're constantly asked for our opinion on the market and where it's going.  I was asked by my dental hygienist just last night as she was prodding my gums with her medieval torture device.

My response to her?  I don't know. 

You see it's not that I haven't read all of the economic forecasts, various blog posts from industry insiders, discussed the topic around the water cooler at the office; I have.  It's just that when you ask 10 different people their predictions you get 10 different anwers.

I mean just look at 9/11.  Here we were just plugging along.  Things were going great and bam!  Something happened we never predicted.  Sure some did, but we weren't aware of that.  It was a huge shock to our systems, our confidence, our security, and our market.

So I'm taking this to the extreme.  But think about it.  We can predict and forecast all we want.  We can look at trends and review history.  But we can only say what MIGHT happen.

When I do a CMA for a Bellingham, MA area seller I'm not telling them what their home WILL sell for.  I'm telling them what other homes comparable to theirs HAVE sold for and what theirs MIGHT sell for.

In the same breath I cannot tell a buyer what price the seller WILL accept.  I can only tell them what other homes comparable to this one HAVE sold for and what price the seller MIGHT accept.

It's not a prediction it's an educated guess!

The one thing that always remains a constant is that there will always be a market.  Good or Bad.  Bull or Bear.  Home prices will go up and down.  You'll have equity or you won't. And people will always need a place to live. 

So just sit back and enjoy what you have now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks to Clint Miller for the inspiration on this!

Got your own predictions on the Massachusetts housing economy?  I'd love to hear them!

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Erin Golding

REALTOR

Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc

116 Mechanic St Suite 7

Bellingham, MA 02019

781-571-9039

eringolding@realtyexecutives.com

www.eringolding.listingbook.com

 

11 commentsErin Golding • December 17 2009 10:02AM

Ten Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter, Plus Some in the Greater Lansing Real Estate Market

Nuff said!  email me with any questions. ; )

Via Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood:

I received this list below in my email today, Titled: Ten Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter. This list has been floating around for several years on why to buy and sell real estate in the winterSolutions month's or holiday season. I made a few alterations because this year 2009/2010 is an unusual time for real estate in the Greater Lansing Real Estate Market and could be the best time ever to buy or the worst time ever to sell, depending on your circumstances. I also added a few remarks at the end of the list for your information.

Ten Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter.

1. Fewer Showings, less buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase, plus the home buyer tax credit has been extended until May 1, 2010.

2. Less Competition- Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.

3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays- Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations.

4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month- Did you know that more corporate moves happen during the month of January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter!

5. Timing- By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!

6. More Time to Get Top Dollar- By starting to market your home early you may be able to secure a higher price, with less competition.

7. Great Time to Shop- If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter, this is a great time to move up with the Home Buyer Tax Credit that includes Move up buyers. (provided you have lived in your home for 5 years or longer)

8. More Marketing- Because most agents and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be marketed on more websites and more often than during the spring months.

9. More Attention- Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage. This means better syndication of your listings to more websites, search engines, and portals.

10. The Market- Today's interest rates are at historical lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!

As mentioned above, this could be the best time ever to buy or sell real estate or the worst time ever. That's why it is important to make sure In today's market, you hire someone who knows what they're doing and will work hard to get the job done. My knowledge of the real estate market, technology, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to my client's needs and wants that keep me ahead of the competition.

Buying or selling a home in today's greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Plan ahead to reach your real estate goals by contacting "Your Best Choice" and obtaining additional information on buying and selling at my website.

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
 
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com

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Erin Golding

REALTOR

Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc

116 Mechanic St Suite 7

Bellingham, MA 02019

781-571-9039

eringolding@realtyexecutives.com

www.eringolding.listingbook.com

 

4 commentsErin Golding • December 07 2009 07:54PM

How (Not) to Buy a Bank Owned Home

My buyers and I could write a novel at this point.  Since no one will read a novel in a blog post here's the basic outline:

Do (not) call the listing agent before you show the house.  You (don't) need to know if it's actually still active and on the market.  The listing agent may have a lot of properties but they do (not) always update MLS.  They do (not) always answer the phone but just in case you get their voice mail they do (not) return your call in a timely manner.

Do (not) make an offer below the list price.  The banks are (not) really desperate to sell.  They are (not) looking for full price offers.  They are (not) looking for a good amount down.  They are (not) looking for a quick closing.

Do (not) ask the listing agent when they do (not) call you back if there are multiple offers.  You do (not) need to know as it is (not) necessary to base your offer on this information.

Do (not) make your highest and best offer.  If there are other offers they are (not) most likely at list price or higher.  If you are serious about the house do (not) come out with guns blazing.

Do (not) wait if a bank owned property that is off the market comes back on.  Obviously they do (not) have interested buyers who are waiting for this to happen who will (not) jump at the chance to submit or resubmit an offer.

Hope this helps!  If you have any other tips on how (not) to buy a bank owned home.  Please feel free to (not) add them here!

 

 

 

If you are looking to buy a bank owned home in MA, DO give me a call.  Man, DO I have the experience!

 

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Erin Golding

REALTOR

Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc

116 Mechanic St Suite 7

Bellingham, MA 02019

781-571-9039

eringolding@realtyexecutives.com

www.eringolding.listingbook.com

 

7 commentsErin Golding • December 02 2009 08:54PM