Condo Living - Are Your Ready?

Under Contact! End-Unit at Deer Hedge Run  - 3 Level Townhouse.
Comfort, Convience, Location! Click for photos and details!
Call today!

A condominium is a shared form of property ownership that includes 1) a divided interest - the inside of an apartment, townhouse, part of a duplex, a unit in a mult-family, or detached home; 2) an undivided interest, i.e. roofs, exterior siding, recreational facilities, elevators, etc.; 3) and there can also be exclusive use areas, i.e. parking spaces, decks, balconies, garden areas.

If you are a first time home buyer, you can generally get more living space for the same price as a single-family home, developments tend to be newer, and some offer amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers.

If you are just too busy or not interested in working around the house, owning a condominium is a good option for you. Exterior maintenance is taken care of by the homeowner association so you don't have to be concerned about exterior painting, landscaping, snow plowing, roof replacement, etc. - the benefits of home ownership without a lot of the work!

SOLD - New Construction at The Regency in Stow
Attached and Detached Townhouses for Adults 55+

A lot of empty-nesters are ready for a change and have someone else take care of things, especially during the winter months! Wouldn't it be nice to just lock the door and go somewhere warm next winter without having to worry about who's going to shovel?

There are a variety condominium options for people over 55+/active seniors in Sudbury, Concord, Wayland, Hudson, Acton, and many of the nearby towns including resales and  new construction. Click here to see condominiums for sale.

Condo living is a great lifestyle if you're someone who wants easy living; doesn't mind having close neighbors; is OK with letting other people make decisions, or is willing to volunteer to be on the Homeowners Association Board of Trustees (HOA), and won't mind trading some personal freedoms in return for convenience.

Buyers know that condominiums/homeowner associations have rules that govern the community. Any offer to purchase a condominium should include a contingency that says the offer is "subject to satisfactory review/acceptance of all documents..." 

Most HOA (Home Owner association) rules are pretty standard, and your attorney can tell you which ones you can expect to find in most places. However, communities can and do amend the rules over the years so rules can vary. Parking and pets and pools seem to be the biggest issues but there may also be rules about holiday decorations, gardening, decks, facility usage; bicycle and baby carriage storage, rental restrictions - some communities do not allow any rentals. Some associations restrict what vendors you can use to replace the windows and doors... Yes, units owners are often responsible for windows, doors; know what you will be responsible for.

Your lender will review the budget and send a questionnaire asking about the overall well being of the development - i.e. number of owner occupied units, if there are any pending lawsuits, special assessments; but as the buyer, it is really important for YOU to read the rules. Only you can know if you'll be comfortable living by the rules that govern the condo development you'll be sharing; and the best time to do that is before you make an offer. Once you accept the condominium rules (or not) you can move forward and enjoy the lifestyle that's right for you!  

------------------------------------------------

It has been a pleasure representing condominium (including new construction) sellers and buyers in Sudbury and the nearby towns west of Boston for 25+years. If you are planning to buy or sell a condominium, I would be happy to help you. Call 508-596-3501.

Here are some of the condominiums my clients have bought and sold in the towns west of Boston:

 

Audubon Hill, Acton  - 55+

Oak Ridge Maynard

Ingham Lane West Concord

WestRidge Hudson

Springhouse Pond Sudbury

   

Deer Hedge Run Maynard

Regency at Stow

Home Selling - Price Matters!

Price Reductions Concord, Acton, Sudbury...

The housing market started strong in 2020 with media reports about low inventory, higher prices, bidding wars/multiple offers, crowded open houses, and houses selling in a day or two! And, there were the letters and calls from real estate agents with some even knocking on doors to say they have buyers for your home. Wow, it's a seller's market! So why wouldn't a  home-seller think they could ask whatever price they want?

Pricing is based on supply and demand and clearly we have been having supply shortages for the past couple of years and with COVID-19 inventory is even lower; and yes, there are still buyers ready to buy! The truth is though, that even in a hot seller's market, buyers still have their limit and they will not make an offer on a house that they perceive to be over-priced.

Why? Because people are too polite to make a low offer; they don't want to insult anyone. Or, they assume that sellers expect list price or close to list price and won't be willing to negotiate. Making an offer on a house is a big decision and there is a lot of work and emotions involved. They do not want to be disappointed and they don't want to waste their time. Buyers want to make offers that they believe they have a good chance of being accepted.

What about more marketing? Some sellers will ask their agent to do more marketing - more pictures, more advertising, more open houses - of course, open houses are not an option for now and may not be for a long time. Sure, these activities may help get buyers' attention but ultimately PRICE is the most important part of marketing. Price is what gets a property in front of the right buyers, not just people who are looking...

Home sellers who over-estimated the demand for their property have always had to adjust their pricing even in so-called sellers-markets. 2019 was a sellers market in Sudbury and there were 148 price reductions on single-family properties. In 2018, also a sellers market, there were 150 price reductions, and year-to-date as of 4/23/2020, there have been 32 price adjustments/reductions on 28 homes for sale in Sudbury. Data in Concord and other nearby towns is similar. Click for real-time price reductions.

Pricing a house for the market is not an exact science and although we can look at "comps" - comparable properties that are currently for sale along with sales pending and closed sales, but the data does not always reflect what a buyer would actually be willing to pay. Market conditions are fluid and are always changing. The Corona-virus is certainly teaching us that we can't depend on how markets behaved yesterday, all we can do is adjust.

------------------------------------------------
Thinking about selling your home? Although no one can predict how future markets will react, there are always things that need to be done to plan for your move. Understanding your options and having a solid plan in place will be the keys to your success when the time is right for you. It's never too soon to start planning, so let's talk soon. Conctact me anytime - marilynmessenger@realtor.com; 508-596-3501. Get the latest market information at www.marilynmessenger.com.

The Gift of Home Tax-free!

December is not only when we give gifts to our loved-ones for the holidays but it's also the time to review tax-saving options for 2019 and plan for 2020 and what could be a better gift than tax-free help with a down-payment for a new home?

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even friends can start to pass along/gifting their estates while reducing inheritance taxes and getting to see their family enjoy the benefits of their gift

Under current IRS guidelines (please consult your accountant for tax advice and ramifications) each

parent or relative can give up to $15,000 to each child or relative every year. That would mean that a mother and father can each give $15,000 a year to each son, daughter, and/or grandchild that would amount to $30,000 a year in total per couple for each person that you gift.

If both sets of parents want to help with the down-payment on a house; each of the parents can give each borrower a gift of $15,000 per year. That would add up to $60,000 for both of you! That is a significant amount of tax-free money to help you buy a home for your family! Of course, a gift can also be less than $15,000, so give what you can.

That amount is per calendar year and not based on every twelve months. That would mean that they could give $60,000 (or more) in December 2019 and an additional $60,000 (or more) in January

2020. With less than one-month left , this is the time to bring up the subject with your family. What could make them happier than helping you buy a house and saving money on taxes?

For most types of mortgage loans, you will need to have 5% of the amount of the down-payment on your own, however, there are exceptions. To find out the exceptions and details about how gift money can be applied to your down-payment contact a reputable mortgage broker.

More about tax-free gifts and life-time limits: https://smartasset.com/retirement/gift-tax-limits

--------------------------------------

About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, and Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist is associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord has been representing home buyers and sellers in Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, and Concord MA since 1993. www.MarilynMessenger.com for more. Visit www.marilynmessenger.com to see homes for sale, get the latest real estate market reports, and learn about having your own buyer agent on your side.

4478 Reasons to List Your House For Sale Over the Holidays

Holiday Season is a Great Time to Sell!

The holiday season is such a hectic time for people. Getting together with family and friends, traveling, shopping, decorating, company parties, charity events... 

So why would a home-seller keep their house on the market and even more, why would anyone list their house for sale during this busy time? A lot of real estate agents (who don't work over the holidays) will tell you that no one buys houses over the holidays anyway and you'll get more money if you wait until Spring like everyone else does, right?

Well actually, there are 4478 reasons why! That is the number of single-family and condominium home sellers in Middlesex County who accepted offers on their houses last year between Thanksgiving and January 2. That includes 6 in Sudbury, 14 in Wayland, 17 in Concord, and 8 in Maynard. In Weston, there were 14, 10 in Hudson, and in Acton there were 14.

Sale prices for the properties that accepted offers during the holidays ranged from $160,000 for a condominium in Acton to $5,345,000 for a luxury estate in Weston; and all prices ranges in between. 

So why do houses sell over the holidays? Because:

• Buyers have time to look; unused vacation days; companies give their employees extra time for shopping.
• Holiday/year-end bonuses.
• Pay-raises.
• Motivated buyers who missed out or were out-bid in the Spring, Summer and Fall markets.
• New jobs - companies hire for the new year. Relocating buyers need to make decisions soon.
• People get engaged, married, combine households and need more space.
• Visiting family brings out the nesting instinct.
• Down-payment holiday gifts - click here to out how your family can give money tax-free.
• Good deals; buyers are seeing price reductions from sellers who are ready to move.
• People are in the mood to shop and there's nothing better than buying a house!

As for selling for more money in the Spring, if you are selling your house you are most likely going to buy another place to live. If prices are higher in the Spring, then you will also pay more for your next house. You may sell for less at this time of year but you will also pay less. If your end-goal is to buy another house, then understand that selling is just a step n the process toward buying. You will be ready to act as soon as houses come on the market while other buyers are waiting to sell.

So if your house is currently on the market, hang in there; the inconvenience can be worth it. If you are planning to sell, do it now. You'll be ahead of the competition and be ready to move forward.

--------------------------------

If you are ready to buy or sell in Concord, Wayland, Sudbury, or any of the towns west of Boston - call Marilyn at 508-596-3501 or visit www.marilynmessenger.com to see homes for sale in Massachusetts.

Down-Payment Gifts Save Taxes!

What could be a better gift than tax-free help with a down-payment on a home?

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even friends can start to pass along/gifting their estates while reducing inheritance taxes and getting to see their family enjoy the benefits of their gift

Under current IRS guidelines (please consult your accountant for tax advice and ramifications) each parent or relative can give up to $15,000 to each child or relative every year. That would mean that a mother and father can each give $15,000 a year to each son, daughter, and/or grandchild that would amount to $30,000 a year in total per couple for each person that you gift. 

If both sets of parents want to help with the down-payment on a house; each of the parents can give each borrower a gift of $15,000 per year. That would add up to $60,000 for both of you! That is a significant amount of tax-free money to help you buy a home for your family! Of course, a gift can also be less than $15,000, so give what you can.

That amount is per calendar year and not based on every twelve months. That would mean that they could give $60,000 (or more) in December 2019 and an additional $60,000 (or more) in January

2020. With less than one-month left , this is the time to bring up the subject with your family. What could make them happier than helping you buy a house and saving money on taxes?

For most types of mortgage loans, you will need to have 5% of the amount of the down-payment on your own, however, there are exceptions. To find out the exceptions and details about how gift money can be applied to your down-payment contact a reputable mortgage broker. 

More about tax-free gifts and life-time limits: https://smartasset.com/retirement/gift-tax-limits  

--------------------------------------
About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, and Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist is  associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord has been representing home buyers and sellers in Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, and Concord MA since 1993. www.MarilynMessenger.com for more. Visit www.marilynmessenger.com to see homes for sale, get the latest real estate market reports, and learn about having your own buyer agent on your side. 

Columbus Day Sales in Full Swing - Houses Too!

Yes, retail stores are starting their holiday sales on Columbus Day! Too soon? Well, maybe, but not for homeowners who want to sell their houses and homebuyers who want move before the holidays or at least before the winter...who wants to be moving in the snow and ice?

Serious sellers who are putting their houses on the market now need to make sure they are pricing their homes realistically and those who have been on the market for a while and over estimated what buyers would be willing to pay need to reduce their prices; and many are doing that. We're seeing price reductions everyday in towns where you may not expect it - Concord, Weston, Newton, Arlington, Wayland, etc.. Luxury home buyers have some especially good opportunities right now. If you are planning to buy a house and want to be in for the holidays or soon after, Columbus Day is the day to get going!

Unlike shopping for clothing, electronics, mattresses, or even a car where you can get same day
pickup or take possession within a couple of days, it takes time to close on a house. If you're selling you need to get the house ready and your agent needs time to market the property in order to secure the right buyer. If you are buying, you need to contract with a buyer agent, decide on a property, do your due diligence, have your home inspection, have your attorney review documents and have your mortgage approved and cleared to close.

 The timeline from offer acceptance to closing on a home is generally 45 to 60 days. Some lenders can get everything done in 30 days if all of your paperwork is in order and the appraisal can be completed quickly, but that is too stressful for most buyers and most offer 45 to 60 days. Even cash deals can take a couple of weeks - title searches and paperwork still need to be completed by attorneys, etc.

The Fall real estate market is in process and if you want to be home for the holidays, take a page from retailers and start now. Oh and about those great retail sales, it's a good idea to hold off on your purchases and not run up debt on your credit cards. Lenders don't like to see a lot of new debt when they are reviewing your eligibility for a mortgage. They'll be plenty of bargains, especially on home-goods, after the holidays... and you'll have a great time filling your new home! Check out homes for sale and contact me if you'd like to be home for the holidays - https://www.marilynmessenger.com

============================
About Marilyn - https://www.marilynmessenger.com/recommendations-for-marilyn-messenger

Summer Surprises! What Really Happened in Real Estate...

More Sales and More Price Changes in Sudbury

There were lots of headlines and news stories during the summer about fewer homes sales and higher prices.

While that is true for most places, all real estate is local and you may be surprised that Y-T-D through 7/31, there were actually more sales and either flat or lower sale prices in some of the towns west of Boston. The other data that is not reported are price reductions; even in the hot seller's market, there were price reductions. Reading headlines can be misleading and there were home-sellers who thought they could list their houses for whatever price they wanted and after a while on the market realized that correct pricing matters in any market. 

Check out what happened in the Sudbury, Wayland, Concord, Maynard, and Stow markets and also see the latest report for luxury properties in the Greater Boston area.

Contact me anytime if you are interested in information about other towns or specific properties.

 --------------------------------
Easy Home Search - No signup required

Summer Mark-Downs in August - Appliances, Furniture, Clothing...And Houses Too!

August is mark-down time! ! Appliances, home furnishings, back to school items, clothing, gas grills, air conditioners...just about everything goes on sale in August making it a great time to get the deal you've been waiting for and that may include the dream home you've had your eye on but thought the price was a too high for you to make an offer.

Sure, the housing market is still hot and there are some bidding wars happening and buyers need to be prepared to step up, but as hot as the market may be, things are slowing down. August is always the time of year when we see price reductions. Sellers who were overly optimistic when they priced their houses finally recognize that they may not sell for the amount they wanted and are ready adjust their expectations. They know that they've missed out on the buyers who needed to be in for the start of the school year and if they are serious about moving, they will do what is necessary.

Back in May, I wrote a post entitled  "Price Reductions in a Hot Market" that talked about the fact that price reductions were happening and some of the reasons why. Many of those houses have sold but others still have not. There were sellers who held off adjusting their prices and waited until July and going into August are ready to make a deal! And by the way, you may be surprised to hear that these reductions are happening in towns you never thought you would see them in - Concord, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, and even Newton!

Concord - 87 price reductions during the 12 months ending 7-30-2018

Sudbury - 127 Price Reductions during 12 months ending 7-30-2018

So whether you were one of the many buyers who lost out to higher bids in the Spring or just starting to look and wondering if you'll be able to get an offer accepted, this is the time! Remember though, markets change continuously and come mid-September, they'll be a whole new group of buyers competing again. If you want to take advantage of August sale month, visit www.MarilynMessenger.com where you can see homes for sale and contact me to talk about which sellers might be ready to make a deal!

Hot Times for Condos!

Everyone has heard by now that the real estate market is as hot as the weather this summer! The demand for condominiums, including townhouses, detached single-family, duplex, and high-rise and mid-rise apartment-styles is especially high. This is partly due to the lack of supply of single-family homes for sale but also because condominiums offer the easy life-style that is attractive to first-time buyers, down-sizers, and anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of home-ownership without a lot of the work.

The Regency at Stow, still under construction, is sold out!

New communities that are being built for active adults/55+ are selling out faster than they can be completed. The Regency at Stow, a 66 unit development is sold out. Highcrest at Meadow Walk near the Whole Foods in Sudbury is also moving fast with 13 units already under contract. There have also been resales at Mohoney Farms and Dudley Brook in Sudbury; and at WestRidge in Hudson. 

SOLD at WestRidge - Single family condo - $595,000

As the supply of non-age restricted condominiums continues to remain low, prices are continuing to rise!

Year-to-date, the median sale price of $454,950 for all styles of condominiums in Middlesex County is up 7.05% over last year and the average price of $510,365.42 increased by 5.60%.

Good news for sellers but tough times for buyers who need to be prepared to step up and in many cases be willing to compete, especially for units that are completely updated and move-in ready. For buyers who are willing to do some updating on their own, competition is a bit less fierce.

If you are looking for easy living in a great location near Concord, Acton, and Sudbury, here is an excellent opportunity at Deer Hedge Run in Maynard that's listed for $290,000 with 3 finished levels plus a full basement, 2016 furnace and a/c, an eat-in kitchen, open-concept living/dining room, and parking directly in front of the unit. Click for details.

             

-------------------------------------------
Homes for sale at www.marilynmessenger.com
Contact Marilyn
-------------------------------------------

Price Reductions in a Hot Market

Everyone knows the real estate market is hot, right? Low inventory, multiple offers, homes selling at

prices thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars over asking...all good for home sellers! There's never been a better time to sell! Ask the price you want, put a few photos on the Internet, have an open house and voila, SOLD!

With all the hype, it's easy for a seller to over-estimate what buyers will pay and they are surprised to find out that even in the hottest market, an incorrectly/over-priced house will not meet market expectations and it will languish, become stale and buyers pass it by instead of making an offer. Or else if someone does make an offer it may be so much lower that the seller gets upset and refuses to negotiate.

A lot of home sellers are reluctant to acknowledge that their house is not priced correctly. After all, who likes to admit that they made a mistake or that the value of their home just isn't as much as they thought or wanted? So instead they try offering a credit, advertise that they will fix or replace something, take new photos, and insist that their real estate agent provide the "special marketing" to find the one buyer who will be willing to overpay. They will do anything other than what they know they need to do to fix the problem - change the price!

The reality is that sooner or later home sellers who really want to sell (motivation matters), will come around to the fact if they want to sell, they must reduce the price. But who would have thought that is be happening in Concord and Sudbury, two of the most desirable towns west of Boston? Well, it is! In Concord there have been 87 price reductions during the past 12 months and 22 during the month of May - as of 5/18. In Sudbury, there have been 75 price reductions Y-T-D and 36 month-to-date in May. And, it's happening in other places too! Pricing matters in any market, in any location!

Price reductions may not be what sellers want, but getting the house sold is the goal and reducing the price increases the opportunity to get a house listing in front of the right audience, stimulate interest and accomplish the intended goal. 

And of course for buyers, seeing a price reduction might mean you can finally go after the house you've been waiting for! Keep in mind though, if you've been hoping for a price reduction on a particular house, chances are someone else has too. You still need to be prepared to step up and with the right help an experienced buyer broker to negotiate on your behalf, you can make it happen!
-----------------------------------------
Find your next home at www.marilynmessenger.com - and don't forget to sign up for daily updates so you don't miss out on any new listings and price reductions.

The Golden Rule for Home Buyers

Buying a home is an emotional experience that can bring out the best and sometimes the worst in people. Even people who are generally considerate sometimes forget how to behave when they are looking for a house. After-all it’s not something people do every day, it’s a big purchase and it’s at least a little scary for most people.
 
When there’s more than one person involved they may not agree, the kids are cranky from driving around, and everyone is concerned about making the right decision. All of these stress factors can cause people to act in ways they never would otherwise.

Here are some things to keep in mind to help you through the process:

1. When you contact a real estate agent or call an office be prepared to give some basic information – name, address, phone number, and if you are pre-approved for a mortgage.

 

2. If you are not pre-approved for a mortgage, don’t be offended if an agent won’t show you a house. Instead, ask who you can contact to get pre-approved. It’s a waste of everyone’s time and agents have a responsibility to show homes only to qualified buyers. If you’re not ready to get pre-approved, then you’re not ready to look at houses!

3. If you go to an open house be prepared to sign-in and give correct information. If you are under contract with a buyer agent make sure you write that on the sign-in sheet. If you don’t want the agent at house to contact you just write please do not contact next to your information. Refusing to sign-in is rude and sets a tone of distrust – what if you really like the house? You’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot. Giving false information is never OK. Remember, you’re in someone’s home!

4. Houses are shown by appointment, so plan ahead. If someone is living there, they need some notice to pick up and get out – very few people can keep their house ready for visitors with a moment’s notice – can you? Even new construction is shown by appointment – there might be workers at the house, etc.

5. Real estate agents and home sellers have schedules. It is not realistic to call an agent or an office from in front of a house and expect an agent come right out to meet you.

Imagine calling your accountant, hair-dresser, plumber, mechanic, financial planner, or anyone else and expecting on the spot service!

6. Set up a meeting with an agent so you can talk about your needs and get to know each other. Buying a home is a big investment and can take several months – don’t you owe it to yourself to invest an house upfront?

7. Buying a home involves the whole family, so it’s OK to bring the kids (although, you will certainly be able to focus better without them…) If you bring them, make sure they understand that they are visiting someone’s home. Keep them by your side at all times, especially in new construction where things are unfinished and may be dangerous. It’s for their safety and for the safety of the homeowners’ possessions – wouldn’t you feel awful if they broke something? And please don’t let them play with the home-owners’ kids toys – they wouldn’t want anyone playing with their things.

8. Treat the house with respect. Of course, you need to look in closets and cabinets, etc. but dresser drawers, medicine cabinets, personal belongings are off limits. Never sit on someone’s bed or use the master bath – sellers know they give up some privacy when their homes are on the market but again, put yourself in their shoes!'

9. Relationships are about trust and mutual respect - loyalty matters. If you are under contract with a real estate agent, always contact that agent when you need information. People can get impatient sometimes or they don’t want to “bother” their agent so they start calling offices or listing agents demanding information or pretending that they are going to be clients.

Call your agent – he/she will call you back. If your agent doesn’t return calls and give you the information you need then find another agent. If you can’t stop yourself from calling an office or listing agent directly, make sure that you disclose that you are working with an agent right away and that you would appreciate some information.

10. The Golden Rule – as with everything else, if you treat people (real estate agents) and property the way you want to be treated, the home-buying process will be efficient, and the transaction will be a lot easier. If you’re not sure what the protocol is, just ask – we’re here to help.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marilyn Messenger, a Certified Residential Specialist and an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) and associated with Andrew Mitchell & Company, has been representing buyers and sellers in Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, Stow, Acton, and west of Boston MA since 1993. See what clients say.

Homes for sale 
Buyer Agency