7984 Reasons to Sell Your House 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 7984 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 November 15 and January 15. That includes 22 in Sudbury, 12 in Wayland, 17 in Concord, and 18 in Maynard. In Weston, there were 16, 22 in Hudson, and in Acton there were 30!

Sale prices for the properties that accepted offers during the holidays ranged from $108,000 for a condominium in Acton to $5,500,000 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.
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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.

Townhouse in Maynard MA - 11 Oak Ridge Drive Unit 6

    

Perfect for first-time home-buyers, down-sizers, or anyone looking for easy living in a great location! You'll love the private location and move-in ready condition of this 4-level townhouse at Oak Ridge. Open first-floor layout includes a maple/stainless kitchen and adjacent dining room with sliders to a deck where you'll enjoy beautiful wooded views, afternoon sun. The second floor has two spacious bedrooms with generous closets, a linen closet and a full bath with cherry cabinetry, double-sinks. The finished third floor loft with a wood-burning fireplace is perfect for an office, playroom, or private getaway space. Semi-finished lower-level walk-out is ready for your completion. Trane brand gas furnace and air-conditioning, replacement windows, 2015 roof.  MORE...

Bordered by Concord, Sudbury, Acton, and Stow, Maynard is located approx. 25 NW of Boston; an easy commuter location to Waltham, Cambridge, Boston, and west to Route 495. The variety of specialty shops and restaurants, the Fine Arts Place movie theater, library, Art Space, community theater, parks, walking track, farmer's market, Erickson's Ice Cream, golf club, the Assebet River Rail Trail, and the newly designated Maynard Cultural District make Maynard the place you'll want to call home. 

If you haven't been to Maynard, come see what you're missing! And, if you would like to live in Maynard, check out homes for sale at www.MarilynMessenger.com or contact me to arrange a time to talk marilynmessenger@realtor.com

Suburban Condo Prices Up!

Condo prices are way up in Massachusetts are not just in Boston!  Click to link to a recent article in the Boston Globe.

Deer Hedge Run Maynard

Prices are also up over last year in many of suburban towns west of Boston.    

Here are median prices for some of the towns for the past 6 months:

Maynard: $257,000; up 3.4%
Concord: $367,500; up 4.7%
Wayland: $610,000;
Sudbury: $620,000; up 4.8%
Acton: $277,200; up 7%
Stow: $382,000; 7.4%

Active Adult Townhouses, Sudbury MA

Check out condominiums for sale at www.marilynmessenger.com.
and be sure to check out "Is Condo Living for You?" 

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, and broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord has been selling condominiums for 21 years.

Having served on the Board of Trustees at Deer Hedge Run, she understands HOAs (homeowner associations) and the ins-and-out of condominium living. Contact Marilyn at 508-596-3501 for information about condominiums that may fit your needs. If you're thinking about selling; low inventory makes this a good time!

Wayland, Sudbury Among Top Performing Schools

Wayland, Sudbury, Concord, Carlisle, Acton, and Weston were once again in the top performing school districts in Massachusetts.Click the here to view the article and slideshow published by the Boston Business Journal.

Schools have always been a big draw in these town for home buyers who have or are planning to have children. Visit http://www.marilynmessenger.com to see houses for sale in Wayland, Sudbury, and all of the top performing towns. Remember, home buyers have a right to be represented by a buyer agent/broker who will work on your behalf while guiding you throughout the home buying process.

                         

No. 12 - Wayland 
2013 highlights: Wayland's average SAT score of 1791 ranked 13th among all public high schools in Massachusetts last year, while its average PSAT score of 172 was 9th-best in the Bay State.

Sudbury MA Real Estate - Housing Market Stong in Q1!

Watch the slide show for Q1 data

The housing market in Sudbury made a strong comeback in the first quarter of 2013. The number of homes sold and the median price was back to peak, while the number of new listings that came on the market was historically low.

Price It Right: Homes sellers who price their houses correctly are getting offers (multiple offers in some cases) quickly; while those who were overly optomistic and went on the market too high are taking longer and we are seeing price reductions every day.

Be Prepared and Be Careful:  People who are serious about buying are acting quickly, especially those who may have missed out on a home they wanted. Being prepared is more important than ever, however, it is still important to think things through and not to make costly mistakes like waiving the home inspection or offering more than you can comfortably afford.

As the spring season comes into bloom, there will be more houses coming on the market. Stay positive, learn from your experiences and have an experienced and knowledgeable buyer agent/broker on your side.
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Want to know more? Call me at 508-596-3501 or visit www.marilynmessenger.com for listings, real estate information and market reports for Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, and Acton MA
 

Handling the Eyesore

It can be unsightly and upsetting when a home in a neighborhood isn't being maintained like the others. It might be an overgrown yard, a fence in need of repair, paint peeling on the home or even a car parked in front of the home that hasn't moved in weeks.

I believe most people want to be good neighbors and may be willing to correct the issue once it is brought to their attention. In some cases, they may not agree with the same urgency and it might be necessary to seek other remedies.
The most expedient solution may be to contact the responsible person and describe your perception of the problem. An owner-occupant may be sympathetic to the neighbors and more than willing to correct the issue.

However, if you suspect that it is a rental property, check with the county tax records to identify the owner. They may be unaware of the situation and would actually welcome the "heads-up" to protect their investment.

The next step might be to notify the homeowner's association if there is one. The covenants or bylaws will specify how properties must be maintained and the association can enforce them.

The final step would be to notify the city for a possible code violation. Most cities have a separate code and neighborhood services division and some cities have 311 for non-emergency assistance.

Acton (MA)Real Estate - Home Sales and Prices Up in May 2012

Single Family Homes: There are currently 94 single family homes for sale in Acton MA; last year there were 123 at this time. List prices range from $180,500 to $1,099,888. The median list price is $574,950 – 50K less than last year at this time; the average list price is $567,167, last year it was $573,517.

The Acton residential real estate market is very active. Of the 94 single family homes on the market, 25 already have offers accepted waiting for contingencies to clear, so the actual number of single family homes for sale is very low. Additionally, 35 single family homes went pending during May compared to 21 in May 2011.

May Closed Sales: Closed sales and sale prices for single-family homes in Acton were up substantially in May. There were 20 sold compared with just 8 during May 2011. The median sale price was $511,250; up from $432,000. The average was $518,320, up from $475,625. Based on the limited supply of homes on the market, buyers can expect competition and prices for homes increase. However, the market generally slows down during the summer so buyers who want to live in Acton should stay in the market and be prepared to step up if they find a home that suits their needs.

Year-to-date Sales: There were 55 single-family closed sales in Acton between January 1 and May 31 2012 up from 46 during the same period in 2011. The median sale price was $497,500, higher than May 2011 of $453,750. The May 2012 average price was $497,784; the average price in May 2011 was $521,014.

Condominiums and Townhouses: The supply of condominiums and townhouses in Acton has declined from last year at this time; there are 63 for sale compared with 76 last year. Prices range from $85,000 to $680,000. The median price is $289,800; last year it was $261,950. The average is $331,474; last year it was $268,625.

Acton has good selection of new construction attached and detached townhomes. Buyers can have their own buyer agent representing them but remember, the buyer agent must accompany the buyer to the site the first time they visit the site. If you’re interested in new construction, find a buyer agent first. While the agent on-site will be very friendly and helpful, remember, that person’s job is to act in the best interest of the builder, not you! A buyer agent who knows new construction and who knows how to negotiate can save you money.

Closed sales: Condominium sales are down from last year. There were 28 closed sales of condominiums and townhouses from 1/1 – 5/31/2012; there were 32 for the same period in 2011. The median price was $183,600; the average was $231,182; both lower than last year.

Source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network)

Housing Trends eNewsletter & Local Reports Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow and Acton MA

Here is the link to the latest Housing Trends eNewsletter which includes articles for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and renters along with, Massachusetts and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, housing market video reports, blogs, real estate glossary, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, community reports that map shopping, schools, recreation and more. 

All real estate is local so I have also included my own market reports for Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow and Acton. Let me know if you need information about other towns or specific properties.

Acton MA Real Estate Update - Active Start to Spring Market!

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Single Family Homes: There are currently 76 single family homes for sale in Acton MA; last year there were 65 at this time. List prices range from $199,000 to $1,395,000. The median list price is $577,900; the average list price is $594,776, both higher than one year ago when the median was $549,900 and the average list price was $568,882.

The market is Acton is very active. Of the 76 single family homes on the market, 27 already have offers accepted waiting for contingencies to clear. There are also 23 homes with sales pending. The average list price for sales pending is $500,781. The average list price for properties with accepted offers is 516,534 – offers accepted are the most recent activity. We will know the actual sale prices when the properties close.

The average list price for these homes is lower than the average list prices for current listings that do not have accepted offers (unsold listings) and also lower than the average sale price in Acton for 2011. So here the million dollar question: is high activity due to lower list prices and will it continue as sellers ask more? In theory, price is based on supply and demand and if high activity continues and supply declines, then prices should go up; or will buyers step aside again? Stay tuned for next month’s report.

Year-to-date Sales: There were 14 single-family closed sales in Acton between January 1 and March 15; there were 15 during the same period in 2011; and median and average sale prices were both lower. The median sale price was $452,250, down from $553,000 in 2011. The average price was $503,130, also less than for the same period in 2011 when it was $561,560.

Condominiums and Townhouses: The supply of condominiums and townhouses in Acton has declined substantially from last year at this time; there are 46 for sale compared with 65 last year. So it’s no surprise that list prices are higher than last year. Prices range from $85,000 to $750,000. The median price is $272,400; last year it was $229,700. The average is $316,030; last year it was $278,158.

Acton has good selection of new construction attached and detached townhomes, and yes, buyers can have their own buyer agent representing them, however, the agent must accompany the buyer to the site the first time they visit. If you’re interested in new construction, find a buyer agent first. While the agent on-site will be very friendly and helpful, remember, that person’s job is to act in the best interest of the builder, not you!

Closed sales: There were 12 closed sales of condominiums/townhouses from 1/1 – 3/15/2012; exactly the same number as for the same period in 2011. The median price was $163,600; the average was $167,655; both lower than last year.

Source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network)

Visit www.marilynmessenger.com for the latest market reports for Acton, Maynard, Sudbury, Wayland, and Stow. "Like" us on Facebook at Living West of Boston.

Acton MA Housing Market Report; Prices Rebound But Fewer Sales in 2011

Acton MA Market Report - January 2012

5 Year Comparisons 2007 - 2011; December Sales and Current Market Conditions

Median and Average sale prices for single-family homes sold in 20011 rebounded to 2008 levels. The number of homes sold was also very close to 2009; fewer than in 2010 and 2011.

Days on market is an important factor when pricing a house to sell. Buyers always want to know how long a property has been on the market. They assume the longer it's been on the market the more motivated the seller must be and the less they will offer.

December Sales: There were 13 single-family closed sales in Acton during December 2011; there were 14 in September 2010; and median and average sale prices were also less. The median sale price was $635,000, up from $533,900 in December 2010. The average price was $563,173, also up from December 2010 when it ws $545,055.

Current Market: There are 57 single family homes for sale in Acton MA; last year there were 62 at this time. List prices range from $199,000 to $1,100,000. The median list price is $525,000; the average list price is $526,217. both higher than one year ago when the median was $517,400 and the average list price was $541,565.

Of the 57 single family homes on the market, 9 have offers accepted waiting for contingencies to clear; and there are 13 homes with sales pending; 5 are new construction with closing dates ranging from the end of February to the end of May.

Condominiums and Townhouses: There are 52 condominiums for sale. Prices range from $74,900 for apartment/garden style units to $609,800 for new detached single-family style homes with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2 car garages. There are also a variety of young and new attached townhouses in the 400s, some but not all are age-restricted/55+.

There were 8 closed sales during 2011. The median price was $204,000; the average was $246,008.

Source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network)