Who's Buying Houses in Stow?

Stow is one of the most beautiful towns west of Boston and the video above shows three properties that my buyer clients including first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and active adults/55+ purchased over the summer.

So what did they buy in Stow? The first home shown, a classic 4 bedroom colonial-style, was purchased by first-time buyers who wanted quiet and privacy and land. They were happy to trade off granite counters and stainless steel appliances for a quiet location and a gorgeous acre lot!
The house needs some updating but the purchase price was under-budget and they are willing and able to do some work to have a place they can call home for many years to come!

The second photo is a new development for seniors/55+ that includes attached and detached townhouses with first-floors master suites, full basements, and 2 car-garages. The buyers are moving to Stow to be closer to their grandchildren in Concord. They are happy to have their own buyer agent helping navigate the buying process and help them get to know the area. More about buyer agency for new construction...

The third house is nicely updated expanded split-level home also on an acre lot with a gorgeous backyard. These move-up buyers who sold their townhouse in Maynard were willing to trade a neighborhood location for a more main road to get the amount of interior space and outdoor area they want for entertaining fiends and family!

Homes for Sale in Stow: There are 19 single-family houses for sale in Stow; last year there were 24 for sale. List prices in Stow range from $349,000 to $1,200,000. Lower inventory is putting upward pressure on prices in Stow but there are still some good values available. The median list price for a single-family home is currently $699,000; last year it was $582,400.

The median home sale price for a single-family home in Stow has gone up 14.91% since 2013!  See the most recent market report for Stow. 

With it's abundant apple orchards, farm stands, and golf courses, Stow is a very popular place for people to visit in the Fall. If you've been in your house for 5 or more years and are thinking about selling traffic will be peaking soon so let's talk - 508-596-3501.

Perfect Fall Day in Stow  - October 2016!

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed broker, Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Luxury Homes Specialist and Million Dollar Guild Member associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company, has been representing buyers and sellers  in Stow, Maynard, Concord, Sudbury, Wayland & west of Boston since 1993.

Benefits of Written Agreement for Buyers



Happy Homeowners in Sudbury

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Most consumers know that if they want to “hire” a real estate broker/agent to sell their home and represent their interests, they are going to sign a contract. Realtors® are not allowed to list a property without one. The contract clearly spells out the terms of the agreement including length of time, compensation, who the agent represents and each party’s responsibility.

While buyer agency is not a new concept - it has been legal in MA for almost two decades and a few years ago the law that governs agent-consumer relationships was updated to further ensure consumer protection - many buyers and some agents still don’t understand the benefits of a written Buyer Agency Agreement/contract.

Buyers often call me to ask for help finding a home and many tell me they have had disappointing experiences with "their buyer agent." When I ask if they had a contract with the agent, they answer is almost always “no”.  Well, of course they are disappointed! How did the agent know what the buyer expected? And were the buyer(s)' expectations realistic?

The benefit of a contract is that both the buyer and the agent know what to expect and that each is accountable. The buyer knows which geographic areas the agent covers, they know how the agent is going to be compensated, and that the agent is legally obligated to act in their behalf.

Buying a home is a process that takes time, effort and tenacity; it's a long way from finding a house that suits your needs to getting to the closing table. Successful negotiations are based on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. Buyers, you are entitled to have a qualified buyer agent on your side to ensure you get the representation you deserve and a written agreement is the first step.

While any agent can call themselves a buyer's agent, an ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative, has additional training and is a member of the Real Estate Buyer Agency Council, the network that provides ongoing education and resources for representing buyers.

Before you start looking for a house find a qualified buyer broker/agent who will listen to you and respect your needs; one who knows the market in the area, knows how to negotiate, has a network of resources - lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, movers, etc.; and who will educate you so you can make the best decisions about your new home. Real estate is about relationships, so make sure you have your own agent who knows and cares about your well-being.

Click here and check out "I am an ABR" on Facebook at Living West of Boston and get the latest real estate news and community information about about Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow and the beautiful towns west of Boston.

Stow MA Real Estate Report - More Homes for Sale in Stow!

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Welcome to the Stow MA Real Estate Market Conditions Report for August 2011.

Good time for buyers who would like to live in Stow. Current inventory for single family homes is up from last year at this time - 61 for sale compared with 45. The median list price is $419,900; last year at this time the median list price $437,700. The average list price is $465,496, almost exactly the same as last year. Of the 61 active/unsold single-family home listings, 4 have offers accepted waiting for contingencies to clear.

There are 3 single family homes with sales pending. Closed sales for the year through 7/31 were higher than last year - 47 up from 36. Median and the average sale prices were also higher - the median sale price was $507,800; the average was $472,488. The 2010 median sale price for the same period was $446,250; the average was $450,278.

July 2011 sales were slightly lower than July 2010 - 7 compared with 9. Median and average sales prices were higher than July 2010 but a bit lower than the median and average prices for the first 7 months of 2011.

Looking for easy living? There are 11 condomiums available in Stow; 4 townhouse style and 7 detached single family style with prices ranging $329,900 to $489,000.

Want to see what's on the market in Stow? Click here for complete MLS Listings.

Visit us at www.facebook.com/livingwestofboston to get market updates and community information about Stow, Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, and Weston.

Data source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network.

Stow MA Market Update - More Homes Sold in 2010; December Sale Prices Up

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Stow MA Real Estate Market Conditions Report for 2011.


Here is what's going on in Stow: Currently, there are 42 single family homes for sale in Stow MA; last year at this time there were 32. List prices for single family homes in Stow range from $199,000 to $699,900; with prices for new construction starting at $549,900.

The median list price is less than it was last year at this time - $438,350 compared with $591,400 last year; and the average is also less: $460,941 compared with $541,621 last year. Average time on the market is 222 days. There are 4 single family homes with sales pending.

There were 54 single family homes sold in Stow during 2010; up from 50 in 2009. Both median and average sale prices were lower in 2010; the median was $446,250; the average was $451,194. The 2009 median sale price was $470,000; the average was $494,166. December 2010 ended on a more positive note with the median sale price of $611,000 and the average sale price of $564,250; while the number of homes sold was the same at 4.

Lower list prices and historically low interest rates make this a great time to move to Stow! Visit http://www.marilynmessenger.com/ to search complete MLS listings with addresses and maps; news and information and market reports for Sudbury, Stow, Maynard, and Weston MA. Facebook users - "like" and search without leaving FB at www.facebook.com/livingwestofboston.


Data source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network.

Stow MA Real Estate - Prices Edge Up As Inventory Declines

There are currently 33 single family homes for sale in Stow MA. Four of the 33 already have accepted offers waiting for contingencies to clear. Last year at this time there were 39 listings. Both median and average list prices are up from last year at this time. The median is $599,900 compared with $498,900 last year; the average is $544,758 compared with $539,955.


List prices for single-family homes in Stow range from $157,500 to $1,095,000; 3 bedroom homes start at $208,026; 4 bedroom homes start at $399,000; and new homes with 1,900 square feet start at $539,900.

Currently, there are two homes with sales pending. Year to date (through 11/30), there have been 50 closed sales; the median sale price was $470,000; the average was $494,666. There were 5 closed sales during November 2009; exactly the same number of sales during November 2008. The median sale price was $572,000; the average was $565,000; both higher than the previous November median price of $555,000; and average $530,000.

Low interest rates are good for buyers, however, fewer choices give sellers a bit of an edge and will eventually put upward pressure on price. For now, I would say were still a ways from being a balanced market since most buyers look at more than one town and are likely to find areas where there are more homes available. In any case, don't believe the headlines - all real estate is local and especially in Massachusetts conditions can vary greatly from town to town, and often it's right down to the particular price range.

To find out about available homes in Stow MA, visit www.marilynmessenger.com where you'll find complete MLS listings with addresses and maps, along with local market information and news.



Source: MLSPIN

Sudbury Real Estate (MA) - Sales Up in November!

Here's what's going on in the Sudbury MA real estate market. Overall single family inventory is up from last year at this time - 98 current listings compared with 88 last year; however, the increase is primarily in two prices ranges: 1 million to $1,499,900 – 24 up from 17 last year; and 350K to $399,900 – there are 6, last year there was one. The number of homes for sale in other prices is the same or less than last year at this time.Prices for single family homes In Sudbury range from $189,000 to $3,298,000.

The median list price is a bit lower than last year at this time - $904,250 compared with $909,450; the average list price is also lower - $1,127,364,364 compared with $1,135,613; time on the market has increased; 244 compared with 205.

Recent activity shows there are 11 single-family homes with accepted offers and 9 with sales pending. There were 13 closed sales in November; exactly the same as in October, and more than twice as many as in November 2008 when there were only 6; however, both the median and average sale price was lower – the median was $547,500, down 6.3% for November 2008; the average was $582,365 down 5.7 from the previous November.

Interest rates are low and with the extended homebuyer tax credit now including many existing home owners who would like to move up or are ready to down-size, the phones are already ringing! Visit http://www.marilynmessenger.com/ for the latest local market condition reports for Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, Maynard and Stow MA, complete MLS home search, news and information to help you plan your next move. To get market information for any other town e-mail marilynmessenger@realtor.com.

Data Source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network)

Stow MA Real Estate - Closed Sales Up in June!

Here is what's going on in the Stow MA real estate market: There are fewer single-family homes on the market - 52 compared with 64 last year at this time; and both median and average list prices are up from last year at this time. The median is $619,900 compared with $599,900 last year; the average is $597,666 compared with $609,015. Current list prices for single-family homes in Stow range from $199,900 to $1,295,000; 3 bedroom homes range from $299,000 to $409,000; 4 bedroom homes start at $445,000; and new homes with 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths start at $549,000.

There were 21 closed sales for the first half of 2009, seven of which closed during June compared with 21 closed sales during the first half of 2008, with only one closed sale during June. The median sale price y-t-d was approximately $90k less than last year, the average was only about 10k less; however, it is worth noting that time on the market decreased by 53% - only 181 days compared with 278 in 2008. Sellers who really wanted to move forward accepted the reality of the market and were able to achieve their goals.Lower prices and lower interest rates are both good for buyers, however, fewer choices give sellers a bit of an edge and will eventually put upward pressure on price.

For now, I would say were still a ways from being a balanced market since most buyers look at more than one town and are likely to MORE