Carnegie Hall comes to Marblehead
As part of this weekend’s Christmas Walk, the Old North Festival Chorus performs two concerts at Old North Church, 35 Washington Street, on Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30 pm.
The Concerts, in their 34th year, feature a wide range of music, from Bach’s Magnificat to carols, in which the audience is invited to join in, with appearances from the Old North Bell Choir and the award-winning Old North Children’s Festival Chorus. Truly something for everybody and a joyous and memorable evening is guaranteed. (more…)
Mortgage loan limits increase in MA Counties
In 5 MA Counties – Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk – conforming loan limits for mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2015 will increase from $470,350 to $517,500 “because those counties experienced increases in local home values”, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
This increase is good news for borrowers as it means the starting point for jumbo loans will increase in those Counties. (more…)
Pending Homes sales remain strong in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) reported this week that accepted offers in October for Single Family Homes (SFHs) increased 23.5% from October 2013, and for condos increased 14% year on year. These numbers represent the 20th consecutive month of year on year gains.
MAR also reports monthly changes in median prices – just under 2% year on year for both SFHs and condos. For many reasons I pay little attention to – and never report – monthly movements in prices, but I agree with the general thesis that prices have stabilized as they have returned to prior peak levels. (more…)
Homes for sale in Essex County plummet in recent years
This week I am looking at the number of Single Family Homes (SFHs) for sale, as a follow up to last week’s Where have all the Condo sellers gone? article. In that article I pointed out that the number of condos for sale, in both Marblehead and Essex County, was down some 70% from the levels seen in the 2006/07 period, and offered some thoughts on why that might be. (more…)
Flood Insurance: “Because without it your home is a disaster waiting to happen”
It seems appropriate on this morning of another nor’easter to echo the reminder recently sent out by FEMA.
– Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners insurance.
– Flooding is the #1 natural disaster.
– People outside high-risk areas file over 20% of NFIP claims and receive one-third of disaster assistance for flooding
– In high-risk areas homes have at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding over a 30 year mortgage
– Flood insurance is mandatory if you live in a high-risk area and have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender.
For more information go to FloodSmart.gov (more…)
Here’s where to pick a pumpkin today
After yesterday’s deluge today promises to be dry and sunny. Click on this post Where to pick pumpkins near Boston from Curbed Boston listing places where one can pick a pumpkin. And schedule the pumpkin picking around this Open House list. And watch the revitalized Patriots take on Buffalo.
If you – or somebody you know – are considering buying or selling a home and have questions about the market and/or current home prices, feel free to contact me on 617.834.8205 or [email protected].
Andrew Oliver is a Realtor with Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated
Do Property Tax Rates matter to Buyers?
After posting my article Marblehead leads the way in Million Dollar sales in Essex County in which I speculated that different property tax rates may be one reason for the changes in sales in different towns, I checked my blog records and discovered that my posts on tax rates are among the most widely viewed. (more…)
Marblehead leads the way in Million Dollar sales in Essex County
I have reported in recent weeks that Million Dollar plus sales, including pending sales, will set a record in Marblehead this year, while in Swampscott such sales are lagging. This week I have looked at the whole of Essex County. (more…)
Housing Inventory Rising but Market still Favours Sellers
This summer’s weather may feel more like a traditional spring, but it is definitely summer in the housing market. Sales are still taking place, but at a somewhat lower level than was the case a few weeks ago. As I said last week, that’s all quite normal. (more…)
Closing in on peak prices
The overall housing market is very close to peak levels, which generally occurred in 2005. For both Essex County and Massachusetts as a whole the median price in the first half of 2014 was just 3% below the 2005 peak. (more…)
Plan to visit this spectacular Open House in Marblehead on Sunday
Sunday will be a beautiful day in beautiful Marblehead! (more…)
FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL OFFER
We are promised a return of the sun this morning. Meanwhile here is a special offer for a dreary morning: to receive SEVEN FREE REPORTS published today (not even S&H) go to www.OliverReports.com, and on the right hand side, just below ABOUT MARBLEHEAD, enter your email address, hit Subscribe and then click CONFIRM FOLLOWING on the email you will receive.
Every time a new article is published you will receive an email with a short extract so you can choose which reports to read. (more…)
Million dollar homes sales in Essex County – better, but still below peak
Million dollar home sales in Essex County continue to recover from their Great Recession lows, but are unlikely to approach the level of the boom years of 2005-2007. (more…)
$750,000 reduction on Marblehead Oceanfront Compound
The top end in Marblehead is seeing activity. In the last 6 months there have been 1 (private) sale over $4 million and 2 over $3 million, while currently there are 1 over $4 million and 2 over $3 million pending. The highest number of sales over $3 million in any year is 4 in 2007 so 2014 may set a new record.
Now is the time to buy and enjoy summer on the water in Marblehead.
Enjoy the elegance of a bygone era ins this Marblehead Oceanfront restored family compound.
Sun-drenched, South-facing. Views to South Shore. Protected location.
Main house: 6,265 SF, 15 rooms, 7 beds, 4 ½ baths.
Marblehead’s “best located” Carriage house: 2,400 SF: great room, wide planked floors, wide picture window on ocean. Perfect for extended family or weekend retreat.
Great neighborhood. Pool. Private mooring available.Easy access to Logan Airport.
Originally listed at $4.5 million, now $3,749,000.
www.11CrownWay.com
www.MarbleheadEstate.com
www.Facebook.com/11 CrownWay
If you – or somebody you know – are considering buying or selling a home and have questions about the market and/or current home prices, feel free to contact me on 617.834.8205 or [email protected].
Andrew Oliver is a Realtor with Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty
Affiliates LLC. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated
Note that the Listing Agent is also the owner of this property.
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