AAA rated Marblehead – again
As this For seventh consecutive year Marblehead attains AAA bond rating Marblehead Reporter article points out, Marblehead is one of just 45 of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns to be rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s.
S&P cited Marblehead’s “very strong economy, strong management with good financial policies and practices, strong budgetary performance, very strong liquidity and budgetary flexibility, strong debt and contingent liability position, and strong institutional framework” as positive credit factors, according to the Town’s press release.
These factors contribute to a robust real estate market, described thus in the Town’s Comprehensive Financial Report:”… continues to be in the revitalization stage of the real estate cycle as demonstrated by the continued number of “tear downs” and redevelopment of 17 new dwellings. Additionally, smaller subdivisions are in the planning stages. Local realtors continue to maintain that this market has seen the strongest demand since the peak of the market in 2006. Average marketing time for properties is less than 3 months if priced properly. Demand continues to outweigh supply resulting in a seller’s market and an upward trend in values.” (more…)
Marblehead Gardens open this Saturday
As part of The Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Program these Marblehead Gardens will be open to the public this coming Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more…)
Marblehead home prices exploding…..
It is almost three months since I last poked fun at Trulia and I really didn’t intend to do so again but I could not resist posting this after seeing it in my inbox:
Source: Trulia
Just say no to a lock box
A topic which came up for discussion at this week’s office meeting was the use of lock boxes on properties which are for sale. The subject arose because I have shown three properties recently with lock boxes.
My experience – and that of my buyers – was one of great frustration. Apart from the fact that it always seems to take me 5-10 minutes to open lock boxes, here are my main gripes: (more…)
Essex County Median Home Prices Town by Town
This report shows Single Family Home (SFH) median prices for each city and town in Essex County for 2015 compared with 2014. Several towns have a very small number of sales, especially in the first quarter, so I have used the half-year prices to calculate the change from 2014.
The second table shows the towns with the largest increase and decrease year over year. Overall, the message is that prices in both Essex County and Massachusetts have edged up 1% in 2015. As always, there are variations from town to town. (more…)
New Salem power plant:Construction underway
As this Old Salem power plant falls as new one rises Marblehead Reporter article points out, construction is well underway on the new, quick and clean, gas-fired Salem power plant, which will occupy just 24 of the 65 acre site.
Two of the three smokestacks of the old coal plant are already down and the last – and highest at 480 feet – will be coming down shortly. (more…)
Marblehead Greystone Classic Center Entrance Colonial
A rare gem will be coming to the market soon: a classic center entrance 3/4 bedroom Colonial in the much sought after Greystone area of Marblehead. Deck with hot tub and beach rights to Greystone Beach.
Great house, great neighborhood!
If you are interested please contact me and I will act as your buyer’s agent. (more…)
Marblehead beach makes Boston Globe list
Boston.com has published this list of 10 Beaches within an hour of Boston
This is what it says about Devereux Beach:
“Not far from Marblehead’s historic district is family-friendly Devereux Beach, which offers sandy slides and swings for the littlest of beachgoers. When hunger strikes, grab a lobster club sandwich and a frappe at Lime Rickey’s, not far from the surf. Parking costs $5 to $10 per car.” (more…)
Marblehead: Birthplace of the American Navy
Read Marblehead Magazine’s Birthplace of the American Navy for the definitive history. (more…)
Marblehead’s Housing Inventory jumps
After many months when Marblehead’s housing inventory was running sharply below that of a year ago, the position has improved in the last few weeks – at least for buyers. Here are tables showing the month by month totals, and the current inventory by price, for Single Family Homes (SFH): (more…)
Housing market: 7 reasons for optimism
MarketWatch.com published Housing market can’t lose this week.The main reasons for optimism are:
Prices: rising but at a moderate rate
Equity: as prices rise so more homeowners have equity in their homes – now up to 90% of all mortgaged properties
First-time homebuyers: loans to first-time homebuyers are now the highest in 22 years of surveys from the American Bankers Association
Foreclosures: the number of loans in foreclosure is the lowest since 2007.
Construction: both starts and permits are showing strong momentum
Supply: nationally 4.8 months, below the 6 months considered to reflect a market in equilibrium between and sellers. Listings are 15% lower than a year ago.
Family net worth: has reached a new record. (more…)
Housing Inventory still down heading to July 4
As we head towards July 4th, often the target date for home buyers wanting to be in their new homes for the start of the school year, housing inventory remains well down from a year ago. (more…)
Impact of overrides on Marblehead’s tax rate
By a vote of nearly 3 to 1 this week, Marblehead voters authorized an additional $8 million for the landfill capping and transfer station projects.
What does this mean for Marblehead’s tax rate? (more…)
Mortgage rates “will reach 4.5% by year end”
In a report this week the Mortgage Bankers Association stated: “Our forecast has mortgage rates increasing to about 4.5% by the end of 2015, and rising further next year.” Click here to read the full forecast.
Mortgage rates do fluctuate and vary from lender to lender. For example, despite the headlines, it was possible to find quotes at the end of this week for 30 year jumbo mortgages under 4%, while both 15 year FRMs and 5/1 ARMs were available at 3 1/8%. (more…)
Marblehead pace of accepted offers doubles
I have been looking at accepted offers and this is what I have discovered for Marblehead this year vs last year:
Source: MLS, Oliver Reports
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