What’s happening – or not – in the Marblehead market?
I am always cautious about reading too much into short-term trends, especially in a market like Marblehead with a small number of sales, but at the same time I do try to report on current market conditions.
And I am puzzled by what has been happening over the last 2-3 weeks – or rather by what has not been happening. And that is houses receiving accepted offers. (more…)
Housing Inventory: better in places but still tight
As we move into the spring selling season we are seeing the traditional pick-up in inventory, although it varies from town to town. Overall in Essex County, the number of Single Family Homes (SFH) for sale is 15% lower than a year ago, while the number of condos is down 17%.
Here are the numbers for each city and town. First, SFH: (more…)
Marblehead housing inventory: even worse than you think
There are currently just 49 Single Family Homes (SFH) for sale in Marblehead, compared with 90 a year ago at this time. But the position for buyers is even worse than it appears. (more…)
Buy or rent? It’s NOT just a financial decision
OK, be warned, I am about to get on my soapbox.
Below I post a link to a recent Boston Herald article quoting a Zillow study comparing the costs of buying vs renting in different cities in the US and in different neighborhoods around Boston and Cambridge.
It’s not that I do no think article like this have some value. They do, encouraging people to think about how long they will stay in a house before making a major financial decision.
No, my problem with articles such as this is that they focus only on the financial aspect of buying a home. (more…)
How to avoid dust during remodeling
During remodeling, contractors create the most dust during demolition and drywall and plaster sanding. That dust travels with the airflow of the house and creates a lot more hazardous conditions than your typical dust bunnies.
Trulia vs MLS statistics on Marblehead
I have reported before on my puzzlement as to where Trulia gets its statistics on Marblehead. This is what I received by email today: (more…)
The Best Streets in Greater Boston – really?
One of real estate’s fascinations is that it is subjective: what I love you may hate and vice versa. So it should come as no surprise that I might differ on the pick for the Best Street in Marblehead. I accept the words of the writer that Atlantic Avenue is three miles long, but the Best Street in Marblehead?
Here we go again: bubble, bubble, toil and trouble
I know it’s really: Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble. (Macbeth).
When I read articles like Is Massachusetts headed toward another housing bubble?, I am reminded of the saying that economists have forecast 10 of the last 3 recessions. (more…)
But if you do leave New England…..
Last week I posted Why we don’t all move to San Francisco.
But if you do move here’s movoto.com’s 30 Things they don’t tell you about Leaving New England.
I experienced 12 in TN this winter. The evening news had a map showing snowfall amounts for the area: 0.1 inch and 0.3 inch. On a map. Seriously. (more…)
Beverly, Salem and Swampscott Housing Market Reports
In the world of small numbers it is necessary to be cautious about drawing too many conclusions. That is why, for example, I am not including percentage changes for the tables below. The message I take from these numbers is that, in general, the market continues to progress in an orderly manner. (more…)
Marblehead First Quarter Housing Market
It’s over. We survived. Hallelujah!
So how was the housing market in Marblehead? First Single family Homes (SFHs):
Source: MLS, Oliver Reports
Wait a minute. The median price dropped almost $50,000? What’s going on? (more…)
Why we don’t all move to San Francisco
After this winter we’re all planning to move to a warmer climate right? Like San Francisco.
But no, we will stay here, at least most of us will. Buy why? (more…)
Seasonal ideas for saving energy
Here are some Seasonal energy tips from Mass Save.
Note that whatever the calendar may say this article starts with winter. (more…)
$30 million to repair potholes
Both my Republican and Democrat friends think Charlie Baker is off to a good start as Governor. And it’s not just because there are no stories about the money spent on new curtains for his office.
Today the Baker Administration announced a $30 million WRAP (Winter Recovery Assistance Program) to patch up potholes and other repairs. (more…)
Will snow removal costs increase my property taxes?
What happens when snow removal costs exceed budget? Who pays? When?
Source: National Weather Service
In simple terms, any snow removal costs beyond those budgeted for the current year have to be approved locally, and then the excess costs, net of any reimbursements, are added to the expenses in the following year’s budget. (more…)
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