Arlington Ma Real Estate Market Intelligence brought to you by Mark Lesses from Coldwell Banker
Mar
29
What exactly is ‘Going Green‘ in Real Estate?
It is one of the most popular phrases in today’s marketing, isn’t it? In some industries, it’s very obvious what ‘Going Green’ means to the business: Household chemicals become less harmful to the environment, in the car industry automobiles become less hazardous to the earth and consume less energy, etc. etc. How does ‘Going Green’ apply to Real Estate?
As a Realtor who has obtained the Green Designation from the National Association of Realtors, here are a few benefits to you, the real estate client of a designated Green Realtor:
- If you are buying a home, a Green Realtor can help you identify features of a home that will consume less energy, thereby saving you money on your monthly expenditures. A Green Realtor can help you analyze the appliances of a home, the roofing materials, and construction type in terms of energy efficiency. A Green Realtor also has an extensive list of contractors who can help you fill in the gaps of your home’s energy features and resources, to maximize your new homes Green Factor.
- If you are selling a home, a Green Realtor can assist you in identifying the features of your home that will attract buyers based on the Green Factor. Your Green Realtor can also make recommendations on improvements to not only help make your home better positioned to sell in today’s energy conscious climate, but changes that are also fall into the tax incentive category.
- If you are a Builder, your Green Realtor can introduce you to the ‘Green Language’ that Buyers are speaking today, and help you incorporate those features into your marketing plans.
Click Here and find out more about the Green Designation and contact your local Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, & Lexington Green Realtor Resource.
Do you have questions about your home, or upcoming purchase, and what you can do to ensure it’s ‘Green’? We’re here to answer your questions!
Mar
22
Save the date! Sunday, April 10th will be the 10th Annual Walk for Affordable Housing.
You may recognize this charity if you have worked with Mark Lesses and Carole Falcone of Coldwell Banker in the past. We have donated a portion of proceeds from every real estate transaction to this amazing charity, and we are excited to begin supporting the 10th Annual Walk for Affordable Housing as well. It’s easy to help!
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Join in the family friendly 3 mile walk, and ask friends and family to sponsor you
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Organize a team and walk together with friends and family
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Sponsor the walk with a donation by clicking here
Since 2000, over 340 households at risk of losing their housing have received homelessness prevention assistance from HCA. For more information contact Jennifer at 781-316-3451 or walk@housingcorparlington.org or visiting the 2011 Walk Web Site.
Do you have a creative idea to help gain sponsors? If so, please comment on this blog to share your idea with others! We’ll help spread the word!
Mar
08
The content for this article was obtained from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors,
and may be read in its entirety and original format by visiting their web site.
March 16, 2011: The Declaration of Estate of Homestead goes into effect as an Amendment to the Homestead Act. |
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Homeowners are hereby notified that upon filing a Declaration of Homestead, a legal document filed at the registry of deeds upon sale of a primary residence, the residence is protected against subsequent attachment, suit, or bankruptcy to the extent of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) of equity per residence, per family. While a Homestead can protect the equity in many situations, such as debts relating to the purchase of the home (purchase money mortgages), tax obligations, and child/spousal support obligations are not covered.
A significant change to the Act now allows homeowners to sell their primary residence, yet maintain the same Homestead protection on the proceeds of the sale. This protection is available for one year from the time of the sale or when a new primary residence is purchased, whichever is sooner. This provision allows flexibility for a homeowner who, for example, needs to relocate for a new job or downsize from their current home or may allow a homeowner with debt-related issues to still purchase another home.
Additionally, when these changes become effective, there will be automatic coverage in the amount of $125,000 without any filing. Yet, in order to obtain the maximum coverage of $500,000, the homeowner must still take the time to file the Declaration at the registry. This automatic coverage will protect homeowners who may not have heard of the Homestead Act. Other key points to the new law can be found in the original article as outlined on the Massachusetts Association of Realtors web site.
As with many issues, homeowners should consult their personal attorneys regarding specific legal questions about the Homestead Act and how they may or may not be impacted by the new changes. |
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Mark Lesses & Carole Falcone