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March Madness 2013 in Real Estate

2013-04-03T14:06:28-04:00

It’s no secret at a certain price point ( under $400k) in many Essex county communities (Gloucester, Rockport, Beverly, Danvers, Salem, Essex, Ipswich and Peabody), buying a home has become quite competitive. Purchasing real estate in 2013 has its own level of “March Madness”. There are 20, 40 or 60+ people viewing well priced properties at open house(s). There are multiple offers and yes people are paying above asking price. Every house? No, just homes priced appropriately for their age, condition, location and size. Buyers are not offering crazy amounts of money because we all know at the end of the day it must appraise, since most purchases are contingent on buyers receiving a mortgage.

So what will tip the scales in the favor of your offer being accepted, if you are a buyer ? There are four practices I use with consistent success when I know there is a chance that there will be multiple offers.

1) View the house and make the offer ASAP. The early bird gets the worm. Yes it may be inconvenient and you may have to cancel a previous appointment to go view a house. Sorry, this is about getting the house you want, not living a balanced life.

2) Offer asking price at a minimum. If you know potentially there will be multiple offers, forget about “stealing” a property. You like the house, you want it, now get it! Offer above asking to a level your agent or lender feels it will appraise at (and you are pre approved for).

3) Have your agent write the “magic letter”. People like to do business with people they know and like. Share with the buyers how much you like their house. Compliment them about their decorating or cleanliness. Find out what is motivating the sellers to sell and speak to that. Be real and be personal. Don’t laugh this works, I have had several clients achieve their home in a competitive situation because the sellers felt like they knew them and liked them after reading the “magic letter”.

4) Last but not least, always ask the sellers agent for a final and last opportunity to submit a final bid if there are multiple offers. Don’t assume that the list agent will automatically give everyone a chance to rebid; they may not. If a buyer does not want to offer more, they don’t have to, but at least they have the opportunity to make up their own mind about their final bid.

The “other” March Madness? All the way with Syracuse for me!

Can't judge a book by its cover!!!

2013-03-08T19:03:05-05:00

When my clients were looking for a home nearly 7(!) years ago, it was all I could do to get them in the front door of this “plain Jane” home. However, once inside the front door, they were pleasantly surprised! or should I say shocked The home sparkles…it is full of light and it exactly what they were looking for: open living spaces, a large, updated kitchen (nice cabinets with dovetail drawers!), granite countertops and hardwood floors. The 3 bedrooms were a “must have” and the updated bath(s) were another pleasant surprise. The 2 car garage and the finished basement, again, were icing on the cake after walking through the open, spacious and modern first floor.

Turns out this house has been perfect for them - they love to entertain their family around a big meal and a sports event (Red Sox, Patriots!) on TV… the way the dining room sets up to the kitchen and living room is perfect for their lifestyle. The fireplace in the living room and central air conditioning have been much coveted, adding ambiance and comfort, year round. The location has been sweet too, since one of the owners commutes to Salem and the other owner needs to access Rt.128 5 or 6 days a week. Reluctantly, they leave their most enjoyable home to be closer to their true love, which is their family.

Walkability in Gloucester? This condo has ?Rollability?!!!

2013-02-08T13:22:22-05:00

By Patty Knaggs

Friday, February 8th, 2013

A walk score of 92…this is a walkers paradise! This condo is so conveniently located in Gloucester you can “roll” out the door and get to lots and lots of locations! The train, the MAC, Shaws groceries, theRumline, Gloucester Depot...the list goes on and on and then there is the 5 minute walk to Main Street stores and restaurants! The Gloucester harbor and Pavillion Beach (great beach for seaglass!) is a ten minute walk away. In an elevator building; it is in excellent condition; lovely finishes and an open living space. I love this location – because I love to walk in Gloucester.

The Mortgage Minute with Katherine McNally of Guaranteed Rate

2013-01-28T11:35:36-05:00

Please don't quit your day job before you sign on the dotted line!

83 Maplewood Ave. Gloucester MA - Sweet young, light filled house!

2013-01-27T16:40:23-05:00

What is a "Walk Score"?

2012-12-06T16:00:47-05:00

By Patty Knaggs

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Walk score is becoming a new way that people evaluate a property’s location. It is a value from 1 to 100 and the higher the number the more conveniences or things there are to do within about a 15 minute stroll 0r a quarter mile. More and more people have come to value the healthy aspects of walking as exercise. Dogs which require frequent walking have become a bigger part of family and singles (!) lifestyle. Americans are happily parking their cars, saving money by not purchasing gas and supporting small neighborhood businesses that are in their own neighborhood. As more and more people return to an urban setting or a neighborhood style of living, local business creativity is booming especially in theeateries and coffee shop arenas. It is no secret that commuting is no fun, drinking and driving is not an option and most of us would prefer to remain in our own towns or neighborhoods. The more people interact with each other and become familiar with their neighbors the safer and more pleasant an area becomes! Passers by and acquaintances become friends. Nods become smiles. and before you know it a street or 2 or 3 is a neighborhood full of familiar faces! If this sounds like something you value when you home hunt be sure and evaluate the “walk score” as you consider, location, location, location!

Walk score can be found for any (?) address in America at www.walkscore.com/ It is also included in the information that Zillow.com provides on their website.

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Categories : Dogs, Food, Gloucester, Real Estate, small business

Tags : 16 Allen St., cape ann, Cape Ann Brewing, Destinos, Giuseppes Ristorante, gloucester ma,Lone Gull Coffee, Real Estate, walk scores

A Day in Gloucester Video

2012-11-09T19:01:10-05:00

Un giorno a Gloucester MA from Antonino Coronati on Vimeo.

Real Estate Market Snapshot of Essex County MA

2012-10-22T15:53:21-04:00

Essex County September Market Snapshot

Courtesy Imax Web Solutions & Terry Sullivan

Market change for August 2012 vs September 2012
Home prices down -7.2%, Condos up +2.5% and Multis down -5.5%.
Home sales down -25.1%, Condo down -24.4% and Multis down -4.1%

Market change September 2011 vs September 2012 (removes seasonality)
Home prices up +1.5%, Condos up +13.9%% and Multis up +9.1%.
Home sales up +14.3%, Condos up +23% and Multis down -7.9% for multis.

Price and Unit Sale Changes: Aug vs Sep 2012 & Sep 2011	Homes	Condos	Multis
Price change August vs September 2012	-7.2%	+2.5%	-5.5%
Price change September 2011 vs September 2012	+1.5%	+13.9%	+9.1%

Unit Sales change August vs September 2012	-25.1%	-24.4%	-4.1%
Unit Sales change September 2011 vs September 2012	+14.3%	+23%	-7.9%

Single Family Sales and Medium Price Charts for Essex County, MA

Condos Sales and Medium Price Charts for Essex County, MA

Multi-Family Sales and Medium Price Charts for Essex County, MA

"Real" Real Estate Video

2012-10-08T19:02:46-04:00

What does "Real" Real Estate Video do for Buyers & Sellers?

By Patty Knaggs · Comments (0)

Monday, October 8th, 2012

The popularity of video on the internet is undeniable! Can you say You tube? Two recent stats worth mentioning regarding real estate consumers are: 87% of real estate consumers prefer their content in video and 78% of real estate internet viewers are more likely to stay on a website offering video. These are big numbers in support of this style of marketing.Would you like buyers to tour your home from the comfort of their own home or as soon as your house is listed? Real estate video does it for you....the real thing, not slides stitched together! Real estate video allows the consumer to feel the way a house lives or lays out. It is a first showing, which can happen almost instantaneously. How nice & easy for all involved! Sometimes I film my own with the support of an outside service (HDHat) and sometimes I go straight to one of the founding fathers of real estate video, Fred Light from Nashua Video Tours. Listen to Fred (above) speak about real real estate video!

And below is an example of how compelling video is:

Cape Ann Open House Report for Sunday Sept. 9, 2012

2012-09-08T21:01:53-04:00

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Avalanche in Salem MA!

2012-09-08T08:31:07-04:00

Saturday, September 8th, 2012

Heading “ova the bridge” for a fall shopping trip I went to the new location (24 Front St., Salem MA) of an old favorite, Avalanche. I “found” (through a word of mouth tip) this old favorite years ago when they were located in their own factory where they manufactured what they sold, in Lynn. Originally Avalanchespecialized in “fleece wear” clothes but over the years have branched out to many high tech athletic performance fabrics in their clothes. The “outlet” store in Lynn sold samples and over runs from production for yes…famous name brands! The good news is even though their location has changed the prices haven’t and even better they have expanded their product line from strictly out door wear to indoor wear (men, women’s & children), including some really unique indoor kids clothes! Oh yeah and don’t forget the chic dog collars either! Being perpetually cold it seems, this is a “must go” stop for me and my holiday shopping. Nearly forgot to mention, the “owners” actually work in the store and the customer service is excellent – what a nice change from big box shopping Love supporting small business owners!

59 Western Ave has a Gloucester harbor view!

2012-07-26T09:36:11-04:00

By Patty Knaggs

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

Ever dream of living on the Boulevard in Gloucester? Having water views 365 days out of the year? Having lots of fun & events at your doorstep? The Fiesta events, the Parade of Sails, the July 4th parade, the Christmas parade all happening at your door step…no need to make plans to attend, you are already there! Walk across the street to Pavilion Beach, sit by the water side, launch your kayak or search for sea glass. Tired of the non stop water view and boat activity? Walk to Stage Fort Park, let your kids or grand kids play at the playground and your dog(s) run free at the dog park. Hungry? Some of the best restaurants in town are all in walking distance. In one direction is the Causeway and in the other direction head for The Franklin Cafe, Passports, Latitude 43 or Cafe Bishco to name a very few Walk to bothcinemas in town, the train station, the synagogue & churches. Park your car and enjoy the daily pleasures of life in Gloucester served up at your doorstep each & every day, with a harbor view! Think thisGloucester lifestyle sounds like fun?

This two family house is in the middle of renovations, the second floor unit being more complete then the first. Both units are two bedrooms and two baths.The property asks for someone with vision and creativity, who loves a water view! Take a peek at this opportunity http://59westernave.com

Pick of the litter Wednesdays!

2012-07-11T14:25:42-04:00

Fiesta Comes to Gloucester via Good Morning Gloucester!

2012-06-29T06:33:06-04:00

2012 Saint Peter’s Fiesta Schedule,Webcam and Updates

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 08:37 AM PDT

SAINT PETER’S FIESTA WEBCAM

Webcam courtesy Discover Gloucester and www.groupize.com

Schedule:

St. Peter’s Fiesta 2012
Novena to St. Peter
Monday, June 18 – Tuesday, June 26
7:00 p.m. at American Legion Hall

Wednesday, June 27

7:00–10:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment….
St. Peter’s Park: " featuring "Sinatra & Friends"

Thursday, June 28

6:00 p.m…… Fiesta 5K Road Race – with Cape Ann YMCA – Starting at St. Peter’s Square
8:00–11:30… Youth Block Dance…..D.J. Sam Santuccio …. St. Peter’s Park

Friday, June 29

4:45 p.m……. Greasy Pole Contest…and…Women’s Seine Boat Races… Pavilion Beach
6:30 p.m……. Entertainment….Before Opening Ceremonies
7:30 p.m. …… Formal Opening ….St. Peter’s Square Entertainment immediately
following to 11:30 p.m…. Music by Seabreeze

Saturday, June 30

9:30 a.m…….. Youth & Adult Soccer Games…. Newell Stadium
10:00 a.m……. Pavilion Beach…Military Seine Boat Race:
U.S. Coast Guard vs U.S. Navy…
Gloucester Fire Department vs Gloucester Police Department
2:30 p.m.…… Championship Series – Youth Basketball Tournament….
Fort Playground (Rain Date Sunday, July 1)
3:00 p.m…… Children’s Games…. Beach Court
4:45 p.m…… Sports Events… Pavilion Beach – Seine Boat Races & Greasy Pole Contest
8:00–11:30 pm. Musical Entertainment…St. Peter’s Square….
Aaron Caruso with Musicians, Vocalist (www.aaroncaruso.com)
And Comedian.

Sunday, July 1

10:00 a.m…… Celebration of MASS OF ST. PETER….. at St. Peter’s Park
12:00 noon….. Procession following the Celebration of Outdoor Mass
3:00 p.m…… Blessing of the Fleet… Stacy Boulevard.
3:00 p.m… … Concert….United States Navy Band Northeast…St. Peter’s Park
4:45 p.m…… Sports Events…at Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races..&…Greasy Pole Contest
6:00 p.m…… Concert…..St. Alfio’s Band (One Hour) St. Peter’s Park
6:30 p.m…… Children’s Pinata Contest – Pascucci Court
7:15 p.m……. Awards Ceremony – Trophies awarded to winners of the Sports Events
8:30 p.m…… Musical Entertainment – St. Peter’s Park
featuring Gianni Faraone w/ Ray Cavichio &
his mini Big Band & Natalie Pinto
11:00 p.m…… Raffle Drawings and Closing Procession

The Legendary Tomato Release Day at Goose Cove Gardens

2012-05-21T07:49:00-04:00

Just planted tomato plant

First time I heard this phrase “tomato release day” I was “what the heck does that mean”. In my mind I visualized tomato plants running on their roots (feet) with their branches swaying back and forth, as if they were set free from captivity….kind of like an “end of the world” scene from a movie. I was at Goose Cove Gardens in Gloucester and I was inquiring when the tomato plants would be ready for purchase. Tomato plants like warm weather, the hotter the better! Planting them earlier then consistent warm (60+) temps (day & night) does them no favors. Interestingly, you can plant them earlier, but they will produce no more tomatoes than when planted later!

Happy Tomato Plant

They pretty much just sit in the ground and shiver Barbara Dombrowski (and husband Hilary), the owner(s) and operator(s ) (janitor..to CEO) of Goose Cove Gardens for over 20 years does her best to insure the success of her customers and impart her plant wisdom to all of us Cape Ann gardeners. One of the ways she has done this is by making sure we don’t plant her products at the wrong time. Goose Cove Gardens grows organically and features a fabulous supply of heirloom tomato plants. This philosophy has resulted in the famed “Tomato Release Day” at Goose Cove Gardens. Tomato Release Day is the Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend. Yes, it is very busy, yes the small parking lot is jammed, yes it is the best time to plant your tomato plants on Cape Ann and yes there are plants left to buy on Thursday! Not around the week before Memorial Day or too busy? Not only does Barbara do an excellent job of meeting demand, she does another tomato release day two weeks later!

Garden tomatoes

Game changing? (No REALLY!) Real Estate app for your iPhone, iPad, iPod & Droid (soon)

2012-05-15T16:45:28-04:00

As a full time real estate agent who loves real estate technology I’m always interested in the latest “shiny” new app. This one is not yet perfect and not yet released for Droids, but boy is it cool!!! Called,“Homesnap” it is a real estate app for the iPhone, iPod or iPad. It is still “touchy” and may take a few tries to get the correct information, but wait until you hear what it does! The app, takes a picture of the home (for sale or not for sale) and then downloads onto your device the public information (from the town) available about the home, (haven’t tried it with commercial buildings). If it is “For Sale”, it gives the listing information. How cool is this? One photo and you can find out price (if listed), # of bed rooms, lot size and general assessor information.

Some of the technology being used is based on an “AVM” or automatic valuation formula. AVM is whatZillow is using when displaying their famous or infamous “Zestimates“. It is a formula which gives a home value sight unseen. Is it accurate?…well not always. AVM’s tend to be much more accurate in parts of the country where the home construction is more “cookie cutter” then here in the Northeast, which is full of varying types and ages of home construction.

Anyway…back to Homesnap. This app is the fastest way I know to get information about homes as one is traveling and spots a home that you find interesting or attractive in your home search. No more remembering an address or a company. Just take a picture with your phone and voila you are empowered with all the available listing information. Check it out and let me know if you find it useful. Of course it is free

9 reasons to fall in love with 22CoralHillRd.com

2012-04-06T10:32:18-04:00

Fav Dog Groomer in Gloucester!!! Awesome, awesome job, everytime!

2012-04-04T12:26:04-04:00

My new Jux toy!

2012-03-15T23:15:53-04:00

How the Serenity Prayer Applies to Selling Your House

2012-02-27T07:46:18-05:00

I read the blog: Keeping Current Matters…religiously…. And yes I have supported more then one client (of all denominations BTW) in the burying of the St. Josephs statue (upside down in the back yard). However this is the first time I have seen one of my favorite prayers applied to my day job, thanks to Keeping Current Matters!
You may believe that selling your home is impossible in today’s market. You may feel powerless to the process. What could YOU possibly do to turn this housing market around? There is no doubt that today’s real estate market is extremely difficult to navigate. However, we want you to know thatthousands of homes sold yesterday, thousands will sell today and thousands will sell each and every day from now until the end of the year.
It is totally within your power to guarantee that your house will sell even in the current market.“How?”, you ask. Let’s look at the simplicity of the famous Serenity Prayer and apply it to selling a home in today’s real estate market.“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Accept the things you cannot change

The two main reasons that the housing prices have softened:

the current economy
the inventory of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales)

As an individual homeowner, there is no way for you to impact either of those two situations. The best think-tanks in the country are struggling to discover solutions.

Have the courage to change the things you can

There is not a vacuum of buyers in the market. There is a vacuum of homes a buyer in today’s market will purchase. Let us explain: could you sell your home today for $1? … $1,000 … $10,000? Of course you could. There are plenty of buyers in the market for a home they consider priced correctly. You have to decide what the correct price is for your home if you truly want to sell. If you want your house sold, you must list it at a price a buyer will pay for it. Not a buyer from 2006 but today’s buyer who has plenty of homes from which to choose.

It will take courage to sit with a real estate professional and honestly decipher the true value of your home. If you want to sell, you must have that courage.

The wisdom to know the difference

We all realize that the economic situation will take some time to correct. If we want to wait for prices to return to 2006 levels, we will probably have to wait for 5-7 years.

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and decide whether the extra money you would get from the sale is worth that wait. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

This is where your wisdom must kick in. You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by pricing your home to guarantee it sells. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

Tax tips for property owners in Gloucester MA

2012-01-29T09:31:20-05:00

Rounding up tax info? It always seems I have most of the information but not all of it :) The Gloucester MA city site:

http://gloucester-ma.gov/ is a great resource to view & gather information on your total property taxes and sewer/water costs (for landlords). In case you are like me and can't always find this information easily in my own home, the city website has it all neatly filed in one location. Once you are on the city site:

: City of Gloucester Website - Home page

"click" on the tab (left side of page) that says "online services". That will bring you to this page:

: City of Gloucester Website - Online services page

The property tax records and water/sewer bills can all be accessed by "clicking" on the highlighted type.

Real Estate, Personal Property and Utility Bills

The next page will then ask you for your address or parcel ID number.

: City of Gloucester address page for online tax records

If you are unfamiliar with your parcel ID number, it can be found in the "assessors" records online , on a tax or water bill or by calling our helpful Gloucester assessors office. Fill in the address and voila the computer does what computers do and you have your annual records in front of you!

12 Ocean Highlands Gloucester MA 01930, Sea Smoke and Normans Woe!

2012-01-17T16:13:00-05:00

East Gloucester Cultural District Approved by the City Council!

2012-01-11T07:50:21-05:00

Karen Ristuben describes the East Gloucester Ma 01930 Cultural District concept, boundaries and purpose in the Gloucester Ma arts community.

Real Estate is "Good Debt"

2012-01-08T15:01:41-05:00

Good debt is defined as debt that produces cash flow. Home ownership is considered good debt because it offers a tax advantage, your home can accrue in value and you have a place to live at a rate fixed for 30 years. Caitlin was really savvy in that she accomplished all of the above in her first home purchase and more. She purchased a two family which will mean her tenant is paying the majority of her mortgage while she lives there for a nominal amount! It is also highly likely that in 5 or so years Caitlin will have saved enough money to purchase another piece of real estate whether it is a single family or perhaps another investment piece. And guess what? In 30 years when the mortgage is paid for this home becomes a 100% revenue stream. Pretty smart 26 year old, huh :) She's my hero!

Waterview home between Long Beach & Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester MA 01930

2012-01-04T08:11:38-05:00

Did I mention that it was priced below $1,000,000? It is currently listed @ $895,000. I think it offers good value for a large (3300sf), 4 bedroom,14 year old home in this premeir location with water views.