About Norfolk County, MA

Purchasing Dedham ma real estate can be a very stressful and complicated process. Enlisting the services of experienced real estate related professionals will provide you with the information and advice to make sound decisions. Buyers often interview mortgage loan officers, Realtors, attorneys, home inspectors, accountants and financial advisers during the process of purchasing a property. Information regarding the home buying and selling process, demographics, commuting, school and relocation information can be found by visiting Dedham MA real estate and homes for sale.

Financing

Most home buyers will obtain a mortgage to purchase their home and there are numerous first-time home buyer financing programs offered by state agencies, local banks and national lenders. A common source for mortgage funding is the FHA (Federal Housing Administration). The major benefits of their programs include low down payment options (can be gifted by a family member), flexible qualifying, assumable mortgages, and rehab financing.

In 2009, there are four major reasons to consider purchasing your first home:

1. First-time home buyer tax credit of $8000 (for qualified buyers).
2. Historically low interest rates.
3. Affordability - declining values in the past three years provide exceptional price offerings.
4. Tax benefits - current tax law favors owning a home over renting.

The Home Search

Consumers in Massachusetts have the option of hiring a real estate agent to represent them in "buyer agency" and this is disclosed in a "mandatory disclosure form" required by state law. The agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent the buyer's interests instead of the seller's. Interview two or three agents to determine their qualifications before signing an agency contract.

Your agent can assist you in searching for a property through the Dedham MA MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and homes sold by their owners (FSBO). Most property for sale, including Dedham MA foreclosed and bank owned homes, is listed in the MLS. You may want to look for a condominium which may be found through Dedham MA Condo.

Home Inspection

Once you have found the property and successfully negotiated a purchase and sales agreement, you will probably contract for a home inspection. This will give you more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

1. Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems;
2. Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and
3. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes

Title and Closing

Title companies or attorneys will research the title to make sure both the lender and the buyer is protected and has "clear title" to the property. Prior to the actual closing, most buyers schedule a final walk-through with their agent to inspect the property. Once the closing is complete buyers can now occupy their new home.

Virtual Homes Real Estate agents can assist you with finding Dedham MA real estate for sale.

The January data for Franklin, Massachusetts is available and despite the cold weather, homes are selling. The Multiple Listing Service reveals the following:

• it is taking 107 days for homes to go under contract
• 5 homes went under contract during the month of January
• the average list price was $381,820
• the average sales price was $369,596
• 10 homes closed during the month
• homes are selling within an average of 2% of their last price reduction but averaging 10% from their original asking price

Franklin's Town Common is the most beautiful area in the town. The common has 4 acres of plush lawn, a variety of shade trees and is bordered on two sides by historic homes.

The focal point of the Town Common is the brick gazebo bandstand which was a gift from the Hayward family in 1917. Summertime concerts are provided for the residents of Franklin every week during the summer on the bandstand. Families bring their children and enjoy the music from local groups.

There are inviting walkways that criss-cross the interior of the common to enable visitors to take their daily stroll. These walkways are also lined with gas lights for evening use. Our Town Common is a peaceful place to view the many war memorials and then sit and ponder.

It's also the site of many fairs, festivals and public events including our Farmer's Market that starts in the summer and ends in late October. This enables our local farmers to bring their produce to the common and sell it to anyone who visits.

The Franklin Town Common is truly the heart of our town, and it's the first place that comes to mind when one speaks about the town of Franklin, Ma.

Currently there are 36 single family homes on the market in Millis. The houses have an average list price of $480,000 and an average market time of 237 days. There are four properties available for $300,000 or less. On the upper end of the scale, there are three properties listing for $700,000 or more.

In the last week three new single family homes came on the market. The first was a 4 bedroom, 10 room colonial on Causeway Street. The next was a 3 bedroom, 8 room cape on Bullard Lane. And last was a 2 bedroom, 4 room ranch on Forest Road.

Three single family homes went under agreement. The first was a 3 bedroom, 8 room raised ranch on Farm Street. The second was a 2 bedroom, 5 room ranch on Main Street. And the last was a 4 bedroom, 11 room antique on Causeway Street. One other property is flagged to go under agreement soon. No single family homes were sold.

There are currently 16 condos on the market. The condo average list price is $323,000 with an average price per square foot of $175. Average time on market is 236 days. Three townhouse condos at Rockville Meadows went under agreement in the last week.

Please give me a call for more information on homes in Millis.

I have attempted to show some of the more outstanding properties that are currently on the market through these Best Buy lists. These homes may or may not be my listings, rather they are, in my opinion only, the best choices for the money...

Here is this week's home...

This pristine 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial is in a neighborhood location at 12 Symmes Road, Franklin. It features a 2 car garage, has some hardwood floors and many updates. It shows nicely for $369,900.

If you would like to view this or other metro west of Boston homes, please email me at franklinmahomes@comcast.net or give a call at 508-369-5131.