About Plymouth County, MA

At question is the safety and health of Plymouth and Cape Cod homeowners and potentially others should there be problems with the Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth, MA. Looks like the local critics and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are on the same page these days.

The Pilgrim nuclear plant's license is up for renewal and after 40 years of service there is some question as to its long-term safety. At a recent meeting on Cape Cod of the Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative this past Wednesday, a MA Sate Senator, Dan Wolf (D-Harwich) supported the closing of the plant and separately, Gregory Jaczko, Chairman of the NRC wrote a dissenting opinion on his agency's support of the plant.

What both parties and critics want is a bigger voice and perhaps more hearings to discuss the issues to renewing - for 20 years on June 8th - Pilgrims license to operate. Some have raised concerns that Pilgrim is very similar in design to Japan's Fukushima plant that was destroyed by the tsunami last year and a similar disaster could affect Pilgrim much the same way. Hmm... a tsunami in Plymouth? A 100-year storm or a wayward plane?

Kidding aside the response by Pilgrim spokespeople seemed to center on the fact that the timing of the filings were late and did not meet the standards set by the plant management for process and time. This seems like a weak argument as well considering the NRC chairman weighed in. Though the rest of the NRC voted to deny any local appeals. And moves to suspend any renewal until a more thorough study of the Fukushima Dai-chi disaster and implications seems to have fallen on deaf ears as well. I suppose if one follows the money it's clear that Pilgrim Nuclear adds some $10M to the Plymouth, MA tax fund annually and any disruption to this would have an economic impact to Plymouth. So safety vs., higher taxes. It's a risky trade-off.

What I'd like to see is public participation in more hearings and information pertinent to Pilgrim via Fukushima should be freely available. To those who live within 15 miles of Pilgrim any release of substantial radioactive material would have a significant affect on long-term health. I guess we could sell our real estate and move elsewhere. I just feel uncomfortable to see these concerns swept under the rug so easily.

Anyone have concerns, opinions they'd like to share? This affects Plymouth and Cape Cod lives, real estate and more. What would make you take action?

Reply to or use our Contact Box:

johnm@riverfarmproperies.com

What’s Selling – and What’s Not – in Brockton MA 02302 in January 2012

On average, homes for sale in Brockton MA 02302 in January 2012 are on the market for 123 days before they are sold. However, homes in some price ranges are taking a longer time to sell as compared to homes in other price ranges.

The absorption rate is the ability of the real estate market to absorb or sell all of the houses for sale in a given amount of time. That means it’s the rate at which available homes are sold in a specific real estate market during a given time period. In other words, the figure shows how many months it will take to exhaust the supply of homes on the market if no other homes were listed for sale.

The higher the absorption rate (or the less the number of days homes are on market), the higher the probability that the supply of available homes will shrink rapidly. When the absorption rate is high, a homeowner can sell his or her home for more money in a shorter period of time. When the absorption rate is low, a home buyer will have a larger inventory of homes to choose from, and may be able to buy a home for less money.

• 1 to 4 months supply of homes – has a high absorption rate. This is a Sellers’ Market.
• 5 to 6 months supply of homes – has a normal absorption rate. This is a Normal Market.
• 7 or more months supply of homes – has a low absorption rate. This is a Buyers’ Market.

Below is a chart of the number of days single family homes are on the market in Brockton MA 02302 until sold:

As the graph shows, the following are the number of days the average home for sale in a given price range is on the market before sold:

• $ 0k - $100k: 112 days on market (Seller’s Market)
• $100k - $150k: 140 days on market (Normal Market)
• $150k - $200k: 123 days on market (Normal Market)
• $200k - $250k: 122 days on market (Normal Market)
• $250k - $300k: 98 days on market (Seller’s Market)
• $300k - $400k: 141 days on market (Normal Market)

So what does all this mean?

A snapshot of the number of days homes are on the market in a given price range before sold (or the absorption rate) gives both home buyers and home sellers a better idea on how to negotiate the purchase or sale of a home in Brockton MA 02302.

If you’re looking to buy a home for up to $100k or in the $250k - $3000k price range, you may find that sellers aren’t negotiating as it’s taking a little less than 3 months on average to sell a home in these price ranges.

However, if you’re looking in any other price range, you’ll find that it’s a normal market for homes in these price ranges. Lowball offers won't cut it in a market like this, but sellers aren't in control of the market either. Both buyers and sellers should be reasonable when negotiating the purchase and sale of a home in these price ranges.

For more information about what’s selling and what’s not in the Brockton MA 02302 real estate market, or if you any questions about the home buying or selling process, or if you're ready to buy or sell a home, please contact me.

The Trend in Home Prices in Brockton MA 02302 in January 2012 – Improving, or...?

Sales prices of single family homes in Brockton MA 02302 in January 2012 on average have been falling in recent months! Home prices in January 2012 on average are down 40.6% compared to January 2011, and are down 39.5% since July of 2011.

The average listing price of single family homes for sale in Brockton MA 02302 in January 2012 was $123,400, down 25.4% from a month ago. Compare this to the current median sales price of $95,000 - where half of sales are above this amount and half below it.

Below is a chart of the trend of median sales prices of single family homes sold in Brockton MA 02302 over the past 5 years through January 2012:

While the number of single family homes sold per month in January 2012 in Brockton MA 02302 has declined 19.1% from the average over the last 12 months, the average numbers of sales overall is up.

Below is a chart of the trend in the number of monthly settlements of single family homes sold in Brockton MA 02302 over the past 5 years through January 2012:

So what does all this mean? Well, if you're looking for a home in Brockton MA 02302, you may be able to find a bargain. Mortgage rates are at historical lows, and both sales prices of homes and well as the number of homes sold are down.

You can still buy a home in Brockton MA with no money down with a VA Loan. With the FHA Mortgage program, you can purchase a home with as little as 3.5% down. With a MassHousing loan, you can purchase a home with as little as 3.0% down. When you’re ready to buy a home, find out how much house you can afford to buy in Brockton MA 02302 or in the surrounding area.

For more information about home values and the real estate market in Brockton MA 02302, if you any questions about the home buying or selling process, or when you're ready to buy or sell a home, please contact me.

What’s Selling – and What’s Not – in Brockton MA 02301 in January 2012

On average, homes for sale in Brockton MA 02301 in January 2012 are on the market for 127 days before they are sold. However, homes in some price ranges are taking a longer time to sell as compared to homes in other price ranges.

The absorption rate is the ability of the real estate market to absorb or sell all of the houses for sale in a given amount of time. That means it’s the rate at which available homes are sold in a specific real estate market during a given time period. In other words, the figure shows how many months it will take to exhaust the supply of homes on the market if no other homes were listed for sale.

The higher the absorption rate (or the less the number of days homes are on market), the higher the probability that the supply of available homes will shrink rapidly. When the absorption rate is high, a homeowner can sell his or her home for more money in a shorter period of time. When the absorption rate is low, a home buyer will have a larger inventory of homes to choose from, and may be able to buy a home for less money.

• 1 to 4 months supply of homes – has a high absorption rate. This is a Sellers’ Market.
• 5 to 6 months supply of homes – has a normal absorption rate. This is a Normal Market.
• 7 or more months supply of homes – has a low absorption rate. This is a Buyers’ Market.

Below is a chart of the number of days single family homes are on the market in Brockton MA 02301 until sold:

As the graph shows, the following are the number of days the average home for sale in a given price range is on the market before sold:

• $ 0k - $100k: 164 days on market (Normal Market)
• $100k - $150k: 82 days on market (Seller’s Market)
• $150k - $200k: 131 days on market (Normal Market)
• $200k - $250k: 137 days on market (Normal Market)
• $250k - $300k: 93 days on market (Seller’s Market)
• $300k - $400k: 153 days on market (Normal Market)

So what does all this mean?

A snapshot of the number of days homes are on the market in a given price range before sold (or the absorption rate) gives both home buyers and home sellers a better idea on how to negotiate the purchase or sale of a home in Brockton MA 02301.

If you’re looking to buy a home in the $100k - $150k price range or the $300k - $400k price range, you may find that sellers aren’t negotiating as it’s taking about 3 months on average to sell a home in these price ranges.

However, if you’re looking in any other price range, you’ll find that it’s a normal market for homes in these price ranges. Lowball offers won't cut it in a market like this, but sellers aren't in control of the market either. Both buyers and sellers should be reasonable when negotiating the purchase and sale of a home in these price ranges.

For more information about what’s selling and what’s not in the Brockton MA 02301 real estate market, or if you any questions about the home buying or selling process, or if you're ready to buy or sell a home, please contact me.