About Middlesex County, MA

Buying home insurance should not have to take the joy out of owning your home. High costs, though, make some homeowners struggle to keep their home. Here are some ways that you can actually reduce the price of your coverage and still know that you are adequately covered.

Look At New Quotes

One way to reduce your home insurance costs is by looking around and seeing what other companies have to offer. When it comes to how much you pay, you should look for savings where you can find them, and not stick with any company simply because you have been with them a long time. Although, you should know that staying with one insurer often does give you a discount, you may want to weight whether the discount outweighs the monthly payments another company might give you.

You can easily obtain home insurance quotes by going online to an insurance broker's website. These are not a particular insurance company's Website, but are owned by an independent agent who does business with a number of different insurance companies. By entering in your information there, you will be able to get several quotes by entering it only once. Go to more than one broker's Web site and get at least 6 or 7 different ones. Then compare them carefully.

Add Safety Features

Most home insurance companies will give discounts if you have some sort of safety feature in your home. This will include things like alarm systems - burglar, fire and smoke, fire extinguishers, deadbolt locks on all exterior doors, fire-retardant materials, and even hurricane proof materials.

Increase Your Deductible

Whenever you reduce the potential liability of an insurance company, they will nearly always reduce your rates. By increasing your deductible amounts to, say, $1,000, you will see your rates decrease - possibly up to 25%. You always want to be sure, though, that you can meet this amount in the amount of any disaster effecting your home, because the insurance company will only pay after you do.

Put Policies With Same Insurer

Insurers often give discounts if you have more than one insurance policy with them. If they have both your auto and home insurance, check to make sure there is a discount being given. It may not be a good idea, though, to automatically switch your policies to the same insurance provider, until you do a comparison and see which company offers the better deal overall. Although switching may give you a discount, you may get an even bigger one simply by moving to a new company.

Keep Your Credit Record In Good Shape

Believe it or not, your credit record may effect how much you pay for your home insurance. It seems that more insurers are looking at people's credit and charging accordingly. You need to get your free credit report each year in order to check it and see if there is any incorrect information on it. Then, correct it quickly, and keep it in good working order.

Although the number of sales declined slightly for the second straight year, sales data for the Town of Chelmsford indicates values have stabilized over the past 12 months.

The town continues to be attractive to first time buyers, and demand for Ranch and Split Entry style homes has remained fairly stable over the last 2 years thanks to near historic low interest rates and the First Time Buyer Tax Credit. In 2008 there were 92 sales of Ranch and Split Entry style homes in town (37.8% of all single family sales), and there were 88 in 2009 (39.6% of all single family sales). Values of Ranch and Split Entry style homes have also shown signs of stabilization over the past 12 months.

Welcome to the Sudbury MA Market conditions report for February 2010.

The overall supply of single family homes for sale in Sudbury remains low; only 96 homes up slightly from last year at this time when there were 88. The increase is in two price ranges: $600,000 - $699,900 and $1,000,000 - $1,499,900; all other price ranges have fewer houses available.

Current list prices in Sudbury range from $174,000 for a tear-down to $3,195,000 for a thirteen room estate on private 5+ acres. Three-bedroom homes range from $289,900 to $699,900; four-bedrooms range from $369,500 to $1,999,900. Five-bedroom homes range start at $995,000 with the exception of an Antique home needing rehab that is listed for $299,900.

The median list price is $959,000, up from $939,450; the average is $1,112,842, down from $1,175,526.

Although year-to-date closed sales are down from one year ago, activity is picking up. 11 of the homes listed have accepted offers. And there are fourteen homes with sales pending.

Whether you're a first time buyer, or a current homeowner thinking about moving up, moving down, or moving sideways to easier living, this is a great time to do it! Interest rates are still low, the $8,000 first time buyer credit has been extended; and, there is a $6,500 credit for many existing home owners. The deadline for a Purchase and Sale agreement is April 30 and the property must close June 30. Go to www.marilynmessenger.com or contact your tax accountant to find out if you qualify.

Data Source: MLSPIN (Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network)

New Homes in Ashland Massachusetts - Priced at $499,900 - $559,900 - Can be Ready by April

FINISHED HOME - PRICED AT $499,900

Kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances

Baths with granite countertops

Two-story colonials with 2-car garages

Private back yards

Lovely cul de sac neighborhood

Open floor plan

Minutes to the Ashland MBTA Station

2 Miles to the Mass Pike entrance

Convenient to downtown Ashland

For a tour of these homes, contact Claudette. Ask about our 20% Cash Back rebate.

Claudette Millette

The Buyers Counsel - 508-881-6230

Ashland, Massachusetts Real Estate

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