Judy Jennings - Realtor® Serving Plymouth & Barnstable Counties

Pinehills in Plymouth MA is HOT, but it has nothing to do with the seasonal temperature. It has everything to do with the recent buzz. The latest news to hit the street and national television - Pinehills has been selected by HGTV as the new location for their 2010 Green Home Series.

To see the official announcement, you can view the video clip at HGTV Green Home Series - Pinehills.

I have written numerous posts about this community. It is so beautiful and masterfully planned, it does not surprise anyone that this location was selected by HGTV. The question is, what took them so long?

Pinehills could not have planned the timing of this latest news any better. It will coincide with the launch of their latest style homes, The Cottage Series. Bill Wennerberg is the builder that is currently constructing the first phase which will be located in the Hickorywood neighborhood. At a recent broker event, it was announced that the first home was already under contract. I guess Bill better get moving on house number two since the "model" will soon be off limits with its new occupants. Below is a photograph of the first home, just prior to its completion.

Phase II is scheduled for next spring and will be situated in close proximity to the Summer House and within walking distance to the Market and the Village Green. This location is where the HGTV 2010 Green Home will be located.

Now get this... are you paying attention? You might just want to stay tuned because HGTV will be having a contest where you can enter to win the energy efficient home that they feature in their 2010 Green Home Series. Imagine that! Okay, before you get too excited, the entry period for their drawing does not begin until April 2010. Make sure you stay tuned, I will post details and links on where and when to register.

Meanwhile, if you would like to learn more about the Pinehills community, give me a call 508-725-5858 - visit my website FocusedonRealEstate.com - Pinehills or send me an email: Judy Jennings - Realtor Serving Plymouth and Barnstable Counties.

Please read my previous posts about Pinehills:

Homes for Sale in Pinehills - Plymouth Massachusetts
East Bay Grille at Pinehills Golf Club
Pinehills in Plymouth MA is Worth a Tour

psst... the kitchen for the 2010 HGTV Green Home will be designed by Wood Palace Kitchens

Something is always cooking at Wood Palace Kitchens, Inc. No, they are not a restaurant, but one of the best kitchen design companies you could find in the local area. Tim Holick, owner and founder of Wood Palace Kitchens, Inc. started his business back in 1979 in his garage. He started out small, building furniture and custom cabinets for family members and friends and has honed his skills and built his business through hard work, and dedication with a commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer service.

That commitment has paid off and Wood Palace Kitchens, Inc. has become the place to go for kitchen design. In fact, one of their designs is going to be featured in an upcoming HGTV event highlighting the brand new cottage style homes being built at Pinehills in Plymouth Massachusetts. I will update you on this once more information becomes available.

There is a reason why the kitchen is quite often referred to as the heart of the home. Haven't you ever noticed how everyone tends to gather in the kitchen when you are entertaining guests? I speak from experience when I tell you that many times a kitchen is what will "sell" a potential buyer on a particular home. We spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, why not make it a place that is enjoyable, functional and beautiful.

If you are building a new home, or considering remodeling your existing kitchen then you will certainly want to make an effort to visit their showroom, or at least their website at Wood Palace Kitchens, Inc. By the way, don't let the name fool you, they are not limited to designing or updating your kitchen alone. They can design bathrooms, office suites, and/or work areas in your garage. The following slide show features some of their work. Check them out, I am confident you will be satisfied with your experience and the end result.

Homes for Sale in Pinehills - Plymouth Massachusetts. There are several single family homes, and townhouses available for sale in Pinehills, including properties in either one of their two 55+ active adult communities. Here you can view current listings of properties for sale in Pinehills: www.FocusedonRealEstate.com There are many benefits of working with a Buyer's Agent when touring homes for sale in Pinehills - Plymouth Massachusetts.

Summertime, and the living is easy in the Pinehills. There is much to do for activities and there are several amenities all located within the footprint of this unique community. The Pinehills community is quite large. In fact, it encompasses 3,174 +/- acres. The great part is that the developers are committed to maintaining 2,100 acres of open space while the remainder contains several clustered neighborhoods.

Pinehills was uniquely designed with a vision to enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding trees and hilly terrain. Most of the homes and townhouses have been strategically designed to maximize privacy while maintaining views of the natural landscape. Many homes have views of tree tops, while some have very nice views of the golf course, a select few even have distant views of Cape Cod Bay.

There are several businesses located at the Village Green, there are a few post offices, a grocery store, bank, restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness club, two regulation size public golf courses, plus 10 miles of walking/jogging trails winding throughout the community. People watching can be a great way to get a sense of the community. Visit the Village Green and watch how people within the community interact with each other. Better yet, ask someone what they like about the community or if they would recommend moving there. If you don't want to approach someone to ask, I will do it for you while you are with me so you can hear for yourself.

Pinehills is located approximately 45 miles from Boston, 8 miles from Cape Cod and 4 miles to the ocean. Whichever direction you want to go, there is easy access to highways and major routes. However, once you get here, you might not want to leave.

Make sure to visit my website www.FocusedonRealEstate.com for a list of current homes for sale in Pinehills - Plymouth Massachusetts. I invite you to take a tour of Pinehills with me as your personal tour guide. For information on what a personal tour might entail, visit my previous post "Pinehills in Plymouth MA is Worth a Tour."

Meanwhile, here is a brief video of some of the highlights of the Pinehills community.

In conjunction with the Massachusetts First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Loan Program, Mass Housing is offering some great loan programs and one of them might be just right for you. Keep in mind, some of these programs are for first time homebuyers only so you want to make sure to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit before the program expires. Here are the highlights of the programs currently being offered:

	Mass Advantage - loan program for low and moderate-income residents of Massachusetts. Must be a first-time home buyer (There are some communities that are exempt, but not in Barnstable or Plymouth County at this time) Minimum downpayment required is 3% Must qualify for the loan being requested. Be credit worthy. Minimum credit scores may apply Have a signed Purchase and Sale Agreement May be used to purchase condominiums and 1- to 4-family homes Must attend a home buyer counseling course if your downpayment is less than 5%, or if you are purchasing a multifamily home 30- and 40-year amortization periods available. 40-year loans may only be used to purchase single-family homes and condominiums There are income and purchase limits
	My Community - loan program for low and moderate income residents in Massachusetts. Has higher income guidelines than MassAdvantage program. You do NOT have to be a first-time home buyer to qualify No downpayment required. Loan Limits as high as $417,000 for a single-family home. Financing for 3- and 4-family homes 30-year, fixed-rate loans There are income limits.
	Home for the Brave - loan program for veterans of the US armed services. Must be veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, or active-duty military (restrictions apply to MI Plus for active-duty status) Spouses of soldiers, sailors or marines killed while on active duty may qualify. No downpayment required for single family homes and condominiums. If you are seeking 100% financing, you must attend a home buyer counseling course. Must purchase as primary residence. You do not have to be a first-time home buyer, but you may not own more than one home. Have a total housing debt of less than 38% and a total monthly debt of less than 45% If you are buying a 2-, 3- or 4-family property, have two-months' reserves There are income limits
	Take The T Home - loan program for frequent users of public transportation. Must show proof of being a regular or frequent rider of public transportation Purchase a home near public transportation Loans are 30-year, 5 year adjustable-rate mortgages with zero points and rate caps apply Fixed-rate loans are available through the MassAdvantage program (see above) No downpayment is required for single-family homes and condos A 3% downpayment is required for 2- to 4-family properties Purchase a primary residence. You do not have to be a first-time home buyer, but you may not own more than one home upon closing the loan If you are buying a 2-, 3- or 4-family property, have two-months' reserves If you are seeking 100% financing, must complete a homebuyer counseling course There are income limits
	Municipal Mortgage Program - loan program for police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses and other public servants that want to buy a home in the community they serve. State and county as well as employees of non-profit organizations in the fields of public safety, law enforcement, education, social services and health care may qualify No downpayment is required if you are buying a single-family home or condominium A 3% downpayment is required if you are buying a 2- to 4-family home Must show that you have saved for closing costs Buy a home in the community you serve. Restrictions may be waived in communities without residency requirements that have a shortage of affordable homes for sale There are income limits
	Purchase and Rehab Program - loan program for first time home buyers that are purchasing a home that needs major repairs. The maximum loan amount is 97% of the purchase price plus rehabilitation costs or the estimated value of the home after rehabilitation (whichever is less). A 3% downpayment is required Must be a first-time home buyer (There are some communities that are exempt, but not in Barnstable or Plymouth County at this time) Have a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement for a 1- to 4-family home The minimum rehabilitation amount for all property types is $7,500 Rehabilitation costs include the cost of repairs, as well as such expenses as inspection fees, title update fees, and a required contingency reserve equal to 10% of the total rehabilitation cost The lender will collect a quarter-point (0.25%) to cover loan administration A mortgage payment reserve not to exceed four mortgage payments may be included in the cost of rehabilitation if the property will not be occupied during rehabilitation The lender or the local rehabilitation agency may charge fees as high as $1,500 based on the cost of rehabilitation Licensed contractors must complete all rehabilitation work
	Buy Cities - loan program for borrowers purchasing a home in Brockton, Fall River, greater Gardner, New Bedford, Springfield, Taunton, and Worcester. Are 30-year fixed rate mortgages with zero points May be used to finance up to 100% of the purchase of a home Have rates and terms that are competitive with traditional-downpayment loans Feature MI Plus (see below) mortgage insurance, with mortgage payment protection View income limits Loan Limits vary by property type and are as follows: 1-family home: $417,000 2-family home: $533,850 3-family home: $645,300 4-family home: $801,950
	MI Plus - Mortgage Insurance Plus - Some of the above loans qualify for Mortgage Insurance Plus (MI Plus). In the event the borrower loses their job, MI Plus may cover up to six months of principal and interest payments. MI Plus only covers the lender for principal and interest payments not to exceed $2,000 per month for a period of up to six months. Important note: if there are co-borrowers MI Plus will only cover their pro-rata portion based on their respective share of income as used in underwriting the loan. The borrower will still be responsible for any portion that is not covered by MI Plus. You can download the Mortgage Insurance Plus brochure for more detailed information.

* all of the above programs are subject to change and/or termination and are based on current information obtained from MassHousing website.

Time to get in the car and start looking for a house!



In Massachusetts, the incentive for first-time homebuyers just got better. How's that you ask?

In a recent press release, Governor Deval Patrick today announced a First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Loan Program through MassHousing that will allow first-time homebuyers to borrow up to $8,000 in advance of their federal tax credit for homes purchased with a MassHousing loan before December 1, 2009.

Homebuyers who take advantage of the program will have the principal and interest payments on the tax credit loan deferred from the time of closing until the loan due date of June 1, 2010. It is important that you file for the credit when you file your taxes in 2010, otherwise you will be responsible for repayment of this loan. When the time comes, you can file using the IRS Form 5405. If you buy a house with me using this program, I will make sure to remind you about the form at the first of the year.

Who Qualifies for the Massachusetts Recovery Plan First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit?

• Applicants must be first time homebuyers using a Mass Housing mortgage through Mass Housing approved lender.
• It must be for your primary residence for a minimum of 3 years.
• You must purchase a one, two, three or four-family home from a seller that is NOT a relative by Nov 30, 2009.

Additional First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Guidelines:

• Available to first time homebuyers only. If you have not owned a primary residence during the last three years prior to your purchase, you may qualify.
• The credit is 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000.
  
• You must purchase from January 1, 2009 and close before December 1, 2009.
• Income limit for single taxpayer is up to $75,000, and up to $150,000 for married couples.
• If you are building a new home, you will qualify providing the date of first occupancy is on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

Many of you have heard for several months about the $8,000.00 tax credit that is available to first-time homebuyers. If you qualify, and you are ready to buy your first home, you do not want to miss out on this opportunity. The clock is ticking, on this offer! The December 1, 2009 deadline for this program is rapidly approaching. You must purchase and close (pass title) before December 1st. I have said this before, but let me explain what a time line for the homebuying process might look like.

For those of you with school age children, you should be in my car now looking at potential homes. The wheels on the bus will be going round and round before you know it!

Note: if you are considering purchasing a short sale property or bank owned home there is great risk of not meeting the deadline. The short sale process is still extremely slow and many bank owned properties are having title issues. You need to be aware of the risk of purchasing these types of homes.

Visit my other post MassHousing Loan Programs - Buyers Explore Your Options for information pertaining to loans that are available for this advanced tax credit benefit.