Kathy Stankard & First Time Buyers,Relocation

So a handful of homes have slowly been coming on the market in Franklin, MA in the last few weeks but we are still very limited in available home inventory. I'll define a starter home as one that is priced $350,000 or less. Although some would argue this as being an exorbitant price for a young couple just starting out, in this Franklin, Massachusetts area this is the norm.

Buyers are definitely back in the househunting game after a brief respite over the holiday season and neither myself nor my Realtor colleagues have many homes to choose from. Here are some of the best under $350,000 homes out there right now. (I have to be careful not to give away the best homes since I need them for my buyers this weekend!)

This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located in a cul-de-sac neighborhood and has many upgrades. Asking price is $339,900.

Another 3 bedroom home but this one has only one bath. One car garage, new roof and windows, as well as refinished hardwood floors. Asking price is $295,000.

A 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located on a wooded acre lot. Has central air conditioning, and open floor plan with hardwood flooring. Asking price is $329,900

If you need help finding your dream home, I can provide 15 years of experience as both a buyer and seller agent in the greater Franklin, Massachusetts area. My clients attest to the fact that homebuying can be enjoyable and pain-free--just check out my testimonials!

The Multiple Listing Service (MLSPIN) just released its fourth quarter market data for the end of 2011. The data shows that although the town of Franklin, MA posted a 4^th quarter average sales price of $330,000 which was a 2.7% decline over the same period in 2010, the actual number of sales was up by 57.6% (52 sales).

It is helpful to look at the data for each quarter but really noting what is happening in the overall Franklin, MA real estate market is key. The average sales price for the past 3 months was $350,690 which was a 4% differential from the average list price of $363,462. The town of Franklin currently has a shortage of available home inventory and since it is such a desirable community, homes often get scooped up by buyers rather quickly. There are currently 78 single family homes for sale and 46 of those are listed under $500,000.

If you want to know what your home is worth is today’s changing real estate market, give me a call at 508-369-5131. I’ll provide you the data to show, within $10,000, what your home would sell for…

Who wouldn't want to own a nuclear bomb-proof earth station?

The Jamesburg Earth Station transmitted some of the first images of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and has just had it's price cut to $3 million-check it out here. It comes with a three-bedroom house, a 20,000-square-foot building, a helicopter landing pad and a 10-story satellite dish and antenna.

Suggestions have been made to turn it into a server farm or to store vintage cars or wine. What would you use for it for?

If you need real estate help in pricing your unique Franklin, MA home, give me a call at 508-369-5131 or email franklinmahomes@comcast.net. I'll provide your home's value within a $10,000 range so you can get moving!

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

Three bedroom Gambrel home located in the Keller Sullivan school district and in a neighborhoodsetting. Features gas heat, public water and sewer, hardwood floors and fireplaced living room. Asking $259,000.

Three bedroom, 2 full bath Cape style home is located in a neighborhood setting. Features first floor Master suite, updated maple cabinet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, finished basement and fenced backyard. Heated inground pool and 2 sheds. Asking $339,900.

Three bedroom updated Colonial with almost 2400 living area is located on large level fenced lot. Huge great room with cathedral ceiling and skylight. Features include stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, and newer Buderus boiler. Asking $400-425,000 range price.

Four bedroom 7 year young Federal front Colonial with almost 3000 living area. Features include custom maple cabinets, granite countertops and 24 x 24 fireplaced great room. Home is spacious with open floor plan and Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring. Asking $529,900.

If you have questions about these or other homes, please email me at franklinmahomes@comcast.net or give a call at 508-369-5131.

Once your Realtor & Mortgage Lender help identify your budget, be sure to keep tabs on it. The budget can be victimized by mortgage rates. See, Franklin homes are more affordable today than at any time in recorded history, but it’s not because home prices are down. It’s because mortgage rates are. And every time mortgage rates change, your maximum purchase price changes, too.

Did you know: In June 2011, mortgage rates changed every 3 hours, 23 minutes on average?

With mortgage rates changing as rapidly as they are, your home affordability can be short-lived. Consider the budget-busting impact of rising mortgage rates.

For every 1 percent rise in mortgage rates, a buyer’s maximum purchase price falls 10.75%.

For example, if you have 20 percent to put down and see a $300,000 Franklin, Massachusetts home, today, you can borrow at 4.500% and pay $1,216 monthly. But if you want to wait for a price reduction and, 4 weeks later gets it — all the way to $285,000. You are ecstatic--until you talk to your lender and find out mortgage rates are up 1 point.

That same home — selling for $15,000 less — now costs $1,295 to carry. It’s a $79 monthly increase and $28,440 in extra payments over the life of the loan.

This is why it’s foolish to “time” the housing market.

Give me a call at 508-369-5131 or email franklinmahomes@comcast.net to get started on finding your new home! I have 15 years’ experience & testimonials to make for a smooth and stress free move.