Full blown movie productions are getting to be a ho- hum occurence here on Beautiful Cape Ann! The interesting and varied housing stock, the breathtaking scenery and most importantly. a highly competitive tax incentive program is bringing millions in economic activity to the state of Massachusetts every year.This summer a major movie starring Adam Sandler will be renting the right to use Centennial Grove in Essex. The town officials are swooning with delight over the extra income it will add to the town's coffers. I think that the movie company is getting too good a deal. What do you think? Here is an article from the Gloucester Daily Times:
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_069230412.html
Gloucester's iconic statue and tribute to fisherman, is likely to be on the next US Quarter coin from Massachusetts. It's a bittersweet tribute. Sweet because it will undoubtedly increase tourist interest in Gloucester and Cape Ann. Bitter, in that the fishing industry is under such relentless pressure from Federal Agencies concerning depleted fish stocks, that the Gloucester fisherman is an endangered species itself. The irony of more tourism is that the economic pressure to adapt Glouceter more towards tourism will grow greater and greater. This is not a bad thing.... but the change will erode the commercial basis of the waterfront. Here is an article about the new Quarter
The federal government has just released a plan aimed at making home ownership more affordable. There is a loan modification plan as well as a refinancing option. A still under development website has been published and is being populated with all the details. Chect it out here: http://www.financialstability.gov/makinghomeaffordable/
Realtors have long known and have often joked about the way Sellers of residential real estate always think that their property is the exception when it comes to pricing. Mark Twain's quote: 'Denial ain't just a river in Egypt' is cited in an excellent survey by Zillow that graphically illustrates this HUGE disconnet.
