Madelene Semeria

- If you thought about it before, NOW is definitely the time to buy a home! As of July 14th, 2009 the Deval Patrick administration has approved the use of the first time homebuyer tax credit as part of a down payment or to cover buyer closing costs. This act is a huge step toward improving the economy and will help to improve the real estate market throughout Massachusetts. This innovative program is offered by Mass Housing, an organization providing affordable home ownership for low to moderate income buyers. The Mass Housing First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Loan Program will allow first time buyers the opportunity to borrow up to $8000, which can be used at the closing as opposed to waiting until the 2009 tax season. First time home buyers can benefit from using the $8000 loan to use toward the down payment of a new home or to cover closing costs, with the ability to repay the loan once the actual tax credit is received. The tax credit loan will be structured as a 2nd loan to the buyer which, if repaid before June 1st 2010, will not be charged interest. If a buyer does not pay the loan before the deadline the tax credit loan will be charged interest at the same rate as the buyer's first mortgage.

"One of the biggest problems I see with first time homebuyer's is saving up enough money to use as a down payment or to cover escalating closing costs, which can run anywhere from $5000-$10,000;" states Quincy real estate agent Madelene Semeria. "Mass Housing already offers a number of unique programs to assist buyers in purchasing a home and this program will only help open the door to home ownership for many more first time homebuyers." Mass Housing does require that the purchaser use a pre-approved Mass Housing lender. More information on the 20 lenders currently offering the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Loan Program visit: http://www.Ma-HomesForSale.com.

Madelene Semeria, a real estate agent working for Century 21 Abigail Adams here in Quincy, has been helping first time homebuyers achieve the dream of home ownership for the past 5 years. Since the implementation of the federal Housing and Recovery Act (HERA), Madelene has helped many of her clients benefit from low home prices and current tax credit incentives. For more information on buying a home in your area contact Madelene Semeria at (617) 894-1124.

If you are looking to move into a great area near Boston MA, Quincy is a great option. Located just 7 miles from downtown Boston this city can offer you a taste of the suburbs with a city feel. If you are looking to move to Quincy or currently live in this city this check out this link: http://www.clrsearch.com/RSS/Demographics/MA/Quincy/

You can find drive times from Quincy Ma to major location, city demographics, Quincy MA gas prices and much more.

Not only am I a proud resident of Quincy, I also assist others in relocating to this great city. Looking to buy a home in Quincy Massachusetts or anywhere in the South Shore check out my website for local information http://www.Ma-HomesForSale.com.

Imagine moving into your dream home and then finding out that you moved to a location that is in the middle of nowhere. There are no options nearby to walk to the store and your favorite food market is on the other side of town. It is not uncommon for a home buyer to research local real estate markets on the internet. As I was searching the internet for helpful real estate tools for my clients I came across two websites that will come in handy during your home search:

Drive Score: Simply enter your new address (or a home you or interested in buying) and Drive Score will give you a map with local establishments and their driving distance from that address.

http://drivescore.fizber.com/

Walk Score: Simply enter your new address (or a home you or interested in buying) and Walk Score will give you a map with local establishments and the walking distance from that address. http://www.walkscore.com/

Both sites can come in handy for local food favorites or hot spots as well as with home buyers that are commuting and need to be near public transportation.

If you would like to see a larger area to determine which public transportation option is closest to you, you can also search on Google Maps. When you type in an address, Google show each T stop or commuter train stop near that address. Believe me this is much easier then driving around scanning the neighborhood on your own.

Visit my website for more local information and great sources for real estate: http://www.Ma-HomesForSale.com

Madelene Semeria - Realtor

New codes and regulations from the State Fire Marshall may make passing the required smoke inspection even more confusing then before. If you are currently selling your home or plan to sell in the near future the new code will apply to you now as well as in the future. Every home that is to be sold in Massachusetts will need to pass a smoke detector inspection preformed by the local fire department. Owners and real estate agents have long struggled with the correct placement of detectors as well compliance of additional regulations of the code. This new code may only add to the confusion.

The updated code requires that homes install photoelectric smoke detectors throughout the property. Photoelectric detectors measure light, or the lack of light in a certain area. The change in light can be measured at a distance while in order to trigger a ionized detector the smoke must physically enter the detector to trigger the alarm. The idea of using a photoelectric smoke detector is that the detector will sense visible smoke particles quicker then an ionized detector. Smoke particles accumulate in a slow smoldering fire, which is common in household fires started on furniture or in a bed. The down fall is that photoelectric detectors tend to be larger then typical detectors and more importantly, they are much more expensive.

Photoelectric smoke detectors are less sensitive then the popular ionized version. In the past Ionized detectors have been known to trigger the alarm from steam or even stovetop cooking. For this reason, if the home has ionized detectors they cannot be placed within 20 feet of a bathroom or kitchen to avoid false alarms. Outside of the 20 feet, a combination detector of both ionized and photoelectric detector is required. Correct placement of both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors include: within 10 feet of each bedroom, base of the each set of stairs and one on each finished level. Carbon monoxide detectors are only required in homes that use fossil burning fuel such as gas or oil, as well as homes that have a fireplace. Homes or condo's that are solely electric and do not have a fireplace will not require a carbon monoxide detector in addition to the required smoke detectors.

Although this new code does not go into affect until January 1^st, 2010 many home owners may experience this change immediately.

If you are looking to sell a home in Quincy MA, Weymouth MA, Braintree MA or the entire South Shore Massachusetts call Madelene Semeria at (617) 894-1124 or visit http://www.Ma-HomesForSale.com

Quincy, MA (2009) - Madelene Semeria of CENTURY 21 Abigail Adams, Quincy, has successfully completed the Massachusetts Association of Realtors Loss Mitigation Certification Course (LMC) offered by the Plymouth and South Shore Association of Realtors.

This comprehensive one-day course was developed to educate Realtors on the intricate issues and problems associated with transactions involving foreclosures, short sales, properties being sold by auction, and bank-owned (REO) real estate. The course is taught by national and local industry experts in loss mitigation and is designed to equip Realtors with the tools and knowledge needed to deal with short sales on both the buying and listing side; the process, ethics, laws, contracts and credit issues involved and how best to work with lenders.

Lastly, the course addresses the human element of these transactions as consumers face losing their homes. "These transactions can be hugely complicated with many players, let alone the emotional component," said Semeria. "I feel better equipped to advocate and advise my clients with the knowledge gained from this course, I definitely have an advantage".

Upon completion of the Loss Mitigation Certification Course, participants earn lifetime usage of the LMC designation and continuing education credits necessary for real estate license renewal.

Madelene Semeria is a full service real estate agent working out of Quincy MA. As a Century 21 Abigail Adams agent, Madelene has gained experience working with buyers and sellers in Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton and the entire South Shore Massachusetts. Through the LMC designation Madelene is equipped with the knowledge to handle foreclosure properties, and short sales in Massachusetts. Madelene has worked in the local real estate market for the past 5 years and also specializes in helping first time home buyers find their dream home as well as marketing and listings homes for sale. For more information check out Madelene Semeria's website at http://wwwwww.Ma-HomesForSale.com or contact Madelene at (617) 894-1124.