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Mark Madden | The Madden Team

NAR's Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Stats - Then vs Now

As another decade comes and goes it helps to look back over the past ten years and see how much has changed in the real estate industry. There are certain elements that have really changed the way business is done these days and will have a long term effect on the process of buying and selling a home. According to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers data:

  • Over the past decade (1999 compared to 2009), median home values have increased more than 25 percent from $137,600 in Nov. 1999 to $172,600 in Nov. 2009. This shows that those who have been in their homes for 10+ years have definitely equity built up in those properties.
  • Fewer people are buying single family homes - 78% in 2009 compared to 82% in 1999.
  • More than half of buyers (54 percent) bought a home in a suburban neighborhood last year compared to 46 percent 10 years ago.
  • A majority of last year’s buyers (90 percent) began their search for a home online compared to only 37 percent in 1999. I highlight this because this has been an instrumental change in how real estate is done these days, which has led to The Madden Team being on the forefront of these technological changes.

While these changes have occurred within the real estate industry, some things have remained unchanged over the course of ten years.

  • The median age for homebuyers in 2009 was 39, just as it was in 1999.
  • Neighborhood quality, affordability and convenience to work and school are still top considerations for buyers.
  • 80% of buyers still believe that owning a home is an investment in their future.

While some things change, other stay the same. There will always be innovation that changes this industry and we will adapt to use it to the best of our ability. Have a happy and healthy 2010!

Know Your Market: Watertown, MA Market Statistics

In an effort to stay "on top of" the real estate market in Watertown, MA we weekly pull market statistics for single families, condominiums and multi family homes. We make an effort to share this data with our clients and the internet users, so that we can help educate potential buyers and sellers about the realities in the Watertown, MA real estate market.

Watertown, MA Market Statistics

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Year-to-date single family home sales in Watertown, MA have been pretty steady in comparison to last year. The number of active listings, number of sales year-to-date, average sale price and median sale price are all basically unchanged. This year we are averaging slighly better days on market averages for sold homes. This tells us that sellers are pricing their homes to sell and therefore they are selling faster.

CONDOMINIUM HOMES

The condominium home market has seen a -$23,668 depreciation year-to-date with fewer sales this year as well. With the first time home buyer tax credit being extended, we still feel as though it is a great time to list your condominium homes because through the end of April buyer will attempting to getting an offer accepted in order to be eligible to receive the $8,000 incentive. This will hopefully help the market catch up to the 2008 standards.

MULTI FAMILY HOMES

The multi-family homes market in Watertown, MA has also depreciated year-to-date in comparison to 2008 by -$35,796. There have been 17 fewer sales year-to-date in this category as well. With a substantially lower average sales price, now may be the time for investors to find some great rental income property or to eventually use as a condo conversion.

For more information on the Watertown, MA real estate market or to receive this updates weekly by mail, please contact Mark at mark@themaddenteam.com or call Mark directly at 617.448.9481.

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Go Inside: 125 Trapelo - Belmont, Massachusetts

Overview

The 125 Trapelo Condominiums is a 41 unit complex located in Cushing Square in Belmont, MA. The building, which was built in 1963, is located on Trapelo Road. Of the 41 units, only 2 bedroom units will come with 1 deeded parking space.

125 Trapelo Condominiums Exterior

Units & Pricing

Currently there are 5 units available through CENTURY 21 Commonwealth at 125 Trapelo Road in Belmont, MA. The condos start at $179,900 for a renovated 1st floor 1 bedroom condo and go up from there. The condos are either being sold as-is or with a roughly $25,000 upgrade package to look similar to the model unit (pictured below).

For more information on pricing, please email either Mark or John.

125 Trapelo Road Belmont, MA Living Room

The monthly condominum fee will vary based on the size of the condo ranging from $290 to $397. That condo fee includes: Heat, Hot Water, Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Laundry Facilities, Elevator, Exterior Maintenance, Landscaping and Snow Removal

125 Trapelo Road Belmont, MA Bedroom

Area

The 125 Trapelo Condominiums are across the street from the 73 bus stop into Harvard Square or a longer walk to the Waverley Square Commuter Rail. In Cushing Square there are numerous eating options: Savino's, Kitchen on Common, Vicki Lee's, Brother's Pizza and more. There is a Starbucks and a Spirited Gourmet wine, beer and liquor store as well.

125 Trapelo Road Belmont, MA Living Room

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$8,000 Tax Credit for Down Payment - Participating Lenders

Participating Lenders for $8,000 Tax Credit Being Used In Downpayment

Below is the list of lenders, as provided by MassHousing, that are participating in allowing buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit up front as down payment and closing costs assistance.

Bank of Canton - www.bankofcanton.com

BankFive - www.bankfive.com

Bristol County Savings Bank - www.bristolcountysavings.com

Cape Cod Five - capecodfive.mortgagewebcenter.com

Eastern Bank - www.easternbank.com

Fidelity Cooperative Bank - www.fidelitybankonline.com

First Easter Mortgage Corp - firsteastern.mortgagewebcenter.com

Greater Springfield Credit Union - www.grscu.org

Greenfield Co-Operative Bank - www.greenfieldcoopbank.com

Hampden Bank - www.hampdenbank.com

Legacy Banks - www.legacy-banks.com

Metro Credit Union - www.metrocu.com

Mortgage Financial, Inc - www.mfsinc.com

NE Moves Mortgage Corp - www.newenglandmoves.com

Polish National Credit Union - www.pncu.com

Rockland Trust Company - www.rocklandtrust.com

Salem Five Mortgage Company - www.salemfive.com

Saugus Bank - www.saugusbank.com

St. Anne's Credit Union - www.stannes.com

Winter Hill Bank, FSB - www.winterhillbank.com

Like any other program, there are restrictions involved with receiving this type of a loan package because it will be financed through MassHousing. There are income restritions and eligibilty restrictions for the program. Please click this link to see these guidelines on the MassHousing website.

The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Changes

New Changes to the TRUTH IN LENDING ACT

The Federal Reserve has proposed some changes to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) that will help better protect the consumer and provide less surprises for the consumer during the closing process.

  • Improve the disclosure of the annual percentage rate (APR) so it captures most fees and settlement costs
  • Require lenders to show how the consumer's APR compares to the average rate offered to borrowers with excellent credit

  • Require lenders to provide final Truth in Lending Act disclosures at least three business days before loan closing

  • Require lenders to show consumers how much their monthly payments might increase, for adjustable-rate mortgages.

Put Money Into House

These changes will help the consumer to better understand every detail of their financing, while protecting them from the "at the closing table" increase in rates. The second bullet point is great, "Require lenders to show how the consumer's APR compares to the average rate offered to borrowers with excellent credit" because many consumers do not know how much poor credit affects their chances of securing low interest rates in their home purchase. There are many step one can do to increase their credit rating (and no, it does not take too long either).

In conclusion, these changes to the Truth in Lending Act should help consumers to set aside their fears of entering the mortgage world, because disclosures and transparency are becoming the name of the game.