Did you happen to see this little guy in Southie yesterday? Show us your pictures or tell us your story!
News Story: Coyote spotted in South Boston.
Coyote on the beach: http://wbztv.com/video/?id=90393@wbz.dayport.com
Since we all love our Boston sports teams, in honor of Father’s Day South Boston Online is combining the CELTS & the SOX! First, you have to “Like” South Boston Online’s NEW Facebook Fan Page and then you have to post your prediction of the score of the Celtics Championship game Thursday night. The closest prediction… of the actual SCORE is the winner of a pair of Red Sox Tickets!! A perfect gift for DAD!! We know you’ll “Like” that! Fan Page: www.facebook.com/SouthBostonOnlineFans
Were you in South Boston last month when the Marines invaded the beach?
If not, here’s what you missed during Marine Week in Boston 2010:
Enter to win!
On Monday, June 21st, two lucky winners will be selected at random to win a delicious, mouth-watering Clambake. To enter, visit South Boston Online’s NEW Facebook Fan Page and click “Like”, It’s that easy! www.Facebook.com/SouthBostonOnlineFans
Click the photo to see why Southie is such a great place to live!
If you’re a first time home buyer or haven’t purchased a home in a while you may find that the real estate business has changed quite a bit. Not that long ago home buyers went directly through the listing agent when they found a home they wanted but that is rarely the case today and that’s a good thing for consumers.
Talk with anyone who’s had a difficult closing and they’ll tell you, having a great buyer’s agent representing you will make all the difference in the world. Here are just a few of the things a buyer’s agent can do for you:
1. Provide important input while home shopping: Ever attend an open house? Notice how the listing agent has nothing but positive things to say about the home? Obviously, they want to sell that home to you! A buyer’s agent doesn’t have the same motivation, instead they will point out things that will help you make the best investment. An experienced agent will know how busy the road is, how it compares to other homes on the market and point out any red flags you might not have noticed.
2. Provide you with access to every home on the market: Buyer’s agents have the ability to show you any home listed in the MLS, even if it’s listed with another office. They know the market well and can help you sift through inventory narrowing in on homes that meet your specific criteria and weeding out the ones that don’t.
3. Negotiate the best price: Once you’ve settled on a home to buy, it’s time to make an offer and that’s no easy task. A buyer’s agent will draft an offer with your best interests in mind. They will know the true value of the home and will work hard to get you the best price possible. They will play hardball on your behalf but they will also know when it’s the right time to accept a deal. A listing agent represents the seller only. It is their job to get the most amount possible for their seller. Hire a buyer’s agent and you’ll rest easy knowing your own interests were represented.
4. Guide you through the closing process: Once you have an accepted offer on a home, the transaction is far from over. A buyer’s agent will guide you step-by-step through the closing process. They will help you set up a home inspection and interpret the results. They will help you prepare a purchase and sale contract and they will oversee every contingency deadline to keep the closing on track . An experienced buyer’s broker will have seen it all and know exactly how to handle the unexpected.
5. It’s a FREE service: The best reason of all to hire a buyer’s agent? Its a free service! Buyer’s agents are paid by the seller at the time of the closing.
Have questions; thoughts? Post a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
There are many reasons to keep an eye on the real estate market in your town, and we’re committed to keeping you informed!
Take a look at the sales stats for 2010 year to date for South Boston:
Total # of homes sold from 01/01/2009-05/31/2009: 140
Average price of homes sold from 01/01/2009-05/31/2009 : $357,586
Average days on market: 138
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Total # of homes sold 01/01/2010-present: 218
Average price of homes sold from 01/01/2010-present: $365,475
Average days on market: 98
*statistics provided by the warren group*
As you can see, not only have home prices gone up a bit from this time in 2009, quite a few more units have sold and days on the market have decreased. It’s difficult to say at this point how much the Home Buyer Tax Credits played into this increase, but we’ve found consumer confidence to be much higher which is likely having an impact on sales as well.
Do you spend a lot of time wondering where the bus is? Are you crossing your fingers that there are no delays on the T tonight? If you can access twitter from your cell phone you can get up to the minute reports on the location of your bus or train. Check it out!
Want updates right from your computer? Try this cool desktop widget : http://www.neptuneweb.com/mbta/
While you’re there, you can follow us on Twitter too! http://twitter.com/RooneyRE
Be sure to make note of the Commonwealth’s new smoke detector regulations which take effect on April 5, 2010. The regulations govern the installation of smoke detectors in single family homes and multi-family residential buildings under 70 ft. tall and containing five or fewer units which have not been constructed, altered or modified since January 1, 1975.
Essentially, the soon to be implemented regulations change the types of technologies that must be employed by detectors in affected properties. Specifically, owners must now install smoke detectors utilizing both ionization and photoelectric technologies in all places that they were previously required, EXCEPT within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. Within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower, ONLY a photoelectric smoke detector is allowed.
For more information of the smoke detector regulations, we have posted a set of Frequently Asked Questions on gbreb.com and a webinar on the new rules also is available for viewing on marealtor.com. You may also wish to download a brochure on the new smoke detector rules recently produced by the State Fire Marshall’s Office.
Welcome to the new Rooney Real Estate Blog! We hope you’ll check back here often for advice on home buying & selling, local market updates and other real estate news. We look forward to taking your questions and providing useful information to our readers.
- The Rooney Real Estate Staff
