You Can Never Be Too Thin or Have Too Big a House

You Can Never Be Too Thin or Have Too Big A House

Well, this is at least what my good friend was famous for saying.   I wonder though, is this the way people feel?   

I work with a lot of first time buyers.    They are all encouraged to talk to my go to mortgage guy before we set them up for an on line search and begin our actual hunt.   This tends to be an eye opener in either direction.  

Many times these buyers can "afford" more home than they thought they could especially today with interest rates at such an affordable low.   This translates into one of two things.   A higher priced community or a larger, possibly newer home than they were thinking of.

Let's talk about that larger home.    Is it true that everyone would like a larger home?    It does seem to be the case for many.   But I wonder would it be nicer to have a smaller home with more money in your pocket?    Would one have a better quality of life if they didn't feel the need to max out on their house payment?    

Looking ahead to the future, it may very well be the wise move to make the largest purchase with interest rates this low.    Or, is it wise to just look at one needs and make the choice on that.  

Either way, it's a personal choice, and one that I respect.

My thoughts after selling hundreds of homes to local families is to really think about what your needs and wants are.   Just because the mortgage guy says you can "afford" a certain payment doesn't mean you have to.   Those guidelines are meant to be a guide for an affordable home based on your current and past income and what people project will be the way you will spend your money.  

You might want to consider,

• Will your income change one way or another in the future?
• Will you want to change your job in the future?  Key word being want.
• Will your family needs dictate a need to stay home to take care of children or older parents?
• Will the size of your family change one way or the other?
• Do you have large expenditures that will be coming up in the future, or will you be paying a large bill off?
• Will you be looking to purchase a vacation home sometime in the future?

There are many things in life that we can't predict, but many that we know might or will happen.  The day you are looking for a mortgage might be the day that you want to consider these.      If you think that your income may change, or you wish to live a life style that will include having payments outside the norm, then you might want to consider a smaller payment.

Remember, just because they say you can afford something, doesn't mean you have to!

So, can you be too thin?  or have too big a house??   I say yes to both.    Eat responsibly and do the same with your home purchase.  

Oh wait!    Maybe having a very big a home will keep you thin!!    

(Just kidding folks!)

____________________________

About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri,   (very much not too thin and owns a very modest size home)

a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.
 A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.

 Licensed in MA and RI...

 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....

Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

59 Tyler Drive Uxbridge MA Another Sold by Al and Cal Realty Group

59 Tyler Drive Uxbridge MA Another Sold by Al and Cal Realty Group

Al Mussi and Carol-Ann Palmieri have sold another! 

This home at 59 Tyler Drive in Uxbridge has new happy owners this week. 

These buyers were looking for young home in a neighborhood.   They had specific neighborhood and location priorities.   They are both very busy professionals so we started by signing them up for our on line email search so that they would have a good market education before hitting the pavement.

After identifying a few homes to see, we began the physical search.  We were very focused.   It didn't take long  for them to find their perfect home in just the right neighborhood!  

Al and Cal are happy to have helped another family find their dream home in record time. 

We know that they are happy with their decision and wish them the very best in their new neighborhood.
If we can help you find your new home, please don't hesitate to call. 

We are proud of the fact that we have been helping people move for the past 25 years!   

Put our experience to work for you!

Search for homes here

______________________________________

About the author
Carol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.
 Licensed in MA and RI...
 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
 Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Emergency Preparedness - an Earthquake Comes To Town

Emergency Preparedness - an Earthquake Comes To Town

The Princess and the Pea That's Not Me.   Apparently I am not that kind of royalty as I didn't feel a thing, but Tuesday night, in Maine there was an earthquake of 4.0 magnitude .   I heard from different folks in my area here west of Boston that they felt the tremor.   That's a long way away. 

As a kid my father used to give us talk about what to do there was a fire.   Where to go, how to get out etc.   We never had a practice but we did talk.   

Tuesday's shake made me think about a visit to my brother who lived for a long while in Los Angeles.

As soon as my sister Teresa and I got off our plane in LAX, we were greeted with not just hugs and kisses but a talk on what to do in case of an earthquake, where we meet, how to react, and not to touch his emergency stash of water, etc.   Teresa and I thought at the time that it was kind of funny.  After all we had never lived through an earthquake before and had never thought of it.  But really... it was just plain smart! 

The earthquake Tuesday night made me think of that trip and how most of us are not prepared for an emergency.  At least I am not.  We don't have an emergency plan or meeting place with our families.  We really haven't even talked about what we would do.    That will change. 

Why?  It's so simple and ridiculous not to have just a simple discussion and plan.

So the lesson learned from this past Tuesday is to remember to be prepared.    Firefighters all across the nation this year are urging families to have "two ways out".   A great campaign.   So easy to implement and if you have a plan it will easily come to mind if ever faced with a stressful situation.

I am not advocating prepping here, just being smart.  Figure out your own plan and share it with your family.  Plan to meet someplace and maybe to have a few things available such as flashlights, batteries, etc, just in case.    

Whatever feels right for you.    There are lots of tips from emergency agencies and are readily available on line. 

You will probably never need it, but what the heck?   It's a just a conversation.  

________________________________________________

About the author
Carol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.
 Licensed in MA and RI...
 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
 Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Tips for Living With Your Home On The Market

Tips for Living With Your Home On The Market

Do you have your home on the market or are you thinking of it?    If so, it will come as no surprise to you that you will have you home exposed to the world in living color!
 

It might be somewhat like living in a fishbowl.   Which is exactly what you want! 

Having your home exposed to as many potential buyers as possible will bring you the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time. 

Your job is to choose the Realtor who can and will expose your home correctly in as many places as possible.    Once you do, your home will be presented with not only text, but color views of each and every nook and cranny of your home.  It will likely include mapping and video.  Your agent might even suggest opening  your doors for a public open house or at least an agents preview.
Don't be alarmed!   It is all a part of merchandising.   One can't make a decision on a home that they can't see.     

So I have heard it's a little like living in a fishbowl.  

How to Minimize the Discomfort?

There are a couple of things you can do to make this process easier.  

• Stage it.    Again, think merchandising.    This might be a little inconvenient.  Remember, it is not a reflection on how you live or decorate, but meant to take the purchaser in the direction of moving themselves in.
• Best foot forward.   Okay, it's showtime!   You want your home to look it's best as soon as it hits the market.   Don't wait for a later time for the photos.   Almost all buyers will see your home on line before they visit in person.  This is good news as it weeds out the looky loos.   At the same time you wouldn't want to miss that first time opportunity to capture the hearts of that potential buyer with an incomplete marketing opportunity.    It is, in my opinion a mistake to begin marketing halfway with the thoughts of catching up later.  Defer to your Realtors expertise on what is important to accomplish before hitting the market full force.
• Strategy.   Defer and confer with your agent regarding the best strategy for your home.  Be cognizant of the norm in the area.  Do buyers attend open houses?   If so, it might be that your first showings start at an open house.   This is just an example, but there could be ways to get the first looks through with as little disruption to you as possible. 
• Price it right.   If you do this, your home will sell in a reasonable amount of time, minimizing your time on the market.   You get the drift.   Different for different homes in different market places.  
• Be Prepared.  I'm not talking here about the physical presentation.   People will ask all kinds of questions.  They may seem prying.  The may seem personal.   They may seem ridiculous.    Regardless.   Be prepared on your agents advice to answer.  We generally regard these questions, as "buying questions".   Meaning, that anyone who is not interested will not bother with questions.   So when that buyer asks what your heating bill was last year... we know it is subjective, but it is something they feel they need to have answered in order to move forward. 
• Leave the House.  You do not want to be in the house while a potential buyer and their agent walk through.   For many reasons including they won't linger and poke around.  They need to do that in order to make a buying decision.  But from the Sellers point of view, that lingering and poking is very unsettling.    You don't need it.  Leave the showing to the professionals. 
• Communication.   This is a two way thing here.  If you have any concerns after or before a showing, bring them to the attention of your agent!!   Do not let something fester.   Also,a good agent will communicate with you to let you know to the best of their ability how the showing went.  Most times, they will not know the buyers particulars.   Where they work, how old they are, etc, but they can let you know if there is possible interest, or any other thing pertinent to the showing.   
• Breathe!   Try to relax.  We know that you have to live here too.   There is a balance between living "show ready" and having a life.   Try to minimize the stress by thinking before hand where you will stash things and what your routine will be for showings.  It is unlikely these days that someone will ask for a last minute showing.   You will have plenty of time to get your home ready and get out.
• Realistic Expectations.   Sometimes people expect that the first person that walks through the door is the "one".   That is not usually the case, although that is the goal.    Expect that you might have several buyers through.   The more the better.   I kind of like to think of that old saying about kissing a lot of toads before you find the prince.  I hope you have heard that before!   

Please know, that your Realtor knows how hard it is to have your home on the market and how emotional it is to having people walk through it.     She / He will try as hard as possible to make it as comfortable for you as possible. 

Life In The Fishbowl.....

The whole thing might feel a bit disconcerting.  

But, if you are feeling that way, I would venture to say that your Realtor is doing a great job!

__________________________

Are you thinking of putting your home on the market?   Put my 25 years of real estate experience to work for you.   

I can be reached at 508-494-9061 or email at Cal@AlandCal.com

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Do not forget to Re-Register To Vote If You Have Moved Recently

Do not forget to Re-Register To Vote If You Have Moved Recently

Having recently moved myself, I remembered to change my utilities, my mail, my licenses, etc, but I almost forgot to re-register in my new community.

We face a very big vote this November 6, 2012.   There are pretty big differences in the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates as well as candidates on the more local level here in Massachusetts.  

No matter the outcome of these elections, If you are anything like me you want to get your two cents in. 


Once I did remember, a short visit to the new town hall was the ticket.    I met the town clerk and gave her my new info, showed her my photo ID and voila, done.   As simple as that!     She gave me a piece of paper for confirmation and off I went. 

The Rules In A Nutshell

Time Frame - It is different for each state, but here in MA, you have 20 days prior to the primaries and elections to register (or 10 days prior to a special town meeting).

That means for this Presidential election, get it done by October 17, 2012.

There is no waiting period. You can register to vote as soon as you move into your new home.
There are three ways to re-register.  All very easy.  You just have to remember to dot it!   :)

Register In Person - Now if you have moved in the same city or town you just have to notify election office in writing, but if you have moved out of your town,  you must re-register.   Like I said before, painless.   

Register By Mail - If you have moved, had a change of name, etc,  you can also register by using the Mail in Voter Registration form.  Once you have filled it in, you need to mail it to the proper local authority.    If you choose this route, act quickly.   It must be postmarked by the October 17th date. 

At the Registry of Motor Vehicles - You can also register when renewing your driver's license.  Make sure you receive confirmation or call on your local official to confirm your status. 

Where to find Registration Forms - You can find the appropriate forms at designated voter registration agencies, colleges, universities, high schools and vocational schools, and of course on line, right here.     MA Voter Registration Form

Info on Massachusetts Voter Registration

So, once again.  It is all very easy.   All you have to do is remember!

___________________________________________      

About the author
Carol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.
 Licensed in MA and RI...

 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
 Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

  

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Remax Executive Realty Charitable Foundation Calendars - A Winner Every Day!

Remax Executive Realty Charitable Foundation Calendars  - A Winner Every Day!

The Fundraiser Calendar is back by popular demand.   

Come and get them! (or give me a call, I'll get it to you!)   

For just $20 you will have a chance to win $$$$ every day during the month of November.  

We all love a Win-Win!  

• win cash!
• help local families!
• tax deduction!

Would you like one?   Please contact me at 508-494-9061 or send an email to Cal@alandcal.com 

What is the Remax Charitable Foundation? 

The RE/MAX Executive Charitable Foundation is a non-profit, 501-3c organization created to carry out the philanthropic mission of RE/MAX Executive Realty Associates.  The Foundation is established to fund financial or service based needs in the Company’s market area.  Through requests, the Foundation’s primary goal is to improve the lives of families or individuals in the Foundation’s general market area. 

Established in 2009, the Foundation has already made a positive

impact in our communities.  

Where Does The Money Go?       Some of the grants or services provided have been:   

•  ·         Provided financial assistance to a family whose home was destroyed by a natural disaster
• ·         Installed a new roof on a home of a single mother
• ·         Provided fund raising for a family whose home was damaged by fire
• ·         Provided financial assistance and labor to help construct Habitat for Humanity house
• ·         Provided financial rental assistance for a struggling family
• ·         Provided groceries for a family struggling with a father with cancer
• ·         Gifts for struggling families during the Holiday season
• ·         Financial support to a family with a daughter with leukemia

Would you like to become a Member or a Corporate Sponsor?     

Membership Application

Grant, Donation or Assistance Request

Grant Application 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

 

Pricing Your Home - The Free Market Analysis Part 1

Pricing Your Home - The Free Market Analysis Part 1


One thing I have learned in the 25 years that I have been selling real estate is that Realtors easily throw terms around that we think the general public understands as we do.   

A "Just Sold" Card comes in the Mail with an offer!

Undoubtedly you have seen the phrases, or received offers  for a  "Free Market Analysis",   or "No Obligation Market Evaluation"  or "Free CMA" (competitive market analysis), time and time again.

What exactly is a Free CMA?     For the most part consider it an estimate of market value prepared by a real estate agent for Sellers or Buyers based on what is going on in the current market.    It is an opinion based on facts and the interpretation of those facts.      

How is this estimate determined?     A true market evaluation is based on a visual inspection, an assessment and comparison of the properties location, amenities and unique features.

The real estate agent will compare the subject property to similar properties in the immediate area that have sold recently, those that are for sale, and those that are pending sale.

 For example, if your neighbors home has sold recently, but has a fireplace and a garage and yours doesn't, the agent will make adjustments to compensate for those factors in determining what your home might sell for in the current market.

What's important here?      Because it is not an exact science, the experience and market knowledge of the real estate agent is paramount in using the correct information and interpreting that information in order to form that price opinion.  

Why do Agents offer a Free Market Analysis?      Everyone loves the word free, but make no mistake about it.   All good agents will put a lot of time and effort into these no obligation offerings.  So, of course this pretty much goes without saying, but they want to have the opportunity to meet with you so that when you are ready to sell, or know someone that does, they will have become the market expert in your eyes.


Want to know the value of your home?   Use this link.   What's My Home Worth? 

Posts to come:  
Part 2 - A Realtor price opinion or CMA vs. an Appraisal.
Part 3 - The Market Analysis vs. the On line Price Opinion (or "zestimate") 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061