2 Bedroom Condo for less than Renting Franklin MA

599 Old West Central St D1 Franklin MA Condo for Sale

Offered at $109,900,

This garden style first floor 2 bedroom condo is a must see for anyone looking to jump into the real estate market in Franklin  MA.    With interest rates at an all time low, someone can get into this home for less money monthly than they would be paying for rent in a comparable style and size home!    That includes paying the real estate taxes. 

This ground floor condo consists of 885 square feet and has sliders that walk out to a patio that overlooks the wooded courtyard.       There are laundry facilities, plenty of parking and an association pool too.

The condo fee is $276 per month and includes heat and hot water, sewer, insurance, maintenance, landscaping, snow and refuse removal so it is really quite economical!


599 Old West Central St D1 Franklin MA is conveniently located and is literally just minutes to good shopping, Boston commuter rail and highways.  

This is an amazing opportunity for a first time buyer or someone looking to downsize, an investor, or a "snow bird" looking for a summer nest to hang their hat. 

Would you like more information on this condo or would you like to set up a personal showing?  
Please contact me  
Carol-Ann Palmieri      508-494-9061       Cal@alandcal.com

Inspiration in Small Packages A Story!

This post is about my sister Teresa and her young daughter Siobhan

I come from a medium size family.   Mom, Dad, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.    We are all very different from each other, but all very close and supportive of what ever we decide to do. 

We all have our "thing", but when Teresa told me that she was going to tackle a triathlon with her daughter, I was nothing but amazed.    Like really?   Who would even think to do such a thing.

I watched or really heard of her training all summer, on her own, without a trainer.   No one pushing her but herself!   Can you imagine how hard it is to do 44 laps in an outdoor, unheated pool each morning, regardless of weather (in New England) before work!  Bike rides up and down on a beast of a bike no less.   And then there is the dreaded running.   (I should mention, Palmieri's don't run.)  
They worked hard.   I was in awe.    I do complain that I don't have enough time to do what I want, but really, when I look at the determination here, I have to be embarrassed for myself for even thinking that.   

This past Sunday the event took place.    Hopkinton State Park.   8 am.    I will say it did warm up, but I had a sweatshirt on for the beginning of the event.   The thought of getting into the frigid water, never mind a long swim was daunting at best.

Sister Nancy and I found a cheering spot for the swim part of the race.  In true Palmieri form, you could hear us cheering for the swimmers as they exited the water and ran up the path, tearing off their hats etc to get a jump on the cycling part of the race.    We know that Teresa and Siobhan are in pink hats in the water.    We start cheering for them.. yelling their names as the pink swim caps are passing in front of us out in the water.   
What happens next is we hear them yelling back to us!     Can this be true??   Swimming and cheering from the water??     I guess all those frigid laps in the morning has paid off!  
4
We can't wait to see them on the path to the bikes.    Here they come, looking like a day at the beach! 

On to the cycles they went.     Up and over the hill and back to the starting point.     As they passed by me, I wanted to cry.

They moved on to the grueling finish.

And finish they did.  Side by side, Mother and Daughter. 


An inspiration to me, these two small packages of women hood.   


Through my sister and niece, I am reminded of what it takes to accomplish a seemingly impossible goal.   

Determination.   Practice.   Teamwork.    

Looking for a Rental? Stand out in the Crowd!

If you are looking for a rental these days in the Franklin MA area, you know the market is tight.   There are so many prospective tenants out there that you really need to put your best foot forward. 

I recently put a house rental on the market.  In two days we had more than 15 showings, took 5 applications,  and answered many, many more calls and email inquiries on it. 

So, how can you score that home that is so appealing to you?

Here are a few tips to set your self apart from the pack.

• Act professional!       If on the phone be pleasant and agreeable and sincere.   If contact is through an email, use proper grammar and leave out the slang!  Be positive.  A simple statement like, "I don't view the main street as a problem", could put you behind someone else.  

• Show up at the agreed upon time!       For crying out loud, don't make the agent/owner wait!   These folks want to know you are responsible!  Be on time, if traffic holds you up, make a courtesy call!
   


• Your presentation!      Do not downplay this one!    Don't show up looking like a slob or wreaking of smoke or alcohol!   For that matter, show up in a clean car without the muffler falling off!   The homeowner wants to think you will take care of their place!   

• Be ready to move, pronto!         I don't mean move in, What I mean is to bring your checkbook, credit report and references.  Be ready to fill out an application right away!   Many times if all looks equal, it is the first guy in to see it who becomes the winner.

• Have a letter of introduction!        There are many times the Homeowner is just not going to meet you.   Set yourself apart by writing a letter introducing yourself and family.    Tell them who you are and why you want the property.  Your goal is to get them to know and like you.   Here is your chance to show how you have been responsible in the past and how you will lovingly maintain their property and, of course your willingness to pay on time!

• Have a credit issue?       Be ready to explain it in the clearest manner possible.  A lot of landlords these days know there maybe a credit blip or two and are understanding of that if you have a plausible and reasonable explanation.

• If you have a pet!    Bring a photo of the little charmer!       If he or she has been to obedience school, bring the diploma!  Offer to have the pet meet the homeowners.    Many homeowners are pet lovers too!  Put a face on "your baby".    It could be just the thing that makes the difference!

• Do whatever it takes to set you apart from the crowd!      In a positive way of course!  

You should remember to treat this appointment like you would a job interview.    Use your common sense.   Don't delay or hesitate and you should soon have a new home!   

Looking to Buy, Sell, Rent or Invest?  
Call me at 508-494-9061
or send an email to Cal@alandCal.com

Mrs. Home Seller Are you a Chatty Cathy?

I find that the guidelines in life are generally there for a reason.   For example, you are required to show identification when cashing a check, because some one has taken advantage of the system  or, there is a disclaimer on a hot cup of coffee that lets you know that the coffee is Hot!  :)    You know what I am talking about.

The suggestions your real estate agent makes are done so for a reason too!    

One of those suggestions will surely be...  when there is a showing on your home, leave!  
All too often, a Seller will feel the need to stay for showings, maybe to add information that they feel the buyer needs or because they are just uncomfortable with people being in there home when they are not there.  

This is what happened the other day when Mrs. Seller remained home.  

My Buyers are relocating to the area.  They are deciding among several communities and we were to look at a couple of homes in a particular town that were side by side on the end of a small, intimate cul de sac. 

Now, in this area, most of the agents use the lock box system, which allows a Buyer with their agent to view the property unaccompanied by the listing agent or seller.   (typically this is viewed as a good plan as it allows the buyers to really look through the home without feeling rushed or uncomfortable.)

We viewed a number of homes that day and there was one where Mrs. Seller decided to stay home.    She gave us permission to view the home and provided us with some information on the property.  And then she started!   Chatty Cathy!      She told us all about the neighbors.  She let us know that there were more folks leaving.    She told us of the folks (another home for sale) getting a divorce, and others leaving to get into a new school system.   She let us know that she was looking around in another town for a "smaller" home and the list goes on!   

Now let me tell you, that if my Buyers, did like the home, they now decided against that neighborhood and that entire town by what Mrs. Seller had to say!   

She sabotaged a possible sale of her own home by trying to be just nice!


So, please Mr. or Mrs. Seller.    Heed your agents suggestion on taking a walk!    We know you love your home, but, you don't want to inadvertently talk a Buyer out of it!

Want more home selling guidelines?

'

Want to know what your  home is worth in today's market?

Contact   Carol-Ann Palmieri     Cal@AlandCal.com    

or leave a comment!

A Reminder! Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law takes effect September

A Reminder!     Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law takes effect September (a re blog:  a reminder;    time is growing short!)

It's been gorgeous lately in Franklin, MA and no one wants to be thinking about their heating systems, but, here in Massachusetts, we are fast approaching the deadline for the law that requires you to have your oil heating system equipment upgraded.    The law enacted in 2009 takes full effect on Sept 30 of this year.  

Come the end of summer, my guess is that folks will be scrambling to get this done.     My suggestion would be to call your service guy and address it before the rush! 
(You know, end of September...
that's the start of "Oil Man weather" and those guys are going to be straight out!)       Wait untill the last minute and you could be waiting for longer than you want to!

What is it all about?

In a nutshell, the MA law was designed to prevent leaks from oil tanks and the pipes connected to your furnace.  It requires an upgrade to your oil heating system equipment by September 30, 2011.  
There are two major provisions:

• an installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that don't currently have them
• insurance companies to offer coverage for leaks from oil heating systems

What exactly does it mean?

Not a big deal, but, if you are heating by oil, you will probably need the upgrade, and you can't do it yourself. It needs to be done by a licensed professional.
Additionally, insurance companies that write homeowner policies need to offer coverage that addresses possible leaks from heating systems that use oil.    Although it is mandatory that insurance companies offer this coverage, it is an optional purchase for homeowners (and, that has been in effect since 7/10).

What is the upgrade going to cost?

A conversation with my "go to" HVAC guy, Rich Palmieri, owner of Palmieri Mechanical.. 508 958-0523..  reveals that,  it won't be a major expense to have this done.... ball parking.... up to $350 or so, depending on your system...

It is not a bad idea considering the cost to cleaning up a leak if one should happen.....

What should you do?
Call your HVAC guy and make a call to your insurance provider to decide whether you want the optional coverage.
 
for more info... check out    http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/laws/hhsl.htm

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.FranklinMAAreaHomes.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Ellen Degeneres goofs on Real Estate Ads!

Ellen Degeneres goofs on Real Estate Ads!    I hope you enjoy!  

Thanks Nancy for sharing this with me!

Open House Sunday July 10 from Noon to 2 at 27 Green Street Medfield MA

Open House Sunday July 10 from Noon to 2 at 27 Green Street Medfield MA

Offered at $379,900

This wonderful antique colonial is located in the heart of Medfield.    It is spacious, inviting and has all the character and charm we associate with a vintage home.     As you step up to the front porch you immediately recognize that this home has been taken care of and very much loved over the years. 

There is over 2000 square feet of living space.   The ceilings are high, the windows are long.    There are ten rooms, four bedrooms and one and a half baths.    The formal dining room offers beautiful hard wood floors and opens to a "front" room that has custom built in shelves and cabinets and a wonderful walk out bay window.  (which by the way extends to the master bedroom above.)

The kitchen has gleaming rock maple floors, a tiled window seat and the original tin ceiling!    Such character and craftsmanship is hard to find.    This home has front and back staircases.    A recent addition sun room, and two more rooms on the first floor to be used as you wish!    The current owners use one as a den the other, an office.   There is a first floor laundry, a wood stove and a walk up "Grandma's" attic!    A full basement and a fenced in yard!  

The Town of Medfield is noted for it's wonderful community and school system.    This home is located within a beautiful stroll to the center of town where one would find nice restaurants and shops.    8 miles to route 128, a short drive to the Boston commuter rail and right around the corner to the Medfield Swim Pond!
Can't make the Open House Sunday July 10th from Noon to 2?   Contact me for a personal showing!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.FranklinMAAreaHomes.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061