LARRY LOVES IT!

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Do you know of anyone that would be interested in living here?  
Contact me  cal@alandcal.com    or   508-494-9061

Radon.... The Emperor's New Clothes? Or something more?

Radon Gas.... you can't see it.... you can't smell it....you can't taste it....  

But is it problem in your home?  The experts say the only way to tell is to test!

According to the Surgeon General...  radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US today!   Only smoking, he says, causes more lung cancer deaths.

So what is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas.  It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground.   Found all over....It can move up through the ground and seep into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation.   Then your home can trap the gas inside where it can build up.   It can happen in any building, but the greatest concern for exposure is in your home where  you spend the most time.

Testing.

Because it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, the only way to know if you have excessive levels of radon in your home is to test.     Testing is inexpensive and easy.   There are different methods, some as simple as placing a charcoal canister in your home for a couple of days.

What if you have a problem?

Virtually every home has some degree of Radon. The EPA has acceptable levels, and action levels... If your home tests above the acceptable levels, you may be able to bring the level down by sealing the cracks and or holes in the foundation..but, more than likely you will want to install a mitigation system.   Simple enough and inexpensive (relatively speaking).....There are many companies around that will do just that and will guarantee to get that count down to acceptable levels.

follow this link to find out more.....       http://www.epa.gov/radon/

Please contact me if I can help you with your Real Estate needs!   cal@alandcal.com

Franklin....$319,900..... 5 Bedrooms....2 Baths.... Great Neighborhood!

3.8% Sales Tax on the Sale of Your Home.... Is that true????

Have you received this?   This past week, with a definite political slant, emails again are circulating pertaining to the Health Care Bill and the  3.8% federal sales tax on Real Estate Transactions which appears to be buried in it...
   
Is there any truth to the email?    or is it just political spin?

It certainly bears looking into...  and according to Snopes and Factcheck.org and a slew of other articles, there is some truth that there will be a tax on Real Estate Transactions, but it appears the tax is aimed at income earned on investments or earned over the real estate tax exemption.

Not every transaction as the email wants you to believe.

"Medicare Tax" in the Obama Health Care Reform Bill....  is confusing to say the least....

another tax .... strategically dubbed the "Medicare Tax" takes the sting out of what it is and being aimed at the "wealthy" also makes it easier for the general public to take...

Knowing the facts, however confusing, gives us piece of mind... and knowledge gives us the power to not fall prey to those that want to sway our opinions by using fear and misinformation....

That to me is worth the time it takes to learn for ourselves... 

The National Association of Realtors has a decent FAQ on the subject.... here is the link  http://www.realtor.org/small_business_health_coverage.nsf/pages/health_ref_faq_med_tax?opendocument

For the record.... I am in no way defending any Tax, this Tax or the entire Bill....

I am just sick of people trying to influence my thinking by using fear and scare tactics......

Handicap Access w/personal elevator too! $299,900 Bellingham, MA

Re-done top to bottom and waiting for new owner!    3 beds, 2 baths, 2 fireplaces, 2 garages.  Handicap Access & a personal elevator too!     $299,900    Do you know of anyone that might be interested?   Contact me at 508-494-9061   cal@alandcal.com

Okay......So, I'll admit it... I'm addicted!

to TV home shows that is....

I was out with a friend / Realtor today.  Her opinion was that Home TV shows have changed the way Buyers view real estate.   I have to admit that I agree.    We've all seen the designed to sell or fixing things on a dime shows.   I love them!   I love the way they can transform a home for a few dollars and get the place ready to sell or to make it look fab!......but, ....look again, is the change realistic for living?     or does it just look great?   

These days we have come to expect perfection...

Why not?   

Well, it could just might be that perfection is just not real world.... it's media world....

The reality is that there is always something left to do in a home.. regardless of price..... the expectation of perfect is unrealistic and breeds disappointment....

My first client of all time, convinced her husband that if they chose a particular home, he wouldn't have to do anything to fix it up for her......  several months later when i went to visit... the only thing left unchanged was the kitchen counter!

My point ....  you will always put your personal stamp on a home....a homeowner will naturally change things to suit their needs and lifestyle..

Real people live in their homes.....   key word "live".  

Don't let the TV expectation of the "perfect" home stop you from buying your perfect home!  

When looking at the home, go in with eyes wide open... look beyond the current owners lifestyle.....

If the home looks TV perfect... make sure it is real life "liveable"....  don't let that TV expectation seperate you from your "perfect" home!

in the meantime....  i'm tuning in .....    it's fun to watch and they do have some great ideas!!!       Yeap....  I'm addicted......

Mortgage Contingency

Most of us aren't paying cash for our homes these days.   We need to secure a mortgage from a lender.    In order to secure the mortgage, you must have a purchase and sales agreement on a home.    For that reason, we have come to accept  a "mortgage contingency clause" as reasonable part of the purchase agreement.   

What exactly does this mean?  

The mortgage contingency clause protects the Buyer's deposit while the Lender researches the Buyer's qualifications and the home's value supported by an appraisal.   This process can take a few weeks.   Normally, during this time the home is "off the market."   

After review, the Lender will either issue a "commitment" or a "denial"....

The commitment, formal and in writing, means both Buyer and Seller can breathe easy and  can move ahead with the purchase of the home..... 

If one receives a "denial", the Buyer MUST provide a "letter of denial" from the Lender, and then ask for a release of his funds.  The home goes back up for sale.

Because of the mortgage contingency clause, most Buyer's will seek out a "pre-approval" from a lender prior to offering on a home.     This way they know in advance that they are likely to secure financing and exactly what their purchasing power is...  and, the Savy Seller will request to see a "pre-approval" on the Buyer before accepting an offer on their home; taking it off the market while the formal process works itself out.

This "pre-approval" process is the reason we don't see that many denials. 

Need a lender referral or help with purchasing a home?       cal@alandcal.com