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

Don't you see what's happening? Potter isn't selling! Potter's buying! And Why??"

Don't you see what's happening?   Potter isn't selling!    Potter's buying! And Why??"
says Jimmy Stewart as the character of  George Bailey  in the 1946   film of 'It's a Wonderful Life!"
An excellent post this morning Indecision 2011 by Patricia Kennedy made me think of this line in the movie that I enjoy several times during the Christmas holiday season.    (Is there something wrong with me knowing those lines by heart?)

It's such a classic film.   There are so many back lessons to it. It amazes me that even today, in this world so advanced and filled with technology and education, that Americans are feeling the same sort of panic that Americans felt back in the 1940's!
So, why do we panic like that?    
What makes us run in the wrong direction, when we all really know that we should be "Picking up bargains!" as Mr. Potter was doing in the film?....
Clearly it's not just a matter of economics, but more of psyche...
Of course we hear reports of many many Americans who have lost their homes or are in jeopardy of losing them.     That scares us... 
We hear daily reports on jobless numbers, housing starts, oil prices and, the stock market reacts.., either negatively or positively...  On that news, we feel up or we feel down.
We hear reports that it is harder to get money to purchase property.  
Are these the reasons we sit an wait?     
Or is it simply the thought that the housing market will decline some more?   Are we trying to time the market to be sure that that won't happen to us?    Possibly.    What  has happened to finding a home to live in to raise our families or entertain our guests?    Has it all come down to investment?
I'm not sure.  
But even still, If it is investment, then why is it that when all signs point to Buy....... When it's a Buyer's market we sit paralized waiting?
And, conversely, why, when it's a Seller's market we are jumping in with no abandon?    
It just makes no sense.  


Buying or Selling in today's market?   We have all the tools AND the expertise to help you!

Contact

CAROL ANN PALMIERI    508-494-9061

 EMAIL to CAL@ALANDCAL.COM

FOR UP TO THE MINUTE HOME SEARCH     AL AND CAL.COM

What's in a Box? QR Codes

Okay?   So what's with those black squiggly boxes you see popping up all over the place?  

Scan this code for Real Estate info!

I had no clue... but my go to promotions folks      Promotions-Etc.com 
explained to me that this is the wave of the future and explained to me just what QR codes were and how they were helpful to small business!


Basically they are something akin to a bar code scanner that we see in the supermarket.  Only this contains all kinds of information that someone wants to get to you quickly.      One would use their smart phone and scan the code.   Pretty instantaneously what ever info is encoded will show right up on your phone screen!


Hence the term quick response.    Used widely in Japan, we now see them popping up all over the place from coupons to Realtors signs and web sites.    You should see them anywhere someone needs and wants to get you information fast.

They can contain contact information just like a business card.    Scan and voila!   Instead of writing or typing out someones phone number and address it is magically added to your contacts... and that's just the beginning!

Have some fun!         Scan and see that you get description and tons of photos!

Please check out the folks at Promotions-Etc and SewMI Embroidery.    If it weren't for their expertise and knowledge, I would still be in the dark about these things  and..they are excellent if looking for promotional products or anything embroidery!    

If you are looking to Buy, Sell, Rent or Invest... please give me a call.

   Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

Remax Executive Realty

508-494-9061 or email at cal@alancal.com

Medfield Community Info the Photo Story Part 2

This is the second part of the photo story of Medfield that I put together.   I hope you enjoy. 

If you have any real estate questions call me, Carol Ann at 508-494-9061

or email at Cal@alandcal.com

for an up to the minute home search visit   Al and Cal.com

Medfield MA Community Info Part 1 A Photo Story

Medfield MA  ( Part 1)

is a beautiful community that lies approximately 17 miles south west of Boston.

It is rich in history and significant in the formation of our country.  It was devastated by King Philip during the Indian Wars and was burnt to the ground.   It was rebuilt and has become an affluent and desirable place to live.   From early on, it's settlers believed in education and women's right to vote.

Scenes of Medfield have been depicted in paintings by the famous artist George Inness.

My sister, the very creative...  Nancy Carroll  ....prompted me to make this picture book and I hope you enjoy it.  

 Please let me know what you think!    Part 2 coming soon!

If there is any way that I can help you with your real estate needs and dreams,

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

For an up to the minute home search go to Al and Cal.com

Carol-Ann Palmieri