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homes & more
26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, September 10, 2021 HOMES MORE&
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Gary Kelley
REALTOR®
How’s the Market? – Fall 2021
Easy isn’t the word I’d use to characterize this market. Interesting works better!
With the incredibly low interest rates we’ve been enjoying, some have characterized this as a time of free money. While the money isn’t free, using it is economical and has increased the buying power of many. I always warn clients to look at what they can afford more than what they are approved for.
Available inventory has been a recurring theme. We are still running under the 2020 inventory levels, albeit the inventory level is increasing. Inventory in 2020 was consumed almost immediately, and we’ve seen a tempering over the summer of 2021. “That’s the crash coming, right?”
I’m seeing no indication of a 2008-type slow down. The 2007–2008 issues were caused by lending practices giving away to the subprime mortgage crisis. What I’m sensing now is a slow return to a more normal market. Buyers should rejoice. An increasing number of homes is giving astute, nimble buyers opportunities. Yes, people are getting into homes. And without having to pledge firstborns to secure the house. Yes, the astute buyer will use a Realtor to navigate the market and hit the sweet spot with an offer.
I’m not a fan of market timing and continue to tell sellers the best time to put their home on the market is the day they do so. We are entering a period when you may not have 75 people standing in line for an open house, and you may only get 2 offers rather than 20. As a seller you need to know it is still a sellers’ market and appropriately priced properties are still selling. Looking at the house down the street selling for an astronomical price and adding an astronomical number to it is not going to be a successful pricing strategy. You need to examine comparable homes, what’s on the market and understand what pricing bands are showing activity to price your home. A Realtor can help with this.
Northborough-area 2021 real estate trends, so far
WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT HOW THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has affected the national housing market, but what’s happening in the real estate market closer to Northborough? The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS compiles home sales data across the state, giving us a good understanding of John Kreiss how the local market compares to trends observed nationally. Real Estate Agent Here are the most interesting Northborough home selling trends so far this year
WORCESTER COUNTY HOME AND CONDO PRICES ARE SURGING
The median sales price of a Worcester County home in June 2021 was $405,000, up 23.3% from the same time last year. Year to date, the median sales price is $375,000, compared to $316,050 in 2020. Condo prices are also on the rise, though not as much. The median sales price for a condo in June was $285,500, so far this year versus $273,000 last year. Compared to the rest of the state, Worcester County remains affordable, with home prices statewide hovering around $578,500 - that’s an all-time high.
WORCESTER COUNTY SELLERS ARE GETTING BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED OFFERS
It’s a good time to be selling homes in Worcester County. Single-family properties in June sold for 105.9% of the original list price, up 6.6% from last year. So far in 2021, homes have sold for 103.7% of the original list price. Worcester County condos are also netting a bit more than their original asking prices as well.
HOUSING INVENTORY IS PLUMMETING ACROSS THE AREA
There were only 619 single-family homes and 134 condos for sale in all of Worcester County in June, both down about 50% from the same month last year. That means housing inventory will only last 0.9 months under the current market conditions. John Kreiss is a real estate agent who has lived in Northborough for more than 25 years. He helps home buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their residential real estate goals.
(508) 826-6920 • JOHNKREISS.COM EMAIL: JOHN@JOHNKREISS.COM BLOGJOHNKREISS.COM
Committed to helping you sell or buy your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market.
WESTBOROUGH MILLBURY
JUST LISTED COMING SOON!
MARY G. WOOD
Boston Magazine Top Real Estate Producer 2020/2021 Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professional Remax Executive Realty #1 Agent 2020/2021 Call for your complimentary Market Analysis Today
508-958-0225
marygwoodrealtor@gmail.com | www.callmarywood.com
Are you looking to sell your home?
Rich Allen, REALTOR®
Licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island 508-686-0940
If so, contact me for a personal consult to discuss your home value, staging ideas and the best strategies for you!
richallen@erakey.com To maximize your home value visit: “When are the deals coming back?
There’s a sense the eviction bands being removed are going to prompt many foreclosures and create a down draft in the market. Inevitably some property owners will find themselves in trouble and have to liquidate their assets. We still have more demand than inventory, and I’m not seeing a major sell off creating great swaths of distressed property. Obviously, a global or local calamity could impact this. That said, if someone told me pre-COVID we’d have a robust real estate market with a pandemic, I would shake my head thinking people would stay isolated. People are still upsizing, downsizing, having kids, deciding not to live together, deciding to live together, etc.
“So, we are going back to normal?”
My sense is we are heading to a more rationalized real estate market in a smooth manner, with everyone generally coming out fine.
Nothing wrong with that!
Stay sanitized!
Here is free app for your phone/tablet tied directly to the MLS https://www.homesnap. com/Gary-Kelley.
Gary is heard on WCRN AM 830 discussing “All Things Real Estate.”
If you need advice on selling your home or buying a new one, give us a call 508-733-6005.
Looking to BUY or SELL Your Home?
It would be our pleasure to help you!
Bill Cazaropoul 508.735.1866
BillCaz@CollinsDemacRE.com
Mr. Handyman offers home repair with integrity
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor REGION - Michael Campbell isn’t the type of boss who meets his employees over the bed of a pick-up truck to hand out the day’s assignments.
Instead, Mr. Handyman Central MetroWest operates out of their newly expanded headquarters. That reality reflects Campbell’s larger business philosophy.
“We don’t run our business from the hip,” he said in a recent interview.
Experience, customer service and savings build reputation
Mr. Handyman provides a variety of professional home repair services across the region.
Campbell, in turn, brings decades of experience and appreciation for customer service to the job.
“We have a defined Code of Values that we follow,” Campbell said. “Focused on Customers, Respect and Integrity, we strive for customer satisfaction. We provide flexible estimates, not inflated quotes, encouraging customer involvement with freedom to make changes.”
Quite often, projects come in under budget, saving customers money.
“We encourage customer involvement and detail any changes or unforeseen situations.” Campbell said.
Michael Campbell
Campbell noted that many projects, such as temporary ramps, help individuals with short term conditions. These measures allow people to stay where they’re most comfortable and can avoid the costly bills associated with hospitals and assisted living facilities.
Mr. Handyman offers generous benefits
Mr. Handyman is looking for qualified individuals to help continue this mission.
“I’m not looking for anyone that can simply swing a hammer,” Campbell said. “We want good people as well.”
Mr. Handyman thoroughly background checks each employee.
“I wouldn’t send someone into a customer’s home that I wouldn’t put in my own,” Campbell continued. “People don’t realize until it’s too late.”
Campbell rewards his employees with an industry leading benefits package. For example, he offers health insurance covering employees and families. Accident insurance is standard and he encourages participation in their Simple IRA plan, which he matches. Additionally, employees get education, cell phone and tool reimbursement plans.
Technicians take home company vehicles with all gas and service costs covered. Paid holidays and vacation time are also standard.
When asked, Campbell responded, “Of course it’s expensive, but employees are appreciative, and it demonstrates we’re invested in our people,” he said.
Learn more by visiting the Mr. Handyman Central MetroWest website at https:// www.mrhandyman.com/central-metrowest/ or call 508366-3690.
Come to the Orchard for Fresh Fruit, Fresh Air and Family Fun!
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR AVAILABILITY & HOURS
Let’s go…
APPLE PICKING!
PUMPKINS TOO!
Check our website for picking information
• Fresh Picked Apples • Apple Pie • Apple Crisp • Cider Donuts • Ice Cream and More! • Children’s Playground & Barnyard Animals • Weekend Wagon Rides 234 BALL STREET • NORTHBORO 508-393-6406 • WWW.TOUGASFAMILYFARM.COM
Picking Hours: 9 am to 4 pm • Store Hours: 9 am to 5:00 pm Closed on non-holiday Mondays
From Rt. 20 (Main St.), take Church St. for 2.3 miles. Ball St. is just north of the I-290 interchange. The farm is 1.5 miles up the hill. From Worcester area, take I-290 east to Exit 27 (Church St.), turn towards Boylston and follow signs. TOUGAS FAMILY FARM
‘Aging in place’ services keep customers in their homes
From personal experiences, Campbell and his team recognized the importance of “Aging in Place” and became NAHB certified (CAPS) contractors.
These projects focus on customers’ desire for independence and comfort in a familiar environment. They focus on adding value, as they add things like banister rails, walkin showers and other products and services for people with specific injuries or needs.
“We don’t want to turn people’s homes into an industrial environment,” Campbell said. “We improve in a way that will add value.”
Aging in place is focused not only on the elderly population, but on helping individuals with specific needs whether temporary or permanent.
Ready to start working on home improvements?
Make it happen with a home equity loan or home equity line of credit from St. Mary’s!
Apply today at stmaryscu.org!
