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Canton, MA Real Estate News

By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Strawberry Season in Canton MA It's June - and that means that we are in prime strawberry-picking season.  If you live in Canton MA, there is a great local place to go strawberry picking - Ward's Berry Farm in neighboring Sharon MA. Ward's Berry Farm is a family run farm and market offering fresh fruits and vegetables as well as fresh baked breads and desserts, homemade jams and more.  You can also buy a variety of flowers, plants and vegetables for planting in your summer gardens.  In the fall, you can find pumpkins galore & go pumpkin picking. Wards also has a play area for the kids plus the Sunny Rock 4-H Club houses its animals at Wards - so you can visit and feed the animals on your visit to Wards.  There is also a play area for kids to enjoy. For local berries near Canton MA, noth...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Get Your Irish On in Canton MA Tonight is the start of the 21st annual Boston Irish Festival at the Irish Cultural Centre located at 200 New Boston Drive in Canton MA.  Running over the course of the next three days, the Irish Festival presents a taste of Irish culture featuring food, drink, music, films, dance, shopping, sports, childrens activities and more!  It is the place to be to celebrate your Irish heritage or just to celebrate all things Irish - whether you are actually Irish or not! Some of the musical guests include McPeake, Enter the Haggis, Joshua Tree, Mackem & Spain Bros, The Prodigals, The Screaming Orphans, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolftones and more.  Last year the festival attracted over 10,000 visitors over the course of the three days. The festival runs for the ...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Every Transaction is a Learning Experience We have all had those times when a transaction has fallen through - maybe our buyer lost their financing, perhaps the client went with another agent or maybe that one listing just would not sell.  As an Exclusive Buyer Agent in Canton MA, it has certainly happened to me. While the tendency may to think of it as "wasted time", I like to think that nothing was wasted as there is always something to learn.  Every new meeting with a buyer gives me a chance to work on my presentation skills, even if that buyer does not become a client.  Every house I show - while it might not be the right house for that buyer - helps me to find out more about my market and perhaps find a house for a different buyer. Every transaction that falls through may help me t...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Summer Music Camp in Canton MA School gets out on June 24th - just under two weeks - do you know what your kids are doing this summer?  How about those middle school aged kids - too old for most camps but the most likely to complain about being "bored". If they are into music, consider the Canton Summer Music Program being offered by the Canton Public Schools Performing Arts Department.  From July 18 - July 28, Monday through Thursday, there is a variety of summer music programs to choose from.  Take one or take a couple! The morning session will run from 8:30 am - 11:30 am.  The two programs being offered in the morning are Summer Concert Band and Jump Start Strings.  Concert band is for students entering grades six through nine who have at least one year of playing experience.  Studen...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Rain Barrels: A Water & Money Saver No matter where you live, it seems we all have wacky weather - rain for weeks on end and then all of a sudden it is hot and dry and you are wishing you had some rain!  A few years ago I decided that I wanted to take advantage of those rainy periods and looked into buying a rain barrel.  I found a great local compay, The Great American Rain Barrel Company.  The owners of the company are also the owners of a food-importing business.  They import olives from Spain - and the olives come packed in 60-gallon drums.  Once the olives were gone, the had no use for the rain barrels.  Two teachers who had the idea to save water by using rain barrels came to them with the idea to re-purpose the drums. Twenty years later the company is still going strong.  Located...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Debunking the Myth: You Will Not Save Money By Not Using a Buyers Agent Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen several blog posts and news reports about home buyers, who seem to think they will save money by not using a buyers agent.  It is a myth and I thought it was time to set the record straight. The Commission Is Not Dependent on the  Number of Agents Involved.  (Or, Price is Not Determined by Commission.)  Listing Agents reach an agreement with their clients - the Sellers - as to how much commission is to be earned upon the sale of the home.  It is negotiated between them and is part of the Listing Agreement.  The Listing Agent usually then determines how much he/she is going to offer a Buyers Agent for bringing a buyer to the table.  If the Listing Agent procures the buyer hi...
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By Melissa Juarez
(Massachusetts Buyers Broker Agency, LLC)
The Friends of the Blue Hills, a conservation group, will be holding a flower exploration expedition tomorrow, June 11 from 9 to 2.  The expedition will be led by a ecologist from the New England Wildflower Society.  Plan to meet at the Brookwood Farm, 11 Blue Hill River Road, Canton.  Come learn about native flowers in the Blue Hills. It will be a great day for a walk.   Melissa A. Juarez ~ Broker/Owner MBBA, LLC If you are a potential home buyer and you are interested in Canton, please contact me to start receiving listings and open house schedules.  Let's connect today and we can begin visiting homes tomorrow.  I can answer any other questions you may have regarding Canton including schools, public transportation, houses of worship, parks, local government, market conditions, etc.  I...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Dancing With the Stars in Canton MA ....and the stars, are some talented kids between the ages of 3 and 18....  Canton MA is home to one of the oldest family-owned dance studio in the country - the Hazel Boone Dance Studios.  The Hazel Boone Studios celebrated 100 years of dance education last year and they are now finishing up their 101st year.  The studio was started by Miss Hazel Boone in 1910. Upon her death her daughter, Sandra Philpott, took over the studio.  Upon her retirement in 1996, Miss Boone's granddaughter, Holly Costa took over the role as director. The studio's annual dance recital will be held on Saturday June 18th at Canton High School at 2:00 pm.  This year's theme, Dancing in Playland will feature ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop routines from preschoolers to high scho...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Busy As A.......Bird Yes, I know the saying is "busy as a bee" but the birds are pretty hard working too.  We looked out our bathroom window this weekend to see the following birds nest having appeared: It was not there just days before.  As I watched the bird kept flying off and coming back, adding more and more to the nest.  She sure was working very hard to create her nest for her new family. I thought to myself that I felt like that bird.  It's been a busy spring market.  I've been busy, flying back and forth like that bird with showings, second showings, inspections and getting offers & purchase and sales agreements signed - helping my buyers to create their new "nest". Buyers looking to buy a home in Canton MA, Milton MA or a surrounding Norfolk County community, contact your Cant...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico
(MVP Realty)
Canton, Mass. Real Estate Market - Single Family Market Snapshot for week ending 06/4/2011 Canton, Mass. Real Estate - Week ending June 4, 2011 Here is a brief snapshot of the real estate market for single family homes in Canton, Mass. (Source MLSPIN) Number of Homes on The Market 105 Average List Price $604,149 Average Market Time 128 Days
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Featured Home in Canton MA; 3 Woodcliff Road Every Sunday I write a column for my local Patch sites featuring a home for sale in either Canton MA, Milton MA or Braintree MA.  I haven't blogged about the articles but thought it would be a good topic for the blog.  So, this weeks featured home is in Canton MA.  The home, located at 3 Woodcliff Road in Canton MA, features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and is situated on 0.76 acres of private, manicured grounds.  It is in move-in condition, with updated kitchen and bathrooms.   It was originally listed for $609,900 but the price has been reduced to $589,000.00. To find out more about this home for sale in Canton MA, read my full article on Canton Patch: Welcome Home - June 5 Edition or you may contact me directly at 781-799-8313.  To f...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
New Listings in Canton MA In spite of what you might have read or heard in recent media reports, the real estate market is still moving.  Homes that are priced well, staged well and in good condition are selling and, in fact, some are seeing multiple offers.  Informed buyers know a good opportunity when they see it. Over the past three days, we have seen six new single family home listings in Canton MA.  As is often the case in the Canton MA Real Estate market, there is a wide variety in terms of price, size and location.  The lowest price new listing is a 6 room, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom ranch listed for $310,000.00 with the highest priced being an 8 room, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom colonial listed for $779,900.00 - with a variety in between.   Of course, those are just the new listings.  Th...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico
(MVP Realty)
In May of 2011 there were 9 homes that closed in the month of May for Canton, MA. This is a decrease of 7 as there were 16 homes that closed in May of 2010. The Average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for May of 2011 was $451,644 The Average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for May of 2010 was $491,289 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for May of 2011 was $437,889 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for May of 2010 was $470,231 The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Canton in May of 2011 was 101 days. The Average Market time for the homes that closed in Canton May of 2010 was 99 days.   11 homes went under agreement in Canton, Massachusetts for the month of May 2011. The average list price of the ...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Mass Housing Loans - An FHA Alternative for Massachusetts Buyers At an office meeting today, we had a presentation from a representative of Mass Housing - the state's affordable home loan program.  It was a good refresher on the benefits of this loan program.  It is an attractive alternative to an FHA loan. Like FHA, the Mass Housing program offers a low downpayment - 3% (as opposed to FHA's 3.5%).  It also features a comparable loan limit ($417,000.00), as well as a fairly high maxmimum income limit of $120,825.00 for Norfolk County (income limit varies by county).   In addition, certain community second mortgages are allowed - making it possible for a zero downpayment option (if approved in advance).  The rates are competitive and there is a Rehab option in addition to a purchase opti...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Canton MA Real Estate Market Wrap-up for May 2011 We just ended a busy month of May in the real estate market in Canton MA.  This is a summary of single family homes sold during the past month. Nine single family homes sold in Canton MA during May 2011. The average list price for single family homes was $451,644.00, with an average sales price of $437,489.00. The average days on the market for the single family homes sold in May was 101 days. The lowest priced single family home sold for $280,000 and the highest priced sold for $625,000.00. This is a summary of condominiums sold during the past month: Four condominiums sold in Canton MA during May 2011. The average list price for condos sold during May 2011 was $233,325.00, with an average sales price of $221,625. The average days on th...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
FHA Loans and Inspections I do not pretend to be a loan officer or an FHA Loan Expert.  I have some well-trusted loan officers that I rely on as experts.  However, I have an understanding of FHA requirements regarding appraisals, inspections and property conditions.  I know that FHA does not give traditional mortgages on properties needing repairs, their 203(k) loan is used for that purpose.  I know that FHA uses its appraisal to find out about any condition issues; they do not do their own inspections these days.  Sometimes something as innocuous as peeling paint can be an issue for an FHA loan and it can vary from loan to loan, underwriter to underwriter. I have had many buyers, in a wide variety of price ranges, purchase homes of varying conditions, using regular FHA loans. That is j...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Buyers:  Use Your Buyers Agent - They're on Your Side I have read a couple of blog posts recently about buyers who are working with an agent yet they call the listing agents directly for showings & bypass their own agent in other ways.  Some of the commentary indicates that the buyers agent has not properly educated his or her client.  That may be the case sometimes.  However, many times the agent has educated his or her client yet the buyers still will do certain things on their own.  Either way, I thought it was worth reinforcing the theme that buyers should work with one agent - their own buyers agent. Buyers - if you have gone to the trouble of finding a buyers agent to work with - either an Exclusive Buyers Agent like myself or a traditional agent who is working as your buyers agen...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
What is Going On in Canton MA? At the beginning of May, I gave myself the challenge of posting 31 Things to Do in May in Canton MA throughout the month.  I also took on the challenge of writing a blog post every day in May.  At first I thought I'd post one event a day but quickly gave up on that - some days have multiple events & others are more quiet - plus it would get boring to only read about these things so some days I grouped them. Here is a recap of my 31 Things to Do in May in Canton MA: Numbers 1 & 2:  31 Things to Do in May in Canton MA Numbers 3, 4 & 5: May Happenings in Canton MA Numbers 6 & 7: Canton Happenings to Help the Community Number 8: Canton High Pops Concert Number 9: An Evening of Music Number 10:  Tour Blue Hills Brewery Number 11:  Birdathon 2011 in Canton MA Nu...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Memorial Day Parade in Canton MA There is always something going on in Canton MA! The events below represent the final entry -       Number 31 - in my ongoing series of 31 Things to do In May in Canton MA.   What better place to end the series then Canton's Memorial Day Parade?  Canton's annual Memorial Day Parade honors our past and present members of our armed forces and salutes all of America's heros.  It is a coming-together of the community, with not only veterans groups marching in the parade, but also the American Legion Band, the Canton High Bulldog Band, the Canton Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, local elected officials and various community groups.  The parade route is usually lined with young and old alike, waving American Flags and cheering on the marchers. As a side note, the C...
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By Christine Smith, Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA
(Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com)
Where Is the Inventory? In the current market, with homes taking longer to sell and with report in the media of a decline in home sales over previous months, you might wonder why I am asking this question.  Sure, there are plenty of homes in the real estate market in Canton MA and Milton MA.  However, within the price range that most first time homebuyers are looking, the "move-in ready" inventory is limited. I understand that for some Sellers, making an improvement just to sell is not financially possible.  However, for those that in any way have the option, I would highly suggest it.  The majority of buyers are either busy professionals or young families and many just do not have the time to take on a major renovation.  The lower price may make it feasible for them to afford the renov...
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