3 Easy Ways to Prevent Water from Getting into Your Home! We've all heard horror stories about people who have had flooded basements. You may be one of those people who had to deal with the clean up, damage and the loss of belongings. Even if a small amount of water gets into your home, it can cause wood to rot, and plaster and paint to peel leaving behind a trail of efflorescence...the salts left behind when the water evaporates. It's just like having a sign that says, "Water Was Here"! There are 3 easy ways to prevent water from getting into your home! You may be able to address some or all of these yourself.  1. Clean the gutters! Gutters that are clogged with leaves, sticks and pine needles don't allow rain water to get through to the downspouts. Instead, water will spill over the g... 11/12/2014

How do you negotiate in a Sellers' Market in Sharon MA This is the second year in row that we've had a strong Sellers' Market in Sharon MA. The term "Sellers' Market" refers to a market in which there is more demand that there is inventory. In Sharon, the Sellers' Market is so strong that if no new listings came on the market, the current inventory, in most price ranges, would be sold in about 2 1/2 months! Generally, a balanced market is about 5 to 6 months of inventory. Above 6 months is considered a "Buyers' Market"; meaning more than enough inventory to meet demand. Just because it's a Sellers' Market DOESN'T mean that Sellers can list their homes for astronomically high prices that don't reflect the market value. The most important thing in helping sellers AND buyers understand the... 11/04/2014

Sure, Mansfield MA has tempted many Norfolk County home buyers.  But only Sharon MA has been named the Best Place to Live by Money Magazine.  Statistics from the 3rd Quarter 2014 Sharon MA home sales report, many home buyers agree with Money Magazine's assessment. According to the MLS Property Information Network, 89 Sharon MA homes were sold between July 1st 2014 and September 30, 2014.  That's slightly higher than the 88 sold at the same time last year.  A 2 bedroom/1 bath 1073 square foot ranch-style home sold for $180,000, $5,000 over the list price.  Meanwhile, a five bed/4 full and 3 half bath 5966 square foot Contemporary Colonial in Townsman Estates sold for $1,337,300. While the average sales price for a Sharon MA home decreased last month, the average for the 3rd quarter actua... 10/23/2014

As of October 22, 2014, the real estate market in Sharon MA continues to be a seller's market. The price ranges that show the most significant rates of sale are those between $300,000 to $349,999; $450,000 to $499,999 followed by homes that sell between $500,000 and $599,999. If market conditions did not change, and no new listings came on the market it would only take 2.4 months for the current inventory of homes across all price ranges to sell at the current pace in Sharon MA. That is referred to as the "absorption rate".  While the rate at which homes are selling is strong, the average sales price in most price ranges has decreased since the Sharon MA market peaked between April to July.  As a seller, it's important to understand these numbers. For example, in the $700,000 to $799,99... 10/22/2014

Event Details" Indian American Association of Sharon presents DIWALI CELEBRATION 2014 Please note that this event is for Sharon Residents only When: October 18th 2014 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM Where: Event Location: Mansfield High School 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 Webpage: http://iaaswebsite2014.wix.com/iaas Email: iaas.sharon2014@gmail.com Please note that this event is for Sharon Residents only. 10/17/2014

Sharon MA made the top of Money Magazine's Best Places to Live in 2013.  Its location near Boston makes it a great place for commuters to set down roots while enjoying a pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of noisy "big city" life.  Low interest rates and slightly lower home prices make Sharon MA homes a great investment for Buyers as well.  Here is a quick rundown of the Sharon MA home sales for August 2014. The MLS Property Information Network reports that a total of 31 Sharon MA homes were sold in August 2014.  That is a 16.2% decrease from the 37 sold at the same time last year.  These homes ranged from a 3 bed/1.5 bath 1392 square foot ranch-style home that sold for $333,500 up to a 5 bed/3.5 bath 3800 square foot Victorian home that sold for $968,000.  After three years of... 09/25/2014

Another Satisfied Buyer: Congratulations to my clients who closed at the end of August on their purchase of 6 Old Wolomolopoag Street, Sharon MA (Yes....I am late in posting this!  As for the ultimate question "how do you pronounce that street name?  It is pronounced phonetically - exactly as it is spelled!) These clients found me through a Google search at the end of May.  Originally from Pennsylvania, this couple had re-located to Massachusetts to be closer to their adult sons and grandchildren.  They had been renting for a while, but their son and daughter-in-law were buying a home in Sharon - and they wanted to live near them. It took a little bit to find the right mix of what they wanted.  They certainly did not need as large a house as they used to have.  However, they still wante... 09/23/2014

Sharon Real Estate Market Update Through Aug 31,  2014 Since the spring of 2013 there has been a steady increase in the average sale price of single family homes in Sharon. On top of that, there have been more higher priced houses listed for sale and sold than ever before.    Here's a look at the numbers:  You can see from this chart that the average sales price of single family homes in Sharon MA increased significantly from 2012 to 2013. This 16% increase in average sales price is in large part due to the 57% increase in the sale of new construction homes in 2013. These new homes are typically selling between $700,000 to over $1,000,000. In 2013, 11 new construction homes sold over $600,000 compared to 7 in 2012 and 4 in 2011.  The increase in average sales price has continued so far ... 09/09/2014

In 2013, Sharon MA was named the Best Place to Live in America by Money Magazine.  This is not a surprise for anyone who has ever lived, worked or visited here.  The Sharon Public Schools system consistently ranks among the top 10 in the state.  The July 2014 Sharon MA home sales figures seem to reflect the growing popularity of this little suburb located just southwest of Boston. There were a total of 37 Sharon MA homes sold in July 2014, a 23.3% increase from July 2013 and an amazing 132% increase from just three years ago.  Sales ranged from a 2 bed/1 bath, 983 square foot Cape-style home on a 2.5 acre lot that sold for $284,000 all the way up to a 4 bed/3.5 bath, 4200 square foot, brand new, custom built Contemporary home on a two acre lot that sold for $999,999. The average sale pr... 08/28/2014

Vote John "JJ" McGrath for Selectman in Sharon MA - Vote Tuesday, May 20 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  I met with John "JJ" McGrath and his wife, Kathleen, for 2 hours on Sunday morning. I wanted to really understand why JJ is running for Selectman; what he stands for; what his experience is and what skills he has to be a Selectman for Sharon. What I discovered is what I hoped to hear from a candidate for Selectman.   JJ served for 29 years in the Sharon Police Department with successive promotions from Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant before retiring as Deputy Chief of Police this past January.   Until this morning, I had a limited understanding of what it means to be a Police Officer. Today, I learned that it is a much broader role than I had previously understood.    JJ has not... 05/18/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney. Website:  vonweisslaw.com There are several non-tax reasons for utilizing trusts such as asset protection; avoiding probate; creditor protection; protection for the surviving spouse and children in the event the surviving spouse remarries; control and management of assets for spendthrifts, minors and those disabled; and avoiding ancillary probate for real estate owned in another state.  Moreover, living trusts are private (not public) documents and notice of the trust assets and accountings need be given only to the interested parties.   Example:  Mr. and Mrs. Sharon have "I love you" wills whereby they leave everything to each other and they each have a taxable estate of $2 mil... 05/02/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney. Website:  vonweisslaw.com What do I get if my spouse dies without a Will?   A preliminary issue is whether there is a valid and enforceable prenuptial agreement or separation agreement impacting the inheritance rights of the surviving spouse.   The balance of this blog assumes there is no such valid and enforceable prenuptial or separation agreement. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) became effective as of March 31, 2012. In the absence of a Will, § 2-102 of the MUPC provides that the surviving spouse is entitled to the entire estate in two circumstances.  The first circumstance is where there are no stepchildren or descendants of stepchildren, i.e., all the descenda... 05/01/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com I am often asked "How does my divorce affect my estate plan?"  The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) became effective as of March 31, 2012. Before the MUPC, Massachusetts law provided that divorce revoked the provisions in favor of a former spouse in a pre-existing Will (the former spouse was treated as having died first).  The net effect was that former spouse did not inherit directly under the Will and any nominations appointing the former spouse were void.  The prior law was sometimes problematic.  For example, under the old law, the stepchildren potentially could inherit (even though the former spouse did not) since the former spouse was tr... 04/30/2014

Spacious! Sunny! Well-Maintained! OverviewMapsPhotosDescriptionNeighborhood $1,500 Residential Rental Main Features 3 Bedrooms1 BathroomInterior: 1,705 sqftLot: 0.58 acre(s) Location 248 South MainApt. 2Sharon, MA 02067USA CALL or text Nina Rogoff to Schedule a Showing! RE/MAX Executive Realty(781) 883-3764ninarogoff@rocketmail.comhttp://www.livesharon.com   Listed by: Nina Rogoff, RE/MAX Executive Realty 04/02/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com    What is the Adult Foster Care (also called Adult Family Care) Program? Adult Foster Care (also called Adult Family Care) is a program that enables elders who cannot live alone safely to have a live-in caregiver.  The services to the elder also include meal preparation, assistance with personal care and medication, shopping, laundry, housekeeping, transportation to medical appointment and social visits, and maintaining a clean and safe living space.   The live-in caregiver receives a non-taxable stipend of up to $18,000 per year.  The amount of the stipend depends on the number of activities of daily living with which the elder requires assistance, i... 03/29/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com  What is the Home and Community Based Frail Elder Waiver (Waiver) Program?    Elders who are clinically in need of nursing home care and meet the asset limits detailed below qualify for the Home and Community Based Frail Elder Waiver (Waiver) Program.     The Waiver program is funded by MassHealth and provides the following services: skilled nursing, home health aide, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, grocery shopping, meal delivery, and the wander response system.              What are the income and asset rules for Waiver Program?  Under the Waiver program, there is no income limit.  However, if the elder’s gross monthly income exceeds the thres... 03/27/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com  What is the Home Care Program?   The Home Care Program is for elders with limited income and with low-to-moderate needs in terms of in-home services. The program also includes respite care for caregivers. Elders are eligible for the Home Care Program if they meet the income criteria detailed below; are not residing in a rest home, nursing facility, convalescent home, or assisted living residence; are not receiving services from an all-inclusive program such as Adult Foster Care (also known as Adult Family Care), Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC), or Program for All-Inclusive Care (PACE); and have been assessed and determined to be in need of in-home serv... 03/27/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com What do I get if my spouse dies without a Will?   A preliminary issue is whether there is a valid and enforceable prenuptial agreement or separation agreement impacting the inheritance rights of the surviving spouse.   The balance of this Q&A assumes there is no such valid and enforceable prenuptial or separation agreement. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) became effective as of March 31, 2012. In the absence of a Will, § 2-102 of the MUPC provides that the surviving spouse is entitled to the entire estate in two circumstances.  The first circumstance is where there are no stepchildren or descendants of stepchildren, i.e., all the descenda... 03/24/2014

The author Brigitte von Weiss of VON WEISS LAW OFFICE is an Easton MA estate planning and elder law attorney.  Website:  vonweisslaw.com What is the forced (elective) share?   What if there is a Will, but the surviving spouse was left nothing or a token amount?  Under Massachusetts law, can you disinherit your spouse?  A preliminary issue is whether there is a valid and enforceable prenuptial agreement or separation agreement impacting the inheritance rights of the surviving spouse.     The balance of this Q&A assumes there is no such valid and enforceable prenuptial or separation agreement.  Under Massachusetts law, a surviving spouse has the right to waive the Will and claim instead the forced share (also referred to as "elective share" and "statutory share").    The Massachusetts Uni... 03/23/2014

February 2014 Market Report Sharon MA Real Estate & Homes for Sale With a snow storm every week and freezing cold weather it's no wonder Sharon MA real estate and listing homes for sale have been very, very slow. In February, 14 homes were listed for sale, compared to 7 in January. Of these, 4 already have accepted offers. That leaves 24 homes listed for sale in Sharon MA. This time last year, there were 39 homes for sale in Sharon. What's Unusual About the Current Sharon MA Real Estate Market? Of the current homes for sale, 17 are priced over $625,000. In fact, right now the average list price of homes for sale in Sharon MA is $863,676. In 2013, the average sale price in Sharon MA was $521,750. This is not an indication that sale prices are soaring this year. It's too early to know tha... 03/03/2014