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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Old School Mentality Meets New School Banking

A news story about ING Direct was shown on ABC's Nightline last night. They interview the CEO of ING Direct, Arkadi Kuhlmann, who is known for his straight forward way of doing business and keeping things simple. To read the story or view the video clip, CLICK HERE. If you don't have time to read it, here are some amazing statistics about ING Direct.

1) Roughly 100,000 new members sign up with them each month.
2) 93% of their employees enjoy working there.
3) They have sold about 70,000 mortgages and only 6 have foreclosed!

If you think you can easily convince ING Direct to provide you with a mortgage, you will have your work cut out for you. This is the main reason why they have such an incredible foreclosure percentage. They simply do not deal with risky borrowers. Times have most definitely changed in the past year and it seems that more and more banks will begin to follow this simple and effective strategy.

I do not find it surprising that the CEO of an internet savings bank is telling people they should save more money, but it will be interesting to see how people's mentality over credit will change in the future.

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posted by ronnierealestate @ 5:27 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Home Search with Street Address Display

We're excited to announce the addition of the new property address feature to the FARSRealtyGroup.com MLS search. This has been in the making for a while and we're proud to announce it is now fully functional!

To further empower our customers and make home searches easier, our registered users are now able to view the exact street address of properties while searching for homes for sale in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Just look for the Map & Address button on the listings pages.

The street addresses are displayed on the detailed listing pages and the property map. The address displays will work for all available MLS listings including :

» NH Homes, Condos, Multi-families, Land for sale (currently on MLS)

» MA Homes, Condos, Multi-families, Land for sale (currently on MLS)

In addition, our MLS map platform allows users to scroll around on our integrated New Hampshire and Massachusetts Google maps to geographically view properties. The Google maps feature lets users zoom in or out, view satellite images, or a hybrid map that blends aerial images with a digital overlay of streets. Users can also click on properties to view detailed information and photos.

The custom map and IDX coding was carried out by Real Estate Webmasters.

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posted by B. Samii @ 9:59 AM 2 comments

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Tom Brady's Boston Condos For Sale

Tom Brady is putting two of his Beacon Street condos up for sale. According to the Boston Globe, he purchased the brownstone building in 2006 for $6.2M which has gone through extensive renovation and includes private decks, doorman, and garage parking.

Brady's Boston Condo #1 : 2 Bedrooms/2.5 Baths, 2340 Square Feet, $3.99M

Brady's Boston Condo #2
: 3 Bedrooms/3.5 Baths, 2987 Square Feet, $4.59M




















The properties are listed by Campion and Company Fine Homes Real Estate.

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posted by B. Samii @ 5:07 PM 1 comments

Monday, September 10, 2007

Super Luxury in Hopkinton, MA

Currently the most expensive home for sale in the Metrowest Region, this 9,700 square foot monster is truely one of a kind. The front entrance says it all with its large columns and massive double door entry. When the word "mansion" comes to mind, this is what I picture. 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 7 fireplaces to create the right atmosphere and incredible detail throughout. Steps from the Whitehall State Park and Resevior and minutes to Route 495. Could you be the first lucky owner of this property?
The price is $3,950,000 (MLS#70642359)


luxury home metrowest

hopkinton ma homes luxury living

high end real estate This home is listed by RE/MAX First Realty, Inc.

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posted by ronnierealestate @ 2:24 AM 1 comments

Thursday, September 06, 2007

New Hampshire Ranked #1 Most Livable State

New Hampshire named Most Livable State two years in a row (2006 & 2007) according to the Morgan Quitno Press. The report is based on 44 factors used to rank each state.

The rankings in alphabetical order:

2007 RANK

STATE

LIVABILITY RATING

2006 RANK

CHANGE


2007 RANK

STATE

LIVABILITY RATING

2006 RANK

CHANGE

42

Alabama

20.86

39

-3


1

New Hampshire

34.66

1

0

24

Alaska

25.75

23

-1


2

Minnesota

33.32

2

0

32

Arizona

24.16

29

-3


3

Wyoming

32.86

6

3

48

Arkansas

18.59

48

0


4

Utah

32.05

11

7

30

California

24.61

34

4


5

New Jersey

31.16

5

0

18

Colorado

27.36

20

2


6

Iowa

30.84

3

-3

10

Connecticut

29.86

10

0


7

Vermont

30.41

4

-3

21

Delaware

25.98

18

-3


8

Massachusetts

30.30

7

-1

27

Florida

25.27

31

4


9

South Dakota

29.95

13

4

41

Georgia

21.09

38

-3


10

Connecticut

29.86

10

0

19

Hawaii

26.73

22

3


11

Nebraska

29.84

9

-2

14

Idaho

28.89

18

4


12

Virginia

29.68

8

-4

26

Illinois

25.36

28

2


13

North Dakota

29.32

12

-1

35

Indiana

22.91

36

1


14

Idaho

28.89

18

4

6

Iowa

30.84

3

-3


15

Maryland

28.82

16

1

17

Kansas

28.00

15

-2


16

Maine

28.27

17

1

47

Kentucky

18.66

47

0


17

Kansas

28.00

15

-2

49

Louisiana

18.39

50

1


18

Colorado

27.36

20

2

16

Maine

28.27

17

1


19

Hawaii

26.73

22

3

15

Maryland

28.82

16

1


20

Wisconsin

26.09

14

-6

8

Massachusetts

30.30

7

-1


21

Delaware

25.98

18

-3

38

Michigan

22.00

35

-3


22

Montana

25.82

21

-1

2

Minnesota

33.32

2

0


23

Oregon

25.77

33

10

50

Mississippi

15.86

49

-1


24

Alaska

25.75

23

-1

34

Missouri

23.18

27

-7


25

Nevada

25.70

24

-1

22

Montana

25.82

21

-1


26

Illinois

25.36

28

2

11

Nebraska

29.84

9

-2


27

Florida

25.27

31

4

25

Nevada

25.70

24

-1


28

Rhode Island

25.05

26

-2

1

New Hampshire

34.66

1

0


29

New York

25.02

32

3

5

New Jersey

31.16

5

0


30

California

24.61

34

4

37

New Mexico

22.02

41

4


31

Washington

24.34

25

-6

29

New York

25.02

32

3


32

Arizona

24.16

29

-3

42

North Carolina

20.86

40

-2


33

Pennsylvania

23.70

30

-3

13

North Dakota

29.32

12

-1


34

Missouri

23.18

27

-7

36

Ohio

22.30

37

1


35

Indiana

22.91

36

1

40

Oklahoma

21.30

43

3


36

Ohio

22.30

37

1

23

Oregon

25.77

33

10


37

New Mexico

22.02

41

4

33

Pennsylvania

23.70

30

-3


38

Michigan

22.00

35

-3

28

Rhode Island

25.05

26

-2


39

Texas

21.55

41

2

46

South Carolina

18.84

46

0


40

Oklahoma

21.30

43

3

9

South Dakota

29.95

13

4


41

Georgia

21.09

38

-3

44

Tennessee

20.11

45

1


42

Alabama

20.86

39

-3

39

Texas

21.55

41

2


42

North Carolina

20.86

40

-2

4

Utah

32.05

11

7


44

Tennessee

20.11

45

1

7

Vermont

30.41

4

-3


45

West Virginia

18.93

44

-1

12

Virginia

29.68

8

-4


46

South Carolina

18.84

46

0

31

Washington

24.34

25

-6


47

Kentucky

18.66

47

0

45

West Virginia

18.93

44

-1


48

Arkansas

18.59

48

0

20

Wisconsin

26.09

14

-6


49

Louisiana

18.39

50

1

3

Wyoming

32.86

6

3


50

Mississippi

15.86

49

-1


View all 50 state rankings on a Google map.

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posted by B. Samii @ 4:10 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Short Sales

The Long and Short of "Short Sales"

Over the past 6 months, there has been a substantial increase in the number of "short sale" properties on the market. As an increasing number of homeowners in Massachusetts have become unable to pay their mortgages, "short sales" have provided a desirable alternative to foreclosure. In a short sale transaction, a lender agrees to accept less for a property than the current remaining balance on the mortgage, allowing a seller to accept a lower offer for their home than they would otherwise be able to. In a tight market where home prices continue to drop and properties are sitting on the market for months, having the flexibility to accept a lower price can be crucial in expediting the sale of a property. Though lenders do take a loss on short sale transactions, it is a better alternative than the foreclosure process, which can often take up to a year and cost a bank an average of $50,000.

Short Sales are advantageous to all parties in involved:

  1. Sellers are able to avoid foreclosure and preserve their credit.
  2. Lenders are able to reduce their losses and avoid the foreclosure process.
  3. Buyers are able to take advantage of reduced pricing and get a great deal on a property.

However, the short sale transaction generally does not run as smoothly as the traditional real estate transaction and requires patience from all parties involved, particularly the buyer. Generally, short sale transactions take an additional 30-60 days to close, leaving the buyer in limbo for a couple of months after their anticipated closing date. For some buyers, this requires finding temporary housing, storing belongings, and pushing off new home purchases and improvements indefinitely. Short sales are a great way for buyers to get into properties that they otherwise could not afford. However, short sales are not for everyone. They can take a long time to close and be very frustrating - but in the end, if the deal is that good, it's worth the wait.

Short Sales in MA.

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posted by Lisa @ 2:33 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

"Hopkinton Ma... Where Everybody Knows Your Name"



Established in 1715, Hopkinton MA is one a town rich with history, and focused on community. With just under 15,000 residents, Hopkinton is a large town with a small town feel. Known as one of the "friendliest towns in Massachusetts", Hopkinton residents are very involved with local community projects and programs and provide tremendous support to local businesses. In addition, summer concerts on the common, a festive Fourth of July Parade, neighborhood gatherings, and numerous recreational social and recreational clubs bring Hopkinton residents to create a community that everyone can be a part of.

Nestled just 26 miles outside of Boston, Hopkinton is home to start of the annual Boston Marathon, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of runners and spectators to town each year. In addition, Hopkinton is well known for being home to a number of beautiful parks and lakes including Hopkinton State Park, Whitehall State Park, Lake Maspenok and a number of town parks and beaches. For biking, hiking, running, swimming, sailing and kayaking, Hopkinton is a destination spot for outdoor fun.


Hopkinton State Park


Whitehall State Park

A fun-filled day of outdoor activity in Hopkinton will create a strong appetite! There are numerous places to eat and grab a drink in Hopkinton as well as in surrounding towns including Holliston, Upton, Milford, Westborough, Framingham, Natick, Ashland, Southborough and Northborough. The most popular local eateries include:
  • Hopkinton Gourmet, Hopkinton MA - Hopkinton Gourmet, located right in the heart of Hopkinton Center is the best coffee shop in town! Open for Breakfast and Lunch, Hopkinton Gourmet is a popular spot for Hopkinton residents who enjoy the fresh coffee, baked goods, and much, much more.

  • Marathon Deli, Hopkinton MA - If you’re in the mood for a great sandwich, Marathon Deli is the place to go! The menu is very creative with subs, salads, and wraps of all kinds. The portions are very generous and you won’t leave hungry!

  • Stones Public House, Ashland, MA - Stone's is a great Irish Pub with excellent food, a vast selection of beers, and regular live music. The service is friendly, and so are the other customers. Stone’s is a great place to grab a drink, have a meal, hear some music and meet some friends.

  • Il Forno, Westborough, MA - Offering an assortment of delicious specialties from Northern Italian seafood, chicken, veal and pasta entrées to brick oven pizza creations, Il Forno is a local favorite for fine dining. Il Forno is BYOB, so make sure to bring a bottle of wine (or two) to accompany your meal!

  • Tomasso, Southborough MA - Tomasso is as close as you can get to North End Dining in the Metrowest area. The menu is traditional Italian style and the food is extraordinary. The fried risotto appetizer is a must have! The atmosphere is great and the service is always a step above. The prices are high so bring your wallet, but it is worth it!


    Hopkinton is a very unique town with a lot to offer to residents and visitors alike! It’s very easy to get to, as it is located close to 495, the Mass Pike, and Rte 9. It offers unparalleled charm and quaintness in a town that is within minutes of dozens of stores, restaurants and other amenities. If you visit Hopkinton this summer, make sure to stop at Brigham's Ice Cream on your way out of town!

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posted by Lisa @ 1:52 AM 0 comments