Tory Keith Real Estate

More information and property searches:
www.torykeithrealestate.com

Andrew Mitchell & Co
33 Bradford St
Concord MA 01742

508-318-8659
tory@torykeithrealestate.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

Buying, Selling, and Financing - Metrowest May 2011

The spring real estate market in the Metrowest area has been gaining momentum, and certainly was not hit as hard as other areas in the first place. But buyers are still taking their time to decide on the perfect house at just the right price. They know that there are great deals out there and want to find them. For sellers, this means doing everything possible to make the home show well; staging, landscaping, and any necessary repairs or updates, or otherwise pricing it accordingly to attract those who truly want a fixer-upper.

Lots of buyers ask about foreclosures and say they are willing to complete the needed renovations. There is not much mystery to finding these properties, as most are listed on MLS (don't pay for a site to provide foreclosure listings - the information is public record anyway). The hard part for many buyers to swallow is the extent of work that many of these homes need, and the fact the they will face competition from offers with no contingencies submitted by investors.

For most buyers, they do have the opportunity to be picky, but will find that a move in ready home may not be priced way below an already low market value; they will likely be doing well with their timing of the market and interest rates alone. So to take advantage of this situation and find a home they love, they may have to be willing to make some small concessions.

And speaking of interest rates financing....

According to an article on www.housingwire.com, mortgage rates are at a new low for 2011, at 4.6% for a 30 year fixed rate loan. The FDIC and the Federal Reserve are proposing a required down payment of 20%, and it would likely take a while for the market to see an effect, however, the impact this could have on first time buyers and on sellers trading up from their starter homes would be very significant.

Food for thought for buyers and sellers before everyone enjoys a sunny Memorial Day weekend!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Natick Farmer's Market and Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend!

After a long rainy week, hopefully the sun will make an appearance for the Natick Farmer's Market tomorrow (Saturday 9-1) and for the weekend of events in Wellesley (ending with a parade and fireworks Sunday afternoon and  evening)!

If the weather doesn't cooperate, the Natick Library will be holding their book sale over the weekend, and the shops at Linden Square in Wellesley will be holding special events as well.


The first Natick Farmer's Market of the season:

Monday, May 16, 2011

Wellesley Kitchen Tour: Design Ideas

The Wellesley kitchen tour showcased six beautiful kitchens this year. While pictures were not allowed (please note that none of these photos are from the actual tour), I mentally recorded several favorite features that anyone could incorporate in their kitchen plans.

Backsplash
The backsplash is a great area to be creative, as it does not need to tolerate the wear and tear of counters and floors and is small enough to feature something interesting without it taking over the space. My favorite backsplash was made from 4 inch stainless steel tiles with smaller accents.



Pendant Lights
This is another opportunity for a small feature that can make a big impression. One home on the tour had beautiful crystal pendant lights over the island that really stood out in an otherwise simple, streamlined kitchen.



Pot Filler
For anyone serious about cooking, a pot filler over the stove is not only very convenient, but can also be a beautiful part of the kitchen design.



Counter Stools
To have a quick meal or snack, especially for families, bar stools pulled up to a counter make serving very easy. Stools with a brushed stainless finish are lightweight, easy to clean, and fit in perfectly in a kitchen with stainless appliances and hardware.



Bar Area
While a few kitchens featured separate bar counters with wine coolers, one had a beautiful bar in a sparkling black granite with mahogany cabinets that could be closed off entirely behind a floor to ceiling sliding door.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

New landscaping and big price reduction: 8 Meadowbrook Lane, Holliston

Reduced!


$374,500


4 bedrooms
2 baths

Attached 2 car garage
2410 square feet
.47 acres (backyard extends past tree line)

Beautiful colonial in excellent neighborhood and commuting location. Professional landscaping just completed! Features include designer selected paint colors, updated bathrooms, 1st floor laundry area, heated towel rack, new refrigerator, refinished hardwood floors, finished basement, huge deck with sliders, newer heating system & water heater, roof heat coils & much more! Spacious, flexible floorplan w/ possibility for first floor family room or master suite. Title 5 in hand. Must see!






















More listings in Framingham, Natick Holliston, and Bolton: 
http://www.efhughes.com/detail_agent.asp?mylisting=true&SearchType=ByAgent&AgentID=104900




Friday, May 13, 2011

Spring 2011 Metrowest Market Update: Natick Wellesley Newton

Looking at the last month, from 4/13/11-5/13/11, the spring market, so far, appears to be stronger than last year. Here is the information for each town:

Natick
There are currently 81 single family homes on the market, with list prices averaging $611,000.
In the past month, 23 homes have sold for an average of $496,000 compared to the same month last year when 24 homes sold for an average of $459,000.

Wellesley
There are currently 146 single family homes on the market, with list prices averaging $1,752,000.
In the past month, 22 homes have sold for an average of $1,652,000, compared to the same month last year when 26 homes sold for an average of $1,137,000.

Newton
There are currently 172 single family homes on the market, with list prices averaging $1,333,000. In the past month, 41 homes have sold for an average of $953,000, compared to the same month last year when 50 homes sold for an average of $779,000.