2013 Massachusetts Real Estate Market in Numbers

Strong buyer demand and lack of inventory continue to push up median prices for both single family homes and condominiums.

• The number of detached single family homes sold in 2013 up 7.1 percent (from 2012). The most active year since 2005.
• The number of condominiums sold up 10.6 percent (from 2012). Strongest year since 2007.
• Median price was up 9.2 percent for single family home ($325,00 in 2013 from $297,750 in 2012) and 6.4 percent for condominiums ($300,000 in 2013 from $ 282,000 in 2012).
• Average monthly inventory down 18 percent for single family homes and 23 percent for condominiums from 2012.
• Single family homes stayed on the market 99 on average in 2013 (compared to 126 days on average in 2012). Condominiums stayed on the market 81 days on average (compared to 114 days in 2012).

Renata Gilarova, Real Estate Advisor with Better Living Real Estate, LLC. Contact Renata by email at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com or phone at 508-507-9715. 

* Source: marealtor.com

Recycle with National Grid - FREE Pick Up & $100 Rebate

Recycle your old, second fridge or freezer with National Grid by February 28, 2014 and receive a $100 back!

• Old, inefficient fridges and freezers can cost up to $150 per year to operate.
• Fridges and freezers made before 1993 may be costing you even more — up to $300 every year to operate.
• Why not save that money by retiring your old unit (must still be in working order and plugged in when they come to pick up)?
• National Grid will pick up your old, second fridge or freezer and recycle it at no cost to you.
• $100 rebate offer ends February 28, 2014.

For more details call 1-877-545-4113 or click HERE.

S&P bond ratings for Franklin, MA upgraded to AA+

Standard & Poor's has upgraded the Town of Franklin's long-term bond rating to AA+ from AA.

This highest rating Franklin has ever received was announced by the Town Administrator Jeff Nutting on Wednesday 1/22/14 at a Town Council meeting. AA+ is a second highest rating on the S&P scale. The Town was praised on its strong economy, budgetary performance and management.

Franklin, MA School News You Can Use

As a real estate advisor in Franklin, MA area I often get a question about the school system. When people buy a home, many factors influence their decision. Besides the look of the home, size, age, layout, proximity to amenities, the local school district is one with a significant influence.

Recently Tri-County Vocational Technical High School announced they will be adding a biotechnology curriculum to their engineering program. The Massachusetts Life Science Center awarded the school $99,459 grant toward training and equipment.

The new state-of-the-art Franklin High School is under construction and scheduled to open its door to students and faculty in the fall of 2014. You may have driven by and see the progress from the outside. But have you ever wondered what does it look like inside? Here is a sneak peak video from the FHS students.

Additional resources:

Franklin, MA Public School District
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
Tri-County Vocational Technical High School
Pantherbook: The School Newspaper of Franklin HS
Dean College
GreatSchools.org
Massachusetts Department of Education

Franklin, MA supports the Munroe Family

Franklin, MA community comes together to give support to the Munroe family in this difficult time. Here is a list of upcoming events/fundraisers.

1/12/2014 Lexi and Sean Munroe Obituary.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in their memory to Lexi and Sean Munroe Fund, c/o Dean Bank, P.O. Box 307, Franklin, MA 02038.

1/17/2014 Candlelight Vigil honoring Lexi and Sean. Franklin Town Common, Friday 1/17/14 at 7pm.

1/172014 Local businesses will donate portion of the proceeds from the sales on Friday 1/17/14. Participants: The Cake Bar, Pour Richards Wine & Spirits, Rick's Cafe (portion of proceeds from the whole week will be donated).

1/18/2014 & 1/25/2014 Join Helen at Helen Owens Fitness at 9am  for dance-Fit. Portion of proceeds from both classes will be donated to the Munroe Fund.

1/19/2014 live.love.BARRE will donate portion of proceeds from all Sunday classes (1st class starts at 8:30am, last class starts at 11:45am) to the Munroe Fund at Dean Bank. Please visit their website to sign up.

GoFundMe - donations accepted.

Neighbor Brigade - Franklin, MA Chapter

2/9/2014 Yard Sale/Bake Sale - 10am VFW Post 3402, 1034 Pond Street, Franklin, MA.

As always, if you have or know about an event, please feel free to contact me at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com. I will be happy to add it to the list. Thank you.

Distressed Home for Sale? Better Living Real Estate Can Help!

Better Living Real Estate has a list of ACTIVE investors. They buy distressed homes with CASH. Let us know if we can help you or someone you know sell a property needing repair or updating.

Franklin Outdoor Fun

I enjoy the great outdoors and I am always looking for new things to discover. I hope this overview will help YOU to discover and explore something new around Franklin, MA. Have fun out there!

Boating

• Beaver Pond (see below Swimming at Chilson Beach)
• Greens Pond – Washington St. (no motor boats allowed)

Community Fields

• Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street
• Fletcher Field on Peck Street
• Pisani Field on Peck Street
• King Street Memorial on King Street
• Beaver Pond (Chilson Beach) on Beaver Street
• Franklin High School on Oak Street
• Horace Mann School on Oak Street
• Parmenter School on Wachusett Street
• Davis Thayer School on East Central & Union Street
• Remington-Jefferson School on Washington Street
• J.F. Kennedy School on Pond Street
• Oak Street School on Oak Street
• Tri County Regional Vocational High School on Pond Street
• Meadowlark Field on Meadowlark Lane off Chestnut Street

Community Playgrounds

• Dacey Community Field Playground
• Fletcher Field Playground
• Nason Street Tot Lot
• King Street Memorial Playground
• Vendetti Playground at Beaver Pond
• Del Carte Open Space (will open soon)
• Playgrounds located at Franklin elementary schools are available to public when schools are not in session.

Disc Golf

• Course at Dacey Field

Dog Park 

• for your four-legged friends at Dacey Field (on Lincoln Street) 

Fishing

• Beaver Pond and Uncas Pond

Hiking/Nature Walks

• Franklin State Forest (also Mountain Biking – maps available at Franklin Recreation Dept.)
• DelCarte Conservation Area (also includes playground to be open soon)
• Indian Rock Conservation Area
• Southern New England Trunkline Trail – multi-use recreation path

Outdoor Art

• Franklin Sculpture Park

Swimming

• Chilson Beach at Beaver Pond

* If you know about a place/activity that is missing from the list, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to add it. E-mail: Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Frozen Water Pipes Prevention Tips

Frozen water pipes are a serious risk during a very cold winter weather. Ruptured pipe can cause thousands of dollars damage to your home. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and on outside walls are particularly vulnerable. Try these tips to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves.
• Seal air leaks surrounding or near pipes.
• Keep garage door closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses and turn off water to exterior faucets and sprinkler systems.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Keep heat at 55 °F or above when out of town.
• During a cold spell turn on both hot and cold faucets near outside walls to allow small trickle of water overnight.
• Identify your main shutoff valves and make sure you have access to them to stop the flow if the pipe bursts.

Happy New Year 2014!