Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Any Home Inspector

Clients are always asking me what should we be looking for in a home inspector. So, here is a list of what I believe to be the top 5 questions.

1. What is included in your home inspection?  The inspection should cover all aspects required by your state.  If there are specific areas of concern-please be sure that you discuss this matter upfront.

2. How long have you been an inspector and how inspections have you done?  And do you hold a license/membership in a professional home inspection association?  Your inspector should be able to provide you with a history, as well as referrals.  If they have a web site be sure to check it for any testimonials.

3. How much do you charge?  Most inspectors will charge according to square footage.

4. How long will the inspection take?  The average time for an inspection can be between 2-3 hours.

5. Can I be present at the home inspection?  You should plan on attending.  We always recommend that our clients be present at the home inspection.  This way you, too, will be able to take notes, photos, and ask questions.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home, in the Bristol County area, call Cheryl Cahill 508-369-3809 or at ccahillrealtor@hotmail.com

Published in:  on December 1, 2009 at 5:25 pm Leave a Comment

The New Massachussetts Smoke Detector Requirements

On Jan. 1,2010, a new regulation regarding smoke detectors will be put into place. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services have pushed for this regulation regarding the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors in single and multi-family houses that have been built or altered prior to Jan. 1, 1975 and sold on or after Jan. 1,2010.  Any building or altering of homes after Jan. 1,1975 are still governed by the State Building Code, which already poses the same regulation.

Currently, these regulations require that two different types of smoke detectors be put in place-depending upon location within the home. Areas within 20 ft of a kitchen/bath,a  photo-electric sensor only smoke detector will be required.  Outside this 20 ft area of kitchen/bath, both the ionization sensor and photo-electric sensor only technology must be used.  And at the State level the battery/hardwire rules remain in effect and are not changing.

Why? Well it has been proven through research that the ionization-sensor smoke dectectors have caused false alarms, mainly due to the everyday fumes of cooking and from the steam of showers.  Constant false alarms have caused homeowners to disconnect their alarms by removing the batteries.  Due to recent concerns, the Department of Fire Services has proposed an amendment that would eliminate the requirement of ionization-sensor smoke detectors be located in areas beyond the 20 ft of kitchen/bath. If this passes then the only requirement would be the photo-electric sensor smoke detectors within the homes, and that the use of ionization-sensor smoke detectors be optional outside the 20 ft kitchen/bath zones.  The Massachusetts of Realtors supports this new proposal, a unified and simple  approach using only one, the photo-electric sensor, in homes.  Hearings are still underway.  Please stay updated.

If you are looking for anymore information regarding this or how to get your home sold, Call Cheryl Cahill, Cross Real Estate, 508-369-3809

Published in:  on November 18, 2009 at 3:54 pm Leave a Comment

Cheryl Cahill

Published in:  on October 31, 2009 at 6:23 pm Leave a Comment

Mansfield, MA Real Estate Quarterly Report (July-Sept. 30, 2009)

Properties for Sale

  • Homes on the market    44
  • Average list price  $415,202
  • Price range $199,900-$1,199,00
  • Days on market   158

Pending Sales

  • Currently under contract   7
  • Average list price currently under contract  $375,800
  • Price range $185,000-$509,900
  • Average days on market   126

Sold Properties

  • Average sold price $362,959
  • Average original asking price $402,896
  • Average sold to original list price   90%
  • Average days on market  81

The housing market has finally started to turn the corner.  Days on the market in Mansfield, MA have declined, while the percentage of sold to original asking has dropped a slight bit going from 92% to 90%.

To find out what your house is worth, call Cheryl Cahill,Cross Real Estate, 508-369-3809 or at ccahillrealtor@hotmail.com

Published in:  on October 17, 2009 at 12:03 am Leave a Comment
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Getting your Yard to look Great

After reading multiple magazine articles on how to get your yard looking good, I decided to break it all down.

  • For those of us who live in the Northeast, fall is the best time to fertilize, especially within the first 2 weeks of September. Put down a nitrogen and potassium combination.
  • Fall is also a good time to reseed grass-warm sunny days and cool evenings. Depending on teh type of lawn will depend on the type of seed to use.
  • During the first 10 days of October, spray a liquid broadleaf herbicide over the yard to get rid of the weeds and dandelions.
  • Mow, mow, mow. You should mow twice a week with the blade set at 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
  • Rake those leaves. You do not want the leaves to suffocate the lawn, or better yet-mulch the leaves back into the ground. This will provide the lawn with the natural nutrients that it needs.

I am in the process of mowing twice a week-Hopefully my lawn will be the one that will stand out next spring.

Published in:  on October 1, 2009 at 4:33 pm Leave a Comment

Home Buyers Use the Internet to Search for Homes.

We all know that more and more home buyers are using the internet to search for homes and the numbers prove it.  NAR or the National Association of Realtors has posted some pretty interesting numbers for internet use among home buyers.  In NAR’s most recent survey of home buyers and home sellers they found that:

  • Home buyer’s using the internet to search for homes=87% which is up from 71% five years ago.
  • Buyers who use the internet more frequently rose from 42% to 69% from just five years ago.
  • Home buyers that use the net to search for homes say 87% relied on information from real estate brokers.

“What does this really mean you may be wondering? If your Realtor does not have a major internet presence in the area that you are selling your home, then you better find one that does.  The home buyers are on the internet so  you better make sure your property is on the internet.”

An online presence is a must when it comes to properly marketing homes for sale.  Virtual tours are a great start, but homes for sale videos and individual property SEO or search engine optimization are key.  Buyers need to be able to find your property quickly and easily when they are looking in your area.

How do you know if your Mansfield, Ma real estate broker has a large online presence? Simple, Google the individual broker and or the company to see if you can find them online.  I suggest searching your neighborhood online to see who is actively marketing your neighborhood and keeps up with the stats for your neighborhood.

Please contact Cheryl Cahill, Cross Real Estate, 508-369-3809

 

Published in:  on September 30, 2009 at 3:26 pm Leave a Comment
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Should we take the house off the market in the winter months?

What is the answer?

  • Buyers that are out looking between September and March are usually serious buyers.
  • Inventory is low since most sellers believe the myth that they need to take the house off the market in the winter months.
  • Low inventory +serious buyers=a great opportunity to sell property.
  • Serious buyers usually=relocation buyers or people that have already sold their home and need to find a replacement home quickly, thus making for a quick closing.
  • Fewer real estate transactions are taking place at thsi time so Realtors, title companies and inspectors have less pressure and mor time to dedicate to your transaction.

So, my advice is to continue to actively market your home for sale in the winter.

For more information, contact Cheryl Cahill, Cross Real Estate, 508-369-3809

Published in:  on at 3:11 pm Leave a Comment
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Working hard, trying to get P&S signed and thinking about farmville-looks like fun.

Published in:  on September 19, 2009 at 2:55 pm Leave a Comment

World’s End Hingham, MA

A couple of days ago we went hiking at World’s End in Hingham, MA with some friends.  If you ever get a chance to go to Hingham, you need to go and check this place out. It is tree lined paths with sweeping views of the Boston skyline.  The 251 acre coastscape includes rocky shores, hillsides and open fields all to enjoy that afternoon picnic.  It is ideal for walking, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, cross country skiing or just enjoying some quiet time with a good book.  Only about 40 minutes from Mansfield,MA.  It is a wonderful place to go to and I look forward in going again in the fall as we start to celebrate the foliage season, here in the Northeast.

Published in:  on September 8, 2009 at 9:06 pm Leave a Comment
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Alberto’s Pub & Pizza

Alberto's Pub and PizzaI had the opportunity the other day to go to Alberto’s Pub & Pizza in Norton,MA.  and eat dinner. Located next to the TPC of Boston, and the ever famous Comcast Center  The place is quite nice, especially where bars and pizza are concerned.  There is a dining area, bar area and pub-table area, as well as an outdoor bar area with its own large screen TV.  The pub-table area has many large, flat screen TVs, all to watch the Red Sox, New England Patriots and or the Boston Bruins.    The  menu consists of pizza, calzones, soups, salads and appetizers, speciality sandwiches, subs, syrians and wraps.  The prices are quite reasonable and the portions are generous.  If you get a chance, you should go and check out Alberto’s.

 

Published in:  on at 8:48 pm Leave a Comment
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