Massachusetts Real Estate off to a positive start!

Massachusetts Real Estate is off to a positive start in 2014

The market momentum of 2013 has continued through the new year and into January as home sales and prices were up again to start the year. While inventory continues to be down, the return of equity is giving homeowners a better opportunity to put their homes on the market – if that’s what they want to do. Unfortunately, inventory can’t come back if sellers don’t list their homes. 

Highlights from the release:

•     January single-family home sales – Up 0.7% over last year.
•     January Single-family median prices were UP 14.3% to $320,000. Sixteen straight months of increases.
•     January condo sales up 4.1% and median prices UP 20.2% ($300,500)
•     Inventory in January Down 20.4% to 15,246 and Condominium available Down 27.0% to 4,232
•     SF listings added to the market in January Down 11.1% over last year. (4,167 from 4.685 in 2013)
•     Condo listings added to the market Down 11.4% over last year. (1,700 from 1,919 in 2013)

This information is provided from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors

Franklin County, Ma Single Family Sales since 2003

The chart below represents the average sale price and average days on market since 2003 for single family sales in the Franklin County.   You can see the ups and downs in the real estate market and hard to believe the average sale price in 2004 was higher than it is today.  This also shows that the amount of time to sale a house has not changed much in the past few years.   Is the real estate market getting better?  The next 10 years will be interesting.  

This information was taken from the Multiple Listing Service and does not include private sales.

The following spreadsheets is the breakdown of Single Family Sales in each Franklin County town since 2003.  

Open Houses on Saturday - Cute Home in Montague, Ma and Fabulous Condo in Greenfield, Ma

$179,900 44 Coolidge Avenue Montague MA

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 10AM-12PM

This wonderful Ranch style home has been remodeled top to bottom and it shines! It has an open floor plan with a fabulous kitchen with lots of attractive cabinetry. In addition there is a large dining and living area; master suite with full bath and walk-in closet; two bedrooms and full bath; laundry closet; and a fenced in yard! Nothing needs to be done to this place but move in. It is conveniently located on the hill in Turners Falls. 

$159,900 44 Briar Way Greenfield        OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 1PM-3PM     This affordable and beautifully      maintained condominium is one you must  see. Tastefully decorated and ready for you  to move in and enjoy. Features include   hardwood floors, patio doors to deck,   skylights, and a nice open floor plan with cathedral ceiling. The first floor has kitchen, dining and living area, 1/2 bath and the second floor has two bedrooms and full bath. It has a gas heat, air conditioning and town water and sewer.

Molly Cantor Pottery - Share the Love Weekend 20% off Sale Shelburne Falls, Ma

Molly Cantor is having 20% off sale this weekend!  If you haven't had an opportunity to see her pottery, I encourage you to check out her store located on 20 Bridge Street in 

Shelburne Falls.  The sale is Sat and Sun.  The reception is 3:00 to 5:00 where you can enjoy free chocolate.

Molly also offers pottery classes for both adults and kids.

For more information visit her website at www.MollyCantor.com

Franklin County Massachusetts 2014 Property Tax Rates

Real Estate Tax Rates for Franklin County, Massachusetts in 2014 are listed below.  The information was compiled from the state website (www.mass.gov). This information is helpful when purchasing your new home to approximate the cost of your real estate taxes.  For more information about each individual towns, visit our website with links to all the towns in Franklin County, Mass.

Massachusetts                  Franklin County 2014                Property Tax Rates
(Dollar amount is per $1,000 of assessed property value)                  Information compiled from Mass.gov website
Ashfield	$16.16
Bernardston	$17.48
Buckland	$15.74
Charlemont	$17.20
Colrain	$17.77
Conway	$13.70
Deerfield	$13.71
Erving	$8.45
Gill	$16.78
Greenfield	$20.53
Hawley	$16.05
Heath	$19.12
Leverett	$19.20
Leyden	$16.85
Monroe	$13.38
Montague	$16.34
New Salem	$16.12
Northfield	$15.49
Orange	$18.80
Rowe	$6.07
Shelburne	$13.62
Shutesbury	$20.60
Sunderland	$13.98
Warwick	$18.33
Wendell	$19.18
Whately	$15.77