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Where did the whales go?
November 10, 2011
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Where did the whales go today? Fred and Ethel are a pair of whales that one lucky member of BNI group get to carry with them for a week in between our meetings. BNI is largest business networking organization in the world and I would be happy to chat with you about if you are interested in finding our more. BUT…back to the whales…the whales are awarded to the BNI member with the best 50 second commercial and I won them this week!
I thought it would be fun to see where the whales go for a week…
Here we are leaving the Whale Home Base in West Bolyston. The whales dutifully come to every meeting at 7am on Thursday mornings for an hour and a half. We meet in the basement of this church because it’s cheap, nice space. Big room, lots of tables – great for networking.
Here the whales are taking some exterior pictures of a property in Worcester. This property is being valued by a bank as part of a bankruptcy case. Part of my job unfortunately consists of performing market evaluations on properties in foreclosure or about to be foreclosed on. We are expecting to see an increase in foreclosures in the fourth quarter. This makes the whales sad because there are a number of options for distressed property owners. If they were able to reach out ahead of time (when their financial trouble start) I can help them!
Here the whales are at yet another property in Worcester that they need to process a valuation on. The whales are getting tired on this rainy Thursday morning because there are 8 properties on their list today. EIGHT! In one day! For just one Realtor! Multiple that into the number of Realtors there are and it’s staggering. One in eight homeowners on average across the country are in financial distress and either behind in their mortgage or in foreclosure. *whew* the whales are shocked at the news and we had a long conversation about the various options for these people…such as modifications, short sales and legal consultation.
The whales stop to refuel. It’s a little known fact that whales actually survive on caffeine alone for most of the week. Truly. I think I saw that on a NatGeo special.
Ah-ha! The whales are excited! We just got word that we have short sale approval on a house in LESS THAN 30 DAYS! That’s amazing! These home owners will be free of their financial burden and can start to put the rest of their lives back together by the first of the new year! What a great way to spend the afternoon! Processing HUDs, submitting backing information, dotting all the “i”s and crossing all the “t”s. Another little known fact about whales is that they are detail orientated. Really…I think I saw that on the same show.
It’s a rainy evening without any appointments for a change and the whales have decided to celebrate their WIN today with the short sale approval by having a cool frosty one while reviewing tomorrow’s schedule and making sure everything is ready.
The whales did good today in their first “real” day of real estate with a RE/MAX Realtor! Let’s see how they do tomorrow!
Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays? Who Picks Up the Pieces?
November 10, 2011
If a neighbor’s tree falls over your property line, file an insurance claim for repairs and cleanup. No house damage? Check if chopping and hauling debris is covered.
When a tree falls
Your neighbor is responsible when a tree falls over your shared property line only if you can prove he was aware that his tree was a hazard and refused to remedy the problem. Regardless, your insurance company restores your property first, and later decides whether or not to pursue reimbursement from the neighbor or his insurer if the neighbor was negligent in maintaining the tree.
Before a tree falls
Write a letter to your neighbor before his dead, diseased or listing tree falls through your roof or over your property line.
The letter should include:
- Description of the problem
- Photographs
- Request for action
- Attorney letterhead–not necessary but indicates you mean business.
Trim their trees
If the limbs of a tree hang over your property line, you may trim the branches up to the property line, but not cut down the entire tree. If a tree dies after your little pruning, the neighbor can pursue a claim against you in civil or small claims court. Depending on the laws of your state, your neighbor may have to prove the damage was deliberate or caused by negligence, but may also be able to recover up to three times the value of the tree.
Before you cut, tell your neighbors what you intend to do to protect your property. They may offer to trim the whole tree instead of risking your half-oaked job.
Your tree falls
It’s always a good idea to take care of your big and beautiful trees, and keep receipts for trimmings and other care.
But if your tree falls over a neighbor’s property line, do nothing until their insurance company contacts you. You may not be liable unless you knew or should have known the tree was in a dangerous condition. If you pruned a tree or shored up trunks to prevent problems, gather your receipts to prove your diligence.
Open this evening – great stop on the way home from work!
November 9, 2011
30 John Drive in North Grafton will be open this evening 5:30 to 7pm – stop in and see!
3 living levels in this upscale townhouse in Forest Hills. Low HOA fees, pets allowed and a one car garage. Tons of natural light, open floor plan and huge bedrooms. Walk out finished basement has many possibilities as a game room, additional bedroom or office. As easy commuter location within 5 minutes of 90, 20, 122 and 140.
Master suite has it’s own full bathroom and walk-in closet. Second floor laundry closet and additional loft space also! Check out a video tour (real video – not stitched together photos): here and here
Great price with motivated sellers – NOT a short sale!
Here is your opportunity!
November 5, 2011
 
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Remax Professional Associates : 294 Main Street – Spencer MA 01562 : 508-784-0504 |
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What in the world is HAFA?
November 1, 2011
Think you might want to short sale? Click here for more information
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Energy Monitors: Seeing is Believing — and Saving
October 28, 2011
Energy monitors make managing your power consumption enjoyable and easy to do. And we’re using energy today! BRR!
The Prius Effect in your living room
Researchers have shown that the well-known hybrid car saves energy for two reasons: It efficiently uses both gasoline and electric power, and it also provides a display screen that lets drivers track their real-time MPG efficiency.
Various environmental reports have suggested that home-based energy monitors have the same effect–keeping an eye on the display screens encourages savings of up to 10% of a home’s heating and cooling costs.
Do-it-yourself monitoring
Energy usage monitors are readily available and affordable. A system like TED–The Energy Detective ($120 to $455)–has a measuring unit connected to your home’s circuit breaker panel. Data, such as energy consumed in watts and dollars, is sent to another unit called the Gateway, which delivers energy usage info to your computer or wireless dashboard. TED stores up to 10 years of data.
Similar systems are available from Blue Line ($100) and the upcoming EnergyHub.
Smarter meters
Utility companies are starting to replace analog electricity meters with digital smart meters that offer two-way communication, allowing utilities to regulate energy distribution more effectively. Smart meters transmit info via a secure radio frequency network so that utility workers don’t have to brave growling dogs and muddy side yards to read your meter.
If your home is one of the early adopters, you can track your hourly energy usage through your utility’s web-based application. That way, you can discover when in the day is electricity the cheapest, and schedule laundry and other power-hungry tasks for that time. In addition, your utility can send you a detailed electricity bill instead of an estimate of charges.
Smart meters also can transmit data to indoor display units that work like off-the-shelf energy usage monitors. A smart meter also can include details on gas usage.
Note that smart meters require professional installation by your utility, so call to find out if your home is on their roadmap.
Google your savings
If you want more use out of the real-time data, Google’s free PowerMeter is an advanced web-based graphical application that works with your home’s smart meter or energy monitor to track usage over time, set energy savings goals, and predict your energy bill based on usage.
The software can help you tailor your usage to bring down costs. It’s available through devices such as TED and utility companies such as San Diego Gas & Electric.
Affordable portables
If outfitting your entire home for energy monitoring isn’t feasible, you can still track the energy use of household items with the small, portable Belkin Conserve Insight ($30). It can tell you an appliance’s usage in dollars, carbon dioxide emitted, and watts consumed, and it offers monthly and yearly estimated costs.
Similar devices from Kill A Watt EZ include an energy usage monitor power strip, and range from $16 to $60.
Small business Sunday video blog…going to straight to your belly!
October 16, 2011
Leslie Houssan is a Pampered Chef extraordinaire in Worcester County. She is up to date on the latest and greatest for all things in your kitchen! Give Leslie a call and she’ll fill you in. You can reach her at 774-276-0205, ljhpchef@yahoo.com or http://www.pamperedchef.biz/4lesliehoussan.
Here is a sample of what she can share with you:
“Greasy, expensive takeout food will be a thing of the past when you invest in these kitchen workhorses! Prepare easy, delicious recipes at only $2 a serving* your family will love.”
9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers
October 7, 2011
Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season since the temps have dropped so low the last few nights…we are getting our first taste of the winter season. I found this list and thought it was a nice quick way to save some energy without having to reconstruct the house. I am a fan of the last one!
Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.
Switch to a laptop: If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop.
Choose an LCD TV: If you’re among those considering a flat-screen upgrade from your conventional, CRT TV, choose an LCD screen for the biggest energy save.
Give your water heater a blanket: Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.
Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking: When you turn off an electric burner, it doesn’t cool off immediately. Use that to your advantage by turning it off early and using the residual heat to finish up your dish.
Add motion sensors: You might be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, but your kids? Not so much. Adding motion sensors to playrooms and bedrooms cost only $15 to $50 per light, and ensures you don’t pay for energy that you’re not using.
Spin laundry faster: The faster your washing machine can spin excess water out of your laundry, the less you’ll need to use your dryer. Many newer washers spin clothes so effectively, they cut drying time and energy consumption in half—which results in an equal drop in your dryer’s energy bill.
Use an ice tray: Stop using your automatic ice maker. It increases your fridge’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%. Ice trays, on the other hand, don’t increase your energy costs one iota.
Use the dishwasher: If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water and relieve that much strain from your energy-taxing water heater. Added bonus: you don’t have to wash any dishes.
Real Estate and *stuff * 