Friday, April 2, 2010

1Q/2010 Longmeadow Home Sales are disappointing!

Shown below are a series of charts summarizing the latest single family home sales in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. These results include both MLS and FSBO transactions and are based upon public information obtained from the Hampden County Registrar of Deeds website.

1Q/2010 Highlights

2010 has started out very slowly with January - March home sales down 16.6% from 1Q/2009 and down 39.0% from 1Q/2007. Longmeadow's 1Q/ 2010 sales results seem to be in contrast with other parts of the northeastern US that recently have been showing improving sales volumes. The number of homes sold in the first three months of 2010 were significantly lower than the corresponding period last year and much lower than the last good year for home sales (2007). Only 5 homes were sold in February 2010.

1Q/2010: 25
1Q/2009: 30
1Q/2008: 23
1Q/2007: 41

[click to enlarge chart]

During the 1Q/2010 median sales prices for homes in Longmeadow continued a downward trend after showing some recovery in mid-2009. Median prices in March 2010 were 15.7% lower than the peak reached in September 2007 ($295,500 vs. 350,000).

A large percentage of homes continue to be sold at prices below the official assessment values continuing a trend that has been in place for the past two years. For the 1Q/2010 ~ 45% of the home (12 out of 25) were sold below the current assessed value- with some homes selling over $100,000 below official assessment values.
Let's hope that the warm weather, low interest rates and improving economy will reinvigorate the Longmeadow housing market.

Longmeadow FSBO
East Longmeadow FSBO
House for Rent at LongmeadowBiz

LongmeadowBiz.com- Longmeadow's #1 Business and Community website

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

New MA Smoke Detector Laws Effective April 5th 2010

Changes to Smoke Alarm Regulations effective April 2010. All homes sold after April 10, 2010 will have to meet the new requirements:
The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations has approved an emergency amendment to 527 CMR 32 Approved Smoke Detectors. This regulation applies to units undergoing sale or transfer of buildings containing up to five residential units. The regulation, which was scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2010, has been moved to April 5, 2010. At that time the regulation will still require photoelectric smoke detectors within 20 feet of a kitchen or bath containing a shower. Areas located beyond 20 feet will be required to contain dual detection by either a single unit or two separate units. In addition to the date change the regulation has been clarified to indicate it applies to residential units constructed prior to January, 1975 that have not undergone major alteration covered by the State Building Code. It also contains a provision for low voltage household warning systems that may have been installed in these homes.
For more information go to: www.mass.gov/dfs , or call the local fire department's prevention office.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
Since March 2006 homes have been required to install carbon monoxed detcetors on each inhabitable level as well, this remains in effect.
The smoke certificate required to transfer properties in MA includes both a smoke and a carbon monoxide test performed by the town fire department. This document is required for all closings

More Green Energy Topics - Iceland and Volcanoes vs Cloud Computing Powered by Coal.

Following up on green living I came upon this video about Iceland and their use of geothermal power from volcanoes to heat their buildings and water.  Very cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRAQrDduaU0
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the United States use of coal power which is a huge source of air pollution and greenhouse effects.  Specifically Greenpeace is claiming our increased use of Cloud computing is powered by coal plants.  A distrubing thought as we amp up our use of internet data.
Coal Fuels Much of Internet 'Cloud,' Greenpeace Says:
"The 'cloud' of data that is becoming the heart of the Internet is creating an all-too-real cloud of pollution as Facebook, Apple and others build data centers powered by coal, Greenpeace said in a new report to be released on Tuesday.
Cheap and plentiful, coal is the top fuel for U.S. power plants, and its low cost versus alternative fuels makes it attractive, even in highly energy-efficient data centers."
follow link to read more:
http://bit.ly/9HN7kR
So as we increase our use of Facebook, instant movies etc we have to push these providers to rethink their energy sources.  This is a very new concept to me I never thought along this line of logic but it makes sense.
Does anyone have any ideas or insights that we could or should do?
Look forward to hearing your comments.
Moira

Moira Murphy, ABR, Green
Residential Real Estate Agent
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Website: Moira.Murphy.net
Email: Moira.Murphy@NEMoves.com
Tel: Direct: 413.575.3643 / 413.567-8931 - office
Twitter: mmurfsurf