Green Living Tips for Homeowners

The 40th Anniversary of  Earth Day is on April 22nd. A great way to celebrate is  to go "green", this doesn’t have to be “weird or ugly or futuristic”, or even expensive. Appealing aesthetics in green design are in fact a sustainability achievement. Homes and buildings that appeal to everyone endure They endure for many years through design trends, market cycles and numerous homeowners.
Some important features are: high performance windows, energy efficacies heating system, low-flow toilets and durable composite decking for porches.
When building using the following concepts can assist you to achieve a greener home: site selection and use, local and regional goals, sustainable orientation of the building on the site, storm water management.
Here are a few easy low cost ideas to implement in your home to start a “greener” life:
• Use CFL or LED light bulbs.
• Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Start a compost pile.
• Plant Trees.
• Insulate hot water heater.
• Weather strip and caulk doors and windows.
• Collect rainwater to water plants.
• Paint with low or no VOC paint.
• Replace filters.
• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Plant a rain garden.
• Plant native plants.
• Place appliances or office equipment on power strips to reduce “phantom” load.
• Install motioned sensors in common areas to turn off lights when no in use.
• Install water efficient restroom fixtures.
• Take advantage of day lighting.
• Provide recycling bins.
There has been a lot of talk lately about reducing our ecological footprint sometimes called "carbon footprint". This is a site that measures that footprint: Walkability Score: http://www.walkscore.com/.  The following is a list of more great websites to look up “green” living ideas:
• http://www.epa.gov/earthday
• http://www.greenseal.org/
• http://www.epa.gov/
• http://www.energystar.gov/
• http://www.thegreenguide.com/
• http://www.storyofstuff.com/
To actually see and feel some of the latest in green living attend the home show this weekend at the Big E there are plenty of opportunities to “green up” your home. There is a big push towards sustainability. This is a great opportunity to actually see all the new innovative products that are being talked about. There will be building industry experts to explain about these products and possible tax credits. There will also be some interactive booths with touch screens to show how the products are made.
The Home Show March 25th – March 28th. For more information and coupons go to http://www.westernmasshomeshow.com/.
To read about a local example of green building in our area follow this link:
http://bit.ly/boad5K
A Sturbridge house built with geothermal heating, passive solar use, energy efficient spray insulation, radiant floor heating, high energy efficient windows, recycled decking, Energy Star appliances, energy efficient gas fireplaces and more.
If you are looking for something interesting to do this weekend and have been thinking of “greening up” your home, renovating, upgrading your appliances, improving your heating or cooling system this is the place to go.

If you have any ideas or would like to add anything I welcome your comments.

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

Longmeadow 2009 Home Sales

Below are the 2009 real estate sales results for Longmeadow, Massachusetts...

• The full year 2009 results show that the number of houses sold in Longmeadow was 3.8% higher than corresponding 2008 results (165 vs. 159) but home sales were still significantly lower than recorded for prior years (2006- 189, 13% lower and 2007- 198, 17% lower).
  
  
• During the second half of 2009 median sales prices for homes continued to show improvement from the lows observed in early 2009. Median prices at year end were 15.2% higher than December 2008.
  
  
• The number of houses sold in the last two months of 2009 was significantly higher than each of the previous three years: 2009: 29 2008: 19 2007: 19 2006: 17

Some less favorable trends include:

• 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 all of 2009 ~ 55% of the home (90 out of 165) were sold below the current assessed values.
  
  
• Full year 2009 results showed that higher priced homes (>$400K) may be more difficult to sell in the current environment with only 39 out of 165 homes (24%) sold priced above $400,000. (Currently there are 24 homes out of 60 listings (40%) on MLS that are priced above $400K.)

[click to enlarge chart]
Below is a chart showing the relationship between recent Longmeadow real estate Sales Prices and Assessed Values (data obtained from Vision Appraisal website).

During November- December 2009 time frame ~45% of the homes sold (13 out of 29) were at prices less than the official assessment value. For all of 2009 55% of the homes (90 out of 165) were sold below the official assessment value.

Note: The latest November/ December home sales results are compared to the new FY2010 assessed values.

During the second half of 2009 median sales prices for homes continued to show improvement from the lows observed in early 2009. Median prices at year end were 15.2% higher than December 2008.

Despite these mixed results it does appear that a bottom may be forming for the Longmeadow real estate market (as well as the rest of the US). This combined with a recovery economy may lead to a more normally functioning real estate market in 2010.

Here is a link to the data for 2006-2009 Real Estate Transactions that were used to develop the above graphs.

Longmeadow FSBO
East Longmeadow FSBO
House for Rent at LongmeadowBiz
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LongmeadowBiz.com- Longmeadow's #1 Business and Community website

Massachusetts Real Estate is Turning the Corner

The news has been filled with some very positive commentary about the improving state of the real estate market in Massachusetts. Below are excerpts from the Boston Globe and Bloomberg News- Read the full stories by clicking on the links for additional details.

Home Sales Rise in Massachusetts- Boston Globe, November 25, 2009

“Sales of single-family homes rose by 17.2 percent in October, compared with the same month last year, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, according to Warren Group, a private company that tracks real estate data. The number of sales, 4,295, marks the highest total for the month of October since 2005.”

“The number of Massachusetts homes on the market on Oct. 31 was down 15 percent, compared with the same time last year, the 19th straight month that inventory had declined, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, which also released data yesterday. Inventory of homes for sale in October was the lowest for that month since 2002, the association said.”

Home mortgage rates are at some of the lowest levels in a long time which should significantly help the recovery in home real estate sales.

Here is a recent story from Bloomberg News…

Mortgage Rates in U.S. Match Record Low Set in April - November 25, 2009
The average 30 year fixed mortgage rate for single family homes was a record low 4.78% while the average 15 year rate was 4.29% Read the full story for additional details.

Hopefully, by next Spring we will see a return to a more normal real estate market.