Real Estate Blog about Framingham, MA

Open house at Framingham, MA 01701

Kathy Foran — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:07:07 +0000

View Photos
Starts: 5/20/2012 12:00:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 2:00:00 PM
For Directions: click on the map image or feel free to contact me.
For more information: click here for the full details

Lovely 4 brm, 2.5 bth Colonial w/over 2,700 sf of living space in wonderful neighborhood location! Gorgeous e-in maple & granite kit w/stainless steel appliances, tile fl, recessed lts & slider to deck overlooking private back yard! Dramatic 2 story foyer w/bridal staircase! Gleaming hdwd flrs, fireplaced din rm, lg formal liv rm, lg fam rm w/recessed lts, 1st flr laundry, lg master brm w/full bth w/soaking tub & full tiled shower! Great location, minutes to all major routes, schools & shopping!

Open house at Framingham, MA 01701

Kathy Foran — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:07:04 +0000

View Photos
Starts: 5/20/2012 1:00:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 3:00:00 PM
For Directions: click on the map image or feel free to contact me.
For more information: click here for the full details

Move right into this lovely, bright & updated Contemporary Colonial! Formal liv rm w/cathedral ceiling & hdwd flr, formal din rm w/crown molding & hdwd flr, lovely fireplaced fam rm w/crown molding & rec lts opens to gorgeous e-in kit w/granite, stainless st appl & hdwd flrs w/French dr to huge sun rm addition w/cath ceiling, 2 sky lts & door to private deck! Huge master brm w/full bth & walk in closet! C/A, security sys, irrigation sys, walk out lower level, acre plus lot in wonderful location!

Open house at Framingham, MA 01701

Kathy Foran — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Wonderful neighborhood location for this lg 4 brm, 2.5 bth Georgian Colonial w/2 cat att gar! Wall paper just stripped and freshly painted & newly refinished hardwood flrs throughout both levels, lg e-i kit w/newer wall oven, cook top & refrigerator, formal din rm & liv rm, front to back fireplaced family rm, 1st flr laundry & half bth, master brm w/full bth & his & her closets, C/A on 2nd flr, Great location, mins to Mass Pike, schools & walk to shops!!

Mold: What You Need to Know

Kathy Foran — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:02:25 +0000

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. Here are ten things you need to know about mold from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Saving Money: Can You Ditch the Cable TV Bill?

Kathy Foran — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:03:19 +0000

Has that monthly cable bill got you down? That bill can really add up so if you are looking to cut down on the monthly expenses follow these ideas from Money Magazine.

Cable TV’s $50-plus monthly cost may be unavoidable for sports fans and news junkies — but if you just want a good selection of TV and movies, try a combo of these online services.

Netflix

Who it’s for: The movie buff

Typical fare: “True Grit,” “The African Queen,” “Downton Abbey”
Thumbs up: Get instant access to newish movies, sturdy classics, and past seasons of TV series.

Thumbs down: New movies may not be available as quickly as on DVD. Many titles in Netflix’s DVD library, which costs extra to use, aren’t offered at all. $8/month (streaming video only); netflix.com

Hulu Plus

Who it’s for: The TV junkie

Typical fare: “The Daily Show,” 37 years of “Saturday Night Live,” “Smiles of a Summer Night”

Thumbs up: Catch the full current season of popular network and cable shows, along with archives of past episodes and a smattering of art-house flicks.
Thumbs down: Just as with free TV, periodic advertisements may interrupt your show. $8/month; hulu.com

Amazon

Who it’s for: The impatient grazer

Typical fare: “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Glee” (Season 2), “Moneyball” ($4)

Thumbs up: Enjoy a little-known perk for paying $80 a year for Amazon Prime two-day shipping: Have instant access to shows and movies at no extra cost. Separately, get new films on pay-per-view.

Thumbs down: Selection is smaller than Netflix’s. $80/year (Prime), $2-$4 (PPV); amazon.com

The Hardware Made Easy

The simplest way to enjoy these services, once you’ve signed up, is to sit at your computer and stare. But you can do better.

To watch on a tablet: Just download the relevant app and sign up. Netflix and Hulu Plus work on iPads and Android tablets, while Amazon is built into a Kindle Fire.

To watch on your TV: Connect your PC by wire to your set. Buy a Roku settop box (starts at $50), which lets you send video wirelessly over a home network to your set. Or use a networked Blu-ray or videogame player, which probably has the necessary software built in.

Smart Shopping

Connect on the cheap: When you’re making a PC-to-TV connection, don’t get roped into spending more than you need to.

Ask The Help Desk

To get a video signal from most new computers (and other video gadgets) to most new TVs, you’ll need what’s known as an HDMI cable. You can spend anywhere from $25 to $100 for a brand-name beauty — or get the same quality link from a generic HDMI that costs $5 on Amazon.com.

Single-Family – Framingham, MA 01702 is now back On the market!

Kathy Foran — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:00:35 +0000

Adorable full basement ranch w/1 car attached gar! Bright kitchen w/recessed lights & dining area, fireplaced living rm w/picture window & door to private level back yard and large patio! Hardwood floors throughout, updated full bth, some new windows, architectural roof(2005), updated gas heat & 200 amp electric, new microwave, French door to heated sun rm/mud rm w/tiled floor. Lg fam rm or play rm, half bth & loads of storage in lower level! Wonderful neighborhood location, close to everything!

This is a Ranch style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 bedrooms, 0.28 Acres, and is currently available for $249,900.

For complete details click here.

Single-Family – Framingham, MA 01701 is now new to the market!

Kathy Foran — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:01:35 +0000

Move right into this beautifully updated 3 brm full basement ranch in wonderful location! Lovely fireplaced living rm w/hardwood flr & picture window, updated eat in kitchen w/hdwd flr & island opens to both step down dining rm w/hdwd flr & beautiful sun rm addition w/tile flr, cathedral ceiling & 2 skylights! Warm neutral decor throughout, updated full bth, vinyl siding & windows, updated heating & 200 amp electric! Gorgeous park like back yard in great location on the Sudbury line!

This is a Ranch style home and features 7 total rooms, 1 full bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.30 Acres, and is currently available for $279,900.

For complete details click here.

Buying a Foreclosure: What You Need to Know

Kathy Foran — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:02:04 +0000

Many buyers today think buying a foreclosure means big savings and this can be true but buyers also need to be aware of potential pitfalls. A foreclosure takes place when a homeowner or property owner cannot pay the mortgage fees on the property and is forced to give up the property to the bank.

First, potential buyers should know there are different stages of foreclosure.

Pre-Foreclosure

Pre-foreclosure stage is the earliest stage of foreclosure. Reaching pre-foreclosure status begins when the lender files a default notice on the property, which informs the property owner that the lender will proceed with pursuing legal action if the debt is not taken care of. At this point, the property owner has the opportunity to pay off the outstanding debt or sell the property before it is foreclosed.

In this stage, many homeowners may opt for what is called a short sale. Many of these homes will sell for near their appraised values. Banks may be willing to negotiate on these properties but the process can be lengthy. Properties that sell at a 20 to 40 percent discount usually need repair or are in unstable communities.

Foreclosure Stage

If a property doesn’t sell in pre-foreclosure, and the home owner actually defaults on his mortgage, the home goes to public auction. During this stage you can find the best bargains but it can be filled with unexpected changes and last minute details. Preparation, patience and knowledge are key here and remember if a property does go to auction it will go to the highest bidder which is often the bank.

Many auctions are canceled at the last moment as the property has been sold or payments reworked.
Court-appointed trustees only accept cash or cashiers’ checks.
There’s little time to arrange inspections, so bidders may have no clear idea of what they’re buying.
Properties are sold “as is,” without warranties. Sellers needn’t disclose problems. Buyers may find themselves with unexpected and expensive repairs.

Post-Foreclosure

In the post-foreclosure stage, the lender has already taken control of the property. The home is then in the possession of the lender’s REO (Real Estate Owned) department, or in the hands of a new owner or investor who purchased the property at auction.

Lenders are typically extremely willing sellers, because an REO on the books is an obvious sign of having made a poor lending decision. Both the overhead and losses involved with an REO — reflected in both the added reserves a lender must maintain as well as any potential property management fees incurred — means the bank is likely a willing negotiator.

Bank will not agree to do any repairs; as-is sale.
Bank will usually require additional paperwork.
Bank cannot provide disclosures as to property history/condition issues.

Bank foreclosure properties can definitely help you make a good buy in real estate properties and still have lots of savings. Doing your homework on the neighborhood, comparable sales and property condition are essential in making a good buying decision.

Single-Family – Framingham, MA 01701 is now new to the market!

Kathy Foran — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:00:55 +0000

Amazing custom designed 5 brm 3.5 bth home w/over 3000 sf of living space! Gorgeous cherry kit w/granite & ss appl opens to lg great rm w/cathedral ceiling & 5 skylts! Dbl sided fplce opens from kit to liv rm w/wd flr, huge 1st flr master brm w/jacuzzi bth! 4 lg brms on 2nd flr, 2 brms share Jack & Jill bth! Huge 2nd flr fam rm w/vaulted ceiling & rec lts, country club like fenced in back yard w/huge deck, hot tub, sparkling heated i-g pool, 3 sheds & huge sport court to accommodate many sports!

This is a Colonial/Contemporary style home and features 9 total rooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 5 bedrooms, 0.46 Acres, and is currently available for $479,900.

For complete details click here.

Single-Family – Framingham, MA 01702 is now new to the market!

Kathy Foran — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:00:51 +0000

This is a Ranch style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 bedrooms, 0.28 Acres, and is currently available for $249,900.

For complete details click here.