This is about the new Massachusetts law in place to prevent potential oil leaks from oil tanks. The law went into effect September 30, 2011, and homeowners have to upgrade their systems. If you are buying or selling this is important to read.
I have met several homeowners lately who have been unable to sell their Massachusetts homes for whatever reason, yet have had to find some way to make ends meet. One solution that I have found for these homeowners is to help them rent their property.
Where the average days-on-market for listed property in our area is 200+ days for single family homes and 175+ days for condominiums, the properties that I have rented have been on market for an average of 47 days. Renting your home or condominium can be a lifesaver if you find yourself forced to move, yet have been unable to sell your home. Rentals are in demand in our market.
I provide the marketing that you need to get your home or condominium rented. You would need to have your attorney draw up the lease to meet your needs, and you should check with a tax attorney or accountant to see if there would be any tax consequences to renting. Call me at 978-537-6401 x38 – I can answer any questions that you have about the process.
Check out the festival of lights at Edaville in Carver MA. From the site: “One of the Largest Light Displays in New England with over 7 million lights!! 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Weekdays, 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm Weekends November 26 thru January 2, 2011 (Closed Christmas Day) Friday night fireworks December 3, 10, and 17.” Visit their site for a coupon off admission, and for ways to connect through Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks. The site states that this could be their last festival of lights ever.
Bridgewater Festival of Lights, 55 Alexander Drive, Bridgewater MA. “The Bridgewater Festival Of Lights opens December 10, 2010 and runs nightly till December 25th. Hours of operation are 5:00pm to 8:30pm weeknights and 5:00pm to 9:30pm weekends. The festival is closed if raining or Heavy Snow.” Find them on Facebook.
A Christmas Journey at the Ecotarium, Worcester MA: This special children’s Christmas event takes on Saturday, December 11 and 18, and Sunday, December 12 and 19 (12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.). From their site: “The magic of this hour-long journey begins with storytime, featuring Chris Van Allsburg’s classic winter tale The Polar Express. The holiday tale then comes alive as the EcoTarium’s “elves” help families to the train station to board the Explorer Express Train for a trip around the EcoTarium’s grounds. The December air feels festive and joyful as the children ring their bells along the route. After traveling the grounds, you’ll head back indoors to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies — and, at the end of your journey — enjoy a special visit with Santa. Each child will have an opportunity to personally visit with Santa. Be sure to bring your camera to capture your child’s special moment!”
Methuen Festival of Trees: from their site: “Come and experience the magic of the trees! Take a chance on winning a decorated holiday tree when the Seventeenth Annual Festival of Trees opens on Saturday, November 20th. More than 200 spectacular and sensational holiday trees will be raffled off at the end of the Festival. Our tree donors’ creativity will surpass all your expectations.”
And don’t forget to check out the Leominster Festival of Trees! The Festival of Trees will once again be at Leominster City Hall’s Tata Auditorium beginning Monday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 12, at 25 West St., Leominster.
It’s too hot to do what you had planned on doing. So why not take the kids (or go by yourself) for a couple of hours to the local library, Barnes & Noble or Borders. Libraries in our area: Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, – links with hours and programs. The Ayer library has passes to Davis Farmland - see link.
Local beaches and pools: here is a State list of pools, with links to beaches and ponds on the upper right hand side. Local to us (and some of our favorites) are Leominster State Forest, Willard Brook, and Mirror Lake. Use plenty of sunscreen, and bring along a large thermos of iced water with lemon slices.
Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat.
Stay indoors as much as possible.
If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate sweat, which cools your body. Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
UPDATE!! While the bill below was killed in Congress, a different bill WAS passed extending the credit for those that were under agreement for their home by April 30. The extension is until September 30, by which time you must close on your property to qualify.
A bill that included an extension to the June 30 second deadline for the Homebuyer’s Tax Credit was killed in the Senate yesterday.
The bill, HR 4213, came up 3 votes shy, and affects more than just buyers whose lenders are experiencing a bottleneck as the June 30 deadline looms:
The death of the measure meant that more than 200,000 people a week would lose their jobless benefits because they would be unable to reapply for additional tiers of benefits enacted since 2008. People seeking the popular homebuyer tax credit would be denied a paperwork extension approved by the Senate last week. And state and local governments would lose subsidies on bonds they issue to finance infrastructure projects.
If your tax credit is in possible jeopardy because of the approaching deadline, it is important that you be as proactive as possible in assisting your Realtor and lender. Do not assume that the extension is likely to pass.
Church’s beach, Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts- Hitch a ride on a golf cart to the Cuttyhunk Yacht Club and then follow the sand road (pick a few wildflowers along the way) to Church’s Beach. This west-facing strand is great for late-day rays and sunsets. Gentle waves make for good swimming.
We have spent several wonderful summers exploring the Massachusetts State Park System on very short money – the price of a summer membership is $35 per year for MA residents.
Or check out this trail journal – we go swimming in the Squannacook (although we set down in a different spot) and can vouch for how fun the rope swing is.
