SEAHORSE REALTY

New Waterfront listing at Mattapoisett Shores

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:04:00 GMT

Waterfront

• 1,056 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $799,000

Mattapoisett Shores, Mattapoisett - BEACHFRONT!! Enjoy Fantastic Sunsets and Views from this Waterfront Beach home.. This home offers an open floor plan,living and dining area leading to wrap around deck, overlooking the beach and ocean. Two bedrooms and two baths. Don't miss your chance to own waterfront property in Mattapoisett.

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Speed Up Short Sales, FHFA Directs Servicers

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:49:00 GMT

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced a new policy to speed up the process that mortgage servicers use to handle short sales, deeds-in-lieu, and deeds-for-lease for mortgages that are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The FHFA, the regulator of Fannie and Freddie, says the new policy includes a revised timeline that will require mortgage servicers to respond to a request for a short sale offer within 30 days. Servicers also will be required to make a final decision on the short sale offer within 60 days.For any short sale offer still under review after 30 days, banks will be required to provide weekly status updates to borrowers regarding the pending short sale offer.The new policy, which will roll out in stages starting in June, aims to prevent foreclosures, keep homes occupied, and help maintain stable communities. These timeline and borrower communication announcements set minimum standards and provide clear expectations regarding these important foreclosure alternatives. The FHFA also says that by the end of the year there will be additional announcements from Fannie and Freddie that are aimed at addressing borrower eligibility and evaluation, simplifying documents, property valuation, fraud mitigation, payments to subordinate lien holders, and mortgage insurance

688 Mary's Pond Road in Rochester (SHORT SALE) Sold!

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:10:00 GMT

Rochester, Plymouth County - The 2 story at 688 Mary's Pond Road has been sold.

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Weekly Vacation Rental at Crescent Beach

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:21:00 GMT

Great waterviews, short walk to beach

• 1,200 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 3 story - MLS® $2,300.00 USD Weekly - weekly vacation rental

Crescent Beach, Mattapoisett - MATTAPOISETT CRESCENT BEACH VACATION RENTAL: Nicly furnished 3+ bedroom home with stanless steel applicance, granite, recessed lighting, large deck,loft with balcony, First floor rooms are kitchen, dining room, living room, den/tv room, full bath & laundry room. 2nd. floor has 3 bedrooms & full bath. There is also a sleeping loft on the 3rd. floor.
OUTDOOR SHOWER - BBQ GRILLE

Call for available dates, rate is $2300 weekly plus cleaning fee.

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Marion weekly vacation rental

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:19:00 GMT

Marion Vacation Home

• 874 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $1,200.00 USD Weekly - weekly

Marion, Marion Center - MARION WEEKLY VACATION RENTAL: Charming and cozy 3 bedroom cottage is located just steps for a huge private association beach on a calm protected cove. Relax and let the rhythms of nature dictate your day. Swim when the tide is high and when the tide goes out explore the sand bars, tidal pools and even a small island! In the evening, grab a glass of wine and stroll down to the beach and watch sun set over the water. At night you can build a beach bonfire and watch the stars come out.

Retal fee $1200 per wk.
cleaning fee to be determined.

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Price Adjustment on East Fairhaven "short sale" {under agreement}

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:17:00 GMT

East Fairhaven, Fairhaven - Announcing a price reduction on 7 Forestview Drive, a 1,248 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Cape". Now MLS® $250,500 - Short Sale.

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Price Adjustment on 420 Sconticut Neck Road in Sconticut Neck {UNDER AGREEMENT}

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:22:00 GMT

Sconticut Neck, Fairhaven - Announcing a price reduction on 420 Sconticut Neck Road, a 2,016 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Colonial". Now MLS® $325,500 - SHORT SALE = NEW PRICE.

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Mattapoisett Waterfront Vacation Rental

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:22:00 GMT

ON THE BEACH (Rented)

• 1,589 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Great waterviews" - MLS® $2500 USD Weekly - Fabulous sumer rental

Mattapoisett, Plymouth County - Location, Location,Location! Fabulous summer rental! Spend you summer in Mattapoisett on the beach! Adorable 4 bedroom cottage on the beach on Mattapoisett Neck. Fully furnished and equipped. Easy/safe swim access, toys, games, 1/2 acre playing field, laundry, outdoor shower, flower garden! Full of charm. Sleeps 9. No smoking. Pets will be considered on a case by case basis. Call now for the best weeks!!! There will also be a $150 cleaning fee

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RECORD RATES PUSH HOUSING AFFORDABILITY HIGHER

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:46:00 GMT

Daily Real Estate News | Friday, January 20, 2012

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The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit another all-time low this week, marking the seventh straight week it has averaged below 4 percent, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.

Here’s a closer look at rates for the week ending Jan. 19:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.88 percent, with an average 0.8 point, a new all-time low and dropping from last week’s previous record of 3.89 percent. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.74 percent.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.17 percent, with an average 0.8 point, up slightly from last week’s record low of 3.16 percent. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 4.05 percent.
5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.82 percent, with an average 0.7 point, the same as last week’s average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.69 percent.
1-year ARMs: averaged 2.74 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 2.76 percent average. Last year at this point, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.25 percent.

Waterfront home for sale at Crescent Beach

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:45:00 GMT

Crescent Beach, Waterfront

• 1,260 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm single story "on raised foundation" - MLS® $825,000

Crescent Beach, Mattapoisett - Waterfront home with panoramic ocean views.Three bedrooms plus loft, living room kitchen combo, solid wood doors, cathedrall ceilings, fans, recessed lighting, sky lights, deck on two sides of house, outdoor shower and just steps from the beach.

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MORTGAGE PROTECTION PROGRAM

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:59:00 GMT

With each listing agreement signed with Seahorse Realty the seller will be given the oportunity to give the buyer a one year Mortgage Protection Plan. If buyer looses his or her job the plan will make 6 months of mortage payments while they collect unemployment and search for work.

This is an opportunity for the sellers home to stand out from the rest and put the buyers as ease in this rough economy!

Why Short Sales Are Preferable to Foreclosure

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:09:00 GMT

A short sale is a situation in which the seller owes more money on the loan (and any other liens on the property) than the sale of the property will likely produce on the market and the seller is unable or unwilling to bring money to closing. In a short sale, the lender has not yet forclosed on the property, which provides a window of opportunity for the owner to sell the property in order to at least partially satisfy the amount to the lender.

Short sales are considered preferable to foreclosures because short sales lessen the inpact a foreclosure can have on the surrounding community and won't damage the distressed owner's credit as much as a foreclosure. If the borrower is still current with other payments, a short sale may lower the borrower's credit score by as little as 50 points. After the sale the lender can report as Paid in full-paid as agreed or paid-settled or paid-unrated. A foreclosure can lower the credit score by 200 points or more and remain as a public record and on credit history for seven years.

If you or anyone you know is a distressed home owner and needs assistance, please call or have them call us at 508-758-4663. At Seahorse Realty we are a certified Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource. We have helped many home owners that need to sell and are upside down on their mortgage.

9 Bedroom Mattapoisett Vacation Rental with Private Beach

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:50:00 GMT

Mattapoisett Center, Mattapoisett - Announcing a rent/lease opportunity on Neds Point, a 3 bath, 8 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $5,000 USD Weekly - VACATION RENTAL.

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Weekly vacation rental at Shell Beach, Mattapoisett

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:35:00 GMT

Mattapoisett Shorse Vacation Home

• 495 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $1,200 USD Weekly - Weekly Summer Rental

Mattapoisett Shores, Mattapoisett - Great Summer rental in a beautiful location on Mattapoisett Neck! Deeded beach right to private Shell Beach! Adorable cottage with newly remodeled bath! fully furnished and equipped! Easy/safe swim access, great beach, large yard, laundry, and great deck for fabulous views!

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Renovated apt. in Mattapoisett....Year round rental

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:59:00 GMT

Like New

• 910 sq. ft., 1 bath, 1 bdrm apartment "First Floor - Like New" - MLS® $1,000 USD Monthly - Year Round Rental

Mattapoisett, Plymouth County - Spacious first floor one bedroom apt. with garage, yard and patio. Apt in new condition with laminate flooring in kitchen, plenty of cabinets, recessed lighting, black appliances. Bathroom has ceramic tile flooring, large shower, double sink. Living room has carpeting, electric fireplace & recessed lighting. Bedroom is carpeted, recessed lighting and closet. This apt. has a stackable front loading washer & dryer.

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Winter Rental at Harbor Beach

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:08:00 GMT

HARBOR BEACH

• 960 sq. ft., 2 bath, 1 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $975 USD Monthly - Winter Rental

Harbor Beach, Mattapoisett - MATTAPOISETT: FURNISHED WINTER RENTAL AT HARBOR BEACH. Enjoy the views from this 2 bedroom home which features stainless applicances, granite, recessed lighting, ceilings fans, slider to deck, 2 TV(s), laundry room. RENTAL FEE INCLUDES TELEPHONE, CABLE TV & INTERNET ACCESS. TENANT PAYS ALL OTHER UTILITIES.

AVAILABLE NOV 1ST. THRU JUNE 2011

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Mattapoisett Village year round apt. or rent (utilities included)

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:47:00 GMT

Mattapoisett Village, Barstow Street, a 400 sq. ft., 1 bath, 1 bdrm single story. $875 USD Monthly - includes utilities plus central air. Excelent location.

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FORMER HOME OWNERS RECLAIM FORECLOSED PROPERTY

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 12:25:00 GMT

One possible outcome of the foreclosure crisis could be a fight between former owners of foreclosed homes and lenders.

An example of what might become a larger trend happened in California, where a couple and their nine children used a crowbar to break into their former home. Their lawyer recommended that they take this step, according to AOL’s HousingWatch.com

The former owners, Jim and Danielle Earl, say they were trying to catch up with their payments when the lender sold the property to Conejo Capital Partners.

The Earls say it’s unclear what entity owns the loan. Housing Watch says the original lender was Washington Mutual, which became JPMorgan Chase. The Earls say that Chase failed to properly assume the loan and didn’t have the right to sell it, nor could Conejo Capital Partners legally sell it.

The Earls’ attorney, Michael Pines, told the Ventura newspaper, “They may claim we’re violating the law. We’re claiming they violated the law. Typically the authorities will say this is a civil dispute, but the question is, who owns the home? Because whoever doesn’t is trespassing.”

Year Round Rental in Marion Village

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:26:00 GMT

YEAR ROUND RENTAL

• 1,236 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $1,325 USD Monthly - Marion Village

Marion Village, Marion Center - MARION VILLAGE: Year Round Rental, beautiful hardwood floors, new kitchen with granite counter tops, fireplace, garage, storage shed, aditional studio building would make a great private office, nice flower gardens and spacious grounds. Walk to Silver Shell Beach and the Marion Yacht Club.

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6 Reasons to Reduce Your Homes Price

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:11:00 GMT

While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price.

Home not selling? That could happen for a number of reasons you can’t control, like a unique home layout or having one of the few homes in the neighborhood without a garage. There is one factor you can control: your home price.

These six signs may be telling you it’s time to lower your price.

1. You’re drawing few lookers

You get the most interest in your home right after you put it on the market because buyers want to catch a great new home before anybody else takes it. If your real estate agent reports there have been fewer buyers calling about and asking to tour your home than there have been for other homes in your area, that may be a sign buyers think it’s overpriced and are waiting for the price to fall before viewing it.

2. You’re drawing lots of lookers but have no offers

If you’ve had 30 sets of potential buyers come through your home and not a single one has made an offer, something is off. What are other agents telling your agent about your home? An overly high price may be discouraging buyers from making an offer.

3. Your home’s been on the market longer than similar homes

Ask your real estate agent about the average number of days it takes to sell a home in your market. If the answer is 30 and you’re pushing 45, your price may be affecting buyer interest. When a home sits on the market, buyers can begin to wonder if there’s something wrong with it, which can delay a sale even further. At least consider lowering your asking price.

4. You have a deadline

If you’ve got to sell soon because of a job transfer or you’ve already purchased another home, it may be necessary to generate buyer interest by dropping your price so your home is a little lower priced than comparable homes in your area. Remember: It’s not how much money you need that determines the sale price of your home, it’s how much money a buyer is willing to spend.

5. You can’t make upgrades

Maybe you’re plum out of cash and don’t have the funds to put fresh paint on the walls, clean the carpets, and add curb appeal. But the feedback your agent is reporting from buyers is that your home isn’t as well-appointed as similarly priced homes. When your home has been on the market longer than comparable homes in better condition, it’s time to accept that buyers expect to pay less for a home that doesn’t show as well as others.

6. The competition has changed

If weeks go by with no offers, continue to check out the competition. What have comparable homes sold for and what’s still on the market? What new listings have been added since you listed your home for sale? If comparable home sales or new listings show your price is too steep, consider a price reduction

How to use comparable sales to price your home

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:43:00 GMT

Before you put your home up for sale, use the right comparable sales to find the perfect price.

How much can you sell your home for? Probably about as much as the neighbors got, as long as the neighbors sold their house in recent memory and their home was just like your home.

Knowing how much homes similar to yours, called comparable sales (or in real estate lingo, comps), sold for gives you the best idea of the current estimated value of your home. The trick is finding sales that closely match yours.

What makes a good comparable sale?

Your best comparable sale is the same model as your house in the same subdivision—and it closed escrow last week. If you can’t find that, here are other factors that count:

Location: The closer to your house the better, but don’t just use any comparable sale within a mile radius. A good comparable sale is a house in your neighborhood, your subdivision, on the same type of street as your house, and in your school district.

Home type: Try to find comparable sales that are like your home in style, construction material, square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, basement (having one and whether it’s finished), finishes, and yard size.

Amenities and upgrades: Is the kitchen new? Does the comparable sale house have full A/C? Is there crown molding, a deck, or a pool? Does your community have the same amenities (pool, workout room, walking trails, etc.) and homeowners association fees?

Date of sale: You may want to use a comparable sale from two years ago when the market was high, but that won’t fly. Most buyers use government-guaranteed mortgages, and those lending programs say comparable sales can be no older than 90 days.

Sales sweeteners: Did the comparable-sale sellers give the buyers downpayment assistance, closing costs, or a free television? You have to reduce the value of any comparable sale to account for any deal sweeteners.

Agents can help adjust price based on insider insights

Even if you live in a subdivision, your home will always be different from your neighbors’. Evaluating those differences—like the fact that your home has one more bedroom than the comparables or a basement office—is one of the ways real estate agents add value.

An active agent has been inside a lot of homes in your neighborhood and knows all sorts of details about comparable sales. He has read the comments the selling agent put into the MLS, seen the ugly wallpaper, and heard what other REALTORS®, lenders and appraisers said about the comparable sale.

More ways to pick a home listing price

If you’re still having trouble picking out a listing price for your home, look at the current competition. Ask your real estate agent to be honest about your home and the other homes on the market (and then listen to him without taking the criticism personally).

Next, put your comparable sales into two piles: more expensive and less expensive. What makes your home more valuable than the cheaper comparable sales and less valuable than the pricier comparable sales?

Are foreclosures and short sales comparables?

If one or more of your comparable sales was a foreclosed home or a short sale (a home that sold for less money than the owners owed on the mortgage), ask your real estate agent how to treat those comps.

A foreclosed home is usually in poor condition because owners who can’t pay their mortgage can’t afford to pay for upkeep. Your home is in great shape, so the foreclosure should be priced lower than your home.

Short sales are typically in good condition, although they are still distressed sales. The owners usually have to sell because they’re divorcing, or their employer is moving them to another area.

How much short sales are discounted from their market value varies among local markets. The average short-sale homes in our area have been discounted by approx. 8.5%, Sellers typically discount short-sale homes by 3% to 5% to get them quickly sold,

So you have to rely on your REALTOR’s® knowledge of the local market to use a short sale as a comparable sale.

House Approves Tax Credit Extension

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:53:00 GMT

The U.S. House on Tuesday agreed to give home buyers until Sept. 30 to close on eligible properties and still qualify for the home buyer tax credits.

The current deadline requires buyers to close by June 30 in order to qualify.

The Senate must still approve the measure. Supporters there are planning to tack the bill onto one that would extend unemployment benefits, hoping the popularity of the tax credit extension will overcome Senate objections to extending unemployment.

Practitioners estimate that at least 200,000 buyers won’t be able to close today because settlement offices are slammed, short sales are delayed,and lenders are overwhelmed.

Critics say extending the deadline is an invitation for more fraud.

LENDERS WARN FORECLOSURE MAY END IN LAWSUIT

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:39:00 GMT

The housing crisis will spark a wave of lawsuits filed by lenders seeking to recoup loses on home sales and foreclosure auctions that do not return enough money to pay the mortgages in full, according to real estate and legal experts.
Experts predict that mortgage companies will begin to sue home owners in the next two years, including borrowers who ransack a house that has been lost to foreclosure and those who walk away from "underwater mortgages," with hopes of discouraging others from such behavior.

Lenders are unlikely to target borrowers who negotiate in good faith or have defaulted on their home due to job loss or other unforeseen circumstances; other borrowers could be hounded by collection agencies that have purchased their mortgage debt from their lender

LUXURY HOME MARKET IMPROVING

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:45:00 GMT

After a tough 2009, the luxury home market is on the upswing. Sales of homes with asking prices of $2 million to $5 million in the first quarter totaled 2,461, up 32 percent from the previous year.

The increased sales appear to be driven by realistic seller pricing, increased buyer confidence, and improved financing options.

But even though the market appears to be improving, experts still have concerns. They say sales of high-end homes are affected by the movement of the stock market, and "if the markets don't recover soon, it will scare people" and hurt demand for high-end homes.

FEWER BUYER CONSIDER FORECLOSURES

Richard Strang, recs,srs,sfr — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:25:00 GMT

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Fewer U.S. homebuyers are interested in foreclosed properties than they were a year ago, according to a survey conducted for Trulia.com and RealtyTrac.

About 45 percent of U.S. adults age 18 say they are at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing a foreclosed home, down from 55 percent of people surveyed in May 2009.

Most home owners – 98 percent – expect to pay less for a foreclosure, but 36 percent expect a discount of 50 percent or more. Only 18 percent say they would be satisfied with a discount of less than 25 percent.

Some 92 percent of potential buyers were realistic about the likelihood that a foreclosed property will need improvements, but 65 percent wanted to spend less than 20 percent of the purchase price on fixing the place up.

Among U.S. adults who say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a foreclosed home, 62 percent said they would use the property for their primary residence, 19 percent said they would use it as a rental investment, 8 percent said they would use it as a second home or vacation home, and 6 percent said they would buy and quickly resell