Posts Tagged ‘massachusetts’
Norwood Massachusetts Real Estate Market by Realtor Mike Mahoney
April 14th, 2019 by Michael Mahoney
Norwood MA Real Estate Updates
Own a Condo Just Outside Boston for a $5600 Downpayment
April 8th, 2019 by Michael Mahoney
Sharon Green Condominiums are Affordable for 1st Time Buyers
|
Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood Market Stats |
|
| Realtor Mike Mahoney
eXp Realty
Listed by: Michael Mahoney eXp Realty |
Nearby properties for sale |
Buy this Home and Live for $900 Month at 11-15 Carrier Street in Bellingham MA
August 21st, 2018 by Michael Mahoney
11-15 Carrier Street Bellingham MA 02019
You could own this house for $900/month. See more here
See all Homes in Bellingham MA 02019
439 North Main Street Sharon MA Official Listing by Realtor Michael Mahoney
June 14th, 2018 by Michael Mahoney
439 N Main St, Sharon, MA
$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS |
Own a turnkey move in ready house in Sharon for under 369k. You can buy into the school system at a great price. 439 N. Main Street offers convenience to shopping, highways, and the commuter rail in both Sharon and Canton. It’s close to both Canton Center and Sharon Center. You can walk to the Starbucks at Cobbs Corner from here. There are three beds and a renovated bath on the 1st floor. This home could accommodate first floor living if desired by a buyer. There is a finished room in the lower level making for the perfect gym, home office or playroom. The family room off of the back offers a wall of windows looking onto a tiered yard. There is also a shed to store garden equipment, bicycles and recreational items.
Presented By:
Michael Mahoney
Realtor
eXp Realty
617-615-9435
Licensed In: MA
License #: 9051300
Michael Mahoney is a licensed Massachusetts real estate agent who works with EXP Realty in Greater Boston. Michael is a member of The National Association of Realtors. You can visit his website at www.RealtorMikeMahoney.com
Michael has written many extensive real estate blog posts at www.TheGreaterBostonVoice.com and maintains an active Youtube Channel
If you would like to speak with Michael, please feel free to call 617-615-9435.
Michael Mahoney – EXP Realty
Realtor in Boston
What are Homes and Condos Selling for in Canton MA
March 22nd, 2018 by Michael Mahoney
What are Homes Selling for in Canton Massachusetts
Cedar Ridge Estates in North Attleboro
June 6th, 2017 by Michael Mahoney
| Overview Maps Photos Features Description |
|
-
$529,900 : 538 Mount Hope Street, North Attleboro4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with C. Walsh Realty, Inc.
-
$675,000 : 194 Huntsbridge Road, North Attleboro5 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with C. Walsh Realty, Inc.
-
$849,900 : 20 Cedar Ridge Road, North Attleboro4 beds, 3 full, 2 half bathsListed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Evolution Properties
-
$576,900 : 32 Whitman Ln, North Attleboro4 beds, 3 full, 1 half bathsListed with The Greene Realty Group
-
$529,900 : Lot 6 Richard K Stevens Dr, North Attleboro3 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with You Name It Realty Services
See all Real estate in the city of North Attleboro.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
| Michael Mahoney
Keller Williams Realty http://www.realtormikemahoney.com
Listed by: Michael Mahoney – A Keller Williams Agent in Boston |
| Our recent listings
10 Potter Avenue in Plainville, MA
307 Hartford Avenue Bellingham, MA 02019 29 Birchwood Road in Randolph, MA 02368 37 Adin Street in Hopedale, MA 01747 152 Union Street Randolph, MA 02368
|
Nearby properties for sale |
Recent Homes Sold in Norfolk in the Maple Park Estates
April 19th, 2017 by Michael Mahoney
Recent Home Sales in The Maple Park Estates Area in Norfolk, MA
Home Prices in Norfolk Massachusetts for December 2016
January 23rd, 2017 by Michael Mahoney
Home Prices in Norfolk Massachusetts for December 2016
Before I detail homes prices in Norfolk Massachusetts, I thought I would share with you some of the national real estate market statistics and also the regional Greater Boston statistics before I get into the specific details about homes for sale in Norfolk, MA. The video below depicts the national real estate market. The video is from the “This Month in Real Estate” segment produced by Keller Williams Realty.
Find out what your home in Norfolk County home is worth instantly on my website.
Overall Residential Real Estate Market Data in Greater Boston
Most of 2016 offered the same monthly housing market highlights. The number of homes for sale was drastically down in year-over-year comparisons, along with days on market and months of supply. Meanwhile, sales and prices were up in
most markets. Unemployment rates were low, wages improved and, as the year waned, we completed a contentious presidential election and saw mortgage rates increase, neither of which are expected to have a negative impact on real estate in
2017.Closed Sales decreased 10.2 percent for Single-Family homes and 1.0 percent for Condominium homes. Pending Sales decreased 1.7 percent for Single-Family homes but increased 3.7 percent for Condominium homes. Inventory decreased
35.0 percent for Single-Family homes and 28.6 percent for Condominium homes. The Median Sales Price was up 9.4 percent to $547,000 for Single-Family homes and 4.8 percent to $465,000 for Condominium homes. Days on Market decreased
21.4 percent for Single-Family homes and 13.5 percent for Condominium homes. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 38.1 percent for Single-Family homes and 31.3 percent for Condominium homes.The overwhelming feeling about prospects in residential real estate for the immediate future is optimism. Real estate professionals across the nation are expressing that they are as busy as ever. There are certainly challenges in this
market, like continued low inventory and higher competition for those fewer properties, but opportunities abound for hardworking agents and diligent consumers.
Norfolk MA Real Estate Report Summary
Norfolk Massachusetts Home Prices
Norfolk, MA Homes for Sale have seen steady price improvements month to month as well as year to year as inventory levels remain at all-time lows. In the review of the market for Norfolk we will have you note that there is only one zip code which is 02056. We did not have to run several zip codes to ascertain all of the home sales in Norfolk MA.
THE NUMBERS MONTH TO MONTH AND YEAR TO YEAR
The median sales price for Norfolk, MA Homes for Sale in December 2016 was $$625,000 as compared to December 2015’s median sales prices of $444,500.
The number of Norfolk, MA Homes for Sale that sold were sold in December 2016 was 9 vs. 12 in December 2015.
There are 16 Norfolk, MA Homes for Sale that are currently in contract which represents roughly 50% of the overall available inventory of 40 homes for sale in Norfolk now. See all of the Norfolk Homes for Sale Here or if you are considering a condo here in Norfolk – you can see all Norfolk Condos here
How Long Does it Take to Sell a Home in Norfolk?
Through the end of November 2016, it was taking 93 days to sell a home in Norfolk, MA. Therefore, if you need to be somewhere on specific date it would be best to plan to about three months of marketing to cause the home to sell on time. You can see this in the chart below.
Some Recently Sold Homes in Norfolk Massachusetts
November’s Most and Least Expensive Home Sold in Norfolk, MA
The most expensive of all Norfolk, MA Homes sold in November was located at 141 Farrington Avenue. It was originally listed for $739,995 and ultimately sold for $706,115.
The least expensive home sold in Norfolk, MA was located at 30 Needham Street. It was listed for $309,000 and sold for $304,000.
A few highlights of the current Norfolk, MA Homes for Sale are shown below and represent a nice cross section of properties available, in contract and that have sold.
The Most Expensive Home Sold in Norfolk, MA in December 2016
141 Farrington Avenue, Norfolk, MA 02056 (MLS # 72010779)
(all data current as of 12/5/2019)
| Price | $706,115 |
|---|---|
| Beds | 4 |
| Baths | 3 full, 1 half |
| Home size | 3,426 sq ft |
| Lot Size | 28,019 sqft |
NEW CONSTRUCTION - Closing in December. Great VALUE for a Wellington with a HUGE BACK YARD - perfect for a pool and/or back yard fun! Beautiful Wellington home in a great neighborhood. The first floor boasts an oversized kitchen open to a large family room plus a stunning grand foyer, formal dining and living room and a separate library/office. On the second floor you'll find 3 guest bedrooms of which 2 share the much loved Jack and Jill bathroom and laundry. The master en-suite offers a large, private sitting room and a luxurious master bath. The rear/2nd staircase is a favorite. Natural gas heat and cooking, columns, wainscoting and 10 Year Structural Warranty Plan - just to name of few of the many great features of this home. Visit the Sales Center and tour the Wellington Model home.
To view additional details about this listing you must first register or log in.
Log In
Or Register
Listing provided by Erin Sullivan, Pulte Homes of New England
The Least Expensive Home Sold in Norfolk, MA in December 2016
We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 72082303 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.
Here is Map of Homes Sold in Norfolk MA in December 2016
Here is the list of Homes Sold in Norfolk, Massachusetts in December 2016
168 Farrington Avenue in Norfolk, MA
141 Farrington Avenue in Norfolk, MA
85 North Street in Norfolk, MA
149 Farrington Avenue in Norfolk, MA
52 Barnstable Road in Norfolk, MA
48 Barnstable Road in Norfolk, MA
30 Needham Street in Norfolk, MA
Find Homes for Sale in Norfolk Massachusetts
Visit my Norfolk website to search for homes in Norfolk or to be notified when Anchorage homes come on the market.
How Much Is My Norfolk Home or Condo is Worth?
If you have been looking for a Realtor who sells Homes in Norfolk MA then you have come to the right place. Michael Mahoney is a full time Norfolk Realtor with Keller Williams in Norfolk who has experience selling homes and condos in Norfolk and the surrounding towns of Medfield, Wrentham, Franklin,Walpole,Millis, Medfield and Medway
There are a number of sites on the internet that will give you ‘estimates’ for what your Norfolk home will sell for. These sites use public records and usually some kind of algorithm to try to produce a value for your home. These sites also publicly state their ‘error rates’. That means they aren’t correct, they are simply an estimate based on incomplete date. We would love to do a free comparative market analysis of your home or condo in the Norfolk area and let you know what could expect to get in today’s market if you are considering selling. Our valuation is based on up to the day data for homes that have recently sold in the area. Our valuation is not based on a formula that relies on public records which can take months to update. Please visit my website in order to get your free property evaluation for your Greater Boston area home or condo.
To find out what you home is worth in the current market email me or call 617-615-9435.
Get Detailed Reports about Norfolk
Norfolk MA Community Reports
If you would like detailed demographic information about Norfolk as well as school reports or market trends and statistics (including recent sales in the area) please visit my website.
Thinking of Selling Your Home or Condo
If you are thinking about selling your property, I would welcome you to evaluate my professional services page dedicated to helping Greater Boston home and condo owners sell their properties here
Michael Mahoney is a full time Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. If you need any help, please feel free to reach out to Michael Mahoney at 617-615-9435. If you are looking for a Keller Williams Realtor in Norfolk then you should reach out to Michael Mahoney. Michael is a Realtor who sells condos in Norfolk, MA.
Real estate market data for Norfolk, Massachusetts provided by Michael Mahoney a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty.
Call 617-615-9435 if you would like more detailed market information specific to your neighborhood.
26 Baker Street in Walpole, MA 02081
December 13th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
26 Baker Street in Walpole, MA 02081
Price $515,000
Looking for nature? This 5 bedroom home located at 26 Baker Street sits on an acre and a half in Walpole in a very central location. The yard on the property is very large. Download the plot plan for 26 Baker here!
See all photos and more here
The location is central to everything you might want or need in Walpole. If you are not familiar with the location it’s really close to the Royal Crest Condominium Complex which is accessed off of Rainbow Pond Drive off of Washington Street. Royal Crest is the complex which has the Tudor look and feel with the golf course on the property.
Another landmark for Baker Street is the Walpole Country Club which is at 233 Baker Street
Quick Specs About 26 Baker Street
- 5 bedrooms Above Grade
- 3 Full Bathrooms
- Oil Heat
- Indirect Hot Water off of Boiler
- Partially Finished Lower Level
- Two Story Detached Garage with Enough Space for 4 Vehicles
Search for a home in Walpole Below
If you would like to see other homes in Walpole click here to see all homes with virtual tours and floorplans
The First Floor at 26 Baker Street Walpole
The first floor has all hardwoods floors with the exception of the full bathroom. There are two bedrooms on the first floor This could be awesome for someone who needs a first floor bedroom and a full bath. If you are exploring the option of single floor level living this home could work for you. There are only a few steps up to gain access at the rear door into the kitchen. See the picture below depicting the few stairs up to the back door.
Backdoor at 26 Baker Street in Walpole, MA. Only a few steps up for someone who needs first floor living
First Floor Living Spaces at 26 Baker Street
If you are looking for a home office or a playroom, there is great sun room on the front of the house. You could set up a two station office with tons of light or you use it a playroom for the kiddos. The family room has a nice open flow with three windows and there is a pellet stove inserted into the fireplace.
Pellet Stove Insert at 26 Baker Street in Walpole
Dining Room at 26 Baker Street in Walpole
The Kitchen at 26 Baker Street in Walpole
The kitchen was updated at some point by the owner and you will see that is very open and has modern cabinets.
The cooktop is electric. There is a newer stainless refrigerator which will stay with the property in “as is” condition with no warranty from the seller.
The kitchen has a great pantry for food storage. There is a eat in area at the rear of the kitchen.
- Wooden Floors
- Dishwasher
- Electric Cooktop
- Microwave
- Built-in eat in area
- Separate Dining Space
- Updated Cabinets
- Stainless Steel Refrigerator
Kitchen View 1 at 26 Baker Street
Kitchen View 2 at 26 Baker Street
Kitchen View 3 at 26 Baker Street
The Second Floor at 26 Baker Street in Walpole, MA
The second floor has three bedrooms and a full bath. The bathrooms is mostly like a 1970-1980 installation however the tile and overall condition is in really great shape. If it were me making the purchase I would probably call my friends at Porcelain and Patch in Watertown and ask them to re-glaze the bathrooms white and just install a new floor and vanity rather than gutting the bathroom.
Bedroom #2 – Second Floor
Master Bedroom Second Floor
Another View of Master Bedroom Second Floor
Oh and The Garage….
Have a car collection…you can fit 4+ cars inside the detached garage.
The garage roughly measures 20 x 52 and it’s two stories high…There is a staircase inside the garage which leads to a full height open second floor. There is electricity to the garage. The garage has an electric door opener and a security system.
Garage Potential?
Many people have asked about the potential of doing an accessory apartment for an in-law apartment on the second floor of the garage. There is certainly enough space over the garage to have a massive apartment. The seller does not represent this as permissible and would encourage any prospective buyer to due their diligence with the town.
Another Garage Option…
The second floor of the garage might be a perfect opportunity for someone who would like to have an office and the option of storing vehicles on their own property instead of a landlords for the service business.
If you would like access to the photos of the garage, you can send Michael Mahoney at Keller Williams a text to 617-615-9435
Walpole MA GIS MAP of 26 Baker Street
As you can see the lot is really quite large at the property. The seller does not make any representation about subdivision possibility.
GIS MAP of 26 Baker Street
Unstamped Plot Plan for 26 Baker Street in Walpole
The seller provided a plot plan of the property at 26 Baker Street.
Download the Plot Plan for 26 Baker Street in Walpole
How Much Is Your Walpole Home or Condo is Worth?
There are a number of sites on the internet that will give you ‘estimates’ for what your home will sell for. These sites use public records and usually some kind of algorithm to try to produce a value for your home. These sites also publicly state their ‘error rates’. That means they aren’t correct, they are simply an estimate based on incomplete date. We would love to do a free comparative market analysis of your home or condo in the Walpole area and let you know what could expect to get in today’s market if you are considering selling. Our valuation is based on up to the day data for homes that have recently sold in the area. Our valuation is not based on a formula that relies on public records which can take months to update. Please visit my website in order to get your free property evaluation for your Greater Boston area home or condo.
Get Detailed Reports about Walpole
If you would like detailed demographic information about Walpole as well as school reports or market trends and statistics (including recent sales in the area) please visit my website.
Thinking of Selling Your Home or Condo
If you are thinking about selling your property, I would welcome you to evaluate my professional services page dedicated to helping Greater Boston home and condo owners sell their properties here
Michael Mahoney is a full time Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. If you need any help, please feel free to reach out to Michael Mahoney at 617-615-9435.
The Pace Plaza Condos in North Attleboro, MA
December 7th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
The Pace Plaza Condos in North Attleboro, MA
Pace Plaza Condos in Downtown North Attleboro MA
The Pace Plaza Condos Is What You Have Been Looking For in a Condo in North Attleboro
Stop your search for a condo in North Attleboro right here…The Pace Plaza Condo Condo complex has three big things going for it.
- Prices are Affordable
- The Property is in a Well Kept Condition
- Location is Awesome – This Condo is in Downtown North Attleboro – A Super Convenient Location
The condo named The Pace Plaza Condos is located at 68 North Washington Street at the intersection of High Street in Downtown North Attleboro. This is in the the USPS zip code of 02760.
The complex is mostly comprised of 2 bedroom units with one bathroom. The units range to around just under ~1000 sqaure feet.
One of these units can be yours for approximately $140,000 to $170,000.
These condos offer a great commuter location with major highways within minutes (route 1,295,1a, 95 and 495).
These condos have many of the the benefits of living in a single family without all of the burden of exterior maintenance and upkeep. If you are tired of the lawn and the shovel, then it may be time to look a condo at Pace Plaza. It’s a great place for first time buyers.
There is an exterior common space complete with a grilling area.
It’s Not a 55+ Plus Community
These condos are not part of 55+ plus community. If you are looking for a 55+ community you should also look over in Norfolk, you may want to look at The Village at River’s Edge which is also a 55+ Community or perhaps The Village at Oak Hill in Plainville.
Price Range and Condo Fees at Pace Plaza condos
Generally speaking, these units sell between $140,000 and 170,000 . At the time of writing the condo fees range up to just under $300 per month.
The condo fee currently includes:
- Master Insurance
- Road Maintenance
- Landscaping
- Snow Removal
- Elevator
- Water and Sewer
There is also and outdoor common space complete with grill and outdoor seating area for grilling outside.
How Many Condos in the Complex
The Pace Plaza condos Condo Association complex is comprised of 79 units in the complex. At the time of writing I have reviewed the last few sales and they reflect that the number of owner occupied units are 58.
Mortgage Partners in North Attleboro
Don Carey: Guaranteed Rate
Thea Simolari: The Mortgage Network
Each of these highly qualified professionals should be able to assist you with exploring your options for making a residential condo purchase.
Here are Some Condos at and Near The Pace Plaza condos
-
$154,900 : 426 Mount Hope St, Unit 202, North Attleboro2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Keller Williams Elite
-
2 beds, 1 full bathListed with RE/MAX Real Estate Center
-
$166,000 : 426 Mount Hope St, Unit 208, North Attleboro2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Afonso Real Estate
-
2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Realty Indeed
-
2 beds, 1 full bathListed with RE/MAX Real Estate Center
See all Real estate in the city of North Attleboro.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Condos in North Attleboro Similar to The Pace Plaza condos
Below you will find a few more great complexes in the area as the Pace Plaza condos
Oak Knoll Condos at Oaknoll Point
North Attleboro Heights Condos
The Residences at Falls Pond in N. Attleboro
Condos in the next Town of Plainville
The Village at Oak Hill in Plaiville
Residences at Eagle’s Landing in Plainville
Summit Townhouse on Sunnyside Drive: Condos in Plainville
Elizabeth Court: Condos in Plainville
Find similar condos for sale to The Pace Plaza condos
Get the Value of Your Property Now Get the value of your Greater Boston home or condo in today’s market
Living in North Attleboro
This area of North Attleboro has some pretty good places nearby. An active night life scene The Table at 10 Game 7, Fitzy’s Pub, and The Chieftain and Chilis. as well as tons of shops and nearby necessities Starbucks at The Emerald Square Mall, quaint diners like Don’s Diner down the road in Plainville , dry cleaner, banks)
People also really like Bagels and Cream on Route 1 and one of my favorite places for a cup of joe is Rockin Roasters on Route 1
The Pace Plaza condos are a great place to call home. You will not be disappointed if you end up living here. You can find condos for sale in North Attleboro and the surrounding towns (if there are any available today) as well as all available North Attleboro and Plainville area condos for sale on my website.
A recent addition to the North Attleboro is is the Plainridge Park Casino which is just down Route 1. . This is the State of Massachusett’s first electronic slots parlor.
Reasons people choose to look at condos like this in North Attleboro is that it is an ideal location situated between Providence,Boston, Worcester and Cape Cod. The property is just minutes from the Emerald Square Mall Patriot Place, The Wrentham outlets. Most people in the area relish the fact that they are near Route 1 and Route 495.
Here are Some Recently Sold Condos in North Attleboro
-
$110,000 : 19 Church St, Unit C10, North Attleboro2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Keller Williams South Watuppa
-
$111,500 : 47 Juniper, Unit D5, North Attleboro1 bed, 1 full bathListed with RE/MAX Real Estate Center
-
$145,000 : 30 Juniper Road, Unit 36, North Attleboro2 beds, 1 full bathListed with CENTURY 21 Ed Pariseau, REALTORS®
-
2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Keith Brokerage, LLC
-
$195,000 : 220 Park St, Unit 4, North Attleboro2 beds, 1 full, 1 half bathsListed with United Realty Express - Raynham
See all Real estate in the city of North Attleboro.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
How Much your Home or Condo is Worth?
There are a number of sites on the internet that will give you ‘estimates’ for what your home will sell for. These sites use public records and usually some kind of algorithm to try to produce a value for your home. These sites also publicly state their ‘error rates’. That means they aren’t correct, they are simply an estimate based on incomplete date. We would love to do a free comparative market analysis of your home or condo in the North Attleboro area and let you know what could expect to get in today’s market if you are considering selling. Our valuation is based on up to the day data for homes that have recently sold in the area. Our valuation is not based on a formula that relies on public records which can take months to update. Please visit my website in order to get your free property evaluation for your Greater Boston area home or condo.
Get Detailed Reports about North Attleboro
If you would like detailed demographic information about North Attleboro as well as school reports or market trends and statistics (including recent sales in the area) please visit my website.
If you need any help, please feel free to reach out to Michael Mahoney, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. You can reach Mike at 617-615-9435.
Thinking of Selling Your Home or Condo
If you are thinking about selling your property, I would welcome you to evaluate my professional services page dedicated to helping Greater Boston home and condo owners sell their properties here
Should You Switch Electricity Suppliers?
November 17th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
Should You Switch Electricity Suppliers?
Why You Have the Option to Switch
The electricity market began to deregulate in the late 1990s. Today, residents in 13 states get to pick their energy supplier based on price and how the power is generated.
This article is from Houselogic provided by The National Association of Realtors
Since energy suppliers have no way to get electricity into your home, your public utility company will still be your provider because they own all the poles and wires. They will also continue to handle customer service issues and infrastructure upgrades.
Tip: When considering a new supplier, make sure they have a state license. They must be licensed to sell energy through a public utility.
FYI: Since your public utility company is still your provider, switching suppliers won’t improve unreliable service.
I have switched providers as of about 6-7 months ago. I am personally saving about 30-40$ per month. I switched to Viridian with Bill Frers
Will Switching Really Save You Money?
It can if you pound the digital pavement. In a part of New York where consumers pay twice the national average for electricity, we were able to find suppliers that could save at least 10%-15% on our electricity bills. Ditto for Ohio and Maryland.
The trick is you have to find each state’s list of licensed electrical suppliers and then compare prices.
While there are plenty of sites that promise to do the comparative shopping for you, they may not list all suppliers available. State-run sites have the complete list. Other sites may only list suppliers they represent.
Finding a state’s list of licensed energy suppliers can be a frustrating process — that’s why we did the legwork for you. Toward the end of this article, we’ve got the links to each state’s site. These sites provide a list of questions to help you pick a supplier.
Tip: Many state sites post a complaints scorecard. These scorecards show how each electric supplier compares to the average rate of complaints for the entire residential market.
FYI: Electricity generated from a green power source such as sun, wind, or water can be more expensive than electricity generated by fossil fuels.
Related:Tell Your Energy Bill Who’s Boss
What You Need to Know Before You Compare
The key to finding a good deal starts with:
- Understanding your current bill.
- Understanding how a future supplier will bill you.
- Knowing the right questions to ask a potential supplier.
Before you start shopping around, you’ll need to:
- Figure out the average amount you paid per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the last 12 months. If you don’t have your last dozen bills on hand, call your electricity supplier.
Next, take a look at your current bill, focusing on three things:
- Price per kWh
- Additional taxes
- Additional monthly service charges
Everything else will remain the same.
How the Different Rates Work
Now, here’s where things can get tricky. The following are pricing options that affect kWh costs. They’re considered standard in the industry. It’s important to understand these terms before agreeing to work with a new electricity supplier.
Fixed: This is a locked-in unit price for kWh throughout the term of a contract.
The good and bad: If energy prices skyrocket during your contract, your unit price won’t be affected. But if prices drop below the unit price, you’ll end up overpaying.
Floating: Also known as a variable rate, this allows a homeowner’s unit cost to rise or fall based on the wholesale value of electricity or natural gas.
The good and bad: Although this may sound like a great deal when prices are low, if the market becomes unpredictable or if prices sky rocket, it can be difficult to manage your home’s energy costs.
Hybrid: This is when a percentage of energy use is billed at the fixed rate and the remainder is billed at the floating rate.
The good and bad: In this case balance is everything. You could end up with a whopping energy bill if the floating rate goes up and it’s applied to a large percentage of your bill.
What to Ask Suppliers
- Is price per kWh a fixed price?
- Is there a monthly service change or any other fees?
- Are taxes included in supplier cost?
- Is there a contract and how does this affect cost? Am I getting a special one-time deal?
- Are there any other discounts and promotions I should know about like referral programs?
- Is there a fee if I decide to break the contract?
- For billing issues, can I contact you directly and how?
Tip: Can’t find a better kWh rate? Electricity is a commodity so its rates change daily. Try searching when your kWh rate was the lowest over the last 12 months. You can research the savings Viridian would provide on Bill Frers Site
How to Avoid the Gotchas
Be wary of the following:
- Low introductory offers: Rates like these can go sky-high after the promotion expires.
- Auto renewal: You don’t want your contract to renew automatically without your permission.
- Energy suppliers who use misleading tactics: This includes showing up on your doorstep or calling and saying your public utility company sent them, or you must switch suppliers within a limited amount of time. Your local utility company would not send anyone out on their behalf.
Here are Helpful Links to the 13 State-Run Sites
1. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electric suppliers and registered electric aggregators
- Complaint scorecard
2. Delaware Public Service Commission
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electric suppliers
3. Illinois Commerce Commission
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electric suppliers
- Complaint scorecard
4. Maine Public Utilities Commission
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electric suppliers
5. Maryland Office of People’s Counsel
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electrical suppliers
6. Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- Where to find electrical suppliers based on public utility provider
7. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed electric suppliers
8. New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- List of licensed energy suppliers
9. New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- Where to find electrical suppliers based on your public utility provider
10. New York State Public Service Commission
What you’ll find:
- General info for consumers looking for suppliers
- Enter your zip code to find rates and suppliers
11. Ohio Public Utilities Commission
What you’ll find:
12. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
What you’ll find:
13. Texas Public Utility Commission
What you’ll find:
Group Buying Power
Several states have Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) laws that allow local governments to pool their community’s electricity need in order to purchase power on their behalf. While savings is not always guaranteed, many municipalities are able to obtain discounted electricity prices.
- California: There’s only one CCA program, and it’s called MCE. It’s available in Marin County and the City of Richmond.
- Connecticut: There’s a list of energy suppliers and aggregators in your local area.
- Illinois: Homeowners can only join existing communities that are pursuing aggregation.
- New Jersey:Your municipality can opt for aggregation.
- Massachusetts: A municipality needs authorization from its local legislative body in order to aggregate. Here’s a guide: Guide to Community Choice Aggregation
- Ohio: To see if your local community has aggregated, contact your residential utility consumer advocate, the Office of the Ohio Consumer’s Council.
Tip: To find out if your state plans to deregulate, visit your state’s utility commission website. Go here to find your state’s website. If you can’t find the info on the state site, you can try calling or emailing your commissioner’s office.
Boston Massachusetts Tree Lighting at Fanueil Hall
November 14th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
Boston Massachusetts Tree Lighting at Fanueil Hall
You can see more about the Fanueil Hall Tree Lighting Here
-
$550,000 : 322 Athens St, Unit 6, Boston1 bed, 1 full bathListed with William Raveis R.E. & Home Services
-
$549,000 : 14-16 Henchman St, Unit 4F, Boston1 bed, 1 full bathListed with Brokers Collaborative
-
$299,900 : 1000 Harvard St, Unit 9, Boston2 beds, 1 full bathListed with Biancuzzo Realty Group
-
$319,900 : 23 Mountain Ave, Boston2 beds, 1 full, 1 half bathsListed with Cameron Prestige, LLC
-
$339,900 : 62 Lubec St, Unit 301, Boston1 bed, 1 full bathListed with Cameron Prestige, LLC
See all Real estate in the city of Boston.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Michael Mahoney
Keller Williams Realtor
www.HomesinBostonMass.com
617-615-9435
Over 30 Millionaires in Wrentham
November 4th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
Over 30 Millionaires in Wrentham
In a recent Wrentham Patch article it was noted that there are over 30 millionaires in Wrentham.
“New state data for the most recent available year, 2014, shows that 15,422 residents reported an adjusted annual income of $1 million or more to Massachusetts. Including taxpayers living out-of-state, the number is more than 17,000. They total nearly $62 billion in earnings between them, according to data from the state Department of Revenue.”
“Wrentham has 33 millionaire residents, according to the data.”
If you are millionaire in Wrentham and you are looking to purchase a home to expend some of your money, I would love to help you out with your purchase.
-
$749,900 : 9 Oakhill Ave, Wrentham4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Evolution Properties
-
$1,200,000 : 36 Field Circle, Wrentham4 beds, 3 full, 2 half bathsListed with Keller Williams Realty
-
$720,000 : 20 Luke St, Wrentham4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Franklin
-
$869,275 : Lot 8 Lafayette, Wrentham4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with Meridian Properties, Inc.
-
$1,500,000 : 6 Lantern Ln, Wrentham5 beds, 4 full bathsListed with Keller Williams Elite
See all Real estate in the city of Wrentham.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Here is a link to the original patch article about the Wrentham Millionaires
Realtor in Norfolk Massachusetts
November 3rd, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
Realtor in Norfolk Massachusetts
A Realtors Guide to Norfolk, Massachusetts
My name is Michael Mahoney and I am a Realtor in Norfolk Massachusetts. I have been a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts for for over 15 years. I am an independent real estate advisor affiliated with Keller Williams Real Estate.
You can learn all there is to know about the real estate market in Norfolk visiting my web site here dedicated to the Norfolk area.
If you have any questions on anything to do with Norfolk, Massachusetts or more specifically Norfolk Real Estate, please feel free to reach out to me I am a resident for and local Realtor here. I have also been selling real estate in the area for the last fifteen years! There are very few Realtors in the Norfolk that have the track record of being a top agent year after year. As a Realtor working here in the Norfolk county area for almost the last two decades I know the area really well.
Towns Neighboring Norfolk
Norfolk is located in eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Millis and Medfield on the north, Walpole on the east, Foxborough and Wrentham on the south, and Franklin and Medway on the west. Norfolk is 20 miles southwest of Boston; about 21 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island; and about 205 miles from New York City.
See all Norfolk homes for sale here
Geography of Norfolk, MA
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.2 square miles (39 km2), of which 14.8 square miles (38 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (2.30%) is water. The zip code for Norfolk is 02056.
Housing & Population Statistics for Norfolk
According to The City Data web site, here are some stats on Norfolk
As of 2010, the population was over 11,000 people.
Population in 2010: 11,227. Population change since 2000: +7.3%
Males: 6,757 (60.2%)
Females: 4,470 (39.8%)
Median resident age: 42.0 years
Massachusetts median age: 39.2 years
See more about Norfolk Census data here
Transportation in Norfolk, MA
The Norfolk MBTA commuter rail station is in Zone 5 and is located at 9 Rockwood Road. There are over 500 parking spaces available for commuters to park at for the day.
At one time, there was an active airport in Norfolk, Massachusetts. The Norfolk Airpark (FAA airport code 32M) has one 2,700-foot (820 m) north-south runway and is about 2 miles (3 km) west of the town center over on the Medway and Franklin side of town. It has been closed in recent yearsIt’s my understanding there have been plans for new residential developments proposed. According to the Wikipedia entry for Norfolk, Massachusetts there is debate within the town regarding the fate of the old airport as it would be a source of unnecessary noise.
Norfolk Public Schools
As of 2012, there are three public schools located within the town. They are the H. Olive Day Elementary School (Pre-K-2), The Freeman-Kennedy Elementary School (3-6), and King Philip Regional Middle School (7-8). Students go on to attend King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham or, specialty high schools such as Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin and Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole.
The H. Olive Day School is located at 232 Main Street:
The Freeman Kennedy School is located at 70 Boardman Street in Norfolk
The King Phillip Middle School is located at 18 King Street in Norfolk
The King Phillip Regional High School is located at 201 Franklin Street in Wrentham
Norfolk Public Library
A new public library building recently opened on town hill. Inside the new library in 2009, a one-room school house, the original public library building, was reopened as a meeting room and historical landmark. The Norfolk Library has amazing offerings.
The address for the Norfolk Public Library is:
139 Main St, Norfolk, MA 02056
The library phone number is (508) 528-3380.
Town Government in Norfolk
Norfolk is run by a board of three Selectmen, each elected for a three-year term, and is administered on a day-to-day basis by a Town Administrator who is a town employee. Residents help set policy and the direction of local government by volunteering to sit on elected and/or appointed boards and committees and by participating at Town Meeting.
The Norfolk Farmers Market
Every Friday at The Grange on Rockwood Street in Norfolk in the Summer months, there is a farmer’s market. You can get more details on the Norfolk Farmer’s market here
Norfolk Senior Citizens
The Town of Norfolk has made a tremendous investment in their senior population. The town has a senior center which is located at:
28 Medway Branch Road
Norfolk, MA 02056
Their phone number is 508-528-4430
According to the Virtual Norfolk web site The Norfolk Senior Center is open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
The Norfolk Council on Aging meets on the third Monday of every month except in August. They meet at the Senior Center at 9:30am.
Function of the Norfolk Council on Aging
The Norfolk Council on Aging is a Town of Norfolk board organized under the Board of Selectmen’s office to oversee services available to residents sixty years of age and over according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Annotated Laws Chapter 40, Section 8B.
Purpose of the Norfolk Senior Center and Council on Aging
To identify the needs of the community’s elder population and available resources to meet such needs. To educate the community at large in the needs of the elderly.
Things to Know About The Norfolk Council on Aging
The Norfolk Council on Aging provides various information, as well as transportation to doctors, shopping, meal sites, etc.
They also put out a monthly newsletter informing the local population about upcoming activities.
Norfolk Recreation
http://sbcc.visualpursuits.com/
Norfolk Emergency Services
The Norfolk Police Department is a fairly small department located in the center of town. It is staffed by a total of 17 police officers, including the chief of police. The town’s fire department and emergency medical services was staffed full-time with 24h/7d coverage for the first time in April 2001, and since 2004 provides Advanced Life Support Services. The Fire Department is staffed by 13 career Firefighters which includes the fire chief. The police and fire communications department (also known as dispatch) is operated by a total of 4 full-time dispatchers and 6 part-time dispatchers. All of these emergency services are located in the center of town on Main Street.
Norfolk Massachusetts Police Department
Restaurants in Norfolk
Cilla’s Coffee House
Novatos – Italian and traditional American food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Horse and Carriage – One of the areas favorites for many years. American food at a reasonable price. Takeout pizza cannot be beat for kids and parties.
Eagle Brook Saloon – Affordable American food close to Gillette Stadium
Some of my recent posts on Norfolk, MA real estate
Homes in Norfolk MA Through Sept 2016
Most Expensive Home Sold in Norfolk, MA
Condos at the Village at River’s Edge
My Norfolk MA Youtube Playlist
Michael Mahoney, Realtor
Keller Williams Real Estate
Phone: 617.615.9435
Email: mike@mmahoney.com
Connect with Michael Mahoney’s Realtor profile on Linkedin
-
$409,000 : 27 Priscilla Ave, Norfolk3 beds, 2 full bathsListed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Evolution Properties
-
$625,000 : 42 Robin Rd, Norfolk4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Page Realty
-
$799,000 : 14 Creek Dr, Norfolk4 beds, 2 full, 1 half bathsListed with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Franklin
-
$429,900 : 78 River Rd, Norfolk3 beds, 2 full bathsListed with Dovetail Real Estate Group,LLC
-
$799,900 : 28 Beaverbrook Road, Norfolk4 beds, 3 full, 1 half bathsListed with William Raveis Delta REALTORS®
See all Real estate in the city of Norfolk.
(all data current as of
12/5/2019)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
We Did Not Come This Far to Come This Far…
May 9th, 2016 by Michael Mahoney
We did not come this far to come this far…to only come this far
I was recently involved in a real estate transaction in an old converted woolen mill in Medway, Massachusetts. The mill building is The Sanford Mill which is on the Charles River. It’s an
amazing condo complex with 69 uniquely individual units in the association.
Let’s rewind a little bit so I can show the whole story. When I got into real estate I worked for Coldwell Banker in Milton, Massachusetts. Our office was located at 60 Adams Street in
Milton. It was on the “banks of the Neponset River” in Lower Mills where Dorchester meets Milton. The area is rich with history. In the early half of the 20th century, there was a
chocolate factory that supplied the “world” with tons of chocolate. The Walter Baker Chocolate Factory was considered an icon in the rich history of this section of Boston.
Many of the locals remember walking to St. Gregory’s Catholic Church on Adams Street in Dorchester and smelling the rich sweet smell of chocolate in the air. I have heard stories recollecting memories of the smell and the hustle and bustle of the chocolate factory so many times in my 15 year career as a real estate advisor in the area. I fondly remember driving by the waterfall on the way over from West Roxbury to Quincy to visit my grandmother.
Historically speaking, in 1674 a powder mill was built and is considered to be one of the earliest in the colonies. This powder mill took advantage of the town’s water power sites. Boston investors, saw the potential the river and it’s proximity to Boston prope and area where the Baker Chocolate Factory was developed. In the 18th century, the Town of Milton and Lower Mills expanded as an industrial site with an iron slitting mill, paper and sawmills, and the first chocolate factory in New England (the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory) in 1764, which was converted from the original Stoughton Grist Mill built in 1674.
Since my real estate office was so close, I had an affinity to the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to smell the chocolate like so many of myclients. The production of chocolate in Lower Mills had ceased in the mid to late 1960s. The mill was sate for awhile until it was converted to The Baker Square Condominiums in 1987. In the first round of conversion in the 80’s, there were two mills converted to condos. The mills converted were the Park Mill and The Forbes Mills. This conversion yielded 98 unique residential dwellings.
While at the Coldwell Banker office in Milton, I would frequently go to Pat’s Pizza in Lower Mills for lunch with colleagues and clients. I would always walk by the Baker Chocolate
Factory. I loved that building! I wanted in. I made it my mission to find some clients in the building. Shortly after I put the intention out there and went to work, I did end getting some
clients who wanted to sell in the building. The rest was history. I ended up selling quite a few in the building over time.
The Bottom Line Here is that I love Old Mills Turned into Residential Dwellings
Fast forward a few years, my family and I moved out to the burbs from the Milton area. I missed that urban loft feeling. I was so used to getting a fix with when I would sell or show
condos at The Baker Square Condos….I needed a fix. I looked around and ended up discovering The Sanford Mill in Medway. The Sanford Mill is comprised of two mill buildings which has 69 units and it’s sits on the banks of the Charles River. It too has a history much like the Baker Mills in Lower Mills.
The Sanford Mills in Medway is a an old woolen Mill. The Sanford Mill once made woolen blankets for the Union Army during the Civil War. Today, the Sanford Mill serves up brick and
beams to residents lucky enough to call it home. Since my earlier days of selling the condos at The Baker Square complex, I have always had a strong desire to sell condos similar to those since my move to the ‘burbs.
How to Gain a Foothold
I did a search on the Internet to find out more about the condos at Sanford Mill. I found several properties in the complex over the years that did not sell. I ended up tracking down the owners of the condos which did not sell. I sent a direct mail piece to each of these individual owners explaining my position and offering to meet with them about their condo and interview for the job of selling it for them.
I ended up meeting with one owner, for sake of anonymity I will call her Gail. Gail reached out to me on a Friday night around 4:00 PM. I immediately called her back within the hour. We ended up chatting over the phone about the condo and agreed to meet at a Starbucks in Norwood the next day to discuss the potential sale of her Sanford Mill Condo. I went to my office at O-Dark Thirty to prepare for the appointment. I did all my homework and market research in preparation of the meeting.
Gail, her husband John and I hit it off well. They told me how they had been speaking with other agents and they wanted to price the property at a much lower price. Agents were pricing 20 to 30k less than I was willing to market the property at. I could see where they were coming from in that there had been some lower recorded sales in the area and the complex itself. I get that. I have a distinct advantage in that my “niche” is really all of Norfolk County and and also a large swath of Suffolk County. Due to the Suffolk County exposure I have, I have a good beat on what is happening in the city which ultimately ripples out to the ‘burbs. The chronic issue in Boston has been the lack of inventory in the marketplace. After careful examination of the marketplace, I realized that the lack of inventory was going to play out in our favor. I strongly positioned the property for the market at a retail listing price of 199k.
Tenants can make it Tricky at Best
Another challenge that I had with property was there was a tenant in the property. Generally speaking, tenant occupied property can be difficult to sell.
Motivation and cleanliness are not always equal or greater than the motivation of the owner. Tenants don’t always welcome you into their domicile to show it or have open houses. In
this particular instance, I was really lucky in that the tenant wanted to break their lease early. The tenant and I had a great meeting during which it was decided that it was a mutually
beneficial situation for the both of us. The sooner I sold the property, the sooner the tenant could break their lease. This is better than I could have expected. To get a tenant onboard,
it’s usually pretty difficult. Their motivation rarely matches any of the other parties in the deal.
Now all systems are a go. I start pulling all of the condo documents from The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. I called one of my preferred mortgage partner lenders, Andria Dolce of
Radius Financial for a condominium questionnaire.
A condo questionnaire is a document that lenders require when a condo is being purchased by a borrower. When mortgages are made
on condos, the lenders underwrite the condo and the buyer. The lender wants to things like:
- If there are any owners delinquent on monthly condo fees
- Any existing or threaten litigation against the property
- Amount of money in the reserve money in the association budget.
These are all things the buyers ask when purchasing a condo. It’s been a general rule of mine to get the condo questionnaire filled out by the seller’s condo association upfront. This allows you to “bulletproof” the transaction ahead of time so that if there are any issues you can cure these and/or disclose these to a potential buyer and avert a failed sale way ahead of time.
Here is a sample condo questionnaire from Andria Dolce of Radius Financial. If you are looking at purchasing a condo in Greater Boston, I would highly recommend scheduling a call with
Andria before you shop. Andria will spend the time to help you become knowledgeable about what to look at specifically as it relates to insuring that condo will go through financing.
Now the work begins…
Now the marketing process begins. I go and take my own photography and also hire a professional photographer as an adjunct to my own work. As part of the marketing development, I registered a domain for the mill property. You can visit www.SanfordMillCondos.com. I develop the web site for the property to market the property and site overall. This was an effective part of the positioning on this property. In addition to the web site for the property, I also install a texting response system. This allows would be suitors to send a text message to a # with special code word designated for this property. When a message is sent to it, a message is sent back with a web site for the prospective buyer to view with all if the property information.
Here is a sample of how the system works. If you want to get details about the condo, you can send the word “sanford” to 617-329-5608. This will send you all of the details about the property to include a virtual walk through and the option of a booking an appointment.
Sample Postcards
I also created and mailed gorgeous postcards to the owners of the complex. Since people in complexes like this often know people who may be interested in coming to their complex,
this was a good strategy. Here is a sample of the postcard that I developed for the property.
Open House, “No Problemo” – Adapt and Overcome
One of the challenges I had in preparation for the open house was the fact that there was intercom system which was tied to the tenant’s cell phone. Every time there was a visitor,
they would ring the buzzer and it would be directed to the tenant’s cell phone. As you can imagine, if you go through the effort of creating a ton of marketing for an open house with
calls to other real estate professionals in the area and direct mail to the community, you want to at least be able to get them in the door.
Along came my Protege…
I ended up paying my teenage daughter to come and stand with me at the open house. She was able to go to the main door of the condo at the Sanford Mill and greet the attendees and
direct them to me. This worked out beautifully. It could have been a disaster if I showed up and had no way to get people into the unit. After a rigorous few weeks of marketing and
showing the property, we were able to secure a buyer for the property. “YES!” We are halfway there. Now it’s onto the preparation for the closing.
Then the Fire Department Just Had to Show Up
As part of the closing process, there are few things that need to happen as part of settlement process. One of these is mandatory fire and carbon monoxide inspection. The mandatory
inspection is conducted by local municipalties. The inspection is essentially insuring that the property is compliant to the latest fire prevention codes as well as carbon monoxide detection devices being installed in the property. If you want to know more about compliance and regulation, you can visit the State of Massachusetts web site dedicated to fire and carbon monoxide detection and regulation here.
I scheduled the inspection with the Town of Medway Fire Department. The inspectors showed up exactly on time, which is a huge rarity in my line of work. In Boston, the inspection appointments are set in 3 hour window increments. They typically go between 9 to 12 and 1 to 4. As you can imagine, this can be quite taxing when you have a few of these every month. I pre-inspected the smoke detectors before hand to make sure that they worked. Also, since I am “belt and suspenders” kind of guy I had the owner pick up a few extra carbon monoxide detectors just in case. In addition, I came armed to the teeth with tools and extra batteries. After real estate 250 sales, I have discovered that although I am Irish-American, Murphy and his law are not good friends of The Mahoney Clan. As my friend Susan Symonds a professional photographer in Boston taught me, you want to be careful with the “The Law of 6 Ps”. The law simply stated and censored for the general audience is “Poor Poor Preparation equals a Poor Poor Performance.” Having been a cub scout as a kid, I am always prepared.
The inspectors did their thing and came down and told me the property failed. I was devastated. I could not believe it. After all the prep, we still failed. The smoke detectors were the “hardwired” electric types. They have three wires in them. For you folks that dabble in home electricity, there is neutral, a hot wire and in the case of the smoke detector a “three wire” which is usually red. The red wire interconnects the smoke detectors to each other in a multi smoke detector situation. In a perfect world, when one smoke detector is “tripped” in a multi smoke detector installation it should trip all the detectors in the property in hardwired installation. This was not happening in our case. Can you say “oh boy”. This essentially means that something was probably off in the wiring.
How About that Irish Plumbers Network…
The owner’s father was at the property with me. Dave had a long and successful career in the insurance industry. If you know anyone who lives in the insurance business, then you know that they immediately go to the “bad neighborhood” in their mind. They have usually witnessed countless situations where things did go badly or have come into the office and had the voicemail box loaded up with clients who had major issues. I laughed and said to Dave “no problem”. He continued to worry about the situation. Dave continued to tell me it was a potentially a big problem. I get that, and was not trying to downplay the situation. What Dave did not know about me was that I have sold over 250 homes and that I have access to this little thing I like to call “The Irish Plumbers Network”. I shot out a text and secured an appointment with an electrician that I use all the time. Fast forward a couple of days. Terry the electrician came in. He fixed everything, I called the Medway Fire Department to come and reinspect the property. Within 5 minutes of the fire lieutenant arriving, we had the necessary certificate and we are onto a closing.
Steamin’ Mad at Stanley Steemer….
There was just one other item that needed to be taken care of and that was a carpet cleaning that was part of the negotiated terms in the sale. The new owner as part of their purchase was entitled to getting the carpets cleaned. The owner booked the cleaning with Stanley Steemer. The company was slated to come out between 8-9 on Thursday. I went to the property to faciliatate access on behalf of the owner. This was a couple of days before the closing.
I saw the Stanley Steemer van pull into the complex so I rode the elevator down to meet them. I greeted the men from the company and went onto point out the location of the door where the rear elevator was for access the unit at The Sanford Mill. The both looked at me like I was speaking Swahili, and the proceeded to tell me that they did not have a portable machine to bring up to the unit. Now after dealing with a failed fire inspection, an electrician visit and a second visit. I gave them a stern look and thought about speaking in Forked Tongue Swahili, but I took a moment and paused.
No that’s not Swahili…that’s “Bostonese”. I did not come this far to come this far. I proceeded to ask questions around what they did have. Specifically, how long were the hoses and cords. I have learned a real estate advisor to never take something as it appears on the surface. They told me the length and I did my quick vector analysis to see how far the target was.
I then said to the men, “well, we did not come this far to only come this far.” They looked at me like I was crazy. If you ask my wife and kids they will substantiate the facts here. I then pointed to the white 4 door Jeep Wrangler and directed them to the rear tailgate. I showed them how the Jeep is outfit like a mix between a rolling real real estate office and contractors’ van and how it usually has anything you need to solve field expedient issues. I walked them over and we chased down a series of ratcheting straps. I then tied them together to make one very long series. I went up to the unit and lowered down my straps. Lord Stanley and his men tied off their apparatus to then raise it up to the unit. As I often like to say to clients, I am partner in their deal and that most agents would make excuses. I have personal mantra which is “You can make excuses or you can make it to a closing, but you can do both”.
Back to our Friend Dave…
Dave was too funny. He told me how he was a “doubting Thomas” and that I converted him. My client, his daughter was funny as well. She was texting me asking me how Dave was
doing. I asked Dave to give me the “thumbs up” and I took a picture and sent it to my client as a text. She could not believe I was able to get “his mind out of the bad neighborhood”.
This is the part of the real estate client and sales process I love. If you give me a great problem to solve, I can usually wrap my head around it. I like to say “I am like a rat on a Cheeto.”
Can you imagine after all that work of developing the opportunity, marketing the property, finding the buyer and then negotiating the sale if I let a little smoke detector or a carpet cleaning blow up the deal? What a waste. It’s amazing to me how many Realtors I come across who are just not great problem solvers. Thanks to a father who was a union machinist and a drill sergeant at Fort Benning who made me learn that you can solve most anything if you just look at things closely and contemplate a solution.
Here is what the owner had to say:
If you are looking for a Realtor to work with to buy or sell a property, look no further than Mike Mahoney! Mike recently sold a condo for me, in the Metrowest area. From the first day I met him, I felt confident in his ability to get the job done. Mike is extremely knowledgeable in the current market conditions and his progressive and unique use of technology for marketing helped to get the word out to many prospective buyers. Throughout our time working together Mike was always available to answer questions and he consistently updated me about the property. Mike is easy-going and personable, yet tenacious and passionate about what he does. Give him a chance; he’ll hustle ’til the jobs done!
The true definition of being an entrepreneur is someone who is paid to solve other’s problems. I am thankful clients entrust me with their properties and their “problems”. It brings me great joy to me to get clients to their closing. If you have problems, call me at 617-980-9025 or email me at mike@mmahoney.com