Claudette's Blog

It is the time of year when tennis must be brought indoors and, if you live in the Metrowest Massachusetts area there are a number of great tennis clubs to choose from.

The Westboro Tennis & Swim Club was voted "Club of the Year" in 2002.  Located at 35 Chauncy Street in Westborough, the club is right off of Route 9 and is convenient to route 495 and the Mass Pike.  Membership at Westborough draws players primarily from the towns of Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Marlborough, Holliston, Grafton, Worcester, Framingham and Sudbury.  With over 90,000 square feet of indoor space, the club is equipped with indoor hard courts, clay courts as well as a full tennis pro shop.  

An owner operated facility; it offers a full pro staff, lessons, clinics and a host a number of monthly tennis and swim events for adults and children alike. 

The Natick Racquet Club is completely devoted to tennis.  Nine plexi-pave courts - five in a permanent structure and four in an air type bubble which become outdoor courts in the summer serve all tennis needs.  The club is located on 16 Michigan Avenue in Natick and offers a complete range of tennis instruction and tennis play for every age and ability level.  

Now, celebrating its 39^thyear, The Natick Racquet Club offers a myriad of programs for adults, including open court play, adult clinics, drill sessions, weekly Grand prix doubles play, a singles flex league and mixed doubles.

The Wayside Racquet Club is located on the edge of the Sudbury Reservoir in the southeast corner of Marlborough at 80 Broadmeadow Street.  It serves the towns of Marlborough, Southborough, Westborough, Sudbury, Framingham and Hopkinton. 

In operation since 1979, the club has a reputation for excellence and offers a variety of sport type memberships.  Their offerings include tennis, racquetball, aquatics and socializing. The facility includes six all-season tennis courts, four racquet ball courts as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

The Longfellow Club is located at 524 Boston Post Road in Wayland.  Established in 1972, this facility was originally all tennis.  It has been expanded to include squash, swimming, Nautilus and women's basketball.  The club is equipped with 7 hard tennis courts (2 indoor), 2 squash courts, a competition size swimming, free weights and Nautilus. 

Thanks to the many indoor clubs this area has to offer, we can enjoy our tennis - rain or shine!

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

Learn More about Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

In another sign of the times, a new survey done by The National Association of Independent Landlords shows that 69 percent of landlords are now willing to lower the rent for struggling tenants when asked.  

With money tight many renters are having a tough time making their monthly payments.  Some property owners who are also in difficult situations have a preference for working out deals with  otherwise good tenants to avoid the trouble and expense of finding new renters. 

Since landlords are equal victims of the recession, nearly 32% report that they have lowered rents over the past 18 months.  They too are struggling to pay their mortgages and cover overhead and feel that as long as they have tenants who will pay on time, they are willing to work out arrangements to hold onto to them. 

Of the landlords who are willing to negotiate, 61% have said they would drop their rents up to 5%.  Anther 29% claim they would deduct up to 10% and the rest may even consider deeper discounts. 

This information came from a poll conducted by the association's members from October 7 to October 10, 2009. From the survey, 496 landlords, mostly residential, responded from various parts of the country. 

Often renters who cannot afford to pay all of their rent simply skip it entirely with the hopes that it will just go away.  That approach only compounds their problems and ends up hurting their credit rating.  From the side of the property owner - he does not want to run the risk of having an empty building when he can, instead, have rents coming in.  

This is a time for everyone to be creative. Negotiating a lower monthly payment is one possible solution. 

Another is to look among the many foreclosure properties on the market and perhaps pick up a deal with a monthly payment that may be the same or less than your current rent.  

If your credit is intact you should speak to a foreclosure expert or a seasoned buyer broker who can help you find that diamond in the rough which may, indeed, be the perfect solution to the high cost of rent.

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel

Learn More about  Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Smoke Detectors are a Must When Selling a Home in Massachusetts.  This law has been in affect for many years.

State law requires that all homes must be equipped with smoke detectors.  The burden for compliance falls primarily on the seller.  Prior to any closing, the seller of a property must have the fire department come to the property and inspect their detectors to assure that they are all in working order.  The fire department will issue a certificate of compliance that must be brought to the closing.  Without this certificate, the closing cannot take place.

The law requires that there must be an operable smoke detector on every habitable level, including the basement.  A finished attic must also be equipped.  

• On the first floor, smoke detectors should be placed on the ceiling in a hallway near a stairwell to the second floor.  If there is a bedroom on the first floor there should also be a detector outside the bedroom door.  
• On the second floor, the smoke detector must be placed on the ceiling in the hallway common to all of the bedrooms, normally at the head of the stairs.  This is done so that the smoke will get to the detector before it reaches the bedroom.  
• In the basement, smoke detectors should be placed on the cellar ceiling at the base of the stairs.  In an unfinished basement, it should be on the edge of the joist and never placed at the top of the basement stairs by the cellar door.
• In properties that were built after 1975 it is mandatory to have a hardwired system with battery backups.

New Regulations Beginning in 2010

Effective January 1 of next year, new rules will be in effect with regard to smoke detectors in residential properties. 

Two Types of Smoke Detectors

The technologies currently used in smoke detectors are ionization or photoelectric and they both have their pluses and minuses. 

Ionization detectors operate by having a constant current running between two electrodes.  An alarm is set off when the smoke enters, interrupting the current.  This method is typically faster to sound an alert than photoelectric detectors. The problem lies in the fact that ionization detectors cannot tell the difference between smoke and steam and this has resulted in many false alarms. 

Photoelectric detectors, on the other hand, function through an emission of a beam of light.  Whenever smoke crosses the path of the light beam, the smoke particles cause it to scatter and this triggers an alarm. This method helps to cut down on the amount of false alarms; however, it can take longer to sound an alert. 

Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of both technologies, the new regulations will require the installation of both Ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors in all residential properties.  The location requirement will remain the same with the exception that, due to the sensitivity of the ionization detectors to steam, they cannot be placed within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom which contains a shower or a tub.  

Which properties are affected by the new law? 

All residential buildings that are sold or transferred after January 1, 2010 which are less than 70 feet tall, have fewer than six units and have not been substantially altered since January 1, 1975 must comply with the new regulations. 

Massachusetts takes safety matter seriously. The cost of implementing these systems is well-worth the lives they save. 

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel

Learn More about Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Presidential Estates in Southborough, Massachusetts is located off of prestigious Sears Road which borders the Marlborough town line.  The neighborhood is comprised of the streets - Presidential Drive, Kennedy Lane and Glennwood Road.  

View a satellite image of the neighborhood.

Homes in this community were all custom built and sit on lots that are 1 ½ to 5 acres with estate like settings in an environment of elegance and sophistication. 

Unlike typical subdivisions where properties are all built in a similar style, the homes in this neighborhood were individually crafted with each property exuding a uniqueness that is distinctly its own.  

Homes in this community range from 4000 square feet to over 6000 square feet, with a few exceeding that size.  Amenities include stunning woodworking, state-of-the-art kitchens, multiple fireplaces,  3-car garages as well as some inground pools. 

List prices in Presidential Estates are currently $1,100,000 - $1,150,000.  

View all properties currently for sale in Southborough.

Southborough was recently named Number 31 in the nation on CNN Money's 100 Best Places to Live in 2009, and second in the nation for towns in which income was over $100,000. 

The town's public school system is highly ranked and Southborough is home to the prestigious St. Mark's School.  In addition, the Fay School is the oldest junior boarding school in the country serving grades 1 through nine on its 35 acre campus. 

Southborough is one of the most convenient locations in the Metrowest area with an MBTA Commuter Rail station as well as its proximity to Routes 495 and the Mass Pike. 

For information on Presidential Estates or any Southborough neighborhood please call my office at 508-881-6230.

Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

Your Metrowest Buyer Broker Since 1992

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Whether chains are rattling, the floor is shaking or there is simply the knowledge that an evil deed was committed on the premises, you could possibly be dealing with a haunted house, or a "stigmatized property" sale. 

Since liability issues on these types of transactions vary from state to state - what is the guiding principal for selling a haunted house? 

In 1991, a case in New York provided some legal precedent on the matter. 

Stambovsky v. Ackley

The owner of a house, Helen Ackley had reported the existence of numerous poltergeists in her home and had, in fact, publicized these occurrences in Reader's Digest and a local newspaper on three occasions. As a result, the home was placed in a five-home walking tour in the city and received an enormous amount of publicity.  She even referred to the home in a article as a "Riverfront Victorian with ghosts." 

Some of the interactions Ms. Ackley described to reporters included ghosts waking her each morning by shaking her bed.  When spring break arrived she loudly proclaimed to the spirits that she did not have to wake up early anymore.  On this, she insisted that they listened to her requests and the bed immediately ceased all shaking.  

Despite the local notoriety, an unknowing buyer, Jeffrey Stambovsky signed a contract to purchase the home. On an agreed upon price of $650,000 he made a $32,500 down payment.  Since Mr. Stambovsky was not from the area he claimed to have ignorance of the widely known haunting tales. 

When the buyer subsequently learned of the haunting stories, he filed for a request of the rescission of his contract for the sale and also sued for damages citing fraudulent misrepresentation on the part of Ackley as well as the Realtor®. 

In ruling on this case, the court stated that since the existence of ghosts in the home had been widely reported, as a matter of law, the house was haunted. 

However, the court dismissed the fraudulent misrepresentation action and stated that the Realtor® had been under no obligation to disclose the haunting to any potential buyers. The court affirmed that the law of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applied in this case so the buyer did not prevail. 

Mr. Stambovsky subsequently appealed the case and won a reversal. 

On appeal, the court stated that a "haunting" was not a condition that a buyer could fairly be able to ascertain  through even the most thorough of home inspections.  In this case, "the most meticulous inspection would not reveal the presence of poltergeists at the premises or unearth the property's ghoulish reputation in the community."

It further stated that the seller had taken unfair advantage of the buyer's ignorance.  Since she had taken it upon herself to inform the community at large of numerous spirits roaming rampantly throughout the home, she owed no less to her perspective buyer. 

The judge then rendered a somewhat entertaining opinion using the following phrases:  

"In his pursuit of a legal remedy for fraudulent misrepresentation against the seller, plaintiff hasn't a ghost of a chance," I am moved by the spirit of equity," "In this instance - who you gonna call?" and "The notion that a haunting is a condition which can and should be ascertained upon inspection of the premises is a hobgoblin which should be exorcised from the body of legal precedent and quietly laid to rest." 

I have no knowledge of whether or not the parties in question had any appreciation of the judge's sense of humor. 

However, Mr. Stambovsky was finally let out of the deal and had his deposit fully refunded. 

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

Learn More about Massachusetts Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

In Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the streets -  Bullmoose Run, Rough Rider Ridge, Roosevelt Lane and Cubs Path make up the subdivision known as Roosevelt Farms. 

This picturesque cul-de-sac neighborhood is popular for its location which is convenient to the train station, Route 495 and the Mass Pike as well as its proximity to the Hopkinton Country Club.  

View a satellite image of the neighborhood.

The homes in this community were built from 1992 to 1997 and range in size from 2200 square feet to 3500 square feet.  Each home is built on a ¾ acre lot.  Many of the lots are wooded and have a fair amount of privacy.  

The residents at Roosevelt Farms enjoy a close community feeling with their frequent block parties, golf outings and holiday gatherings. 

There are currently two homes for sale in wonderful Hopkinton subdivision.  They are both located on Bullmoose Run.  

Features in these homes include: spacious kitchens with granite counters, cathedral ceilings in the family rooms, crown molding and wainscoting, tray ceilings in the master bedrooms, lovely master bathrooms and a wooded, private lot.  

The price range on these properties is $549,900 to $569,900. 

View all properties currently for sale in Hopkinton.

If you would like information on Roosevelt Farms or any other community in Hopkinton, please call me at 508-881-6230.   

I look forward to helping you with your move to the Hopkinton area.

 Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446 - E-mail    

Your Metrowest Buyer Broker Since 1992

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

A client recently asked about the term "easement" on a listing sheet.  He wanted to know if it was anything to be concerned about.

Having an easement on your property simply means that someone else has a right to use it for a specific purpose.   An example of this would be that your neighbors have an easement to walk over your driveway to get to their property or that the electric company has a right to get to a set of nearby meters.

Easements are quite common. They grant access of your land to other parties like utility companies, often to provide service or to maintain drainage flow across properties. In a way, an easement is similar to having joint ownership on a portion of your land with a complete stranger.

There are easements "for profit" that allow a neighbor to remove something from your property, such as blueberries.  Some common easements allow people continued and regular access to walk across your land often in connection with a recreational facility or nearby park.  

An easement is written into the deed.  The seller of a home knows about it and it should be listed on the property disclosure and MLS listing.  The broker should then disclose the information to any potential buyers or their broker.

If the property you are interested in has an easement, get a copy of the wording on the deed and have your attorney  review it.  Most easements are harmless and are not anything that should prevent you from purchasing and enjoying a property.  You just need to know all of the facts, read the exact wording and make the decision as to whether or not it is something you can live with.

An encroachment is another matter.

When a neighbor's swimming pool, garage or house partially hangs over your property, it is an encroachment.

More often than not, the encroachment has been going on for many years with the current owner of the property not objecting. If it has, then, chances are the neighbor has an implied easement on your property to continue using it in this way.

Once again, the facts should be disclosed at the time of the listing.

Usually, encroachments are a minor nuisance, if any, and should not influence your decision to purchase a home. Legally, you could force the removal of an item that is extending onto your property. However; it is wise to consider the impact it will make if you force the other property owner to pay the costs to make these types of adjustments. Not to mention, the effect it will have on your new relationship. 

The important thing about easements and encroachments is to be informed and know that they exist.  Having all of the facts will go a long way in easing tensions with the neighbors and will help you to derive the greatest amount of enjoyment from your new home.

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

 Subscribe to my blog

Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner - TheBuyersCounsel     

Learn More about Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Earlier this week, a disappointing report on housing starts sent stocks plunging with the Dow Jones losing 50 points on the day. 

The Commerce Department reported that applications for new building permits fell by 1.2 percent to an annual rate of 573,000 units. Housing starts had only a modest increase of 05 percent to an annual 590,000 new homes and apartments. 

What, exactly, is a housing start?

The term, housing start, refers to the number of housing units, typically privately owned new homes, on which construction has started in a given period.  That is to say that the builder has begun excavation on the foundation of the home.  In response to some natural disasters, the definition was revised to include a housing unit that is being built on an existing foundation following destruction of the original home.

Housing starts are divided into single-family and multi-family numbers.  A 100 unit apartment building that has just begun, for example, would be counted as 100 starts.

To get an annual rate, the starts for the month are multiplied by 12 with the figure being adjusted seasonally given the fact that more home construction takes place in the summer rather than the winter.

Why does this number have such an impact on the stock market?

Since the housing market is one of the cornerstones of the economy, negative numbers are going to produce jitters among the public and, in turn, affect the stock market.

Market experts feel that the housing starts number is usually a good indicator of where the economy is moving.  Sustained declines in housing starts can slow the economy and could push it into a recession.  By the same token, increases in housing activity can trigger economic growth.

For the past few months, home builder sentiment has been on the upswing. But, with recent weak reports, along with the fact that the home buyer tax credit is soon set to expire, builders are getting nervous. 

The question now is - will the government intervene to extend the tax credit to help these sluggish numbers or will they, perhaps, put a completely different kind of program in its place?

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

Subscribe to my blog

Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

Learn More about Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Just off of the scenic, winding country road of Fruit Street in Hopkinton is the community of Oak Hill Estates.  

The subdivision which consists of 42 homes was originally built by Bartolini Builders, a well-known builder in the Metrowest Massachusetts area.  The first homes were built in 1997 and construction continued into 2005.  

View a satellite image of the neighborhood.

The neighborhood sits on Huckleberry Road which is a long, well-manicured cul-de-sac situated close to Route 495 with connections to Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, making Oak Hill Estates a convenient location for commuting into Boston as well as other destinations. 

The homes in Oak Hill Estates range in size from 2,700 square feet to 4,000 square feet with each home sitting on an acre plus lot.  

Over the past year, homes have sold in this neighborhood in the price range of $598,000 to $694,000.  

Currently, there is a beautiful resale available with a wonderful open floor plan, 2 story foyer, updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters, finished basement and a first floor library. 

If you are considering a move into Hopkinton or any of the surrounding towns, please call my me with any questions you may have.  I can be reached at 508-881-6230.

View all current property listings in Hopkinton.

                                                                                      Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner The BuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail 

Your Metrowest Buyer Broker Since 1992   

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

With summer behind us and spring, a distant memory, the best time to buy is actually staring right at us. 

Did you know that fall is a great time to start planning a home purchase? 

Most people in Massachusetts are thinking about the holidays and the upcoming winter months. 

If you begin your search now, you will probably be negotiating right around the start of the holiday season.  Sellers who have their homes on the market during the holidays are usually pretty serious about their need to sell, since the optimum time for selling is in the spring. This puts you in a great bargaining position. 

In addition to the upcoming holidays, there are a number of other good reasons to buy a home right now: 

1. Affordability is better than ever - Prices have fallen dramatically over that past few years making homes more within reach than they have been in decades.
2. There is much to choose from - In most towns there is still a large inventory of homes on the market.  This lets you be more selective and the competition is helping to keep prices down.
3. Builders are offering discounts - With the market down, builders are being more flexible on their pricing and are offering more incentives and upgrades, particularly on homes that are at or near completion.
4. Mortgage rates are at historic lows - The Federal Reserve is currently buying mortgage backed securities, an action that is keeping rates down.  The 30-year mortgage rate has been staying at around 5% or less and has recently dipped as low as 4.7%.  These rates are the lowest they have been since the 1970's.  

With rents still sky high in Metrowest Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area, it just makes sense to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities there are currently in the market and to get in on a great season of home buying. 

Do you have questions about buying a home in the Metrowest area?  I would love to talk with you. Please feel free to call me at 508-881-6230 - any time or E-mail me. 

 Subscribe to my blog

Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

Learn More about Massachusetts Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts -  Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992 

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough