92 Bullard St, Sherborn, MA 01770 (MLS # 71324318)

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Listing provided by Kyle Mann, Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty

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Posted by Leslie Mann on Friday, 12.23.2011

HOPKINTON, MA (December 21, 2011)

Local Agents Collect New Clothing, Books & Art Supplies for Homeless Children Across Massachusetts

Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty (www.hallmarksothebsyrealty.com) visited Horizons for Homeless Children (www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org) this week to deliver a $500 donation as well as new clothes and educational toys for children in need. The Hopkinton agency matched local donors’ financial contributions, dollar for dollar.

“Thank you to everyone in our community who came together to support this wonderful organization,” said Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty broker Erika Paul. “We’ve been very impressed with Horizons for Homeless Children’s work to break the cycle of homelessness, and are glad to do our small part to support their mission.”

More than 100,000 children across Massachusetts are homeless. Horizons for Homeless Children is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe, nurturing environment for educational play for children living in homeless shelters, while helping their families establish economic self-sufficiency. They help parents foster the growth and development of their children, and help them learn and grow through job training, GED, and college courses.

To learn about local volunteer opportunities and other ways to support Horizons for Homeless Children, please call 617-553-5455 or visitwww.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org.To learn more about items to donate, contact Leslie Mann, Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty at 508-904-4967 or leslie.mann@sothebysrealty.com.

Contact Leslie Mann for more details?

Posted by Leslie Mann on Monday, 12.12.2011

Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty agent Leslie Mann was recognized in the latest issue of the Collection for her unique marketing campaign for selling 464 Marshall Street in Holliston.

To showcase the home’s gorgeous indoor pool, she held a fashion photo shoot at the home. She partnered with Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs, who provided casual and dressy fashions for the models, and two local salons, who provided hair stylists and makeup artists to add a glamorous touch. Mann hired Lucie Wicker Photography to capture photos of the models relaxing around the pool.

The investment paid off, creating quite a buzz about this distinctive property.

Are you looking for more details or to contact Leslie directly?

Posted by Chris Chapin on Thursday, 11.09.2011

1. Engage a Realtor

a. Get a referral If possible use a preferred Realtor. This is also the case when departing and area, as Realtors have contacts throughout the country. 

b. Compare and Contrast If you are planning to interview multiple Realtors it is highly recommended that you consider choosing the one which listens you and also takes into account your various requirements. Don’t be seduced by the high-end, smooth operator. You will very likely be passed off to their assistant and will have little to no contact with them moving forward.

2. Pricing Your Home

a. Take into account:

i. Home condition and desirability
ii. Your competition
iii. How busy the market is
iv. Your timeframe.

b. Do not take into account:

i. What you paid for the home
ii. What your neighbor received in another timeframe
iii. What your friends/colleagues tell you what the worth is.
iv. What you need to receive to meet your financial requirements.

3. Preparing Your Home For Sale

a. Don’t take criticism personally
Criticism of your home is not a personal attack. People vary in taste and preference and this is natural and to be expected.

b. Clean out your closets
Use this time to be ruthless with your closets. Less is better as it makes your home appear more spacious. If necessary rent a small storage space to accomplish this de-cluttering exercise.

4. Install a For Sale Sign and Lockbox on Your Door

a. Placement is key
Be sure to place your sign in a location which is visible from multiple directions.

b. Easy access
A lockbox enables Realtors have convenient access. Try to avoid accompanied showings unless your home is truly unusual and has lots of hidden features.

5. Begin Showings

a. Flexibility is of utmost importance 
Be flexible and willing to accommodate short notice showings should they arise.

b. Home-owner free zone
Don’t be there for appointments as buyers feel more relaxed and receptive without you hovering to “help”.

c. Stay tidy and clean
Whenever you leave the house, assume someone will show it in your absence. No dirty dishes or laundry left out.

d. Evaluate Feedback
Get feedback after each showing so you can react quickly to trends in comments.

e. Provide context to the home
Should your home have truly unique features consider placing note cards or QR codes which lead to video descriptions of these features at work. If you are showing in an offseason consider placing photos of the landscaping to provide a more understandable perspective of what the home truly feels like in-season. 

6. Negotiating the Offer

a. Be open to negotiation
The best offer may not actually be the highest offer monetarily. Secure financing and a short closing term can often outweigh a small monetary gain.

b. Don’t be put off by a low offer
Some buyers feel obligated to try and get a “deal” but will still end up where you need them to be in pricing. This is just the start of the dialogue.

c. Get the deposit
The buyer will provide a deposit (approx. $1,000.00)with their offer. This is called “good faith monies”. These monies are held in an escrow account by your Realtor’s office. It will go towards the final purchase price if the negotiations are successful.

7. Engaging an Attorney

a. Get expert help
This is often the largest transaction of a person’s life. Keep in mind that “we don’t know what we don’t know”. You are paying a professional to insure against those rare but costly complications.

8. Conducting a Home Inspection

a. Disagreement?
If you don’t agree with a major finding when presented to you by the buyer’s Realtor (with the relevant Home Inspection report pages) then get an independent opinion.

b. Be accommodating
If not unrealistic then try to be accommodating. There may be several small items mentioned (such as leaky faucet, noisy bathroom fan) that could be easily rectified by you. It doesn’t mean you are being taken advantage of just seeing the big picture.

9. Signing the Purchase and Sale

a. Inspection Findings Declared
This will include any findings from the inspection that are to be dealt with prior to the closing.

b. Deposit Fulfillment
The buyer will put down the remainder of their deposit. It is generally 5% of the purchase price minus the initial “good faith“ offering (typically $1,000.00) that came with the offer. Again it will be put in the escrow account as before.

10. Organizing Your Move

a. Get a referral
Again ask for a referral. Make sure all quotes are detailed so that if comparing companies you are dealing with the same criteria.

11. Informing Utility Companies

a. Inform utility companies
You generally have to inform your utility companies of your leaving before the buyers can engage them to take over your service.

b. Inform buyer
Let the buyers know who you use (as long as you are satisfied with their service) in case they want to carry on the relationship.

c. Fill your tank
If you use oil then get a delivery to fill in the tank prior to leaving so that the buyers can pay you at the closing. Take along the bill that the company left so that the amount is clear.

12. Leaving the House “Broom Clean”

a. Please be sweet and make it neat
This is not a high level to achieve so to surpass it is a kind thing to do. No one wants to have to clean a home before they feel it is acceptable to unpack.

b. “Pay it forward”
Leave all instruction books and manuals you may have for appliances, etc. They will be no good to you and invaluable to the new homeowner.

c. Inform the buyer
Local take-out menus, etc. are a good thing to leave stuck on the fridge.

d. Don’t forget any personal items
Don’t forget to check the attic and any crawl spaces for remaining personal items.

13. The Closing

a. Take your sets of keys (including mailbox keys) with you when you go to sign yoru paperwork

b. It’s time to move on …Congratulations!!!

Are you looking for more details?

If so, we are here to assist …obligation free!

Posted by Mike Lefebvre on Thursday, 10.06.2011

Hopkinton, Holliston, Southborough and Upton
[ 2010 vs. 2011]

Third quarter numbers are in and there are some interesting changes to make note of in the four MetroWest towns sampled below. Although Hopkinton’s 3rd quarter this year is similar to last year’s, with only modest reductions in average sales and list prices and market volume, the other three towns profiled have enjoyed sizable gains year over year!

Holliston’s 3rd Quarter total market volume jumped nearly 50% this year, while experiencing gains in both average list and sale prices. As if that wasn’t enough good news, the Southborough numbers are perhaps the most encouraging! The number of single family transactions in Southborough more than doubled this quarter compared to last year, and although average list and sale prices dipped slightly, the total market volume skyrocketed over 125%. This potentially indicates sellers reacting to market corrections by improving their prices and buyers, potentially waiting in the wings for these market corrections and inspired by historically low interest rates, came out in droves compared to last year this time.

Upton enjoyed similar yet slightly less dramatic activity as compared to Southborough. Slight dips in average sale and list prices, but huge upticks in total number of transactions and overall market volume, supporting the theory that Sellers may have gotten more realistic about pricing as compared to 2010 and buyers, inspired by better prices and lower rates, jumped off the fence.

Good news all around and positive indicators as we continue to right the ship and recover in the MetroWest real estate market. If you’re interested in seeing specific numbers for your particular town, drop us a line and we will get you the inside scoop!

*All data provided per MLSPIN

Download (PDF, 75.16KB)

Contact us for further details or to request stats for your community

Posted by Chris Chapin on Thursday, 10.03.2011

An Argument for ROI in Social Media

There has been a heated debate going about the ROI in social media just about as long as social media has been around. Ever since the first Realtor posted a status update, people have been asking the question, “Does this stuff make my business money”? In fact, a quick Google search for “ROI in social media” returns over 26 million entries. Answers can vary widely depending on who you ask, and everyone with a Facebook business page seems to have a theory that they are willing to share in 140 characters or less.

Our research is decidedly unscientific and the conclusion is unanimously that social media is worth it! Without a pile of charts and graphs to back it up, I am thrilled to announce that Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty has just added a phenomenal Realtor to its growing roster of professionals agents and social media is directly to thank for making this connection! Erin Golding, a second generation Realtor from Bellingham, Massachusetts has officially made the move and is now a member of our exclusive team. Erin wasn’t actively recruited by us, she didn’t receive an unsolicited email touting the benefits of joining our firm and she didn’t get a generic postcard in the mail inviting her to some recruitment campaign disguised as a “career night”.

Erin is a Realtor who is active in social media and had been friending, following and interacting with us for the last year or so. She gave us a call recently and asked to meet with me about making a move in her career. Having known her through Facebook, when she came to my office to meet, I felt like I already knew her. She was just as bright, energetic and driven as she appeared online and I immediately knew she was a perfect fit for the company. If you ask Erin, she will tell you,

“I chose Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty because of its focus on servicing clients by leveraging the latest state-of-the-art technology and marketing. The brand evokes feelings of trust, professionalism and quality, attributes that I aspire to represent for my clients.”

A tech-savvy second generation Realtor, Erin has watched the industry change dramatically from the pre-internet days when her Mom would wait patiently for the MLS books to arrive at the office. She knows firsthand how the power of the internet has expanded the global village we all live and work in, and stays on top of all emerging technologies to make sure her clients are getting the absolute best service available.

Her passion for real estate is authentic and so refreshing to see.

“I love houses. Everyone is different. Every home has something that makes it special. From an original antique door knob to a contemporary mantle piece, each unique attribute of a home contributes to the fascinating stories that go well beyond the four walls of a house. Buyers have dreams and desires to continue these stories and the excitement when they find the perfect setting to write the next chapter fuels my enthusiasm for the business,” says Erin.

It’s that kind of genuine passion and keen eye for details that will undoubtedly drive Erin’s career forward!

So I can say with complete confidence that there is definitely ROI in social media. The fact that Erin was drawn to our progressive office through our online connections proves it enough to us. We are so excited to have her on our team and can’t wait to watch her career soar as the newest Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty agent. Make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and head to www.ErinGolding.com for all your real estate needs.

Contact Erin…

Posted by Chris Chapin on Thursday, 9.28.2011

Hallmark Sotheby’s Inernational Realty is pleased to announce that that we are honored to support Greyhound Friends, Inc. Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty has donated funds, and agents Leslie Mann and Nikki Devaux donated their time and services this past week during the shelter’s annual open house.

“Greyhound Friends has done such a wonderful job of finding loving homes for these graceful, gentle dogs. We’re so pleased do to our small part to support this terrific organization and their dedicated team of volunteers.”
- Erika Paul, Broker – Owner, Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty

Greyhound Friends, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, dedicated to saving racetrack greyhounds and placing them in responsible, loving homes. We invite you to learn more about us by reading our website and visiting our kennel. We’re open 7 days a week, 9:00AM – 5:00PM. For directions click here. To speak with Louise Coleman, the director of Greyhound Friends, call 508-435-5969 during our business hours.

To view the complete story in the Hopkinton Patch click here

To support, donate or adopt contact…

Greyhound Friends, Inc.
167 Saddle Hill Rd
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Phone: 508-435-5969
ghfriend@greyhound.org
www.Greyhound.org 

Posted by Chris Chapin on Thursday, 9.26.2011

1. Get a Pre-Approval Letter

a. Try to utilize a lender that is recommended to you by friends or business associates.

b. Have the pre-approval letter in hand before you start to look as this enables you to be sure of what you can afford. You will also need this letter to be able to put in an offer.

2. View Homes for Sale

a. Always take your Real Estate folder with you to showings. This folder contain all of the listing sheets from previously viewed properties. This will provide you the ability to do comparisons in a quick and efficient manner.

b. Write something you remember about each home to help you distinguish it from others you have viewed. Often times these notes will turn out to be things you didn’t like.

c. Have your checkbook with you on each appointment. It is usual to see between 6 and 12 homes before “the one”, but you could get lucky and find it sooner.

3. Submit and Offer to Purchase

a. Ensure you have the deposit money available – generally $1000.00.

b. When negotiating the sale take full advantage of your Realtor’s experience. Unlike your friends, family and co-workers your Realtor has access to volumes of data as well as first hand experience in countless situations like yours.

4. Conduct a Home Inspection

a. If you have already had a good experience use them again, otherwise refer to your Realtor and rely on their expertise.

b. The home inspection is for you to find costly defects that may influence your decision to buy. This is not an opportunity to itemize a laundry list of small items. Keep in mind that you are buying a used item so perfection is not realistic.

c. This is not a good time to bring your family in for a look. You can schedule that for a later date. This is too important to not have your full attention.

5. Sign the Purchase and Sale

a. This is offer in more detail, including any home inspection requirements.

b. You will need further deposit money now. It is usually 5% of the purchase price, minus the money you gave with the initial offer. As the P&S is signed about 2 weeks after the offer to make sure that the funds are going to be available. Keep in mind that money market account, etc. require some time to liquidate.

c. Retain and attorney to look over the document, as well as any other associated details such as condominium requirements and financial statements. This is often times the largest investment in your life so taking extra care to insure your safety is of utmost importance.

6. Organize Your Move

a. If possible, allow a few days overlap in vacating you old home and occupying your new one. This will allow you to do any decorating that you may want to consider doing

7. Closing

Congratulations and enjoy your new home! On a serious note, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate contacting us at your convenience to discuss the process or if you have any further questions.

Posted by Chris Chapin on Thursday, 8.15.2011

Fact: Everyone’s home is a work of art …to them.

Now that internet based marketing of real estate is the norm, how do you separate your property from the thousands of options out there? Every listing has a group of photos, property description with number of bedrooms, square footage of the home, and so-on and so-on. How do you differentiate your home? This is somewhat of a simple answer. Video! Keep in mind that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it and many agencies take the path most economically (cheaply) travelled. They often grab their iPhone or Flip camera, walk through a house and post to YouTube, or even better take a bunch of photos and run through a 3rd party software with some transitions and get a slideshow which they call a “video”. It’s not video, and does not provide the viewer what they are expecting or looking for. Furthermore, they are often put off by this misrepresentation and often move onto the next property on the list, especially if the photos are not quality enough to highlight the homes attributes.

Cliche or not, you really do only get one chance to make that first impression. It is incumbent upon you to be sure you are putting your best foot forward, especially in this highly competitive market. With that being said, be sure to find yourself an agency which provides the best tools and skill sets to expose your home in the proper light. Not to toot our own horn, but Honk-Honk. Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty is such an agency which takes this all to heart and goes all out to provide this type of service to you. We only work with the best. We not only provide true “video” with narration to provide the most effective and highest quality experience, but also work with a company which specializes in providing a unique experience in each and every video to highlight the best and brightest aspects of the properties our agents are marketing. In order to really gain a perspective of what we are specifically referring please review some of the video tours or some of our recent listings below to gain an understanding of not only what is possible, but also should be expected when you are reviewing agencies and the associated level of service they offer.

Our very own Mike LeFebvre is not only one of our agents, but also is the Owner/President of MeetingHouseMedia. Mike has been working with clients and Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty agents to put their best foot forward when working with their clients. He has a passion for the services he provides and this is easy to see when you are viewing his videos. Mike makes a very good point when speaking on this topic…

Remember, close to 90% of home buyers are starting their home searches online. The first impression they are most likely going to get of your home is from the photos and video they see online. Serious buyers use online photos and videos as a filter for deciding which houses they will pass on and which houses they will make a call to schedule a showing on. Put your house in the second category. Yes, it is hard work getting your house ready for sale. Keeping it in showing condition is no picnic either. But the blood, sweat and tears you put into properly preparing your home for sale, and specifically for the day of your video and photo shoot, will return dividends in the activity you see and ultimately in the eventual sale price of your home. Considering this should be your ultimate goal.

- Mike LeFebvre, Owner/President of MeetingHouseMedia

Top Ten Tips to For Hiring A Professional Real Estate Videographer

You certainly want to do you due diligence and find the right company for the job. As we have already covered, not everyone is the same. [ CLICK HERE ]

Preparation Tips:

Now that you have a better understanding fo the importance, how do you prepare yourself for such a shoot. Yes, this is another rhetorical question, and here is the answer. MeetingHouseMedia has published their top 11 tips on what to do prior to a video shoot. [ CLICK HERE ]

Premium Property Video Examples:

Click here to access our YouTube channel which not only houses our property videos but also various videos in regards to our agents and agency.

Posted by Chris Chapin on Monday, 7.27.2011

Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty Agent Answers Readers’ Real Estate Questions

HOPKINTON, MA (July 24, 2011) – Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce that agent Leslie Mann now has a weekly real estate column in the MetroWest Daily News. Readers can follow Mann in the Friday real estate section of the paper or in her blog “On the Move”.

A seasoned real estate agent, Mann sought a way to share more knowledge with people about the process of buying or selling a home. The column provides an opportunity to cover pressing real estate topics, such as selling a home in a tough market, and how Realtors need to adapt to shifting home buyer demographics. A freelance writer for more than a decade before moving into real estate, Mann brings a unique combination of writing skills and real estate acumen.

Mann loves answering readers’ questions. She invites readers to submit questions to her by email or by calling her directly at 508-904-4967, and she answers their confidential questions in the column. “Buying or selling a home can be an overwhelming experience,” said Mann. “If I can make this a little easier by answering their questions that makes me very happy.”

“Leslie is continually seeking new information and new ways to add value to her clients,” said Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty broker Erika Paul. “We’re so pleased that she has an opportunity to share this knowledge with readers through the MetroWest and beyond.”

For more information, contact Leslie Mann at 508-904-4967 or leslie.mann@sothebysrealty.com.

Additionally, check out some of Leslie most recent columns.

What the Whitey Bulger Capture can Teach Realtors.

This article covers how the FBI nabbed one of the most wanted criminals using targeted marketing–and why Realtors need to use the same technique to nab that elusive home buyer. 

Curb Appeal Tips on Any Budget.

This article features tips from landscape designers around the country on improving your home’s curb appeal. It highlights economical tips for the price-conscious and luxury curb appeal for high-end homes.

Posted by Chris Chapin on Monday, 7.18.2011

The current real estate market is in a far different place than it was a few years ago when you could list one day and sell the next. With that being said, agents with additional skill sets which help separate your home from the pack is a huge consideration. Many offices have agents with your standard “cookie-cutter” set of skills. It is now more important than ever to find an agency which has a roster of agents which can provide that extra skill set which makes sure that not only your home is exposed globally, but also in the proper light. The key for you as a homeowner is to review your options carefully and be sure to interview each agent with a keen eye turned towards their attention to detail and how they plan to best represent your property to the public. 

“You really do only get 1 chance to make a first impression! “

Here is an example of exactly one of those cases. Trina Macchi of Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty has dealt with several such cases over the years and here is a precise example of why it is important to be selective and to ask the right questions of your potential agent. While it may seem menial to be concerned with items such as home  staging here is a precise example of the impact of such attention to detail…

* Should you have a problem viewing the document viewer below please download a copy here

Download (PDF, 345.33KB)

“As we approach our 8-year anniversary as Hallmark Realty and our 3-year anniversary as a Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate, I am completely thrilled to announce that we are the number one real estate office year-to-date in town! It has been a challenging road filled with many milestones and accomplishments and I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, that without the dedicated team of professionals that I am so proud to call my team, none of this would have been possible.

The combination of the best Realtors in the market with the power of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, has propelled my little company that could from a local specialty boutique firm to a company that is now widely recognized as the market leader in our service area. It just goes to show that when talented, dedicated professionals are given the support, tools and technology they need to succeed, anything is possible.

I would be remiss if I also didn’t recognize my phenomenal support staff. Working diligently behind the scenes to make the rest of us look great, Nancy and Chris are an indispensable and integral part of our success. So as I reflect over the last eight years (OMG! Has it been eight years?!?!?) I want to thank everyone who has helped to build the best real estate company in the area! It is so incredibly gratifying for the numbers to finally reflect what I’ve felt in my heart for a long time – if you put the very best people in the business together, give them the tools, technology and support they need to excel, treat each and every client like gold and blanket it all with the absolute strongest brand in real estate, there is nowhere you can end up but at the top! Here’s to the next eight years. May they be filled with just as much joy, success and growth as the first eight.”
Erika Paul – President and Broker-Owner

Download (PDF, 147.84KB)

QR Codes? Really?!

Absolutely! While still a technology which is still very much in its infancy it is a fantastic tool which strengthens an agencies ability to connect with today’s tech savvy buyers. Real estate marketing is an ever changing monster and it is extremely important that agents stay connected with how people are receiving their information. QR codes are another great tool to convey property details. Check out some of the ways we are incorporating this technology into our marketing campaigns.

Property Signs

By placing a QR code on a sign we are able to instantly connect with our buyers and provide details in a multitude of ways. First and foremost we can direct the QR code directly to the property video to instantly provide the viewer with a tour of the home and details as to how to gain further information about the property via the property website.

Property Flyers

What better way to direct a potential buyer to your individual or brokerage website to provide property details? A property flyer houses a certain amount of content, without the ability to link the content to the internet. By simply placing a QR code on the flyer a buyer can be connected in a number of ways to more in depth details about a property. Whether that be property specific video, property website or any number of other details, including area information, school reports. You name it, and it can be connected.

Print advertising

Print advertising is not any different than the other forms of previously discussed distribution channels. Connecting to buyers is the goal and the strategy is universal – connect potential buyer to the data as quickly and effectively as humanly possible.

Marketing at Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty

You home is unique. Marketing a listing such as this takes an exclusive set of skills, as well as an explicit marketing plan. Our exclusive partnerships are designed to create maximum exposure for your property. Furthermore we are consistently researching the newest and most effective technological tools to be sure your property is exposed to the proper audience. While this provides just a glimpse into how we are “LIKE NO OTHER”, we would certainly be more than happy to provide a specific plan to you so that you can proceed in your homes sales process in the most effective manner possible.

Unfamiliar with QR codes?

Get  a QR Code Reader for your mobile device

  ]]> http://www.hallmarksothebysrealty.com/2011/06/09/qr-codes-in-real-estate/feed/ 0 http://www.hallmarksothebysrealty.com/2011/06/01/changes-homestead-law-massachusetts/ http://www.hallmarksothebysrealty.com/2011/06/01/changes-homestead-law-massachusetts/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:26:46 +0000 admin http://hallmarksothebysrealty.com/?p=3020 Are you a home-owner or just about to become one?

Posted by Chris Chapin on Wednesday, 6.1.2011

Changes in Homestead Law

1. There is an automatic Homestead of $125,000.00 without recording any Homestead Declaration.
2. You can still declare a written Homestead of $500,000.00.
3. The elderly (62 or older) get extra special protection, but need to sign a special form for the Elderly Declaration. When they turn 62 they need to record a new Homestead to get the extra special protection.Each person gets $500k in protection.
4. The closing attorney has to provide borrowers with a notice of right to declare Homestead which the borrower has to sign.
5. The deed will state if seller is not married that grantor is not married and has no former spouse, partner or former partner in a civil union who can claim the benefit of the act – the seller will have to sign an affidavit of marital status but does not have to be recorded.
6. In all mortgage transactions the borrower must sign a notice of the right to declare a homestead. The notice will include a summary of the differences between the automatic Homestead and recorded Homestead.
7. A trust can declare a Homestead.
8. Do not have to re-record a Homestead when you refinance.
9. Do yourself, and everyone you know a favor and tell them to declared a Homestead for $500k and sleep peacefully at night …at least about having protected your home.

Top 10 Reasons Everyone Needs a Homestead

1. Living on the streets of New England during the winter can be very uncomfortable and conducive to frostbite.
2. Homestead protects the home from being sold to satisfy a judgment from a lawsuit and society is suing anyone and everyone for anything and everything.
3. Notwithstanding, the law and Oprah’s pledge, people will once in their natural life succomb to texting while driving, which could lead to a lawsuit, and a judgment. A homestead will protect the home from a forced sale to satisy the judgment or the enforcement of an unsecured line of credit.
4. Homestead protects the home from a forced sale if you declare bankruptcy. Anyone with college age chidren is just a breath away from bankruptcy.
5. Anyone in real estate in the past 3 years may also be just a breath away from bankruptcy.
6. It costs $135.00 to have a Homestead drafted and recorded protecting up to $500,000.00 in equity …the cost of a tank of gas, almost.
7. It takes less than 5 seconds to sign your name on a Homestead Declaration
8. Unsecured creditors cannot force you to sell your house to pay them if you declare for bankruptcy protection.
9. You could charge a yacht, your child’s education, the biggest flat screen TV, etc. Declare bankruptcy and your house can be attached with judgments and your house will protected by homestead.
10. You are a very smart person who has figured out by now that it is a “no brainer” to have a Homestead recorded on your property.

If you have any further questions in regards to Homestead laws or looking for leagal council in this area please feel free to contact Donna J. Hines Principal/Managing Attorney p: 800.334.6165 or 508.466.3300 e: donna@dhineslaw.net www.dhineslaw.com Please also feel free to utilize the many reference materials in regards to these laws and the associated changes from the State of Massachsuetts

Do you have children? Are they in school? If you answered yes, then this post and the associated links are very important in your life and will likely have an impact as to whether you decide whether a town is suitable for you and your family. If you answered no, then this is still an important piece of the pie, because in today’s volatile housing market many factors affect the value of your home and the quality of the town it is located in is one of them. School rankings are right at the top of that list, therefore this is an important factor for you as well.

In their 2nd annual look at the nation’s education, Forbes and GreatSchools.com gave Hopkinton a perfect 10 in their “The Best Schools For Your Real Estate Buck” report.

While Hopkinton may not have the most educational dollars available, they are certainly putting every dollar to good use. More than 17,000 towns in 49 states were assessed and Hopkinton is considered the cream of the crop. A big congratulations and thank you goes out to all of the fine educators and administrators in the Hopkinton school system.

On a side note, many other local communities we at Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty represent were rated very highly as well. Similar respect should paid to Medfield, Weston, Westwood and Dover who also scored 10′s.

• Click here to read Forbes.com, “The Best Schools For Your Real Estate Buck”

• Click here to read the actual ranking provided by GreatSchools.com

If your are looking for further details and to gain further insight into some of the other towns in the vicinity please go to GreatSchools.com for school rankings and details or click here to visit our very own Leslie Mann and view here recent post in regards to some local communities and their wonderful accomplishments in the area of education.

As you are aware, a devastating earthquake and resulting tsunamis have struck the eastern coast of Japan. The news reports and video coverage reveal widespread property damage and loss of life. The magnitude 8.9 offshore earthquake unleashed a 23-foot tsunami, following by many aftershocks.

We have more than 8,175 agents and 1,188 offices representing our brands in Japan. The reports are incomplete but at this point it appears that our agents and offices for the most part have been spared. As the reports are updated, we will keep you informed.

To help those suffering from this disaster Realogy is announcing its campaign to raise funds through the Realogy Charitable Foundation. The Foundation will be collecting donations for the Global Giving Foundation, an internationally recognized charity that will work with the Japanese government to deliver funds to support local response resources.

We will also collect donations for the American Red Cross, which has the experience to assist those affected by disasters worldwide. All funds collected through this campaign will be donated to the American Red Cross or the Global Giving Foundation.

Richard A. Smith
President and CEO of Realogy Corporation

CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO OUR CORPORATE DONATION PAGE

Sotheby’s International Realty Brand Celebrates Worldwide Network Growth in 2010

PARSIPPANY, N.J., (Feb. 17, 2011) –

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that it grew both the office and agent count within its global network by 11 percent in 2010, ending the year with 11,700 sales associates located in more than 550 offices in 44 countries and territories worldwide.

“In addition to our office growth, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand also proudly grew our network by more than 1,100 sales associates in 2010, demonstrating the appeal of our luxury real estate brand and what we offer those brokers and sales professionals who are part of our international system,” said Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

“Last year we achieved our primary domestic growth plans by gaining a presence in several key California markets as well as Dallas, Texas, and Naples, Florida,” added Good.  “We also achieved critical international objectives with the signing of new master franchise agreements for the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong and Sweden.  We recognize that consumers are seeing the value that luxury real estate represents as part of a long-term strategy for growing wealth.  In fact, the average sales price increased by more than 15 percent in 2010 for our U.S. brokers, including both our independently owned and operated network members as well as Realogy’s company-owned offices.  Our goal for 2011 is to continue to expand our network in key luxury markets worldwide and to build on the valuable tools and resources that we provide to our brokers, their sales associates and consumers.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand added 15 new residential real estate brokerage firms to its network across 13 states in 2010: Indiana, New Hampshire, Washington, Tennessee, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and Kentucky.  In addition, 18 existing Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates opened new offices to better serve their current markets or expand into new markets.

Internationally, the brand expanded its franchise operations into the British Virgin Islands, Latvia, Japan, Hong Kong, Peru, Sweden, Turkey and Berlin.  The Sotheby’s International Realty brand also signed an exclusive 25-year agreement with Countrywide plc, which will build and grow the brand network throughout the United Kingdom.

For the third year in a row, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand won Franchise Business Review’s Best in Category for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction award, which measures franchisee satisfaction with their franchisors.  The brand also was ranked third overall among all franchise categories with more than 200 locations. This was the third year the brand was rated in the top 10 of all award categories.

The Sotheby’s International Realty brand also enjoyed highly effective collaborations with many global news outlets, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, to feature its network’s extraordinary listings.

“Our success in 2010 centered on how we refined the art of online branding by partnering with some of the world’s strongest media outlets,” said Wendy Purvey, chief marketing officer for the brand.  “Our ongoing goal is to continue to drive awareness of our brand as a luxury real estate leader, and to drive incremental leads to the fine offices in our network, and we are pleased with our success.”

Finally, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand launched SIR Mobile in 2010, a free branded mobile application that works on standard cell phones and smart phones across all mobile carriers, allowing consumers to view luxury homes for sale in a given market.

About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house.  The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Realogy’s subsidiary, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744.

For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

Get your HSIR Mobile App Here

You’re not sitting in front of your computer when you stumble upon a neighborhood or property where you want to live. In fact, most of the time you are walking or driving through a neighborhood when you start wondering what is for sale or rent around you.

Users have the ability to search all properties based on GPS location, address, city or zip code. The application displays…

• Detailed property information, including price, beds/baths, taxes
• Estimated mortgage
• Features
• Maps
• High quality photos and more.

Text HSIR to 87778

By downloading our FREE mobile app you also get…

Many Ways To Search

GPS, address, city, zip code, property type and more!

Get Results

See all listings available for sale or rent!

Map It!

See where the properties are located on an interactive map.

See All The Details

Find a listing you like? Learn all about it!

* Should you have a problem viewing the document viewer below please download a copy here

1/01/SIR-Collections-Jan2011.pdf”]

Our goal is to maximize your exposure and what better way to do that than to use the tools which are a major factor in the viewership of your property. We will not only place your properties online with video, but we also make sure it matches the quality which is expected of us from our clientele. We are our own toughest critics and we make sure you get the best. Check out some of our various videos and you will see why we are growing with such success and are the clear leaders in our field when it comes to not only implementing new technology, but also doing it the correct way.