CW Lorden Real Estate is proud to welcome Dawn Burnham!

CW Lorden Real Estate is proud to announce another fine addition to our ever growing staff...

Welcome Dawn Burnham...!
Dawn brings to us many years of experience, working with both Buyers and Sellers, handling many aspect of new construction field as well as land development, Senior housing, rentals as well as investment properties.

“I’m eager to accelerate the growth of my business, and to continue delivering my clients the same level of personal service they’ve come to expect,” said Burnham. Much of my role as a Realtor is being a guide who paves the way for my clients, I approach each situation and every transaction with patience, determination, and a sense of purpose."

"We fully expect Dawn to hit the ground running here, and are very pleased to be adding a veteran with her experience to the team. We’ve seen how she handles clients, and the quality of professionalism she demonstrates in every phase of customer service".

Dawn is licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

To discuss your real estate needs, please contact Dawn at the CW Lorden Real Estate Office at 978-433-5900, email at Dawn@cwlordenrealestate.com or to view more information about CW Lorden Real Estate via our website at www.cwlordenrealestate.com.

Dust has settled, framing has begun!

Things are looking great on our River Road project! Construction is underway and the framing has begun. First floor is almost complete and roof should be on in a few days.

The lots have been defined and floor plans and specs are available for other home styles. Next on the scheduled will be a Straight Front Colonial with family room and 2 car under. Should have a nice walk out. Prices starting $389,900.

Stop by on Sunday 9/19 between 1-3 for the Open House at 77 River Road - Pepperell

Construction is Under Way!

The dust is flying and construction in under way on our newest project on River Road in Pepperell. Take a drive by and see the progress. Foundation to go in soon, several other lots available, bring your design and join the excitement!

Another Great Addition to the CW Lorden Team!

CW Lorden is please to announce another great addition to the team!

Lori Rose, Realtor - Skilled negotiator with more than 18 years of professional corporate management experience coupled with extensive sales and marketing background.

Lori is a well connected as a member of the National Association of Realtors, Massachusetts Board of Realtors and a member North Central Association of Realtors. All of which subscribe to Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, a set of values that guide us through every transaction. Member of MLSPIN which is the largest multiple listing service in New England.

Native of Pepperell since 1986 and a native of Hollis N.H. since 1978, with informative knowledge of the surrounding towns and properties in the area.
Lori is highly focused and educated with integrity, practical experience and a commitment to her clients brings tremendous real estate success.

Lori believes in doing business the right way is the only way and has developed a reputation for thoroughness, honesty and excellence. Well-respected member of the local community and a successful business owner and entrepreneur.

Contact Information:

Lori Rose
CW Lorden Real Estate
63 Groton Street
Pepperell, MA 01463
Office: 978.433.5900
Cell: 603.765.1304
lori@cwlordenrealestate.com

Growing Staff at CW Lorden Real Estate!

CW Lorden Real Estate is pleased to welcome Sandra Blood as it's newest agent. Sandra will service interested new clients at our office at 63 Groton Street in downtown Pepperell.

"As an advocate for my clients, I think it's important to acknowledge the economic difficulties people are going through and to help them make the best and wisest decisions based on their personal situation," Blood says. "The first thing I do with my new clients is sit down and have an honest conversation about what it is they want and feasible means of achieving their goals."

As a native of Pepperell, Blood knows the surrounding areas, which gives her an edge and makes her better able to help homebuyers find their dream home.

To discuss your real estate needs, please contact Sandra at CW Lorden Real Estate at 978.433.5900 - direct at sandra@cwlordenrealestate.com

River Road Project starting soon - Cool Video - Check it out

Cool Video - Check it out: Coming Soon

Deep hole and perc tests were completed

this week.

Construction should begin in a month,

prices starting at $399,900 - Call for more info!

978-433-5900

www.cwlordenrealestate.com

Check out the site and watch the progress!

Survey Suggests Affordable Prices and Mortgage Rates Could Help Propel Housing Market Past Tax Expiration

The majority of people looking for, or considering buying, a home had no plans to take advantage of the first-time or move-up/repeat home buyer tax credits, according to a survey recently released from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the housing market after the tax credit extension expired,” said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens. “The tax credit was truly a great motivating factor, with many home buyers taking advantage. However, we found that the tax credit was only one motivation. People buy homes for lifestyle reasons as well and I suspect that the normal seasonality patterns of home buying will still play out now that the tax credit has expired.”

The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate survey was conducted online during the fourth week of February 2010 by Amplitude Research, Inc. The survey results referred to above were based on 422 out of 600 respondents with a maximum sampling error of +/- 4.8% at the 95% confidence level. More information about Amplitude Research may be found at http://www.amplituderesearch.com.
RISMEDIA, May 12, 2010—

End of Home Buyer Tax Credit Unlikely to Deter Most Real Estate Buyers

RISMEDIA, April 29, 2010—The expiration of the 2010 Home Buyer Tax Credits on April 30 is unlikely to put off Americans looking to purchase homes who believe now is a good time to buy and are confident that home prices will rise according to a survey released by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc. The survey of 1,000 Americans between the ages of 25-64 with at least $35,000 household income was conducted during April 15-20, 2010.

More than 90% of consumers believe that the home buyer tax credits have helped both first-time home buyers and the U.S. housing market overall.

“The tax credits clearly helped stimulate the market when consumer confidence was low and housing inventory was high,” said Earl Lee, president, Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc. “While the tax credit expiration is a concern for many, the bigger issues now are the availability and cost of financing as well as if they will have a job.”

Despite the significant downturn in the real estate market, the survey underscores that the dream of homeownership and the perception that owning a home is a good investment remain intact. Among current renters, 75% still believe owning their home is a better long-term choice for their needs than renting.

“The real estate market is precariously balanced. Consumers are clearly motivated to take advantage of the opportunities the current low interest rates and prices afford,” Lee notes. “While the market is picking up in terms of sales and confidence, and the majority still believe that owning a home is a good investment, the outlook for the market remains highly dependent upon the direction of the economy overall.”

Buyers Rush to Meet Tax Credit Deadline

Nearly half the homes sold in March – 48.2 percent – were purchased by first-time buyers, according to a survey of more than 1,500 real estate practitioners by Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance.

I think this is resulting in slightly higher home prices for certain properties. My experience with buyers is that they will choose those homes without a distress situation ie. short sale, foreclosure, auction...and actually pay a little bit more to save themselves from the aggravation and delays...interesting to think about.

"Many observers had felt that the pool of first time home buyers had been depleted last fall," Thomas Popik, research director for Campbell Surveys, said in a statement. "Instead, the normal spring-summer buying season is combining with the tax credit to produce blow-out results for first-time home buyers."



Source: Reuters news (04/19/2010)

This Weekend in Pepperell Rentals Open House April 18th 1-3

3 Units still available, all are 3 bedroom with 1 bath. Kitchen is equipped with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, dishwasher and ceramic tile. Each unit has washer/dryer hookup. Occupancy May/June. Find yourself in complete comfort in this newly renovated luxury apartment. Centrally located in the heart of Pepperell, walk to all amenities. Call for more details.

Open House Sunday, April 11, 2010 1-3pm @ 77 River Road, Pepperell

Coming Soon!

Stop by and see this great location for a bright and sunny New Construction, to be built soon!

Whether you are 1st time buyer, moving up or empty nester. Great layout with first floor master bedroom suite, spacious open kitchen to family room. Many designs to choose from or bring you own and builder will take a look. Watch for signs as there is no house up yet. Stop by the lots and check them out! Prices starting @ $399,000

5 Tips to Help Teens Understand Importance of Financial Literacy

April is Financial Literacy Month, and the recently announced findings of the annual “Teens and Personal Finance Survey” conducted by Junior Achievement (JA) and the Allstate Foundation, indicate it might be wise to pay a little more attention to the importance of financial literacy–especially with teens.

According to the survey’s findings, 42% of the teens who don’t manage their money aren’t even interested in money management. Despite this lack of interest, 86% still think they’ll be as financially well-off or better off than their parents.

Communicate – It’s not easy to get your teen to talk or to listen, but try to include them in conversations about family finances. Help them build a better understanding about saving and budgeting through real life examples – like why there will be no vacation because the roof needs to be repaired or being able to buy a new car because you saved for it.

Encourage them to take responsibility for their own money and purchases – Don’t just handle everything for your teen. If they have a cell phone, do they pay the bill or even know the monthly cost? Tap into their interests and tie it to money, whether it’s music and what’s being spent on downloads, sports and the cost of events or equipment, or the latest fashion fad and finding a bargain or shopping at a resale store to achieve the same look. Get them in the habit of saving; even $1 a week can start a positive pattern that will last a lifetime.

Be a role model - Take a good look at what you do and say when it comes to money. If it seems to flow freely without any questions or concerns, then your teen might make the assumption money will always be there.

Provide positive reinforcement - When you talk money, the topic shouldn’t be all doom and gloom despite the current economy. Make the connection between the right decision and a reward. Notice smart choices and a little spending restraint, and compliment your teen on their wise money moves not just their mistakes.

Educate yourself, so you can educate your family - Make sure you’re armed with some financial knowledge so you can pass along that knowledge to your children. Beyond such basics as budgeting and saving, know what a good credit score is and the impact it has on your ability to get a mortgage, car loan or credit card.
RISMEDIA, April 5, 2010—

Applications to Purchase Homes Rise!

Mortgage applications for purchases of homes rose 2.7 percent last week on an adjusted basis compared to the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey. However, refinancing activity decreased as rates rose.

On an unadjusted basis, mortgage applications increased 2.8 percent. They declined 15 percent compared to the same week a year ago.

The refinance share of mortgage applications decreased 7.1 percent last week. Overall, the bankers’ applications index declined 3.9 percent compared to the previous week.

Here are the average rates:
30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.01 percent from 4.91 percent.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.33 percent from 4.24 percent.
1-year ARMs remained unchanged at 6.75 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (03/24/2010)

10 Staging Tips for Selling Your Home

Want to sell your home? Get out the bucket, mop and Mr. Clean. The key to making a positive first impression is simple; clean, clean and clean said Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show, Rinomato offered the following tips for staging a home:

1. Visit model homes and examine shelter magazines for inexpensive decorating ideas. Always keep in mind you are not decorating for yourself but for the general public.

2. Start with the outside. Give the house a fresh coat of paint, add shiny hardware to the front door and plant a few flowers to send a subliminal message the house is loved and well cared for.

3. Declutter every room to make it look larger. Get rid of family pictures, trophies and knickknacks. Closets and drawers should be no more than 30% full.

4. Invest in eco-friendly but bright lights. Open the drapes or remove them completely. “Light, bright rooms give the impression this is a happy place—and everyone wants to move into a happy place,” said Rinomato.

5. Feature only a few pieces of furniture with mainstream appeal. Pull pieces away from walls to make rooms look bigger.

6. Make sure a room’s primary use is obvious. A bedroom should look like a bedroom, not an office, hobby center or gym.

7. Bedrooms and kitchens are difficult to stage because they are in daily use, but make the effort. Clear everything off the counters and nightstands, roll up the rugs and hide the laundry hamper. Buff the cabinets with car wax and clean under the sinks. Invest in pristine white bed linens and towels.

8. Minimize the “pet effect.” Remove food bowls and litter boxes to the utility room. Deodorize thoroughly.

9. Organize the utility room and garage. Hang up the bicycles, roll up the hose. Renting a storage locker is worth the cost if it helps you sell faster and for a higher price.

10. Once your house is staged, invite your friends or Realtor over and walk them through to get an objective opinion.

Some Good Stats...baby steps, but encouraging!

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Decreases 2% in February 2010

RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its February 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—were reported a decrease of 2% from the previous month but still 6% above the level reported in February 2009. The report also shows one in every 418 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing in February.

Tough stuff still, but some good news is better than none! I'm hoping for this to be a continuing trend.

Existing Home Sale Data 2010 vs 2009

Existing-home sales fell in January 2010 but are above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops- dropped 7.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million units in January from a revised 5.44 million in December, but remain 11.5% above the 4.53 million-unit level in January 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there is still some delay between shopping and closing that affected current sales. “Most of the completed deals in January were based on contracts in November and December. People who got into the market after the home buyer tax credit was extended in November have only recently started to offer contracts, so it will take a couple months to close those sales,” he said. “Still, the latest monthly sales decline is not encouraging, and raises concern about the strength of a recovery.”

Total housing inventory at the end of January fell 0.5% to 3.27 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.8-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 7.2-month supply in December. Raw unsold inventory is 9.6% below a year ago, and is at the lowest level since March 2006.

“Activity should be picking up strongly in late spring as buyers take advantage of the tax credit, which is critical to absorb distressed properties reaching the market and to continually chip away at inventory,” Yun said. “With a downtrend in the number of homes on the market, especially in the lower price ranges, values are beginning to firm but with great variance around the country.”

1]RISMEDIA, March 4, 2010

Interesting Article... So True!

Vacation Homes: Buy Low, Sell Never

Everyone knows one of those guys whose grandparents bought a vacation home for peanuts when property was cheap. Once a year, you get invited—to the lake house, the slopeside cabin—and say the same thing to yourself on the drive back: I wish my family had a place like that.

Well, now's your chance. Low prices and record-low mortgage rates make this the best time in generations to buy your dream escape. Not so you can flip it—those games are thankfully over—but to use it, then, someday, hand it down. Your job is to pick one. Your grandkids will thank you.

Reminder for Tax Credit Deadline

If you're looking to take advantage of the home buyers tax credits, time is short!

Last November, Congress extended and expanded the home buyers tax credit portion of the economic stimulus through April 30, 2010. That leaves just about 2 1/2 months left to purchase a home. Unlike the prior deadline where the transaction had to closed by the expiration date, this time it only needs to be under contract by the April 30th deadline with closing occurring no later than June 30, 2010.

To recap, there are two tax credits available -- an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and a $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers for homes priced up to $800,000. Income caps are $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for married couples.

Let me know if you need for info!