Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
New Home Sales Rise - Fastest Pace in Five Months:
New single-family home sales rose in October and the supply of homes on the market fell to its lowest level since April of last year, showing some healing in the housing sector.
The Commerce Department reported on Monday that sales edged up 1.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted 307,000-unit annual rate, which was the fastest pace in five months.
The supply of new homes in the market would last 6.3 months at the current pace of sales.
The supply of new homes in the market would last 6.3 months at the current pace of sales.
This report follows the trend set by last week's gain of 1.3% for Existing Home Sales. Both market segments continue to perform better than analysts' expectations and show some much needed strength in the housing market.
Keen to Conquer Your Clutter?
Date:Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Time:7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Venue:Whitney Place
Address:Three Vision Drive Route 9 West Natick, MA 01760
Organizing Expert & Life Coach Sibel Babacan (aka our very own Dr.Bee) will be leading a discussion on the Top 10 Organizing Dilemmas for busy families and what to do about them. We will also talk about common organizing mistakes and simple, creative solutions to overcome them. This will be an informal meeting during which members will be invited to share their own challenges and success stories, as well.
Sponsored by the MetroWest Boston chapter of Mothers & More. With over 200 members from Framingham, Natick and surrounding areas, Mothers & More provides information, support, and fun for both working and stay-at-home moms, with children of all ages. Non-mobile infants welcome.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Housing to gradually improve in 2012, NAR economist says
by KERRY CURRY
Gradual improvement in the housing market is expected next year, with existing-home sales edging up 4% to 5% and new home sales getting an even bigger boost off this year's record lows, the chief economist of the nation's largest real estate group said Friday.
"Tight mortgage credit conditions have been holding back homebuyers all year, and consumer confidence has been shaky recently," Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, said. "Nonetheless, there is a sizeable pent-up demand based on population growth, employment levels and a doubling-up phenomenon that can’t continue indefinitely."
Yun, who made his comments during the annual NAR conference for real estate agents under way in Anaheim, Calif., projected gross domestic product growth of 1.8% for 2011, rising to 2.2% in 2012 with the unemployment rate declining to 8.7% by the second half of 2012.
Mortgage interest rates, he predicted, would gradually rise from record 2011 lows to 4.5% by the middle of 2012.
"Very favorable affordability conditions will dominate next year as well, which will probably be the second best year on record dating back to 1970. Our hope is that credit restrictions will ease and allow more homebuyers to take advantage of current opportunities."
Existing-home sales are forecast to edge up about 1% this year. Based on NAR’s current projection model, existing-home sales would total 4.96 million in 2011. NAR is revising downward existing-home sales totals in recent years although it expects little change to previously reported comparisons based on percentage change.
New-home sales for 2011 are projected at 302,000 this year, a record low, with expectations that they will rise about 23% to 372,000 in 2012.
Housing starts are forecast to rise about 8% to 630,000 from 583,000 in 2011.
With falling inventory, the median home price should rise in 2012, he said. "Home prices have yet to show a definitive stabilization pattern in most areas. Still, given an over-correction in prices, there likely will be moderate appreciation in 2012," Yun said.
Richard Peach, senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Board of New York, said the economy continues to disappoint. "Among the significant structural impediments are the legacy of the housing boom and bust, and fiscal contrition at the state and local level."
He promoted moving foreclosures by giving incentives to military servicemembers.
"My idea is to allocate certificates to 2.5 million service members who served in Afghanistan and Iraq that could be used as a down payment on a foreclosed home in the Fannie or Freddie portfolio," he said. This would help to absorb the inventory and stabilize the housing market.
"Tight mortgage credit conditions have been holding back homebuyers all year, and consumer confidence has been shaky recently," Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, said. "Nonetheless, there is a sizeable pent-up demand based on population growth, employment levels and a doubling-up phenomenon that can’t continue indefinitely."
Yun, who made his comments during the annual NAR conference for real estate agents under way in Anaheim, Calif., projected gross domestic product growth of 1.8% for 2011, rising to 2.2% in 2012 with the unemployment rate declining to 8.7% by the second half of 2012.
Mortgage interest rates, he predicted, would gradually rise from record 2011 lows to 4.5% by the middle of 2012.
"Very favorable affordability conditions will dominate next year as well, which will probably be the second best year on record dating back to 1970. Our hope is that credit restrictions will ease and allow more homebuyers to take advantage of current opportunities."
Existing-home sales are forecast to edge up about 1% this year. Based on NAR’s current projection model, existing-home sales would total 4.96 million in 2011. NAR is revising downward existing-home sales totals in recent years although it expects little change to previously reported comparisons based on percentage change.
New-home sales for 2011 are projected at 302,000 this year, a record low, with expectations that they will rise about 23% to 372,000 in 2012.
Housing starts are forecast to rise about 8% to 630,000 from 583,000 in 2011.
With falling inventory, the median home price should rise in 2012, he said. "Home prices have yet to show a definitive stabilization pattern in most areas. Still, given an over-correction in prices, there likely will be moderate appreciation in 2012," Yun said.
Richard Peach, senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Board of New York, said the economy continues to disappoint. "Among the significant structural impediments are the legacy of the housing boom and bust, and fiscal contrition at the state and local level."
He promoted moving foreclosures by giving incentives to military servicemembers.
"My idea is to allocate certificates to 2.5 million service members who served in Afghanistan and Iraq that could be used as a down payment on a foreclosed home in the Fannie or Freddie portfolio," he said. This would help to absorb the inventory and stabilize the housing market.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Positive Financial Results for Local Business
TJX 3rd-quarter net income rises 9 percent
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The TJX Cos. said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income rose 9 percent as consumers continued to look for bargains at its off-price stores, including Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
TJX has carved a niche for itself, offering discounted clothing and home merchandise at its stores.
CEO Carol Meyrowitz sounded a positive note on the holiday season.
"Although it's still early, November is off to a strong start," she said. The company plans to ship new gift sets into stores throughout the season and ramp up marketing for the holidays, she said.
Net income for the quarter ending rose to $406.5 million, or $1.06 per share, from $372.3 million, or 92 cents per share, last year.
Revenue rose 5 percent to $5.79 billion from $5.53 billion last year.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected net income of $1.05 per share on revenue of $5.84 billion.
Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 3 percent. The measure is considered a key gauge of a retailer's financial health because it excludes results from stores that open or close during the year.
The measure rose 4 percent at the company's T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores and 5 percent at its HomeGoods stores.
The Framingham, Mass.-based company reiterated its guidance for fourth-quarter net income of $1.19 to $1.23 per share, and offered an estimate for annual adjusted earnings of $3.93 to $3.97 per share.
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Analysts expect $1.23 per share for the fourth quarter and $3.96 per share for the year.
TJX said it now expects revenue in stores open at least one year will rise 2 percent to 3 percent in the fourth quarter, from a prior range of 1 percent to 2 percent. But the company said that will be offset by a higher tax rate and unfavorable foreign currency exchange.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The TJX Cos. said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income rose 9 percent as consumers continued to look for bargains at its off-price stores, including Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
TJX has carved a niche for itself, offering discounted clothing and home merchandise at its stores.
CEO Carol Meyrowitz sounded a positive note on the holiday season.
"Although it's still early, November is off to a strong start," she said. The company plans to ship new gift sets into stores throughout the season and ramp up marketing for the holidays, she said.
Net income for the quarter ending rose to $406.5 million, or $1.06 per share, from $372.3 million, or 92 cents per share, last year.
Revenue rose 5 percent to $5.79 billion from $5.53 billion last year.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected net income of $1.05 per share on revenue of $5.84 billion.
Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 3 percent. The measure is considered a key gauge of a retailer's financial health because it excludes results from stores that open or close during the year.
The measure rose 4 percent at the company's T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores and 5 percent at its HomeGoods stores.
The Framingham, Mass.-based company reiterated its guidance for fourth-quarter net income of $1.19 to $1.23 per share, and offered an estimate for annual adjusted earnings of $3.93 to $3.97 per share.
Advertise | AdChoices
Analysts expect $1.23 per share for the fourth quarter and $3.96 per share for the year.
TJX said it now expects revenue in stores open at least one year will rise 2 percent to 3 percent in the fourth quarter, from a prior range of 1 percent to 2 percent. But the company said that will be offset by a higher tax rate and unfavorable foreign currency exchange.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Natick Rentals
Address***** Town***** Description***** List Price
8 Grant St U:2 Natick, MA 2 room, 0 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $695
183 Hartford St U:B Natick, MA : Lokerville 2 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $795
5 Kansas St U:2 Natick, MA 3 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,100
9 Village Rock U:11 Natick, MA 4 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath condominium $1,200
10 High St. U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,300
19 Village Hill Ln U:1 Natick, MA 5 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $1,375
3 Franklin Street U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,375
22 Harrison St. U:2 Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,500
25 Virginia Rd. U:25 Natick, MA 7 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath single family $1,900
164A East Central U:A Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath townhouse/duplex $1,900
164B East Central U:B Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath townhouse/duplex $1,900
63 Summer St U:1 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $2,100
89B Pleasant Street U:B Natick, MA 6 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath single family $2,200
72 Middlesex Ave U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $2,300
2 Wells St U:- Natick, MA 6 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath single family $2,400
10 Sherman Terrace U:1 Natick, MA 10 room, 5 bed, 3f 0h bath single family $3,200
2 Cemetery Street U:2 Natick, MA 11 room, 4 bed, 2f 2h bath single family $3,200
1 Pegan Lane U:0 Natick, MA 11 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath single family $3,800
77 Winter St U:1 Natick, MA 12 room, 5 bed, 4f 1h bath single family $4,200
3 Algonquian Dr U:0 Natick, MA : South Natick 9 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath single family $5,200
©2011 MLS Property Information Network, Inc.
8 Grant St U:2 Natick, MA 2 room, 0 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $695
183 Hartford St U:B Natick, MA : Lokerville 2 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $795
5 Kansas St U:2 Natick, MA 3 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,100
9 Village Rock U:11 Natick, MA 4 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath condominium $1,200
10 High St. U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,300
19 Village Hill Ln U:1 Natick, MA 5 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $1,375
3 Franklin Street U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,375
22 Harrison St. U:2 Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath apartment $1,500
25 Virginia Rd. U:25 Natick, MA 7 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath single family $1,900
164A East Central U:A Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath townhouse/duplex $1,900
164B East Central U:B Natick, MA 5 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath townhouse/duplex $1,900
63 Summer St U:1 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $2,100
89B Pleasant Street U:B Natick, MA 6 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath single family $2,200
72 Middlesex Ave U:2 Natick, MA 4 room, 2 bed, 2f 0h bath condominium $2,300
2 Wells St U:- Natick, MA 6 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath single family $2,400
10 Sherman Terrace U:1 Natick, MA 10 room, 5 bed, 3f 0h bath single family $3,200
2 Cemetery Street U:2 Natick, MA 11 room, 4 bed, 2f 2h bath single family $3,200
1 Pegan Lane U:0 Natick, MA 11 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath single family $3,800
77 Winter St U:1 Natick, MA 12 room, 5 bed, 4f 1h bath single family $4,200
3 Algonquian Dr U:0 Natick, MA : South Natick 9 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath single family $5,200
©2011 MLS Property Information Network, Inc.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Saxonville Artists To Open Their Studios This Weekend
November 10, 2011
This weekend, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., stop by Saxonville Studios, for the annual fall open studios event.
Tour the beautiful studios of a dozen working artists and view the group exhibition in Gallery 2B. This is a free family-friendly event open to the public.
Enjoy refreshments, while you browse and shop for fine art, handcrafted gifts, unique jewelry and more!
Meet the artists and their pets, too. Free parking available.
This weekend, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., stop by Saxonville Studios, for the annual fall open studios event.
Tour the beautiful studios of a dozen working artists and view the group exhibition in Gallery 2B. This is a free family-friendly event open to the public.
Enjoy refreshments, while you browse and shop for fine art, handcrafted gifts, unique jewelry and more!
Meet the artists and their pets, too. Free parking available.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Center for the Arts in Natick
TCAN Presents Tony & Pulitzer-Winning Play This Weekend
The TCAN Players will perform "Proof" all through the weekend.
By Alissa Letkowski
November 4, 2011
No need to go into Boston to find entertainment this weekend, there's plenty happening the Center for Arts in Natick to fill your schedule.
At the Center for the Arts in Natick From Friday Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6, the TCAN Players will perform the Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning play, "Proof." Tickets are $18 for non-members and $16 for members and seniors and students are $9. For a complete description of the play, visit the TCAN website.
Friday and Saturday's shows will begin at 8 p.m. On Sunday the play begins at 2 p.m. and will also be performed next Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
The TCAN Players will perform "Proof" all through the weekend.
By Alissa Letkowski
November 4, 2011
No need to go into Boston to find entertainment this weekend, there's plenty happening the Center for Arts in Natick to fill your schedule.
At the Center for the Arts in Natick From Friday Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6, the TCAN Players will perform the Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning play, "Proof." Tickets are $18 for non-members and $16 for members and seniors and students are $9. For a complete description of the play, visit the TCAN website.
Friday and Saturday's shows will begin at 8 p.m. On Sunday the play begins at 2 p.m. and will also be performed next Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Mortgage rates stay in the basement
Survey shows slight uptick in demand for purchase loans
By Inman News, Thursday, November 3, 2011.
Inman News™
Mortgage rates sagged this week as ongoing concerns about the European debt crisis had investors fleeing to the relative safety of mortgage-backed securities that fund most U.S. home loans.
Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Nov. 3, down from 4.1 percent last week, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
At this time a year ago, rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.24 percent before climbing to a 2011 high of 5.05 percent in February. Rates on the "plain vanilla" fixed-rate loan hit an all-time low in records dating to 1971 of 3.94 percent during the week ending Oct. 6.
Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.31 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from 3.38 percent last week. The 15-year fixed-rate loan averaged 3.63 percent at this time last year before climbing to a 2011 high of 4.29 percent in February.
By Inman News, Thursday, November 3, 2011.
Inman News™
Mortgage rates sagged this week as ongoing concerns about the European debt crisis had investors fleeing to the relative safety of mortgage-backed securities that fund most U.S. home loans.
Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Nov. 3, down from 4.1 percent last week, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
At this time a year ago, rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.24 percent before climbing to a 2011 high of 5.05 percent in February. Rates on the "plain vanilla" fixed-rate loan hit an all-time low in records dating to 1971 of 3.94 percent during the week ending Oct. 6.
Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.31 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from 3.38 percent last week. The 15-year fixed-rate loan averaged 3.63 percent at this time last year before climbing to a 2011 high of 4.29 percent in February.
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