Cheryl Nightingale - Monarch Realty Group, LLC

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.  Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends December 2017 Newsletter The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.  Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and REALTOR.com local community reports.  If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Money Picture”  for

Approaching the topic of moving a loved one from their home into an adult community or retirement home can be a tricky conversation to start; even just the transition part can be challenging. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be – if you know how to prepare. Here are some simple tactics to start a conversation with a family member and make the transition a smooth one: 1) Deciding it’s time to transition.  This might be the most sensitive part – making the decision. It will likely be the easiest on everyone if your family member comes to this conclusion on their own. More likely, though, you’ve reached a decision and your family member initially disagrees. It’s normal to wonder if you’re making the right choice – if you’re sure, a very important next step is to take action. The longer your loved one stays in their current housing situation, the more probable it is that a crisis, like a fall or other emergency, could occur and increase the urgency of the move. It will be easi

If you have elderly family members, you may already be thinking about how suitable their living situation will become in the next few years. A top question on the minds of folks in this situation is whether to remodel their current home to fit their needs or to downsize to a smaller home. Here are some key factors to explore to help you with your decision. 1) Will you earn back the upfront costs of either option? Look at both the option to remodel and to downsize and figure out what your return on investment could be. Keep in mind that most Bourne home renovations don’t pay for themselves with a higher sale price — the most you might recover from a  remodel  is approximately 80 percent of the upfront costs. When considering the costs of listing the current home for sale and moving to a smaller one in an area like Cataumet, determine if they’ll be in the new home long enough to earn back the upfront expenditures. 2) How long will it take to remodel? A home renovation is goi

If a conventional Bourne home loan isn’t an option, you may be wondering if a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan would be suitable for you. The FHA is a Federal government agency that was created by the National Housing Act of 1934. The FHA loan program insures loans made by banks and other private lenders.  Here are some pros and cons to FHA mortgage loans to consider: Pros: You may be eligible if you have some blemishes on your credit report. If your credit score is lower than 600, you may not qualify for a conventional loan but could qualify for an FHA loan. You can still purchase a home if you have a small down payment—around 3.5% is all you’ll need. If your mortgage payments account for a large portion of your paycheck, you could be eligible to spend up to 57% of your total income on monthly debt obligations; such as your mortgage, auto loans, child support, and credit card payments. If you sell your home, a new buyer could assume your loan, making rising in

Have you eaten at the  Chart Room  located at the  Kingsman Yacht Center  in Cataumet? The Chart Room has the perfect atmosphere to enjoy cocktails outside with stunning views of Red Brook Harbor which makes this restaurant a go to place for both visitors and locals. If you had the opportunity to dine at the restaurant, did you take a moment to glance around your surroundings?  If so, you may have noticed the beautifully constructed townhouses above you over looking the harbor. Not only are these luxury townhouses visible from Kingman Yacht Center and the Chart Room, you cannot help but notice their stature on the hill as you drive down Shore Road.  Let's take a peek inside - This kitchen offers coastal white appointed cabinets, long lasting durable wood flooring, three stunning oversized windows with views, a center island with multiple seating and a attractive contrasting color to add a bit of excitement to the design. The open concept floor plan, invites entertain

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.  Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends November 2017 Newsletter  The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.  Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and REALTOR.com local community reports.  If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a fr

Buying your first home can seem like a daunting process. From mortgage rates to taxes to closing costs, there’s certainly a lot to consider. Because your new home will likely be the biggest investment of your life, it’s crucial that you learn about the process before you get started. The more you know about the home buying process in Bourne, the more likely you will be able to get the home of your dreams at a price you can afford. That’s why we’ve put together these six tips for helping you achieve your goal of homeownership. 1) Know what you want. When purchasing a residential property in an area like Cataumet or Pocasset, you’ll have several options to consider. These include traditional single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and more. Each type of property has its benefits and drawbacks, so before you move forward in the home buying process, make sure you pin down which property type will best suit your needs. 2) Know where you want to buy. Just as properties have

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home in Bourne, it’s time to consider how you’ll pay for it. Mortgages can be complicated, and selecting the wrong one could seriously jeopardize your future. Here are a few pointers for choosing your mortgage wisely. GET TO KNOW THE PLAYERS Talk to a friend or relative who’s local in the Cataumet area and has recently gotten a mortgage– ask if they would recommend their lender and why. Then, reach out to your real estate agent or someone else who deals with mortgage lenders regularly (a financial adviser, attorney, etc.) for help with creating a list of lenders. Search the web and research these recommended lenders extensively, being sure to push past the advertising and investigate fees, lock-in periods, and qualification requirements. GO LONG When it came to mortgages, the emphasis used to be on paying them off as soon as possible. Today, the average debt accumulated per person due to credit cards, student loans, etc. indicates tha

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.  Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends October 2017 Newsletter  The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.  Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and REALTOR.com local community reports.  If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “ Home Evaluator ” link for a free ev

YOUR COMPLETE MOVE-OUT GUIDE You can hardly wait to move into your new Bourne home. You’ve been picking out paint colors, planning how you’ll arrange your belongings, and checking out restaurants and shops in your new community. While all this planning is exciting, there’s one very important thing you need to wrap up first—your sold home! Here are some smart tips to make moving out go off without a hitch. 1) Prepare in the weeks and days before.  The more you can get done ahead of time to prepare for moving out of your sold home, the better. On moving day, all of your belongings should be packed in boxes and ready to go to your new home—Moving day is not packing day! Packing up your belongings a little each day in the weeks leading up to your move will make the process feel manageable, and you’ll also be able to put the time and care into packing your things carefully if you’re not rushing. 2) Prepare your kids for the transition.  Change can be difficult, and this

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BOURNE LAWN WITHOUT WASTING RESOURCES Whether you have a small yard in Cataumet or an acre of land in Pocasset, you want to keep your lawn looking and feeling lush—so how do you do this without breaking the bank? Your lawn can stay green and healthy all season long with these simple budget-friendly tips. 1) Don’t water your lawn.  This might go against what you’re thinking, but it will only die if your area is experiencing a drought. If your homeowner’s agreement requires you to water your lawn—water only when you see signs of drought stress—the grass bending or drooping at the top. If you see this, it’s time to water. 2) Use sprinkler systems efficiently.  Most sprinkler systems have smart timers to adjust the watering time and frequency. To maximize the system’s value, you’ll also want to adjust the flow rate and spray patterns so that you’re not wasting water from overspray. 3) Collect rainwater with rain barrels.  You may be able to purchase

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general. The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.org reports, videos, key market indicators and real estate sales statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more. Please  click here  to view the September 2017 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter. If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the  Home Evaluator  link for a free evaluation report. Close this Window

Even if your Bourne home is kept tidy, decluttering your home is essential to getting it ready for your open house and for showings. When potential homebuyers are shown your Cataumet home, they can easily become overwhelmed and distracted by visual clutter. Here are eight easy ways to eliminate the mess and make your home show-ready. 1) Get rid of stuff you don’t need.  Keeping your home clutter-free is an ongoing process, but during this important time you’ll need to remove things you’re not using. Go through every room in your home, one at time and sort into piles: Sell – move into storage bins during showings or have a garage sale Donate – load up the car right away and donate it Trash – take it right to the curb If you’re having trouble deciding, sometimes it’s helpful to ask yourself, “If I was in a store right now, would I buy this?” If the answer is no—let someone else enjoy it, or toss it. 2) Consider furniture with hidden storage solutions.  Decorativ

You’ve packed your bags, double checked your flight time, and tucked your passport into your bag. Remember to safeguard your Cataumet home from potential burglars before you sip a frosty beverage on a sandy beach. Here are some smart ways to protect your home: Lock up.  This might sound overly obvious, but make sure you’ve secured all door and window locks, including night locks when you leave. Put lights on timers.  A well-lit home should detract potential burglars so set timers on lights to go on and off when you’d normally be home. Make sure your mail doesn’t pile up.  A pile of newspapers on your front porch or an over-stuffed mailbox are sure signs that no one has been home for a while. Have a trusted friend or neighbor collect your mail and any packages once a day or every few days to make it look like someone is home. Putting a stop on your mail isn’t necessarily a smart idea because your mail carrier will know you’re away. Keep a car parked in the driveway.  Your

Moving Day It’s move-in day! Moving into your new Cataumet home is both exciting and exhausting. There’s no arguing that moving is a lot of work, but there are some easy ways to make sure the day goes smoothly. 1) Pre-move the bathroom and kitchen.  Once you’ve closed on your new home and have your new keys in hand, visit your new abode and make a list of everything new you’ll need to buy. These might be things like an additional garbage can, toilet paper holders, or a shower curtain rod. Purchase these items before you move, and move them into your new Bourne home before moving day to have these in place. 2) Measure your new rooms.  Moving a bulky couch can be labor-intensive so it’s important to make sure all that hard work will pay off. Make sure to measure the dimensions of your new rooms to evaluate which furniture should be donated or left behind instead of transported. 3) Deep Clean.  Most sellers leave their homes swept but, while it’s totally empty, you’re pro

Maintenance Check List If you’ve ever owned a home in Bourne before, you know that just like your vehicle needs regular maintenance like oil changes to run well—so does your home. It can be easy to ignore or put these things off, but a well-maintained home will save you money from costly repairs in the long run, and make your home easier to sell when the time comes. Start giving your home some TLC with some of these must-do maintenance tips: Monthly Change HVAC or furnace filters. If your family is small and pet-free, simply inspect the filter and replace every 2-3 months. Clean range hood filters. Mix a degreaser with hot water, let it soak, then rinse it off. Check water softener. Check the salt level, add some if needed, and read the display to make sure no error codes are displayed. You’ll usually only add salt a few times a year. Biannually Deep clean. Roll up your sleeves and deep clean appliances, windows, lighting, and every crevice and corner. Keeping