Ouch! FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium scheduled to rise on April 18, Obama Admin pushing for lower FHA Loan Limits by October, and Congress considering raising down payment from 3.5% to 5%: TIME TO BUY. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/higher-costs-ahead-for-fha-insured-mortgages-2011-03-07 What does this all mean? YOUR loan officers, bankers, whatever you call them, are skilled in explaining this information better than myself, but more importantly let your buyer clients know that the cost of borrowing money will get more expensive and challenging.... Reach out today and educate yourself; send a mailing; or pick up that tool called the telephone and call your clients to say BUY! Cheers...Happy St. Patrick's Day to all... 03/15/2011

Home inspectors working in Brookline MA are required to perform a home inspection to the Massachusetts Home Inspector Standards of Practice.  A copy of the Standard will be provided to the client by the home inspector.The MA Home Inspector Standards of Practice is written for the professional home inspector. United Inspection Service has created some easy to read Consumer Information Sheets illustrating what is included and excluded in a Standard MA home inspection. Clear client communications (3c) are one of our core values. See the easy to read one page consumer information sheets for each of the systems in a MA Home Inspection.Visit the Brookline MA Home Inspection page from United Inspection Service for some useful information about homes in Brookline MA and Massachusetts Home Inspe... 03/09/2011

Another phenomenal aspect about Brookline MA is the Climate Change Action Brookline Committee or more commonly referred to as the CCABwhich is a committee that is changing the way we live and work through environmental awareness and action with Brookline MA schools, businesses, town government, public policy, residences, transportation food and partners.   The Mission for the Climate Change Action Brookline:  CCAB - Engage 85% of Brookline households in carbon reduction by Dec. 31, 2012- Achieve a 25% average carbon dioxide reduction for participating households - Create a program that can be replicated by cities and towns throughout the U.S. In addition, the committee has been hosting a number of very interesting events over the past week.  Here are the remaining events for today and l... 01/30/2011

Another really cool thing about Brookline MA is the Green Dog Program!   The Green Dog program was created by the Brookline MA Parks and Recreation Commission to allow dog owners to enjoy some off-leash time with their dogs.  There are several benefits to the dogs, their owners and the community Dogs get needed exercise and socialization time Dogs that are socialized and exercised tend to have better behavior Owners get to socialize and network with other members of the community including fellow dog owners and park visitors There are a few catches though.  Dogs are not allowed in all parks, just the 14 assigned parks and only during certain off-leash hours. All dogs must be registered at the Town Hall and wear a special "Green Dog" tag Dog owners must pay a $50 fee if they are resident... 01/26/2011

Fun Upcoming Brookline Event: Have a Heart Chocolate Extravaganza....Feb 6th  I am a member of the Brookline Rotary Club and we are hosting an event on February 6th called "Have a Heart Chocolate Extravaganza".  It will be held at the Holiday Inn on Beacon Street in Brookline from Noon to 3:00pm on Sunday, February 6th, and proceeds will benefit the Brookline Emergency Food Pantry.  You can buy tickets to the event online at the event's website:  http://rotarychocolateextravaganza.eventbrite.com/    If you plan to come, please buy your ticket in advance, as tickets will cost an extra $10 at the door. There will be chocolate and sweet "tastes" for everyone, a silent auction, a raffle and chamber music.  What a great way to support the community and help fight hunger in Brookline.  Please... 01/24/2011

Brookline MA Real Estate Tool:  Where am I? I just stumbled across a really cool application on the Town of Brookline MA website that was made for people thinking about moving to Brookline or folks who are new to town.  It's called, the "Where am I Resident Information Site"   This application allows one to input any address in Brookline and learn all about it's whereabouts.  For instance, it will tell you what the closest T stop and bus routes are, what Brookline elementary school district you live in, how far away the town hall is, where your voting location is and where the closest park is etc..... If you have a family and are thinking of moving to Brookline MA, this tool will easily tell you what school district you are in!  If you couple this with the blog that I wrote a few days a... 01/21/2011

The clock is ticking...Brookline Tax Abatement Requests due by Feb 1st 2011! A friend of mine was complaining that she recently refinanced her condo and that it was appraised for $100K less than the assessed value.  I immediately told her that she should apply for a tax abatement from the Brookline Assessors office.   Tax abatements are sought when someone feels that their home has been unfairly overvalued.  When the tax assessment is higher than it should be, you pay more in property taxes than you need to. The procedure to follow is rather simple, just fill out the tax abatement form which is available here:  http://www.brooklinema.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=90 Note:  the tax abatement form must be filed for each property in each fiscal year in questio... 01/16/2011

Brookline's Public Elementary School system: Another thing that's unique about Brookline is that there are 8 public elementary schools for children in Pre-K through 8th grade and NO middle schools.   In fact, just about all of the schools feature a different language program for students to participate in.  Children can learn Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Hebrew and Spanish at the various elementary schools.  Here is a break down of the 8 public elementary schools located in Brookline in alphabetical order. Baker School:  located in Chestnut Hill and is the 2nd largest school in Brookline.  Baker also offers system-wide programs that include the Korean English Language Learner program and an Intensive Learning Center program.  Baker School is an "international" school, where 1/3 ... 01/13/2011

Another really cool thing about living in Brookline is that the library is way ahead of many in other cities and towns!  For instance, we have a SELF check out scanning system.  All that you have to do is scan your library card and then set your books (up to about 5 at a time)  on the rubber mat and the computer scanner magically reads the title, author etc...and logs your books as being checked out by you!  It's really cool that it can drill down to about 5 books and gather all of the info in about 2 seconds!  Seriously, I've been so impressed!  In fact, a little alert comes up if you have any over due books from your last visit and you can pay the fine with your credit card also at this terminal. Another really cool thing about the Brookline library is their collection of DVDs and CDs... 01/10/2011

This is a guest blog post from my colleague, Susanna Stiefel, 30 year resident of Brookline, MA. Brookline is a town of many hills. One of the most prominent is Corey Hill that rears up between Coolidge Corner and Washington Square. If you go straight up steep Summit Avenue all the way to the top, you reach Corey Hill Park and wonderful vistas. On one side is a playground with play equipment and picnic tables. There is also a gentle slope for timid sledding. The view from the playground looks west for sunset views. On the other side is a steep grassy slope that leads down to Jordan Road. That's for the daredevil sledders who don't look before they leap. There are wide views looking northeast towards Cambridge. You can even see some of the white turrets of Harvard University buildings in... 01/02/2011

Across the street from the Brookline Village "T" stop, this luxury Brookline building is an marvelous gated luxury condominium complex just minutes from downtown Boston. This apartment has fantastic views of the Brookline and Boston skylines. Amenities include garage parking, 24 hour on site security, multiple pools, large exercise rooms with extensive equipment, tennis courts, a golf hitting area and more. This complex is less than a mile from the Longwood Medical area, and is located directly across from two different "T" line - both providing service to downtown Boston as well as outlying areas. This property is near water access on ponds and the Emerald necklace walking paths. Additionally, multiple bus lines enable access to most of the surrounding areas while traveling by car eith... 12/29/2010

It's the silly season. If you are not feeling jolly yet, here are some suggestions to help you find a little peace on earth. [/caption] Take a drive to look at the lights. One of my best winter memories come from the drives we took as a family to see the holiday lights. We didn't always drive into Boston to see the amazing display on the Boston Commons. Many times, we drove around the neighborhood to our delight, admiring the neighborhood decor. Talk about simple pleasures! Go to the movies--but not just any theatre. The Coolidge Corner Theatre is a not-for-profit independent movie theatre. Enjoy the cool art deco designed theatre and choose from the eclectic offerings and special events. Worth noting is the great snack bar that offers good chocolate and tea in addition to the standard ... 12/25/2010

    Brookline Massachusetts Real Estate Market Reports for Homes Sold in Q2 2010     Brookline Single Family Home Sales The Brookline, MA 2nd quarter real estate market report for  homes sold indicates that there were 52 single family transactions in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to 27 in 2009. This is a 93% increase in the number of homes sold. The average sales price declined from $1,476,583 in 2009 to $1,261,898 in 2010, a 15% decrease in value. The days on market changed -44 % from 128  to 72. This data indicates a higher transaction count due to lower sales prices.  Go to Brookline MA Q2 2010 market report for additional information including condos sold. Visit Brookline MA real estate for information about the community, relocation, demographics, MLS search, home buying a... 12/18/2010

Brookline is perhaps the only neighborhood of Boston that has retained its own identity. Known for its diverse culture with a wide mix of different people, Brookline features a blend of both suburban and urban living. Owing to a large number of Israeli immigrants, Brookline is strongly influenced by the Jewish culture. More than 35% of Brookline's population is composed of Jews. The neighborhood is also a home for numerous synagogues. Having close proximity to Boston, Brookline is also well-known for its great schools. The Brookline schools, in large portion, are supported by property taxes Brookline is home to numerous science and academic professionals engaged in work at the Boston's medical centers. Brookline is home to numerous shopping centers including a variety of restaurants, ma... 11/30/2010

66 Winchester Street, Unit 502, Brookline, MA Coolidge Corner Area! - 5th Level, $2,300/Month, 1198 sq. ft. Luxury Condo - A STEAL at this price Large two bedroom condominium in the heart of Coolidge Corner. Spacious open floor plan combines living/dining area for easy living. Amenities include one-car parking, in-unit washer/dryer, elevator, air conditioning, ample closets, extra storage. Replacement heat/cooling units, updated bathroom. Move in condition. Additional parking spots avail for rent.     Sincerely, Christian R. Heide - Real Estate Agent"Your Real Estate Advisor For Life" 1318 Beacon Street, Suite 16Brookline, MA 02446207.838.9332 (mobile)617.232.3220 (office)617.608.1632 (fax)Christian@fitkova.comwww.fitkova.com Referrals are the biggest complement I can receive.  If you o... 11/05/2010

  Whether you are moving to Brookline from another part of Boston or from further away, you’ll find exploring your new neighborhood exciting and rewarding. Brookline is a friendly area with a close-knit community that is only a short trip to downtown Boston. Beautiful neighborhoods comprised of houses, condos, and large estates are interspersed with quaint foot-traffic-friendly commerce areas. In Brookline you’ll find a mix of upscale boutiques, spas, and restaurants along with more rustic pubs and eclectic shops. The area attracts a variety of residents including young professionals, families, elderly, and students. Because of Brookline’s many housing options and different neighborhoods, it is essential that you have a reputable real estate agent—one who is experienced with the Brookli... 09/24/2010

If you are planning a move to the Boston area, one of the many things to consider when relocating besides the availability of houses for sale in Boston, is also the proximity to interesting and educational things to do.  While this may not be a deciding factor in where you choose to live, it will no doubt play an important role in getting to know as much as possible about your new neighborhood and its history. If you happen to be searching for property in the Brookline area, be sure to set aside a bit of time off from house hunting to take a wander through the Lars Anderson Museum.  If you are interested in the history of the automobile then this is a local attraction you won’t want to miss. Two wealthy Boston socialites, Isabel and Lars Anderson had a love of the automobile and purcha... 09/22/2010

Maybe you’re planning a vacation to Boston, or maybe you’re on a house hunting for your own little piece of Boston real estate.  Whatever the reason for your stay, a Brookline Bed and Breakfast can provide a travel experience you won’t soon forget.  The B & Bs of Brookline offer comfort, quality and homey surroundings that you won’t find in any hotel.   Combined with the cozy comforts of home are the rich senses of history, heritage and architecture that many of the inns offer.  Here is a description of just a few of the very best bed and Breakfast inns in Brookline. Beacon InnThe Beacon Inn is actually located in three separate brownstone town homes that have been completely restored to offer charming and inviting guest homes, situated in a quaint residential neighborhood just minutes... 09/16/2010

Trend in Home Sales in Brookline MA Through May 2010 According to Trulia.com, sales prices of homes in Brookline have increased 8.4% over the past year through May 2010. The current average listing price of homes for sale in Brookline MA is $1,021,766, while the current median sales price is $466,000. The median sales price is the price at which one half of the homes sold above that amount, and one half of the homes sold below that amount. Below is a chart of the trend of median prices of homes for sale in Brookline MA over the past year through May 2010: Brookline Recently Sold Homes Below is a chart of the trend in home sales in Brookline MA over the past year through May 2010: Brookline Recently Sold Homes If you're looking to buy a home or condo in Brookline MA or in the surrounding... 06/22/2010

Rate Forecast for June 22, 2010 Here are some of the events affecting mortgage rates today: What Mortgage Backed Securities Are Doing Today: The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon opened at 103.03 this morning - the same as yesterday's close. At 9:30 AM, the 4.5% MBS coupon was trading at 103.12 - up 3/32 from its opening. Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes up, the yield comes down - and so do mortgage rates. I expect that mortgage rates will be up to 0.125 points better in price this morning as compared to yesterday. Price Trend in Mortgage Backed Securities: The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon over the past 30 days from 5-23-2010 to 6-22-2010: Economic Reports, News, and Events Affecting Mortgage Interest Rates To... 06/22/2010