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Massachusetts Home Sales Worse Than US

Although new home constructions may be one the rise, sales for existing homes dropped in July 27.2%; the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors started its tally in 1999. The drop does not come as a surprise; as economists had predicted this drop to coincide with the expiration of the Obama home-buyer tax credit.

Locally, the market isn’t doing any better. In fact, sales of homes in Massachusetts plummeted 28% in July, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. This is the biggest drop year-over-year since March 2008, and the first drop in sales in the past 12 months.

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Read more about the local housing market by clicking here.

Read more about the national housing market by clicking here.

OLD&D Architects Announcement

Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects of Manchester-by-the-sea, Mass., is pleased to announce that architect Steven Scapicchio has joined Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects. Mr. Scapicchio worked with Alex Coogan prior to joining OLD&D. Olson Lewis Diolo & Doktor is a full-service architectural firm that embraces a collaborative design process with its clients. Read more about OLD&D by clicking here.

10 Simple Ways To Make Your Home “Greener”

Going ‘green’ doesn’t always have to mean going the expensive hybrid, solar panel route. There are simple, effective, and inexpensive ways to have a ‘greener home.’ MyHomeIdeas has compiled a list of ten steps toward doing so, first of which is filling your dishwasher with every use. By doing this, you can save an estimated 100 pound of carbon dioxide, as well as $40 per year. Next up, fix your household leaks. If you spot a leak anywhere, fix it, or contact someone who can. According to the article, leaky toilets can waste 30 to 50 gallons of water per day, and leaky faucets anywhere from 15 to 20. Keep reading this list of easy household fixes that can save energy and cash by clicking here.

Boast A Beautiful Yard With Minimal Upkeep

Creating and maintaining an aesthetically-pleasing and unique backyard is not an impossible task, especially when you follow a set of guidelines like the list set forth by This Old House, for “The Easy Care Yard.” First, plant a front-yard garden. Not only will this be a visually appealing addition to your home, but it also can create some privacy and minimize the amount of mowing and lawn maintenance you’ll need to do as well. Next, and in keeping with this same theme; keep the lawn to a minimum. By doing this, you can once again minimize upkeep and use it to juxtapose any hardscape or decorations you may choose to accent your yard. Continue reading these tips by clicking here.

New Home Constructions Rise, Housing Permits Fall

Last month new home construction rose nearly 2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000, according to the Commerce Department. The number is under the 555,000 that economists had expected new home construction starts to rise to, according to an estimate from Briefing.com, but any type of rise in today’s murky housing climate is a positive one. Despite this quasi-encouraging tidbit, applications for new building permits dropped in July to a seasonally adjusted rate of 565,000, down 3.1% from a revised 583,000 in June. To read more about the state of the housing market on CNNMoney, click here.

Developer Pushes Plans For Two New Fenway Buildings

A Boston developer is pushing plans to construct two new buildings in the Fenway area as part of an ongoing effort to invigorate the area. This time it’s not Don Chiofaro — the Boston developer that proposes a massive two-tower waterfront addition near the Aquarium —but Samuels & Associates, that filed a letter of intent to the city. In the plans, new apartments; underground parking; and retails and office space would be built into Fenway area as part of two-mixed use buildings. According to CEO Steven Samuels – whose company already owns 11 buildings in the Fenway area – the plan is to transform the area into something similar to Newbury and Boylston streets. Read more about this redevelopment plan on the Boston Globe website by clicking here.

Home Prices Rise During Obama Tax Credit

According to National Association of Realtors data, home prices rose in nearly two-thirds of US cities this spring. The median sales price for US homes rose compared year-over-year in 100 out of 155 metropolitan areas tracked in April through June, which can be attributed to the tax incentives laid out by the Obama administration, which boosted home sales throughout its active period. However, the increased activity faded once the credits expired at the end of April, and home sales dropped in June — and prices are expected to follow suit. To read this entire Boston Globe article, click here.

Luxurious $55 Million Cohasset Oceanfront Property

Only three different sets of owners have lived in the Georgian revival mansion known as “The Oaks,” since it was built in 1850, but recently room was made for a forth. This past May, the home, along with its three surrounding properties, went on sale for the eye-opening price tag of $55 million. The home is a completely renovated luxurious masterpiece, which sits on more than 9 acres of gorgeous Cohasset oceanfront property which includes a tennis court, swimming pool, marina, private beach, and more. On top of the breathtaking beauty of “The Oaks” and all it has to offer; it would be tough to ignore the remaining three properties. These include: The Cohasset Harbor Inn —a 55-room inn and conference center; Atlantica and The Olde Salt House — a restaurant complex with capacity for more than 500 guests; and the Mill River Marina — a marine facility with four renovated buildings. To view this Jonathan Radford listing, click here.