Register O’Donnell Reports on March 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that the March numbers relative to Norfolk County real estate activity decreased as compared to March 2021 but showed an increase over February’s numbers.

“Our data indicates that the Norfolk County real estate market in March slowed when compared to March 2021 but has rebounded somewhat when compared to the February numbers”, noted Register O’Donnell. “There were 12,402 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in March, a 38% decrease from March, 2021 but an increase of 21% from last month.

“The number of deeds for March 2022, which reflect real estate sales and transfers both commercial and residential, decreased by 8% from March 2021 but increased by 58% from February. Sale prices continue to increase compared to last year but now appear to be leveling off. The average sale price in March  was $1,122,863, a 23% increase compared to March 2021 but down 8% from February. Total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales also showed gains from one year ago, increasing 13% and surprisingly are up 46% from February,” noted the Register. “The March number compared to February may be skewed somewhat by a small number of high priced commercial transactions. Four separate sales of commercial properties together totaling over $200 million dollars were recorded in March. It remains to be seen if this trend continues into the second quarter.”

Overall lending activity showed a decrease again for the month of March. A total of 2,399 mortgages were recorded during the month, a 56% decrease compared to a year ago but up 24% from last month. “It appears that many consumers have already refinanced given the past low interest rate environment, although the mortgage activity is starting to pick up from earlier this year, perhaps due to a concern about rates increasing,” noted O’Donnell.

A continuing cause for concern in Norfolk County is the number of foreclosures. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely watching the foreclosure market. During March, there were 5 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, one more than in March, 2021.  However, there were 11 Notices to Foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded in March, down from 16 recorded in March 2021, and down from 27 recorded last month. “These numbers remind us that some of our neighbors are still facing financial challenges”, said O’Donnell.  “We will continue to monitor these numbers.”

 

For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950 to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Register O’Donnell stated, “If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance.”

 

Homestead recordings by owners of homes and condominiums decreased this month at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.   There was a 17% decrease in homestead recordings in March 2022 compared to March 2021 but an increase of 39% from February. “The comparison from last March is not too surprising where the sales of homes have started to level off, but all homeowners, not just new purchasers, should keep in mind that a recorded Declaration of Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000,” noted O’Donnell. “We want to see folks protecting the biggest asset most of us have, our homes.  I would urge anyone who has not availed themselves of this important consumer protection tool to consider doing so.  The recording fee is only $36. Feel free to visit the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org  to get more information on homesteads and to make sure you have taken advantage of this protection.”

 

Register O’Donnell concluded, “March real estate activity in Norfolk County continues to show a decline from last year but looks like it’s beginning to pick up as we head into the second quarter. We still see available real estate inventory as a source of concern in Norfolk County but clearly, the market is not as hot as last year. Whether this translates into more and better opportunities for buyers, particularly first time buyers, remains to be seen.”

The Registry of Deeds continues to be open to the public for business. Registry personnel are processing in-person recordings while vigilantly maintaining Covid related protocols.  The drop-off box located at the main entrance of the Registry Building will continue to be available for use by those members of the public who may not be comfortable entering the Registry of Deeds Building The volume of documents recorded electronically for many of our institutional users continues to increase.. We are also receiving documents in person, via regular mail, Federal Express, UPS and from our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA.”     

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

 

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

March 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Register O'Donnell Encourages Use of the Registry’s Social Media

Moving forward into what appears to be another busy year at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, Register William P. O’Donnell today restated the importance he places on the Registry’s use of social media platforms to communicate directly with the citizens of Norfolk County.

“Communication with our users,” noted O’Donnell, “is a priority at this Registry of Deeds. Our doors may close at the end of the business day but that doesn’t mean the Registry stops working. Our website www.norfolkdeeds.org  allows users to look up and view scanned images of over 8 million land documents dating back to the Registry’s beginnings in 1793. Users can also access our website to learn about our latest consumer protection programs and news relating to registry business. Our information is accessible not only from workstations and laptops, but also from smartphones and tablets.”

Register O’Donnell further remarked that a declaration form of the popular Homestead Act can be downloaded, filled-in and printed. A Homestead declaration provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000 or $1,000,000 for two owners if both owners are over the age of 62.

The Registry also provides a free Consumer Notification Service. This program alerts a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County.

Additionally, there is valuable county real estate information that can be accessed, researched and tracked. Anyone interested in the number of residential and commercial properties sold or the average prices of property sold can find that information.  

Besides the Registry website, the other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook - facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds and Twitter - twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. “The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds,” noted the Register, “has utilized Facebook and Twitter to provide information to the general public. By utilizing these platforms, Norfolk County residents can learn more about home ownership and other important consumer initiatives like protecting themselves against Deed Scam rip-offs.”

The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA’s) which are available on the Registry’s website and YouTube. These PSA’s have touched on a variety of relevant issues such as assistance for residents who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender.

Register O’Donnell concluded, “At the Registry of Deeds, we recognize the value of using social media platforms to forward important information to Norfolk County residents. If you have questions related to real property, I recommend you take a look at our social media offerings. As important as these social media offerings are, the Registry of Deeds has a Customer Service Center at 1-781-461-6101 where members of the public can seek assistance and speak directly with a member of our staff during business hours from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

www.norfolkdeeds.org

Good Deeds: Unanswered Registry IT Questions

Based on the facts and the public policy implications this Registry Information Technology IT controversy should be over. It is not. There should be a permanent on-site direct report Registry CIO at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds. There is not. There should be no question that the Registry should keep its 2 person on-site direct report in the Registry budget Registry IT Department that includes the aforementioned Registry CIO.

The new twist in this Registry of Deeds saga is that the consultant Mark Abrahams refuses to answer questions about the “Abrahams Report” which has been the foundation on which this Registry CIO and Registry IT Department controversy rests. It only seems right that Mark Abrahams as an “independent” consultant should have to answer questions about his study.

The questions of Mr. Abrahams are not trick questions. Why did Mr. Abrahams write to the Norfolk County Commissioners NOT to replace a retiring Registry CIO on June 29, 2021? Why would Mark Abrahams write such a recommendation when he had not ever visited the Registry of Deeds to make any observations of Registry operations including the Registry IT Department in his 13 month study? Why did Mark Abrahams recommend NOT hiring a Registry CIO when Mr. Abrahams had not spoken to the person tasked with running the Registry of Deeds by state law or the management team at the Registry of Deeds? Why did Mark Abrahams recommend NOT hiring a Registry CIO without talking with or finding out the perspectives of those that use the Registry IT Information Technology services?

Mark Abrahams got paid taxpayers money to do this report. There have been many flaws found in the Abrahams study. There are flaws in process, substance, findings and conclusions as it relates to the Norfolk Registry of Deeds that have been written about since Mr. Abrahams concluded his 13 month study in October 2021. Mr. Abrahams with the input of influential county decision makers chose Plymouth and Bristol Counties to be benchmarks for Norfolk County. Mark Abrahams mistakenly wrote that these Registries DO NOT have Registry IT Departments. Mark Abrahams was wrong. Is this why Mr. Abrahams does NOT want to answer questions? How do you get that fact wrong in the 13 months you were doing a report?

If the Registries of Deeds in Plymouth and Bristol have on-site direct report Registry IT Departments then shouldn’t that end all this controversy in Norfolk County? The Registries of Deeds in Plymouth and Bristol do have on-site Registry IT Departments and Mr. Abrahams’ mistake in facts was challenged and corrected. The Norfolk Registry of Deeds should have a permanent Registry CIO as part of an on-site permanent direct report Registry IT Department just like the Norfolk Registry of Deeds has had for over 35 years.

Mark Abrahams writes information requested “will be unduly burdensome for me.” There will NOT be a modern functioning technology driven Norfolk Registry of Deeds without an on-site direct report Registry CIO and Registry IT Technology Department. This will be “unduly burdensome” on Registry operations and on those Registry stakeholders that depend on Registry of Deeds services. Everyone who owns a home whose legal title to that home is authenticated by the real estate records secured at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds could be negatively impacted. Does Mark Abrahams’ “burden” to answer questions about his study outweigh the homeowners and business owners who in essence paid Mr. Abrahams to do his study?

Some have expressed disbelief that Mark Abrahams is now doing additional consulting work for Norfolk County. Mr. Abrahams wrote in his study that almost all individuals spoken to did not favor keeping the Registry IT Department as is. Who are these individuals? These individuals were unnamed in the Abrahams Report. Were these individuals influential county decision makers? When and why were these individuals spoken to? How come key Registry of Deeds personnel were NOT spoken to? Why were those that use the Registry of Deeds services not spoken to by Mark Abrahams? These are not trick questions. These questions go the substance of the Registry IT controversy and seek the truth.

Mark Abrahams’ report is the foundation for those who do not want the Registry to keep its Registry IT Department. It does not make sense for transparent and sound public policy for Mark Abrahams not to want to answer questions relating to his report. Based on the facts the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds should have a permanent Registry CIO. It does not. Based on the facts the Norfolk Registry of Deeds should keep its permanent Registry IT Department no matter what some paid consultant writes. It is such an unsound public policy decision NOT to keep the on-site direct report Registry IT Department. There are too many bad outcomes on Registry of Deeds operations and services. Additionally, there is the ever increasing risks of cybersecurity breaches and ransomware.

On behalf of the Registry staff and Registry users along with all who rely on Registry operations and services I thank you for your patience as well as your support. 

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

Good Deeds: Unanswered Registry IT Questions

Register O’Donnell Commemorates Women’s History Month on QATV (video)

Norfolk County Register of Deeds, William P. O’Donnell, appeared on a segment broadcast by Quincy Access Television commemorating Women’s History Month and recognizing a number of distinguished women, both past and present, with ties to Norfolk County.
 
“There are numerous prominent woman with ties to Norfolk County”, noted the Register, “ranging from first lady Abigail Adams, the wife and mother of two presidents, who was born in Weymouth and buried in Quincy, to lesser known but important figures such as Katherine Lee Bates, a nineteenth century Wellesley resident, who, inspired by the beauty she observed from the top of Pike’s Peak, wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful”.

Some of the other women mentioned by Register O’Donnell in the segment include historic figures like Deborah Sampson from Sharon, who fought and was wounded in the American Revolutionary War, Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, both from Wrentham, whose story has been chronicled in books and in the 1962 movie, “The Miracle Worker”, Harriet Hemenway from Canton, who co-founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896, Dr. Helen Cleary, the first woman to be elected to the Town of Norfolk’s Board of Selectmen and the actress Lee Remick from Quincy, an Academy Award nominee in 1962.

Norfolk County is also birthplace of a number of contemporary women such as the astronaut, Sunita Williams, a 1983 graduate of Needham High School, who has performed the most spacewalks by a woman, National Public Radio’s Audie Cornish, Mindy Kaling, the writer and actress best known for the television series “The Office” and of course, Needham’s own Aly Raisman, the winner of several Olympic medals in women’s gymnastics and the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

“I appreciate Mark Crosby and the folks at Quincy Access Television providing me the opportunity to honor the contributions and accomplishments of women from the communities in Norfolk County that have had a positive impact in our lives”, stated Register O’Donnell.

To view the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds video segment, go to the following link:
https://youtu.be/xSwPZMqZnm8
 
To learn more about the history of Norfolk County and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. 

Register O’Donnell Discloses the Most Expensive Real Estate Sales in Norfolk County in 2021

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that in 2021, seventeen properties, all commercial, sold for more than $50,000,000.

The top ten, most expensive properties were:

 

1. 190 Mediterranean Drive, Weymouth, a 418 unit apartment complex known as “Weymouth Commons” sold in November for $151,925,000;
2. 115-129 Dean Avenue, Franklin, a 23 acre parcel slated to be developed into a 250 unit apartment complex, sold in December for $129,125,000;
3. 2 Hancock Street, Quincy, a 280 unit, 12 story apartment building known as “Neponset Landing”, sold in December for $114,500,000;
4. 180-370 Providence Highway, known as the “Dedham Mall” with 510,000 square feet of retail space, sold in November for $108,154,573;
5. 1 Investors Way, Norwood, a 54 acre property with an office building adjacent to the Moderna property, slated to be developed into a bio-manufacturing facility, sold in April for $105,000,000;
6. 351-353 Maple Street, Bellingham, industrial property presently including two warehouses, one of which is now an Amazon delivery facility, sold in May for $93,350,000;
7. 155 King Street, Cohasset, a 226 unit apartment complex built in 2012 and known as the “Preserve at Cohasset”  sold in January for $90,250,000;
8. 100 Hilltop Drive, a 22 acre, 300 unit apartment complex built in 2004 and known as the “Preserve in Walpole”, sold in November for $$87,600,000;
9. 10 Faxon Avenue, Quincy, a 10 story, 200 unit apartment building built in 2006 and known as the “Amelia Apartments”, sold in July for $84,000,000; and
10. 625 Thomas Burgin Parkway, Quincy, a 180 unit apartment complex built in 2016 and  known as “Mill Creek Residences”, sold in February for $61,600,000.  

“Despite the pandemic, the Norfolk County commercial real estate market was one of the busiest in years”, noted Register O’Donnell. “It appears that the top sales consisted primarily of residential apartment complexes but the development of the three properties in Norwood, Bellingham and Franklin bodes well for the Norfolk County economy in terms of employment and tax revenue. The top ten sales generated over $4.6 million in excise taxes for the state and county. We hope 2022 continues in a positive trend”.

To learn more about the Registry of Deeds, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

 

Register O’Donnell Discloses the Most Expensive Real Estate Sales  in Norfolk County in 2021

Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Career Information Session

Are you interested in joining a multi-talented, multi-cultural and professional organization dedicated to providing the utmost in public safety to the citizens of Norfolk County?  

Meet representatives from the Norfolk County Sheriff’s office and learn how to prepare for a successful career.  They will answer your questions on how to prepare for their career opportunities as a corrections officer.

When: Thursday, April 7, 2022 - 10:00AM – Noon

Where: 

MassHire Framingham Career Center
1671 Worcester Road, 2nd floor
Framingham, MA 01701 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WwLNtfVnD3jI4bX4xybXnmuf4xLt1QDK/view?usp=sharing

Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Career Information Session

Register O’Donnell Reports on February 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that February’s numbers relative to Norfolk County real estate activity show a fairly sharp drop as compared to February 2021 and January’s numbers.

“Our data indicates that the Norfolk County real estate market in February was sluggish when compared not only to February 2021 but also to January”, noted Register O’Donnell. There were 10,291 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in February, a 34% decrease over last year’s February document volume and an 11% decrease from January.

“The number of deeds for February 2022, which reflect real estate sales and transfers both commercial and residential, decreased by 19% from February 2021 and by 32% from January. Sale prices increased significantly compared to last year but now appear to be leveling off. February’s average sales price was $1,218,942, an impressive 42% increase compared to February 2021 but down 15% from January. Total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales also showed gains from one year ago, increasing 14% but are down 42% from January,” noted the Register. “It remains to be seen if this trend continues into March.”

Overall lending activity showed a decrease again for the month of February. A total of 1,940 mortgages were recorded during the month, a 56% decrease compared to a year ago and a decrease of 17% from January. “It appears that many consumers have already refinanced given the past low interest rate environment,” noted O’Donnell.

A continuing cause for concern in Norfolk County, however, is the increase in foreclosures. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely watching the foreclosure market. During February, there were 8 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County.  In addition, there were 27 Notices to Foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded in February, up from 18 recorded in January.  In February 2021 there was only 1 Foreclosure Deed and 6 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages filed. “The sharp increase in these numbers remind us that even more of our neighbors are now facing financial challenges”, said O’Donnell.  “We will continue to monitor these numbers.”

 

For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950 to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Register O’Donnell stated, “If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance.”

 

Homestead recordings by owners of homes and condominiums decreased this month at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.   There was a 17% decrease in homestead recordings in February 2022 compared to February 2021 and a decrease of 20% from January. “These figures are not too surprising where the sales of homes has decreased, but all homeowners, not just new purchasers, should keep in mind that a recorded Declaration of Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000,” noted O’Donnell. “We want to see folks protecting the biggest asset most of us have, our homes.  I would urge anyone who has not availed themselves of this important consumer protection tool to consider doing so.  The recording fee is only $36. Feel free to visit the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org  to get more information on homesteads and to make sure you have taken advantage of this protection.”

 

Register O’Donnell concluded, “February real estate activity showed a decline in Norfolk County which is not unusual for this time of year however, there has been a drop in numbers in 2022 over 2021. We still see available real estate inventory as continuing to be a source of concern in Norfolk County but it does appear that the market is not as hot as last year. Whether this translates into more and better opportunities for buyers, particularly first time buyers, remains to be seen.”

The Registry of Deeds continues to be open to the public for business. The drop-off box located at the main entrance of the Registry Building will continue to be available for use by those members of the public who may not be comfortable entering the Registry of Deeds Building. The volume of documents recorded electronically for many of our institutional users continues to increase. We are also receiving documents in person, via regular mail, Federal Express, UPS and from our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA.”   

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. 

Register O’Donnell Reports on  February 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds collects the fees for Community Preservation Act (CPA)

Dear Friend of the Registry and Registry Stakeholders,

The fees for the Community Preservation Act are set by the State Legislature on land documents recorded here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.  I thought the chart on the reverse side would be of interest to you.  It provides an illustration of the funds generated by the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in your community based on recorded real estate filings during the 2021 calendar year. 

 

The Community Preservation Act was signed into law on September 14, 2000. Today there are 187 Massachusetts communities that have adopted this act. 19 communities out of the 28 communities that make up Norfolk County have adopted the law. As of December 31, 2019, fees collected for the Community Preservation Act were increased to $50.00 for most land documents recorded and $30.00 for municipal lien certificates. The Registry of Deeds, at no additional cost to the Commonwealth or local communities, collects these revenues once a land document is recorded and forwards the monies to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on a monthly basis. The funds forwarded to the Commonwealth are then redistributed back to the communities that have adopted the Community Preservation Act. 

 

As you may or may not be aware the Norfolk Registry of Deeds has been fighting to keep its 2-person permanent onsite direct report Registry IT Technology Department.  This department which includes a Registry Chief Information Officer that heads it has been key in implementing technology and modernization initiatives.  There are also cyber security and ransomware risks when you look at not just the CPA monies collected but the over 82 million dollars the Norfolk Registry of Deeds collected in calendar year 2021.  Please see the attached resolution, as voted by the Town of Millis Select Board.

 

Please urge the Norfolk County Commissioners to keep the onsite direct report Registry IT Department as to continue to do otherwise is an unsound public policy that is negatively impacting Registry operations and the services it provides.  Their contact information is attached along with the representatives to the Norfolk County Advisory Board.  The failure to have a permanent onsite Registry CIO and a permanent direct report onsite Registry IT Technology Department is evidently going to be taken up as part of the county budget process. Please contact your Norfolk County Advisory Board members as well as your Select Boards, City Councilors and Mayors who appoint your community’s Norfolk County Advisory Board member to urge keeping the Registry IT Technology Department with a Registry CIO like it has had for well over 35 years.

 

Thank you for any assistance you can give in this matter.  2021 has certainly been a very challenging year.  I wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year in 2022.

                                                                       

Sincerely yours,

William P. O’Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

NORFOLK COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS

 

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA)

SURCHARGES BY TOWN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021

 

TOWN	TOTAL
AVON	$64,775.00
BELLINGHAM	$257,975.00
BRAINTREE	$460,750.00
BROOKLINE	$605,800.00
CANTON	$359,525.00
COHASSET	$151,925.00
DEDHAM	$338,425.00
DOVER	$94,225.00
FOXBOROUGH	$223,975.00
FRANKLIN	$440,125.00
HOLBROOK	$142,425.00
MEDFIELD	$201,000.00
MEDWAY	$186,850.00
MILLIS	$138,375.00
MILTON	$366,525.00
NEEDHAM	$444,575.00
NORFOLK	$173,300.00
NORWOOD	$333,600.00
PLAINVILLE	$116,625.00
QUINCY	$887,050.00
RANDOLPH	$361,225.00
SHARON	$255,625.00
STOUGHTON	$367,625.00
WALPOLE	$349,300.00
WELLESLEY	$349,950.00
WESTWOOD	$224,400.00
WEYMOUTH	$707,775.00
WRENTHAM	$197,725.00

 

Link to the Norfolk Deeds letter ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XVah_ejUdPHcplsLKWWxU4EYMxd9wyGd/view?usp=sharing

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds 

Register O’Donnell Commemorates Black History Month on QATV (video)

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell, recently appeared on a segment broadcast by Quincy Access Television commemorating Black History Month and recognizing distinguished African Americans with ties to Norfolk County.

“There are a number of prominent African Americans with ties to Norfolk County”, noted the Register, “ranging from world-renowned figures like Booker T. Washington, who summered in Weymouth, to lesser known but important figures such as Florida Ruffin Ridley, a nineteenth century civil rights activist from Brookline, one of the first black public schoolteachers in Boston and editor of the Women’s Era, the country’s first newspaper established by and for African American women.”

Some of the other African Americans mentioned by Register O’Donnell in the segment include historic figures like William B. Gould, after whom a park in Dedham was recently renamed, Henry W. Diggs from Norwood, former Boston Celtic and Sharon resident Sam Jones and more contemporary individuals like Randolph’s Audie Cornish, a reporter and host on National Public Radio, William (“Mo”) Cowan from Stoughton who served in the United States Senate and former Governor Deval Patrick, a resident of Milton from 1989 to 2016.

“I appreciate Mark Crosby and the folks at Quincy Access Television providing me the opportunity to expound on some of the rich history of Norfolk County and honor some of the contributions of African Americans from our communities here in Norfolk County that have been a part of that history”, stated Register O’Donnell.

To view the QATV segment, go to the following link:   https://www.qatv.org/episode/norfolk-county-registry-deeds-celebrates-black-history-month  
or directly on YouTube -> https://youtu.be/S2B9dRw3uhA

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. 

Register O’Donnell Reports on January 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that January real estate numbers relative to Norfolk County real estate activity continue to trend down.

“The Norfolk County real estate market” noted Register O’Donnell, “has continued to slow entering into 2022, which is not uncommon for this time of year. January is typically one of the slowest months for real estate transactions.”  There were 11,622 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in January, a 25% decrease over last year’s January document volume and a 21% decrease from December.

“The number of deeds for January 2022 which reflect real estate sales and transfers, both commercial and residential, decreased by 4% from January 2021 and by 30% from December. However, the average sales price during the month was $1,439,472, an impressive 51% increase compared to January 2021 and only slightly down from December. Total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales also showed solid gains from one year ago, increasing 57% to over $1.05 billion,” noted the Register.

Overall lending activity showed a decrease again for the month of January. A total of 2,325 mortgages were recorded during the month, a 44% decrease compared to a year ago and a decrease of 22% from December’s number. “It appears that many consumers have already refinanced given the past low interest rate environment,” noted O’Donnell.

A cause for concern in Norfolk County, however, is the increase in foreclosures.   A moratorium on foreclosures enacted on April 20, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic expired on October 17, 2020.  The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely watching the foreclosure market. During January, as in December, there were 7 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County.  In addition, there were 18 Notices to Foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded in Norfolk County in January.  In January 2021 there was only 1 Foreclosure Deed and 9 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages filed. “The increase in these numbers remind us that some of our neighbors continue to face financial challenges”, said O’Donnell.  “We will continue to monitor these numbers.”

For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950 to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Register O’Donnell stated, “If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance.”

Homestead recordings by owners of homes and condominiums decreased slightly this year at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.   There was a 1% decrease in homestead recordings in January 2022 compared to January 2021 but a decrease of 25% from December. A recorded Declaration of Homestead,” noted O’Donnell, “provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000.  It is great to see folks protecting the biggest asset most of us have, our homes.  I would urge anyone who has not availed themselves of this important consumer protection tool to consider doing so.  Please visit the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org  to get more information on homestead protection.”

Register O’Donnell concluded, “January real estate activity slowed in Norfolk County but again, that is fairly typical for this time of year.  We see available real estate inventory as continuing to be a source of concern in Norfolk County. It’s especially a problem for first-time homebuyers attempting to crack the market.  Nothing we see in the numbers indicates any change in that sector of the market.”

The Registry of Deeds continues to be open to the public for business. Registry personnel are processing in-person recordings while vigilantly maintaining COVID related protocols.  The drop-off box located at the main entrance of the Registry Building will continue to be available for use by those members of the public who may not be comfortable entering the Registry of Deeds Building The volume of documents recorded electronically for many of our institutional users continues to increase.. We are also receiving documents in person, via regular mail, Federal Express, UPS and from our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA.”   

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

January 2022 Real Estate Activity in Norfolk County