Showing posts with label homeowner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeowner. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2024

Washington Post: "Are you ready to buy a house? Take our quiz and find out"

"Homeownership is how many Americans accumulate wealth, and it’s an important life goal for millions. But affording a home is a growing challenge — if not out of reach entirely — for many people.

In the past three years, mortgage rates have more than doubled and are now at nearly 7 percent on a typical 30-year loan. And they are unlikely to drop significantly this year. Even those who can swing an all-cash purchase, experts say, still have plenty of other expenses to consider, including maintenance and insurance.

So, should you buy a home right now? To help you decide, take this quiz."
Continue to read the article and take the quiz (gift article link)

Monday, October 16, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee
Agenda & Meeting Packet
October 18, 2023 - 5:30 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
355 East Central Street

Agenda:

1. Discussion: Home Occupation Bylaw
a. Staff memo
2. Discussion: 40R


Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Census data for MA by county and age for homeownership vs rental


"The U.S. Census Bureau released an interactive map illustrating 2020 Census data about homeownership by the age, race and ethnicity of the householder. The map provides data at the national, state and county levels and data from the 2010 Census for comparison.

The Census Bureau also released the brief Housing Characteristics: 2020, which provides an overview of homeownership, renters, vacant housing and other 2020 Census housing statistics previously released through the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC)."

Continue reading the press release -> https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/2020-census-map-homeownership.html

As a teaser, I share three of the images that the interactive tool can provide.

homeownership vs rental for MA at State level
homeownership vs rental for MA at State level

homeownership vs rental for MA at County level
homeownership vs rental for MA at County level

homeownership vs rental for MA at County level by Age
homeownership vs rental for MA at County level by Age

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Boston Globe Editorial: "Seizing home equity over unpaid taxes is unfair to homeowners"

State Representative Jeff Roy has co-sponsored legislation to avoid this and is mentioned in the article. 

"After Deborah Foss fell behind on property taxes on her two-unit house in New Bedford, the city sold her debt to an outside company, which pursued the $30,000 the retired grandmother owed.

But rather than simply recouping the debt, according to her lawyers, Foss fell victim to an overly punitive state law that cost her the entire house, valued at $241,600 — far more than was needed to settle her debt — and left her temporarily homeless last winter.

Massachusetts is one of a dozen states that allows a practice critics refer to as “home equity theft.” If a home is foreclosed on due to unpaid property taxes, the municipality — or a company that buys the tax debt — can sell the home and keep the profit, even if the sale price is more than the taxpayer owes.

The system often disproportionately and unfairly punishes elderly homeowners. Of course, people need to pay taxes. Municipalities should be allowed to recoup the costs they incur in collecting those taxes if a homeowner is delinquent, including by seizing a home."
Continue reading the Editorial by the Boston Globe (subscription may be required)

Read the PDF version of the editorial here -> 

BOSTON GLOBE; BAURKA/CANDY1812/ADOBE
BOSTON GLOBE; BAURKA/CANDY1812/ADOBE

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners - You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners
You may be entitled to a reduction in the real estate tax you're required to pay this year!  July 2022

You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction if you have been continuously domiciled in Massachusetts for 10 years and have owned and occupied a Massachusetts property for 5 years;
-AND-

You are single,
Age 70 or older on July 1, 2022,
Your income last year was $22,837 or less, and
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $37,984 or less.

-OR-
You are married,
One of you was age 70 or older on July 1, 2022,
Your income last year was $28,151 or less, and
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $40,696 or less.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are over an above limit, you may still be entitled to a $369 tax reduction if
you have owned and occupied your Franklin property as your domicile for at least 5 years,

-AND-
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $54,262 or less,

-AND-
You are a surviving spouse, any age;

-OR-
If you are single and 70 or older as of July 1, 2022,

-OR-
If you are married and one was age 70 or older July 1, 2022.

If you think you might qualify and need information or assistance in completing the application, call the Franklin Senior Center; 508-520-4945.

Some widows of veterans may be eligible for a tax exemption.
Please contact: Veterans' Services Office at (508) 613-1315


Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners - You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction
Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners - You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction