Franklin TV: Home $weet Home! The real real – on home ownership

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/02/2023

For several years we carried Mike Shain’s program about real estate when he was producing it at ABMI Bellingham’s studio and later at Milford TV. Mike is into real estate and all matters relating to home ownership; buying, selling, financing, maintaining – and living well in your own Home $weet Home.

Now Mike is producing and hosting his latest series about real estate with us at Franklin.TV. Home $weet Home.

Mike Shain & Jay Horrigan

Joining Mike, Franklin’s own Jay Horrigan who also knows real estate.

Mike Shain’s expertise in home financing and Jay’s background in the Franklin real estate market will make for informative (and perhaps enabling) programs on pathways to home ownership for those who wish to achieve the American dream.

At some point that American Dream is perhaps as simple as making macaroni and cheese in your very own kitchen.

Mike Shain & Jay Horrigan - Home $weet Home

Srsly?

If mac ‘n cheese is involved, mine is not to question, but just to enjoy comfort food in the kitchen. That’s when you know you’re truly Home, $weet Home.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Reminder: Home Selling (and Buying) Seminar with Industry Experts - Apr 14

Come hear from local experts, and gain insight as well as useful tips, on how to sell your home (or buy a home) in the current market.

Enjoy a light dinner and some incredible beer, while learning about Selling (and Buying) a home in the current real estate market.

Local Experts to include:

• Ted Cormier- Leger, Realtor with Suburban Lifestyle Real Estate in Franklin, MA
• Bob Melone, Loan Officer with Radius Financial Group
• Stacy Norrell, Real Estate Attorney with Sharaf & Maloney, PC

Date and time

• Thu, April 14, 2022
• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

Location

67 Degrees Brewing

158 Grove Street

Franklin, MA 02038

To register (free) -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-selling-and-buying-seminar-with-industry-experts-registration-308895563947 

Home Selling (and Buying) Seminar with Industry Experts - Apr 14

Boston Globe: “We’re not going to solve it by just having one tweak”

"Massachusetts is undertaking a massive shift in how it distributes money for affordable housing, pumping tens of millions of state dollars into building new owner-occupied homes after years of focusing almost exclusively on rentals.

The efforts, led by a new program to build homes for below-market sale in Boston and other cities, are an explicit recognition of the enormous racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, which has been fueled by a similar chasm in who owns homes here. Yet the program’s limits also illustrate just how hard that gap will be to close.

At an event this month in Haverhill to highlight the effort, Governor Charlie Baker pitched his plan as one way to remedy decades of US housing policy that created the divide, and said he wants to spend as much as $560 million to boost homeownership among historically disadvantaged groups in Massachusetts, particularly Black and Latino families. His goal is to jump-start progress with a huge windfall of cash from stimulus funding and other sources."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/26/business/an-enormous-racial-wealth-gap-exists-mass-state-is-responding-by-pushing-home-ownership/

On Wednesday nights, Arlene Cribbs watches her 3-year-old grandson Aaron Gillenwater. She rents a two-bedroom apartment in Jamaica Plain and has been trying to buy a two- or three-bedroom single-family house.PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF

Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee - discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

Quick Recap:

• The housing production plan was reviewed and discussed. Key among the actions is to further obtain any and all citizen input/comment by June 25 and update this draft. The revised plan would then be approved by Planning Board and Town Council before being submitted to the State for acceptance.
• Key to specific items to address the housing would be the zoning assessment. This analysis would provide an objective 3rd party view on what we have and what we could do to allow for appropriate and affordable housing
• Discussion on home based businesses. Good to boot strap a concept, Health Dept is ok with food production as long as the ServeSafe and other related food prep requirements are adhered to. The wrinkle comes with handling the sewer waste and implementation of a grease trap which can be expensive.
• The Town is not prepared for how to address this opportunity. More research is required which they will conduct during the next couple of months and bring back to Subcommittee for further discussion.

----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0616
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Edc0616&src=typed_query 

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AayFgpTfmSzB3Y2w9

• EDC meeting to begin soon, awaiting quorum #edc0616
  
• Without quorum, may at least open meeting and have a discussion. #fincom0616
  
• Quorum achieved (with virtual participation of Frongillo and Bissanti), EDC meeting opens at 7:09 PM. #edc0616
  
• Chair Hamblen opens meeting, reads protocol statement, #fincom0616 First item, housing production plan for discussion if needed, plan can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 
  
• Feedback sought as part of the draft review process. #fincom0616
  
• Cool to be back in Municipal Bldg, Planner Amy Love provides an overview of the plan, similar to what was presented earlier in Housing Trust meeting #edc0616
  
• My notes from that (Municipal Affordable Housing Trust) meeting, for the record, can be found https://franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-municipal-affordable-housing.html?m=1 #edc0616
  
• Difference in accounting between apartment and residential units, all apartments count if only a smaller # are affordable; for owned residential units only the # affordable apply to the housing rate (i.e. 6 of 30, only the 6 - if apartments, 6 of 30 all 30 count) condos ->
• Condos count as owned units so only the # would count (like other owned residential, not like apartments). #edc0616 What is considered affordable for Franklin? Major issue
  
• Development costs are hire, art zoning would need to have incentives to allow the developers to make the money back that they give up making some of the units affordable. #edc0616
  
• Multiple discussion points on affordable and how to tackle it, the new housing behind Eaton Place will help but it won't be online soon (still needs funding) #edc0616
  
• Motion to move housing plan forward to planning board and to Council for approval incorporating the changes and comments #edc0616 passes 4-0 via roll call.
  
• Moving to home occupied businesses for next part of discussion. #edc0616
  
• How do you permit a bootstrap business from a home, some i.e. kitchens can pose health concerns, others may have traffic/delivery issues for neighbors. #edc0616 permit some level of production up to which they're good, beyond that next level up. ZBA may be an option
  
• In commercial areas, need to protect the sewer system, with grease traps, when blockages occur it stops things and that is not good. Title 5 systems are built for 3 or 4 bedrooms not commercial industry business. #edc0616 who acts the agent for volume?
  
• We can't use the ZBA or planning board and their temporary benevolence, if something is good, let's make it right. #edc0616 strict guidelines on food prep, zoning is the issue in the case of chocolate bars (as the talking point example)
  
• let's provide some time to research, see what others are doing, Boston is a whole different system. #edc0616 what might work, what would be some controls, there is no capacity at Charles River. we do need to consider the big picture of affordability
  
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call #fincom0616 

Audio file to be available in a couple of days

discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

@MassGovernor: MA vaccine preregistration program goes away, home vaccine expands

Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) tweeted on Fri, May 21, 2021:

Our preregistration system has scheduled hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

Today, with vaccines widely available, we announced the system will close by the end of the month. New signups will close on 5/25 and everyone will be offered appointments by June. https://t.co/aTfBYttYh7

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1395765965682581505

@MassGovernor: MA vaccine preregistration program goes away, home vaccine expands

Hockomock League: Away Spectators Expanded for all Fall II Competitions

"Effective immediately, the Hockomock League will admit 2 family members of all AWAY student-athletes competing in games, matches, or meets. Home-team spectator restrictions continue to be limited to 2 adult family members and siblings per HOME participant.

This policy will include all league sports offered during the Fall II season: Cheerleading, Football, Volleyball, Track and Field, and Unified Basketball. 

The Athletic Directors will continue to monitor information as it is made available from the EEA, DESE, and our local Boards of Health. Each district has the ability to modify this policy based on its own facility limitations and/or local Board of Health restrictions. It is our goal to focus on the health and safety of our communities while safely permitting family members of our athletes the opportunity to watch high school sports in person. "

Shared from the Hockomock League page

https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/04/hockomock-league-expands-away.html

 

Hockomock League:  Away Spectators Expanded for all Fall II Competitions

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

Beantown Home Improvements' Operation Payback

Read more :  https://www.franklinma.gov/node/203273

Here are the details (via Beantown Home Improvement https://www.beantownhi.com/payback)
"For Beantown Home Improvements to offer a brand new roof of 20 square (2000sf of actual roof area) to an American Veteran (US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy) FREE of charge. If the winning roof happens to be larger than 20 square, the homeowner will ONLY pay the overage for the actual material and labor cost. If the winning roof has a skylight(s) they will be installed FREE of charge with the veteran only paying the cost of the skylight(s). Veterans with a roof of ANY size are encouraged to enter.

The shingles to be installed will be a 50 year architectural shingle with premium synthetic underlayments and Preferred Protection warranty. All warranty registration cost will be covered by Beantown Home Improvements."

Eligibility

• "The registrant/winner must be an active, reserve, honorably discharged, or retied American veteran of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy
• The home must be their permanent residence, not a rental
• The residence must be in Massachusetts within Plymouth, Bristol or Norfolk Counties
• The winner must provide a valid Military ID, which will be confirmed by Beantown and then by a recruiting office of the appropriate military branch
• A winner will be chosen at noon on October 31st, 2019 to allow time for registrant validation
• Installation will be shortly after Veteran's Day in November 2019"

Veterans - Enter to Win a FREE Roof!

https://www.beantownhi.com/payback

In the News: home heating assistance; 12 days of donating

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Despite threats that funding would be eliminated in President Donald Trump’s preliminary budget, the state’s home heating program will continue to keep low-income families warm this year, just as temperatures are beginning to drop. 

“People can opt out of air conditioning in the New England area, but they can’t opt out of heating,” said Sue Crossley, executive director of Natick-based Family Promise Metrowest. 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides critical help for people who are trying to become self-sufficient after being homeless and helps others avoid becoming homeless, according to Crossley, whose organization assists homeless people."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171126/after-uncertainty-state-gets-heating-assistance-funds

"The food pantry’s Food Elves are kicking off their 12th annual “12 days of donating” holiday drive, but have switched over to a fund-only model due to a lack of space. 

Scores of elementary, middle, and high school students will be making their neighborhood rounds, passing out flyers and collecting donations during December. 

With dozens of food and fund drives underway, the pantry is out of space to store inventory. Monetary donations that are collected will be used to buy chicken, beef and other meats, dairy products, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits. 

“In addition, monetary gifts allow us to buy what we need when we need it,” said executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry, Erin Lynch. “They give us the flexibility we need to provide for the more than 1,000 individuals who count on us. We are also able to purchase food through the Greater Boston Food Bank for much less money than people pay in the grocery store.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171126/franklin-food-elves-launch-holiday-drive

Julia Buccella and Natalie Dextradeur are the Co-Lead Food Elves for the
2017 Campaign (Photo courtesy of Patti Dextradeur.)

Homebuyers’ Seminar - Apr 25

Tuesday • April 25, 2017 

Dean College, Alden Center, S11

55 Emmons Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Registration: 5:45 pm 

Seminar: 6:00 pm

Finish: 8:00 pm

Megan E. Kelly
Loan Originator
NMLS ID #1560941
Direct: 781-355-7424
Cell: 781-493-2977
Email: megan.kelly@dedhamsavings.com


This free seminar can lead the way to your new home!

Buying a home can seem daunting. We can help simplify the process and show you how to pre-qualify for a loan, understand your closing costs, find the best products and the most competitive interest rates!


RSVP to Julie Lennon = julie.lennon@dedhamsavings.com

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Register of Deeds Promotes Homestead Act

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register of Deeds Promotes Homestead Act Stating that for many people their house is the most important financial asset, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reminded homeowners about filing for Homestead protection. Under Massachusetts law, a Homestead recording provides for limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. "Protecting one's primary residence is a key objective for all homeowners," noted Register O'Donnell. "If you own a home and it is your principle residence, one way to protect your home's asset is to file a Homestead. The Homestead law also allows the filing of an Elderly Homestead application., defining elderly as a person who is 62 years of age or older. This protection can be increased if the elderly couple files jointly." Register O'Donnell further stated, "One of the major changes under the 2011 Homestead Law passed by the Massachusetts Legislature is that a valid homestead cannot be terminated when refinancing a mortgage. Another clarification of the statute is that a Homestead can provide protections for a primary home kept in trust. Primary residence can also include a manufactured or mobile home." It is important to note there are certain debts that are exempted from protection under the Homestead Act, such as federal, state and local tax liens, as well as mortgages contracted for the purchase of a primary home and nursing home liens. Most other mortgages, debts, and encumbrances existing prior to the filing of the Declaration of Homestead, along with probate court executions for spousal and child support, are also not covered under the Homestead protection statute. Filing a homestead application at the Registry has become a popular consumer protection. "Last year," stated O'Donnell, "There were approximately 12,500 Homesteads filed at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in 2016, a 4% increase over the previous year." Homestead recordings can be filed at the Registry of Deeds for a state imposed fee of $36.00. To find out more about the Homestead law, or to get a free application, please go online to the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org or contact the Registry's Customer Service Center at 781-461-6101. Register O'Donnell concluded, "It is important to make clear that a Homestead protects consumers against the forced sale of their primary owned residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. While the debt is still owed, homeowners will at least have the comfort of knowing that with a Homestead filed at the Registry of Deeds, their primary residence cannot be forcibly sold to satisfy most debts." 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, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

https://twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds/status/817425814925037569

In the News: home buying boot camp, public comment welcomed, big ban brunch

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Michael Shain, senior loan originator with Village Mortgage in Milford, will offer a “Home Buying Boot Camp” in conjunction with the Tri-County Adult Education Program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 8 at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, 147 Pond St. 

Attendees will learn about the mortgage process so they can get a better understanding of how a loan is approved. Additionally, they will learn about the roles the Realtor, lender, attorney and home inspector play in the home buying process. Shain will also discuss the importance of credit.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160215/michael-shain-to-present-home-buying-boot-camp-in-franklin

Public comment is being welcomed on a proposal aimed at reducing local power bills. 

The town is looking to partner with Marlborough firm Colonial Power Group to pursue municipal electrical aggregation, in which groups look to lower electrical rates by shopping among different suppliers, using their large numbers of customers as negotiation leverage. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the public review and comment period for the proposal opened at noon on Friday. 

"A public comment period is required under state law," he said. "We're looking to get feedback on the proposed plan, which is on our website."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160214/franklin-public-comment-sought-on-energy-plan

Drummer Kenny Hadley is Franklin Performing Arts Company’s go-to guy for live music. The company, now celebrating a milestone 25th anniversary, showcases professional musicians for all mainstage productions and presents an ambitious schedule of music series events at The Black Box, FPAC’s new home and performance venue. 

Hadley’s relationship with FPAC goes back to 1995 when the drummer played the debut production of “’Tis the Season!,” FPAC’s original holiday musical. The company’s orchestra contractor since the mid-2000s, Hadley now hires for six FPAC productions annually. 

At The Black Box this season, Hadley has played performances ranging from “The Addams Family” musical and Cabaret Series dates to a reunion gig with the R and B band Soul Kitchen and a Jazz Series presentation with his own critically acclaimed Kenny Hadley Big Band.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160215/kenny-hadley-big-band-to-headline-black-box-brunch

Did you know that there is a registry of home improvement contractors?

If you run into trouble with your contractor doing home improvements, did you know that there was an arbitration process?

Did you know that there is a registry of home improvement contractors? A recent post from the MA Gov blog is worthy of sharing as it covers this topic well.

The Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration Program promotes speedy, efficient, and fair resolutions to disputes between homeowners and registered contractors and/or subcontractors regarding home improvements. It is part of the Home Improvement Contractor Act, which became Massachusetts law in 1992.

Continue reading the article on the MA Gov site here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/the-massachusetts-home-improvement-contractor-hic-arbitration-program/

screen capture of home improvement arbitration article

Franklin Named No. 2 Place for Homeownership in Massachusetts

After a string of Number 1 announcements, Franklin makes the Number 2 spot on this listing... still a worthy one!

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places for homeownership in Massachusetts – and Franklin is in the top 10.

As renting becomes less affordable, NerdWallet wanted to give potential homebuyers a look at the current housing market. NerdWallet based its rankings on the following criteria:

• Homeownership rate

• Selected monthly homeowner costs

• Monthly household income

• Population growth

NerdWallet ranked Franklin as the second best place in Massachusetts for homeownership. The area has a homeownership rate of 79.3 percent, and median monthly homeowner costs are $2,366. Franklin grew by 2.4 percent between 2010 and 2012.

Other cities that made the top ten include Reading and Methuen. Read the full study online.
For more information about NerdWallet, visit www.nerdwallet.com.

"there are not enough homes for sale for buyers"

From Kathy Stankard, a Franklin based ReMax realtor:

It means that homes are selling faster than previously expected, usually around 4 months, if they are priced right. The data also tells us some other interesting things:

• homes priced under $450,000 are the most sought after price range
• there are not enough homes for sale for buyers
• homes are selling relatively close to their asking price

See the table of info that drove these conclusions here.

More home heating saving tips

Today's Sunday Globe covers a number of the same home energy saving tips covered in the presentation at the Franklin Public Library this past Monday evening. The graphical depiction of the savings in the online edition is not the same as the graphic that appears in the print version. It leaves off the dollar savings and payback periods. You'll need to read the full article to find that info.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

The presentation from the Library session earlier this week can be found here.

In the News - Dean renovation, empty homes

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:37 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Instead of lamenting the lack of library use on campus, Dean College President Paula M. Rooney is capitalizing on the Internet-driven trend.

By the time students return to classes Sept. 8, $8 million worth of construction will have converted the E. Ross Anderson Library to "The Library Learning Commons," home to more than 60 staff members, a new cafe, and a more efficient library, Rooney said.

"This is a big deal for us," said Rooney. "It's terrific for our students - it'll be the hub of activities in the center of campus. It is a very strategic decision on our part," bringing faculty, learning support, and knowledge together in one place, she said.

"It will pay off day 1, because both students and faculty will have a much better learning environment and (extra) space. When they need to come together, they will be able to," Rooney said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 27, 2008 @ 09:42 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

In the 24 years Deborah Pellegri has served as town clerk, she has never seen as many vacant homes as this year: 805, she said.

On every street in Franklin, there are houses that are vacant or for sale, Pellegri said.

"A lot of people come in and say, 'We're moving down south.' The costs are less and they (don't) have the heating costs there," Pellegri said.

Pellegri doesn't necessarily view the record high number of vacant houses, apartments and condominiums as a problem for the town, per se, she said, but the statistic begs a few questions.

"You ask yourself, 'Why is this so high this year?' and I think the answer is, the way the economy is today," Pellegri said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here