Pending sales fall in August

— By: Marilyn Jackson

Pending sales of condos and single-family homes in August fell in year-to-year comparisions, but the number of single-family homes placed under agreement between July and August increased, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.
For condos, the pending sales dipped from 1,466 to 1,435 in a month-to-month comparison. In August 2009, pending sales of condos totaled 1,770.
Kevin Sears, broker-co-owner of Sears Real estate in Springfield and president of MAR, said that the rock-bottom interest rates may be starting to have an impact.

Petitions to foreclose drop, but deeds nearly double

— By: Marilyn Jackson

A record number of foreclosures were recorded across the state in July, but the number of petitions to foreclose dropped, according to the Warren Group, which publishes Banker & Tradesman.
The petitions are the first step of the foreclosure process, and many times the financial problems can be resolved before the properties are sold.
Fewer petitions may be a hint that the housing crisis is abating. The federal government has created programs to help rescue homeowners who are facing foreclosure.

MORE FEATURED HOMES

492 Beacon St. Unit 12 LIVING ROOM 1

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64 Walker St. EXTERIOR

301 Berkeley St. ENTRY

45 Commonwealth Ave. RENDERING

— By: Linda Goodspeed

State requires both smoke and CO detectors

With the start of the heating season, I thought it would be a good time to remind homeowners about the importance of maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Both detectors are required in homes in Massachusetts.

While homeowners are long familiar with smoke detectors, CO detectors are a fairly new requirement. The law was passed after 7-year-old Nicole Garafalo of Plymouth died from carbon monoxide poisoning when snowdrifts blocked an exhaust vent for her home’s propane-fired boiler.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to non fire-related carbon monoxide injures more than 15,000 Americans every year, killing about 500. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that results from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. The severity of poisoning depends on the concentration of CO, the length of exposure, age and health of the victim. Early exposure symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.

These CO poisoning symptoms are often mistaken for flu until it’s too late, so CO detectors are important aids to keep families safer at home in every season and especially during this time of year – the flu and heating season.)

The Massachusetts law requires carbon monoxide detectors in every dwelling unit that has either an enclosed parking facility or fossil fuel-heating devices. Fossil fuels include oil, gas, coal and wood, as well as a few other minor fuels.

The detector must be either battery operated or plug-in units with battery backup. They can also be hard wired. Detectors should be placed within 10 feet of the entranceway to any sleeping area. There must also be a detector on every floor of a dwelling unit. Exceptions include unfinished basements and attics that do not have living space.

Like the smoke detector law, enforcement is on the transfer of a property. When owners sell a property, they must produce a certificate (similar to the smoke detector certificate) signed by the local fire department, stating that the home contains the proper number and type of working CO detectors. Sellers pay one fee for both inspections based on the size of the home.

But even if you do not plan to sell your residence soon, you should comply with the law and make sure you have both kinds of detectors in your home and that batteries are changed regularly. It’s just common sense. Smoke and CO detectors save lives!