Phil and Debbie Rose Real Estate For Sale

Single-Family – Freetown, MA 02717 now has a new price!

Phil and Debbie Rose — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:38 +0000

The Morton homestead circa 1710 lived in by 5 generations of the Morton family for 258 years is now awaiting the rebirth of this magnificent home. Full of original details like the 3 fireplaces, the original doors and hinges, the wide plank floors, the sandwich glass, gunstock beams and so much more, a must see for the antique renovation enthusiasts, some newer updates like the furnace, electrical panel, full bath and roof, there is a large detached barn set on a picturesque 1.68 acres

This is a Cape style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 1.68 Acres, and is currently available for $190,000.

For complete details click here.

It is Time to Buy?

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00:39 +0000

Is it time to buy a home? According to a Gallup poll done on 1/17/2012, 67% of people polled say yes!

According to Gallup, “Overall, there is good reason for most Americans to think now is a good time to buy a house. Interest rates remain near historic lows. Home prices are down sharply, providing many incredible buys.”

According to the November 2001 National Housing Survey conducted by Fannie Mae, buyers cited their major reasons for buying a home. Here are the results:

80% Having a good place to raise children and provide a good education
79% Having a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
75% It allows you to have more space for your family
69% It gives you control over what you do with your living space 69

So despite what has been a negative sentiment towards the housing market, buyers and the general public still think that homeownership is the way to go.

Have You Considered Getting a Multi-Family Home?

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:30 +0000

If you are thinking about owning a piece of property to live in while wanting to have an extra section to help pay the bills, then you will find that there is an effective way to do it. Today, many people are considering the idea of buying a multi-family home, because this allows you to have your own space for you and your family while getting extra income from renting the other apartments. Keep in mind that as advantageous as this is, there are a few points that you have to consider.

The first thing to keep in mind is becoming a landlord will require some extra work. When repairs are needed, or a tenant does not pay the rent it can cause some unwanted worries. This being said it can also be a great way to start off allowing you to live, in some cases, rent free while getting monthly income to help pay down your mortgage.

Another point to remember is that when it comes to renting, is choosing the right tenants, you have to remember that you are in fact running a business, as you will be collecting an income from the home you are renting. Take the time to choose the right tenant, a credit check, otherwise you might find yourself in a situation where you will be losing money if your tenant does not pay up at the end of the month. If you are willing to put in the work, purchasing a multi-family home can be a great way to invest.

Single-Family – Freetown, MA 02717 now has a new price!

Phil and Debbie Rose — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:02:50 +0000

This is a Cape style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 1.68 Acres, and is currently available for $205,000.

For complete details click here.

Tips on Buying a Foreclosure

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:43 +0000

Many buyers today think buying a foreclosure means big savings and this can be true but buyers also need to be aware of potential pitfalls. A foreclosure takes place when a homeowner or property owner cannot pay the mortgage fees on the property and is forced to give up the property to the bank.

First, potential buyers should know there are different stages of foreclosure.

Pre-Foreclosure

Pre-foreclosure stage is the earliest stage of foreclosure. Reaching pre-foreclosure status begins when the lender files a default notice on the property, which informs the property owner that the lender will proceed with pursuing legal action if the debt is not taken care of. At this point, the property owner has the opportunity to pay off the outstanding debt or sell the property before it is foreclosed.

In this stage, many homeowners may opt for what is called a short sale. Many of these homes will sell for near their appraised values. Banks may be willing to negotiate on these properties but the process can be lengthy. Properties that sell at a 20 to 40 percent discount usually need repair or are in unstable communities.

Foreclosure Stage

If a property doesn’t sell in pre-foreclosure, and the home owner actually defaults on his mortgage, the home goes to public auction. During this stage you can find the best bargains but it can be filled with unexpected changes and last minute details. Preparation, patience and knowledge are key here and remember if a property does go to auction it will go to the highest bidder which is often the bank.

Many auctions are canceled at the last moment as the property has been sold or payments reworked.
Court-appointed trustees only accept cash or cashiers’ checks.
There’s little time to arrange inspections, so bidders may have no clear idea of what they’re buying.
Properties are sold “as is,” without warranties. Sellers needn’t disclose problems. Buyers may find themselves with unexpected and expensive repairs.

Post-Foreclosure

In the post-foreclosure stage, the lender has already taken control of the property. The home is then in the possession of the lender’s REO (Real Estate Owned) department, or in the hands of a new owner or investor who purchased the property at auction.

Lenders are typically extremely willing sellers, because an REO on the books is an obvious sign of having made a poor lending decision. Both the overhead and losses involved with an REO — reflected in both the added reserves a lender must maintain as well as any potential property management fees incurred — means the bank is likely a willing negotiator.

Bank will not agree to do any repairs; as-is sale.
Bank will usually require additional paperwork.
Bank cannot provide disclosures as to property history/condition issues.

Bank foreclosure properties can definitely help you make a good buy in real estate properties and still have lots of savings. Doing your homework on the neighborhood, comparable sales and property condition are essential in making a good buying decision.

Getting Started on Your Summer Garden

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:02:15 +0000

It is time to start thinking about this summer’s vegetable garden. By starting your garden indoors you can get an early start on the season and save money by starting your plants from inexpensive seeds.

This guide from GardenGuides.com has everything you need to get started.

What You’ll Need

A Sunny Window:
Plants like a southern exposure. If you don’t have a window that will do, consider investing in some cool-white florescent bulbs.

Containers:
Try all kinds to see what works for you. Make sure they are clean and have good drainage. If you are using a fiber or peat pot, soak it well before adding soil. Dry fiber pots draw moisture away from the soil.

Seeds:
You’ll get the best results if you purchase fresh seeds, packaged for the upcoming growing season. If you have saved seeds that you purchased last year, test the germination rate before planting.

Growing Medium:
Nothing beats a good commercial medium because it is sterile and free of unwanted weed seeds. If you want to make your own, here are a couple of good recipes:

Cornell Mix
4 quarts of shredded peat moss or sphagnum, 2 teaspoons ground limestone, 4 tablespoons 5-10-10 fertilizer.

Simple Mix
1 part loam, 1 part clean sand or perlite, 1 part leaf mold or moist peat.

Sowing Seeds
Fill pots or flats to within 1/4 inch of the top with your potting mixture and level the surface. It’s a good idea to water the soil and allow it to drain thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Make a hole for each seed with your finger or a pencil. Keep in mind that most seeds need to be planted four times as deep as the seed is wide. If your seeds are very fine, cover them with a fine layer of soil.

Moisture and Humidity
Germinating medium should be kept evenly moist but not soaking wet. Too much moisture will cause the seeds to rot. Use a fine sprayer to water newly planted seeds and tiny seedlings or, if possible, water from the bottom. If you can, slip your pots and flats into plastic bags to keep the humidity and moisture even and reduce the frequency of watering.

Light
Some seeds require light to germinate while others prefer total darkness. Your seed packet should tell you what your seed’s requirements are. Once germinated, all seedlings need light to develop into strong, healthy plants. Supplement the natural light with florescent bulbs if necessary.

Seedling Care
The care you give your seedlings in the weeks following germination is critical. Keep it moist, but not dripping. Small pots and flats dry out quickly, so check it often. If your seedlings are growing in a windowsill, turn often to encourage straight stems.

The first two leaves you will see on the plant are not true leaves but food storage cells called cotyledons. Once the first true leaves have developed, it’s time to start fertilizing. Choose a good liquid organic fertilizer and use a weak solution once a week.

Hardening Off
One week before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, start to harden them off. This process acclimates the soft and tender plants, which have been protected from wind, cool temperatures, and strong sun, to their new environment. Move the plants to a shady outdoor area at first, and bring them indoors for the night if night temperatures are cold. Each day, move them out into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time spent in the sun each day. Keep them well watered during this period, and don’t place them directly on the ground if slugs are a problem. Monitor them closely for insect damage since tender young seedlings are a delicacy for insects.

Transplanting
Don’t be in a rush to set your plants in the garden. If they won’t withstand frost, be sure all danger of frost has passed before setting them out. Plan the garden in advance. Consider companion planting and plant sizes. Make sure your tall plants won’t shade low growing neighbors.

Water the ground outside and the seedlings thoroughly before transplanting. This helps prevent transplant shock. It’s preferable to transplant on a cloudy day so strong sun won’t wilt your seedlings. Dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball and set the transplant into the hole so the root ball will be covered by 1/4 inch of soil. Press the soil firmly around the roots. A small depression around the plant stem will help trap moisture. Water immediately after transplanting and every day for the first week. Be sure to water deeply so you plants won’t develop shallow roots.

Single-Family – New Bedford, MA 02746 now has a new price!

Phil and Debbie Rose — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:00:59 +0000

One floor living with central air, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, new updated kitchen & bath,partially finished basement for additional space, nice carport and a fenced yard located in a convenient location, corner of Whitlow and Pitman and close to Rte. 140 & I 195 and all ammenities

This is a Ranch style home and features 5 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.17 Acres, and is currently available for $175,000.

For complete details click here.

Single-Family – Freetown, MA 02717 now has a new price!

Phil and Debbie Rose — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:00:42 +0000

This is a Cape style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 1.68 Acres, and is currently available for $215,000.

For complete details click here.

Remodel Your Bathroom

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:36 +0000

Bathrooms are one of the most costly rooms to remodel–generally second only to kitchens. These costs are often incurred in labor charges on items that go beyond the typical do-it-yourselfer’s skills. If you find yourself in the position of needing a bathroom update, but without the funds for a full remodel, here’s some quick, budget-friendly updates that will give your bathroom a brand new look.

Here are some great tips from Addicted2Decorating on how to get your bathroom in tip top shape.

Painting is absolutely the cheapest way to transform any room. For around $25, you can have a brand new look. And because they’re smaller than other rooms, bathrooms are often a great place to experiment with interesting new wall treatments. Do you like stripes? Try them in your bathroom!

Most people overlook the importance of lighting in almost every room of their home. If you’re still living with an outdated bath bar (often called Hollywood lighting), then you can have a fresh, new update for as little as $30.

Again, paint is the cheapest way to update. Are your wood cabinets looking tired from years and years of use? Give them a fresh coat of paint, and they’ll look new! I recommend a good cleaning, followed by a light sanding, then priming. Top with a coat or two of an oil-based paint, and you’ve got a brand new look. And the cost? About $70.

Hardware is the “jewelry” of your cabinets. Not having hardware on your cabinets is like putting on a great outfit, but forgetting to accessorize. Hardware is also a great place to be creative and unique. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $15 (or more) for each knob or pull. But it’s well worth it!

Sometimes a new, fresh look is as easy as replacing your worn-out, faded towels with some soft, fluffy new towels. And as popular as spa-inspired interiors are these days, it’s difficult to go wrong with white! White also gives your space a fresh, clean look. You can expect to pay from $5 to $30 per towel, depending on the quality.

When most of us think of purchasing a rug for our bathroom, we generally head to the bathroom department of the local home store. But why not try something with a little more style? Instead of a regular bath mat, try introducing a small area rug into your bathroom. Instant color and style! And because the rug is generally smaller than one you’d need for a living room, it’s possible to find one for $50 to $100.

I’m really surprised at how many people still use toilet seat covers in their bathrooms. Toilet seat covers are not only outdated, but they’re incredibly unsanitary. Remove it and reveal your sparkly clean toilet. And the cost? Free! Simply remove…..AND TOSS!

These are just as bad as the toilet seat covers. Actually, they’re worse, considering that these catch more….ummmm…stuff, since it’s on the floor. Eewwww! Again, just lift, and TOSS! And again….it’s FREE!!

If you have a plain, plate-glass, builder’s basic mirror, give it a frame! Simply purchase some moulding from your local home improvement store, cut to fit, paint, and adhere it to your mirror. Fill in the corners with a bit of wood filler, sand, and touch-up the paint. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making a frame yourself, you can always remove the mirror completely, and replace it with a purchased, framed mirror. Either way, the impact will be tremendous. This can easily be achieved for $50 to $100.

If you have a bathroom that requires a shower curtain, this is NOT the place to make a simply utilitarian choice. Visually, shower curtains consume a large area of the bathroom, and this is the perfect place to add color and style to your bathroom. So now’s the time to get rid of your plain, plastic shower curtain, and find one that defines your style!!

Seven Ways to Trim the Fat from your Food Bills

Phil and Debbie Rose — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:00:42 +0000

Scouting around in the family budget for quick savings? You may not be able to reduce your mortgage or rent overnight, but you can reduce your food bills quickly and easily with these cost-busting ideas from Babycenter.com.

1. Shop alone — and after eating

One simple recipe for avoiding impulse buying: Do your shopping after a light snack or meal and leave the kids at home.

If you aren’t hungry, yummy-looking foods will be easier to pass up. And if your children aren’t with you, they won’t be clamoring for all the goodies at eye level.

With your stomach full and your hands free, you’ll find yourself with both the time and energy to do real comparison shopping. So have your partner or another adult stay with the kids while you head to the store, list in hand, ready to scan the aisles for what you need as well as special deals.

2. Understand how stores work
A basic understanding of merchandising can help you avoid overspending. These simple habits will go a long way toward keeping your budget in check:

Walk briskly toward what you came to buy and avoid distractions along the way. For example, have you ever noticed that the diapers and milk are often at the back of the store? You’re forced to walk past a lot of temptation to get to the items you need most often.

Products are displayed at the ends of the aisles to catch your eye. Think carefully about whether what you see there is really necessary – or a bargain – before you toss it in the cart. Many “featured” items are not bargains at all.

As you peruse the aisles, bend over to check the prices on the bottom shelves and compare them with the cost of the items at eye level.

Avoid buying the items displayed by the register. The magazines at the checkout stand cost much more per issue than they would if you had a subscription, and cookies in little packages cost more than a from a box. Almost everything near the register is there to inspire you to buy on impulse, not to save you money.

Tip: Make fewer trips to the store and you’ll find yourself with fewer chances to pick up a few extras you don’t really need.

3. Buy house brands or generics
The less costly house brands are often so similar to national brands that you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart without the packaging. Read labels to compare nutritional value and you’ll quickly see how little difference (if any) there is – other than price.

Store brands cost an average of 27 percent less than name brands, according to Consumer Reports, which looked at 29 different food categories. Testers said store brands tasted the same or better in all but six categories.

Meat and dairy products all have to meet government standards, so store brands should be just as wholesome and nutritious as national brands.

Tip: You can donate to your child’s school as you shop. This costs you nothing – just sign up for the school’s scrip or electronic scrip fundraising program. Participating stores then donate part of the value of your purchase to the school every time you shop. To find out more, ask at your child’s school.

4. Check the unit price
Don’t be fooled by packaging. As you cruise down the aisles comparing products, take note of the unit price that appears on the store shelf just below or above the product. The unit price tells you what the product costs per ounce or some other consistent unit of measurement.

Whether the package is tall, short, or squat, you’ll know in an instant whether it costs more or less than other sizes of the same food. Compare per-unit prices and buy the item that offers more for less instead of the one that looks like more for less.

5. Use savings cards and coupons
Check your supermarket’s weekly flyer or ads for coupons on items you buy regularly, but also take advantage of your store’s savings card.

Many supermarkets offer savings-card programs that entitle you to special bargains or cash-back dividends on your purchases. Just present the savings card (or your ID number) at checkout, and depending on how your store’s program is structured, you’ll get savings on the spot or a dividend at the end of the year.

Keep your clipped coupons organized, perhaps separated according to grocery aisle or section. Whether you choose to hold them in envelopes, in a zip-top bag, with paper clips, or in a specially designed accordion file, store them in your purse or car so they’re with you whenever you shop. It’s annoying to come home from food shopping and find the coupon you wanted on the counter – on your store’s triple coupon day.

Tip: If a sale item doesn’t appear on the shelves, ask for a rain check so you can get it for the reduced price when it’s back in stock.

6. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk is a no-brainer if you’re feeding a big family or the whole preschool. But you can still benefit from these discounts if yours is a smaller family or you have limited storage space. Here are some ideas for making the most of oversize buys:

As always, arrive at your bulk-shopping store with a list. This will help you avoid buying a TV, watch, barbecue, or package of 200 gel pens just because it’s such a good deal.

Buy mostly nonperishable items that you know for sure you’ll use eventually – for example, paper products, cleaning supplies, baby wipes, juice boxes, and canned goods.

If you do purchase perishables, separate large packages into smaller ones as soon as you get home. Divide chicken and steaks, for example, into daily portions and freeze for later use.

Split the purchases and the bill with another family. Again, a list is a must – agree ahead of time on what you’ll buy. If you trade off trips to the store, both families also save time.

7. Buy from the source
Get produce from a local farmer’s market and you may be able to avoid the store markup on fresh vegetables and fruit, especially if you buy organic. Keep an eye out at the farmer’s market for growers selling blemished produce at bargain prices – it tastes wonderful but doesn’t meet grocery store standards for beauty.

Some farmer’s markets carry locally produced meat and dairy products, locally caught fish, and a variety of prepared sauces, preserves, and condiments made by local food artisans that would cost much more in stores. Of course, these are expensive no matter where you buy them. But if they’re must-haves for your family, a farmer’s market may be your best bet.