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The median price for homes sold in November in
Massachusetts plummeted 16.7 percent to $275,000,
the largest single monthly year-over-year price decline
since The Warren Group, publisher of Banker &
Tradesman, began tracking the housing market in
1987.
Home sales in November hit a dubious record of their
own. After climbing for two straight months, sales
tumbled 18.4 percent last month compared to
November 2007 - the largest dip in year-over-year
November sales in Warren Group history.
Sales fell to 2,620 from 3,211 in November 2007. A
total of 37,257 single-family homes sold from January
through November, down 12.5 percent from 42,594
last year.
The November median home price slumped 16.7
percent to $275,000 from $330,000 during the same
month in 2007. November's percentage decline
exceeds the monthly price drops in September and
October, when median home prices were down 15.3
percent and 13.9 percent, respectively. The median
price for homes sold in the first 11 months of the year
was $309,900, 10.8 percent lower than the $347,500
median price recorded for the same months in 2007.
"The slow sales volume in November reflects what
was happening in the late summer and early fall when
most of these sales transactions were being
negotiated. Fear and panic gripped consumers as the
stock market tanked and financial firms and other
companies reported heavy losses which caused
many would-be homebuyers to pull back," said
Timothy Warren, CEO of The Warren Group, publisher
of Banker & Tradesman. "A similar sales picture is
likely to emerge in the next two months, which means
the price declines we've been seeing won't level off for
quite some time."
The western part of the Bay State and the islands had
the sharpest declines in home sales this year. Year-to-
date single-family home sales have plunged 38.6
percent in Nantucket County and 25.1 percent in
Dukes County. Single-family home sales in Franklin
and Hampden counties are off more than 18 percent
from January through November compared to a year
ago, while sales fell 17.4 percent in Hampshire
County during the same period.
Meanwhile, the condominium market, which
experienced more moderate sales declines in
September and October, saw double-digit percentage
declines in sales and prices in November.
Sales sank 27.5 percent to 1,204 from 1,660 in
November 2007. Sales through November decreased
23.1 percent to 18,862 from 24,514. The median
condo price retreated 12 percent to $240,000 in
November from $272,700 a year ago. It was the
biggest price decline in monthly median condo prices
year-over-year since January 1992. But condo prices
have held up better so far this year than single-family
home prices. Year-to-date the median condo price
slipped 2 percent to $275,000 from $280,525.
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ASAP Environmental
HEALTHY HOMES FOR BETTER LIVING
1 Arcadia St. Dorchester, MA 02122
inspections@asapenvironmental.com 800-349-7779 www.asapenvironmental.com
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The January membership meeting and educational
program will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at
The Lantana in Randolph, MA. The dinner and
membership meeting will start at 5:00 pm. The
Roundtable Discussion will start at 6:00 pm, after
dinner.
Jack Sheehan, a partner in the firm of Mueller-
Sheehan-Sullivan Company of Jamestown, RI, will
provide an introduction to Building Physics and the
Importance of Air Movement and explain why we must
approach the design of a building as a system rather
than as a collection of building components thrown
together. A better understanding of how air moves (or
the reasons it may not) is critical for anyone
attempting to inspect a structure and make
recommendations on how to solve problems such as
excessive moisture buildup, mold and mildew and
other air quality-related problems. This presentation
will also address changes in thinking in Building
Science which are leading us away from a reliance on
R-value based insulation to advances in air sealing
which controls the leakage of air and moisture vapor
into the building envelope. New soft foam insulation
is now being used in retrofit and new buildings to
solve mold and moisture condensation problems.
Sheehan has 38 years experience in insulation,
roofing, ventilation and waterproofing in the New
England area and has extensive practical knowledge
of commercial and residential construction and is a
member of the Rhode Island Construction
Specification Institute (CSI) and the Northeast Roofing
Contractors Association. He has led architectural
seminars in energy conservation and indoor air quality
and is a registered presenter in the AIA Continuous
Education Unit Program. Time will be provided for
questions and answers.
I look forward to seeing everyone that evening.
Bob Mulloy, Education Chairman
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FREA
E&O Insurance for Home Inspectors
800-882-4410 www.frea.com |
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If you have an employee who wants to become a
home inspector or you receive one of those weekly
telephone calls from a "wannabe" home inspector,
please tell them that there is now a place to go to
attain the 75 hours of educational training credits as
required in 266 CMR, section 4.00.
Sherman Price and Bob Mulloy are teaching a two-
term Associate Home Inspector Training Program at
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School. The two
term, 75-hour continuing education class (code V312),
meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:15 pm, cost
$500 per term. The fall semester has already begun
and the winter semester will be begin on February
4th. A student may register for either semester first
and make up the other next semester.
Contact information: Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School 940 County Street Taunton, MA 02780 508-823-5151 ext. 123 http://www.ssreg.com/bptech/classes/results.asp ?string=v312 www.bptech.org For complete information on trainee requirements,
visit the MA Board of Home Inspectors Web Site at:
www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hi
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CORCORAN & HAVLIN INSURANCE GROUP
THE SUPERIOR HOME INSPECTOR ERRORS &
OMISSIONS INSURANCE PROGRAM!
Underwritten by AIG's Lexington Insurance Company - Rated A++ by A.M. Best Home Inspector E&O Coverage offers these features:
For a quote or more information, please call Debi
Drury (x244 or ddrury@chinsurance.com) or
Mike Curtis, Marketing Manager (x243) or visit
website at www.chinsurance.com
287 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 800-304-8242 Fax 781-235-7190 |
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January is National Radon Action Month
It is surprising how many people ignore warnings
about the dangers of radon gas. Maybe
it is because radon is a tasteless, colorless, and
odorless gas that never gives us a reason
to enter our stream of consciousness. It certainly isn't
as dramatic as an automobile
accident for instance. And, we all take as many
precautions as necessary to avoid being in
a car crash. So why wouldn't you take the same
approach with radon gas? The fact of the
matter is that radon gas kills more people in New
Hampshire on an annual basis than
anything else that the New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services deals with!
According to the NH Division of Motor Vehicle's Fatal
Crash Unit, 138 people died in
New Hampshire in 2008 in automobile crashes.
Would it surprise you to know that it is
estimated that 100 people in New Hampshire died of
lung cancer as a result of exposure
to radon gas? Nationally, radon is the second leading
cause of lung cancer after cigarette
smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer in
nonsmokers.
Radon can get into the air you breathe and the water
you drink. With January being
National Radon Action Month, DES recommends that
all New Hampshire residents test
their homes and private well water for radon,
especially given that we in the "Granite
State" have higher than average
radon levels and exposure potential. You see radon is
a
naturally occurring
radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of
uranium in soil
and rocks like granite. While the chance of having
elevated radon in New Hampshire is
higher in the south central, southeast, and northeast
regions of the state, annual DES
radon survey results show that excessive radon levels
have been detected in homes in
every county.
Testing is the only way to know if your home or well
water has elevated radon levels.
Testing for radon in air and water is inexpensive and
do it yourself
test kits can be
purchased via the Internet and at major hardware
stores. A radon measurement
professional can also be hired to conduct a radon test
for air and water.
The good news is that if you do discover that you have
radon levels in your home above
the USEPA recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L
(picocuries per liter) of air, the
problem can be fixed. Reducing radon concentrations
in homes is generally a
straightforward process that involves venting radon
from beneath the basement floor, slab
or from the crawl space, and sealing cracks in floors
and walls. Radon gas can be
removed effectively from drinking water by using an
aeration process. Certified radon
consultants are available to discuss options and
assist homeowners when it comes to
radon mitigation in your home.
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CRACK-X
Got water in your basement?
Since 1985, CRACK-X has been a full service company specializing in residential and commercial foundation welding of cracks and other concrete repairs such as bulkheads, penetrations, cold joints, elevator pits, and slabs. We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction and back up all vertical wall crack repairs with an unconditional 10-year warranty. 25 Washington Avenue, Natick, MA 01760
877-272-2539 www.crackfx.com |
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B-Dry Systems
20 YEARS OF SOLVING WATER PROBLEMS
Written warranty for the full life of the structure. 800-320-2379
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On November 26, 2008, the Board of State Examiners
of Plumbers and Gas Fitters voted to temporarily
rescind the approval of all Corrugated Stainless Steel
Gas Piping Systems (CSST) products in
Massachusetts (effective December 1, 2008)
until "such time as the Manufactures' recently
amended bonding requirements are resolved by the
appropriate Authorities Having Jurisdiction." Since that
time, Board staff have orally been advised that another
state agency, the Board of Fire Prevention
Regulations, is going to be issuing a written decision
regarding said bonding. The Board will need to review
this decision to determine, if at all, whether that
decision resolves the issues underlying the Board's
Nov. 26th decision. If not, the Board will still consider
new directives and/or code changes to ensure the
safety and completeness of CSST installations in
Massachusetts.
Gas permits issued prior to the above effective date
for the installation of CSST Gas Piping Systems are
NOT affected by this decision.
The Board will be conducting this review at its
regularly scheduled meeting on February 4th, 2009.
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Vent Master
ATTIC VENTILATION SPECIALISTS
Inspectors, when you see signs of:
Recommend Vent Master For a FREE consultation, call Don Marcoux at Vent
Master
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, recently
announced a voluntary recall of the following
consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise
instructed
Name of Product: Napoleon Propane Gas Fireplace
Inserts
Units: About 1,200
Manufacturer: Wolf Steel USA, of Crittenden, Ky.
Hazard: Delayed ignition due to a build-up of propane
gas can cause the insert's glass cover to break,
posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Wolf Steel has received one report
of a consumer who suffered minor lacerations when
the glass cover shattered.
Description: This recall involves Napoleon propane
GDI44 gas fireplace inserts. Model number GDI44 is
located on the front cover of the operating instructions
or on the rating label found behind the right side panel
next to the insert's viewing glass. The glass size is
36" wide and 22" high. Napoleon natural gas GDI44
inserts are not affected by this recall.
Sold at: Authorized Napoleon fireplace hearth dealers
nationwide from July 2002 through September 2008
for about $2,000.
Manufactured in: Canada
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using
the fireplace and contact Wolf Steel to receive a free
repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact
Wolf Steel toll-free at (866) 539-2039 between 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's
Web site at www.napoleonfireplaces.com
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Peter Greifer Enterprises
ASBESTOS REMOVAL & MOLD REMEDIATION
Serving Eastern Massachusetts & Rhode Island 800-582-5288
401-946-4506 (Rhode Island) peter.greifer@verizon.net |
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The ASHI NE Chapter maintains a library of
educational books, video tapes and CD's for Chapter
members and candidates to utilize for personal and
business growth. Those who wish to sign materials
out may do so for a fee of $16 per item ($10 per
tape) which covers two-way shipping and handling.
Library materials may be used for a two week period,
beginning on the date of shipment. Those who fail to
return library materials on time will be assessed a
fine
of $1 / day. If the materials are not received back
within two months of date of shipping, you will be
charged the cost of replacement. To sign materials
out, there is a form that is posted on our web site
that is to be completed and sent to the executive
office. It is always recommended that you call the
executive office to check on the availability of an
item. Once this form is received, the executive office
will ship the items out with a postage paid return
envelope. The list of the materials that are currently
available in the chapter library is on the web site as
well.
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Rene Mugnier Associates
When in doubt, refer to a structural engineer
specializing in the investigation of homes and
commercial structural problems.
REHABILITATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
777 Concord Ave., Ste. 201, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-7773 |
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The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home
Inspectors holds meetings on a regular basis that are
open for home inspectors to attend. These board
meetings are usually held at 239 Causeway Street,
2nd Floor, Room 204 in Boston from 10:00 am to 3:00
pm.
The meeting dates for 2009 are as
follows:
January 30, 2009 March 18, 2009 May 13, 2009 July 15, 2009 September 16, 2009 November 18, 2009 You are encouraged to call the board office at 617-727-
4459 for any posssible changes in location and time
of these meetings.
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Atlas Watersystems
WE DON'T MAKE THE WATER.
WE MAKE THE WATER BETTER!! Residential & Commercial Water
Filtration & Purification Water Testing & Analysis
Radon & Arsenic Remediation Softeners * Filters * Purification 800-215-9966 www.atlaswater.com "Bringing Technology to Water"
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President
Lisa Alajajian-Giroux /
homequest1@comcast.net
Vice President
Mike Atwell /
m.atwell@rcn.com
Secretary Donald Bissex /
dbissex@comcast.net
Treasurer
Paul Kristenson /
absinspections@comcast.net
Directors
Paul Cornell / pcornell@inspecthouses.com Paul Rogoshewski / paul@harmonyhomeinspection.com Council of Representatives
Paul Kristenson / absinspections@comcast.net Lisa Alajajian / homequest1@comcast.net Bill Sutton / wsuttoninspector@hotmail.com Committee Chair
By- Laws: Mike Atwell / m.atwell@rcn.com Communications: Education: Bob Mulloy / rmulloy@verizon.net Legislative: Membership: Executive Director
Walter Perry /
wperry@choiceonemail.com
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We look forward to seeing you at our monthly membership meeting on January 29th !
Sincerely,
ASHI New England
email:
clough@choiceonemail.com
phone:
800-248-2744
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