The Obama administration announced yesterday a plan to reduce the amount some troubled borrowers owe on their home loans. Here are details of the plan from documents provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. http://tinyurl.com/home-loan-plan-pdf

My feeling is that we need to recognize that a mortgage problem exists in this country and our choices for what to do about it are the proverbial rock and the hard place.

Sometimes when people list their house for sale they forget to consider what their pets will do during showings. As a Dog Realtor I'm able to work with my clients and their animals. Meet Simba. Today he was to going to be cramped in the car with his family, but instead he got to say home and run freely in the yard while I was showing the house. I know he was happier and my clients were glad for the added convenience.

Don't misunderstand me, I am all about dog-free showings because potential buyers should feel comfortable going through your house while being able to focus on the property as opposed to the dog. This said, life can get busy and there will be times when you, or your dog walker won't be available to take Fido away for a few minutes... and in this market we certainly don’t want to say "no" to showings! As opposed to canceling the appointment, I can step in. As a dog-friendly listing agent I know how to work with your dog and still be able to properly show your house.

Check out Simba's house. And if you know people with animals who are weighing their listing agent options, have them give me a call.

January 2010 Data

WALTHAM, Mass. – February 23, 2010 – The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that median prices of single-family homes were up 14.1 percent compared to January 2009 while condominiums experienced 26.5 percent increase compared to the same time last year. The jump in median condo prices in January is the largest annual increase since MAR has been tracking median prices. Home sales were up 9.1 percent compared to the same time last year while condominium sales were up 35 percent.

Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Nine Zero Hotel @ 90 Tremont Street Street Boston, MA 02108

Tickets: $50. Proceeds benefit ARL BOSTON
For more information: www.arlboston.org
For Tickets please log onto www.animalfair.com or call (212) 629-0392 x203

Wendy & Lucky Diamond Invite you to Celebrate the Launch of their New Book!

In celebrating Wendy and Lucky Diamond’s release of their new book, It’s a Dog’s World, a culmination of a decade of their experience in the pet business. And what better way to celebrate It’s a Dog World than Wendy and Lucky’s favorite way to get down? A YAPPY HOUR! The premiere cocktail party for people looking for true puppy love with a rescue dog, man or woman and couples looking to adopt a rescue dog in need of a loving home. YAPPY HOUR is a caninelicious party where everyone can bring their favorite furry friends along for a howling good time. It’s the only place where pet parents can party like an animal, with their animals, and everyone goes home with their tails wagging.

(Waltham, MA.) -- Joe Schutt, a salesperson with Gibson Sotheby's International Realty in Boston has been elected to the Board of Directors of Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) for 2010.