Norwood June 2016

June 2016 Local Town Pages www.norwoodtownnews.com Page 13
Norfolk County Real
Estate Still Posting
Positive Results
by Bella Caggiano
Snowfall was light in the
winter of 2016, and while the
weather may or may not influence
home sales, numbers do
not lie. According to Register
of Deeds William P. O'Donnell,
Norfolk County real estate experienced
strong 1st quarter in
terms of sales and number of
transactions.
“The 1st quarter of 2016
saw a robust market with total
volume of commercial and
residential real estate sales coming
in at $1.48 billion, a solid
12% increase from the same
time period in 2015," Registrar
O'Donnell said. "In addition,
the number of real estate sales
transactions increased a healthy
18% for the quarter."
There is, however, a category
where numbers did not pan out
as well. The average sale price
of commercial and residential
real estate fell 9% to $721,660.
"It is too early to know
whether a market correction is
underway relative to real estate
sales price or this figure represents
a onetime aberration,”
Register O’Donnell noted.
Are there subtle signs of
some changes coming in the
local real estate market? While
the increases were good, mortgages
did see a slight reduction.
“Regarding the mortgage
market, the total number of
mortgages recorded was 6,504,
a 3% reduction from 1st quarter
2015," O'Donnell said. "We
will need to watch this number
closely to see if a trend is occurring.”
While the number of mortgages
dipped, however, total
mortgage financing increased to
$4.0 billion, that's a 39% jump!
Some of this increase though
can be largely attributed to a
commercial mortgage that was
recorded in February.”
Foreclosure activity continues
to rise. The number of
foreclosure deeds recorded in
Norfolk County for the 2016
first quarter was 76, which is
a 4% increase from the same
time period last year. More diappointing
on this end was the
increase in number of Notice
to Foreclose Mortgage filings,
which rose from 214 this year
from 136 in the same timeframe
in 2015.
“I agree with the prevailing
feeling that the increased foreclosure
filings are attributable
to lending institutions working
through past delinquent mortgage
loans, some going back
to the 2008 economic downturn,"
Registrar O'Donnell
said. "While we sometimes get
caught up in looking at these
numbers as statistics, it should
be noted that foreclosures have
a very human face. “
To help those facing a foreclosure,
the Registry continues
to partner with Quincy Community
Action Programs at
(617) 479-8181 ext-376 and
Neighbor Works Southern
Mass at (508) 598-0950 for
those who have received a Notice
to Foreclose Mortgage from
a lender. Another option for
homeowners is to call the Massachusetts
Attorney General’s
HomeCorps program at (617)
573-5333.
Overall, the Norfolk County
Registrar is confident with this
year's first quarter numbers.
“I am encouraged by the
1st quarter results of real estate
activity in Norfolk County,"
Registrar O'Donnell said. "I
believe the favorable weather
we experienced compared to
the past winter spurred activity.
It’s pretty clear that Norfolk
County remains an attractive
location for individuals, families
and businesses to live and work.
As long as the eastern Massachusetts
economy remains vibrant
and real estate inventory
does not take a significant dip,
we should be able to maintain
this market momentum. Overall,
Norfolk County appears
to be moving towards a robust
spring real estate season.”
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.
The days are ticking down now, too quickly for
my taste. Soon enough, my youngest child will be
leaving Prescott Elementary School and moving to
Coakley Middle School.
I am flooded with memories of how my now
fifth grader was first brought to the Prescott. A bald,
squishy, adorable one month old, in Santa emblazoned
pajamas. All the kids wanted to hold her-except
of course, her older brother.
I remember Brie’s very first field day, running
behind me, desperately trying to catch the obstacle
course for her older siblings. She clapped her hands
and tried to call out names through her pacifier as
kids competed in relay races and the tug of war.
For years she was couldn’t push herself on the
swing or reach the monkey bars. Then one day she
could-I wish now I could remember that day, like so
many others.
My family has been at Prescott School for fourteen
years. I’ve made many Mommie friends, and
I’m sure a few enemies as well.
After 14 years, the faces and families change
but the feelings stay the same. For many, elementary
school is all about the firsts-for our kids and
ourselves. Friendships can be made and hearts can
be broken. There is homework, gym class, and field
trips. Projects to be completed and on time, packed
schedules -including sports, playing a musical instrument,
or even volunteer work. And for many of us
moms, we drop off, ship to, and basically wing it.
Not paying much attention, just surviving each day.
Yet the time keeps ticking by.
We await the summers with no projects, no
homework, no time tables. But we forget –there is
a catch.
For every summer that passes, a grade is completed.
Our kids get bigger, and eventually their
schools and lives change. And many of us don’t
have time to notice because we are too busy dropping
off, feeding, and on some days, just keeping our
kids alive.
Out and About
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Then one day, after five years, the school changes,
along with newer friends, new teachers, and other issues.
For those of you that have younger children-be
it at the Balch, Callahan, Cleveland, or Oldham
Schools, the years just fly.
For those of you that have more than one child,
when your oldest goes up to the Middle School-remember
you still have your grammar school roots.
If only for a while.
You will still see your Mommie friends, make
play dates for your kids. There will be Halloween
and holiday parties you may volunteer for. Life will
continue at your grammar school. So as big as the
changes may be for your eldest child, you still have
a foot in the door of your younger one’s grammar
school where it all began.
I have seen Prescott change over the past few
years. Mostly for the good, parents (usually the
same ones every year) are involved. Kids still play
four square at recess. The bottle project and Capron
Zoo are still fourth and fifth grade hits.
My kids grew and thrived at Prescott. The Principal,
Mrs. Killion, and her staff of caring, capable
teachers (a few I am proud to say are my friends)
helped my kids read, write, grow, and blossom. At
one point, the now retired school nurse, kept me
calm when my son split his head open on the playground.
A Mommie friend, grabbed my baby as
the two of us had an ambulance adventure. Which
makes me grateful to the school nurses for keeping
me sane and my children alive.
For those of you in the same boat, with the last
of your children heading to the Coakley next year,
with new adventures and new dramas, let’s enjoy the
last few weeks at our kids’ grammar school. Because
in September, the next school starts, whether we are
ready or not.
Dawn C. Fitzgerald is a freelance writer. She can be
reached at dawncfitz@yahoo.com