Beginning Tuesday, September 7th the Town of Acton is launching the new MinuteVan rail shuttle service for MBTA riders that will run between an off-site parking lot and the South Acton MBTA Commuter Rail Station. The off-site lot is located behind the West Acton Fire Station on Central Street and the service will run Monday through Friday during the morning commute between 6:45 AM and 9:24 AM and during the evening commute from 5:10 PM to 7:24 PM.
Town Manager Steve Ledoux stated:
The shuttle will pick-up at the off-site parking lot and passengers can enjoy the trip to the South Acton station in a new 15-passenger mini-van fueled by less polluting Compressed Natural Gas. This is a great way to help the residents of Acton and surrounding towns, while we do something that’s good for the environment at the same time.
Ledoux added that “the project has had many champions including Acton’s Transportation Advisory Committee and its chairperson Franny Osman as well as Selectmen Lauren Morton and Mike Gowing”. « keep reading »
Source: Kiplinger
Labor Day looms large for homeowners. The end of summer signals that many of us will soon be immersed in an accelerated work schedule plus soccer practices, homework and other realities of back-to-school season. (Then there are football-filled Sundays that most cut into your handyman time in the fall.) But there’s still time to tackle a few remodeling projects. And while your goal may simply be to freshen the appearance of your home, you also want to know that your hard work will increase your home’s value.
Here are eight home improvements you can finish by Labor Day that will pay you back. Each costs less than $1,000 and should require less than a day’s work. Take a look. « keep reading »
The Arlington Massachusetts Rec. Department has their brochure available for the Fall/Winter 2010/2011 season. And you can download it here. Registration for Arlington residents is underway and begins on August 30 for non-Arlington residents.
A buyer client I am currently working with had some questions about the amount of the estimated closing costs on the “Initial Fees Worksheet” provided by their mortgage broker. Two line items in particular…“Total Estimated Settlement Charges” and “Total Estimated Funds Needed to Close” and which one was the amount that was going to have to be brought to the closing table. The bottom of the “Initial Fees Worksheet” (which some lenders are using in addition to the new GFE or Good Faith Estimate) states, “THIS IS NOT A GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE. A Good Faith Estimate is provided pursuant to federal law upon the submission of a formal loan application with us. This “Initial Fees Worksheet” is provided for informational purposes ONLY, to assist you in determining an estimate of cash that may be required to « keep reading »
Arlington was of the few towns in Greater Boston where values increased, by 2.4 percent, in fiscal year 2010, according to a Globe analysis of recent Department of Revenue data.
“Arlington has something for everyone, from cradle to grave,” said Robert Greeley director of assessing, who pointing to the town’s location and its access to Boston, as well as a strong school system, recreational facilities, and senior center.
Greeley estimated seven out of 10 people buying are from outside town — when homes come from sale, which isn’t often, relatively speaking. Homes come up for sale every 28 years on average, he said.
Find out how your community compares with this statewide map that tracks a 10-year history of taxes and property values.
Original Source: Boston.com
