Sleepy Little Towns

by Janet Hilton

The expression “sleepy little town” has been used affectionately over the years to describe many Massachusetts communities that have developed in old agricultural regions in and around our beautiful North Shore. Over the last few weeks, however, Massachusetts with all our “sleepy little towns” drew international attention with the campaign for the US Senate seat left vacant by the death of Senator Kennedy. It has been said that it was a “shot heard ‘round the world.” Perhaps Massachusetts will be seen as the nation’s pendulum. Straying too far in any direction is often not good for business and Massachusetts minds its business.

There has always been something special about our state that makes it worth the extra dollars we are willing to pay to own property so rich in tradition, “chutzpa” and history. When Paul Revere rode through Massachusetts streets to warn citizens of the enemy approaching, Massachusetts in fact was warning a whole new developing nation. Today the whole world flocks to our hospitals for the best medical care and to our universities for the best education as Massachusetts continues to be an international medical and academic center.

Even as we have been the brunt of “Taxachusetts” jokes, and “Big Dig-Big Pig” articles, we continue to live in a state that offers everything we could ever ask for within our borders. Our sparkling coastline attracts vacationers to beaches that rival the best in the world. Our summers precede the explosion of fiery foliage that stops international visitors in their tracks. Within short distances our massive mountains draw hikers and skiers and our countless rivers, lakes and ponds offer pure paradise for boaters, fishermen, and skaters. Just as the ice crystals disappear, our beautiful state presents us all with acres of bouquets and the sweet scent of springtime. We are constantly experiencing change and we embrace new beginnings more readily because of it.

There are few transactions that have greater impact on an individual’s economic and general welfare than those that involve the selling and buying of real estate. Massachusetts has faired relatively well in a housing market that has seen several areas of the country devastated with property values plummeting to less than fifty percent. Although homeowners must continue to price their properties more conservatively in order to sell in an unforgiving market, Massachusetts properties are selling. First time homebuyers have taken advantage of the tax credit, low prices and low interest rates and the lower end inventory has been moving. When the lower end moves, the selling and buying wave continues upward to the higher end markets and that is what we have been seeing all over our gorgeous North Shore.

There is movement underway in Massachusetts. It is real. It is palpable and it must be understood in the proper context of our history or the opportunity to learn from our past will be lost to us. This movement of conservative ideology will have direct impact on the real estate market. Our economy relies on consumer spending, but it will implode in the absence of reasonableness.

The banks are not likely to relax their credit guidelines in a conservative market. That said, no consumer should be adversely affected by a more conservative approach to lending. If an applicant can not afford a home loan, the money should not be loaned anyway. Irresponsible lending and spending infected our economy and we are all experiencing the difficulties that continue to flow there from. The lesson that can be learned from what is happening in Massachusetts is that the American spirit, even still in its relative infancy, will rise up from “sleepy little towns” to guard against any threat to our economic and general welfare whether it is domestic or foreign. Today in Massachusetts if the “British are coming”; they are most likely accompanied by a tour guide.

Broker/Realtor Janet Hilton is a former practicing attorney and RN who with her husband George Hilton, a retired Lynn Fire Lieutenant, owns and operates RE/MAX Country Crossroads Realty in the Rowley Plaza at 144 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA. For excellence in selling and buying real estate, call 978-948-5333 or visit http://www.countrycrossroadsrealty.com/