Register Ashe visits the Hungry Hill Senior Center

Register Ashe with the Director of the Hungry Hill Senior Center, Mary Troy.

On Tuesday, November 9th, Register Ashe visited the Hungry Hill Senior Center in an ongoing effort to inform the County's citizens of the importance of Homestead protection. At that time, we were able to sign up many people for the recording of a Homestead, as well as offer peace of mind to those that weren't quite sure if one was ever filed in their name. Mr. Ashe enjoyed his visit very much and would like to thank Mary Troy for her kind hospitality!

Happy Birthday, Mary Gurski!

Hampden County Registry of Deeds employee, Mary Gurski, turned 99 on November 3rd. Register Ashe praised her industrious work ethic both in and out of the Registry. Her tireless volunteer work with the Christ King the Church, Club Polanie, Polish National Club and the Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. Ludlow has touched the lives of so many and for that, we thank her! Celebrating her special day is an event that Registry employees look forward to each year. Once again, Happy Birthday, Mary!

Register Ashe visits the Hampden Senior Center

Register Ashe with Hampden Senior Center's Executive Director, Rebecca Moriarty


Register Ashe speaking with Hampden's seniors about the importance of recording a Declaration of Homestead on one's property.

On Tuesday, October 26th, Register Ashe stopped by the Hampden Senior Center to speak with the seniors about the Declaration of Homestead: its origins and importance for all homeowners. The Register was also able to explain certain aspects of the Registry's day-to-day functions, as well as answer questions regarding property ownership in Hampden County. At this time, those present were offered the option to sign up for the Homestead right then and there. Though we enjoy being able to greet and assist the customers that walk through our doors, Mr. Ashe realizes the convenience of having this service brought directly to our County's residents!

During the past couple of months, Register Ashe has also visited the senior centers in Agawam, Monson and Holland and he would like to thank Executive Directors, Joan Linnehan, Laurie Stacy and Debbie Tierney, respectively for their hospitality.

Part 1 of Register Ashe's Appearance on Register Gochinski's "The Western Mass Democrat"

Last week, Register Ashe appeared on Franklin County Register of Deeds, Joseph Gochinski's, program The Western Mass Democrat. Register Ashe and Register Gochinski discussed the various functions the the Hampden County Registry of Deeds and even managed to engage in a bit of political dialogue.

Click here to view Part 1...

Part 2 of Register Ashe's Appearance on Register Gochinski's "The Western Mass Democrat"

Click here to view Part 2...

Jim Kinney's article Money spent on Hampden County real estate transactions rises 4.1% for fiscal year

Click this link to read The Republican's article covering Register Ashe's Release and Forecast held on Tuesday, July 13th ....

Register Ashe's Release and Forecast for fiscal year 2010

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON REAL ESTATE IN HAMPDEN COUNTY DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 WAS $1,128,597,000.00, A 4.1% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECORDED WAS 87,317 A 3.4% INCREASE FROM 2009. THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR WAS $13,509,568.32, UP BY 2.1% FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

Click here to read the entire Release and Forecast...

POLANIE CLUB PRESENTS 2010 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Polanie Club President Loretta Goyette and Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald E. Ashe made the awards presentation at the annual luncheon held on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at the Polish American Citizens Club in Ludlow, Massachusetts.

The two 2010 Scholarship Awards recipients are Kyle R. Nadeau and Jessica L. Kaplan. Kyle attends Wentworth Institute of Technology and is majoring in architecture. Jessica attends Lesley College and is majoring in art therapy.

The Polanie Club is an active organization that sponsors and promotes many charitable and social causes and events. Club President “Lottie” Goyette stated, “The scholarship awards are an annual activity that is really an investment in our community’s future”.

Register Ashe, who presented the award winners with a proclamation recorded in the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in recognition of their achievement, stated, “The Polanie Club should be commended for raising the money in these difficult times to assist in providing a college education to these recipients and to the hundreds before them”.

2010 First Quarter Report

REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY AND PROPERTY VALUES ARE IMPROVING WHILE FORECLOSURES AND JUDGMENT LIENS ARE STILL INCREASING IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Hampden County Register of Deeds, Donald E. Ashe, reported today that the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, shows some improvement in real estate activity with a troubling increase in foreclosures and judgment liens. A judgment lien is a lien on the property of a debtor ordered by the court. Increases in judgment liens for consumer debt and delinquent federal and state taxes are considered indicators of a weak economy.

Register Ashe stated, “From the year 2006 to 2009, the number of federal tax liens recorded in Hampden County increased by 182% from 323 to 910. During the same period, the Massachusetts tax liens increased by 16% from 781 to 904. In the first quarter of 2010, liens for consumer credit debt (executions) rose by 63% over the same period in 2009”.

According to the Federal Reserve, as of December 31, 2009, the average APR on a credit card with a balance is 14.31% and it is estimated that the average credit card debt per household is $16,007.00. Fitch Ratings, a global rating agency, has reported that as of March 2010, the credit card default rate in the United States is 11.37%.

Comparing the first three months of 2010 with the same period in 2009, it was found that foreclosures increased by 26% from 233 to 294. Attachments, however, decreased by 37% from 41 in the first quarter of 2009, to a total of 26 in the first quarter of 2010.

The number of deeds recorded in the first quarter of 2010 was 2,273, which was a 2% increase over the same period in 2009 in which 2,221 deeds were recorded. Generally, an increase in the number of deeds recorded indicates a rise in home sales. The increase in the average and median sale price of homes is also a positive sign. In 2009, the first quarter average sale price was $148,907.69, which rose by 8% in 2010 to $160,419.59. In 2009, the first quarter median sale price was $120,525.00, which also rose in 2010 by 12% to $135,039.06.

Register Ashe stated, “Though the worst of the recession appears to be behind us, families and businesses are still having difficulty in paying their taxes, mortgages, and credit card debt. This growing problem of debt retirement is another indicator of an economy still in recovery”.

For any additional information, please contact Register Ashe at 413-784-0479, or by email at Hampden@sec.state.ma.us.

Reminder

Effective September 1, 2009, a postage paid envelope must be enclosed in order to return the original document. This mandate is due to budget constraints in the Commonwealth.

Please print return address on the face of the document and ensure that the envelope you provide has the accurate address.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Register Ashe's 27th Annual St. Patrick's Party

Click here to read the article written in The Republican covering Register Ashe's St. Patrick's Party.....

REGISTER'S CALENDAR YEAR 2009 FORECAST

Click here to view the complete Forecast detailing Calendar Year 2009

Click here to view the charts accompanying the Calendar Year 2009 Forecast

Click here to view The Republican's article on Register Ashe's Calendar Year 2009 Forecast