The Hampden County Registry of Deeds 2011 Mitten Drive a Success!!!

Each year, the staff at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds begins a hat, scarf and glove collection for children of the Springfield school system. Articles are not only donated by staff, but also by other Hall of Justice employees, attorneys and title examiners. Yesterday, on the first day of winter, Register Ashe delivered these items to students at the Homer Street School. The students were thrilled with their finds and we were beyond pleased to have been able to bring a bit of Christmas spirit to our community. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the staff at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds!

Register Ashe with students of the Homer Street School

and their principal, Kathleen Sullivan

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM REGISTER ASHE

I am pleased to inform you that as of January 1, 2012, the Hampden County Registry of Deeds will no longer charge a $.50 per page fee for copies to our online users that print documents from their homes or offices. As you may know, in July 2011 we also eliminated the $100 annual fee for those choosing to open an online account with our office. I have made these changes in an effort to make conducting business with our office easier and more affordable. The $1.00 per page fee will remain in effect for certified copies of documents purchased within our office.

Register Ashe Attends the 2011 JFK Remembrance Ceremony

Tuesday, November 22nd marked the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The annual remembrance ceremony took place at the Eternal Flame Memorial in Springfield's Forest Park and was attended by Register Ashe and many other regional politicians and public figures. The service was filled with words of praise for the man whose death grieved a nation and has continued to serve as a hero for many Americans.

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Mary Gurski's 100th Birthday Celebration Continues!

Register Donald E. Ashe with the birthday girl, Mary Gurski

Polish American Citizens Club President and party host John Diotalevi with Mary

On Friday, November 4th, the Polish American Citizens Club (PACC) hosted a celebration for Hampden County Registry employee, Mary Gurski's 100th birthday. The event was held at the PACC in Ludlow and was attended by many of her Registry co-workers, family and friends. Once again, happy 100th birthday, Mary!

Happy 100th Birthday to Registry Employee, Mary Gurski!!

On Thursday, November 3rd, Register Ashe and staff organized a birthday celebration to honor Registry employee, Mary Gurski's 100th birthday! Those who came to wish Mary a happy birthday were treated to traditional Polish food, delicious sweets, the tunes of Frank Sinatra and a very special video showcasing pictures taken of Mary throughout the years. Mary is an inspiration to us all and we were delighted to be able to share part of this special day with her.

Happy Birthday Mary!!

Register Ashe Visits the Wilbraham and Southwick Senior Centers

In an effort to continue informing Hampden County of recent changes made to the Homestead Act, as well as providing the opportunity for citizens to answer basic questions about their real estate, Register Ashe visited the Wilbraham and Southwick Senior Centers. On Thursday, September 22nd, the Register will be visiting the Longmeadow Senior Center and the East Longmeadow Senior Center on Tuesday, September 27th. Stop on by and Register Ashe and staff will be on hand to assist you with questions or concerns that you may have relative to your property.

Register Ashe at the Wilbraham Senior Center.

Register Ashe speaking to Southwick residents at their senior center.

Attorney General Martha Coakley Offers Information to Help Clear Up Property Ownership Confusion

Due to recent confusion as to which lenders actually hold the mortgage of various properties throughout the Commonwealth, the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley has released information that may help to answer the questions of many homeowners. Click here to read Attorney General Coakley's "Information Regarding Mortgage Loans".

Register Ashe Reports on Hampden County Real Estate Transactions

The housing market in Massachusetts, while still struggling, has shown some signs of a more sustainable recovery in certain areas. The number of single family homes put under agreement in June 2011 went up for the second straight month compared to the same time in 2010, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. In Hampden County, we have both good news and bad news. The good news is the number of attachments, executions and foreclosures decreased in fiscal year 2011 as compared to fiscal year 2010. A decrease in those three categories is indicative of an improving economy, yet not at a significant rate. The bad news is both the number of deeds and mortgages decreased in fiscal year 2011 compared to fiscal year 2010, which is indicative of a decrease in home sales.....

Click here to read Register Ashe's complete Release and Forecast....

Registry Employee Joe Dowd, presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from Register Ashe

On Wednesday, June 29th, Register Ashe presented Registry employee Joe Dowd with a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding work performance and positive attitude. Joe arrives to work each day ready to give his all to the Registry, his fellow co-workers and the customers that he assists in the Photo Department. He greets all with a smile on his face and never has an unkind word to say to or about anyone. Joe's willingness to help out whenever he is needed and often when not even asked, is an inspiration to all of us here at the Registry of Deeds. We are honored to work along side Joe and want to congratulate him on this very well deserved recognition. Congratulations Joe and thank you for all that you do!

Register Ashe visits the Palmer Senior Center

On Wednesday, June 15th, Register Ashe had the opportunity to meet with residents of Palmer at their Senior Center. The Register gave a brief overview of the role that our office plays in real estate transactions that occur in Hampden County. Register Ashe also discussed how the homestead law has changed due to the recent legislative changes that took place on March 16, 2011. Caitlin and Laurette were on hand to assist those in attendance by providing them with basic information relative to their property, as well as record homesteads for those who were interested. Register Ashe would like to thank Director Erin Pincince for graciously welcoming us to Palmer's Senior Center and we look forward to visiting again in the future!

Westfield Office Open in the Midst of Tornado Aftermath Makes Headlines in Banker & Tradesman

Click on the article above to read the complete piece published in Banker & Tradesman.

Register Ashe's visit to the Greenleaf Community Center

On Tuesday, May 17th, Register Ashe was invited by Springfield City Councilor Clodo Concepcion to speak before the Sixteen Acres Civic Association. Register Ashe gave a brief history of the Hampden County Registry of Deeds and explained the operational functions of the Registry to those in attendance. At the event, Sixteen Acres residents were able to have some of their real estate questions answered, as well as learn a little bit about what we do at the Registry of Deeds. Register Ashe would like to thank Councilor Concepcion for inviting him to the Greenleaf Community Center and offering him the opportunity to meet with such a pleasant group!

Watch Register Ashe on 22 News warning homeowners of the State Record Retrieval Board's attempt to charge residents $87.00 for a copy of their deed

Officials warn of property deed scam: wwlp.com

Private Company with Government Sounding Name Soliciting Hampden County Homeowners

Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds, reported today that a California-based company, State Record Retrieval Board, with a Boston, Massachusetts mailing address is offering to provide homeowners with a copy of their property deed and a property profile for a processing fee of $87.00.

Most, if not all, of the information in the property profile can be obtained free of charge from the local assessor’s office. The Hampden County Registry of Deeds charges a dollar a page for a certified copy of a property deed and since most deeds are only three pages, the total charge is $3.00.

Click here to read Register Ashe's complete Press Release...

Public Service Announcement - Deed Service

Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds, announced today that a Deed Service is offering to provide a certified copy of a deed for the price of either $59.50 or $69.50. The Registry of Deeds is the only source for providing certified copies of deeds and it charges $1.00 per page which for most deeds amounts to a total of $2.00.

Click here to read the entire PSA...

Legislative Changes to the Homestead Act

As of March 16, 2011, legislative changes made to the Homestead Act will take effect. An estate of homestead is a type of protection for a person’s principal residence. There is an automatic homestead protection of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) with respect to a home that does not declare a homestead exemption with the Registry of Deeds. It is not likely to be sufficient coverage to protect the full value of your home. In order for homeowners in Massachusetts to protect the value of their property for five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), you must file a new document called a “Declaration of Homestead”.

This form can be downloaded from the Hampden County Registry of Deeds website, picked up at our office or mailed upon request. The form can be filled out individually and can then be filed at the Registry of Deeds in the county or district where the property is located, referencing the title/deed to the property. A sole owner, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, tenant in common, life estate holder, or holder of a beneficial interest in a trust may all be regarded as owners. Additionally, manufactured or mobile home owners are also eligible to declare homestead protection under the provisions of the new statute.

*This information is not designated to provide any legal advice or address the practical effect of an estate of Homestead. As in all areas of the law, to fully understand your rights, you should consult an attorney of your choice.*

Register Ashe shares his secret for keeping up with Registry employee and VFW Post 3236 Ladies Auxiliary President, Mary Gurski

At the recent banquet hosted by the Polish American Citizen's Club, Register Ashe quipped that in order to keep up with Registry employee, Mary Gurski, he needed to take a double dose of Citizen of the Year and former pharmacist Ed Szela's "energy pills" (M&M candies). Mary, who will be turning 100 in November, is not only an asset to this office, but also to her community. Her tireless efforts to raise money for America's veterans, as well as her church, are very much needed and appreciated. Thank you, Mary!

Article from The Republican covering Register Ashe's Release and Forecast for Calendar Year 2010

Click here to read Jim Kinney's article in The Republican....

Register Ashe's Release and Forecast for Calendar Year 2010

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON REAL ESTATE IN HAMPDEN COUNTY DURING THE CALENDER YEAR 2010 WAS $992,908,000.00, A -7% CHANGE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECORDED DURING 2010 WAS 82,677, A -9% CHANGE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. THE TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTED DURING 2010 WAS $12,505,087.23, ALSO A -9% CHANGE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

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