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ABOUT TOWN: Almost 25-Percent of Stoughton Homes are "Underwater"

Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e

DROWNING IN DEBT? HOME UNDERWATER? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Stoughton has 1,282 homes that are valued less than their mortgage. The "underwater" report comes from Zillow.com, which estimates that about 23% of all owner-occupied single family homes in Stoughton are "underwater."

In contrast, 47% of Brockton homes in the 02301 zip code are "underwater," while 46% in the 02302 zip code are. Randolph is at 36% and Holbrook at 27%.

On the flip side, Sharon has 9%, Walpole is 11%, Canton is 13%, Avon is at 19%, and North Easton (02356 zip code) is 15%. South Easton (02375 zip code), however, is at 28%.

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On November 14, Zillow reported that based on its third quarter Negative Equity Report:

28.2 percent of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage (roughly 14 million people) are underwater in the third quarter of 2012. Of all homeowners – roughly one-third of homeowners do not have a mortgage and own their home free and clear – 20 percent are underwater.

Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

See where other towns stand by clicking on the link: http://www.zillow.com/visuals/negative-equity/

Zillow reports U.S. home values have fallen "by nearly 20.6% since peak in 2007," but "in the third quarter of 2012, home values showed the biggest quarterly gain since 2006."

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OLD COLONY YMCA WINS AWARD: The Metro South Chamber of Commerce handed the Old Colony YMCA, which has a branch in Stoughton, the Economic Impact Award.  Accepting the award, which was presented Wednesday at the Massassoit Conference Center in Brockton, was Old Colony YMCA CEO Vincent Marturano.  

Vinnie is pictured with other winners in the gallery and is pictured in the shot I call "Two Vinnies", which includes Vinnie Lombardo, the CEO of Lombardo's Function Facility in Randolph.

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TRINITY HARVEST FAIR:  Trinity Episcopal Church at 414 Sumner Street, hosts their Annual Harvest Fair Friday, November 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is FREE!  Handicapped Accessible.

The event features Young's Boutique, gift baskets, crafts, a Country Store with jams, pickles, candy and baked goods; White Elephant table, books, a Christmas Table, kids activities, and face painting. 

A Silent auction with over two dozen items, including a four-hour sailing trip on Boston Harbor, with lunch and drinks.

There will also be a snack bar with ice cream and apple crisp! Plenty of interesting vendors. Raffle items include a 40" HD TV!

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WELCOME BABY BRUNCH: Enjoy a casual Sunday brunch while bonding with your baby and meeting other local families on November 18 from 10-11:30 at the Children’s Museum in Easton (9 Sullivan Avenue) in North Easton.

Learn healthy tips for conquering new parent stresses, share your new baby’s milestones, and learn from others’ experiences. The event is geared for families with children pre-birth to 1 year. Older siblings can explore the museum with an additional adult.

Cost is $15/family, including museum admission. Walk-ins are an additional $5. For more information and to register, visit bostonjcc.org/southbabybrunch, contact south@jccgb.org or call 781-795-0510.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to my friend of 50 years, Mark Leppo. He is a realtor with Zip Realty and an incoming member of the Stoughton Chamber Board of Directors; to Mike Mutascio, who has appeared in numerous local productions and is the man behind the 7-1-5 Haunted House; ZBA chairman Sherm Epro, owner of Sherm's Auto Body; and to Fox 25 Undercover reporter Mike Beaudet.

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