bestmetrowestrealty.com blog http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog Just another WordPress site Sun, 13 May 2012 13:00:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Strong Demand=Slim Pickings http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/strong-demandslim-pickings http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/strong-demandslim-pickings#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 13:00:18 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/?p=225 According to Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s chief economist, the spring housing market is starting off strong. “If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years. The NAR expects sales to rise between 7% and 10% in 2012.

In the past month alone, a [...]]]> According to Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtor’s chief economist, the spring housing market is starting off strong. “If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years. The NAR expects sales to rise between 7% and 10% in 2012.

In the past month alone, a sampling of Metrowest towns including Framingham, Sudbury, Southborough, Ashland and Hopkinton, MLS shows 111 homes sales closed, ranging from 114,000 up to 1,155,00 with a median price of 331,500. Certainly a wide range of offerings and price ranges within just these 5 towns!

What does that mean? Strong demand has melted away inventory in some housing markets with investors and first-time buyers vying for bargains, homes are being snatched up as soon as they hit the market.

Prices may not be shooting up, but homes are once again selling at a rapid clip in many markets, draining the multiple-listing services and turning up the competitive pressure on buyers. Multiple offers and bidding wars are back.

Lately if a buyer is not there the first day a home comes on the market, it’s gone. When a quality property that is priced accurately comes on the market, it’s not going to sit around. In some areas the competitive environment has already begun to nudge prices up slightly.

Bargain prices and historically low interest rates are bringing buyers back. The belief among buyers is that the housing market has already turned the corner and that there won’t be a better time to land an affordable home.

National Association of Realtors President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc. in Miami, says market conditions are improving as supply and demand have become more balanced.

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/strong-demandslim-pickings/feed 0 Quick and Easy Kitchen Remodel http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/quick-and-easy-kitchen-remodel http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/quick-and-easy-kitchen-remodel#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:24 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/?p=226 Kitchens are often the hub of the home and when it comes time to put your home on the market it is often said that kitchens and baths sell homes. A kitchen remodel can be expensive and time consuming. There are things you can do to give your kitchen a new look without spending [...]]]> Kitchens are often the hub of the home and when it comes time to put your home on the market it is often said that kitchens and baths sell homes. A kitchen remodel can be expensive and time consuming. There are things you can do to give your kitchen a new look without spending a lot of money or time. Here are some inexpensive tips to get your kitchen in tip top shape in no time.

-Upgrade your appliances (and countertops!)
Updating or upgrading your appliances will give your kitchen a fresh new look. You can start by ordering new doors or face panels from the manufacturer. If new appliances are in order you can find great deals at at discount stores. Many stores have scratch and dent appliances that may only have a small imperfection on the back of the appliance or in a place where no one would see it. This is a great way to save lots of money for more expensive appliances. The price of granite has come down in recent years – now might be the time to replace those old scratched countertops!!

-Pretty it up with paint – THE BEST CHEAPEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE!
New paint makes everything look clean and bright again. Choose a semigloss latex paint, which is easier to clean and holds up better in kitchens. Don’t forget to paint the trim too. Clean and wash all the walls and trim before painting. This will ensure the paint adheres to the surfaces properly.

-Get organized
Even if you have the newest cabinets and appliances a messy kitchen is never attractive. Keep clutter at bay with drawer organizer for utensils, pot racks and pull out trays for cabinets. If you need more room in your kitchen, utilize empty walls. Add open shelves with some neatly placed bowls for a great decorative and storage alternative

-Use the right lighting
Replace flood lights with a brighter and cleaner looking halogen bulbs. Install under cabinet lighting for a new look. Use decorative lights over the kitchen table or island to set the mood.
Older chandeliers can get an easy upgrade by placing small shades over the bulbs.

-Refurbish the cabinets
If your cabinets need a new look consider either refinishing them or giving them a lot of elbow grease. Cabinets easily build up with grease and dust. Use a cleaner with orange oil to get rid of the grime. Test a spot first before cleaning the whole kitchen. If the cabinets are worn, consider refinishing or repainting the doors and frames. Adding new drawer pulls, hinges and handles can also make a big impact.

-Fix the floor
An affordable way to have a do it yourself new floor is to install vinyl tiles. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and durable. At less than $2 per square foot, you can put a vinyl floor in just about any kitchen for $500.

Don’t be afraid to spend a little money to achieve big results. Most minor kitchen renovations will recoup at least 83% of the cost and may even add value to your home.  Calling your Realtor in advance for ideas and market trends might prove to be beneficial!

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/quick-and-easy-kitchen-remodel/feed 0 How to Start a Vegetable Garden http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/how-to-start-a-vegetable-garden http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/how-to-start-a-vegetable-garden#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:00:22 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/?p=215 Eating fresh-picked corn or vine-ripened tomatoes is a life-altering experience. But where do you start? How do you choose from racks of seeds, catalog after catalog and rows upon rows of nursery seedlings? Successful small-scale farmers know what and when to plant, and how to start the crops.

Joining a local CSA might [...]]]> Eating fresh-picked corn or vine-ripened tomatoes is a life-altering experience. But where do you start? How do you choose from racks of seeds, catalog after catalog and rows upon rows of nursery seedlings? Successful small-scale farmers know what and when to plant, and how to start the crops.

Joining a local CSA might be the easiest solution! (Here in the Metrowest you can buy a share of the crop at Hanson’s Farm in Framingham located on Nixon Rd. Some shares might still be available! Go to www.HansonsFarmFramingham.com)  If you prefer to grow your own, here are some tips from eHow on how to get started.

1. Grow only those vegetables you enjoy eating. Give priority to those prized for incredible flavor when eaten fresh from the garden: sweet corn, beans and peas, tomatoes and young spinach, among others.

2. Prepare a plot of flat ground that gets full sun nearly all day. Break up and turn the soil and add compost or other organic material (See How to Buy Soil Amendments). A full day of blazing sunshine is especially important if you grow vegetables in the cool weather of early spring, early fall or winter.

3. Figure out how much growing space you have and plant accordingly. Lettuce, for example, can be grown in a solid mat, but tomatoes need to be spaced about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. Give pumpkins at least 4 feet (120 cm) of growing room. Growing requirements are provided on seed packets, in catalogs, and on nursery tags, as well as in books on growing vegetables.

4. Choose crops that require less room if you have a small vegetable garden or grow vegetables in a container. Lettuce is a great pot plant, and ‘Patio’ or ‘Tumbler’ tomatoes will grow well in a hanging basket. Plants that climb and vine, such as cucumbers and pole beans, can be trained up a trellis to take up less room horizontally. Tuck herbs and parsley into flower beds.

5. Schedule plantings around the two main growing seasons which vary by region: cool (spring and fall) and warm (summer). Common cool-season vegetables include beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips. Warm-season crops include beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes.

6. Sow some seeds directly in the ground as they grow best that way: beans, beets, carrots, chard, corn, lettuce, melons, peas, pumpkins, squash and turnips. Starting seeds is, of course, much less expensive than planting seedlings sold in flats, packs and pots.

7. Start with nursery seedlings of certain other crops unless you are an experienced vegetable grower. These plants tend to do better when set out in the garden as seedlings: eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Squash and cucumbers are among a few you can plant just as effectively as either seeds or seedlings.

8. Buy seeds at nurseries or by mail order starting just after the New Year, when the selection is freshest. Look for seed packets marked as having been packed for the current year.

9. Buy vegetables online and from mail-order seed companies for a far greater selection than you’ll find at neighborhood nurseries. Burpee (burpee.com), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds .com), Park Seed Company (parkseed.com) and Thompson and Morgan (thompson-morgan.com) are a few long-established sources.

10. Shop for seedlings when your soil is prepared and you are ready to plant. Keep them moist and don’t let them sit around for more than three days. Buy healthy and vigorous seedlings. They should stand up straight and be stocky, not lanky, with no yellow leaves or bug holes.

11. Save money and get truly involved with your garden by starting seeds indoors in winter and transplanting them into the garden in spring. It’s simplest to start with complete kits, sold at garden centers and through catalogs, containing fluorescent lights, soil mix, containers and watering devices.

12. Sow seeds of colorful radishes or giant sunflowers to introduce children to the satisfaction and fun of growing their own food. Or lean 3 stakes together, tie them together at the top, and train pole beans up the stakes. Voila! A bean teepee.

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/how-to-start-a-vegetable-garden/feed 0 Too Much information or Not Enough? http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/too-much-information-or-not-enough http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/too-much-information-or-not-enough#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:32:26 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/?p=200 NEWS, ALERTS, ECONOMIC BULLETINS: So much going on in the “banking and lending world” everyday with regard to real estate-The internet is flooded with news and websites that can overwhelm even the smartest consumers.
How do you follow all the news updates and understand how it applies to you?
If you are serious [...]]]> NEWS, ALERTS, ECONOMIC BULLETINS: So much going on in the “banking and lending world” everyday with regard to real estate-The internet is flooded with news and websites that can overwhelm even the smartest consumers.
How do you follow all the news updates and understand how it applies to you?
If you are serious about buying or selling, refinancing or remodeling a home, or if you know someone who is in financial distress and needs to consider a short sale or is looking at foreclosure, PLEASE DON’T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT and ask for help - ask someone you trust for a referral to a trusted professional for help and advice. Too often I meet people who are confused and not sure where to begin. Experienced Realtors, Attorneys,and mortgage professionals, are dealing with a wide range of real life situations every day, and are available to help you explore your options and help you to make better informed decisions!:)

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/too-much-information-or-not-enough/feed 0 Cleaning Your Hardwood Floors http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:02:10 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors It seems everyone has an opinion on the best way to wash hardwood floors. Some say soap and water, others polish, or wax. It can all be very confusing. These tips from iVillage take the guesswork out of cleaning wood floors and go from dull and grimy to gleaming and gorgeous [...]]]>
It seems everyone has an opinion on the best way to wash hardwood floors. Some say soap and water, others polish, or wax. It can all be very confusing.
These tips from iVillage take the guesswork out of cleaning wood floors and go from dull and grimy to gleaming and gorgeous in a few easy steps.

First Things First—Determine the Finish
Before you grab a bucket of water and a mop, it’s best to find out how your wood floor is sealed—if at all. Why? The finish, not the wood type, determines how you clean and care for the floor.

Surface-sealed floors: Most new wood floors are sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic. Surface-sealed floors are stain and water-damage resistant and easiest to care for and clean: Sweep, mop and you’re done!

Penetrating-seal-treated and oil-treated floors: Also common, a penetrating seal or oil finish soaks into the wood grain and hardens. This type of floor must be pampered and protected with liquid or paste wax.

Lacquered, varnished, shellacked and untreated floors: Although technically surface finishes, lacquers, varnishes and shellacs are not as resistant to moisture, spills and wear as the other sealants mentioned. Treat floors with these finishes and floors with no finish as you would penetrating-seal-treated and oil-treated floors.

Not sure what kind of finish you have? To tell the difference in a pinch, just rub your finger across the floor. If no smudge appears, the floor is surface sealed. If you do create a smudge, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish or lacquer, and then waxed.

Cleaning Surface-Sealed Floors

Product Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t use oils, waxes or furniture sprays. Oil leaves a residue, furniture spray creates a slippery surface (think ice-skating rink!) and wax takes time to apply and makes recoating (see Tackling Simple Wood Floor Problems) difficult.

Don’t use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They’ll dull or scratch the finish.

Do use a floor-cleaning product recommended by the floor finisher or opt for plain soap and water. If the recommended product is hard to find or costly, and other floor cleaners contain ingredients that violate your floor’s warranty, try soap and water. I add a quarter cup of mild or pH-neutral soap (like liquid dishwashing soap) or Murphy Oil Soap (despite the name, it doesn’t contain oil) to a bucket of water.

Don’t rely on water alone or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors. Mopping with water will result in dingy-looking floors and won’t-budge dirt buildup. Vinegar and water is not as effective as soapy water and—some suggest—may dull floors sooner. (Eventual dullness and the need to recoat are inevitable no matter what you use. See Tackling Simple Wood Floor Problems.)

Routine Cleaning

In high-traffic areas, like the dining room and kitchen, you should sweep daily, if possible, and mop once or twice a week.

Mop less-trafficked areas once a month or once a season.

Mopping Technique

Remember: Water is wood’s worst enemy (even on sealed floors!), so use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet one.

Dip the mop into the bucket of prepared cleaning solution, wring it out completely, mop in the direction of the wood grain and repeat. When the water gets dirty, empty the bucket, mix a new batch of cleaning solution and continue mopping.

When finished, go back over the entire surface with clean water to rinse.

Don’t be afraid to get on your hands and knees if necessary. When a floor needs serious attention, I clean it with a cloth. (It’s better than a sponge because you can “feel” the dirt as you wipe!)

Tackling Simple Wood Floor Problems

Scuff marks getting you down? A bit of baking soda on a damp sponge will erase them.

Noticed a stubborn food, water or grease stain on your surface-sealed floor? Always use a commercial cleaner to treat this problem.

Hairline cracks in the floor? Don’t panic and attempt to fill them. Dry heat during the winter months causes wood floors to shrink and crack. Cracks should close up during the summer (though using a humidifier can also help).

Finish looking dull? Sand the floor lightly and recoat with an additional layer or two. Recoating is necessary about every five to seven years.

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors/feed 0 Saving Money: Can You Ditch the Cable TV Bill? http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/saving-money-can-you-ditch-the-cable-tv-bill http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/saving-money-can-you-ditch-the-cable-tv-bill#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:02:19 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/saving-money-can-you-ditch-the-cable-tv-bill Has that monthly cable bill got you down? That bill can really add up so if you are looking to cut down on the monthly expenses follow these ideas from Money Magazine.

Cable TV’s $50-plus monthly cost may be unavoidable for sports fans and news junkies — but if you [...]]]> Has that monthly cable bill got you down? That bill can really add up so if you are looking to cut down on the monthly expenses follow these ideas from Money Magazine.

Cable TV’s $50-plus monthly cost may be unavoidable for sports fans and news junkies — but if you just want a good selection of TV and movies, try a combo of these online services.

Netflix

Who it’s for: The movie buff

Typical fare: “True Grit,” “The African Queen,” “Downton Abbey”
Thumbs up: Get instant access to newish movies, sturdy classics, and past seasons of TV series.

Thumbs down: New movies may not be available as quickly as on DVD. Many titles in Netflix’s DVD library, which costs extra to use, aren’t offered at all. $8/month (streaming video only); netflix.com

Hulu Plus

Who it’s for: The TV junkie

Typical fare: “The Daily Show,” 37 years of “Saturday Night Live,” “Smiles of a Summer Night”

Thumbs up: Catch the full current season of popular network and cable shows, along with archives of past episodes and a smattering of art-house flicks.
Thumbs down: Just as with free TV, periodic advertisements may interrupt your show. $8/month; hulu.com

Amazon

Who it’s for: The impatient grazer

Typical fare: “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Glee” (Season 2), “Moneyball” ($4)

Thumbs up: Enjoy a little-known perk for paying $80 a year for Amazon Prime two-day shipping: Have instant access to shows and movies at no extra cost. Separately, get new films on pay-per-view.

Thumbs down: Selection is smaller than Netflix’s. $80/year (Prime), $2-$4 (PPV); amazon.com

The Hardware Made Easy

The simplest way to enjoy these services, once you’ve signed up, is to sit at your computer and stare. But you can do better.

To watch on a tablet: Just download the relevant app and sign up. Netflix and Hulu Plus work on iPads and Android tablets, while Amazon is built into a Kindle Fire.

To watch on your TV: Connect your PC by wire to your set. Buy a Roku settop box (starts at $50), which lets you send video wirelessly over a home network to your set. Or use a networked Blu-ray or videogame player, which probably has the necessary software built in.

Smart Shopping

Connect on the cheap: When you’re making a PC-to-TV connection, don’t get roped into spending more than you need to.

Ask The Help Desk

To get a video signal from most new computers (and other video gadgets) to most new TVs, you’ll need what’s known as an HDMI cable. You can spend anywhere from $25 to $100 for a brand-name beauty — or get the same quality link from a generic HDMI that costs $5 on Amazon.com.

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/saving-money-can-you-ditch-the-cable-tv-bill/feed 0 Clean Your House in No Time http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/clean-your-house-in-no-time http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/clean-your-house-in-no-time#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:02:17 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/clean-your-house-in-no-time Keeping the house clean is a real pain. It is a job that often becomes overwhelming. Doing just a little bit every day will help will help keep your home neat and clean in no time. Tips from this article from Real Simple is a basic plan to keep your [...]]]> Keeping the house clean is a real pain. It is a job that often becomes overwhelming. Doing just a little bit every day will help will help keep your home neat and clean in no time. Tips from this article from Real Simple is a basic plan to keep your home clean in just 30 minutes a day.

 

Kitchen

  • Clear out and wipe down the sink (5 minutes).
  • No piles of dirty dishes! Move them into the dishwasher, and wipe the sink with a sponge. .
  • Wipe down countertops and stove (1 minute). Clean splatters and spills with a damp cloth or sponge and an all-purpose cleanser.
  • Wipe problem spots on the floor (2 minutes). You can save a full-floor mop for the weekend, but use the same cloth (once you’ve finished with the countertops) to quickly clean any spills or sticky spots, which will attract dirt and get more noticeable if left alone.
  • Fold or hang dish towels (30 seconds). Even if they’re clean, a jumble of dish towels on the counter can look messy. Take a few moments to fold or hang them.

Bathroom

  • Wipe out the sink (30 seconds). If you use a premoistened cloth to wipe your face, swipe the sink bowl and faucet handles with it, too. Or use a washcloth, paper towel, or a product like Windex Glass and Surface Wipes, which don’t leave streaks on chrome or mirror.
  • Clean splatters off the mirror (15 seconds). Got foamy toothpaste spray on the mirror? Do a quick swipe with the same cloth you used on the sink.
  • Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds). Same cloth! Just do the toilet last.
  • Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds). If you see a ring, give it a quick scrub.
  • Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds). Wipe down glass doors to remove water droplets that can cause spotting. No squeegee? Use a dry towel.
  • Spray the shower and curtain liner with a shower mist (15 seconds). A quick spray with a daily cleanser will reduce buildup of mildew and soap scum.

Bedroom

  • Make your bed (2 minutes). Even a fluffy down comforter pulled up over messy sheets will look polished.
  • Fold or hang clothes and put away jewelry (4 minutes). Even better: Resist the urge to toss them somewhere in the first place! Put them away as you take them off.
  • Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds). Take last night’s water glass to the kitchen, stow your reading glasses in a drawer, and straighten books or magazines.

Living Room

  • Tidy the sofa (2 minutes). It’s likely the focus of the room, so neaten it. Fluff the pillows and fold the throws.
  • Pick up crumbs with a handheld vacuum (1 minute). Concentrate on surfaces in plain sight: sofa cushions, coffee table, and rugs in the middle of the room. Look for dust bunnies, too.
  • Wipe tables and spot-clean cabinets where you see fingerprints (1 minute). Use a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer cloth to pick up dust. If the surfaces are streaked or sticky, use a moist cloth.
  • Straighten coffee table books and magazines (2 minutes). Toss old newspapers and corral the remote controls into one place (a drawer, if possible).
  • Clear major clutter (5 minutes). Stash video games, toys, and anything else you might trip over.
]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/clean-your-house-in-no-time/feed 0 Deciding to sell, for some, not a quick decision. http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/deciding-to-sell-for-some-not-a-quick-decision http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/deciding-to-sell-for-some-not-a-quick-decision#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:26:03 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/?p=177 After showing homes today and coming across one where the seller clearly isn’t ready to sell (the poor listing agent is fighting an uphill battle…) I have
been thinking about all the potential sellers who just don’t know what to do or where to begin..

The first step towards getting somewhere is to [...]]]> After showing homes today and coming across one where the seller clearly isn’t ready to sell (the poor listing agent is fighting an uphill battle…) I have
been thinking about all the potential sellers who just don’t know what to do or where to begin..

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” ~source unknown

I’ve been asked time and time again by homeowners, “When should I sell?” And the answer is different each time because the right time for each of us varies, depending on our own personal circumstances.

Now in the early spring of 2012, inventory is lower than it’s been in a long time, prices are still relatively low, interest rates are definitely low, and more homes are needed to meet the demand of recently qualified buyers! One of my own listings had multiple offers last week and I have heard many agents talking about bidding wars…good news for potential sellers!

So you are still just thinking about it and trying to decide. So many questions. Where do you begin? Are you ready to sell, emotionally, financially? Is the house ready?
How will your house compare to all the other homes that will be coming up for sale, the one around the corner, down the street or perhaps, right next door…Your neighbor has been talking about moving for a while now…

You are wondering – how many qualified buyers will be there to snatch up this new inventory? Will interest rates be as desirable in the fall, as they are right now? Will prices have increased, stabilized or dropped again as many in the industry once predicted? How will the global economy impact the sale of your home, the availability of mortgage money?

I certainly don’t know the answer to these questions and for most homeowners, these questions are not the most important ones you should be asking yourself or your Realtor®.

Regardless of the season, ask yourself these questions instead;

Am I truly happy here, or are the memories of the past keeping me from moving on?
Can I afford this home, the mortgage, the taxes, the necessary upkeep and repairs?
Does the size of this house fit my needs and my family, is it too big or too small?
How does living here impact my quality of life, is it too remote, too urban, too high maintenance?
Is living near family and close friends an important factor in my decision to stay or move?
How far do I want to commute to work every day?
Is the community, the culture, the personality of the town I select, one that I feel comfortable with?
Would a home of a different style, size, price range, town, climate, landscape better suit my budget, my age, my physical condition, my lifestyle, my dreams?

In truth, most of us know when it’s time to go, we just need a little convincing, a lot of emotional support and in most cases, a handyman, some serious de-cluttering, and some staging combined with a carefully orchestrated yard sale.

Many people are under the impression that they must sell their house in the spring, partially due to the real estate industry’s emphasis on the “spring market”. It is a phrase that is widely used to refer to the end of the dreary New England winter in late March and early April when spirits are high and the melting of the ice and snow brings new hope, renewed energy and new life. It is a good time to market your home, but only if its market ready – If its not ready now, a Realtor will help you figure out what to do to get it ready for the Fall market.

(portions of this article appeared in the Framingham Patch in August of 2011)

http://framingham.patch.com/articles/how-do-you-know-when-its-time-to-go#photo-7419366

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/deciding-to-sell-for-some-not-a-quick-decision/feed 0 Why You Can’t Sleep http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/why-you-cant-sleep http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/why-you-cant-sleep#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:00:10 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/why-you-cant-sleep Sleep; it is so good for us but for many it can be so hard to achieve. Believe it or not your lack of sleep may be coming from the foods you eat.

This article from Caring.com says avoid these five foods that can *prevent* you from getting a good [...]]]> Sleep; it is so good for us but for many it can be so hard to achieve. Believe it or not your lack of sleep may be coming from the foods you eat.

This article from Caring.com says avoid these five foods that can *prevent* you from getting a good night’s rest:

1. Preserved and smoked meats

Slap your hand away when it reaches to make a ham sandwich as an evening snack. Ham, bacon, sausages, and smoked meats contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain stimulant that makes us feel alert and wired.

2. Chocolate

Love an evening cup of cocoa? That sundae in front of the TV? Be careful of chocolate in all its disguises. Many people are increasingly sensitive to caffeine as they get older, and even the little chocolate chunks in chocolate chip ice cream could zap you just enough to prevent ZZZZs. Chocolate also contains tyrosine, a stimulating amino acid.

3. Energy drinks

Red Bull and other energy drinks are high in caffeine as well as the amino acid taurine, which boosts alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that even if you drink energy drinks early in the day, the combined high dosage of taurine and caffeine can make it hard to sleep, or to sleep well, later on.

4. Tomato sauce, chili, pizza, and spicy foods

Digestive disturbances are a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to make the connection. Acidic and spicy foods can cause reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms that interrupt sleep.

5. The nightcap

A drink or two may make you feel more relaxed after dinner, but it comes back to haunt you — literally — a few hours later, by preventing you from achieving deep sleep. And because alcohol both dehydrates you and makes you have to pee, it wakes you up, too. Wine is high in the stimulant tyrosine as well.

]]> http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/why-you-cant-sleep/feed 0 Short Sale Tips http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/short-sale-tips http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/short-sale-tips#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:00:33 +0000 Donna Moy-Bruno http://www.bestmetrowestrealty.com/blog/short-sale-tips In this market, short sales can sometimes be a good deal for a buyer but they also come with some potential pitfalls. A short sale is when a seller needs to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage. In order to get a bargain and not a headache you will [...]]]> In this market, short sales can sometimes be a good deal for a buyer but they also come with some potential pitfalls. A short sale is when a seller needs to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage. In order to get a bargain and not a headache you will need to do your homework. Here are some tips for protecting yourself before buying a short sale.

1. Use experts

It is important that before you buy a short sale you assemble a team of experts. During the initial phase you will need help identifying which homes are being offered as short sales. The nature of short sales are different, you will also need help determining a purchase price and what to include in your offer.

A real estate attorney who is knowledgeable in short sales is also key. Navigating the process of a short sale can be tricky so you will need an experienced short sale attorney to help deal with the potential of multiple liens, mechanic’s and condominium liens, or homeowners association liens. Often homes that are in short sale have these issues and without help will be harder to purchase.

2. Prepare emotionally

If you want a good deal on a short sale you will probably have to be in it for the long haul. It is important to stay patient, and remain unemotional during what can sometimes be a lengthy and emotionally difficult process. You may even want to consider a title search upfront. This could weed out properties with multiple liens if you are under a time crunch.

3. Know the market

In order to successfully purchase a short sale you need to know the marketplace. When a lender agrees to a short sale, they are agreeing to losing money on the loan they made to purchase the home. A short sale can be a good deal but it usually not a steal. The lender also knows the fair market value of the home and wants to minimize their losses. If your offer is too low, you chance it being rejected. During the process we will determine a price range that works with your budget and is hopefully one that the lender will accept.

4. Know the Process

The short sale process is different than that of a standard sale. The agreement to sell the home for less than is owed is actually made between the seller and the lender, not the seller and the buyer. The seller must first gain approval from the lender before the sale can be finalized.

First, you would make an offer on a home and the sellers must consent to your offer to purchase. Then the sellers must submit the offer to their lender. The seller also sends along documentation to the bank as to why they need to sell the home for less than is owed. The seller should also have an attorney to help them with this process.

Lenders typically do not move quickly on this process. It can often take weeks or months to get an answer. This is why is often best to put a competitive offer first. If several lien holders are involved; each can make a counteroffer or just reject your offer.

5. Firm up your financing

Lenders don’t just look at the amount you are willing to pay for the home; they will also weigh your ability to close the transaction. If have a strong offer lenders will look more closely at your offer. You will want to make sure you are pre-approved for a mortgage for any consideration. Other factors that could influence the decision in a positive way are: having a large down payment, ability to close at any time, and flexibility. They will often not consider your offer if you have a contingency.

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