Tips on Buying a Foreclosure ByPatricia BakerOnMay 24, 2014 · InBuying a Home   If you are looking for a deal you may be thinking about buying a foreclosure but buyer beware. There is a lot to know before putting an offer in on a foreclosed property. Often foreclosures are sold “as is” and many times do not have a seller disclosure available for review. This makes it even more important to get a thorough home inspection. Here are some issues to be aware of commonly found with foreclosures and not usually seen with the naked eye. Roof damage Damaged appliances Damaged or missing plumbing Faulty electrical systems and components HVAC system problems Conducive termite conditions Water penetration and damage issues Interior structural damage A home inspection is essential not only to identi... 05/24/2014

Unveiling of the Fallen Brave Monument Needham, MA "Why not recognize all Needham citizens who died in war? Beginning with fighting for freedom and continuing with protecting freedom." Unveiling of the Fallen Brave Monument at 11:45 AM Monday May 26, 2014   Needham’s "Fallen Brave" monument, honoring the 97 Needham citizens who valiantly lost their lives in service to our country from the Revolutionary War to the present. The volunteer Needham War Memorial Committee is pleased to report that its private fundraising campaign was most successful. The response from our fellow neighbors, friends and Needham businesses was remarkable. We raised sufficient funds not only to design, construct and install the granite monument at Memorial Park, but we were also able to make improvements to the m... 05/24/2014

  Think You Should "For Sale By Owner" Think Again Just a little infographic to show how much there is to selling your home.  The biggest thing is that homes sell for more money when sold by agents.  Agents know how to sell homes.  Courses will not help.  Buyers agents prefer to work with listing agents rather than direct to homeowner.  When you need a legal matter taken care of you go to a lawyer.  When you need your property surveyed you call a surveyor.  When you need do home improvements you call in the specialists: general contractors, architects, plumbers, electricians, etc.  When we want to sell our homes we call the specialist in for that.  That specialist is the Real Estate Agent. What is not mentioned in the infographic is the literally hundreds of phone  calls from the time t... 05/17/2014

Real Estate Agent Represent You? ByPatricia BakerOnMay 17, 2014 · InBuying a Home, Real estate, Selling Your Home   When you walk into an open house and see the home you want to buy, before you start working with the seller’s agent, you need to understand who that agent is working for. Many buyers do not understand that the seller’s agent has a fiduciary duty or a duty of loyalty to the homeowner. While agency laws differ from state to state they have the same general principles: Typically an agent represents either the buyer or the seller. However, in some cases an agent will assume the role of a dual agent (representing both the seller and the buyer). Make sure to check the agency laws specific to your state, but in general agents fall into these categories: Seller’s Agent: A seller’s... 05/16/2014

How to Keep Ants Out ByPatricia BakerOnMay 10, 2014 · InHelp Around the House   It can be a real nuisance and an never ending battle to keep ants out of your house. There are natural recipes to help keep the ants at bay and involve items you are likely to have in your home already. Here are a few natural ways to keep the ants out: -Clean surfaces in your home with vinegar. Mix a half-and-half solution of white distilled vinegar and water. Ants don’t like the smell of vinegar and it removes the scent trails they use to get around. -Lemon juice works just like vinegar by destroying the scent trails that ants follow. Spray lemon juice around the places the ants are using for entryways. -Want your home to smell minty and keep the ants out? Try peppermint oil. Wipe surfaces down with a clean... 05/10/2014

Needham, MA Market Report April 2014 In April of 2014 there were 25 homes that closed within the month for Needham MA Real Estate. This is an increase of  units, as there were 22 homes that closed in April of 2013.   The Average list price for the homes that closed in April 2013 was $1,041,764  The Average list price for the homes that closed in April of 2014 was $806,432 The Average sale price for the homes that closed in April of 2013 was $1,012,942 (94% list price) The Average sale price for the homes that closed in April of 2014 was $812,084  (101% list price) The Average Market time for the homes that closed in April of 2013 was 141 days   The Average Market time for the homes that closed in April of 2014 was 27 days. 05/09/2014

Luxury Townhouses in Needham, MA http://www.whitmanhomes.com/development-locations-greendale-village.htmhttp://www.whitmanhomes.com/development-locations-greendale-village-designsHome designs Greendale Village.htm   Description: Greendale Village is 20 New England Craftsman Style homes with condominium style living. The market rate pre designed homes offer 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2 car attached garages with both first and second master bedroom suites. Exterior features include Andersen Windows, cement board siding, 2” x 6” exterior walls, 30 year architectural roofs, composite decking and cozy front porches. Interior choices include quality wood cabinetry, granite counters, hardwoods and tile, gas fireplace, Kohler plumbing fixtures, Bosch stainless appliances, oak hardwood stair trea... 05/04/2014

Home Renovations that Kill the Sale ByPatricia BakerOnMay 3, 2014 · InSelling Your Home   You may think that any home improvement is an investment but when it comes to updating your home some renovations can actually be a money pit? Here are some home updates that don’t bring a return on investment and even some that might repel future buyers. The saying goes, “Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes”. This is true but keep it simple when renovating. Keep clean lines, neutral decor, upgraded appliances are your best bet. Remember to consider your home and the neighborhood, don’t put a master chef kitchen in a mid-level home. You will only end up losing money. A bathroom can easily be updated by giving it that hotel spa look. Use white or cream towel sets, a clean but non intrusive candle and ... 05/03/2014

What You Need to Know: Before You Hire a Mover ByPatricia BakerOnApril 26, 2014 · InBuying a Home, Selling Your Home   The real estate market is on the move and people are moving. Finding a mover that you can trust with your possessions can be a difficult task. Here is what you need to know when looking to hire a mover and have a worry-free move: 1. Make a list Make a complete list of what you want moved. A complete inventory of what you will be moving will make it easier to assess estimates. Insist on a firm price from your mover based on your list. This will make it easier check that everything has arrived at your destination. 2. Check your insurance Check with your insurance company to make sure your policy covers your property while moving. Moving companies do not provide actual ins... 04/26/2014

How To Avoid Moving Scams By Patricia Baker On April 19, 2014 · In Moving Tips   If you’ve never heard of a moving scam, then consider yourself lucky. But many people across America are falling victim to these scams. Moving scammers have a multitude of ways that they can take advantage of you. The main scam seems to be packing all of your household items into their truck, and then adding on exorbitant additional fees in transit, effectively holding your items hostage until you pay up. Less popular scams involve unlicensed movers posing as legitimate companies, by-the-hour rates where you are charged even while no work is being done, and in the rare case, a sham company showing up, packing up all of your possessions, and driving away, never to be heard from again. To minimize your risk, ... 04/19/2014

Changing Your Locks. by PATRICIA BAKER on APRIL 12, 2014 · in MONEY SAVING TIPS If you are a new homeowner and haven’t changed your locks yet, then you should strongly consider doing so as soon as possible.  You  have no way of knowing who holds keys to your new home.  Thankfully, there are really cheap ways to go about accomplishing this.  Hiring a locksmith to come into your home and change the locks can be expensive, but is an option if you are pressed for time.  However, you can take your locks to a local locksmith shop and have them changed for a fraction of the price. If you have different keys for different doors, you can use this as an opportunity to make all of your locks match.  Additionally, you can choose to purchase knobs and deadbolts that suit your decorative flair a lit... 04/12/2014

Clean Your House in No Time by PATRICIA BAKER on MARCH 29, 2014 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE You could clean your entire house clean in just 30 minutes a day? If you let the house cleaning slip It becomes overwhelming. By doing just a little bit every day it will help keep your home neat and clean in no time. Here is a basic plan to keep your home clean in just one half-hour a day.   Start in the KitchenGetting started right after breakfast may be the perfect time to spend a few minutes tidying up. Clear out and wipe down the sink. Wipe down countertops and stove. Put dirty dishes immediately into the dishwasher. Run a quick wet mop over the floor. Take a moment to fold and put your dish towels away. Tackle the BathroomAfter your shower while you are still in the bathroom do a quick clea... 03/29/2014

Transform Your Home in Minutes by PATRICIA BAKER on MARCH 15, 2014 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE Does your house need a new look? Do you think changing the look will take too much time or money? Using small changes can often have a big effect. Here are some low-effort and low-cost ideas that can quickly transform your space: 1. Switch out lampshades and/or finials or change a chandelier 2. Reframe or rearrange artwork 3. Have favorite photos printed on canvas and hang them front and center 4. Swap throws and/or pillows 5. Change a rug or pull it up to expose hardwood or tile floors 6. Take out “high-hat” light in living room for a more ambient atmosphere 7. Give your bookcase a makeover 8. Clear the clutter 9. Switch out bar stools 10. Change drawer knobs and/or cabinet handles 11. Put ne... 03/15/2014

Parenting Your Child and Social Media by PATRICIA BAKER on MARCH 8, 2014 · in FAMILY Parenting has become more and more complicated and adding the internet to the mix makes it scary. Social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook have parents scrambling with what to do. Social media sites are advancing so quickly that it often seems impossible for parents to keep up. Here are some hints on how to parent kids when it comes to technology: 1. Almost all social media sites have age requirements; follow and enforce them with your children. Most sites require children to be 13 to sign up, while other like Vine require users to be 17. 2. Just because the minimum age requirement is 13 or 17 your child should be mature and responsible enough to use good judgment offline before becomi... 03/08/2014

For Sale By Owners Net Less in a Sale by PATRICIA BAKER on MARCH 1, 2014 · in SELLING YOUR HOME Have you ever thought of selling your home on your own? If so, you may want to think again. It is not just the expense, time and legal issues you will have to worry about you also need to worry about getting a buyer. According to the National Association of Realtors, ninety percent of all real estate transactions happen with the help of a real estate professional. Why? Besides the legal challenges of representing yourself in a sale, buyers just don’t trust the homeowner when it comes to selling a home. Real estate professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to disclose defects in the home. Buyers know that it is impossible to remain unbiased when selling your own home. Often times buye... 03/02/2014

Do I Need a Home Inspection?     by PATRICIA BAKER on FEBRUARY 22, 2014 · in BUYING A HOME, REAL ESTATE When you are buying a home the costs really add up and you may start thinking about where you can save money. One question that many buyers ask is do I need a home inspection? Most often the answer to the question is yes! A home inspection is an objective examination of the home and its systems. The inspection covers the entire house from the roof to the foundation. A home inspection will cover the home’s foundation, basement, structural components, roof, attic, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors windows and doors. It will also examine the heating system, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. Because a home is often the largest single investment you will ever make it i... 02/27/2014

Should I Go Solar? by PATRICIA BAKER on FEBRUARY 15, 2014 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE Everywhere you turn people are saying “go green”. More and more people are looking for alternatives to heat and power their homes. One alternative is solar energy. There are both benefits and pitfalls to solar energy. The Benefits •Solar power is predictable. It is easy to predict how much electricity your system will produce because the amount of sunlight that hits your roof doesn’t vary that much. This means it is also easy to predict how much you will save in electric bills. •Solar power will lower your electric bill. Solar power will offset the usage of conventional electricity especially in places where the price for grid power is high — like California, Hawaii and much of the northeast. •Solar po... 02/17/2014

Stage Your Own Home by PATRICIA BAKER on FEBRUARY 8, 2014 · in SELLING YOUR HOME Did you know that staging your home to sell will get your more money and sell your home in less time? If you are considering selling your home you may want to hire a professional trained in home staging to get your home in tip top shape before hitting the market. You could also implement some of the tips from the pros to transform your house into every buyer’s dream. Here is how to get your home in ready-to-sell condition: 1. Clear out the clutterShow off your home to the would-be buyers not your stuff. Clear out your clutter by reducing knickknacks, decluttering bookshelves, and removing personal items including photos from your home. 2. Let in the lightLet the natural light in by opening the shades and p... 02/13/2014

Seniors: Is it Time to Move? By Patricia Baker On February 1, 2014 · In Moving Tips, Special Real Estate Situations   There comes a time when families start to think about senior members moving. Factors such as retirement, finances, lifestyle, health or the distance between family members are just a few of the reasons why seniors may decide to relocate. Moving is a big decision especially when a senior has lived in one place for a very long time. Many things must be considered, including access to health care, recreation, social activities and practical concerns, such as grocery stores, libraries, climate, etc. Access to Quality Care For many seniors access to health care or options for health care assistance is the primary reason for moving. When considering options it is important lo... 02/01/2014

Avoid Seller Mistakes By Patricia Baker On January 25, 2014 · In Selling Your Home   1. Basing the asking price on needs or emotion rather than market value. Many times sellers base their pricing on how much they paid for or invested in their home. This can be an expensive mistake. If your home is not priced competitively, buyers will reject it in favor of other larger homes for the same price. At the same time, the buyers who should be looking at your house will not see it because it is priced over their heads. The result is increased market time, and even when the price is eventually lowered, the buyers are wary because “nobody wants to buy real estate that nobody else wants”. The result is low priced offers and an unwillingness to negotiate. Every seller wants to realize as much mon... 01/31/2014