Everyday Uses for Soap by PATRICIA BAKER on JANUARY 18, 2014 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE A       A bar of soap won’t just keep you clean it can serve many more purposes! Here are some uses for soap to solve common household problems: Stop squeaky hinges by wedging moist soap between the doorframe and hinge, and work the door back and forth; also rub soap directly onto the hinge. No more squeaks in floorboards when you work a little moist soap into the cracks between the boards. Unstick a stubborn zipper by rubbing soap on both sides while closed, then unzip it and rub soap over the opened teeth. Solve sticky drawers by rubbing both sides and the underside with soap. To keep eyeglasses from steaming in cold weather, rub both sides of each lens with soapy fingers, and then polish. Have an... 01/17/2014

Saving with Coupons – The Basics by PATRICIA BAKER on JANUARY 11, 2014 · in MONEY SAVING TIPS Times are tough for everyone and saving everytime you go to the store can really add up. Most people don’t realize the true value of a coupon, or how to use them to their full advantage. With a little bit of time, on average you could save 20-30% during each grocery shopping trip and 50-100% each time you go to the drug store. The trick with getting more bang for your buck is matching coupons with the weekly sales at the supermarkets and drug stores. For example, shampoo is on sale for buy one get one free, and you have a coupon for $1.00 off 1 item. If the shampoo retails for $5.00 you will get 2 shampoos for $3.00 (2 @ $5.00 – $2 off in coupons). That’s a savings of $7.00! This applies to an... 01/11/2014

Do you have a front door to be proud of? by PATRICIA BAKER on JANUARY 2, 2014 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE Nothing makes more of a statement about a home than the front door. The front door is the first thing people see when they go to your home. Since the front door is a key focal point when people go to your house it is important to make a good impression. Remember first impressions may end up being lasting impressions. According to the latest research, it takes just ten seconds to decide whether or not you will buy a house. Four of those ten seconds will be standing at the front door. According to designer Ceciia Neal, “Your front door reflects what you think about a house. A door can sell a property.” You never get a second chance to make a good impression, so why not get it right th... 01/04/2014

You Moved: Now What? by PATRICIA BAKER on DECEMBER 26, 2013 · in MOVING TIPS If you are moving soon you have probably thought about packing, hiring a mover and moving day but, have you considered what to do after the move? After the money has changed hands and the boxes are piled up in your new home, the question is… now what? 1. Create a game plan for unpacking First determine which rooms you will unpack first. You may want to choose one room to unpack and make feel “homey” before moving on to other areas of the house. This way you will have one room in your new home that feels settled. 2. Make the kids feel at home If you have kids you might want to put unpacking a “kid zone” at the top of your priority list. Moving can be stressful on children. Set up space with their familiar items... 12/25/2013

02492 Needham Mass Real Estate Market Update by Remax Michael Mahoney   Here is the latest update on the Needham Mass Market. This is up through the end of October.Please review the video below. If you need details on the market, check out www.HomesinNeedhamMass.com 12/11/2013

Why is My Credit Score Constantly Changing? by PATRICIA BAKER on DECEMBER 5, 2013 · in MONEY SAVING TIPS             Did you know your credit score is always changing? Your credit score could be one number on one day and a different figure the next and even vary from one credit reporting agency to the next. Your credit score also known as your FICO score is based on the information contained in your credit record. Since your credit file is always changing so is your score. Your credit record changes every time a company you have credit with reports an on-time payment — or more important, a missed payment that’s now more than 30 days late. Your score changes each time your credit card balance changes or you apply for new credit. There are three main credit reporting agencies; Experian, ... 12/04/2013

  http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2014/new-england/boston-ma/ Cost Vs Value 2014 New England, Boston, MA MetroW   Remodeling with the Most Value by PATRICIA BAKER on NOVEMBER 28, 2013 · in HOME IMPROVEMENTS When spending big money on remodeling and upgrading your home, getting the most return for your investment is key. Spending $20,000 on an upgrade that isn’t going to add value to your home may please you in the moment, but not when your trying to sell and get that money back. There are areas that are worth the investment and some that are not. The basic ares of your home are important to focus on. Things like your roof, furnace, and siding are all big investments that bring a big return. Potential buyers don’t want to buy a home that they will need to sink thousands of mo... 12/03/2013

Needham, MA Property Sold for $95,000 over Asking in 8 days This property went under agreement in 8 days and sold for $95,000 over asking price.  Needham housing market is very strong.  This is not uncommon in our town of Needham, MA.   However, we could use some more inventory because there are many buyers out there who want to buy.  Perhaps after the new year we will be increasing in inventory.   MLS # 71593679 - Sold Single Family - Detached 109 Lindbergh Avenue List Price: $630,000 Needham, MA 02494 *Sale Price: $725,000 Norfolk County Style: Ranch Total Rooms: 9 Color: Beige Bedrooms: 4 Grade School: William Mitchel Bathrooms: 2f 1h Middle School: Pollard Master Bath: Yes High School: Needham High School Fireplaces: 2 1800 square feet   Happy Thanksgiving to all my ActiveRain frien... 11/25/2013

Considering a High-End Home? The Time is Now by PATRICIA BAKER on NOVEMBER 21, 2013 · in UNCATEGORIZE             The news has been bombarded with negative stories about the real estate market over the past few years, but the tides are turning and inventory is now lower than ever. There are still many opportunities for buyers as prices still remain low.   For savvy homebuyers looking to buy in the high-end or luxury marketplace there is tremendous opportunity. If you’ve always dreamed about buying a luxury property but considered it just out of reach, today’s market may has put downward pressure on the prices of higher-end homes making them more affordable than ever. To buy your dream home you will want to have a strategy. 1. Choose your agent wisely. Your agent is your advocate. You wi... 11/21/2013

Get Off the Fence by PATRICIA BAKER on NOVEMBER 14, 2013 · in MARKET TRENDS, REAL ESTATE,SELLING YOUR HOME         Whether you are a buyer or a seller it is time to get off the fence. Despite years of bad news surrounding the real estate market, the time has come when it is both a good time to be a buyer and a seller. Why Buy? Here are just a few reasons why you should get off the fence and buy: 1. When investors start gobbling up real estate you know it’s a good deal. In 2011, investors upped their buying by 64%.  While it is still not time to start flipping for a profit the clock is ticking down to an uptick in prices. 2. Interest rates are historically low. You have been hearing this for a while but they are hovering right around 4%. 3. First-time buyers are in a unique position. Th... 11/14/2013

How to Make Your Own Wood Floor Polish by PATRICIA BAKER on OCTOBER 31, 2013 · in HELP AROUND THE HOUSE     Polishing a hardware floor can be a daunting task and most of the hardwood polish you may have been using is toxic, and not to mention expensive.  You can go natural and make your own polish at home. Here are a few homemade wood floor polish recipes: Recipe I   Ingredients: 1/2 cup vinegar1/2 cup vegetable oil 1. Mix the ingredients well. 2. Rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.   Recipe II   Ingredients: 1/4 cup of grated beeswaxboiling water1/4 cup of turpentinefruit extract (if desired) 1. Put the beeswax into a bowl. 2. Put the bowl with the beeswax into a pan of boiling water until the beeswax has melted. 3. Add the turpentine into the beeswax and stir continuo... 10/31/2013

Home Selling Tips: Windows By Patricia BakerOn October 17, 2013 · In Selling Your Home With all the emphasis on paint, staging and accessories when selling a home, there is one thing that is often overlooked. Windows can make a huge difference in the appeal of a home to buyers. The size and placement of windows affects everything from the character to the curb appeal of the home from the outside. On the inside, windows determine light, views, energy efficiency, and air flow. If you are selling your home take a look at your windows. Make sure they are clean and adding value to your home. Remember windows are the way your home is connected to its surroundings. If the landscape outside of your home is pleasing to the eye, pull back the curtains and shades and show off the view. If privacy ... 10/17/2013

Cutting Costs for Seniors by PATRICIA BAKER on OCTOBER 10, 2013 · in MONEY SAVING TIPS Retirement can be expensive. Transitioning from a steady income to living on a fixed one can be difficult. If you are nearing or currently in retirement there are some ways to stay within budget and reduce your spending.  Here are some tips to help reduce your retirement expenses: Have a Budget The most important and crucial first step is to create and stay within a budget. Over the course of a few months track and review all of your spending habits. Track things like food, housing, utilities, entertainment, etc. and create categories of spending. Analyze how you are spending money and if needed make adjustments to stay within budget. Manage Your Costs If you need to reduce your spending there are so... 10/09/2013

GUARANTEED TO THE BE THE BEST FUN OF THE FALL.  NOT TO MISS.  EVERYONE IN TOWN AND VISITORS LOVE IT.  SAMPLE SOUP AND VOTE.  IT IS HARD TO PICK THE BEST SOUP BUT FUN TO TASTE SO MANY EXCELLENT SOUPS. GREAT TALENT, GREAT FUN, MUSIC, PONY RIDES. THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPONSORS  10/04/2013

  203 (k) Loans: What You Need to Know by PATRICIA BAKER on OCTOBER 3, 2013 · in BUYING A HOME   Have you been thinking of buying a fixer upper but you don’t have the money to do the repairs? If you are thinking of buying a property that needs extensive repairs there is a federally backed lending program that enables buyers to roll the cost of necessary fixes into their mortgage. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) program provides funding for loans that cover purchase and renovation costs for single-family homes and multifamilies with up to four units. Here are some things you need to know about a 203(k) loan: The loan total amount is based on the property’s appraised value once the repairs are completed. The required down-payment for a 203(k) loan is 3.5 percent. 203(k) loans... 10/03/2013

How to Have a Healthy Home By Patricia Baker On September 26, 2013  · In Help Around the House Did you know that indoor air pollution is actually worse than outdoor air pollution? Indoor pollution can in fact be 2 to 10 times worse depending on the materials in your home. Many of the materials in your home omit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). According to the EPA, VOC’s are in the air that you breathe and can have long term health effects, including liver, kidney and central nervous system damage and cancer. Here is a list of some of the indoor air pollutants that you may want to reduce or remove in order to have a healthier home. Cleaning Supplies The things that clean your home may be making you sick. In fact, bleach is one of the biggest offenders. In order to have a truly clean ... 09/28/2013

Helping Military Families Buy a Home By Patricia BakerOn September 19, 2013 · In Buying a Home, Special Real Estate Situations Buying and affording a home is becoming a little bit easier for military families with the help of PenFed Foundation’s Dream Makers program. The Dream Makers program is funded by private donations from individuals and corporations and awards grants to military families to help them buy a new home. The program awarded its first grant in 2007 and today hopes to award a total of $1 million in grants. To be eligible for a grant you must: be a member of the PenFed Foundation (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) be a member of a military branch of service, including the Coast Guard (widows are also eligible) be a first-time home buyer have a gross annual income of $55,000 ... 09/20/2013

A Heartwarming Story Big Reason Why I Do What I Do   Approximately 2 years ago I started working with my friend’s daughter and husband Maria & Pat in their pursuit of finding a home for their family. My buyers were about to give up after many multiple bids on several properties they made offers on only to lose the bids. These buyers have been living in the lower level of my friends’ home and saving every dollar they could.  This was much to their benefit.  They were able to put a large down payment of nearly a third of the purchase price.  They were so diligent and I kept encouraging them to hang in there. Now we know why they had to wait for so long.  Maria’s grandfather and grandmother lived in house they ultimately bought this week.  Maria’s grandfather actually built the house and h... 09/01/2013

    Needham, MA Market Report  for  Single and Condominium Homes Sold Single Family Listings: 44    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 2,733.30    Avg. List$: $871,107   Avg. List$/SqFt: $346    Avg. Days On Market: 17.89    Avg. Sale$: $869,996   Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $348 Lowest sale price during this month $405,000 Highest sale price during this month $2,580,000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sold Condominium Listings: 6    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 2,102.50    Avg. List$: $570,667  Avg. List$/SqFt: $287    Avg. Days On Market: 49.83    Avg. Sale$: $571,296   Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $283 Lowest sale price during this month  $208,500 Highest sale price during this month  $875,000   On Market  Single Family Listings: 60    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 4,064.20    Avg. List$: $1,489,590  Avg. List$/SqFt: $349    Avg. Days O... 08/21/2013

NEEDHAM, MA OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 7/28  2 - 4 PM $849,900   IT IS PERFECT HOME FOR ENTERTAINING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.   THE FLOOR PLAN HAS A GREAT FLOW AND MAKES IT EASY TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS.   YOU'VE GOT TO LOVE THE LARGE DECK OFF THE DINING AREA OF THE KITCHEN WHICH LEADS OUT TO A LARGE LEVEL BACK YARD BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED.  IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE IN A VERY DESIRABLE AREA OF NEEDHAM, MA.  AND CLOSE TO WELLESLEY, MA AND THE OLIN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.  PILGRIM ROAD IS PART OF A NETWORK OF STREETS THAT CONNECT TO A SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT IS IN THE NEWMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. LOCATED CLOSE TO THE WELLESLEY LINE SO THE SHOPPING OPTIONS ARE GREAT: NEEDHAM, WELLESLEY, NATICK COLLECTIONS, PATRIOT PLACE, AND LEGACY PLACE.   THERE IS THE OPTION OF TAKING THE TRAIN FROM WELLESLEY STATION OR NEEDHAM CE... 07/26/2013