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Needham, MA Real Estate News

By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Dana Bain
(Premiere Mortgage Services Inc.)
http://www.bainmortgage.com/MortgageMarketWeekInReview Please Like Us & Share   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Premiere-Mortgage-Services-Inc-NMLS-1498/242867519071084   Newsletter-January 27h, 2014      Provided by Dana Bain & Robin Dunbar Bain Dana BainPremiere Mortgage Services www.BainMortgage.com http://robindunbarbain.com 11 Malvern Hill Road Sterling, MA 01564Phone: (978) 422-2311Fax: (978) 422-2313E-Mail: dana@bainmortgage.com     Market CommentMortgage bond prices finished the week higher which helped mortgage interest rates fall. Rates were relatively calm the first portion of the week with no data. Trading was choppy Wednesday afternoon as traders positioned ahead of the data releases Thursday. Weekly jobless claims came in @ 326k versus the expected 327k Thursday morning. Th...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
2013 Units Sold In Needham, MA & the % of the Market for each Firm So what firms sell homes in Needham, MA?  Here is the breakdown for calendar year 2013. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 149 22.61 % Louise Condon Realty                                75 11.38 % RE/MAX Home Team                                  74 11.23 % Prudential Advantage Real Estate                44 6.68 % Century 21 Commonwealth                        36 5.46 % Hammond Residential                                23 3.49 % RE/MAX LEADING EDGE                            21 3.19 % Raveis                                                     21 3.19 % Key Advantage Realty, LLC                        15 2.28 % Redfin Corp.                                            13 1.97 % *All Other Firms                         ...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Michael Mahoney, Boston Realtor
(Real Broker, LLC)
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
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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, ...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
  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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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 ...
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By Pat Laracy Baker, Pat Baker Dream Home Maker
(Realty Executives Boston West)
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...
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