JUST SOLD in Sturbridge MA   Congratulations to my seller clients in Sturbridge, MA.  They survived a turbulent real estate market, took my advice to heart, and are now celebrating the successful sale of their home.  Their careful planning has allowed them to take the next steps toward realizing their dreams.  It has been my pleasure to serve them through the listing and selling process.    JUST SOLD 23 TANNERY ROAD, STURBRIDGE MA     07/28/2012

Just Bought!  Congratulations to My Buyers in Sturbridge MA   A hearty congratulations to my buyer clients, who purchased this classic Cape Cod style home in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, last week.  They found this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on one of Sturbridge's prettiest country roads.  The house has a wood stove, plus a wood-burning fireplace, 2-car garage, and a back deck overlooking the naturescape beyond.     I wish my clients many years of happy memories in their new home.     If you are looking for a home in Sturbridge or surrounding towns and would like the helpof a knowledgeable and attentive agent, let's talk.  It would be my pleasure to help you.   06/26/2012

222 New Boston Rd Sturbridge, MA 01566 5-Bedroom Home in Sturbridge Now Available Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Kathryn Acciari Office:508-784-0501 Mobile:508-982-0686 Website:Visit Website Price : $280,000 Bedrooms : 5 Bathrooms : 3 Square Foot : 2,600 Lot Size : 75,794 County : Worcester Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2007 MLS Number : 71383143 click for more information and pictures Property Description Wow! This young, gorgeous home has bells and whistles galore. Beautifully decorated, move right in and enjoy life. Flexible, open floor plan for flexibility. Cabinet-packed kitchen gleams with stainless steel appliances, opens to spacious eating area. The master suite features an en suite bath with floors that are radiant-heated. Ooo... 05/21/2012

Sneak Preview: 4 Bedroom Home in Sturbridge MA - Hitting the Market Soon!         Get ready, another fabulous home is about to hit the market in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  This four-bedroom Colonial has so much to offer.  Here are but a few of the highlights: Over 2100 square feet (not counting the finished basement) Located in a popular neighborhood with sidewalks and street lights Two-story foyer with gorgeous turned stairway Kitchen with breakfast bar and Energy Star stainless steel appliances Beautifully finished basement with game room and bar, media room, and play/exercise room   Keep an eye out for the full listing in the next 24 hours. 03/06/2012

Sturbridge vs. MetroWest Real Estate 4 Bedroom Colonial with Over 2600 Square FeetPriced at $349,900 in Sturbridge MA   An interesting trend has started to appear here in Sturbridge in recent weeks.  Agents from the MetroWest area are bringing their buyers to view homes in Sturbridge.  My guess is that buyers are starting to notice what great homes are available here, and at very reasonable prices. For example, a 2200 square foot Colonial style home, around 8 years in age in the MetroWest area is hard to find and will average around $450,000 in price.  In Sturbridge, a similar property can be found for $100,000 less, and often with more square footage. So, it appears that buyers are looking into more reasonably priced homes to the west of I-495.  And I say, welcome!  The delightful town... 02/26/2012

Wow! Over 2600 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, Master Suite, Finished Basement - Amazing Home in Sturbridge Only $349,900 23 Tannery Road Sturbridge, MA 01518 4 Bedroom Center Entrance Colonial Now Available Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Kathryn Acciari Office:508-784-0501 Mobile:508-982-0686 Website:Visit Website Price : $349,900 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2.5 Square Foot : 2,668 Lot Size : 21,780 Community : Tall Pines County : Worcester Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2004 MLS Number : 71271024 click for more information and pictures Property Description Outstanding opportunity at the Tall Pines. Spread out in this spacious home - center entrance 2-story foyer, 4 bedrooms, finished basement. High ceilings, open layout, Great Room w/gas firepla... 01/26/2012

You're Invited to a B.T.'s Smokehouse Pig Roast!  When:  February 4, 2012 Where:  Sturbridge Coffee House Time:  Starts at 4PM Food at 5PM Cost:  $20 - Tickets can be purchased at B.T.'s Smokehouse, Sturbridge Coffee House or Pioneer Brewery  Pig Roast in February?  I think YES!  Come on down to this Pig Roast in Sturbridge on February 4th.  Music by local band Livestock, beer provided by Pioneer Brewery, Pig & all the Fixins by your local favorite purveyor of all things delicious - B.T.'s Smokehouse! This is a fun filled family event that you WON'T want to miss! 01/26/2012

Sweet!  Tantasqua Educational Fund Offers Evening of Decadent Desserts     On Friday, February 3, 2012, the Tantasqua Educational Fund (Ted.) will hold its annual fundraising event at the Publick House Inn in Sturbridge, MA. This year, the focus is on decadence, and attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in sumptuous desserts while enjoying live music. The festivities kick off at 7 pm and go through 9 pm.  Tickets are $20 per person in advance, and $25 per person at the door.  To purchase advance tickets, visit the Ted. web site.  Be sure to order early, as this is a well-attended event. Ted. is a program that provides funds to teachers of the Tantasqua School District for innovative and creative programs and projects that enhance students' learning.  In the past three years, ne... 01/24/2012

Office Space for Lease in Historic Sturbridge MA Soon to be available on Main Street, Sturbridge, exceptional and flexible office space in an outstanding location.  The offices are located in The Barn, a two-story building with charm and character. Several options are available.  Choose the 900 square foot space upstairs, complete with its own bathroom and a spacious training room ($1000/month + utilities).  Or choose the 1600 square foot space on the first level, which includes two bathrooms, kitchenette, conference room, offices, and a CEO office with sunken meeting space ($1500/month + utilities). A third option is to rent both spaces for 2500 square feet of office space. 48 Main Street, Sturbridge, Massachusetts   Executive Office with Sunken Meeting Area     Training and Meeting Ro... 01/22/2012

Sturbridge Year-End Real Estate Report for 2011   How did the real estate market perform in 2011 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts?  In 2011, we saw 69 single family home sales at an average price of $250,000.  As the charts below show, the number of homes sold in 2011 was the lowest in the past decade; however, the average sale price stayed fairly stable.   For condominium sales, Sturbridge also saw some stabilization.  Thirteen condos were sold in 2011, with an average sale price of $184,000.  The number of units sold has remained similar to the past three years, with a fairly stable average sale price. Data source for all graphs:  MLS PIN Influencing Factors Several natural disasters in 2011 certainly had an effect on real estate sales in Sturbridge.  Many citizens were focused on stabili... 01/08/2012

Take 2...and Action! Movie Theater May (Finally) Come to Sturbridge     Exciting news for Sturbridge:  An article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette states that developer/owner Center at Hobbs Brook LLC has filed plans to install an eight-cinema movie theater in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  This is the second attempt by a developer to build a movie theater in Sturbridge. I believe this project has high hopes of success.  A larger complex was proposed but never came to light in 2000.  One of the common complaints that I hear from friends in the area is having to drive far and wide to take in a movie.  Having a cinema right in town would be a hugely favorable addition to our commercial base. See the whole Telegram & Gazette story here:  Sturbridge Movie Theater     12/22/2011

How Many Homes Typically Sell in the Month of December in Sturbridge MA?   In talking with people about whether or not they should list or keep their homes on the market during the holiday season, the question about home sales in December will come up.  I ran some numbers in the MLS, and came up with the following information.  The graph below shows how many homes have sold in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in the month of December for each year from 1995 to 2010 (a place for 2011 is included and will be completed after year's end).   Data Source:  MLS PIN   You can see that with the exception of the boom years of 2002 to 2005, there will typically be around six homes sold in the month of December. This year, 2011, is on the low side, with only one home sold in December so far.  The Current... 12/14/2011

Holiday Tax Tip:  Find the Value of the Items You Donate   This time of year, there is quite often more "stuff" coming into the home than going out.  I have come to realize, however, that the "stuff" is easier to manage if I try to take some of it out on a regular basis.  So, as I've gone about my holiday shopping, I have also gathered items from my closets that are no longer used and in good condition, so that I can donate them to people who may be able to use them. Taking a few minutes to do this during the holidays is also a great opportunity for year-end tax deductions.  Yesterday, I donated three suits to the non-profit Dress for Success.  This organization accepts donations of clean, professional outfits for women who are in need of a career wardrobe.  The administrator at the don... 12/07/2011

Rental Properties Needed in Sturbridge, Holland, Brimfield, Brookfield, Wales, Charlton, Dudley, and Central MA   There is a strong need for rental property in the towns of Central Massachusetts.  In the past year, I have had a constant stream of tenant prospects who are relocating for new career opportunties.  These people are wary of purchasing a home, in the event that they need to move again in a year or two.  Typically, they are looking to rent a home in a town that has a strong school district and is centrally-located for easy commuting.  The folks that I have met are professional and have stable financial histories. If you are a property owner who is thinking of offering a single family home or condominium for rent, or if you know of someone who is thinking about renting their ho... 12/01/2011

RENTED!  46 Bentwood Drive in Sturbridge MA   Congratulations to my client, for whom I was able to secure a tenant for property located at 46 Bentwood Drive in Sturbridge, MA.  This beautiful 3-level townhome rented quite quickly, with many interested tenant prospects coming to view it.   Rental properties are hot in Sturbridge, MA.  If you know of anyone with a home or condominium that they would like to list for rent, please contact me at (508) 982-0686.  I have a constant stream of tenant prospects, and my service to the landlord/owner includes running a credit history report on tenants.         12/01/2011

Holiday Happenings in Sturbridge, Massachusetts (2011)   Gingerbread Decorating is Just One of Many Holiday Traditions in Sturbridge, MAPhoto copyright 2011 Kathryn Acciari   The holiday season is in full force.  The big tree on the Town Common has been officially lighted, and the first weekend of holiday shopping is over.  But there are four glorious weeks of celebrating ahead of us.  To help you plan your days of good cheer, here is a list of holiday events happening in historic Sturbridge, Massachusetts.    Ongoing  Winter Tree Scavenger HuntHosted by the Sturbridge Conservation CommissionWalk the Heins Farm trails and find the 10 trees decked out for the holidaysMore info:  (508) 347-2506  Ongoing Toys for Tots Collection by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Collecting new, unwrapped to... 11/27/2011

So Much to be Grateful For   This time of year, it is second nature to stop and reflect on those people and things for which we are grateful.  This weekend in particular, the list starts with cranberries and ends with a nap in front of the fireplace, with countless entries in between. I am in a coaching program where, at the end of each day, we are to write down 10 things that we are grateful for.  Ten!  Only ten!  I find that my list fills quickly.  I also find that I am nostalgic for the previous day's list.  So I am keeping all of my lists, so I may go back and review them.  It is also interesting to see what entries come up again and again.  There are indeed some items that make the list almost every day. This has become a rejuvenating way to end each day.  Make a list of 10 things ... 11/25/2011

A home inspector working in Sturbridge MA is required to perform a home inspection to the Massachusetts Home Inspector Standards of Practice. A copy of the standard will be provided to the client by the home inspector. The MA Home Inspector Standards of Practice is written for the professional home inspector. United Inspection Service has created some easy to read Consumer Information Sheets illustrating what is included and excluded in a Standard MA home inspection. Clear client communications (3c) are one of our core values. See the easy to read one page consumer information sheets for each of the systems in a MA Home Inspection. Visit the Sturbridge MA Home Inspection web page from United Inspection Service for some useful information about homes in Sturbridge MA and the Massachusett... 11/12/2011

Norm Abram Returns to Sturbridge MA on November 5 2011 Norm Abram, master craftsman and well-known star of This Old House and New Yankee Workshop, returns to Sturbridge on Saturday, November 5, 2011.  He brings his friend and colleague Bruce Irving, Emmy-award winning producer of This Old House. Abram and Irving will offer their insights into the characteristics that define New England during a luncheon program at Old Sturbridge Village.  The buffet lunch starts at 11:30 am, and Abram and Irving will begin their talk at 1 pm.  Both gentleman will be on hand for signings of their books. What a wonderful way to celebrate all that is New England.  Tickets are required for this sought-after event.  You may find all the details and ticket information at the Old Sturbridge Village web site or... 10/27/2011

2011 Scarecrow Contest in Sturbridge MA - Vote for Your Favorite!   The annual Harvest Festival in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is all set to take place the weekend of October 15 and 16.  One favorite tradition of the festival is the Scarecrow Contest.  Handmade by local residents, over 30 scarecrows are now on display on the front lawn of the Publick House Historic Inn (Route 131/Main Street).  When you visit Harvet Festial, stop at the Publick House and pick up a voting sheet.  You may vote for your favorite in each of several categories.  Take your time, though, the craftsmanship on display makes it difficult to select just a few favorites. The video I've included here provides a preview of some of the scarecrows, but there are many others to see.  Enjoy!   10/14/2011