I listen for a living because it's all about you.  This has always been my professional mantra for good reason.  People want to be heard. They have their story and when they hire a professional for any reason they want that professional to know the whole story. It is never about the professionals degree, or awards at that moment, it is always about how well they listen to the story.  Once you know the story then you, as the professional can interpret and plan the best course of action for the speedy resolution of the needs and wants. I am a Realtor® and because of this I am held to a higher standard.  I have a code of ethics I must adhere to or I will loose that coveted and professional designation.  Not all agents are created equal, just like back in high school. Everyone is different.... 01/12/2014

Planning for additional costs like utility expenses and property taxes are an important part of buying a home anywhere, including in the Wellesley real estate market. But, utility costs are one expense you can actually decrease this year. Regulate Heating and Cooling One of the simplest ways to decrease your monthly utility bills is to carefully regulate your heating and cooling. Turn the thermostat down a little when you aren’t home or at night. Even a small change can make a difference, as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports that you can save about 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree that you turn your furnace down. Monitor Water Use While you are watchful of what your thermostat is set at, keep an eye on how much water you use. Only run your dishw... 01/07/2014

  Wellesely Single Family Housing Market Report for 2013.  2013 saw a return of the market which is not to say that Wellesely had lost it’s values like so many other communities across this state.  Wellesely is a thriving community with great schools, an active and participant population of neighbors and friends.  Prices rose as the year went on in 2013, but the number of homes on the market was down. There are people sitting on the sidelines waiting for what?  Prices will continue to inch up, but so will interest rates. What this means to the Seller is that they will have buyers who can buy less for the same money.  If you are considering selling in the Spring Market, why not list now and avoid all the competition that is headed this way.  To the numbers, we go. Wellesely Home for Sale... 01/06/2014

Have you thought about how you can increase your home’s value before you list it for sale on the Wellesley real estate market? One of the best places to make changes that will increase the value of your home and actually attract more buyers is the bathroom. Buyers love to see a bathroom that is in pristine condition and that is updated with new fixtures and stylish features. With jut a few quick changes, you can update your bathroom and benefit from more interest and even a higher selling price. Retile the Floor and Shower The tile on your floor and shower makes a big impact in your bathroom. This is one of those elements that is quickly noticed and that when out of date, can bring the entire room down. Retiling these areas is a quick project that will make a big difference. Opt for neu... 12/31/2013

The top ten reasons to get out of the real estate business line up with the top ten reasons to get out of any business. 1) I am in it for the money.  If you are in the real estate business because you think, know, that a lot of money can be made you are in the wrong business.  Yes, it is true, a lot of money can be made, but not without the sincere professional efforts of a dedicated agent. 2) I can make my own schedule.  Yes, this is true in real estate you can make your own schedule, but if you think you don't need a schedule that you keep to, you are in the wrong business. 3) It is easy work.  Yeah, right!  Any profession that demands as varied and deep an understanding of various types of information as real estate does is never "easy". 4) I am a "people person."  If you like people... 12/25/2013

Home safety is important all year, but the winter months bring some potential dangers that homeowners should be aware of so they can prevent damage and even safety hazards. Keep these tips in mind whether you are listing your Wellesley home for sale or just want to keep your home in top condition. Prevent Freezing Pipes Frozen pipes can lead to a lot of damage. Of course, they can damage your plumbing system but they can also cause flooding and water damage to floors, walls and ceilings. To prevent frozen pipes, never turn your heater completely off when it’s freezing outside and open cupboards to expose pipes to warm air in your home. Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Cleaned and Inspected Every year, have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional. Build up of as... 12/24/2013

The holiday season is actually an excellent time to show your home in the Wellesley real estate market. Holiday decorations, lights and smells can help you stage your home to make it feel more welcoming to potential buyers.  When buyers feel at home in your house and can envision themselves living there and celebrating holidays as a family there, they will be more likely to put an offer on it. Use Decorations Proportionally  Don’t be shy about using holiday decorations, but make sure they are in proportion to your home and that they don’t distract buyers from the features you want to show off. It’s okay to use holiday lights, yard decorations and large displays inside your home, but make sure they aren’t too overwhelming.  Add Holiday Centerpieces Creating holiday centerpieces is an ea... 12/17/2013

My really big deal ended up being no big deal at all, let me tell you the story.  I had just arrived back in Boston after spending my first 9 months in Dallas working in real estate.  That didn't work as planned, but has no bearing on the story.  I moved back to Boston with my family and picked up my MA license to go along with my TX license.  I had blogged daily that first year and had begun to get to know many people here in the Rain.  I was loving it, I still do.  I met one person who wanted me to promote his luxury property in Anguilla. I was given some pictures and a promise of a 4% commission when I got the property sold.  I couldn't believe it, this person trusted me to promote his property.  Looking back I see why, but at that point I was young and naive and was seeing a $400,00... 12/15/2013

There are lots of beautiful, older homes in the Wellesley real estate market that capture buyers’ attention and hearts with their charm and old-style features. If you are considering buying an older home, there are a few things you should keep in mind.   The Good Many people love investing in older homes because they love the historical elements of the building, property and architecture. Buying an older home also gives you the chance to make it completely yours, since it will likely need some renovations and updates. Older homes are built to last. The fact that they have remained structurally sound for decades often means that they will be ready to be a comfortable home for your family for years to come. In many cases, older homes are listed at lower prices than newer homes, so buying... 12/11/2013

This equisite luxury property is located on 1.5 acres of land. The home features spacious rooms, perfect for entertaining, a heated pool, hot tub, and a recently renovated kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances. Despite its recent renovation, the home is filled with turn of the century details and finishes. The home also includes a wooden shed, a spacious yard, and a wine cellar that holds 1400 bottles of wine. This home is a perfect match for any entertainer or host. For more information on this property, please click here. 12/07/2013

The holiday season is here and if you are in the process of looking for that dream home or relocating, you may be wondering if you should continue during the holidays. It’s true that buying a home right now can add a few things to your to-do list, but it also brings a lot of benefits. Affordable Listings You could find a very good deal right now in the Wellesley real estate market as many sellers who continue to sell their home during the busy holiday season are more likely to lower their listing prices and even negotiate with buyers. If you continue house hunting now, you could find one at a better price. Less Competition Fewer people look for a home during the holidays, so if you buy a home now you will have less competition from other buyers. With less competition comes more time to... 12/03/2013

With so many options in the Wellesley real estate market, finding the perfect home for your family is easy. Looking for a family home means finding one that meets the needs of all the family members, will provide the perfect place to gather together and allow for room to grow. List Specific Family Needs First, list specific needs your family has. Some families want a home with a bigger yard while others want one with an open floor plan that is ideal for family gatherings. Consider what you want as a family and write those things down. This list will make the house hunting process easier, since you will be able to quickly eliminate options that don’t have the items on your list. Determine if the Space Works for Your Family When you attend an open house or tour a home, ask yourself if the... 11/26/2013

It is entirely possible to sell your home during the holidays while still enjoying the season and keeping your cool. While selling your home may be a challenging task, it isn’t impossible and it doesn’t need to put a damper on your holidays. Plan Well in Advance Start by deciding when you want to actively work on selling your home and when you want to take some time off during the holidays. Mark those days on your calendar and work around them as you approach the season. Whenever possible, plan to clean, advertise and show your home in advance. The holiday season is always busy, so the more you can do now before things get busier, the better. Make Holiday Preparations Now You can also do things like plan meals, shop and decorate for the holidays in advance too. This frees up some of yo... 11/21/2013

One way to increase your home’s value is to upgrade your kitchen. Some kitchen projects add more value than others, and some can make a big impact on prospective buyers, helping you get more offers. According to Key Bank, on average, homeowners who made mid-range kitchen makeovers recovered 78 percent of their costs. On average, homeowners who invested in upscale remodels recovered 74 percent of their costs. Upgrading your kitchen before you list your home for sale can have big financial benefits. Here are a few projects that could help you sell your home faster when you list it in the Wellesley real estate market. Install a New Floor Flooring sets the mood and style for any room, especially a kitchen. Installing a new floor is an easy upgrade that will make a big impact as buyers view... 11/14/2013

Even if your home isn’t particularly large, there are ways you can make it feel bigger and more spacious so it will appeal to buyers looking for more space. When you make some changes like this before you list your home for sale, you will get more offers and sell your home faster. Clear the Clutter Rooms that are cluttered feel smaller. Start by cleaning your home out and getting rid of things you don’t need or use. Then, make sure the things you do keep are organized in closets or on shelves or bookcases. You may even consider using a storage unit to store some of your belongings while you show your home. Use the Right Furniture Make sure the furniture in each of your rooms is to scale with the room, features and other items in the space. Small rooms should have smaller furniture, whi... 11/07/2013

                                                  Before you list your Wellesley home for sale, it is wise to do some updates that will increase its value. Even small projects, which can be done in as little as one weekend, can have a big impact on how your home looks, what kind of attention it gets and what kind of offers you receive. Replace Your Front Door and Window Screens If your door is looking a little worn, update it with a newer model so your home looks more inviting and so that the entrance to your home is safe and secure. Replacing torn or broken window screens is an easy project that will increase your home’s value and make it more attractive to buyers who are looking for a home that requires little work. Install an Alarm System Alarm systems can increase your home’s value ... 10/29/2013

Whether you realize it or not, there are some hidden dangers in your home. Things like fire hazards and accidental poison consumption can easily be avoided with these tips. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Frequently When you move into a new home in the Wellesley real estate market, you don’t know when smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were last tested or when their batteries were replaced. Test them right away and continue to test them and replace their batteries regularly. Secure Your Television According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 12,800 children aged 19 and younger went to the emergency room for injuries caused by falling televisions in 2011. This shocking statistic emphasizes the need to secure your television and make sure your entertainment center is stable. Do Not Overlo... 10/24/2013

                                              Working with an experienced Wellesley real estate agent will make finding the perfect home for your family, completing paperwork, and saving money easy. When you work with an agent you will benefit from several perks, but here are a few of the biggest reasons to work with an agent You’ll Have a Local Expert on your Team Real estate agents who work in the Wellesley real estate market are very familiar with the area and local market trends. Your agent will help you become familiar with the neighborhoods and city. This knowledge can help you save time and money as you look for a new home. A Pro Negotiator can Help You Save Money When it comes time to put an offer on a home, an agent can help you negotiate with the seller to find the right price... 10/15/2013

                                                                 Even though the weather is getting colder and the plants in your lawn and gardens may be losing their color and life, you can still take some steps to increase your home's curb appeal. When your home's curb appeal makes people want to tour your home and when it looks inviting and helps potential buyers envision living there, you will be able to sell your home in the Wellesley real estate market faster. Cut Away Dead Plants and Clear Debris Rake fallen leaves and clear sticks, dead plants and debris from your landscaping. This will give your garden a clean, well-kept look no matter what time of year it is. Use Proper Lighting Lighting can add a lot to your home's curb appeal. Make sure you have adequate porch lighting and c... 10/10/2013

                                                        It is definitely possible to find your dream home in the Natick real estate market. This is a beautiful area with lots to offer and buyers are able to find homes for affordable prices that are perfect for their families. The most successful Natick homebuyers know how to prioritize. In other words, they know how to identify and then communicate their needs and wants to their agent, who can help them find the perfect home. Start with a List Create a list of all the things you would like in your dream home and then divide it into two categories: "needs" and "wants." This will help you identify the things you aren't willing to negotiate on. Prioritize Your Needs Now, number the items on your "needs" list with number one being the most ... 10/09/2013