Everyone knows WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get...right. We learn that in grade 3. So why is it so hard to learn how to make decent looking Craigslist Ads? Now seriously folks, unless you use a simple text and image ad. It suddenly, becomes a University Level Credit Course to learn how to Write the Code Save Photos on Servers Link Code to Picture Code to Ad Counter Code, etc, etc, etc LOOKS SANDY AND DONE BY 1ST GRADER Or you can upload "Free" WYSIWYG software and write your own ad copy. Write the ad Insert the image Save Post to Craigslist NOT EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT YOU WROTE missing color, font and PHOTOS At the time I wrote this post, I'd been in bed for two days with a bad head cold and taking advantage of the down time to Master The Skill of Posting to Craigslist (I thought) Ma... 10/01/2010

The Woburn Public Library is hosting two Employment Workshops in the month of October.  The Employment workshops series began in the spring and will conclude with the final two topics of Online Job Search and Resume Submittal AND Changing Careers.  The speaker for these Employment workshops is Gary Gekow, a Senior Employment Specialist with 21 years of recuriting experince in the Boston staffing industry. Dates, Times and Topics of these Employment Workshops are below: Topic: Online Job Search and Resume Submittal Tuesday October 5, 2010 from 11am-1pm "In this workshop participants will analyze and discuss numerous online search strategies including job alerts, job boards, job aggregators, and company employment pages, then discuss techniques to best utilize these websites as they rela... 09/30/2010

Thinking about buying or selling a house? Heard a lot about FHA and not sure if you will qualify or your home will? Worse...not sure how much you can borrow with a FHA Loan. Here's the resource you may find helpful. The National Association of Realtors subsidiary House Logic recently published this article titled "Make Your House FHA Loan- Friendly"  It was designed to help home sellers understand what is required by them in-order to attract FHA Buyers. But I think it's a really great resource for buyers too. It reveals what the forms that you will need, a list of condo associations that are approved - saving you time and energy. I strongly encourage you to take 5 minutes to read it. It's packed with great information for both Buyers and Sellers in this New Market. For more information ... 09/28/2010

Step Out for Hospice Walk or Run This years annual Step Out for Hospice Walk or Runtakes place on October 3, 2010 and begins at Irish American Club located at 147 Main Street, Woburn MA.  The Walk and Run takes place around Horn Pond in Woburn, MA and is followed by entertainment and free refreshments. All proceeds from the Step Out for Hospice walk/run benefit VNA Hospice Care, a non-profit organization that provides care, comfort and compassion to patients and families facing the challenges of life-limiting illness and loss.  Register on-line at www.hospicecarema.org. or for more information on the Step Out for Hospice Walk/Run visit the Shamrock Running Club.  This event is presented to you by:Woburn Friends of VNA Hospice CareIrish American Club of WoburnShamrock Running Club Event ... 09/28/2010

Woburn Senior Center Open House this Thursday September 30, 2010 from 6pm-8pm The Woburn Veterans Memorial Senior Center welcomes the "Baby Boomer" generation! On Thursday September 30, 2010 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm the Woburn Senior Center and the Woburn Council on Aging will be hosting its first ever open house event to welcome new retirees. The 60+ Welcoming event will include resource representatives of interest to the "Baby Boom" generation and their family members. Join us for an evening of coffee, Hors d'oeuvres, door prizes, drawings, and lots of helpful information as you transition into the wonderful world of retirement! Participating in this event will be RE/MAX Leading Edge with real estate specialist Anthony Giglio.  Anthony lives and works as a Realtor in Woburn and will be t... 09/27/2010

The Woburn Public Library is hosting the 7th Annual Gala - "Raise the Roof" It will be held Saturday  evening October 2, 2010, from 7:00pm - 11:00pm. Mingle with friends inside our beautiful, historic Library building where you will enjoy the elegant music of harpist Virginia Crumb.  Be the first to view the great prizes and auction items. Then dance the night away in the event tent gracing the front lawn, complete with DJ and dance floor!  Light refreshments will be served; beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available at a cash bar. The 7th Annual Gala Raise the Roof tickets are $50 per person and are available at the Library now or at the door this Saturday night for our largest fundraiser of the year.  Drawing and silent auction items available at the Gala will provide ... 09/27/2010

If you've been following my blog posts this month, you will have noticed I've spent an extreme amount of time discussing Lead Paint based on The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Childhood Lead Paint Protection Program. A General Contractor with a Lead Paint Certification is NOT qualified to de lead your home if it is found to require High Risk Work. A General Contractor with a Lead Paint Certification according to the State of Massachusetts is certified to do small home improvement repairs or what they consider Low Risk Work Even the home owner is not allowed after a Lead Paint Assessor has conducted a Lead Paint Test to do their own de leading until the assessors evaluates the level of risk and the owner or someone they hire has had special training. Contact CLPPP for more information on ... 09/27/2010

When you decide to hire a lead paint removal company or if you know someone that does. Before, you schedule the first make appointment to interview a contractor. Wait to see if he/she asks for a copy of the lead paint report. If they don't ask for a copy. This is a red flag....Move ON. This company is going to cause you more headaches, time and stress than they're worth.  Next, ask if they will be present or have a representative of the company present when the lead paint re-test is conducted.That way they can address any questions or concerns the Lead Paint Inspector may have and perhaps avoid a second visit which could cost you hundreds of dollars. When a  Lead Paint Contractor that does the job RIGHT the first time and the Lead Paint Inspector comes to do the dust test. It helps if t... 09/25/2010

  So, you just found your "Dream House" YA! Only thing is it needs: New Kitchen Cabinets Hard wood Floors Throughout New Windows in the Basement   And you'd like to add: Master Suite with Bath So your wise buyers agent contacts a reputable contractor to take a look at the property before you put in a offer and the contractor discovers   The Kitchen Height is only 80 inches - which translates to you would have to have custom cabinets installed or else the kitchen will look like it came from Smurf ville The floors are at various heights through out the first level with unknown layers of flooring below, which translates to perhaps having to install new sub floor to make all floors level in addition to the hardwood installed In order to add the master suite, you find out that the partial ba... 09/20/2010

Recently, a buyer called to make an offer on a contemporary design priced to sell and in great condition, located on a lovely piece of land with mature landscaping and really unique floodplain. From the moment they walked in, we all knew this was the one. So, when the buyer said the following I was a bit surprised. " We want to use the 203K Mortgage Program to purchase this house". Huh? Did I miss something? This is a great house, Commuters dream close to public transportation, just the right size, low maintenance yard, open floor plan, not too old, great condition. As a matter of fact Move In Condition. Why in the world would anyone want to sabotage a offer, by asking the seller to accept a 203K loan for minor imperfections? Now, don't get me wrong. I think 203K Loans are great tools w... 09/19/2010

If you read my post last night regarding reasons to make an offer on the property you love. Then this fabulous article "Foreclosure Buyers: Beware of Liens"  in Inman News today written by: Tara Nicole Nelson will help shed more light on the message I was trying to explain. When you find the property you love and it's not a short sale or foreclosure. if you can afford it. BUY IT or at least start negotiations. For more information specific to Massachusetts Foreclosures feel free to contact me,   Thanks for reading Lisa   09/17/2010

Open Houses in Woburn MA. Your guide to all the open houses in Woburn MAand surrounding areas.  Now you don't have to waste time driving around looking for open house signs. Simply view the list of open houses in Woburn MA and go!  You can also register on my site and gain FREE MLS access to all Open Houses in the surrounding areas.   Open Houses are a convienient and easy way for you to view a property and learn all about its features so go visit all the open houses in Woburn MA!     09/17/2010

You've accepted an offer and the home inspection was conducted a few days ago. Suddenly, you receive a call from your agent saying "The Buyers Home Inspection has discovered Substantial levels of Lead Paint!" "So" what's the big deal, why is she calling to tell you that. You told her you didn't know and that you lived in the house for 20 years, you're kids are fine. In fact you now have a tenant with a 1 year old living with in the attached 2nd unit of the two family home, that you had completely renovated. And her parents have indicated that when the house sold, they'd be willing to lease from the new owner if possible.That child is fine. Obviously they don't know what their talking about. The agent continues to explain, the buyer has decided to rescind the offer and now the report wil... 09/15/2010

The Woburn Veterans Memorial Senior Center welcomes the "Baby Boomer" generation! On Thursday September 30, 2010 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm the Woburn Senior Center and the Woburn Council on Aging will be hosting its first ever open house event to welcome new retirees. The 60+ Welcoming event will include resource representatives of interest to the "Baby Boom" generation and their family members. Join us for an evening of coffee, Hors d'oeuvres, door prizes, drawings, and lots of helpful information as you transition into the wonderful world of retirement! Participating in this event will be RE/MAX Leading Edge with real estate specialist Anthony Giglio.  Anthony lives and works as a Realtor in Woburn and will be there as a resource and and to present you with helpful information regarding l... 09/01/2010

08/25/2010

Dog walking in Woburn MA If you have a dog you know how important it is to find places to take your precious animals for their daily walk.  Living in Woburn MA, I am fortunate to have such a place for my dog Eddy!  If you are looking for some great dog walking in Woburn then you should visit Horn Pond.   Horn Pond is approximately a 2 mile walk with mixture of wooded and shady area as well as open and sunny.  Along the walk you will find several dog waste receptacles as well as ample park benches for a rest or to just take in the view.  For those seeking additional quality time with their furry friends there are additional trails throughout.    Along the pond's route you will find a mixture of Woburn dog walkers, runners, bikers, fishers or just outdoor enthusiasts.  The best time to wa... 08/17/2010

Retirement Housing in Woburn MA Woburn MA has some great retirement housing options. New Horizons - New Horizons retirement community has a total of 120 apartments housing about 125 seniors, plus Choate Medical Center in Woburn, MA. This upscale, award winning retirement community includes 94 suites for seniors, up to 35 of which may receive assisted living services from Winchester Hospital/Homecare, and the balance of which are for independant living seniors. In addition, there are 26 apartments serving the memory impaired in the Hearthstone Alzheimer's Care Center. Brightview Country Club Heights  Located just 10 miles northwest of Boston, and sitting on the fifth green of the Woburn Country Club Public Golf Course, Brightview's award-winning Country Club Heights offers the best of In... 08/11/2010

Horn Pond Woburn was named amoung 1,000 best Massachusetts places! Horn Pond Woburn, located in the heart of Woburn near the Winchester line, is known for its hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, sunset-watching and more, and includes a designated walking route around the pond that provides great views. Observant visitors can still see the foundations for the ski lift back when the hill had skiing, and some believe there are indentations in the rocks from where American Indians used to grind corn. The pond was also the site of a commercial ice business in earlier days.  Source: www.wickedlocal.com Visit www.MAHOMES4SALE.com to search for Real Estate near Horn Pond Woburn   08/04/2010

 Woburn Public Library In addition to being listed as one of the "must see" places in Massachusetts, the Woburn Public Library has outdone itself for its younger patrons.  The Children's and Young Adult Department has a wide variety of offerings this summer  from craft projects to Pajama Storytimes. Check out the schedule for upcoming events.  This H.H. Richardson masterpiece has been chosen by the 1000 Great Places to Visit Commission of the Massachusetts Department of Travel and Tourism as one of our state's great cultural treasures Thinking of relocating to Woburn? Visit my website for town information www.MAHOMES4SALE.com  Woburn Public Library chosen in 1000 Places to Visit. 08/03/2010

Woburn Single Family Homes have seen a change for the good in the last year.  In the last year, Woburn real estate has seen an increase in number of single family homes sold! In the previous 12 month period, a total of 185 single family homes were sold compared to 212 this past year..an increase of 14.6%! The median price also increased by 2.9%. In the prior period, the median price was $330,000 but this past period it increased by $9,450 bringing the median price to $339,450. Days on market decreased by an astounding 22.5%!  Previous 12 month period showed single family homes in Woburn taking an average of 89 days to sell whereas this past year, these same type of homes were selling in an average of only 69 days! Visit my website www.MAHOMES4SALE.com to search for Woburn single family ... 07/30/2010