Well, I'm a newbie to Active Rain and have to admit, I didn't think I really could get into this blogging thing, but I am seeing it worth my time. On Friday afternoon, I had wrote a blog about the New England Summer Nationals that were held in Worcester this July 4th weekend. No sooner did I submit the blog and turn off my computer, my phone rang! It was someone asking me about the event and where he would be able to park! Not that it was a lead to buy or sell his house but at the time, he was on his computer searching New England Summer Nationals, my blog must have just come up on the Google search engine! He then asked about local restaurants that he might be able to grab a bite with his son and I gave him a few names. Now, I know how valuable my www.whatsinworcester.net is going to b... 07/05/2010

Elm Park is having its' 17th annual FREE concert series starting this Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. Elm Park is the nation's oldest public park today. This 28-acre parcel of land was purchased by Levi Lincoln and John Hammond in March, 1854, then was sold to the city of Worcester. Friends of the Park, called Park Spirit of Worcester, Inc. www.parkspirit.org have helped to preserve the park by organizing numerous events here. The Summer Concert series at Elm Park is a mix of Celtic, bluegrass, jazz, folk and soul music. The kickoff starts this Thursday, July 8th. Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer too. JULY 8th         Ric Porter & The Sons of the SoilJULY 15          The Red RidersJULY 22          Beatles For SaleJULY 29          Worcester Jazz OrchestraAUGUST 5       Dennis... 07/05/2010

Well it's the start of July 4th weekend and right now at Greenhill Park, car enthuiasts alike are driving their pride and joys to the park to be on display for the holiday weekend. The New England Summer Nationals will be celebrating its' 20th year here in Worcester. My husband, Ken and I own a 1970 Plymouth Duster and we have had it for 6 years. My husband bought it sight unseen off the internet from a young gentleman who needed the money to purchase a computer! We are thinking of taking it to the Summer Nationals like we have done in the past. It's nice to see other people talk about all the restoration they have done on their vehicles and the pride of ownership. For my husband and I, it brings back lots of good memories when I had a Duster and we would tool around in it. The event k... 07/02/2010

  Well the forecast for the rest of this week in Worcester looks clear as a bell for the fireworks! To kickoff the July 4th holiday weekend, Fallon Community Health Plan has sponsored this event along with collaboration from the city of Worcester and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. This patriotic event, will start at 6:00 p.m. with kids' activities, as well as booths from local cultural organizations. At 8:00 p.m., you can listen to the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra perform their patriotic songs before the fireworks go off at 9:30 p.m. East Park is situated in the middle of Shrewsbury Street in Worcester among many popular restaurants. It should be a welll attended event. HAPPY 4th of JULY EVERYONE!For more information, you can visit www.worcestermass.org. Stay tuned for more... 06/29/2010

Someone sent this to me through another popular social media site and I thought it would be something worth sharing with you all. For the complete write up, you can go to www.highexistence.com/life-secrets-and-tips/. I have to work on some of these, but it's a start! 1. Memorize something everyday.2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world.4. Remember people's names.5. Get fit!6. Learn to focus only on the present.7. Even more specifically, live in THIS moment.8. Smile more often.9. Drink water.10. Don't take life so seriously!11. Think positive thoughts.12. Read books.13. Get in the sun.14. Help others.15. Set aside a specific time to worry each day.16. Be honest at all times.17. Sleep less.18. Read "Bringers of Lights" a... 06/24/2010

What's your excuse not to buy real estate right now? It can't be blamed on high interest rates!Just announced yesterday (JUNE 23, 2010) from the National Association of Realtors, interest rates are at an all-time low, under the 5% mark. So even though the homeowner tax credit expired, homebuyers can still save money on their mortgage.According to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.89 from 5.10 in April. Even better news is that home sales are still on the rise as May did show a steady pace, so we are on the right path. Let's keep the ball rolling! 06/24/2010

Well, my day in real estate is almost over, and I had completely forgot to attend one of my favorite events in Worcester! Taste of Shrewsbury Street was tonight from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Restaurant Row. Shrewsbury Street is a mile long stretch of many unique restaurants in Worcester. The Shrewsbury Street Area Merchants Association plan this event every year in June and admission is $25 if your purchase buttons ahead and $30, the day of the event. Proceeds from this event also benefit local charities, which I love to hear! The street-long event has many local businesses in that area perform live music as well as offer food tastings from all the participating restaurants. Some of my favorite restaurants are on this street alone! Here is a small sample of the restaurants that have their ... 06/22/2010

Well it's the morning of Father's Day and it's the day when many of you have plans to spend time with your Dads playing a round of golf, having a BBQ or just spending time honoring him and all that he has done for you to help make you who you are today. Many of you, like myself, may also have the absence of a father in your life. Some Dads are serving our country. Some may be among the missing. Or some Dads have gone before their times and left so many of us behind. Although this day, I will be honoring my husband and the Dad that he has been for our two children, I am honoring the Dads who gave everything for their children and have left this world too soon. My Dad is one of them. So "HAPPY" Father's Day may not be an appropriate saying for the ones who yearn to have the presence of th... 06/20/2010

For many years now, my husband and I have set aside Friday nights for our "Date Night" and usually go out for a nice dinner to celebrate the end of our work weeks. One of our favorite stops to start our Friday evening have been to The Wine Vine on 142-B Highland Street. Owners, Sang and Camile Chhoeuk couldn't be more welcoming. They have owned the business for 4 years. On Fridays nights, they have free wine tasting from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and offer many new wines for our tastebuds. They also offer many varieties of cheeses, some locally made in Sterling as well as locally made Organic Coffee, Imported Beers, fresh bread (their own specialty) as well as Godiva, Tealux and Stonewall Kitchen products. If you are looking for a certain bottle of wine for a special occasion, this is it. ... 06/18/2010

Now that the homeowners' tax credit has expired, you may be wondering, "Has the real estate market crashed?". Quite the contrary. Sales are continuing to rise on bank-owned properties as investors are scooping them up quickly. Especially multi-families, in hopes that the market will come back and values will be UP. This may take a few years but Worcester is looking bright. With revitilization happening just about everywhere I go lately, Worcester's growth looks promising. City Manager, Michael O'Brien's idea launched the BUY WORCESTER NOW program in July, 2008. This program has helped many renters decide to purchase their first home along with receiving many buyers' incentives from local businesses. Interest rates have also been at their lowest in years and this has kept the market goin... 06/18/2010

I won't be having an open house this Sunday because of Father's Day, but last Sunday, I held one in Charlton. The weather was alittle dreary and usually buyers do not like venturing out when there is a threat of rain, but some proved me wrong. I guess if you are looking to buy a home, you are looking in any type of weather!Open houses are very important for buyers as they are for the sellers, because buyers can preview several homes in one afternoon and compare properties in the area. It also helps buyers understand exactly what they are looking for in a home and see what their money can buy at a certain price.One thing I suggest to buyers is to put together a checklist of what they are looking for in a home and as they go from one home to another, check off what they like about the hou... 06/18/2010

Well, the Senate did vote on Wednesday (June 16th) to extend the tax credit but it's not really what many homebuyers were looking for. With a vote of 60-37, the Senate accepted an amendment to extend the credit, but only to homebuyers who currently have contracts to purchase a home and had signed an agreement before April 30th. This in no way extends the credit for new homebuyers now to purchase a home and for me, it's a huge disappointment. This extension is more for the backlog of loans that have to be processed and gives them until September 30th to close on their contracts. Let's hope the tax credit idea comes along again as it created a spurt in the real estate market. 06/18/2010

At 5:00 a.m., when many of us are still under the sheets, Anthony Paravano is already up and heading to work. Owned and operated for the past 40 years, "Anthony's Distinctive Family Hair Care" originated in downtown Worcester in the old Shawmut Glass Tower. Eighteen years later, Anthony moved his business to 324 Grove Street, closer to the Park Ave. and Goldstar Blvd. area. If you are lucky enough to be one of his customers, Anthony is always in a good mood and ready to talk about the stock market or current events. Another hairstylist, Chantelle St. Onge has been an employee of Anthony's for over 15 years. She offers full services to both women and children, so it's truly a full service family salon. Anthony's offers walk-in service as well and is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 5:3... 06/17/2010

One of my son's favorite places to grab lunch, New England Roast Beef is somewhat of a staple in Worcester. Located on 33 Park Avenue, Worcester and open 6 days a week, New England Roast Beef offers Specialty Sandwiches, Soups, Appetizers, Salads, Seafood and their most popular Major League Wings. Their specialty sandwiches are named after the surrounding colleges, such as "The Becker" which is a turkey, roast beef, American Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and peppercorn dressing. "The WPI" consists of roast beef, American Cheese, tomatoes, onions and horseradish to shake it up a bit. Other sandwiches are named for some of the streets nearby, such as "The Park Ave.", "The Salisbury" and "The West Boylston". This mainstay is locally owned and serves local businessman and women catching a quick... 06/16/2010

I insisted a buyer come in my office for a consultaion before we would take him out to preview properties. He had worked with multiple Realtors over the past 3 years, visited dozens of homes and wasted tons of time. My 1st comment was "wow 3 years and you could not find a home" he said the Realtors were not showing him the right properties, plus he believes the bottom has not come. I asked, how will you know when the bottom has come... he explained I guess I will know when I see it in the media. I said "good point, however the problem with that is, if it's in the media, its too late because everyone else knows and its going up" He said that makes sense.  I explained the tax credit is gone, however rates are amazing and there is still a ton of inventory. He said he is ready now. I asked ... 06/10/2010

 Here are the top 10 do's and don'ts when looking to secure a mortgage. Keep in mind the actual lender will pull their own credit report at closing, and if your credit scores have dropped, you may no longer qualify for the rate that was underwritten and the final approval may come back with a higher rate. Unfortunately, all lenders qualify you by your credit score as to which criteria you fit and every loan has different criteria attached. The loan to value, the debt to ratio and so on etc. This is what borrowers do not understand, and they think the loan officer is baiting and switching. They are not. If an issue comes up that the lender decides you do not qualify for a certain loan, the only thing a loan officer can do is shop for lenders and see if any are willing to give the rate an... 06/09/2010

Pat McQuaid | Keller WIlliams Realty | 508-365-3852 785 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA Come discover this affordable home in a great location on Salibury Street! 2BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $179,000 Year Built 1954 Sq Footage 1,010 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 17,670 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Come discover this great affordable home on Sailsbury Street in the "01609" area! *Enclosed porch* Finished 2nd floor for possible 3rd bedroom not counted in GLA (unheated)* Convenient location in a nice, quiet neighborhood with great schools! *Double sized lot* Take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit, make offer before April 30th! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central heat - Hardwood floor - Livi... 02/12/2010

The Keller Williams Greater Worcester office announced its new 2010 Agent Leadership Council, which acts as the board of directors for the local office. The ALC is composed of agents whose sales are in the top 20 percent. For 2010, the ALC is: Patrick McQuaid: WorcesterCountyRealty.com, Kelly Pough, Jason Piedrasanta, Jeffrey Hall, and David Hill. Hill was also chosen as a member of the Keller Williams Realty International ALC. 01/24/2010

 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES UNION STATION IN WORCESTER Located in Washington Square in Worcester, Union Station is one of Worcester's great landmarks.  Union Station was originally built in 1911 and abandoned in 1975.  The rundown and neglected station was acquired and renovated by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority and opened back up in July of 2000.  In 2006, an intercity and local bus terminal with 5 bus ports was added. Union Station Amenities: Western terminus of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, with inbound service to Back Bay and South Station in Boston A stop on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited Boston section to/from Albany, New York with connections to Chicago (formerly also the Regional's Inland Route) Intercity (Pe... 12/28/2009

James Cooper | JCKC Realty | 508-868-4291 3 Southold Rd., Worcester, MA Home has been updated and is very clean. Ready for occupancy. Great area for commuting close to all major routes. Large backyard beautiful neighborhoo 3BR/2BA Single Family House $1,400/month Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Sq Footage 1,532 Parking 3+ dedicated Pet Policy No pets Deposit $1,000 see additional photos below RENTAL FEATURES - Fireplace - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Basement - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area - inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard - Cable-ready LEASE TERMS Looking for a 12 month lease. Must have good references. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Contact info: James Cooper JCKC Realty 508-868-4291 Equal Opportunity Ho... 12/27/2009