Real Estate and *stuff *
A real person helping real people with real estate
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Flip House in Northborough , MA!
May 11, 2019
This is a 3 bed, 2 bath contemporary cape on a corner lot.
It has a family room with beautiful red vermont casting wood stove. It will be getting a new roof, windows, siding and yard make over. Back decks have rotted so they will be removed!
Inside will have an open new kitchen and new flooring throughout. Some bath upgrades will be happening as well!
There will be more photos and information coming soon! I love doing flip houses! Hands on work and always an adventure for one reason or another!
Stay tuned for more fun!
Open House in Paxton, MA
May 9, 2019
— 1 Comment
Prepare to step beyond the ordinary when you walk into this custom built multi-level cape style home in desirable Paxton!
A wonderful blend of tradition with contemporary upgrades makes this house a truly special place to call home.
The custom original wood work and hardwood flooring brings the”traditional style” to the front to back living room and bedrooms.
The spacious updated eat-in kitchen with granite, stainless steel and pantry shows the “contemporary”.
A 23 x 21 family room is sure to be the place to gather.
Four bedrooms with optional first floor master and 2 updated full bathrooms create flexible living space.
Two sunrooms overlook the picturesque back yard.
Lower level is ready to be finished if you need more space! A dedicated driveway brings you to the independent 2 story barn with loft, heat, electric and slate roof. Major updates to the house include septic, electric, roof, exterior paint, boiler, kitchen, bathrooms and main level windows new in 2 yrs.
If you can’t make the open house-be sure to check out the 3-D interactive tour! Just click the photo below!
Almost 18 Acres of Land in Sutton, MA!
May 7, 2019
Tired of not finding the right home in Sutton?
Build your home oasis! This 17.7 acre retreat lot is in Orchard Estates – one of Sutton’s best loved neighborhoods! This scenic lot is located off of Leland Hill Road on the Grafton side of Sutton. Enjoy coming home to your new construction in the country! Quick access to Routes 146, 395, 290 and the Mass Pike. Commuter friendly to Worcester, Boston, Putnam and Providence. Convenient to the Blackstone Valley Shoppes and Restaurants. Sutton has a newer school system, new Police Department Building and newer shopping center with Market 32, Starbucks and more!
Buyer to perform all due diligence necessary for intended use with accepted offer.
Open House at 3 Carey Rd, Sturbridge, MA
May 4, 2019
Sunday, May 05, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Come see this amazing property! It’s gorgeous inside and out.
Sneak Peek!
Can’t make the open house? Take a 3-D interactive tour from your screen!
Land Available in Sutton MA
May 1, 2019
Raw land available on a great street!
Here is a 1/2 acre of completely undeveloped land for your imagination!
What will you do with it?
Buyer to perform any and all due diligence.
12 Must-Do Home Maintenance Tips For Spring
April 30, 2019
Ah, spring! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the windows are finally open! Now is definitely the time to take a realistic look at your home’s exterior (and all that goes with it), and do the necessary cleaning, or make repairs or replacements. Winter can be harsh, but springtime is all about renewal!
1. Roof and shingles
Winter storms, snow, and wind can take a toll on your roof shingles, and the summer sun doesn’t do your roof any favors, either. If you can, get up on a ladder and really take a good look at the condition of your shingles. Are they loose? Do you see any cracks or wearing? If so, you may want to begin to budget for a replacement roof by next winter. While you’re up there, make sure you check any skylights, and clear away debris. Examine the flashing around your plumbing vents and chimney to see if they should be repaired or replaced (by a qualified roofer, of course).
2. Gutters
Make sure your gutters are intact, and there aren’t any loose, unconnected ends. Check for leaks, and again, getting up on a ladder, use a pair of rubber gloves to clean out leaves and debris. Perhaps invest in some gutter protectors to cut back on cleaning all together. Also, make sure your downspouts are draining away from your foundation, and purchase downspout extensions if you need to.
3. Yard
Check for low areas in your yard, and around your foundation. If you find areas that are lower than the rest of your yard, they can and should be leveled up with compacted soil to avoid having water pool in areas next to your foundation. When water pools, it’ll not only lead to damage, but it’s a perfect place for insects like mosquitos to breed, and no one needs more mosquitos in the summer.
4. Chimney
While you’re up on that ladder, check your chimney exterior for any signs of over-winter damage. Now would be the time to hire a chimney sweep for a good cleaning and inspection, to avoid a chimney fire next autumn or winter.
5. Concrete
Ice heaving during the winter can cause cracks and movement within your concrete sidewalks and walkways. Also, be sure to check garage floors and parking pads for signs of cracking. These can be easily filled with a concrete crack filler. If you know you’ll have a few nice sunny days in a row, fill the cracks, power wash the concrete, and re-seal it.
6. Firewood
Firewood can be a home for bugs and vermin during the warmer months, so if you have firewood near your home, move it to a different location in the spring when you’re done with it for the season. Try to store firewood at least a foot off the ground, and away from any structure by a couple of feet, to avoid it becoming a nice haven for squirrels, mice, and rats.
7. Outside faucets
First, turn on the water, and cover the opening of the faucet with your finger or thumb. You shouldn’t be able to stop the flow of water, and if you can, you’ll need to check the interior pipes for leaks that could cause big damage. Now is also a great time to inspect your garden hose for spots of dry rot. Don’t wait until you’re ready to wash the car or water the garden to realize your hose needs replacing.
8. Air conditioning
Hire an HVAC professional to pay a visit. Have them clean and service your a/c unit. This will increase the energy efficiency of your unit, and will keep it working smoothly. Check interior filters, and purchase replacements if they are worn or dirty. Finally, make sure you test the unit well before you’ll need to use it, instead of waiting for that first hot day.
9. Lawn equipment
Get your lawn mower out and make sure it starts up. Change the oil, replace the spark plug, and clean up the air filter, if necessary. Clean the blades and take them in for sharpening if necessary. This will enable the mower to do the most efficient cutting job on your lawn. Also check out your leaf-blower, edge trimmer, and any other lawn equipment you use to make sure everything is working properly, and purchase anything you’ll need – such as trimmer string or 2-stroke oil. Check batteries in cordless items to make sure those batteries are charged when you need to use them.
10. Trees
If trees near your home have branches that are broken from snow weight, trim those before they fall on your roof. Trim back any other branches from your siding or windows. You can do this yourself, if you’re comfortable with it, or hire a professional.
11. Snow blower
If you live in a seasonal “winter wonderland”, you might use a snow blower to help keep your place from turning into a fancy igloo. Now that Spring has come, you’ll be ready to give your snow blower a rest. Before storing your snow blower away for the season, drain the fuel and run it until the gas line is clear. Remove the spark plug and store it. Cover it up for the season.
12. Deck
Check your deck for any boards that need to be replaced. Power wash it and reseal if necessary. After all, you have a long summer of use to look forward to!
Paradise in Paxton, MA
April 29, 2019
Prepare to step beyond the ordinary when you walk into this custom built multi-level cape style home in desirable Paxton!
A wonderful blend of tradition with contemporary upgrades makes this house a truly special place to call home.
The custom original wood work and hardwood flooring brings the”traditional style” to the front to back living room and bedrooms.
The spacious updated eat-in kitchen with granite, stainless steel and pantry shows the “contemporary”.
A 23 x 21 family room is sure to be the place to gather.
Four bedrooms with optional first floor master and 2 updated full bathrooms create flexible living space.
Two sunrooms overlook the picturesque back yard.
A dedicated driveway brings you to the independent 2 story barn with loft, heat, electric and slate roof.
Major updates to the house include septic, electric, roof, exterior paint, boiler, kitchen, bathrooms and main level windows new in 2 yrs.
Take a 3-D interactive tour for a better look-click the photo below!
How to Be a Savvy Open House Guest
April 27, 2019
Getting smart — about what to do, ask, and avoid — can move you ahead of the crowd.
Ah, the open house — a chance to wander through other people’s homes and imagine yourself knocking out walls and gut rehabbing their kitchens. This is what dreams are made of (or at least episodes of HGTV).
In all seriousness, going to open houses (and scheduled private showings) is one of the most exciting parts of the home-buying experience. Beyond the voyeuristic thrill, visiting houses allows you to assess things that you just can’t see online.
Anyone who has taken a super-posed selfie knows that a picture doesn’t always tell the whole truth. Professional listing photos can make small rooms look spacious, make dim rooms bright, and mask other flaws of a home — but you don’t know any of that until you actually see the house yourself.
You can tour houses at any point, but it can be helpful to first discuss your needs and wants with your partner (if you have one), do some online research, and talk with your agent and your lender. That way, you — and your agent — can take a targeted approach, which saves you time and can give you an edge over your buying competition.
So, before you start viewing, follow these tips to get prepared.
Make It Your Job to Know Which Houses Are “Open”
There are four ways to know when a house is available for viewing:
- Ask your agent. He or she will have details on specific properties and can keep you informed of open houses that fit your criteria.
- Use listing websites. A number of property sites let you search active listings for upcoming open houses. On realtor.com®, for instance, when searching for properties, scroll over the “Buy” tab and click the “Open Houses” link to see upcoming ones in your area.
- Scroll social media. On Instagram, for example, you can search the hashtag #openhouse, or similar tags for your city (#openhousedallas, for example), to discover open houses. Many real estate agents and brokerages also post open house announcements on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; find ones from your area and start following.
- Drive around. Cruise through the neighborhoods you’re interested in — it’s a good way to get a sense of the area amenities — and look for open house signs.
And while you’re searching, be sure to jot down the location, time, and date for any open house that strikes your fancy. It will make it that much easier to plan times and routes for hitting as many homes as possible.
Get There Early (and Say Hi to the Neighbors)
If you’re seriously interested in a home, show up to the open house early. That way you’ll beat the rush, and the agent showing the house (AKA the host) will have time to focus on you and your questions.
And don’t be shy! Many home buyers hop from one open house to the next without talking to the listing agent. But chatting up the host can help you learn information that you wouldn’t get by only touring the premises.
If a house seems like a match, take a walk around the neighborhood. Strike up conversations with the neighbors to get an insider’s perspective on what life in that community is really like — families, singles, what the vibe on the block is like, and whether the homeowner’s or condo association (if there is one) is easy to work with.
Ask Lots of Questions, But Avoid TMI
To make the most of your open house visits, have a list of questions in mind for the host — and take notes while you’re there, so you can keep track of what you learned.
At the same time, remember this: Your interaction with the host could be the beginning of negotiations with them. If you end up making an offer, you’ll use the information you’ve gathered to inform your bid. (They’ll also remember that you were an engaged yet courteous person, which can’t hurt your cause.)
Equally important: Oversharing could hurt your negotiating power.
Be careful about what information you share with the agent hosting the event. This person works for the seller — not you. The host can and will use stats they’ve gleaned about you to counter, reject, or accept an offer.
Keeping that in mind, here are eight questions you can ask a host to help determine whether a house is a good fit for you:
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- Have you received any offers? If there are already bids on the table, you’ll have to move quickly if you want to make an offer. Keep in mind: Listing agents can’t disclose the amount of any other offers, though — only whether they exist.
- When does the seller want to move? Find out the seller’s timeline. If the seller is in a hurry (say, for a new job), they may be willing to accept an offer that’s below list price.
- When is the seller looking to close? Price isn’t the only factor for many home sellers. One way to strengthen your offer is to propose a settlement date that’s ideal for them. For example, a 30- to 45-day closing is standard in many markets, but the seller may want more time if they haven’t purchased their next home yet.
- Is the seller flexible on price? Most listing agents won’t tip their hand when you ask this question, but there’s always a chance the agent says “yes.” And, in some instances, the seller has authorized their agent to tell interested buyers that the price is negotiable. In any case, you might as well ask. (It’s kind of like googling for a coupon code when you buy something online.)
- How many days has the home been on the market? You can find this information on the internet, but the seller’s agent can give you context, especially if the house has been sitting on the market for a while. Maybe the home was under contract but the buyer’s financing fell through, or the seller overshot the listing price and had to make a price reduction? Knowing the backstory can only help you.
- Has the price changed? You can see if there’s been a price reduction online, but talking to the listing agent is the only way to find out why the seller dropped the price.
- Are there any issues? Have there been any renovations or recent repairs made to the home? Some upgrades, like new kitchen appliances, are easy to spot, but some are harder to identify. Specifically ask about the roof, appliances, and HVAC system because they can be expensive to repair or replace. BTW, repairs like a leaky faucets aren’t things that need to be disclosed.
- What are the average utility costs? Many buyers don’t factor utility bills into their monthly housing expenses, and these costs can add up — particularly in drafty older homes. Ask the listing agent what a typical monthly utility bill is during the summer and during the winter, since heating and cooling costs can fluctuate seasonally. Be prepared for higher utility bills if you’re moving from an apartment to a single-family home.
Now that you’ve got your answers, there’s one last thing to do: Thank the host before you go. You never know — you could be seeing them again at the negotiating table soon.
Open House at 120 Holden Road Paxton, MA
April 26, 2019
This Saturday, April 27, and Sunday April 28 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
View this 4 bedroom and 2 bathroom oasis with an gorgeous yard in person!
Can’t make it? View this 3-D interactive tour and call me when you realize you can’t look away!
Open House at 77 Central Tpke, Sutton, MA
April 26, 2019
This weekend on Saturday, April 27, 2019 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and Sunday, April 28, 2019 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Come view this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom open concept home before it’s gone!
Can’t make it? View the 3-D interactive tour and give me a call when you fall in love
Real Estate and *stuff * 