Real Estate and *stuff *

Real Estate and *stuff *

A real person helping real people with real estate

You can scroll the shelf using and keys

Stink Bug Invasion! It’s as Bad as You Think

September 27, 2012

Stink bugs are coming (again)! In fact, they’re already here, and the government is searching for ways to wipe out the little stinkers.

An army of stink bugs has marched into 38 states, and the federal government is scrambling to find ammunition to take them down.

Brown marmorated stink bugs, a Chinese import, are invading homes, orchards, and vineyards; eating fruit, buzzing overhead, and staying warm until they can emerge and lay eggs in spring.

If last year’s stink bug invasion wasn’t bad enough, this fall’s invasion is the second one this year — which presages an even bigger onslaught in 2013, says Tracy Leskey, an Agriculture Department entomologist.

“This has been a very good year for the stink bug,” Leskey told the The Examiner in Washington, D.C.

Entomologists are deep into R&D to find ways to wipe out the stink bug. Front-runners include baited traps and natural stink bug enemies, such as the wheel bug, a bug assassin that injects a paralyzing enzyme that turns stink bug innards into porridge, which the wheel bug sucks up.

The best way you can keep stink bugs at bay is to seal your home up tight, like you do in winter to lower your heating costs.

  • Close doors and windows
  • Fill cracks in siding, window screens, and HVAC vents
  • Install weather stripping
  • Plug outdoor outlets

If stink bugs already have invaded your home, grab them with toilet paper and flush them down the toilet. Or, drown them in a jar of soapy water.

Do not squish them, which will release the stink that inspired its name, or vacuum them up, which will make the machine smell.

I gun down stink bugs in my house with my trusty Bugzooka.

Have stink bugs invaded your home? How do you get rid of them?

Sneak Peak in Charlton!

June 18, 2012

Whoa!  Bank-owned opportunity!  Take a look at this beauty in Charlton!

Built in 2006, 4 beds, 2.5 baths, central a/c, hydro air heating system, 1.96 acres and the bank will be doing the Title V!  Coming on the market tomorrow morning at $349,999!

Do you have questions about today’s real estate market?

May 16, 2012

Questions like…

  • Do I need 20% down to avoid PMI?
  • How long do I have to wait after a short sale or foreclosure?
  • Do I need perfect credit?
  • When does the market hit bottom?
  • Where is the best place to buy?
  • How much will I save?
  • How much are closing costs and fees?
  • What is the current rate?

We have answers!

Come to our FREE networking meeting about how to make the money you spend in rent WORK for you!  Find out more about     today’s real estate market, investment opportunities and the true cost of not  being a home owner.  No obligation, just show up with your questions.  Join Wes and myself for a relaxed, no obligation meeting to find out the answers to the questions you have.

WHEN:  Two dates to choose from:  May 17th or 24th at 6pm to 7:30pm

WHERE:  Prestige Home Mortgage
45 Lyman Street
Westborough MA  – Terrace Level

When’s the Best Time to Buy Appliances or Electronics? Decide.com can tell you!

April 29, 2012

In the market for a new appliance or electronics? Timing is everything.  Here’s a website that’ll tell you if now is a good time to buy.

The best quality at the lowest price — that’s the mantra of every savvy appliance shopper. What you may not know is that prices fluctuate, and some times are better than others for buying.

So how can you find that magic window that will save you the most money? Decide.com lets you enter the appliance or gadget you want to buy — anything from refrigerators and washer/dryers to Kindles and iPads — and it’ll give you a thumbs up — buy now! — or a thumbs down — hold your horses, because prices will drop soon.

Decide will even give you a little graph of the price history for the product, and whether a new model is coming out anytime soon. Try getting that kind of info out of a retailer.

Spring Cleaning the Anti-Martha Way

April 16, 2012

Martha Stewart spring cleans like a pro — because she is a pro. But the rest of us seek an easier way. Welcome to The Anti-Martha Stewart Spring Cleaning Guide.

For the record, I love Martha Stewart. She has elevated housekeeping to high art, which protects home values. Martha’s taught us the devil is in the details, and that even mundane chores can be tackled with grace, diligence, and elbow-high rubber gloves.

That said, spring is here, and cleaning is required. But who’s got the time or energy to rip apart every square inch of the house? When I saw a Martha blog that suggested cleaning our kitchen range in only 22 steps, we threw in the towel and shouted, “Get real!”

Then, I found Anti-Martha Stewart Spring Cleaning Guide, acknowledging that top-to-bottom cleaning is a good idea, but nobody’s idea of a good time.

But days have only 24 hours, and work, family, and the tyranny of getting in 10,000 steps makes spring cleaning Martha-style merely a fantasy for most of us. So, I found a  “get-real” guide.

This guide is all about time-savers and corner-cutters. Top highlights:

  • Don’t scrub when a good soak will do.
  • Take small bites out of large tasks: If you live long enough, you’ll get it clean.
  • Invest in white vinegar companies, because vinegar is the one cleaner you can’t do without.
  • If a machine can clean it better and faster, buy it or rent it.

But seriously, folks. Here’s a little preview of the guide.

  • Shower heads: A warm white vinegar bath will get rid of mineral deposits.
  • Windows: Use coffee filters or microfiber cloths instead of paper towels to wash windows and avoid streaks.
  • Patio furniture: Vacuum wicker furniture with an upholstery attachment.
  • Primo declutter tip: Get rid of “fat clothes” first, which make you feel bad about your body.

Hey, we’ve got a million of these. Martha, I’m sure, is shaking her head in dismay. But I’m sure this guide will help you get clean in spring and still have time to enjoy the season.  THE GUIDE

And that’s a good thing.

Do You Prefer the Dentist to Lawn Work?

April 13, 2012

Lawn Work Ranks Low on Americans’ Hit Parade of Chores!  When it comes to lawn chores, we’d rather open wide and say “ahhhh” than mow and weed.

Americans would rather see their dentist or visit their in-laws than spend time with their lawns.

In fact, we would rather do just about anything than mow, fertilize, and perform other lawn care chores, according to a Consumer Reports survey of 1,000 adults nationwide.

When asked about which tedious chore they would like to do, only 7% said lawn care. Here are the activities that ranked higher:

  • Cook, 62%
  • Grocery shop, 49%
  • Do laundry, 41%
  • Go to work, 38%
  • Clean the house, 38%
  • Visit in-laws, 33 %
  • See the dentist, 17%
Consumer Reports didn’t mention any chores that ranked lower than lawn work. But I’m guessing that cleaning out the septic tank and unclogging drain pipes might be worse.

What chores would you pick over lawn care? Any chores that rank lower?

10 Million Underwater Homes…video blog on a possible solution?

February 16, 2012

My recent addiction to this video blog is becoming a solid part of my morning routine.  From the just the title of their blog “Think Big Work Small” to this quick report on a possible solution to the current housing market crisis proposed by Senator Menendez.  Excellent way to keep up on things without having to read the entire proposal…and I love their comment at the end that even if this isn’t a perfect solution…it’s better than the road we’re on now!

Another take on the big mortgage settlement…

February 11, 2012

These guys are great and in this video they recap an excellent way to qualify for a VA Loan if you’re currently unmarried and a real person’s look at the robo-bot settlement with the major banks.

 

Fannie Mae Rolls Out Online-only REO Offers – where are they in Worcester County?

February 11, 2012

Streamling!  I love a good system and I am hoping this works well!  Worcester County has a 184 Fannie Mae Homepath properties and now buyers can submit an offer directly online to Fannie Mae with their agent.  I am hoping this creates an efficient environment to moving these properties off the market and into the “sold” category.

“Making an offer to purchase a HomePath property is now quick, easy and entirely online! Beginning February 2, all offers on HomePath properties must be made using the HomePath Online Offer system. If you’re ready to make an offer, just have your real estate professional click the “Make an Offer” button on the property information and follow the instructions.”

Only licensed agents can make offers, so any consumers shopping for a home on Fannie’s HomePath site have to contact an agent first.”

Here is a list of the 184 REO properties in Worcester County that are available as of today.  If you are interested in seeing one of these properties or getting more information on how to purchase a foreclosure – just let me know!  I will connect you!

Address City State List Price Property Type Bedrooms Bathrooms Square Feet Lot Size
39 Sled Rd Ashburnham Ma $41,900 Single-Family 2 1 1205 9000
13 Holt Rd Ashburnham Ma $82,900 Single-Family 2 1 816 37994
11 Stodge Dr Ashburnham Ma $189,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1337 7500
317 Petersham Rd Athol Ma $77,900 Single-Family 3 2 1561 103237
181 Harugari St Athol Ma $82,900 Single-Family 3 2 1416 9022
63 Everett St Athol Ma $49,900 Single-Family 3 2 1500 12196
82 Kennebunk St Athol Ma $71,900 Single-Family 4 2 2612 43560
90 Narrow Ln Athol Ma $139,900 Single-Family 3 2 1290 80000
21 Harrison Ave Auburn Ma $76,900 Single-Family 2 1.5 1182 14136
49 Wallace Ave Auburn Ma Single-Family 4 1.5 1654 42000
124 South St Auburn Ma $199,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1810 20000
19 Holman St Baldwinville Ma $79,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1671 9583
22 Pleasant St Baldwinville Ma $49,000 Single-Family 4 2 1678 12196
98 Farrington Rd Barre Ma $194,900 Single-Family 2 2 1803 136342
331 Nichols Rd Barre Ma $149,500 Single-Family 3 2 2539 4
134 Valley Rd Barre Ma $134,900 Single-Family 3 1 1320 25700
27 Kendall St Barre Ma $55,900 Multi-Family 3 2 6000
650 Rathbun St Blackstone Ma $150,000 Single-Family 2 1 1076
9 Rocco Dr Blackstone Ma $229,900 Single-Family 5 3 1728 25264
34 Miller St Blackstone Ma $117,900 Multi-Family 5 2
310 Ballville Rd Bolton Ma $259,900 Single-Family 3 2 1000 43560
45 Auburn St Cherry Valley Ma $81,900 Single-Family 4 1 1624 54886
16 Blossom St Clinton Ma $99,000 Single-Family 4 1 1536 9900
56 Parker St Clinton Ma $149,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1340
270 Chestnut St Clinton Ma $194,900 Single-Family 3 2 2179 10477
333 South St Douglas Ma $114,900 Multi-Family 6 2 88427
34 Main St Douglas Ma $168,900 Single-Family 3 2 1587 33461
68 Webster St Douglas Ma $189,900 Single-Family 4 2 1344 74662
5 Gilboa St Douglas Ma $79,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1482 11854
61 W Main St Dudley Ma $89,900 Single-Family 2 2 1306 9147
7 Green St Dudley Ma $104,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1230 6323
63 Marion St Fitchburg Ma $109,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 2041 6315
9 Phillips Passway Fitchburg Ma $105,900 Single-Family 4 2 1780 9675
34 Ellis St Fitchburg Ma $153,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1375 18516
48 Bond St Fitchburg Ma $104,900 Single-Family 3 3 2162 9583
87 Prospect St Fitchburg Ma $149,900 Single-Family 5 3.5 3600 6970
45 Forest St Fitchburg Ma $49,900 Multi-Family 4 2 4351
54 Melrose St Fitchburg Ma $87,900 Multi-Family 9 4 5000
114 Beech St Fitchburg Ma $29,900 Single-Family 2 1 1030 12737
28 Constitution Dr Fitchburg Ma $127,900 Condo 2 1.5 1280
91 Saint Joseph Ave Fitchburg Ma $114,900 Multi-Family 4 2
68 Green Briar Rd Fitchburg Ma $129,900 Condo 2 1.5 1586
80 Marshall St # 84 Fitchburg Ma $49,900 Multi-Family 10 4 4792
357 Rollstone St Fitchburg Ma $69,900 Multi-Family 4 2
342 Townsend St Fitchburg Ma $104,900 Single-Family 3 2 1169 19500
34 Longedge Ave Fitchburg Ma $39,900 Single-Family 3 1 930 8895
113 Payson St Fitchburg Ma $41,900 Multi-Family 7 3 10267
749 Fifth Mass Turnpike R Fitchburg Ma $112,900 Single-Family 2 2 2002 104979
32 Catherine St Gardner Ma $102,900 Single-Family 3 1 974 9147
72 Euclid St Gardner Ma $42,500 Multi-Family 4 2 1408 7405
69 Prospect St Gardner Ma $149,900 Single-Family 5 2 2950 43560
151 Regan St Gardner Ma $49,900 Single-Family 3 1 1023 2308
509 Clark St Gardner Ma $129,900 Single-Family 3 2 1080
78 Catherine St Gardner Ma $81,900 Single-Family 3 1 1028 8085
24 Metcalf St Gardner Ma $109,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1245
207 W Broadway Gardner Ma $69,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1763 14710
1 Coventry Rd # 1 Grafton Ma $148,900 Condo 2 1 925
88 Laurelwood Dr Hopedale Ma $164,900 Condo 2 1.5 1440
45 High Bridge Rd Hubbardston Ma $124,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1592 176418
121 High Street Ext Lancaster Ma $189,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1402 16117
142 Center Bridge Rd Lancaster Ma $204,900 Single-Family 4 2 1872 33106
123 Henshaw St Leicester Ma $149,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1056
48 King St Leicester Ma $69,900 Single-Family 3 1 1056
2 Scott Ln Leicester Ma $264,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 2640
44 Hemlock St Leicester Ma $164,900 Single-Family 3 2 1294 40001
60 Grove St Leicester Ma $99,900 Single-Family 2 2 1070 9782
46 Franklin St Leominster Ma $162,900 Multi-Family 4 2 146361
179 Pennacook Dr Leominster Ma $95,900 Condo 2 1.5 1107
100 Gordon St Leominster Ma $269,900 Single-Family 5 4 3492
38 Wedgewood Ln Leominster Ma $219,900 Single-Family 3 2 1562 13593
45 Stephens Rd Leominster Ma $189,900 Single-Family 4 2.5 1508
41 Judy Dr Leominster Ma $179,900 Single-Family 3 3 1600 12500
42 Fox Meadow Rd Apt G Leominster Ma $82,900 Condo 2 1.5 1152
21 Franklin St Leominster Ma $67,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1754 29581
245 Water St Leominster Ma $129,900 Multi-Family 6 4 8000
30 Boscobel Ln Leominster Ma $194,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1832 19525
347 Day St Leominster Ma $149,900 Single-Family 3 2 2268 30714
13b Carpenter Hill Road Mendon Ma $189,900 Condo 3 1.5 1624
6 S High St Milford Ma $154,900 Single-Family 3 2 1538 7405
13 Como Ct Milford Ma $129,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1556 6000
63 S Bow St # 1 Milford Ma $169,900 Multi-Family 6 3 8200
21 Lee St Milford Ma $84,900 Single-Family 2 1 1023 7215
30 Congress St Milford Ma $199,900 Single-Family 3 3 1841 12000
31 1 2 Forest Street Milford Ma $134,900 Multi-Family 4 2 12000
44 Depot St Milford Ma $169,900 Multi-Family 4 2
80 Horne Way Millbury Ma $259,900 Condo 2 2.5 1794
71 S Oxford Rd Millbury Ma $119,900 Single-Family 3 1 1248 20000
7 Hilltop Ln Millville Ma $279,900 Single-Family 4 2.5 2464 64992
78 Gilbert St North Brookfield Ma $116,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1476
106 N Main St North Grafton Ma $159,900 Multi-Family 4 2 2250 9147
54 E Street North Grafton Ma $101,900 Single-Family 3 1 920 10019
233 Brigham Hill Rd North Grafton Ma $229,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1408 22216
5 Kimball Ln Northborough Ma $237,900 Single-Family 3 3 1235 29185
30 Shady Lane Ave Northborough Ma $125,000 Single-Family 3 2 1160 13939
1375 Quaker St Northbridge Ma $274,900 Single-Family 3 3 2508 229996
77 Sutton St Northbridge Ma $56,000 Condo 2 1 1129
720 E Hill Rd Oakham Ma $184,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 2104 130680
35 Brown Rd Oxford Ma $134,900 Single-Family 4 2 1512 67517
217 Old Webster Rd Oxford Ma $189,900 Single-Family 3 1 1688 56628
4 Harwood St Oxford Ma $139,900 Single-Family 3 1 960 12197
65 Quobaug Ave Oxford Ma $109,900 Single-Family 2 2 768 10890
33 Radford Rd Princeton Ma $79,900 Single-Family 2 1 908 25700
112 Brooks Station Rd Princeton Ma Single-Family 5 2.5 3820
20 Athens Ave Rutland Ma $39,900 Single-Family 1 1 744 10454
10 Skyline Dr Rutland Ma $239,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 2496 16553
11 Sassawanna Rd Rutland Ma $234,900 Single-Family 4 3 1872 100187
31 Elmwood St South Grafton Ma $227,900 Single-Family 3 1 1795 19602
149 Southville Rd Southborough Ma $150,000 Single-Family 2 1 754
4 Flagg Rd Southborough Ma $279,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1196 43560
91 Pinedale St Southbridge Ma $142,900 Single-Family 3 2 1444 20950
19 Alpine Dr Southbridge Ma $69,900 Single-Family 4 1 1704 30387
10 Oak St Southbridge Ma Single-Family 3 1 1144
318 Clemence Hill Rd Southbridge Ma $66,900 Single-Family 4 2.5 2940
18 Benefit St Southbridge Ma $47,900 Multi-Family 5 2 0.12
9 A Cottage St Spencer Ma $94,900 Single-Family 2 1.5 1386 8331
24 Highland St Spencer Ma $104,900 Single-Family 5 1.5 2280 11059
252 Main St Spencer Ma $142,900 Single-Family 5 2 2849 24262
16 Langevin St Spencer Ma $129,900 Single-Family 4 2 1880 33080
104 Cranberry Meadow Rd Spencer Ma $149,900 Single-Family 2 1 980 24215
29 Princeton Rd Sterling Ma $139,900 Single-Family 4 2 1720 37170
15 Clemence Ave Sterling Ma $134,900 Single-Family 3 1 1508 40435
214 Charlton Rd Sturbridge Ma $124,900 Single-Family 5 2 1836 561052
21 Simpson St Sturbridge Ma $159,900 Single-Family 3 1 1248
21 Fiske Hill Rd Sturbridge Ma $119,900 Single-Family 3 2 1493
449 Central Tpke Sutton Ma $174,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1364 225000
16 Hartness Rd Apt 3 Sutton Ma $12,900 Condo 1 1 781
5 Sunrise Dr Sutton Ma $170,900 Single-Family 1 1 616
49 Otter River Rd Templeton Ma $126,900 Single-Family 1 2 1050 43996
5 Pease Rd Upton Ma $379,900 Single-Family 4 3.5 2759 33977
15 Autumn Rd Uxbridge Ma $314,900 Single-Family 6 3.5 3640
127 Old Millville Rd Uxbridge Ma $150,000 Single-Family 3 1.5 1248
89 E Hartford Ave Unit 2b Uxbridge Ma $165,000 Single-Family 3 1.5 1488
15 Eddy St Webster Ma $84,900 Single-Family 2 1 1100 5100
8 Wellington St Webster Ma $69,900 Multi-Family 8 2
11 Highcrest Park Webster Ma $114,900 Condo 2 1.5 1536
26 3rd St Webster Ma $149,900 Single-Family 3 1 1404 14222
1 4th St Webster Ma $104,900 Single-Family 3 2 1184 5101
129 Sutton Rd Webster Ma $139,000 Single-Family 4 2 1782
34 Fisher St Westborough Ma $169,900 Single-Family 3 2 1286 12778
48 Water St Westborough Ma $159,900 Single-Family 2 1 1191 11946
120 East Rd # 120b Westminster Ma $169,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 1442
419 S Ashburnham Rd Westminster Ma $134,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1146 60984
104 State Rd W Westminster Ma $79,900 Single-Family 2 1 970 30056
128 Linwood Ave Whitinsville Ma $69,900 Single-Family 9 2 3400 24683
263 Spring St Winchendon Ma $81,900 Single-Family 3 1 1131 21605
3335 Beech St Winchendon Ma $77,900 Multi-Family 4 2 7405
10 Maynard St Winchendon Ma $59,500 Single-Family 3 1 1262
212 Maple St Winchendon Ma $27,900 Multi-Family 4 2 10890
41 Mill Glen Rd Winchendon Ma $99,900 Single-Family 2 1 976 96137
391 Burncoat St Worcester Ma $139,900 Single-Family 4 1 1485 5800
71 E Mountain St Worcester Ma $74,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1176 68389
15 Ludlow St Worcester Ma $129,900 Single-Family 2 2 1056 10938
24 Navasota Ave Worcester Ma $89,000 Single-Family 3 1 1310 6600
20 Quaboag St Worcester Ma $79,900 Single-Family 3 1 1149 10000
13 Mildred Ave Worcester Ma $94,900 Multi-Family 6 2 5000
8 Cutting Ave Worcester Ma $89,900 Single-Family 2 1 1230 6600
73 Camelot Dr Worcester Ma $144,900 Condo 2 2.5 1530
143 Providence St Apt 3 Worcester Ma $42,900 Condo 2 1 727
11 Gibbs St Unit E72 Worcester Ma $54,900 Condo 2 2 870
35 June St Worcester Ma $139,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1980 4800
201 Wildwood Ave Worcester Ma $130,000 Single-Family 2 2 1080 32398
52 Wigwam Hill Dr Worcester Ma $124,900 Single-Family 2 1.5 1059 4139
99 Andrews Ave Worcester Ma $120,000 Single-Family 3 1 895 5000
44 Greencourt St Worcester Ma $164,900 Single-Family 3 2.5 2008 7438
270 Sunderland Rd # 94 Worcester Ma $89,900 Condo 2 1.5 900
14 Judson Rd Worcester Ma $169,900 Single-Family 3 2 1522 5868
26 Nome St Worcester Ma $164,900 Single-Family 4 2 1508 10000
21 And 21a Summerhill Worcester Ma Multi-Family 7 4
2 Apricot St Apt 14 Worcester Ma $62,900 Condo 2 1 736
30 Mount Vernon St Apt C Worcester Ma $99,900 Condo 2 1.5 983 4664
35 Cataract St Worcester Ma $274,900 Single-Family 4 2.5 2192 8666
38 Boston Ave Worcester Ma $74,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 1272 4770
19 Barclay St Worcester Ma $54,900 Multi-Family 9 3 4311
11 Rice4 Worcester Ma $69,900 Single-Family 2 1.5 1040
31 Grammont Rd Apt D Worcester Ma $99,900 Condo 3 1.5 1276 2200
11 Elizabeth St Worcester Ma Multi-Family 6 3
127 Fairfield St Worcester Ma $94,900 Multi-Family 6 3 2795
51 Mcclintock Ave Worcester Ma $199,900 Single-Family 3 1.5 2238 9019
12 Royal Rd Worcester Ma $94,900 Single-Family 4 1.5 1838 9096
16 Fairfield St Worcester Ma $119,900 Single-Family 4 1 1464 11208
101 Pineland Ave Worcester Ma $199,900 Single-Family 3 2 2108 13000
5 Benefit Ter Worcester Ma $69,900 Multi-Family 8 3 2990
801 Pleasant St Worcester Ma $119,900 Condo 3 1 1488
23 Camp St Worcester Ma $64,900 Multi-Family 4 3 6069