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Grand Opening Celebration!
June 6, 2012
Please stop in and join us for the Grand Opening of our new office in Shrewsbury! Prizes – fun – meet people and take a peak at our new digs! Red Sox ticket give-away, ribbon cutting from the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce, treats and the first look at the new office!
Thursday, June 7th 4pm to 7pm RE/MAX Professional Associates 246 Main Street Shrewsbury (Rte 9 East)
Deadant…dead ant…ants! No Ants!
June 4, 2012
No – it’s not Pink Panther but with all this rain and humid weather we have seen a lot of ANTS! Ants and other insects can be very damaging to your home – especially if a prospective home buyer sees one in your home during a showing!
Eliminate access to food, water, and shelter to stop wood-damaging pests from bugging you. Here are some quick, non toxic and effective ways to protect your home from ants and other damaging insects!
You’ll find the materials—hardware cloth ($8 per 6-inch-square swatch), door weather stripping ($8 per 17-foot roll of 7/8-inch v-strip polypropylene), O rings for faucets (pennies)—you need at most home improvement stores.
And many of the steps to impeding pests’ access—clearing overgrowth from around foundations and disposing of wood scraps and other debris that accumulate in garages and along sides of houses—are things every homeowner should do as part of regular house and yard maintenance.
The effort—a few hours or a weekend a few times a year—and cost of supplies are well worth it to avoid having to repair thousands of dollars in damage caused by pests.
Start outside
Termites eat wood and carpenter ants tunnel into wood to nest. So remove piles of wood and other debris from around your home. The same goes for rotted stumps and logs. Keep firewood at least 20 feet away and five inches off the ground. And never bury wood scraps or waste lumber.
Maintain at least 6 inches of clearance between soil and structural wood to prevent decay, which attracts carpenter ants, and to make it tougher for termites to find their next meal.
Keep it dry
Termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles thrive in moist areas, so maintain a Sahara zone around your home’s perimeter.
In general, you shouldn’t have any vegetation—bushes, shrubs, vines, trees—touching the house, which can trap moisture that causes rot and attracts pests. Many pests use vegetation as a bridge between the ground to the walls and roof of your home.
Keep foundation plantings (shrubs, bushes, perennials) and wood mulch at least 18 inches away from the foundation. Prune trees, bushes, and vines that touch or overhang the house. And don’t plant anything close to your home that’s aphid-prone, such as peonies or roses. That’s like ringing the dinner bell for carpenter ants, which feed on honeydew, a sweet liquid produced by aphids.
Even an infrequent puddle close to the house can become an oasis for pests on the prowl for food, so take measures to direct water away from the house. Drain puddles, don’t overwater flower beds, point sprinklers away from the structure, and make sure the ground near the foundation slopes away from your home. Use drain tile if the site is flat.
Clean gutters so they don’t overflow. Use downspout extensions and splash blocks to direct rainwater runoff away from the foundation. Fix dripping faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units. Even small leaks can contribute to wood rot and moist foundations that pests find irresistible.
Deny access into your home
The tiniest gap or crack can become an express lane for pests—and not only insects. “If you can push a pencil through a hole, a mouse can get through it,” says Greg Bauman, senior scientist with the National Pest Management Association.
Inspect your home’s envelope (walls, doors, windows, roof) for possible points of entry as well as moisture-inducing leaks. Use caulk or epoxy to seal any cracks in the foundation or gaps in the structure. Use steel wool or hardware cloth (1/4-inch wire mesh) to block any openings where wires, pipes, and cables come into or out of the house.
Should you detect any moisture damage, repair it promptly. Carpenter ants flock to deteriorating wood, but often move from decayed wood into sound wood as the colony expands. Replace punky fascia, soffits, and shingles. While you’re at it, paint weathered and/or unfinished wood to stop carpenter bees from drilling holes to build their nests.
Ventilate attics and crawl spaces, and make sure vents aren’t blocked by debris or vegetation. Good air flow prevents the buildup of moisture. Cover any exposed earth in the crawl space with a plastic vapor barrier.
Make sure roof and foundation vents are protected with hardware cloth. Install screens on all floor drains and windows. And while you’re at it, caulk or install weather-stripping around windows and doors as well. Close any gap between your garage door and the floor by attaching a door sweep. And keep the door closed.
Be inhospitable
If pests do get inside, they’ll usually die or skedaddle if they can’t find anything to eat or drink.
Carpenter ants will eat almost anything you do, but are especially fond of sweet and greasy food. Put kitchen waste in a sealed trash can, sweep up crumbs, and wipe up spills right away. Termites typically feed on wood, but will eat anything with cellulose, so never store paper or cardboard—or wood—in the crawl space.
Deal with interior moisture, too. Inspect the base of toilets, around bath tubs and shower stalls, and areas where pipes go through walls, such as under sinks. Repair any leaks and wrap any pipes that produce excess condensation.
Check behind and under washing machines and dishwashers, which are notorious for leaks, to make sure there’s no condensation or old moisture damage. Fix leaky faucets; in some cases, replacing a simple O ring might not only save water, but also stave off a potential invasion of pests.
Should you ignore housing data?
May 31, 2012
National data on home prices are sometimes contradictory — should the numbers be factored in to your decision to buy or sell a home?
This post comes from AnnaMaria Andriotis at partner site SmartMoney.
Data released Wednesday morning shows U.S. home prices continue to fall — a stark contrast with a Realtors’ report released last week. Which numbers should home buyers and sellers believe?
S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported today that U.S. home prices fell nearly 3% for the three months ending in March compared with a year prior. Nationally, prices hit new post-crisis lows with average home prices in five cities — Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Portland — reaching a new bottom.
In contrast, the National Association of Realtors‘ data for March showed that median prices for existing-home sales rose 2.5% from a year prior. Last week, NAR released its April report, which showed prices spiked 10%.
Much of the discrepancy comes down to how the two groups measure sales. The NAR tracks existing homes that sell each month, while the S&P/Case-Shiller looks at repeat sales, meaning the price a home recently sold for compared with what the same property fetched its previous sale.
In other words, the S&P is looking at how the price of a specific home changes over time, while the NAR is looking at the prices of homes sold in one month versus previous ones. If more large, expensive homes sell during one month, that will push the median price the NAR tracks up, but it may not mean prices overall are rising.
On top of that, the NAR’s data is monthly while the S&P/Case-Shiller is based on a three-month moving average.
For homebuyers and sellers, the two reports make it difficult to discern if the housing recovery is gaining steam or if home prices will continue to tread along the bottom for some time. “Because of the peculiarities of the housing market, trying to gauge it on a monthly basis is very hard,” says John Vogel, adjunct professor of real estate at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business
For homebuyers and sellers, the two reports make it difficult to discern if the housing recovery is gaining steam or if home prices will continue to tread along the bottom for some time. “Because of the peculiarities of the housing market, trying to gauge it on a monthly basis is very hard,” says John Vogel, adjunct professor of real estate at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. (Post continues below.)But experts say the national data impact buyer and seller psychology. For instance, when home prices stay low, fewer sellers are willing to sell their homes on the cheap. As of April, for-sale listings of existing homes were down 22% from a year prior, according to the NAR.
While rising sales have pushed inventory down, housing analysts say listings are dropping because homeowners are choosing to wait until the housing recovery gains momentum and their homes can sell for more money.
National data is less important than local information
The NAR, however, says individual buyers and sellers shouldn’t pay much attention to the national data. “These numbers are meaningless to people making buying and selling decisions in local markets,” says spokesman Walter Molony. Instead, he says, they should be viewed as a broad indicator.
Maureen Maitland, vice president of S&P Indices, says people shouldn’t take one month of data as the story for the year but should look over several months of data.
Rather than tracking national data, home buyers and sellers should focus on data within their local housing market, says Jack McCabe, an independent housing analyst in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Consumers can find out what prices homes in the neighborhood have been selling for by searching listing sites such as Trulia and Zillow that show recent purchases prices for homes. They can also speak with independent housing experts in their market or with real estate agents.
For those who choose to pay attention to the national data, experts recommend digging deeper into the reports. For instance, the NAR tracks home prices for up to 156 metro areas on a quarterly basis. Beyond that, its associations in larger states, including California, New York and Illinois, go further, providing data (on its website) on even more cities and towns.
In high-priced markets in large cities, the S&P Case-Shiller is a helpful starting point, experts say: It offers buyers and sellers data on how higher-priced homes are performing compared with the other price points in the same city.
Gas Grill? Which one?
May 24, 2012
There may be no home cooking appliance with a wider price range than the outdoor gas grill. With models starting as low as $29 and climbing to $5,000 and higher, it is an understatement to say there’s is a model for every budget. When shopping for a gas grill, the motto “You get what you pay for” is especially fitting, explains Dan Marguerite, owner of Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Ill. Basement models, he says, offer poor performance, are cheaply constructed, and often fail to survive two summers.
Cost range: $29-$5,000 and up
Likely additional costs: Assembly, natural gas hookup or propane tank, cover
Average life span: 2-16 years
Sub-$50 range
Grills in the sub-$50 range are often of the tabletop propane variety. These units are constructed of thin painted sheet metal and cheaply fabricated components, all but guaranteeing a short lifespan. Brief 90-day warranties don’t offer much of a safety net.
When it comes to power, these grills are positively entry level, says Marguerite. The single, 12,000 BTU burner is satisfactory for grilling hamburgers and hot dogs but will be far less successful at charring a thick porterhouse. Still, when it comes to portability, these grills have no equal. If you are looking for a highly mobile tailgating grill, look to this sector of the market.
$50-$150 range
The biggest differences between a $50 gas grill and a $150 grill will be size and fuel source. Boasting cooking areas over twice that of their less expensive counterparts, these grills are the most economical options for families.
Models in this price range run on liquid propane stored in large refillable tanks (as opposed to the small disposable cylinders). Construction quality is moderate, featuring lightweight steel or aluminum bodies. However, the boost in price over the cheapest gas grill models yields an extra burner (albeit a low-powered one). Most are furnished with thin, steel-rod cooking grates that may warp from exposure to high temperatures, such as those from flare-ups.
$150-$350 range
Marguerite says buyers in this price range can expect to get “middle of the road” power, with burners putting out around 20,000 BTUs. Shoppers should expect a three- or four-burner grill, a roomy cooking surface, and perhaps even a storage cabinet and side burner—a separate burner used for boiling water or other independent cooking chores.
With widths of 20 to 24 inches and boasting around 400 square inches of grill surface, these units can simultaneously cook about two dozen burgers. Homeowners in cool climes who grill year round likely will lament the thin-body construction, says Marguerite. “These grills do a poor job of retaining heat in cold weather,” he says. At this price range, expect less-expensive porcelain-coated steel cooking grates that tend to chip, rust and need replacing at a cost of $30 to $60.
$350-$600 range
Constructed of heavy cast-aluminum or thick-gauge steel, and utilizing high-quality stainless steel burners, these units are built to last. Parts that do fail will be covered by five- to 10-year warranties.
Averaging between 400 and 500 square inches of cook surface, these units are not substantially larger than those in the $150-$350 category. But they are constructed of heavy cast aluminum or thick-gauge steel and utilize multiple high-quality stainless steel burners. Heavy-duty castors and solid-built carts make it easy to move these grills from spot to spot.
Grills in this category can handle enough food for 15 to 18 people. Buyers are urged to select a burner configuration that appeals to them as some models arrange them front-to-back versus side-to-side, which can complicate indirect cooking.
$600-$1,500 range
Units starting around $600 feature burners that reach 40,000 BTUs, power that will make short work of even the largest barbecue payloads. Precision controls and even heat distribution give home cooks the ability to simultaneously sear, cook, and keep food warm. To step up to a 36-inch grill that approaches 900 square inches of cook space, a shopper should expect to spend at least $1,000.
Constructed of high-quality stainless steel throughout, these grills will weather years of use. These first-class rigs often include heavy cast-iron grates, side burners, under-grill storage, and even a rotisserie spit and motor. Buyers also get the peace of mind that comes with improved customer service and best-in-class warranties that range from 10 years on burners to 25 years on the body.
$1,500 to $5,000 range
When you spend upwards of $2,000 on a grill, you’ll get a host of features and quality construction. These appliances boast six or more top-of-the-line burners. Almost standard issue these days is an infrared sear burner that can reach temps topping 700 degrees.
Most include a rear-mounted rotisserie burner with motor, interior and exterior lighting, and even a spring-assisted lid for effortless opening. With the best grills also come the best warranties, typically covering most components for 10 to 25 years.
Propane vs. natural gas
Homeowners should decide before buying a grill whether they intend to fuel it with propane or natural gas, says Marguerite. While many grills can be converted for around $50, it is best to buy one factory engineered for one fuel type or the other.
Owners of built-in units typically choose natural gas as there are no tanks that need filling and the cost to operate is roughly half that of propane. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s most recent figures, propane costs $20.47 per million BTUs compared to natural gas’s $12.18. Assuming a homeowner grilled once a week, he or she can expect to pay about $40 per year for propane and $24 for natural gas. Marguerite says that his company charges $150 plus $7 per foot to connect a grill to a natural gas line.
Suggested extras
A good-fitting cover will extend the life of any outdoor appliance. Expect to pay between $30 and $50. Owners of propane powered grills should consider purchasing a $20 back-up tank so that a fully charged spare is always on hand. A $20 gas gauge will take the guesswork out of estimating a tank’s contents.
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 LevelOpen today! What an opportunity to own in Shrewsbury!
May 12, 2012
Bring your imagination and your hammer! This is an opportunity to own in Shrewsbury!
“Arts and Crafts” style home with newer roof and newer furnace needs your finishing touches to bring out its best! Seven roof gables, pass through lot with 2 car garage to Fairlawn Circle, easy highway access with a wooded private yard at the end of the day. First floor master, hardwoods, 2 full baths, tons of natural light and tons of character!
Short sale approval is already in process – here’s your chance!
Open today – May 12th – 1 to 4pm
16 Rofle Ave, Shrewsbury
Guess where this new listing is!
May 7, 2012
— 2 Comments
Classic Colonial value and space with all the right upgrades! Granite, hardwoods, warm and inviting living room with streaming natural light and a fireplace. Great back deck overlooking the nicest yard on the street is right off the open kitchen! Formal dining room, den, master bedroom with full bath and walk-in closet. So easy to commute and so great to come home to at the end of the day!
What town?
SHREWSBURY!
National Open House Weekend…here’s your free pass
April 24, 2012
Well…they are all free open houses but here is your way to go through the houses without being stalked by the listing agent. Print off this flyer and hand it to the agent as you sign in. Make sure you include your name as they do need to track who is in their client’s homes. You’ll be able to freely view the house at your own pace and enjoy your time!
If you have additional questions afterwards or would like a free list of the open houses in your target area – just let me know!
National Open House Weekend…it’s THIS weekend!
April 24, 2012
What is going on this weekend? NATIONAL OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND! The 2012 event will be bigger and better than ever, with hundreds of thousands of Open Houses across the nation and currently in 13 other countries… It’s gone global! RE/MAX Professional Associates is taking a huge part in this (inter)national weekend with many of our available listings. Please see below for a brief list but be sure to send me an email or give me a call to find out everything that is open in your area. I would be happy to provide you with a complete list of homes with times!
Saturday April 28th
77 Congress St, Fitchburg: 12pm – 2pm
Classic Victorian! Short sale opportunity with over 2700 sq feet!
39 Tannery Road, Sturbridge: 11 am – 1 pm
Beautiful newer colonial with all the extras – hardwoods, maple cabinets and granite!
240 Dudley-Southbridge Road, Dudley: 2pm – 3:30 pm
So many updates and so affordable! Title V in hand! NOT a short sale or bank owned so quick close!
5 Pleasant Street, Marlborough: 12pm – 2pm
Classic west side Victorian with double French doors to the sun porch and four bedrooms! Walk up attic – so much space and so well cared for!
24 Wales Street, Millbury: 12pm – 2pm
Easy to own and easy to update! Great price on this 3 bed/1.5 bath with 2 car heated garage that is in a great commuter location but with a private yard!
12 Cottage Street, Ware: 2pm – 4pm
HUGE updated Victorian in a great location off Church Street! 6 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 4,400+ sq feet! 2 story barn and 2 car garage! NOT a short!
101 Temple Street, West Boylston: 11am – 1pm
Newer construction with full in-law and 2.9 acres right by the lake! Great commuter location and this house has all the extras – granite, hardwoods, solid cabinets, TWO master bedrooms with private baths!
6 Carol Lane, Blackstone: 11am – 12:30pm
Great price on this newer colonial on a quiet street! Updated kitchen with ceramic tile and granite – new roof, new siding, new deck, refinished hardwoods. 4 beds/2.5 baths/2 car garage
1565 Main Street, Holden: 1pm – 3pm
NEW construction with a flair! 4 beds/3baths and location location location! All the extras are here PLUS some you didn’t know you wanted!
374 Mashapaug Rd, Holland – 12pm – 2:30pm
Charming 2BR Ranch, fantastic lot, inground pool w/patio, rustic stone fireplace in walkout basement, cathedral ceilings in living room
7 Knollwood Rd, Brimfield – 2:30pm -4:30 pm
New construction w/hdwd flrs, ss appls, cntr islnd, 1car gar, opn flr pln, deck, near Lake Sherman.
Sunday April 29th
13 Leisure Drive, Holland: 12pm – 1:30 pm
WATERFRONT with 3 beds and 1.5 baths! Over 50 feet of frontage and triple sliders to enjoy it!
17 Forrest St, Brookfield: 12pm – 2pm
WOW! Cedar log home! Private lot with 3 bed/2 baths/2 car garage! Must see!
9 Ansonia, Worcester: 12pm – 2pm
3 bed/1.5 bath with a fireplace and near UMASS! Great price and great alternative to renting!
45 Channing St, Worcester: 12pm – 2pm
Charming turn of the century cape with 4 beds/2 baths and priced to make you move!
17 St. John St, North Brookfield: 12pm – 2pm
All the major updates are DONE in this colonial! Bonus is 500 gallons of FREE OIL! 5 bed/2.5 baths
57 Old Webster Rd, Oxford: 12pm – 1:30pm
Old meets new in this 4 bed/3 bath home that appears to be out of Old Sturbridge Village! Come see the distressed pine floors and claw foot tub!
33 Mendon, Worcester: 2:30pm – 4pm
Huge yard and easy in-town location! Perfect dollhouse and SO affordable!
6 Brown Street, North Brookfield: 2:30pm – 4pm
Retiring builder has offered up this unfinished new construction! Great price to get in and finish it off as YOU want!
39 Wilson St, Spencer: 2:30pm – 4pm
REAL country living with this home! NOT a short NOT bank owned NO septic issues! WOW!
82 Saundersdale, Charlton: 1pm – 3pm
Great location off of Dresser Hill with a full in-law! Land, 3 car garage and two living levels are highlights to this newer home. NOT a short sale!
67 Laurel Hill Lane, Holden: 12pm – 2pm
SO affordable with PRE-APPROVED short sale! Newer roof, newer windows, great yard and pool!
15 Canterbury Way, Marlborough: 1pm – 3pm
Beautiful end-unit in the 55+ community of Villages of Crane Meadow! One owner – all upgraded with fireplace!
275 Rumonoski Drive, Northbridge: 11am – 2:30pm
Great opportunity to own in a fantastic area! Comes with one year home warranty. Not a short sale or bank owned – just a solid house at a great price!
179 Rocky Road, Northbridge: 1pm – 2:30pm
Stunning colonial with massive family room on a beautiful tree-lined street. 15 mins to Worcester, 19 miles to Providence. Have it all for a great price on this 4 bed/2.5 bath/2 car colonial with custom build and first floor office.
39 July Road, Sudbury: 1pm – 3pm
So affordable for Sudbury and this charming updated home has a fantastic ½ acre wooded lot! Central a/c, updated kitchen, hardwoods, garage and finished area in basement. Own in Sudbury! Not a short!
10 Cranberry Meadow Shore Rd., Charlton: 12pm – 2pm
Brand new 2BR 2BA Ranch, open floor plan, granite counters, hardwoods all over, c-tile floors in kitchen & baths. 2 car attached garage.
1 Merrian St Auburn: 10:30am – 12pm
Reduced price on this charming cape on ¾ of an acre with a new Peerless Furnace! First floor laundry!
225 Highland Street, Holden: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Fireplace…french doors…open family room…private wooded lot! This cape has it all with a great Holden location!
18 Nancy Drive, Rutland: 2pm – 3:30pm
10 room, 6 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in the colonial WITH an in-law! New roof, new windows, new hot water tank. Come see!
15 Laurel Dr, Ware –11:30am -1pm
3BR Ranch, lrg fenced private back yard.
13 Stony Brook Drive, Sturbridge – 11am – 1pm
Charming 3+BR center hall Cape w/2car gar, flat lot, granite, hdwds, multi-tierd deck on cul de sac.
217 Greenwich Rd, Ware – 10am – 11:15am
Beautiful brand new 3BR 2.5BA Ranch. Open concept kit/LR/DR, hdwds, fireplace.
77 Providence St, Mendon – 12pm – 2pm
4BR 2BA Dutch Col log home w/farmer’s porch, 3 seas sunroom, wide hdwd floors 2car gar
119 Stafford Rd, Unit 60, Charlton – 2:30pm – 4pm
Bright, light filled 2nd floor 2BR condo w/appl, w/d hkup in unit. Commuter friendly location & small pets allowed
“There’s a reason owning a home is called the American Dream,” says NAR President Ron Phipps. “Home ownership benefits individuals and families, strengthens our communities, and is integral to our nation’s economy. We hope that everyone who aspires to become a home owner will come out this weekend, not only to learn about the homes for sale in their local market, but also to find out more about how current and future public policies may affect their ability to achieve and sustain home ownership, now and in the future.”
Come out this weekend – take a peak! Not sure where to start – let me know and I’ll get you going. amymullen@remax.net, 508-784-0504, http://www.amymullenrealestate.com
Exclusive opportunity! Come visit this ISLAND in SHREWSBURY
April 20, 2012
Open on Thursday, April 26th at 11:30am to 1:30pm this unique and stunning property can be viewed! Come visit 1 Sargents’ Island in Shrewsbury! Did you know Shrewsbury had an island?
This 4.27 acre island in Flint Pond is accessed by a dedicated year-round causeway and features nearly 2000 feet of shoreline. Stunning lake views, wildlife, privacy and freedom! Currently zoned residential with a single family home in the center this property offers so many possibilities. Close to major commuting routes but yet seemingly far away from the busy day. Imagine ending your highway commute and minutes later grabbing your fishing pole and stepping on to your boat. It’s a vacation at the end of every weekday.
Stop in – tell your friends – think of the possibilities with this unique piece of property! How many islands are for sale in Shrewsbury? Just ONE!
MapQuest or navigator: Use “104 Creeper Hill Rd North Grafton”. Directly across the street will be the gated causeway entrance. Drive is 3/4 mile. Thursday, April 26th 11:30am to 1:30pm – lunch included 1 Sargents’ Island Shrewsbury, MA 01545 MLS: 71362794
Real Estate and *stuff * 