Cantonstock 2012 - Celebrate Music in the Canton Public Schools Cantonstock 2012 will be taking place on Sunday, October 21,2012 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Canton High School.  Cantonstock will feature performances from ALL of the performing groups from the Canton Public Schools, as well as arcade games, food, raffle items and more!  It will be a fun and entertaining day for Canton residents of all ages.   Cantonstock is this year's major fundraiser for MusicCounts!, Canton's music booster organization.  Thanks to the generosity of the MusicCounts! supporters, not to mention the tireless work of its volunteers, all after-school music programs have been fully funded since 2009. MusicCounts! supports the music programs thoughout the Canton Public Schools.    More than just a fundraiser,... 10/06/2012

I have to say, I have the best clients!  I was out today and got a call from a florist making a delivery to my house.  He called to let me know he left the flowers at my neighbor's house.  I could not imagine who was sending flowers.....birthday?  A couple of weeks ago.  Anniversary?  Next week.  Daughter's birthday?  Well....tomorrow....but who would be sending her flowers?   I came home and retrieved them only to find that it was a beautiful fall arrangement and a box of chocolates sent to me by clients who had recently closed.  The card read:   "We cannot thank you enough for your help and support throughout the home buying process.  We love our new home!" And here is what they sent:     I tell you, this made my day!  It is definitely unexpected and not required....but much appreciat... 09/25/2012

Compromise is Not a Dirty Word No, I am not talking politics....although the same premise does apply there as well.   I am talking real estate. In most real estate transactions, there is a fair amount of compromise.....price, repairs, and other terms are all negotiated. Too often I find parties digging in their heels about who is "right" and what is "fair".   Right and fair really depend on perspective. Every once in a while I have a deal where the other side is not moving on anything and it seems empirically unfair. Most of the time, it seems that from their perspective they are giving on something.  Of course, my job is to negotiate the best terms possible for my buyers. The Sellers are also represented most of the time and they are working toward the best terms for their clients.  Qu... 09/11/2012

Life Is Good Returns to Canton MA On September 22 and 23, the Life is Good Festival returns to Canton MA for the second year is a row. Last year's was a big success. Put on by the Life is Good company (you know the ones - you've seen the t-shirts with the smiling face), this festival is a fundraiser to help kids overcome life-threatening challenges, like illness, violence and poverty. 100% of the proceeds go to charity. This festival is located on the grounds of historic Prowse Farm in Canton Massachusetts. The two day long events features a wide variety of music, entertainment, kids activities and more.  Music starts each day at 11:45 pm and runs into the evening.  The musical groups appearing at the festival are too numerous to mention.   The activities include a variety of games, art... 09/10/2012

Canton MA Public Library Book Sale   The Friends of the Canton Public Library will be holding a Book Sale on Saturday September 8th from 10 am to 1 pm, with a$5.00/bag "power hour" from 2-3 pm.  This is a great opportunity to catch up on some of those books you have been meaning to read while supporting a good cause! The Friends of the Canton Public Library is a non-profit, volunteer organization, dedicated to enhancing and supporting the Canton MA Public Library.  In addition to advocating for the library and sponsoring programs and cultural activities, the Friends help to raise money for library purchases no covered by the regular budget. The book sale is an annual event in Canton.  The sale is made possible by the donations of used books by the citizens of Canton.  I know I cleaned o... 09/07/2012

In August of 2012 there were 25 homes that closed within the month for Canton, MA. This was a increase of 12 units as there were 13 homes that closed in August 2011. The average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2012 was $450,044. The average list price for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2011 was $513,077. The average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2012 was $433,310. The average sale price for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2011 was $502,400. The average market time for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2012 was 86 days. The average market time for the homes that closed in Canton for August 2011 was 89 days. 13 homes went under agreement in Canton, Massachusetts for the month of August 2012. The average ... 09/07/2012

Canton MA School Bus Schedules for 2012-2013 The first day of school for the  Canton Public Schools is on Wednesday, September 5th.  The bus schedules for the 2012-2013 school year are out.  Broken down by school, you can find the bus schedule by clicking on the school names below. Canton High Bus Schedule Galvin Middle School Bus Schedule Hansen Elementary School Bus Schedule JFK Elementary School Bus Schedule Luce Elementary School Bus Schedule Luce School Half-Day Kindergarten Bus Schedule St. John's School Bus Schedule Remember, unless you are new to the system, students in Grades 1-6 who live under two miles from the school and all students in Grades 7-12 had to apply for a spot in the pay and ride program by June 1st.   If you did not fill out the appropriate forms, your child wi... 09/03/2012

Canton MA July 2012 Market Report July 2012 was a busy month in the real estate market in Canton MA. For the period of July 1, 2012 - July 31, 2012 there were 21 single family homes sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced home sold for $240,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $1,075,000.00*.  The average sales price was $487,357.00. That is an increase in sales from July 2011 when 18 there were 18 single family home sales.  Below is a chart showing single family home sales in Canton MA during July over the past five years.   The average sale price was up slightly from July 2011 when the average sales price was $448,628.00.  The chart below shows that prices are on the way up but not quite back to 2008 levels. (Note that the 2010 prices may have been artificially high due to the fi... 08/29/2012

CAPE Announces Spring 2012 Education Grants The Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE) is a non-profit volunteer-run organization that provides grants to the Canton Public Schools to help fund programs and projects that are not able to be funded through the usual school budget.  Grants are written and submitted by teachers and administrators from the Canton Public Schools. CAPE has two grant cycles - fall and spring.  At the end of the 2011-2012 school year, CAPE awarded their Spring 2012 Grants - summarized below: ADD/ADHD Tables:  This grant was awarded to Kennedy Elementary School teachers Aimee Lyden and Cynthia DeVito.  These tables facilitate learning for those students who need to stand at their desk to learn and who find writing on a whiteboard distracting when they have to... 08/27/2012

August 2012 Requests From the Canton Food Pantry Here is the monthly list of items needed for the   Canton MA Food Pantry.  Many of us may be stocking up on supplies for back to school and while we are out there shopping, we can pick up a few extras for the food pantry. The Canton MA Food Pantry provides an invaluable service to many members of our community who are struggling. They rely on the donations and support from the Canton community. Luckily, the citizens of Canton MA always come through for them - as they do anytime they are asked for help. The Canton Food Pantry sends out a monthly email to its subscribers, letting them know what items they are most in need of for the current month. Each month they stress that all donations of any kind are always welcome. If you would like to... 08/26/2012

Second Quarter 2012 Market Report for Canton MA So, how did it get to be half way through 2012 already?  As they say, time flies when you're having fun.  It also flies when you're busy and I have been busy for most of 2012 so far. For the period of April 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012 there were 72 single family homes sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced home sold for $195,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $892,500.00*.  The average sales price was $421,372.00. Below is a chart showing price ranges of all single family homes sold in Canton MA for the second quarter of 2012.   That is an increase from the second quarter of 2011, when there were a total of 60 single family homes sold in Canton MA with an average sales price of $477,160.  Below is a chart showing the number of home sal... 07/27/2012

No Summer Vacation for the Canton Food Pantry Summer is here and many of us will be taking vacations.  However the Canton MA Food Pantry does not take a vacation as there are many in our community that need their services. The Canton MA Food Pantry provides an invaluable service to many members of our community who are struggling. They rely on the donations and support from the Canton community. Luckily, the citizens of Canton MA always come through for them - as they do anytime they are asked for help. The Canton Food Pantry sends out a monthly email to its subscribers, letting them know what items they are most in need of for the current month. Each month they stress that all donations of any kind are always welcome. If you would like to get on the list you can email the food pantry a... 07/18/2012

In May 2012, there were thirteen single family homes sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced home sold for $252,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $760,000.00*.  The average sales price was $421,372.00.     That is an increase from May 2011, when there were 9 single family homes sold in Canton MA.  Below is a chart showing the number of home sales in Canton MA in May for the past five years.   Average sales price is not faring quite as well as number of home sales.  Here is a look at average sales prices in May in Canton MA for the past five years. I do expect to see those average sales prices start to move up.  Well-priced homes in good condition are seeing a lot of competition and are moving quickly.  As the inventory for these types of homes goes down, the demand is likely to ... 06/23/2012

Last Minute Summer Camp Ideas in Canton MA   Tuesday is the last day of school!  Did summer sneak up on you?  Are you still looking for a few things to keep your kids busy this summer?  Well, there are still some options open!   Canton Academy:  Run by the Canton Public Schools, Canton Academy offers a variety of enrichment programs that range from art classes to robotics and everything in between.  Programs vary by age and are for children entering grades 1-8. There are some programs still open but you need to sign up soon! Summer Music Camp:  The Canton Public Schools Performing Arts Department is once again offering a summer music camp from July 9 - July 19th.  They are offering a string program, concert band, jazz band and chorus programs.  Programs are available for students enter... 06/18/2012

(Almost) Speechless Sunday....Dance Recital   It's the moment you have all been waiting for.  Well...probably not  really!  Last fall I wrote about signing up for Tap Classes.  On Saturday, it was the dance recital for the Hazel Boone Dance Studios.  The adult tap class performed a number to "Hooray for Hollywood".  Below is a video of our performance at the dress rehearsal. (My 13-year old took it so it's not the best....)    My daughters tell me it was an easy routine.  Maybe it was.  But as I had not tapped in 35 years, it was not as easy for me as it would have been for them!  But we had a great time, lots of fun and lots of laughs.    To compare to my daughters routines, here is a video of one of their jazz numbers to "Seize the Day"...much more entertaining than mine! I hope you e... 06/17/2012

Featured Home in Canton MA:  167 Lawrence Street As an Exclusive Buyer Broker in Canton MA I like to feature certain homes for sale in Canton MA that have a certain appeal for one reason or another.  To be clear, this is not my listing.   Since I am an Exclusive Buyer Agent and do not list homes, it is fun to pick out different homes that I have seen to feature. I have no interest in featuring one home over another. Today's featured home is the house for sale at 167 Lawrence Street in Canton MA.  It is offered for sale at $549,900.00. Located on what I consider one of Canton's hidden gems of a street, Lawrence Street is one of those rare neighborhoods where everybody knows your name.  Family cookouts and block parties fill the summer schedule.  A mixed neighborhood of families, young pr... 06/15/2012

Honoring Canton MA Teachers   Canton MA is proud to be home to a great public school system filled with many great teachers.  Maybe it's the music teacher who sparked your child's interest in the arts.  Perhaps it is the Math teacher that spent some extra time to help with a difficult concept.  Or just maybe it was a teacher who made a real connection with your child and made a difference in his or her life.   At the end of the school year, many parents and families are looking for a meaningful way to say "Thank You" to their favorite teacher or teachers.  What better way to thank a teacher than to give back and support public education?   Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE) has the perfect opportunity to do just this with their annual "Honor Thy Teacher Program".  You may make ... 06/10/2012

Canton MA: Home to World Record Redhead Gathering! This weekend Canton MA will be home to the annual Boston Irish Festival at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England located at New Boston Drive in Canton MA. There are many events planned throughout the festival, which runs Friday June 8th through Sunday June 11th.  Of course, there is non stop Irish music, food and drink, literary activities, Gaelic football and hurling, Irish dancing, childrens activities and more. But, there is one other event to note - the Redhead Photo.  They are also hoping to break the World Record for the photo with the largest number of redheads in one place and are taking a photo to commemorate the event!  All redheads of any age are welcome.  The photo is scheduled for Saturday June 9th at 2:00 pm.   I believ... 06/08/2012

Dear Sellers....the Buyers Do No Want Your Old Paint   The end is drawing near.  The house was fixed up and put on the market.  It was marketed and shown.  A buyer put in an offer, which was accepted.  The closing is almost here and both Buyers and Sellers are looking forward to the move.   The Sellers are packing up and getting rid of their unwanted belongings.  The purchase and sale agreement provides that the property will be left in broom clean condition.....with all of Seller's personal property not included in the sale having been removed.  That does not mean all of Seller's property except what they do not want to move or are too tired to move or think they can leave behind.   Frequently I find Seller's leaving their old cans of paint behind.  Often they claim to be doing the Buy... 06/06/2012

Hazel Boone Dance Studio in Canton MA Holding Open House Is your child interested in dance?  Maybe you're an adult and you're wondering if dance classes are the thing for you?  Or perhaps you've wanted to check out some of the local performances but cannot commit to an entire recital?   Well, if you have answered yes to any of the above, the Hazel Boone Dance Studios in Canton MA has just the opportunity for you!  On this Saturday, June 9th, the Hazel Boone Dance Studio is holding an Open House.  This is the perfect place for new families to come an view the studio, chat with the teachers, meet some of the enthusiastic dancers and catch a quick performance.   There will be a free performance by the studio's pre-school aged dancers, by their Showcase Dancers, the Hazel Boone Dance Team ... 06/05/2012