Spring is in the air.  Buyers are out there looking to buy a house.  Open houses are every where.   While an Open House can be a great vehicle to see a house without much commitment, Buyers still need to make sure their interests are protected in the event they want to move forward. Buyers should prepare themselves before attending an Open House and so have put together some Open House Tips for Buyers. Get a mortgage preapproval before looking. If you fall in love with that house, you want to be able to move quickly. I know you think you are "just looking" but you never know when you might find the right one. Find a buyer agent to work with to protect your interests. The tips below help to underscore why it is so important to have a buyer agent. Disclose to the agent holding the Open Ho... 03/02/2013

  Canton MA has a rich performing arts program in its public schools.  This weekend, it is the Galvin Middle School's turn to take the stage with their performance of the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof.   Fiddler on the Roof is set in early 1900's Russia. It follows the story of Tevye, a hardworking milkman with five daughters.  Tevye works hard to instill his children with his Jewish beliefs and traditions within an ever-changing outside world.  This is a story most of us can relate to even in today's modern world!   The middle school students at Canton's Galvin Middle School have certainly grown since some of us saw them in their elementary school plays.  And, they give us a glimpse into the performers they will become when they enter Canton High School. If you are in the Canton... 03/01/2013

A sure sign of spring, the Dean S. Luce Elementary School's annual Carnival will be held Saturday, March 2nd from 10 am - 3 pm at the school, located on Independence Street in Canton MA.  A completely indoor event, it is not dependent on the weather. Come on out and enjoy this fun family event! The carnival is one of the major fundraisers for the school's parent/teacher organization, the Luce School CAPT (Canton Association of Parents and Teachers).  The CAPT provides and supports programming at the school and funds items that cannot be funded through the school budget.  In this tight economic climate, the work of the CAPT is more important than ever. The Luce School Carnival is a really fun event offering a variety of fun carnival games, face painting and hair beading, crafts, jumpy ho... 02/28/2013

It's just my personal opinion, of course, but I really think that politics should not be mixed with real estate. Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green-Rainbow, or none of the above....I am happy to help you buy a home if you're a qualified buyer.  My political opinions are my own and while in the right forum I will share them, I do not force my opinions on anyone else. Buyers may or may not have an interest in the politics of the community where they are buying a house.  If they do, they can certainly look up the results of how that town voted.  They can do their research like like they research schools, crime statistics and every other thing they care to find out about a town. Today, as I was scouring the MLS for new listings for my buyers who are in desperate need of new inventory,... 02/22/2013

We are already one month into 2013.  Here's a look at how Canton's real estate market fared in January 2013.     In January 2013, there were 12 single family homes sold in Canton MA*, with a low price of $340,000 and a high of $730,000.  The average sales price was $518,300.     While January is not traditionally a busy month for real estate in Canton MA, this chart below shows that January 2013 sales are the highest they have been is the past five years.  The most homes sales came in the $400,000 price range.     The average sales price for January 2013 is also up from 2012.  The next chart shows that the average sales price for January has increased for the past two years.   The Canton MA Real Estate market is heating up.  Added to the general increase in sales is the lack of invento... 02/12/2013

More theater news in Canton MA!  This show was supposed to open on February 8th but the blizzard forced them to cancel the first weekend of performances. Canton Community Theatre (CCT) is giving the people of Canton their "Just Desserts" this weekend and next.  Their most recent production was written in part by longtime CCT members Kathy Fox Alfano and Renee Hanscom, with contributions from other cast members.   This production takes place on the set of a reality TV baking show named "Baby Cakes and Sweet Pies."  The scene is the final episode where three bakers are competing for the grand prize.  Things apparently get out of hand and laughter, mystery and cake ensue. The audience will not only get to vote for the winner but they will also get to taste all the delicious baker creations... 02/11/2013

  The Blizzard of 2013 left the fire hydrant at the corner of our street plowed in. So, my husband dug it out.  The fire department can only get to them so fast. Time spent going to the next hydrant or digging it out is time lost during a fire and can lead to serious injury. So, if you live next to or near a fire hydrant and see that it is covered in snow, go dig it out. While no one likes to take on more shoveling than they have to, the time it takes to dig out that hydrant may save a life - possibly your own or a family member's. If you are not able to shovel it out yourself, at least call the fire department and let them know it needs to be dug out so they can send someone out to take care of it. 02/10/2013

And no, I don't mean "Nemo".....local stations are not using that name given to this storm by The Weather Channel....they are referring to it as the Blizzard of 2013. We were all tucked inside here by noon yesterday and there was a State of Emergency in effect as of 4:00 - no driving allowed except for emergency & medical personnel.  It was not a real problem for me as my office is in my house.   It was incredibly windy last night & I could hear the wind howling all night long. You can see the wind blowing in this photo taken from my front door last night.   This morning, the snow is still falling but the wind seems to have died down.  No official snow measurement for Canton yet but a local news station is reporting 31.5 inches of snow for our neighbors in Stoughton. I have not ventured... 02/08/2013

It's a fact.  Inventory in the local real estate market is lacking.  Buyers are out there looking to buy homes but the choices are few and far between. Here are some of the numbers of houses on the market as of Feburary 6, 2013 compared to February 6, 2012*: In Canton, there are 45 single family homes on the market in Canton MA.  Last year, there were 89 single family homes on the market.   In Milton, there are 54 single family homes on the market.  On this same date last year there were 82 single family homes on the market. In Sharon, there are currently 59 single family homes for sale.  Last year, Sharon had 73 homes listed. Stoughton currently has 53 single family homes listed for sale.  One year ago, there were 70 homes for sale. Walpole has a little more with 64 single family homes... 02/05/2013

That's right.....you don't need to go to Disneyworld to see Cinderella!  She will be appearing right here in Canton MA this weekend.   Last week I wrote about Canton's JFK Elementary School's production of Mything Links.  This week, it is time for the Dean S. Luce Elementary School's production of Cinderella.     While each of the schools does a great job with their plays, the Luce School Play will always hold a special place in my heart because for six years I ran the play as the parent coordinator (a/k/a the producer), working alongside a very talented and dedicated director.  It was definitely a labor of love.  I still fill a bit nostalgic when play time rolls around.  Now I can simply relax in the audience and enjoy the show.    The Luce School Play is a little different from the ot... 01/28/2013

Baby it's Cold Outside!  But it will be warm inside!   Come in out of the cold and enjoy some warm jazz music and the melodic sounds of a capella!   The Canton High Jazz Band, the Galvin Middle School Jazz Band and the CHS A Capella Chorus will perform at Small Ensembles Night on Tuesday January 29th at the Canton High School Cafeteria. Take advantage of this more intimate setting and enjoy some desserts and coffee while listening to the music of Ben E. King, Thad Jones, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Sting and more. Both the jazz bands and a capella are extracurricular activities.  These dedicated music students arrive early to practice before school, stay late to practice after school or return to practice in the evening to be a part of these musical groups.  The talent of Canton's youn... 01/26/2013

It's getting to be that time of year in Canton - time for the elementary schools Fifth Grade Plays.  First up is the JFK Elementary School.  JFK's 5th Graders will be performing Mything Links this Friday January 25 and Saturday January 26th. Every year each elementary school in Canton puts on a play, usually a musical.  This is not a typical kids play where the lines are fed to them and it is done during school.  It is performed on the "big stage" at Canton High, with sound, lights and the works.  There is a small stipend for the director, who chooses, casts and directs the play.  The rest of the production (scheduling, costumes, stage crew, advertising, etc.) is put together solely through volunteer efforts of the parents.  Each elementary school's CAPT (Canton Assocation of Parents an... 01/24/2013

All areas of the country have been hit hard by the Flu.  Canton MA has been no exception.  The school nurses are working non stop and their offices are overflowing.  Churches have suggested people not shake hands.  There are signs at the gym reminding us to cover our cough.  Hand sanitizer is everywhere. In response, Canton MA has scheduled an additional flu clinic.  The Flu Clinic will be held on Wednesday January 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Canton Fire Department at 99 Revere Street.  The flu shot will be available to residents over the age of 9.  The Board of Health requests that individuals receiving a shot bring their insurance card, if they have one.   If you cannot make the clinic and still have not received the flu shot, remember that all the pharmacies in Canton also of... 01/15/2013

Canton High held its Winter Concert before the holidays.   Rather than trying to fit everything in before school vacation, the Galvin Middle School will hold its 2013 Winter Concert on Thursday, January 10th.   It is nice not to have one more event going on in December and is a welcome break from the cold January winter.   The Galvin Middle School Winter Concert will be on Thursday, January 11th at the Canton High School auditorium.  The 6th Graders will perform at 6:30 and the 7th and 8th graders will perform at 7:30.  There are so many students performing that they need to divide up the performances so there is plenty of seating and parking for everyone. There will be performances by the chorus group from each grade, band and the orchestra (strings) groups.  Music from composers Ed Si... 01/08/2013

Canton's Annual Spelling Bee is on Friday January 11th! On Friday, January 11th, the Canton Alliance for Public Education, or CAPE, will host its Annual Spelling Bee.  This is truly a feel-good and fun event that brings everyone together.  The early part of the evening, starting at 6:00 pm, features Spelling Teams from Canton's three elementary schools.  There are 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teams, made up of five members, that compete against the teams from the other elementary schools to boast for top honors for the year for each grade.  It is an honor just to be on a team and it is all done for fun!  The Middle School competition features teams from each of the three grades who compete to be the Middle School Winner and the High School has teams from each of its four grades competing for ... 01/08/2013

Last year I followed the lead of other bloggers and posted my Top Blog Posts of 2011 by A Canton MA Buyer Broker.  Here it is, one year later, and I am back with my Top Ten Blog Posts of 2012 by Your Canton MA Buyer Broker, measured by clicks.     I am surprised at some that got the largest clicks - especially those that were just posts about recent closings by some of my buyers.  So, here they are, from lowest to highest:   Congratulations to the Buyer of 11 Rose Court Norwood MA - This was a congratulatory post about a recent closing by one of my buyers on a condominium in Norwood, MA.   Canton MA Halloween Parade 2012 - A localism post about our annual Halloween Parade in Canton MA, this is always a popular topic. I even got a phone call out of this one.   And this is why I prefer Em... 01/06/2013

As already reported, 2012 was a good year for Canton MA single family home sales.  Here's a look at the 2012 real estate market for condominiums in Canton MA. In 2012, there were a total of 77 condominiums sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced condo sold for $56,000.00 and the highest priced one sold for $450,000.*  The average sales price for a condominium in Canton MA for 2012 was $252,016.00.     How does that compare to condo sales in Canton MA over past years?   Total number of condo sales for 2012 was up over 2011, which saw only 64 condominium sales in Canton MA.  However, compared to the past five years, the total sales are not as high as in 2009.  As I tell many buyers, condos tend to be the first to get hit when the market drops and the last to recover.  Still, condo sales in ... 01/06/2013

A Canton MA home buyer should receive a brochure, Home Inspectors Facts for Consumers Sheet, at the time of the signing of the first written contract to purchase from the Seller or Seller's agent. Since MA Home Inspector licensing in 2001, a consumer must have a signed exclusive buyer's agent agreement with a Real Estate Broker or Salesperson before the Real Estate Broker or Salesperson can refer a home inspector. Without a signed exclusive buyer's agent agreement, the Real Estate Broker or Salesperson may only refer the buyer to the list of all MA Home Inspectors from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors. Finding your Canton MA Home Inspector from the list of all MA home inspectors can be quite a challenge. An internet search for "Canton MA Home Inspector" may hel... 01/04/2013

Here we are at the start of a new year.  It's time for the Canton MA Real Estate 2012 Market Wrap Up. In 2012, there were a total of 176 single family homes sold in Canton MA.  The lowest priced home sold for $185,000.00 and the highest priced home sold for $1.2 million.*  The average sales price for single family homes in Canton MA for 2012 was $435,924.  Here is a chart showing the breakdown in each price range.     So, how does that compare to single family home sales in Canton MA over past years?   Well, 2012 brought good news and bad news to the Canton MA Real Estate market. First the good news.  Number of sales of single family homes in Canton MA were up over 2011, which saw 127 homes sold.  In fact, 2012 saw the highest number of single family home sales over the past five years.... 01/03/2013

Now that the holidays are coming to an end, Canton MA residents may wonder what to do with their Christmas tree?  The tree now looks a little sad - completely unadorned and  a little bit dried out.  Where does it go now? If you live in Canton MA, you cannot put the tree out for pickup with your regular trash pickup.  Lawn and yard waste, including Christmas trees (and other live greens) are not allowed in the regular trash.  They must be brought to the Pine Street recycling facility, where they will be composted, like other yard waste.  The recycling facility closed for the season on November 30th but is open for Christmas Tree disposal for the first two weeks in January.   So, remember, do not put the tree out for trash pickup.  You need to bring it over to the recycling facility durin... 01/01/2013