We are snowed in here in Natick, MA! The well predicted snow storm finally arrived. It's the first big snowfall this season. There was another one a few weeks ago, but it almost melted away by now. Yesterday night one could hardly tell there's snow storm coming. Other than weather channel warnings and cancelled schools, all was as usual. Didn't see many people at the store stocking up on necessities. Yet it started snowing at nght - and here we are, snowed in! Main roads are mostly clear by now, and most side streets are cleared up as well. however, one should use caution when driving, cars skid too easily in this condition.  Please check on your neighbors, especially elderly, if they live alone. They might need help shoveling a walking path, or forgot to stock up on milk... It never hu... 01/12/2011

Natick Homes - January 10, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 2nd week of January in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 66 Average List Price: $655,700 Average Days on Market: 171 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 3 Average List Price: $714,333 Average Days on Market: 1 Total pending home sales: 36 Average List Price: $526,633 Average Days on Market: 117 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 1 Average price change percentage: -2.63% Average total price change: -$15,100 Total sold in the last 7 days: 4 Average... 01/10/2011

How to learn more about a neighborhood, when you are planning to buy a new home? After you compared statistics on different levels (school scores and reviews, crime rate, median home prices and taxes etc) - how do you actually learn what the neighborhood is like? How do you now you fit in (or not)?  One of the options is going to local playgrounds and meet people. That is especially important if you have small children or plan to extend your family in near future. You will meet many locals on a playground, you will be able to strike a conversation very easily, and see if this is the right crowd for you. You can easily ask if people like their neighborhood, if they are happy with the school system. With that in mind, I decided to feature local playgrounds in my blogs, about once a week. ... 01/07/2011

Does real estate market have a return policy? You know the long lines to service desks at stores, where customers can return or exchange items they bought 30, or 60 or even 90 days ago. Mostly, you get full refund, in some cases in form of store credit, and everybody walks away happy.  What about real estate? It used to be quite sure shot: if you bought a house, you could be pretty sure that you can sell it at a profit few years later, and come out ahead, or at the very least break even.  Buyers remorse was easy to cure: sell the house, and get another one that fits your needs and life style better.  Today things changed. It's similar to a flea market with no return policy. If you buy something, you need to plan to live there for a while, the longer the better for your ROI. It seems to ... 01/06/2011

Looking for excellent daycare in Natick, MA? Step by Step Nursery School has openings! If you live or work in Natick, MA or towns nearby, there's a wonderful home daycare facility, Step by Step Nursery School. I have 2 children, and due to moves, finances, schedule and hundred other reasons I've been through 7 daycare facilities, (not to mention ones that I visited but took off my list) so I know quite well what is a good facility, and what isn't. Besides, I'm a Mama Bear (or should I say Mama Lion?), well being and happiness of my cubs is the most important thing. (I guess I somewhat transfer that attitude onto my clients as well) Finding a daycare that would be up to my standards is not an easy task. I know that. If a daycare only had a passing grade in my book (say C-), and if I had ... 01/05/2011

Natick Homes - January 3, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 1st week of January in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 69 Average List Price: $626,463 Average Days on Market: 181 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 1 Average List Price: $99,000 Average Days on Market: 1 Total pending home sales: 37 Average List Price: $536,151 Average Days on Market: 113 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 3 Average price change percentage: -7.30% Average total price change: -$28,333 Total sold in the last 7 days: 5 Average S... 01/04/2011

Natick Homes - December 27, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the last week of December in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 70 Average List Price: $626,810 Average Days on Market: 182 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 0 Average List Price: $0 Average Days on Market: 0 Total pending home sales: 40 Average List Price: $533,625 Average Days on Market: 103 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 0 Average price change percentage: 0 Average total price change: 0 Total sold in the last 7 days: 5 Average Sold Price: $3... 12/28/2010

Natick Homes - December 20, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 3rd week of December in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 74 Average List Price: $651,006 Average Days on Market: 177 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 0 Average List Price: $0 Average Days on Market: 0 Total pending home sales: 39 Average List Price: $472,561 Average Days on Market: 98 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 1 Average price change percentage: -8.18% Average total price change: -$40,000 Total sold in the last 7 days: 10 Average Sol... 12/20/2010

Natick Homes - February 21, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 2nd week of December in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 77 Average List Price: $636,644 Average Days on Market: 175 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 0 Average List Price: $0 Average Days on Market: 0 Total pending home sales: 42 Average List Price: $483,281 Average Days on Market: 78 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 4 Average price change percentage: -2.15% Average total price change: -$9,000 Total sold in the last 7 days: 3 Average Sold ... 12/13/2010

Natick Homes - December 6, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 1st week of December in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 78 Average List Price: $653,311 Average Days on Market: 175 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 2 Average List Price: $449,900 Average Days on Market: 3 Total pending home sales: 42 Average List Price: $464,038 Average Days on Market: 60 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 9 Average price change percentage: -3.26% Average total price change: -$17,525 Total sold in the last 7 days: 5 Average... 12/06/2010

Natick Homes - November 29, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 4th week of November in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 86 Average List Price: $632,504 Average Days on Market: 174 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 2 Average List Price: $289,900 Average Days on Market: 6 Total pending home sales: 43 Average List Price: $490,065 Average Days on Market: 65 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 1 Average price change percentage: -3.17% Average total price change: -$12,100 Total sold in the last 7 days: 3 Averag... 11/29/2010

Natick Homes - November 21, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 3rd week of November in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 95 Average List Price: $608,053 Average Days on Market: 164 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 3 Average List Price: $374,933 Average Days on Market: 4 Total pending home sales: 39 Average List Price: $500,123 Average Days on Market: 56 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 5 Average price change percentage: -2.74% Average total price change: -$13,120 Total sold in the last 7 days: 4 Averag... 11/22/2010

Natick Homes - Novemer 14, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 2nd week of November in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 94 Average List Price: $620,591 Average Days on Market: 170 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 4 Average List Price: $552,222 Average Days on Market: 2 Total pending home sales: 38 Average List Price: $491,492 Average Days on Market: 58 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 5 Average price change percentage: -4.19% Average total price change: -$35,800 Total sold in the last 7 days: 1 Average... 11/15/2010

Natick Massachusetts Home Sales - November 8, 2010 Before you buy a home in Natick, MA, it is important to know what other homes in the area are selling for. In order to give you a more accurate picture of the local real estate market, I have put together statistics from the last 7 days. The following is a market recap for the 1st week of November in Natick, MA. Total number of homes for sale: 98 Average List Price: $623,166 Average Days on Market: 168 Total number of new homes in the past 7 days: 1 Average List Price: $665,000 Average Days on Market: 2 Total pending home sales: 31 Average List Price: $494,326 Average Days on Market: 51 Total homes with price changes in the past 7 days: 2 Average price change percentage: -2.87% Average total price change: -$12,450 Total sold in the las... 11/08/2010

RISMEDIA, October 25, 2010--Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was just a little larger. What many don't realize is that with a little work and some TLC, they could have exactly what they're looking for. Here, Lowe's offers 10 designer tricks to help you make any room look larger: 1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back do... 10/25/2010

 RISMEDIA, October 23, 2010--Despite the economy's sluggish recovery, a new national survey from Weber Shandwick with KRC Research found that nearly seven in 10 Americans (69 percent) have an optimistic outlook about their household finances for the next two years. Nearly one quarter (23 percent) are very optimistic.Since the downturn two years ago, the vast majority of Americans (81 percent) say they are more responsible with their household's money today than two years ago, with nearly half (46 percent) considering themselves much more responsible. Many indicated they've changed their financial habits, including buying items on sale (80 percent), becoming more concerned about saving money (78 percent) and learning how to budget better (68 percent). In fact, Americans say they are mor... 10/23/2010

Date: 10/23/2010  -  10/24/2010 Address: Boston University DeWolfe Boathouse, Location: Boston, MA  Hours: 8:00am Cost/Cover: See website for details Discounts: Web Page: http://www.hocr.org/home/default.asp Contact Info: Telephone: (617) 868-6200 or Email: regatta@hocr.org   Details: ELIOT BRIDGE ENCLOSURE: Spend the weekend watching the races from the comfort of the Eliot Bridge Enclosure, a new by ticket only hospitality tent right at the river's edge sponsored in part this year by Delta. Tickets include breakfast and hot coffee in the morning, a gourmet lunch catered by Fleming's Steakhouse and a comfortable vantage point to watch crews as they come into the last stretch of the race. Click HERE to learn more or register for your weekend pass HERE WELD EXHIBITIONLocated near Harvard... 10/22/2010

RISMEDIA, October 21, 2010-Lately, you've been thinking a lot about investing strategies. You have a small nest egg that needs to grow, but frankly you don't trust the stock market. (If you're like many investors, your 401(k) hasn't fared well in recent years.) And while real estate has been somewhat of a rocky road in recent years, it's still a solid long-term investment strategy-and clearly we're in a buyer's market. But you aren't really interested in being a landlord. What to do?Christine Karpinski has a suggestion: Purchase a vacation home and rent it out to travelers."Vacation homes are almost always a good investment," says Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway-te the world's leading vacation rental marketplace-and author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner,... 10/21/2010

By Ken KayeRISMEDIA, October 19, 2010--(MCT)--It might seem obvious not to pack an object that resembles a pipe bomb in your luggage before boarding a plane. Yet that's what a Texas professor did last month, prompting an intense police investigation and a full-scale evacuation at Miami International Airport.He was cleared, but his failure to carefully monitor what he packed was not unusual. Nationwide, passengers each day place more than 2.2 million prohibited items in their bags, for a total of 627 million items through September. That includes undeclared guns, large knives and hand grenades.Packing is the key to avoiding an ordeal at the checkpoint, said Bob Burns, who writes a travel advice blog for the Transportation Security Administration's website, tsa.gov. Travelers should keep ... 10/19/2010

By Paige TeppingRISMEDIA, October 16, 2010--You wouldn't buy a house without shopping around first, right? Then why would you commit to the loan you use to buy that house without making sure you're getting the best deal possible? From the experts at LendingTree, here are six reasons why it's essential to take a few minutes to browse before you borrow: 1. To get the best interest rate possible Over the life of a $200,000, 30-year fixed rate loan, a one-tenth of a point difference in interest rate could save or cost you thousands of dollars. 2. To pay lower loan fees Once your loan application is accepted, the lender will get back to you with a good-faith estimate (GFE), including an itemized list of all the costs associated with the loan. If there are any parts of the GFE that you don't... 10/16/2010