Cutting Costs for Seniors by PATRICIA BAKER on OCTOBER 10, 2013 · in MONEY SAVING TIPS Retirement can be expensive. Transitioning from a steady income to living on a fixed one can be difficult. If you are nearing or currently in retirement there are some ways to stay within budget and reduce your spending.  Here are some tips to help reduce your retirement expenses: Have a Budget The most important and crucial first step is to create and stay within a budget. Over the course of a few months track and review all of your spending habits. Track things like food, housing, utilities, entertainment, etc. and create categories of spending. Analyze how you are spending money and if needed make adjustments to stay within budget. Manage Your Costs If you need to reduce your spending there are so... 10/09/2013

GUARANTEED TO THE BE THE BEST FUN OF THE FALL.  NOT TO MISS.  EVERYONE IN TOWN AND VISITORS LOVE IT.  SAMPLE SOUP AND VOTE.  IT IS HARD TO PICK THE BEST SOUP BUT FUN TO TASTE SO MANY EXCELLENT SOUPS. GREAT TALENT, GREAT FUN, MUSIC, PONY RIDES. THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPONSORS  10/04/2013

  203 (k) Loans: What You Need to Know by PATRICIA BAKER on OCTOBER 3, 2013 · in BUYING A HOME   Have you been thinking of buying a fixer upper but you don’t have the money to do the repairs? If you are thinking of buying a property that needs extensive repairs there is a federally backed lending program that enables buyers to roll the cost of necessary fixes into their mortgage. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) program provides funding for loans that cover purchase and renovation costs for single-family homes and multifamilies with up to four units. Here are some things you need to know about a 203(k) loan: The loan total amount is based on the property’s appraised value once the repairs are completed. The required down-payment for a 203(k) loan is 3.5 percent. 203(k) loans... 10/03/2013

How to Have a Healthy Home By Patricia Baker On September 26, 2013  · In Help Around the House Did you know that indoor air pollution is actually worse than outdoor air pollution? Indoor pollution can in fact be 2 to 10 times worse depending on the materials in your home. Many of the materials in your home omit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). According to the EPA, VOC’s are in the air that you breathe and can have long term health effects, including liver, kidney and central nervous system damage and cancer. Here is a list of some of the indoor air pollutants that you may want to reduce or remove in order to have a healthier home. Cleaning Supplies The things that clean your home may be making you sick. In fact, bleach is one of the biggest offenders. In order to have a truly clean ... 09/28/2013

Helping Military Families Buy a Home By Patricia BakerOn September 19, 2013 · In Buying a Home, Special Real Estate Situations Buying and affording a home is becoming a little bit easier for military families with the help of PenFed Foundation’s Dream Makers program. The Dream Makers program is funded by private donations from individuals and corporations and awards grants to military families to help them buy a new home. The program awarded its first grant in 2007 and today hopes to award a total of $1 million in grants. To be eligible for a grant you must: be a member of the PenFed Foundation (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) be a member of a military branch of service, including the Coast Guard (widows are also eligible) be a first-time home buyer have a gross annual income of $55,000 ... 09/20/2013

A Heartwarming Story Big Reason Why I Do What I Do   Approximately 2 years ago I started working with my friend’s daughter and husband Maria & Pat in their pursuit of finding a home for their family. My buyers were about to give up after many multiple bids on several properties they made offers on only to lose the bids. These buyers have been living in the lower level of my friends’ home and saving every dollar they could.  This was much to their benefit.  They were able to put a large down payment of nearly a third of the purchase price.  They were so diligent and I kept encouraging them to hang in there. Now we know why they had to wait for so long.  Maria’s grandfather and grandmother lived in house they ultimately bought this week.  Maria’s grandfather actually built the house and h... 09/01/2013

    Needham, MA Market Report  for  Single and Condominium Homes Sold Single Family Listings: 44    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 2,733.30    Avg. List$: $871,107   Avg. List$/SqFt: $346    Avg. Days On Market: 17.89    Avg. Sale$: $869,996   Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $348 Lowest sale price during this month $405,000 Highest sale price during this month $2,580,000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sold Condominium Listings: 6    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 2,102.50    Avg. List$: $570,667  Avg. List$/SqFt: $287    Avg. Days On Market: 49.83    Avg. Sale$: $571,296   Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $283 Lowest sale price during this month  $208,500 Highest sale price during this month  $875,000   On Market  Single Family Listings: 60    Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 4,064.20    Avg. List$: $1,489,590  Avg. List$/SqFt: $349    Avg. Days O... 08/21/2013

NEEDHAM, MA OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 7/28  2 - 4 PM $849,900   IT IS PERFECT HOME FOR ENTERTAINING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.   THE FLOOR PLAN HAS A GREAT FLOW AND MAKES IT EASY TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS.   YOU'VE GOT TO LOVE THE LARGE DECK OFF THE DINING AREA OF THE KITCHEN WHICH LEADS OUT TO A LARGE LEVEL BACK YARD BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED.  IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE IN A VERY DESIRABLE AREA OF NEEDHAM, MA.  AND CLOSE TO WELLESLEY, MA AND THE OLIN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.  PILGRIM ROAD IS PART OF A NETWORK OF STREETS THAT CONNECT TO A SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT IS IN THE NEWMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. LOCATED CLOSE TO THE WELLESLEY LINE SO THE SHOPPING OPTIONS ARE GREAT: NEEDHAM, WELLESLEY, NATICK COLLECTIONS, PATRIOT PLACE, AND LEGACY PLACE.   THERE IS THE OPTION OF TAKING THE TRAIN FROM WELLESLEY STATION OR NEEDHAM CE... 07/26/2013

Needham MA Market 6/7/2013 to 7/7/2013 Highest concentration of sales in Needham, MA in the past month were in two price ranges: From 1,000,000 to $1,499,999 there were 20 single family homes that closed/sold. From 800,000 to $899,999 there were 10 single family homes that closed/sold. Homes are selling at 99% of average  original price in this past month but many over asking price.  Note that these homes went agreement in most cases 6 weeks to a month prior. Average sale price $938,649 and a total of 56 closed/sold. 33 single family homes had accepted offers during that same time period. Sold Listings 6/7/2013 to 7/7/2013 Price Range # ofListings Avg. Dayson Market AverageSale Price   AverageList Price SP:LPRatio AverageOrig Price SP:OPRatio $0 - $49,999 0 0 $0   $0 0 $0 0 $50,000 - $9... 07/06/2013

Needham, MA Market from 5/29/13 to 6/29/13   Notice the number of days on market and the total homes that went under agreement during the last month.  There are presently 64 homes on the market ranging from $449,000 to $9,989,000.  The market has been so active since for many months.  These homes sales average 99% of asking price. Stay tuned for the next few months to see how the market keeps going.  I personally think it will keep up as it has been.  So many people want to move to Needham, MA for the convenience and the schools too.   Under Agreement Statistics Report Run: 6/29/2013 10:06:43 AM Property Type(s): SF Start Date: 5/29/2013 End Date: 6/29/2013 Towns: Needham Went UAG Current Status Price Range # ofListings # UAG # Sold # Other Under $50,000 - - - - $50,000 - $99,999 - - - ... 06/29/2013

Needham, MA July 4th Independence Day Celebration Events *Parade to Feature Boston Marathon First responders Nine different units of irst responders will be participating in this year's Needham, MA Fourth of July parade, inclduing Needham's own purblic safety officers.  Marching in the parade will be representatives of: Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, MBTA, MIT, Needham, Newton, and Watertown Police Departments and the FBI. The Needham MA Exchange Club is pleased to  honor the brave men and women who responded to the events following the attack of April 15 at the peril of their own lives and safety. On addition to the first responders there will be a full compliment of local and state officials taking part in the parade, inclduing Congressman Joe Kennedy, Attorney General martha Coakley, ... 06/28/2013

  The Needham Exchange Club 4th Of July 2013 Schedule   The Needham Exchange Club is planning a special 4thof July celebration this year in honor of our nations’ birthday.  from the Needham Exchange Club website http://needhamexchangeclub.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=647136&module_id=76188#top   The Fireworks have been promised to be better than ever and our Grand Parade will feature special guests and new musical groups.   The Fireworks will be at Memorial Park on Wednesday evening, July 3rd.   The evening will begin with food, ponyrides, face painting and other family entertainment followed by Fireworks.  The Grand Parade will start at 9 am on Thursday, July 4th.   After the Parade on Thursday there will be more food, a flea market, an old fashioned baseball game, children’s ga... 06/16/2013

Boston Suburb for Young Families: Needham MA Are you looking for a community near Boston perfect for young families?  Needham MA offers a fun downtown, good schools and a short commute. Needham MA has been known as the more affordable alternative to Newton.  Yet, it has been catching up fast.  A wonderful town, with a bustling center and excellent commuting location, Needham captures the heart of many young families. Search Needham MA houses for sale. Why People Live Here? Only 10 miles Southwest of Boston, Needham is well accessed by public transportation.  The commuter rail has several stops and a short trip to town.  There is easy highway access for travelling both north and south. Schools in Needham are excellent, with the high school ranking 18th in Massachusetts.   Located just ou... 06/13/2013

  Neeham, MA Market Report 4/152013 vs 5/15/2013 The average days on market have certainly decreased from 117 to 95 days.  The properties continue to come on the market but do go quickly.  The market report below is for single family properties that are on the market.  The greatest concentration is between $800,000 and $899,999 with 11 singles family homes on the market in that range.  The other concentrated price range is $1,000,000 to $1,499,999 with 17 homes in that range.  There is one property that is listed at $15,000,000 which skews the average list price.                                               4/15/2013                      5/15/2013 Price Range              #on Market /AVGDOM      #on Market /AVGDOM $400,000 - $449,999         1              31                          ... 05/15/2013

*Needham MA Real Estate Market Watch - Zip 02492 Median Sales Q1  +22% 1 Yr Chg $752,000   % Orig Price/Rec'd- Q1 93.2 up +0.4% Days on Market Q1 -14.9% Closed Sales Q1 -3.4% - Last year inventory was higher but the properties are coming on this year & when priced right they gooooooo! Zip 02494 Q1 Median Sales =2.6% $587,050 Price of Original / Price Rec'd Q1 +2% Days on Market -44.4% Closed Sales =50.0% Great Stats I would say Go Needham Massachusetts. Always Strong SOLD = Needham, MA   04/25/2013

Needham Dancing With The Stars 6/15/2013   This has been so popular and this time the proceeds from this evening will benefit Own Your Peace and Circle of Hope.  It will be great fun and for great causes.  So entertaining and fun to be with Needham friends and some you may not have met yet.  On the "heels" of our famous and wonderful Aly Raisman who was on the Dancing With The Stars just last night.  Aly did was great and I am sure she got lots of votes.  So mark your calendars for this fun event on June 15, 2013 at Moseley's On the Charles, Dedham, MA 03/19/2013

Report 3/8/2013 3:06:34 PM  Needham, MA Real Estate Market Snap Shot Included in this report are 12 properties under agreement but remaining active until contingences are met which doesn't give as accurate amount of homes still being marketed.  The bottom line is that we need more homes to be on the market to serve the demand for homes to purchase..   At this moment this is the actual total Single Family Listings: 41     Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 4,239.34    Avg. List$: $1,635,061    Avg. List$/SqFt: $355    Avg. DOM: 151.22   Property Type(s): Single Family Homes  Snapshot Date: 2/8/2013 : Needham    2/8/2013    3/8/2013 Price Range Number ofListings Avg. Dayson Market vs. today Number ofListings Avg. Dayson Market Under $50,000 - -   - - $50,000 - $99,999 - -   - - $100,000 - $149,999 - - ... 03/08/2013

Boston magazine Announced Needham Names "Best Place to Live" Thank you to the Home Town Weekly for sharing this.  We have 2 newspapers in Needham and this one has done a great job getting this terrific news out to us.  You can like the page on Facebook. Needham is a great town.  My husband has been here since he was 2 and I came when I was 17.  We are a real estate family.  His mom was a realtor and then I came along, then my brother-in-law and his wife, and then my sister-in-law.  Needham has always been a draw for as long as I can remember. The town has so much to offer including the schools, being close to Boston and airport, the community spirit and all adds to why people want to live here. For me it is fun to be a real estate agent in this town.  Even we the down turn in real estat... 03/08/2013

A Needham 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 Needham MA Home Inspector from the list of all MA home inspectors can be quite a challenge. An internet search for "Needham MA Home Inspector" may ... 02/09/2013

  NEW YEARS NEEDHAM     Monday, December 31   Wonderful always Thank you to all who make this happen every year in Needham, MA Exciting new and returning events for the whole family including the Tanglewood Marionettes and comedian Jim Colliton. Music, Dance, Fun!Events all day Monday, December 31.Join us for the Countdown Celebration at Powers Hall for music with theFamily Jewels band, dancing, light food and a cash bar.NYN buttons and tickets to the Countdown Celebration are on sale now. See everything on the website:Visit the new NYN website at newyearsneedham.org.         12/29/2012