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Wellesley, MA Real Estate News

By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                            If you want to relocate to an area that is fit for raising your family, Wellesley would be an excellent choice. This beautiful city is full of opportunities for families and isn't lacking in education, employment or entertainment venues. Families often move to homes in the Wellesley real estate market in hopes of finding the perfect spot for raising children, and many agree that they have found it. Exceptional Educational Opportunities Wellesley boasts three colleges: Wellesley College, Massachusetts Bay Community College and Babson College. The town is also the city with the second largest concentration of citizens with advanced degrees in the United States. Wellesley High School has been ranked as the 70th best public high sc...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                    Wellesley is an excellent city with lots to offer. From educational institutions to recreational opportunities, there is something for everyone here. As you decide which neighborhood is right for you and your family, here are a few things to ask about the neighborhoods you explore. Details About the School District If you have young children, ask about the school district the neighborhood is in. Find out what the schools are like and if students there tend to perform well. You should be able to pull the MCAS as a 1st look at the school performance. In Wellesley all the schools tend to do well.  You may also want to know about sports and extra curricular activities available to kids. Proximity to Public Transportation Wellesley has a gr...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
If you're considering listing your Wellesley home for sale, now may be the ideal time to do it. According to research, there is more demand from Wellesley buyers than there are homes on the market, meaning your home may sell more quickly now than it would at another time. These statistics are just guidelines, but they can help you understand the state of the market.  Active Sales Down Compared to 2012                                 Active listings in Wellesley are significantly lower than they were at this time last year. In March 2012, there were nearly 180 single-family homes for sale. This year, there were just under 120. Because the number of listings are so few this year, homes that are put on the market receive a lot of interest from homebuyers.  Number of Homes Sold Down, Leadin...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
Are you starting to feel a little cramped in your current home? Are you quickly running out of storage space? The Wellesley real estate market is full of opportunities for individuals ready to relocate or families who need a little extra space. How do you know when it's time to upgrade to a larger home? These signs might mean you need more space.  You Don't Have Enough Bedrooms It almost goes without saying that if you don't have enough bedroom space for all the members in your family, it's time to upgrade. Sharing a bedroom often works for young children, but if you feel crowded or your kids are getting too old for small, shared spaces, you may want to consider a home with more or larger bedrooms. Your Floor Plan Doesn't Fit Your Needs Whether you like to entertain guests on a regular ...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                                                If you're a first-time homebuyer, or even if you've been through the process before, knowing what to ask a seller or real estate agent can make the process smoother and ensure that you are making a wise investment. As you investigate the Wellesley, MA real estate market, here are a few questions you should be asking. How much is the home worth in the current market?  Ethically, real estate agents can't tell you what you should offer for a home. However, you can find an approximate home value by asking the agent how much similar homes and properties nearby are selling for. Are there any problems with the house? When you buy a home, you want to be aware of any potential problems like roof, flooring, window or ...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
Wellesley is well known for its educational opportunities. Home to three college campuses and excellent high schools, the area is the perfect place for students. The education rankings Wellesley receives is one thing that draws homebuyers to explore the Wellesley real estate market. Highest Percentage of Adults with a College Degree in the U.S. Boston Magazine ranked Wellesley as the city with the highest percentage of adults with a college degree in the United States. The area is also doing well economically, making it a great place for college graduates to work. The city's three colleges: Wellesley College, Babson College and Massachusetts Bay Community College all have outstanding academic programs, making the city a great place to earn your degree. 2nd Most Educated Small Town in Am...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                         There are several camps in Wellesley that can keep your kids busy with sports, exploration, games, arts and learning all summer long. Summer camps in Wellesley are of the highest quality, so when your kids enroll in one of these programs, you know they are getting the best of the best. Explo at Wellesley Explo offers a summer camp program for kids who will be starting eight or ninth grade in the fall. The camp is three weeks long and is held at Wellesley College. There are more than 80 classes to choose from at Explo, in topics like video production, dance, psychology, art, sports and so much more. Contact Explo at 781-762-7400 for more information. Camp Kidville Camp Kidville in Wellesley is packed full of lesson plans that help ...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                      Babson College prides itself in being a leader in entrepreneurship. The undergraduate school has business and liberal arts classes, an online graduate school of business and an executive education program. But, the college offers more than that; it provides outstanding summer programs for kids between the ages of 6 and 17 in the Wellesley area. Registration for 2013 summer camps is now open, and classes are already beginning to fill up.   A Unique and Beneficial Camp Environment All of the camps are held on the college's 370-acre campus in both indoor and outdoor locations. Kids who attend camp here get to participate in sports and activities held in state-of-the-art facilities like full-sized and mini-sized game fields, a tennis com...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                                      Children in Wellesley have an amazing opportunity this summer: learning to sail. The Wellesley real estate market is full of affordable homes in beautiful areas where families and children can benefit from recreational opportunities like sailing classes. There are several summer camps and classes offered in the Boston area that teach kids how to safely maneuver boats, use sailing equipment and enjoy the great outdoors while on the water. Boating in Boston Boating in Boston offers a kids' summer camp in July at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Hopkinton State Park and Spot Pond (Stoneham). Kids will play games, learn how to sail, learn safety procedures and become confident in the sport. Themes like pirate days, tiki days and r...
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By Larry Lawfer, "I listen for a living." It's all about you.
(YourStories Realty Group)
Michelangelo's's guide to Greatness fits not only his brilliance as an artist and inventor, but the lessons have implications for the real estate industry and for life.  Standing before the beautiful marble sculpture of David Michelangelo was asked, "How can you look at a huge piece of raw marble and see David within?"  Michelangelo answered immediately, First I know there is a thing of beauty locked inside this block of stone, then I go about chipping away at everything that isn't David and I am left with beauty.  I first heard this story in college many years ago and I have thought of it often.  So much of life is like a huge block of raw marble and we need to look at our block and believe there is a thing of beauty inside. Once our mindset is right and our belief is strong then all w...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
Wellesley is a town brimming with success. From the schools to the businesses and from the recreational opportunities to the transportation offerings, this city is an attractive option for anyone looking to relocate. Wellesley Demographics  Wellesley is home to people of all ages and in all demographic groups. The area is especially attractive to families who are relocating from Boston or people who want to downsize to a smaller home in a gorgeous area. 132 years ago, in 1881, this town officially became known as Wellesley. However, the area was beginning to be settled as early as the 1630s.  10.5 square miles of lush landscaping and developed residential and business areas make up the beautiful city. 27,982 people call Wellesley home.  80 percent is the amount the town's population gre...
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By Larry Lawfer, "I listen for a living." It's all about you.
(YourStories Realty Group)
Finding the right home and closing on it these days is a matter of intelligence, strategy and preparedness.  Most people when they begin to hunt for a new home have a vague idea of price and location. They may say I want to live in Wellesley because the Schools are perennially ranked in the top of the state. They may be willing to pay between–well, here is where it begins to break down.  People read papers, listen to the news, research on line and today all that media is saying prices are going up, houses have multiple offers and you will have to pay a premium; this is where the fear and doubt begin. Larry Lawfer, Realtor® Keller Williams Finding the right home has a process.  Sure, price is a key consideration, but there are other considerations as well.  Wellesley does have great sch...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                              To get the highest offers on your Wellesley home, there are some things you can do to increase its value. In fact, many of the changes you can make seem small and are easy to do, but can have a big impact on the type of offers you receive when you put your home on the Wellesley, MA real estate market.  Touch Up and Paint Your Walls It sounds cliché, but one of the best ways to increase your home's value is to add a new coat of paint. If your walls are looking a little dingy, adding a new coat can make your rooms look like new. Do things Wellesley MA real estate, Wellesley home for salethe right way by using spackling to fill holes or repair damage and painter's tape to make sure the job looks professional. If you are completely repainting, consider choosing...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
When prospective buyers walk into your home you want them to be able to see themselves living there. You want them to envision their own furniture and family in your space, picturing themselves at home. So how do you do this? It's all in the staging.  Staging your home entails arranging furniture, defining spaces and updating decor to make it appeal to homebuyers. Buyers exploring the Wellesley, MA real estate market want to feel at home before they make an offer, and staging can do this. There are all kinds of things you can do to stage your home to increase your chances of receiving an offer, but here are a few ways to get you started. Clear the Clutter The easiest way you can stage your home is to clean up any clutter that distracts buyers' eyes from the features of your home. Tidy u...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                  Outdoors enthusiasts feel right at home in Wellesley, where recreation opportunities abound. There is something for everyone here, whether you just like to spend some quiet time in the great outdoors or love to spend your weekends adventuring. One of the many benefits of the Wellesley real estate market is that most of the homes are in close proximity to several recreational destinations.  Biking on Marked Trails Wellesley's most popular bike trail, called the Brook Path, provides a smooth, level ride for amateur and expert bikers. There are fourteen trails in this city, and each offers has beautiful views and varying types of terrain. Camping for the Entire Family Wellesley has camping locations that cater to all ages and skill levels. Whether you are looking for an e...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
Buying your first home can be intimidating but these tips can help quell your fears and make the process as smooth as possible. Doing your research is important, and understanding what is involved in the home buying process can help you successfully navigate the process. Know What You Can Afford As you start the home-buying process, know your finances very well. It's wise to find out what kind of home loan you qualify for before you start house hunting. This way you'll be able to stay within your budget and things will be much easier when you are ready to make an offer.  You can use an online mortgage calculator to find out what your monthly payment will be for homes with varying mortgages. With one of these calculators you will enter the mortgage amount, term and interest rate and then...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
             Whether you have reached a time in your life when you no longer need a large home or are just ready for a change, the benefits of downsizing can be well worth the effort of selling your home and finding a smaller Wellesley home for sale. Downsizing has many, many benefits, all of which can help you decide if you're ready for a move. Save Money Each Month  It's no secret that bigger homes are usually more expensive. Of course, with a smaller home your mortgage payments are likely to be lower, but did you know your utility bill could also be smaller? Providing gas, water and electricity for a large home can be expensive, but those costs are reduced when you live in a smaller home. Your insurance payments and taxes could also decrease when you downsize. Fewer Maintenance Worri...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                           The Wellesley, MA real estate market was one of six Boston-area communities that experienced increased home values this year. The other five communities are Arlington, Cohasset, Needham, Winchester and Weston.  In most areas, home values have decreased drastically, in some cases as much as 39 percent, while property taxes have continued to increase. This situation puts homeowners in a difficult position. People in these areas are often unable to sell their homes for what they are worth, making their largest asset less valuable than it once was. However, homeowners in Wellesley are experiencing an increase in their home values. Contrary to popular belief, home values aren't based solely on the value of similar properties nearby. Your home's value is also based ...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
                                    Wellesley has a rich history that makes it an excellent place for professionals and families who are ready to work or play. The area boasts many historic sites and is within a short drive of the historical city of Boston. The Beginnings of Wellesley This beautiful city was settled in the 1630s when early pioneers paid local Indian chiefs five pounds of money and three pounds of corn for the land and called the town "Contentment." The name has changed over the years, but the feeling of contentment the area offers has remained the same. Citizens from Wellesley fought in both the Revolutionary War and Gettysburg. The town is very close to landmarks like the Bunker Hill Monument, the Old North Church, Paul Revere's home and more. In the 1830s, the railroa...
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By Christine Norcross
(William Raveis, Wellesley MA)
Wellesley is full of fun things to do on a night out or for a family activity. Whether you're looking for an area that offers cultural activities, recreational opportunities or historical sites, this is the place that has it all. When you live here, you'll benefit from so many community resources and natural beauties. Visit Wellesley College Wellesley College was built in 1870 and has beautiful landscaping, architecture, greenhouses and theaters that you can visit. The buildings are mostly of the contemporary and gothic style and the campus is home to Lake Waban. You can take the two-mile walk around the lake or kayak, canoe or sail on the lake. The Davis Museum and Cultural Center has free admission and offers visitors a chance to see and learn about art from a variety of time periods....
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