Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Great Source for Ideas

Winter hasn't even started yet and the kids might already being saying "I'm bored".  Kaboose.com is a great website as a source of kids craft ideas, kid friendly recipes, game ideas and more. There are parenting blogs,  how to videos, contests, printables and more. Bookmark this site to keep busy during the long Lexington MA winters.
Here is a link to some great Fall Craft Ideas for Kids, Fall Coloring Pages and simple and yummy Fall Recipes.

Have any other family friendly websites you like? Please share!


Monday, November 26, 2012

4 Tips for Correctly Pricing Your Lexington Home!


I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend!  As we enter the holiday season, it’s a great time of year to reflect back and remember all we have to be thankful for.  As a Lexington MA Real Estate agent, I’m thankful to be able to live and work in a community that I love.  I always enjoy telling buyers what makes Lexington such a great place to call home and how I appreciate being a part of such a historic and beautiful area.

And, while I do enjoy working with buyers as they discover their ideal home in Lexington; I also look forward to working with sellers who are looking for a smooth home selling transaction.  My goal is to make sure the seller has a good grasp of the current Lexington Real Estate market and the value of their home, and to ensure they are comfortable and happy throughout the process.

One of the main item on sellers minds is the list price for their home.  While a seller has a good idea of what they want to get out of their home; it’s not always that simple.  Here are just a few things that help determine the correct selling price for a Lexington home.

1. Location- You can't get away from this one. If your Lexington home is in on a charming street or within walking distance to the center of town; you may be able to get a higher price than you can for the same house in a less desirable location.  

2. Condition- A Lexington home that is well maintained and shows better will always sell for more than one that has had deferred maintenance and needs work.

3. Desirable Amenities- If a house has amenities that are popular in Lexington MA homes such as historic features, an open floor plan or a beautiful view, it will sell more quickly. 

4. Calculate the price per square foot- The average price per square foot for homes in Lexington shouldn't be the sole determinant of the asking price for your home, but it can be a useful starting point. 

If you are considering selling your Lexington home; I would love the opportunity to talk with you!  Together we can walk through current homes on the market that are similar to yours (comparables), and can talk about what your goals are in selling your Lexington home.  

I’d love to be with you every step of the way to ensure your Lexington home gets sold in a timely and efficient manner!


Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Fun Facts


Happy Thanksgiving to All! We at Lexington Houses Blog hope you have a safe holiday enjoying family, friends, food and football! Now some fun Thanksgiving Facts
  • Despite popular belief, the tryptophan in turkey is probably not responsible for post-meal drowsiness. Thanksgiving sleepiness is more likely caused by drinking excess alcohol and eating a large, high-carbohydrate meal that the body must work hard to digest. While eating turkey on a completely empty stomach without any other food might make you a tad tired, when served as part of a hefty feast, the tryptophan's effect is negligible.
  • The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 drew a quarter of a million people and featured costumed Macy's employees, professional bands, and animals from Central Park Zoo. Today, over 3 million people attend the parade, and another 44 million tune in on the tube.
  • According to Guinness World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked was 12 feet in diameter and 2,020 pounds. The recipe required 900 pounds of pumpkin, 1,860 eggs, 300 pounds of sugar and 250 pounds of crust, among other ingredients.
  • The average Thanksgiving turkey weighs 15 pounds and is comprised of 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat. 
  • More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving.
  • The First Thanksgiving lasted for three days. (Wouldn't that be nice!)


Monday, November 12, 2012

Visit the Birth Place of Thanksgiving


America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration
November 16, 2012 to November 18, 2012 in Plymouth, MA

Make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Thanksgiving and watch as history comes to life. A parade is one of the highlights of this annual celebration, which attracts Pilgrim, Native American, patriot and pioneer re-enactors to Plymouth's historic waterfront. Information: http://usathanksgiving.com

Saturday events include a Thanksgiving Parade on Main Street U.S. Air force Flyover, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; New England Food Festival in Waterfront Park, kids activity tent, and crafter’s pavilion, all in Waterfront Park 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Portal to the Past historic village and demonstrations in Brewster Gardens; Wampanoag Educational Pavilion; Living History Scavenger Hunt in Brewster Gardens, 2-3:30 p.m.; Senior Drum Corps Competition in Memorial Hall, 6:30-10:30 p.m. 

Sunday events include edible South Shore Harvest Market in Waterfront Park 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Jenney Grist Mill Tours, 1-5 p.m.; and all the entries for Saturday.  Phone :  508-746-1818



Monday, November 5, 2012

Voting Day in Lexington, Massachusetts

The polls are open in Lexington tomorrow -  election day (11/6/12) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for all elections.  


Procedures:   
When approaching the check-in table, to keep lines moving and assist workers, state to the poll worker:
  • the name of street where you reside
  • the number of your residence and your name  
In a primary election, voters registered in a political party may only obtain a ballot for that party. An "unenrolled voter" (commonly referred to as an "independent voter") may request the ballot of any party participating in the primary election.
The Election Official will confirm with the Town Clerk the registration status any names of persons failing to appear on the listing of registered voters. Voters whose name is on another list in the Town may appear at that polling location to cast a ballot or may vote at the Town Clerk's office. Voters must vote at the precinct from the address from which registered. Election Officials will explain options available to persons wishing to vote whose name does not appear on the voting list. Disabled Persons may be accompanied by someone who can provide assistance in voting or may request a poll worker to provide confidential, nonpartisan help. For more information visit: http://www.lexingtonma.gov/townclerk/precinctpolls.cfm



Registered voters in Lexington's nine precincts vote at the following polling places.
Not sure where to vote? Click here

PRECINCTLOCATIONADDRESS
Precinct OneCary Memorial Building1605 Massachusetts Ave
Precinct TwoBowman School9 Philip Road
Precinct ThreeClarke Middle School7 Stedman Road
Precinct FourBridge School55 Middleby Road
Precinct FiveCary Memorial Building1605 Massachusetts Ave
Precinct SixDiamond Middle School99 Hancock Street
Precinct SevenEstabrook School117 Grove Street
Precinct EightSamuel Hadley Public Services Bldg.201 Bedford Street
Precinct NineMaria Hastings School7 Crosby Road

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Stowing Away Summer Tools & Equipment

We have to face the fact the weather in Lexington is turning cooler so it's time to put away your outdoor stuff. It can be a lot of work so we tend to procrastinate until the very last minute. You can't wait any longer! Plus if you are thinking about putting your Lexington home on the market or thinking about moving, getting these items accomplished now will help you later and you won't have to do it when the weather really turns bad.

Here is a handy checklist to help with the process:



  • Barbecues-Wheel portable models to inside storage, but keep propane tanks outside, covered with a plastic bag or tarp. Propane poses an explosion risk indoors, says Ralph Taylor, owner of Gas & Grills stores in Cleveland, Ohio. Many homeowners keep BBQ grills outdoors, especially built-in models, but cover them. Hardware stores sell plain covers for $15 to $85. Grillfitti in Phoenix offers decorated covers, priced at up to $300 for custom-made ones. Taylor objects to covers, arguing they trap moisture that can rust burners, cooking grids and rock grates.
  • Play equipment-Sturdy, wooden play equipment, anchored in the ground can weather the outdoors, as can heavier plastic models. But wooden play equipment will last longer with water sealer applied in the fall and spring, says Donna Thomson, director of the National Program for Playground Safety. Also check for splinters and sand rough areas. Smaller lighter-weight units, especially plastic, should go inside to avoid sharp edges from breakage.
  • Lawn mowers-"One of the first things I put away is my lawn mower," says Steve Hardison, manager at Mutual True Value hardware store in Highland Park, Ill. Tune the mower at summer's end, Hardison says, to avoid the multitudes who take in mowers for a tune at the start mowing season. Add a gasoline stabilizer to remaining fuel to preserve it. Follow the same routine for any gas-powered equipment, such as weed trimmers or leaf blowers.
  • Hoses-To prevent freeze damage, unhook garden hoses from spigots, empty water and store in a garage or shed. Even drained hoses outdoors suffer from exposure, shortening use to a couple of years.
  • Lawn furniture-Portable, lightweight plastic lawn furniture goes inside. Heavier pieces, like wrought-iron, can be left out, protected by manufacturers' designed covers or large plastic bags from most hardware stores or online. Typically made of vinyl, some with a flannel backing, the bags have drawstrings or grommets for cords to secure against wind. Cushions go inside the garage or house.
  • Potted plants-Pull up dead, potted annuals at summer's end, throw out the soil and store pots in a shed, garage or basement. Otherwise, terracotta pots left outdoors can freeze and plastic pots will wear out in a couple of years from exposure.
  • Garden tools-Dip shears, weeders, pruners, spades and other hand tools in sand mixed with motor oil to clean and lubricate before storing.
  • Pools-Winterizing a pool can be complex in climates with freezing temperatures, says Bob Buettner, regional sales director in Dallas with Leslie's Pool Supplies. Buettner recommends help from a pool professional the first time. The task can involve partially or fully draining the pool, depending on regional practices. Typically, water is drained from all lines to prevent bursting of frozen pipes. If water is left in pools, homeowners can toss in air pillows, plastic gallon jugs or even logs, items to be safely crushed by expanding ice to avoid pool damage, especially to more vulnerable large, freestanding vinyl pools. Cover pools and remove ladders and hoses. Diving boards can be removed or covered. Small kiddie pools should be brought indoors.
  • Paints-Bring leftover paint from summer projects indoors to a basement or heated garage. Latex paints freeze and "look like cottage cheese after they're thawed out," Hardison said. Oil-based paints fare slightly better if they freeze. They can be restored with paint thinner, but they should be indoors, too.
For the full article and more storage tips, visit http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/home-maintenance/summer-maintenance/stowing-summer-tools.aspx