Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Halloween In Lexington




Lexington's Halloween Trick or Treat
 with your Local Businesses

Friday, October 31, 2014,  2 - 5 p.m.

Looking for a way to get an early start on Trick or Treating? 





Come visit your neighborhood businesses for the Lexington Retailers Association 13th Annual Lexington's Halloween Trick or Treat with your Local Businesses, Friday, October 31, 2014, 2 - 5 p.m.  Just look for the Orange/Black/White balloon bouquet outside the doors of participating businesses throughout the Town.


So Mom and Dad, dress your children in costume early and get a jump on filling their goodie bags.  We feel it is a great way for the parents to learn more about the businesses in your area, and your children will begin to collect their Halloween's bounty in a safe and fun way.  For more information and a list of participating businesses, visit www.halloweeninlexington.com.   Please join us for some fun and remember, say "Trick or Treat!"

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Bowman Adventure Run

It’s a road race.  It’s a trail run.  It’s a super way to spend an autumn Sunday with your friends, family and Bowman Community.  There’s something for everyone.  Lace ‘em up for the Kids Fun Run.  Enjoy the 5K through the Bowman neighborhood and its Big Backyard.  Join us for the post-race festivities.
With Halloween around the corner, help us add to the festive air and come with wild and crazy hair!  We would love to see a mob of crazy hair running throughout the streets of Bowman and it’s community!
And beware..if the ghosts and goblins don’t get you, the mud may!
3rd Annual Bowman Adventure 5K Run
Sunday, October 26th from 10am – 2pm
Kids Fun Run 10:30 am
5K Trail Run 11:00 am
Post Race Party to Follow
About the Course
This unique 5K will take off from Bowman, lead you through the rolling hills of the neighborhood and onto Bacon Street, a gravel road leading to Dunback Meadow.  The last mile covers boardwalks and trails that are part of the extensive conservation land in Lexington.  You will then cross the Bowman fields and the finish line on Worthen Road East.  Click here to view the 5K and Kids Fun Run courses.
Please note – this adventure is for all ages but if you are under the age of 11, please participate with an adult.
Kids Fun Run
This year, the KFR will take place before the 5K so all you parents can cheer on your kids and run the 5K.  The 3/4-mile course leaves from the front entrance of Bowman down Worthen Road East to Philip Road and back to Bowman.  It’s complete with a water stop and finisher awards.  Register the morning of the event to sign a waiver.  This year the KFR will be free.  Donations for Bowman will be accepted at the table.
Register for the 5K adventure today!
Register online at Bowman Adventure Run REGISTRATION before Oct 25th or the day of the race.  Registration prior to October 20th will be $20 and after will be $25.  Race packets will be available for pick up at Greater Boston Running Company (1844 Massachusetts Avenue) on date to be determined in the near future.  Or register by mail using the Mail-In Adventure Run Registration form.
Race Opportunities
If you’d like to VOLUNTEER to be part of this race, please send an email to bowmanrun@bowmanpta.org.  Or click onAdventure Run Volunteers and sign up!
Interested in becoming a SPONSOR of the 3rd Annual Bowman Adventure Run?  Please contact us at bowmanrun@bowmanpta.org.
* About Lexington Conservation Land
Lexington has more than 1,400 acres of conservation land, over 10% of the town, an impressive figure for a community so close to Boston. Conservation land provides the space to experience fresh air, green leaves, and the pleasure of a stroll through the woods right here in our own community. Conservation land also protects many beneficial functions that nature performs for us, such the flood control, water quality improvement, and air purification. And because all of Lexington was once farmland, forest, or wetland, conservation land helps to preserve the historic character of our town. When exploring Lexington’s conservation land, consider the hard work that many citizens and friends have contributed toward protecting and caring for these important properties. Conservation land is protected by the Conservation Commission and cared for by the Lexington Conservation Stewards, a group of citizen volunteers. Learn more atwww.lexingtonma.gov/conservation/stewards.cfm.
Timing services provided by North Shore Timing Co.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

3 Ways to Spruce up Your Lexington Garage

Garages are an often overlooked part of the home, despite the fact that home owners spend a frequent amount of time there. In fact, for most home owners, the garage door is the main access point for entry and exit. It’s also a place for hobbies and storage.

The garage needs to be functional and attractive. Here are three ways to do it:  

1. Organization: Having an organized garage can help provide a home owner peace of mind while even possibly adding value to the space. As the garage often serves as a family’s storage center for everything from footballs to lawn mowers, shelves and cabinets can help make better use of the space. Sites like Pinterest can assist in photographic inspiration and provide ideas that will work for each unique space. At a minimum, set aside time to clear the clutter, categorize objects into groups (frequently used, rarely used, and hazardous materials), and then contain and store those objects to reflect the categories.  Both mounted racks and standing cabinets are options that can be purchased a big-box hardware store.

2. Check your garage door: As a garage door is the heaviest moving object in the home, it’s important to ensure the home owner’s garage door and door openers are up to date with the latest safety features.  Don’t know if it is? A 90-second 3-step safety check (available here) will determine if the door has the safety features a home inspector will look for a flag for a potential buyer.

3. Install the latest garage technology: New smart technologies may also be an added selling point to a home owner’s garage.  Atop the list are technologies to connect to and control your garage door opener or home lights to any Android or iOS compatible device, allowing home owners to check their garage door, and open or close it from anywhere in the world. Another technology to explore is a battery backup system, a feature that will keep a garage door running for weeks in the event of a blackout, as well as a motion detector light inside the garage so home owners don’t have to always remember to switch off the lights.

Source: http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2014/09/22/3-ways-to-spruce-up-the-garage/#sf4966340

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Fall Lawn Care Tips

Although spring lawn care gets all the attention, fall lawn care is the make-it or break-it season for grass.

“I’m already thinking about next year,” says John Dillon, who takes care of New York City’s Central Park, which features 200 acres of lawn in the middle of Manhattan. “The grass I grow this fall is what will be there next spring.”

Fall lawn care is no walk in the park. It’s hard work, and Dillon guides you through the four basic steps.

1. Aeration
Aeration gives your Lexington lawn a breather in autumn and provides room for new grass to spread without competition from spring weeds. Aeration tools pull up plugs of grass and soil, breaking up compacted turf. That allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach roots, and gives seeds room to sprout.

If kids frequently play on your lawn, plan to aerate twice a year — fall and spring. If your lawn is just for show, then aerate once a year — and maybe even once every other year.

A hand-aerating tool ($20), which looks like a pitchfork with hollow tines, is labor-intensive and meant for unplugging small sections of grass. Gas-powered aerating machines (rental, $20/hour) are about the size of a big lawn mower, and are good for working entire lawns. Bring some muscle when you pick up your rental: Aerating machines are heavy and can be hard to lift into your truck or SUV.

Depending on the size of your property, professional aeration costs about $150.

2. Seeding
Fall, when the soil temperature is about 55 degrees, is the best time to seed your Lexington lawn because turf roots grow vigorously in fall and winter. If you want a lush lawn, don’t cheap out on the seed.

Bags of inexpensive seed ($35 for 15 pounds) often contain hollow husks, weed seed, and annual rye grass seed, which grows until the first frost then drops dead. Splurge on the good stuff ($55 for 15 pounds of Kentucky Bluegrass seed), which resists drought, disease, and insects.

Water your new seed every day for 10 to 20 days until it germinates.

3. Fertilizing
A late fall fertilization — before the first frost — helps your grass survive a harsh winter and encourages it to grow green and lush in spring. Make your last fertilization of the year count by choosing a product high (10% to 15%) in phosphorous, which is critical for root growth, Dillon says.

Note: Some states are banning phosphorous-rich fertilizers, which are harmful to the watershed. In those places, look for nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which promote shoot and root growth. Check with your local extension service to see what regulations apply in your area.

4. Mulching
Instead of raking leaves, run over them a couple of times with your mower to grind them into mulch. The shredded leaves protect grass from winter wind and desiccation. An added bonus — shredded leaves decompose into yummy organic matter to feed grass roots.

A mulching blade ($10) that attaches to your mower will grind the leaves even finer.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Why to Buy and Sell Real Estate in Lexington, MA This Fall

Can you believe it’s already October here in Lexington, MA? With fall colors, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, haunted houses and corn mazes, there are certainly a lot of fun events and activities to enjoy this time of year.

As your Lexington real estate agent, I suggest adding the achievement of your real estate goals to your fall agenda! Whether you’re looking to buy a Lexington home, or sell your Lexington home, fall is the season to do it.

If you’re looking to buy a Lexington, MA home, here’s why to do it now:
  • Mortgage rates are still low. Mortgage rates have continued to drop throughout this year and are at yearly lows right now. However, mortgage experts all predict rates will begin increasing soon, and most experts agree that rates will be at least 1 percent higher by next year, which could add a lot to your monthly mortgage payments. Buy while rates are low! 
  • A homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than a renter. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, you’re paying a mortgage. Either it’s yours or your landlords. With yours, you are investing in your future, and when you sell your house, you will see that money again. That is why homeowners have a net worth so much higher than renters. Most of that is in home equity. Invest in your future! 
  • Home prices will go up. While home price appreciation has slowed down, economists still expect that home prices will appreciate in the next five years. Analysts predict that prices will increase somewhere between 11.2 and 27.8 percent, according to the Home Price Expectation Survey. For now, prices are mostly still undervalued. If you buy now, you can still find a Lexington, MA home for a good price. 
If you’re looking to sell your Lexington home, here’s why you should do it now:
  • Competition is low. The busy summer real estate market here in Lexington, MA has come to an end. There are typically fewer Lexington home sellers this time of year. Also, the number of underwater homes for sale is at a record low. The less competition you have, the more homebuyers you’ll have interested in your home. If you wait, you’ll have the reemerging new home market to compete with.
  • Homebuyers are eager. Like I explained above, mortgage rates are low right now, and home prices will continue to rise. These are reasons why homebuyers are still eager to buy right now.  They want to lock in a low mortgage rate before the holidays and long winter months arrive. Eager buyers and low competition means more buyer interest in your home, and more negotiating power in your hands.
  • Process will go fast. More paperwork is required from mortgage lenders this year, so the typical time it takes to close on a home sale has increased over the years. However, with less activity this time of year, it’s the ideal time for a quick sale. If you’re ready to move on with your life, grow your family or relocate for a job, now is the time to do it. Once the holiday season arrives, time periods for getting things done will slow down again.
As you can see, the fall season is the ideal time for achieving your real estate goals here in Lexington, MA! When you’re ready to act, of you’ve got questions, contact me, your Lexington real estate agent. I’d love to help you out in any way that I can!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Hastings Harvest 5K Run/Walk


Sunday, October 5th is the The 5th Annual Hastings Harvest 5K Run/Walk which starts and finishes at Hayden Lower Field at 11:10 AM in Lexington, MA.

This sanctioned event will be chip-timed by RaceWire.  It presents a challenging course for the novice to the elite runner.  Taking off from Hayden lower field at 11:10am, both runners and walkers will enjoy a scenic run through the local community, and ending back at the field for a post-race celebration and lunch. 

This event promotes health and fitness in the community and encourages our younger generation to “Get Up and Get Moving!”Grab your friends, challenge your coworkers, but most of all get out there.  


Last year there were over 400 participants.  All proceeds will benefit the Maria Hastings Elementary School.

Pre-register can be done online, by mail or register on the day of the race between 9:30am and 10:30am. More information.

Interested in Volunteering?  Contact:
Ayla Kavanagh: 781.956.2929 
Melissa Stewart: 781.690.3544

For more information about the Hastings Harvest 5K Run/Walk please visit http://www.hastingsptaevents.com/home.html