Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Weird Packing Tricks That Actually Work

Packing to move can be drudge work, but it’s an even worse task if your labor results in broken glassware, tangled jewelry, busted gadgets, and lost electrical cords. Leaving your home for a new one is stressful enough without these added woes.
To the rescue, here are some brilliant hacks that’ll get your stuff loaded up with nary a crack—and almost no sweat—from experts who live and breathe packing.
Plates
Don’t just grab your dinnerware from the shelf and stack it in a box—it’s more apt to break. As counter intuitive as it sounds, it’s better to pack them sideways instead. Just make sure the box is small enough so that the plates fit with only a bit of wiggle room on each side where you can insert bubble wrap or other cushioning.

Glasses and cups

Put your tube socks to good use: Insert your stemware into them (one per sock, of course) to prevent cracks. Turn the handles of coffee mugs and pitchers inward in boxes to save space. You can also pick up wine or beer boxes with the cardboard separators to pack glasses and other fragile items—liquor stores give these away for free.

Necklaces and bracelets

Don’t let all of those pretty chains get tangled in knots! To prevent bracelets and necklaces from ending up in this sad state, grab a few empty toilet paper rolls or drinking straws. Thread each chain through the roll or straw, and then fasten the clasp. Lay them gently in a box and cover with a layer of clothing to keep them in place.

Earrings

These tiny objects need their own packing compartment—and your old egg cartons are just the solution. Pop a few pairs into each nesting cup and then top with a few cotton balls. Close the carton and seal it with a bit of packing or masking tape. You could also poke your earrings through a paper towel tube, secure them with backs and then wrap the whole roll with plastic wrap or a soft T-shirt.

Clothing

Moving a dresser is easier without the drawers in it, but if you’re hoisting it full of clothes, take some heavy-duty plastic and wrap it around the entire piece so the drawers don’t slide out.

Linens

Soft items like towels, sheets, and dishcloths can do double duty when you pack them. Roll up wooden and plastic utensils and other kitchen items in dish towels, or use cloth napkins and T-shirts to wrap or separate fragile items. Pack pillows at the top of boxes to add extra cushion and wrap artwork in blankets.

Electronics

Much like jewelry, cords might get balled up and separated from their devices, so make a special effort to keep these organized.
Repurpose those plastic tabs that come with loaves of bread to secure cords. Be sure to label them so you don’t lose track of which cord goes to which piece of equipment. You can also take a photo of your electronics before unplugging them so that you remember which cords fit into which sockets.

Your daily necessities

It seems so obvious—until you’re standing, exhausted, amid towers of boxes wishing you had your toothbrush and slippers. Pack this special box and fill it with the essentials you need on the first day and night in your new house, including toilet paper, pajamas, a spare set of clothes—and a bottle of Champagne!

For more packing tips, visit www.realtor.com


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Winter Starts Today!

Winter begins today, December 21, 5:44 A.M. EST.

Do you love or hate winter in Lexington?

WHAT IS THE WINTER SOLSTICE?
The word solstice comes from the Latin words for “sun” and “to stand still.” In the Northern Hemisphere, as summer advances to winter, the points on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets advance southward each day; the high point in the Sun’s daily path across the sky, which occurs at local noon, also moves southward each day.

At the winter solstice, the Sun’s path has reached its southernmost position. The next day, the path will advance northward. However, a few days before and after the winter solstice, the change is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same, or stand still. The Sun is directly overhead at “high-noon” on Winter Solstice at the latitude called the Tropic of Capricorn.
Find out the changing day length in your neck of the woods with our personalized Sunrise/set tool.

WHAT DOES WINTER MEAN TO YOU?
Winter inspires both joy and woe. Some people can’t wait for the cooler weather, snow, skiing and ice skating, curling up by a fire, and the holiday spirit. You’ll notice a peaceful sort of silence when you walk through the woods—a muffled kind of quiet. 
Other people dislike the frigid temperatures, blizzards, and wild weather. In colder regions, winter often means shoveling, snow blowing, dealing with bad roads, and sometimes unbearable temperatures.  In warmer regions, the winter temperatures become very mild and cool, and places such as Florida fills up with people escaping the harshness of a northern winter.


“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” –Steve Martin


Wednesday, December 14, 2016

7 Tips for Holding an Open House During the Holidays

Many people think that winter isn’t the ideal time to put your Lexington home on the market. What can you do to make your wintertime open houses appealing amongst the holiday parties and events?
Here are 7 tips for holding an open house during the holidays.
1. Market early, market broadly, market creatively
Remember that the people who venture out in the wintertime might be the most serious buyers of all, so you should be extra-prepared to host a stellar open house. Start event marketing as soon as possible, and be sure to feature it in your blog and social media messages. If there’s a nearby holiday fair or festival, put up your signs in that area to attract even more attendees
You never know where a buyer can come from, so think creatively. Why not invite the neighbors into the home an hour early for a sneak preview and turn it into a holiday block party? Let them have a look around; maybe they’ll pass the word along to family and friends. You never know: People often host out-of-town relatives during the holidays, and perhaps some of them are interested in moving closer to family. If a buyer is relocating, they might be already planning a trip to your area, so make sure you post your open house information to as many online outlets as possible.
2. Stay safe outside…
Keeping the driveway, curbs and walkways clear of snow and ice is not only a safety tip, it makes the home approachable and inviting. Solar lights along the walkways illuminate the path for visitors, and a layer of sand keeps attendees safe when the walkways ice over. Knock any icicles off the overhangs and brush off any precarious clumps of snow that could fall on an unwitting buyer. Set a timer on the porch light to ensure that buyers can easily spot the house number. On the porch, provide a welcome mat for wet or muddy feet, along with a floor runner and coat rack in the entryway, to help keep the floors clean and dry.
3. …And inside
Although beautifully wrapped gifts and collectible seasonal decorations can create a festive ambiance, these items are prizes for sticky-fingered baddies who sometimes target open houses. Keep all valuables out of sight, including jewelry and prescription drugs. If you decide to have seasonal items as part of the décor, wrap empty cardboard boxes and use mass-market decorations as decoys — but keep it tasteful; you want buyers to focus on the features, not the festivities.
4. Update the exterior
The dead of winter is no time to paint the exterior of a home, but you can still make some off-season updates in preparation for your open house. Wash the paint or siding with warm soapy water to immediately spruce up the outside. Polish the windows to keep them bright and clean, and allow more natural light to shine through.
Prune the shrubbery and trim any tree branches that might be laden with snow. Not only does it make the home look maintained, it’s a safety measure against potential damage caused by limbs cracking under the weight.
5. Incorporate minimal seasonal décor
While most people will not be offended by seasonal décor, there’s sense in not going overboard with it: Less décor can be more elegant, doesn’t distract buyers from seeing the real features of the home, and is easier to clean up after the holidays. A tasteful evergreen wreath on the front door adds style, and a few white lights inside the home offer simple, but classic sophistication. Remember the shrubbery trimmings? Repurpose some of it as décor by arranging it in urns on the porch.
6. Keep it cozy and inviting
Vacant or not, it’s a good idea to keep the thermostat set at a comfortable heating level. Buyers aren’t likely to look around very long if the home is freezing; plus, you don’t want them wondering if there’s a problem with the heating system.
A plate of cookies and mugs of hot cider or cocoa are great incentives for buyers to stay and explore the home. Twilight comes sooner in the winter, so leverage as much natural lighting as possible by opening the curtains for daylight events. For security and curb appeal, use timers on the inside lamps. A crackling fire and candles also help to light up the home and add warmth.
Keeps scents to a minimum and stick with one; having pine, gingerbread, peppermint and vanilla scents battling each other can be overwhelming and might make visitors think you are trying to cover up bad odors.
7. Timing
You and your agent have to work around each other’s schedules, and it might be extra challenging during the holidays when weekends can be jam-packed with get-togethers. Holding an open house at a time other than a late weekend afternoon might better accommodate everyone and attract more traffic. Consider a weekday evening — perhaps catching the attention of commuters heading home. If you decide to keep your open house on the weekend, earlier in the day — when you can take advantage of natural light — is better. Try a Saturday morning and offer brunch snacks and have cartoons playing for the kids. Another idea is to hold it during a football game and give the event a tailgate party theme.



Thursday, December 8, 2016

Why Homeownership Is Smart Financial Investment in Lexington, MA

Perks of homeownership in Lexington, MA
If you are hoping to buy a Lexington home this year or next, you might have heard that mortgage rates have increased in the past couple weeks. This wek, a 30-year fixed rate rose to 4.13 percent, the highest it has been this year. As a Lexington real estate agent, I want to explain that while historically low rates might be a thing of the past, buying a Lexington home is still a smart financial decision!

Real estate experts predict that interest rates will continue to rise over the next four quarters. Therefore, the smartest time to buy in the Lexington real estate market would be now! It sounds like the sooner you buy, the more likely you’ll score a lower rate.

If you think a fixed rate around 4 percent is too high, let’s take a stroll down memory lane. In the 2000’s, 30-year fixed rates averaged 6.29 percent. In the 1990’s, rates averaged 8.12 percent. In the 1980’s, rates averaged a whopping 12.7 percent! 

So while 4 percent is slightly higher than where rates have been sitting for the past couple years, they are still much lower than what other homeowners dealt with in past decades.

Plus, a recent report from Trulia pointed out that buying a home is still cheaper than renting in 100 of the largest metro areas by an average of 37.7 percent! There are many reasons for homeownership being the smarter financial investment. Here are few:

1.  Mortgage payments are fixed. If you go with a fixed rate, you know what you’ll be paying as a monthly mortgage payment for the rest of your time as a homeowner. Average rent prices have increased 22.3 percent in the biggest 50 housing markets, and housing experts don’t predict that increase to end anytime soon! Rents will continue to go up, but mortgage payments are set in stone.

2.  Home equity is financial resource for retirement. If you pay off your home in your working years, you’ll unburden yourself with a huge expense in your retirement years. Imagine living without rent or a mortgage payment! You might even have the option of a reverse mortgage, allowing you to live off the equity of your home while living in it.

3.  A mortgage is like forced savings, with capital gains. When you rent, you throw that money away every month. You will never see it again. But with owning, you are investing in your future! Every month’s mortgage payment is like a forced savings account. Someday, you will sell your Lexington home, and most, all or more of that money will return to you! If you sell it for more than you bought it for, you don’t have to pay capital gains on that appreciation, unlike with stocks.

As you can see, there are still many reasons to buy a Lexington home. Homeownership is still the smart financial decision! Don’t let higher mortgage rates scare you away. Contact me, your Lexington real estate agent, with questions or to begin your home-buying process in the Lexington real estate market.

Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Home for the Holidays: A Lexington Tour of Seasonal Décor


Sunday, December 11th, 2016, 1–5 PM

Join us for the Lexington Field and Garden Club’s first house tour, celebrating our
diverse holiday traditions.  Peek behind the doors of six lovely Lexington homes,
each beautifully decorated for the holidays and offering a different theme.

Can you imagine putting up 26 completely different Christmas trees every year?
Curious what nativity scenes from around the world look like? Have you ever
thought of decorating to enhance your artwork?

This promises to be a magical day and a delight for the senses!

Advance tickets: $25 members ~ $30 nonmembers ~ $10 students (ages 5 - 18)
Day of tickets: $30 members ~ $35 nonmembers ~ $10 students (ages 5 -18) 
at The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, Lexington.

Will call and day-of tickets: 
Please pick up your tour map and brochure on Sunday, 12/11, starting at noon, at the Tour
Headquarters at The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, Lexington. 


Before embarking on the self guided tour, enjoy light refreshments and peruse our Holiday Boutique where a selection of decorative greens, hand-made ornaments, and small gifts made by Garden Club members will be available for purchase. 


The Tour Headquarters will be open 12-5 PM. Parking, restrooms. 

Thank you to the following businesses for generously sponsoring our inaugural house tour:
Barrett Sotheby's International Realty, Robin Gannon Interiors, The Inn at Hastings Park,
Wagon Wheel Nursery & Farmstand, William Raveis, Wilson Farm.
For more information please visit the website



Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Events this Weekend in Lexington

The holidays are upon us. Below are just a few of the things happening this upcoming weekend around Lexington MA.




First Friday Forums hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lexington

Friday, December 2
9:30am-11:30am
Cary Memorial Library, Large Meeting Room, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue
Topic: Buffer Zones - a Tool to Address Lexington's Growing Enrollment 

With enrollment rising by 690 students since 2008, Lexington’s current rate of student growth will require flexibility to adequately meet the urgent space capacity and operational demands of the school district. One approach to help address growing school enrollment has been the development of a NEW buffer zone policy by the Lexington School Committee. Although this is a new concept for Lexington, buffer zones are a tool successfully used in neighboring communities to help balance enrollment across schools while maintaining educational equity. This change would potentially affect the school assignment of students NEW to Lexington while taking into account existing building capacity. No students currently enrolled would be affected.
Join us for a panel discussion including School Committee members Judy Crocker, Eileen Jay; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Director of Planning and Assessment, Maureen Kavanaugh and Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Sandra Trach, to discuss the development of a NEW buffer zone policy by the Lexington School Committee.
Contact: Jeanne Canale   781-863-1733   lwvlexington@gmail.com

Lexington Arts and Crafts Society Holiday Marketplace

First Friday, December 2: 10 am to 9:00 pm
December 3 – 23:  Mon.- Sat.  10 am - 6 pm    Sundays: 12 pm - 6 pm
Final Day:  December 24: 10 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 130 Waltham Street, Lexington

A great place to do all your holiday shopping!  For all those on your gift lists: Thousands of excellent, one-of-a-kind gifts: Baskets, Fine Jewelry, Paintings, cards and prints, Polymer Clay/Beading, Decorative Arts, Needle Arts, Weaving, Ceramics, Ornaments, Photography, Woodworks and Gift Certificates
Admission and Parking are free.
For more information and directions please call:  781 862 9696 or visit www.LACSma.org or select our Facebook page: Lexington Arts and Crafts Society
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1935.

Lexington Symphony Presents Holiday POPS!

Friday, December 2
4:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Cary Hall, 1605 Mass Avenue

Celebrate the sounds of the season with the Lexington Symphony and the New England Tenors!
Affordable Fun for the Whole Family
Two Shows Only: 4:00p.m. and 7:30p.m.
Ticket Prices range from $8-$40
To purchase tickets, visit: www.lexingtonsymphony.org.  For group sales or questions please call: 781-523-9009.  **Group discounts are available

Holiday Shopping and Open House
Friday, December 2
5:00pm-8:00pm

Still have items on that list? Lexington's merchants and restaurants have just the thing to reduce your stress. Our doors are open for evening shopping and dining. We're rolling out the red carpet with snacks and treats and special offers.
Get in the holiday mood:  Enjoy music by the Boston Skyline Chorus, performing at Crafty Yankee from 6:30 - 8:30, or Check out the Boy Scouts' wreath sale at Cambridge Trust Company.
Visit your favorite stores and take a moment to discover new ones.

Waldorf School of Lexington Holiday Fair
Saturday, December 3
8:00am-3:00pm
Location: 739 Massachusetts Ave

Waldorf School of Lexington will hold its 46th annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, December 3, from 9:00–3:00 p.m. at 739 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. Admission will be free for the first time this year.
Come enjoy marionette shows, craft activities, a home cooked lunch, delicious treats, the famous Waldorf Boutique, and more. Dozens of local artisans will be selling unique hand-made items for holiday gift shopping, and our own Homespun store will be open, featuring beautiful toys, games, books, and gifts. Take part in the holiday spirit at this delightful and magical event.
For more information, please visit our website:

Holiday at Buckman
Saturday, December 3
10:30am-4:00pm

See historic Buckman Tavern decorated for the holidays, shop for holidays gifts, and enjoy music, light refreshment, and a scavenger hunt for children.  Special events scheduled every day (more details forthcoming at www.lexingtonhistory.org/tickets--schedule). Holidays at Buckman is FREE for Society members; $5 entrance fee for nonmembers.

Holiday Antique, Vintage and Decorative Arts Show
Sunday, December 4
10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Minuteman High School

All gate proceeds benefit the Lexington Historical Society through the generosity of organizer Marvin Getman. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. 





Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Let the Holiday Begin with Shop Lexington



Holiday Lighting with Santa
November 25 at 6:00pm
Come watch as Santa rides a fire truck into Depot Square to turn on Lexington Center's holiday lights

Singing and refreshments in Emery Park
Santa arrives at 6:30pm

Small Business Saturday
Shop Local - Dine Local
Saturday Nov. 26
Shop Local and keep your dollars in our community. Avoid the malls and see what great variety you'll find in our stores.

Holiday Open House
Friday, December 2
Still have items on that list? Lexington's merchants and restaurants have just the thing to reduce your stress. Our doors are open for evening shopping. We're rolling out the red carpet with snacks and treats and special offers. Local singers and musicians, on the streets and in our businesses, will put you in the holiday mood. Visit your favorite stores and take a moment to discover new ones.
Roving performers include - Lexington Pops Chorus, Lexington Christian Academy, Yamaha Music School and SNAP
In house performers - Lexington Chamber Music Center at DCU, Lexington High Jazz Combo a Eagle Bank, Sorry Honeys at Cambridge Trust Co

Gals and Pals Night Out
Monday, December 7
Whether you are ready to finish your shopping, just beginning or looking for a night to escape the frenzy of the season, this is the night to Shop Lexington. Check out the great promotions and the holiday cheer being offered. There's great dining for the perfect shopping break, and special offers left and right.  







Wednesday, November 16, 2016

6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Lexington Home Look Expensive

Want your Lexington home to look like those home design website images you drool over? Of course you do! Problem is, your budget may not match your design aspirations. Fear not! Making your home look high-end isn’t always about spending tons of cash.

It’s a matter of taking the time and care to arrange things in an eye-pleasing way—and making small, inexpensive updates that have a big impact. In other words, it’s about being sneaky.

Here are a few tricks to pull if you want to add the illusion of luxury.

1. Declutter
Walk through each room of your home and edit items. Make some tough decisions. Sure, you love your grandma’s vintage Chinese vase, but does it really jibe with your West Elm look? It might be time to store it or let it live in another room with similar family heirlooms.
Next step: Tackle any stuff that piles up—toys (if you have kids), shoes by the door, mail on the dining table. At the very least, find places for your stuff to live in a more organized way; an upgraded closet with beautifully sorted nooks and crannies looks luxurious.

2. Eliminate grunge
You may not have time for intensive cleaning on a weekly basis, but a once- or twice-yearly deep clean is an easy way to make your home look far more luxurious.
Go through your home and search for overlooked areas that have become dirty and downright gross. You’ll want to pay special attention to the grouting, says designer Young Huh. The process is simple and inexpensive.
Try steam cleaning wood floors for an immediate lift to the finish.

3. Add—or rearrange—lighting
Designers use lighting to define spaces and separate rooms, making a small space grand.
Think of where you might have a reading nook, sofas and chairs for company, and a television. Visually differentiate among the areas by using different kinds of lighting: Add a table lamp beside your cozy reading chair and sconces behind your couch for conversation. Consider a dimmer for overhead lights.
Bonus cheapskate tip: Use warm-colored lightbulbs, Huh says. Cool tones are a “sure-fire way to make your home look down-market,” she says. Daylight bulbs work best for reading nooks.

4. Upgrade your hardware
Tired of your brushed-steel drawer pulls? Try gold, bronze, or even crystal—or make an adventure of it and scour your local thrift store for vintage hardware that screams your style.
It’s not hard to find attractive options in any decor style for next to nothing (a drawer pull, for instance, might start at just $3 or less). For hard-to-find designs, search etsy.
Changing the countertop and faucets is another change that can make your home look much pricier, Huh says. If you have the budget, exchange your dated sink accessories for something fresh that matches your brand-new hardware.

5. Repaint
There’s no simpler way to make an old home feel new than painting.
You can’t go wrong with classy neutrals. Minimalists might love a bright white combined with a bold accent wall; DIY decorators might enjoy a tasteful, sandy tan tone, which pairs well with any number of woods.
Paint isn’t just for your walls: Add some color to your front door, window trims, or even the floor, if you’re brave (hardwood can look amazing when painted white).

6. Focus on the decor details
Does your home feel a little meh—and you’re not sure how to change it? Try vignettes—combine decor items (e.g., vases, frames, and objects) that add visual interest to an otherwise bland area—perhaps a shelf or console table.
Organize your vignette around a theme so that the decor items are unified and tell a visual story. Go around your house and cull items you love that need a new home (see tip No. 1 on decluttering).
Another way to go: Grouping together multiples of the same objects (e.g., glass vases in the same color) is an instant update. Decorators often use odd numbers because they are said to be more appealing.


With these simple tips, you can make your Lexington Home even more appealing!



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Family Feud! Lexington Community Center



WHEN: Friday, November 18 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

WHERE: : 39 Marrett Road Lexington, MA 02421 CC Dining Room 139

HOW MUCH: Fee: $10/Family      Ages: All

Has your family always wanted to participate in Family Feud? Well, now you can! Sign up at the Community Center with a team of 3-6 and be speedy with the buzzer and a quick thinker! Entrance fee covers prizes for the night.

”Walk-ins” are welcome, but pre-registration is required to be guaranteed participation in this event.
Sign up at the front desk of the Community Center or online!

Make sure to like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/lexreccommunitycenter/



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

How to Pick Countertops for Your Lexington Kitchen

Choose countertops that will work in your Lexington kitchen.
If you are thinking about upgrading your Lexington home's kitchen, you probably know that you have lots of options as far as which kitchen materials to use, and therefore you’ve got many decisions to make. As your Lexington real estate agent, I’d like to help you out with one of those decisions today, and that is which countertop material to use!

Kitchen upgrades can often increase the value of your Lexington home, if done correctly. This is a smart renovation to make if selling your Lexington home in the near future!

HouseLogic shared a detailed analysis of the most common countertop materials on the market, and the pros and cons of each. Here is a quick summary:
  • Quartz – Quartz combines natural materials with manmade materials to create the most durable countertop option! It’s almost indestructible and doesn’t require sealing. Cons: It’s more expensive and less heat-resistant than other options.
  • Granite – Granite is still considered the most popular choice among homeowners. It’s attractive and tough, resisting cracks, chips, heat and stains well. Cons: It’s not indestructible. It can chip, it must be sealed regularly, and it’s unpredictable design-wise.
  • Crushed Glass – This is a newer option, and it is stunning and durable. The glass is recycled, therefore an eco-friendly option. It doesn’t chip, scratch, stain or burn. There is no sealing involved, and it doesn’t fade over time. Cons: the corners could crack from weight, and acidic foods could eat away at acrylic.
  • Laminate – Laminate is still a popular option for its inexpensive price tag and its infinite colors and patterns to choose from. It doesn’t need special sealers or cleaners, it’s stain-resistant and it can mimic the look of any other material. Cons: It can crack, scratch and scorch, and it’s difficult to repair.
  • Tile – Tile is versatile, as you can make it look crafty or contemporary. It’s tough and easy to clean. It resists cuts, stains and heat. It’s easy to replace if cracked. Cons: It can easily crack, it’s an uneven surface that can cause accidents, and grout lines can collect dust and grime. Sealing is necessary.
  • Solid-Surfacing/Corian – This is made from acrylic, polyester resins, marble dust and more. It comes in many varieties, it’s nonporous and doesn’t need any special treatment. Scratches can be easily sanded. It can match the backsplash or sink bow seamlessly. Cons: It’s pricey, it scratches and burns easily, and it’s not eco-friendly.
For more details, along with price per square footage for each option, check out this HouseLogic article.

As you can see, there are many options! Feel free to call me, your Lexington real estate agent, to see what local buyers find most appealing. When ready to sell your Lexington home, or when ready to buy a Lexington home, contact me! I am here and ready to help you.

Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

21st Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run


The Genesis Battlegreen Run will be celebrating 21 years on Sunday, November 6, 2016 in Lexington, MA! Since its inception in 1996, the Genesis Battlegreen Run has been established as one of the most popular road race events in New England. This race event is unlike any other racing event from start to finish. Rene Rancourt, voice of the Boston Bruins, sends the runners along their way with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by musket fire, courtesy of the Lexington Minutemen. Another signature component of the racing event is the post-race buffet, which includes a variety of food options generously donated by many local restaurants and food vendors.
This event, which has become a Lexington tradition, offers a beautiful course that will challenge runners and walkers alike. After the race, join participants, friends and family for entertainment and a taste of our local food fair!
REGISTER ONLINE                   REGISTER BY MAIL                    MAKE A DONATION

When:
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Where:
Lexington High School, 251 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Race Details:
Registration begins at 9:30 am and the day includes 4 events :
• Boston Volvo Family Fun Run – 11:15 am (free of charge)
• Memorial Cancer 5k Walk – 12:00 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
• Ralph Lord Memorial 5k Run –12:15 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
• Genesis Battlegreen 10k Run – 12:15 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
**T-shirts are available to registered participants for $5 and must be purchased at time of entry! Any additional t-shirts we have leftover will be sold on race day for $10. **
Why:
Proceeds from the 21st Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run help fund Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Mass General Hospital, the Pauline Briggs Scholarship Fund, the Genesis Community Fund, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA MASS), Esperanza- Hope for the Children, the Lighthouse Animal ShelterSpecial Needs Art Programs, Inc. (SNAP),  the Bedford VA Research Corporation (BRCI) and the New England Innocence ProjectRunning for Innocence.


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

How to Choose Your Lexington Listing Agent

Hiring a Lexington listing agent is crucial to your entire experience as a home seller. The person you choose will be involved in preparing your home for sale, establishing a listing price, marketing your property and negotiating the transaction.

While you might be tempted to hire a friend who has a real estate license or your co-worker’s sister, remember that the person you enjoy meeting for drinks isn’t always the best REALTOR® to represent your interests. That friend could turn out to be the right agent for you, but before you choose him or her, take the time to get recommendations for several agents and interview them.
You’ll be paying a significant commission to this person (often 6% of the sales price of your home), spending time with them, and relying on their advice to sell your home for the best possible price and as quickly as possible given market conditions.


What to Look for in an Agent
Many sellers are tempted to choose the REALTOR® who suggests the highest list price for their property and who gives their home the most compliments, but you’re better served by a realistic REALTOR®.

You need to find a REALTOR® with whom you can communicate easily, someone who knows your neighborhood well and has a good marketing plan to reach buyers who are not only interested in your home but are also qualified to buy it. Most REALTORS® have experience looking at homes and can offer advice about the condition of your home and ways to improve its appeal without overspending
When you talk to neighbors and friends about their recommendations for a REALTOR®, ask them how easy it was to reach the agent when they had questions, and how much support and advice the agent gave them throughout the sales process.

Questions to Ask During the Interview
A REALTOR® typically has a listing presentation she provides for sellers—often in the sellers’ home so that she can get a look at the property and its condition. Some of your questions may be answered during the presentation, but if not, you may want to ask the following:
  • Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors? REALTORS® must abide by the NAR’s code of ethics. In addition, each state’s real estate license requires continuing education for agents.
  • How many sales did you complete last year?
  • In what price range do you sell most of your homes?
  • What was the average difference between sales price and list price? While this depends on your local market conditions, a REALTOR® who often sells homes well below list price may not be advising sellers to price their homes correctly or may be inadequately marketing homes.
  • What is your marketing plan for my home? How many websites will include information about my home? Where will you look for buyers?
  • Do you have advice for me about the condition of my home? Do you have expertise as a home stager or do you recommend that I hire a professional stager?
  • Can you recommend contractors and moving companies?
  • How often should I expect to hear from you when my home is on the market?
  • Will you provide me with regular feedback and updates about potential buyers?

Pricing Advice
The most important conversation you will have with your Lexington agent is about the price of your home. The REALTOR® you choose should present you with a comprehensive market analysis that compares similar homes that are on the market, have sold recently and have been taken off the market.

You are paying for your REALTOR®’s knowledge and expertise, so listen carefully to the advice you receive and choose your agent thoughtfully.