Real Estate Done

12/29/2022

Make a lasting impression: First impressions mean everything to potential home buyers.

With buyers hesitating it is IMPORTANT to make a great FIRST IMPRESSION!

In many, the decision to consider the purchase is initially based on a home's curb appeal. Some say that only takes 8-seconds! Here are a few simple and inexpensive ways that can be done to shape up a home's exterior.

Seven Easy Tips for Improving A Home's Curb Appeal
*Tidy-up: Rake the leaves, sweep the walkways and clear up the front steps.
*Do Some Gardening: Plant seasonal flowers to brighten the landscape.
*Fix the Yard: Mow the lawn, trim the edges off shrubs and sidewalks.
*Declutter: Remove unnecessary items from the front of the house and store garbage cans and gardening supplies neatly in the garage.
*Freshen-Up: Clean windows, paint the front door, replace worn doormats and screens.
*Make Sure It Works: Replace broken doorbells, outdoor lighting, and wobbly rails.
*It's Showtime: Take a quick look around before the start of showings or the OPEN HOUSE.

Selling in this market takes more than curb appeal. Call fcr my Marketability and Sale-ability Study on your property.

12/26/2022

Planning a Future for Loved Ones with Special Needs

For anyone caring for a person – a grandchild, child, aunt, uncle, or another relative – with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), a gnawing question is: "What happens to my loved one when I'm gone?"

A recent NPR story (https://n.pr/3AUr4sF) explored some challenges and the importance of planning a future for someone with I/DD.

It's a formidable task because you must consider and address every aspect of a person's life.

If you're the caretaker of someone with I/DD, one starting point for developing a long-term care plan is the Arc's tool (https://bit.ly/3XCzPBH), Build Your Plan®.

It takes you through the step-by-step, asking you to consider everything from housing and finances to a person's daily living issues, employment, and social connections.

The Arc, an advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has 600 chapters across the country.

The plan should consider everything about a person's life, including:

Daily routines, needs, and support
Finances, including the family's assets, income, trusts, and insurance policies, as well as public benefits
Medical history
Education history
Details about employment, leisure activities, religious beliefs, behaviors, interests, friendships, and important relationships

If you're concerned about where your loved one will live, the Build Your Plan® housing tool can point you in the right direction.

It asks you to create a wish list for a future home and to identify potential hurdles. The process includes determining whether independent living, a group home, or apartment life with a roommate is appropriate and identifying who can act as a person's housing advocate.

It also encourages you to consider some key questions, including:

Where does your relative want to live in the future? What support will they need to live in that setting?
Is your person enrolled in or eligible for public services or benefits?
Will current assets and future financial gifts, such as an inheritance, jeopardize your loved one's public benefits?
How can your relative maintain social connections and build new ones in the community?

In addition, you can find tips on choosing lawyers who can advise you on the legal issues.

Once you've worked through the entire tool, you walk away with the to-dos you need to work on and a view of the future.

Though the process is complex and daunting, others have successfully navigated the difficult questions and have shared their experiences through videos (https://bit.ly/3FdWZqU).

12/21/2022

”Almost 31 years ago, I was admitted to Shriners Hospital and I remember how much I loved the teddy bear they gave me to take home," says REALTOR® Matt McLaughlin. To share that joy with current patients, Matt raised more than $1,200 and collected 200 stuffed animals to donate to children at Shriners Hospital.



Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts

Massachusetts Association of Realtors

12/21/2022

How Exhausted Caregivers Can Regain Their Momentum
Most caregivers start with noble intentions, enthusiasm, and vigor, but long-term caregiving can wear people down psychologically. Many wind up mechanically completing tasks and losing touch with the essence of caregiving – helping someone they love. Prioritizing connection over tasks is one way emotionally depleted caregivers can replenish themselves and rekindle their enthusiasm. For instance, focus only on crucial to-dos and spend time with a loved one talking and reminiscing. In the long run, it won't be completing tasks that caregivers remember over time but the small moments of conversation and connection with their loved one.

Thank you, Barry J. Jacobs with AARP for this insightful article.

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2021/caregiving-emotional-connection.html?_cldee=yuLSMW3O-BF0IENbCM6Ksx7NS16B65eIFFHGw3SEMGuxNK54q4nV2ZBBck9vyY9t4GIlzekUaT7PGiIpzC2EhQ&recipientid=contact-558a6bd368824216a5da42910e4e72f0-64b397ebba59400686c4649045570c5d&esid=5e90ce83-0f77-ed11-9c6f-00155d234439

12/20/2022

Existing Home Sales - December 2022
Existing home sales continue to decline but we are still firmly in a seller’s market. If you have been thinking about selling and have questions about where the market is heading in our area, message me!

12/13/2022

Days on Market-December 2022
Days on market has ticked up from the historical low of 14 days to 21 days and the number of competing offers has fallen from 5.5 offers per listing in April to 2.4. Message me if you’re ready to make a move!

12/07/2022

Despite a slowdown in sales, inventory remains historically low. If you are qualified to buy, you may want to act while prices are stabilizing—and before mortgage rates go any higher! Message me to learn about the buying opportunities in our area.

12/05/2022

Median Sales Price - December 2022
Prices dropped slight again as rising mortgage rates continue to impact affordability—but not by much! And year over year, appreciation is at 6.6, higher than the average of 4 percent. Prices may start to depreciate next year. If you are thinking about selling to maximize your net profit, message me for a free local market analysis to see how much your property is worth today!

12/05/2022

You may not feel like a senior. There is a wide variety of housing options, known as senior housing, available for adults 50+ years in age. There is a broad spectrum of choices, from active living communities to those providing full and continuous care. As your SRES®, I am available to help you navigate these senior housing options as you age, paying great attention to cost, location, services, amenities, activities, and current and future care needs. How may I help you?

11/30/2022

Looking for ways to transform a home's dated exterior? What do you plan to refresh? Which one do you like best?

Find more ways to spruce up a property’s curb appeal besides painting the front door or adding landscaping.

11/30/2022

With my SRES® designation I guide homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50 through a professionally sound, successful real estate transaction. I am able to provide this expert service by utilizing the invaluable knowledge acquired during the SRES® course and experience gained while actively participating in the real estate market. I continually strive to become a prudent real estate professional, treating others as I would wish to be treated.