Tory Keith Real Estate

More information and property searches:
www.torykeithrealestate.com

Andrew Mitchell & Co
33 Bradford St
Concord MA 01742

508-318-8659
tory@torykeithrealestate.com

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sactionals - modular furniture review

Sactionals furniture, made by Love Sac, is appealing to people who may plan to move because it can be reconfigured and disassembled to load in and out of a regular car or suv. It comes in sections of bases and sides which can be attached in almost any configuration, and covers are purchased separately so the upholstery on each piece can be customized. They also promise that the covers are removable and machine washable.

We bought a setup of 3 bases and 4 sides for our living room. The customer service at the store was excellent and they loaded it into our cars for us and off we went. Unpackaging the furniture and assembling it, however, was not so easy. There are youtube videos of people setting this stuff up like it's the easiest thing in the world to take it apart and rearrange it any time. Not the case. The covers are nearly impossible to put on, the little clamps that hold pieces together are also close to impossible to connect to both pieces. To assemble what amounts to a chair and loveseat took five hours.

So needless to say, we won't be redecorating and rearranging the furniture every day, and will probably avoid pulling the covers off to put in the wash if at all possible. However, it is nice to know that if we move or need to change things around we don't have to buy new furniture, and they are very very solid and probably the most comfortable pieces of furniture I've ever sat on.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Real Estate App

This app allows you to easily search and save listings on your iphone, Blackberry, or Android. It has a map feature to locate properties closest to your location and provides detailed information including pictures, sold properties, and more. Search by address, price range, number of bedrooms, etc.

Just click the link below and enter your phone number to receive a text to install the app:
http://mobile.smarteragent.com/remax/edhughes/

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Natick and Wellesley Upcoming Events

The Natick Drama Workshop will present Enchanted Sleeping Beauty this weekend, November 19-21.
http://www.natickdramaworkshop.org/

The Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival will take place at Wellesley Middle School this Saturday featuring and is a great way to get a head start on holiday shopping. http://www.whjwc.org/content/marketplace.asp

Broadmoor Sanctuary will be hosting a session on Animal Footprints and Signs for families and kids of all ages on Saturday. http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broadmoor/index.php

The American Girl store at the Natick Collection is presenting Boston Ballet at American Girl featuring the Nutcracker story and a dance demonstration on Saturday at 10:30. http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_bos.php

There will be a Willow Flute Ensemble concert at the Wellesley Library on Sunday. http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/home/

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Natick Leaf Pickup

Time to get out the rakes and leafblowers if you haven't already! Natick residents will have one day of curbside yard waste pickup this fall, starting this Tuesday.

Tuesday trash pickup will have leaf collection on Monday, Nov. 16
Wednesday trash pickup will have leaf collection on Monday, Nov. 23
Thursday trash pickup will have leaf collection on Monday, Nov. 30
Friday trash pickup will have leaf collection on Monday, Dec. 7

The yard waste  must be in paper bags or in trash barrels marked "Yard Waste."

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Metrowest Kids

If you have kids and are new to the area or are just looking for things to do, here are some great indoor activities in the metrowest area:

The Natick library has some excellent programs like story hours, crafts, and music for babies through older school age children:
http://www.morseinstitute.org/natick/childrensevents.asp

The Wellesley library also offers many childrens' activities:
http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/childrens/index.html

 Destination Maternity in Natick offers free yoga and sign language class in its learning studio for expecting moms and babies:
http://www.destinationmaternity.com/maternitystorelocator.asp

The Natick Collection has an indoor play area and also hosts a family event every Tuesday morning at 10, mostly geared for preschool age kids:
http://www.natickcollection.com/events/family-fun-day-fall-2010-schedule

The Metrowest YMCA in Framingham offers a wide range of classes, activities, and events for kids of all ages. See their latest program guide for more information:
www.metrowestymca.org

Whimsy on route 9 in Framingham has a variety of crafts which can be done on a drop in basis and also does birthday parties:
http://www.whimsyartsandcrafts.com/

Gym Fit in Natick provides gymnastics classes as well as open gym times:
http://www.gymfit.us/

The Natick Early Childhood Network has many resources for families including open play times, playgroups and other activities:
http://www.natickearlychildhood.org/

If there are great places for kids that you don't see on this list, please comment and add them!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

5 Tips For Massachusetts Sellers this Season

There's no doubt that selling a home during the winter months can present some unique challenges - but with some preparation, it can be sold efficiently and smoothly. The following are 5 key tips to get your home sold:

1) De-clutter! When we begin spending more time indoors, our stuff seems to pile up. Don't let it. Pay extra attention to main living areas and clear out as much as you can to make your space appear larger and cleaner. Use attic space if you have it, or if you have to, it can pay to rent a storage unit while your home is on the market.

2) Don't forget outside areas. No, you don't need to spray paint to lawn green and stick plastic tulips in the flowerbeds (please don't). Pay special attention to entries and decks, making sure they are clear from snow and ice, look neat and inviting, and are well-lit. If you have holiday decorations up, use them to your advantage! Just be sure they are tasteful and neutral so buyers can picture themselves living there.

3) Maximize light. When days are shorter and darker, it's even more important to do what you can to make your home look bright. During the day, open the curtains, and at night see if there are parts of the house that could benefit form some extra accent lighting - then remember to use it!

4) Make it cozy (and not the cozy in real estate ads that means small). Crank up the thermostat, light a candle or two, and make sure the house smells more like fresh baked bread than musty sweaters. Of course, at an open house a good real estate agent will help  take care of all of this.

5) Most importantly, price it right. Your agent should prepare a market analysis to show you what similar homes in the area are selling it for. Then, price your home competitively right when you list it instead of aiming too high and then having to lower your price while buyers lose interest and move onto other properties.

If you are selling your home, or are wondering what it's worth, contact me for a free competitive market analysis.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Metrowest Real Estate: Natick and Wellesley Market Report

Metrowest Real Estate: Natick and Wellesley Market Report: "Natick There are currently 96 active single family homes on the market in Natick with an average list price of $625,000. In the last six ..."

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Natick and Wellesley Market Report

Natick

There are currently 96 active single family homes on the market in Natick with an average list price of $625,000.

In the last six months, 154 homes sold for an average of $490,000 and were on the market for an average of 60 days.

Wellesley

There are currently 160 active single family homes on the market in Wellesley with an average list price of $1,792,000.

In the last six months, 189 homes sold for an average of $1,086,000 and were on the market for an average of 106 days.

With interest rates of around 4% on a 30 year fixed rate mortgages, it is an excellent time to buy!