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

Thursday, December 23, 2010

December/January Events and Activities

Once everyone finishes last minute holiday shopping, wrapping, and baking, and spends some time with family and friends, it will be time to start the new year stress-free! A few local ideas...

 For parents who need a break (or who are out of vacation time), the Metrowest YMCA in Framingham and Hopkinton  is offering several vacation camp programs for children from preschool through 8th grade from 12/27-12/31. www.metrowestymca.org

The Natick library will present an animal show called Wild About Winter where kids ages 5 and up will get to meet real animals and learn what they do during the winter. The event will take place on 12/28 from 11-12.

The Natick Parks and Recreation programs for children (classes include dance, art, and more) and adults (fitness, sports, and first aid) begin the first week of January. A December vacation program is also offered. Registration is available online or by walk-in now.

Blue Hills ski area in Canton is open for the season and is a great place for kids and beginning skiers to practice.

Discovery Museums in Acton will be running several special events during vacation week including Duplos, party hat making, and a kids' New Year's dance party.

Natick Christmas tree pickup will be on your regular trash day during the first two weeks of January.

And as far as that last minute shopping (I still miss Barber Bros!), two favorite stores for kids are the new Little Bits toy store in Natick center (free wrapping!) and the Rugged Bear in Wellesley (great kids clothing), and for adults, the Paper Source in Wellesley has lots of great options.

As always, if there is anything anyone would like to add, please post your favorite events or winter activities. Happy holidays!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Metrowest Market Update

With many potential buyers trying to determine whether the housing market has bottomed out, many signs are suggesting that prices in Massachusetts, especially in the Metrowest area, have stabilized, and could be showing the beginning of a recovery.

Natick
There are currently 72 active single family homes on the market in Natick. The average list price is $654,000. 41 homes are under agreement, and 126 have sold in the last six months for an average of $481,000.

Last month, 16 homes sold for an average of $454,000, compared to November 2009 when 15 homes sold, also for the average of $454,000.

Wellesley
In Wellesley, there are 113 active single family listings, with an average asking price of $1,929,000. There are 36 under agreement. In the last six months, 163 homes have sold for an average of $1,056,000.

Last month, 21 homes sold for an average of $1,068,000, an increase of 8 percent from November of last year.

Nationally, foreclosures are at a two year low. In the Northeast, median single family home prices rose 2.5 percent from last year during the third quarter of 2010. Mortgage rates are also beginning to increase, largely as a result of the tax cut.

All of this could mean that for buyers looking to buy at the bottom of the market and get a mortgage rate well under 5%, time could be running out. For those considering selling their home, and wondering whether they should wait for prices to recover more, it is important to consider the potential increase in cost of their new home as well. Many sellers will think about holding off until the spring, and while the market looks promising, there is the benefit of less competition, and though fewer, often more serious buyers, during the winter months.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Metrowest Kid Friendly Holiday Events

This is in Millis and it's an amazing display to see and you don't even need to get out of the car - great for adults and kids of all ages, and a really fun way to start the season! http://www.milliswonderland.com/

December 12th: The Center for the Arts in Natick presents Mr Punch's Christmas Carol. http://natickarts.org/tcan_artistdetail.php?artist_id=1552&event_id=1552

December 12th: The Wellesley Symphony Holiday Pops. http://www.wellesleysymphony.org/

December 19th: Miss Michelle's Center for the Performing Arts in Wellesley presents their annual Nutcracker Ballet. http://www.missmichellesdancearts.com/