Mar
1
2012
Time to set your clocks ahead on March 11. Hooray! Spring is coming. Can you feel it?
Feb
28
2012
In a recent interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Warren Buffett said that single-family homes are a very attractive investment right now and he’d buy “a couple hundred thousand” single family homes if it were practical to do so.
In October of 2011, the Boston Globe noted that “generally, about ten percent of real estate transactions are paid with cash. This year, the average in Massachusetts for the first three quarters is forty percent.” Apparently, investors are betting that home prices will recover in the future.
Interest rates have started to tick up.
Federal regulators are proposing a 20% down payment to get the best home mortgages.
If you’ve been wanting to buy, but have been sitting on the fence; you may want to re-think that strategy.
Feb
25
2012
On a recent walk around my neighborhood, I saw chickens pecking around the front yard of a small subu
rban ranch house. Apparently, it’s not too unusual to keep chickens in suburbia these days; as many people told me about chickens being kept in their neighborhoods. I think it’s kind of a neat trend – I suppose unless there’s a noisy rooster under your window. One chicken gave my the “evil eye” and I swear I could see the resemblance to a dinosaur. Frightening! Later on in my walk, another neighbor had a flock of wild Turkeys in his yard. This is a band that circles through the neighborhood periodically. While I was photographing them, one of the males starting purposefully striding my way – forcing me to run back a ways. A “fowl” day indeed.
Dec
17
2011
With the holidays in full swing; it’s hard to remember to stop, slow down, and enjoy the season. Each town on the North Shore has its own distinct “look”, but each one is lovely in its own right. Take a shopping expedition to some of our North Shore “Main Streets”. I’m certain you’ll find something to delight! View the decorations, enjoy the slower pace, find a unique gift; it’s all there for you to discover. I’m guessing you won’t have this much fun at the mall.
Happy hunting!
Sep
17
2011
Stopped at one of our favorite farm stands, Canaan Farms in Wenham, to pick up some veggies for supper.
Sep
15
2011
Back in June of 2010, I wrote that the new oil tank line upgrade required in Massachusetts had been extended from July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011. Well…that means you have until the end of this month to get in compliance. Although it applies to all homes in Massachusetts, it’s particularly urgent if you are selling your home and are closing anytime after that date.
If you need more information, this site will give you all you need to know:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/laws/hhsl.htm
Aug
11
2011
Last week I had appointments to show three condos with my client during the evening. We arrived at the first building, where the showing instructions said, “first lock box on the fence”. I went to the first lock box I saw on the fence and tried the combination. Didn’t budge. There was an ominous rumble of thunder. Tried over and over. Left a message in an annoyed tone of voice for the agent. Nothing. I heard my client yell, “I found another lock box over here.” Of course, that was the right one. Onto the second property. While waiting for the listing agent to arrive, the sky turned blacker and the rumbling of thunder grew louder. The rain started falling and we ran to our cars and waited there. Thankfully, we both had umbrellas. The rain was coming down in buckets now and we got a little wet going in and out of the house. We arrived at the third house and by now it was a downpour. Worse, the house was halfway down a hill and there was by now a small river running down the hill in front of it. I took a breath and stepped into the water. Immediately, I was soaked up to mid-calf. Now, I went around the side of the house, per showing instructions, and attempted to open the lock box on the fence. Because of the awkward position, I was forced to put down my umbrella. I tried and tried and tried to open the darn thing, but it wouldn’t budge. Finally, I gave up and met my client – also soaked – on the porch and tried to call the agent. No success. Admitting defeat, we waded back to our cars and I headed home.
Cold, wet, tired; I couldn’t wait to get home. However, as I drove over the bridge from Salem to Beverly, I looked across and there was a beautiful rainbow. At the end of the bridge, I turned into the parking lot on the waterfront, took pictures and just generally enjoyed the view. I laughed a little about my misadventure.
Feeling happy, I drove home to show houses another day.
Aug
9
2011
I read in the paper today that Buffy the Buffalo died last month. She (I found that out from the article) had been in residence at Tendercrop Farm in Newbury for the past seventeen years. Whenever I stopped by Tendercrop to pick up produce, I always stopped by Buffy’s pen. Where else on the North Shore could one get a chance to see a Buffalo?
I took these pictures last Fall and Buffy seemed as feisty as ever.
She’ll be missed – by me, and a few others I suspect.
Apr
27
2011
OK. Here is one of my pet peeves. If you want a manicured, well-behaved plant for a tight space, DON’T plant one whose habit is sprawling, arching
branches. In my travels in the past week, I’ve seen more forsythias, and even a star magnolia, trimmed into shapes that can only be described as lollipop-like.
Pul…eeeeze!
If that’s your desire, plant privet or boxwood and trim to your heart’s delight.
It’s like putting an artist into a business suit.
OK. ‘Nuf said. I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Happy planting!
Apr
2
2011
We’re very lucky on the North Shore to have a great number of nature preserves and sanctuaries to wander about. Organizations such as Trustees of Reservations, Essex County Greenbelt, and Massachusetts Audubon are dedicated to acquiring and maintaining large parcels of land for plants, animals, and human use.
One of my favorite places is Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, MA. I was there last week; and though I didn’t see much wildlife this time, I was able to hand feed some very hungry chickadees and a nuthatch. The very helpful woman in the office told me that someone saw a family of otters recently. Other residents of the sanctuary include fishers, beaver, deer, and a plethora of bird species – including blue birds which nest in the boxes provided for them.
Now that spring is here, I look forward to returning there often.
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