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.
Mar
31
2011
The real estate headlines from the Boston Globe this week screamed, “State’s home sales worst in 20 years”. So, what to do? Run for the hills? Keep renting because you feel a home’s a bad investment?
Maybe not.
If you read the article, you’ll see that home prices today are 4% higher than their bottom in 2009. Also, that the winter weather put a damper on sales in February.
According to Reuters, in a letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders on February 26, billionaire investor Warren Buffett had this to say about the housing recovery. “A housing recovery will probably begin within a year or so,” he noted, which has led Berkshire to ramp up spending and acquisitions at its housing-related businesses.
See more of what Warren Buffett had to say about the housing market in this article from Short Sale Daily News.
Warren Buffett famously said, ” A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”
Well said, Mr. Buffett, well said.
Mar
30
2011
It’s Spring and house listings are sprouting up like, well…. crocuses. Will the buyers follow?
The traditional home buying season or “Spring Market” is during the months of March, April, and May.
It’s the best time of year to have your home on the market. Low interest rates, low prices, and good inventory make it a good time for buyers too.
Spring is a time for new beginnings. Like every spring before it, this one will have lots of home sellers and buyers looking to make a change.
It’s been a long winter. Time to go house-hunting!
Mar
28
2011
Ever noticed how children typically draw pictures of houses? Usually the sun is shining. The people in the picture are smiling. One can’t help but brighten, looking at these drawings.
Maybe we could learn something from these pictures. Notice, there are no big dollar signs hanging over the house. Family or pets are often in the drawings. Everyone looks happy.
We should try looking at houses through a child’s eyes. Not as an investment, but as a safe and comfortable haven for ourselves and our families.
I can’t think of any better reason to own one.
Search 1000's of Homes
Facebook Like Box
Around the North Shore
www.flickr.com 
RealtorTinaMcManus' Around The North Shore photoset Follow This Blog
Housing Trend Newsletter
Median Home Prices: Beverly
Home Search
