Have you heard it?  The clock is ticking!                                         Exactly 2 weeks from today, you'll hear even more.   There will be the frantic search; cabinets and cupboards being opened and closed.  Drawers closed in frustration.  Doors slammed.   Clothes will be taken from the closet.  Some will land on the floor.  Missing shoes will be retrieved.   Breakfast will remain untouched in some instances.  Hairdryers will be humming.  iPods will be removed from the bedroom, family room, car, ...and other sundry places.   Running feet will be heard...out the front door.  Car doors will be slammed; buses will be waiting. Moms and Dads will start their engines.  And they'll all be headed to the biggest gathering of friends since summer began.   That's right!  You guessed it! ... 08/13/2008

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO SEE 2 WHITRIDGE ROAD NATICK'S TRANSFORMATION!!  Top South Natick Realtor JOHN PRESCOTT announces dramatic new changes at 2 Whitridge Road in South Natick. This fabulous Colonial located in South Natick, just minutes from Wellesley Center has undergone a stunning transformation inside! MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW, if you want to be one of  the first to see these fresh, new changes!   OPEN HOUSES Saturday 7/26, 1:30 pm-3:00pm & Sunday 7/27, 12:00pm-1:30pm   2 Whitridge Road  Single Family South Natick List Price: $929,900   07/24/2008

  DUE TO THE HIGH DEMAND FOR SHOWINGS . . . 2 OPEN HOUSES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND!! FEATURED LISTING   John Prescott, Vice President | Century 21 Commonwealth | 508-523-9252 1 Chestnut Street, Natick, MA **First OH, 6/29 1-3 PM** 4BR/2.5BA Single Family House   offered at $650,000 Year Built 1868 Sq Footage 2,418 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 19,515 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Basement Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS   06/26/2008

    John Prescott, Vice President | Century 21 Commonwealth | 508-523-9252 2 Whitridge Road, Natick, MA OPEN HOUSE 6/22, 12-2 PM 4 Bdrm Single Family House   offered at $929,000 Year Built 1993 Sq Footage 3,486 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 40,032 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Attic Basement Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard     ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info:   John Prescott, Vice President Century 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252 For sale by agent/broker... 06/19/2008

All Purpose Cleaner - Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water.  Keep on hand in a spray bottle. Abrasive Cleaner - Mix equal parts salt and baking soda.  Scrub with a wet sponge.  Rince with All Purpose Cleaner, then warm water. Ant Repellents - Place chili powder, talcom powder or chalk at points of entry. Bathroom Cleanser - Scrub area with baking soda and wet sponge.  Rinse with All Pupose cleaner. Drain Cleaner - Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain, follow with 1/2 cup of white vinegar.  After "fizzing" stops, flush with boiling water. Floor Cleaner - Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 gallon of warm water. Furniture Polish - Mix together 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of mineral oil.  Rub on wood furniture with a soft cloth. Window Cleaner - Mix 3 tablespoons ... 06/13/2008

The Housing Crisis is Over -- Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, By Cyril Moulle-Berteaux May 6, 2008 The dire headlines coming fast and furious in the financial and popular press suggest that the housing crisis is intensifying. Yet it is very likely that April 2008 will mark the bottom of the U.S. housing market. Yes, the housing market is bottoming right now.How can this be? For starters, a bottom does not mean that prices are about to return to the heady days of 2005. That probably won't happen for another 15 years. It just means that the trend is no longer getting worse, which is the critical factor.Most people forget that the current housing bust is nearly three years old. Home sales peaked in July 2005. New home sales are down a staggering 63% from peak levels of 1.4 million... 05/08/2008

Floor 'em!  Floor coverings have taken a dramatic turn in the last few years. It is no longer acceptable to offer buyers a credit to replace worn carpeting or refinish hardwood floors. If sellers think it is too much work or too much of an expense what makes them think the buyer isn't thinking the same thing?  Carpet CrisisIf a home's carpets are stained or worn they need to be repaired before it goes on the market.  At the very least all wall-to-wall carpets throughout the house should be steam cleaned. If the carpet is beyond cleaning it is best to replace it with a neutral, low pile, carpet. If the home has different colored carpet in every bedroom, it is a good idea to neutralize the carpet and use the same color throughout the home. It will make the home feel larger and give buyers... 05/08/2008

70734790ACT 18 Richmond Rd Natick, MA  4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Bungalowx6 11$224,900   70735377ACT 91 Oak Street Natick, MA  4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Ranchx25 120$289,000   70716660PCG 32 Pearl Street Natick, MA  5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Cottagex6 46$312,000   70740688NEW 18 Curtis Rd Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Capex13 3$330,000   70700136ACT 19 Brookdale Rd Natick, MA : West Natick  7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Ranchx6 110$333,000   70714538ACT 8 Westfield Rd Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Capex14 52$339,900   70736822ACT 62 Beaver Dam Road Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Capex17 9$339,900   70732625ACT 5 Nobby Lane Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx15 17$359,900   70566488ACT 26 Hemlock Drive Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Ranchx8 344$379,000   70692715ACT 27 Erlandson Roa... 04/11/2008

Date:2/2/2008 Address:Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary 280 Eliot St, Natick MA 01760 Hours:2-5:30pm (see specific events for times)Cost/Cover:Adults $18 Member;$22NM, Children $10M;$12NM (includes all Sat events)Web Page:Event Web PageContact Info:508-655-2296, www.massaudubon.orgDetails:Join us for an up close and personal view of birds and other animals, then look for animals tracks and listen for owls in the wild. 2-3:15 pm "Animals in Winter" Join our live animals visitors as you find out how different animals cope with cold and other challenges during the winter months3:30-4 pm Tracking Basics 4:15-5:30 pm Family Owl Prowl Event is on:One day onlyAudience:All WelcomeCategory:Environment and NatureLocation:Natick, MA Sponsored By:Broadmoor Programs Submitted by:Broadmoor ... 01/31/2008

Single Family Listings  MLS #Status Address Town Description DOMList Price70671410ACT 18A HAMMOND ROAD Natick, MA  5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Ranchx9 185$279,900   70497002ACT 17 Church St Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 2 bath Antiquex10 407$319,000   70683488ACT 1 Beaconsfield Drive Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx10 42$319,000   70639154ACT 20 Hardwick Road Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Capex10 134$325,000   70645377ACT 19 Wedgewood Road Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx10 220$329,900   70667624ACT 2 Bennett St Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx5 81$339,900   70663388ACT 65 Pine St Natick, MA  7 room, 4 bed, 1 bath Capex24 38$349,900   70680603ACT 18 Lodge Rd. Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranch50$359,900   70668649ACT 10 Porter Road Natick, MA  10 room, 3 bed, 2 b... 01/11/2008

Kitchen Nightmares  It is the one room in any home that can make or break a potential deal. Buyers in this market demand kitchen upgrades at every price range. If sellers have any money to invest, it should be put into the kitchen. Kitchen investments may not always get a dollar for dollar return, however it may just come down to what makes the house sell. Here are some quick tips to help those kitchens that may need a mini-makeover.   Hardware Helps   The age of the kitchen is often given away by the style of the cabinet hardware. A quick fix is to change out the knobs and pulls. It is important to select hardware that compliments the design of the home and kitchen. The current trends include brushed nickle. Choose simple, non-ornate handles to keep the lines of the kitchen simple.   C... 01/07/2008

 Take a cue from high-end homes.Luxury homes showcase the latest in floor plans, appliances and décor. Check out your local tour of homes or visit some open houses in new construction neighborhoods. Living spaces like mudrooms and home offices are all the rage; formal living rooms are not.Stick with your style. Many experts agreethat your remodeling projects should reflect the style of your home. For example, if you live in an ultra-contemporary condo, a quaint country kitchen might seem out of place and turn off potential buyers when you're ready to sell.Kitchen updates. The kitchen is theheart of the home for many families and in addition to food preparation it's also a place to pay bills and do homework. Today's kitchens tend to be open and often include cabinets for TVs, computers a... 12/21/2007

Affordable Housing Law Repeal UpdateThe Massachusetts affordable housing law, Chapter 40B, was placed under attack by a group of individuals that wanted to repeal it. They drafted a ballot initiative petition to be put before the voters of the Commonwealth which required 66,593 signatures of registered Massachusetts voters to begin the process of having the petition appear on the November 2008 ballot.According to Secretary of State William Galvin's Office, proponents of repealing 40B fell 32,744 signatures short. The repeal 40B initiative received only 33,849 officially certified signatures by the Secretary of State.GBREB would like to thank all our members from each of the 5 Divisions who rallied in defense of this important issue. GBREB has historically, and will continue to aggressiv... 12/19/2007

New England 2007National Averages Job CostResale ValueCost RecoupedProject MidrangeJob CostResale ValueCost Recouped$48,982$37,58476.7%Attic Bedroom Remodel$46,691$35,77176.6%$13,759$7,31753.2%Back-Up Power Generator$13,357$7,74858%$61,673$40,54465.7%Basement Remodel$59,435$44,66175.1%$38,617$25,43765.9%Bathroom Addition$37,202$24,55366%$16,302$12,19774.8%Bathroom Remodel$15,789$12,36678.3%$10,634$8,97784.4%Deck Addition - Wood$10,347$8,83585.4%$81,931$54,71366.8%Family Room Addition$78,989$54,14868.6%$55,598$37,06766.7%Garage Addition$53,897$37,46169.5%$27,630$15,39855.7%Home Office Remodel$27,193$15,49857%$56,438$43,84877.7%Major Kitchen Remodel$55,503$43,36378.1%$102,741$70,17568.3%Master Suite Addition$98,863$68,17269%$21,516$18,50786%Minor Kitchen Remodel$21,185$17,57683%$20,307$14... 12/12/2007

Help Wanted             The trade fields are always hungry for work at this time of year so you are more apt to get a better deal and have more room for negotiation. Almost every contractor is looking for interior work so make sure you get several estimates. Of course, the best contractors are those recommended to you by a friend or colleague.   To help get the ball rolling call for a consultation and Staging Holmes, Inc. can give clients a task list that will hep prioritize their actions to get ready for spring! Staging Holmes, Inc. | 985 Trapelo Road Suite 17 | 781.891.7355 | fax 781.891.7357 | Waltham | MA | 02452 12/12/2007

 Frank J. Farley Mortgage PlannerStockton Turner MortgagePhone: 508-376-5626Fax:508-376-5650ffarley@stocktonturner.nethttp://mailcenter3.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/www.freenemortgagesecrets.comBorrowers Get Year-End Gift from Fed The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates today for the third straight meeting of the FOMC. What does this mean? Well, if you're looking to capture the best home loan rates, you need to act now. For those with an application already in process, you should probably lock your rate as soon as possible. And, for anyone who has yet to begin a loan application, what are you waiting for?Rate Hikes on the HorizonDespite this latest cut from the Fed, rates for many borrowers could actually increase soon. Why? Because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have recently announced 2008 Lo... 12/12/2007

Single Family Listings  MLS #Status Address Town Description DOMList Price70626198ACT 2 Vale Street Natick, MA  6 room, 4 bed, 1 bath Colonialx2 217$269,000   70671410ACT 18A HAMMOND ROAD Natick, MA  5 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Ranchx9 151$294,900   70683488ACT 1 Beaconsfield Drive Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx10 8$319,000   70667624ACT 2 Bennett St Natick, MA  6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Ranchx5 47$339,900   70668649ACT 10 Porter Road Natick, MA  10 room, 3 bed, 2 bath Capex17 452$379,900   70673169ACT 100 West Central St. Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Colonialx7 35$439,900   70599266ACT 23 Rockland Street Natick, MA  7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Colonialx7 175$469,900   70676568BOM 3 Countryside Road Natick, MA  10 room, 4 bed, 2.5 bath Split Entry10$549,900   70588527ACT 19 Redmen Dr... 12/08/2007

The Season of Giving Preparing any lived-in house for sale means getting rid of clutter! Take this wonderful season to weed out closets and donate unwanted clothes to a local shelter. This month is also a good time to also invest in new furniture then call a local charity to take away any unwanted pieces. Finally, while the kids are home for break, give them the task of going through their old toys, boxing them up and giving a child a happy holiday. Staging Holmes, Inc. | 985 Trapelo Road Suite 17 | 781.891.7355 | fax 781.891.7357 | Waltham | MA | 02452   12/05/2007

Digest: Agents Preferred, FSBOs Stagnant and 'FHA Secure' Buyers, Sellers: Realty Agents RuleReal estate agents continue to get the job done even in the softer housing market, according to buyers and sellers who work with them. More than eight out of every 10 sellers and nine out of every 10 buyers would definitely or probably use the same agent again or recommend him or her to others, according to the 2007 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The survey, comprised of some 10,000 responses, revealed that 79 percent of homebuyers and sellers used a real estate professional, up from 77 percent over the past three years. Forty-one percent of sellers found their agent as a result of a referral, while 23 percent used the agent in a previous home purchase. Similarly, 43 percent of buyers r... 12/05/2007

Here is some advice from a Home Stager I know.....December is a great time to start thinking about the spring selling market. It offers so many opportunities to get a property ready to sell. Shop The Sales Year end sales are perfect for sellers to make investments in their properties. Vendors need to make room for the new models and will mark down everything from appliances to cabinets. Meanwhile, sales people are desperate to climb the ladder to the top and want that extra commission check or year end bonus. Ask for special deals that may not be advertised from AAA to AARP.  Find floor samples and save! Usually consumers can expect an extra 25% to 50% off floor models. Just make sure you check for damage and are still getting the warranty.   Clearance sales are the best time to invest ... 12/04/2007