I was just looking over some of the town tax rates for a client of mine, and I realized that I haven’t blogged about this important information.  Better late than never as they say….  And I promise to keep this short and sweet in honor of those of us (myself included), who have an early morning ahead given that it’s the eve of the Royal Wedding.  So without further ado, here they are:

2011 Town Tax Rates (per thousand)

• Boston – $12.79
• Brookline – $11.30
• Concord – $13.19
• Dover – $11.70
• Framingham – $16.03
• Lexington – $14.21
• Lincoln – $12.37
• Natick – $12.60
• Needham – $10.90
• Newton – $10.90
• Sherborn – $17.72 (ouch)
• Sudbury – $17.03
• Wayland – $19.35 (double ouch….)
• Wellesley – $11.43 (this is the first year that Wellesley’s tax rate has surpassed Weston’s)
• Weston – $11.39
• Westwood – $13.83
• Winchester – $12.10

This is the second year in a row that most of Weston‘s assessments went down which was offset by an increase in the tax rate.  This resulted in a slightly higher amount in property taxes this year versus last.  At least that was my experience with my own property and also what I observed in the market.  This is important information to have when buying a home – something to keep in the back of your mind.  Though to me, it’s not the reason to buy or not to buy in a certain town.  But those are my thoughts – what are yours?  Does a town’s tax rate rank as an important factor when deciding in which town to live?  I can’t wait to hear….

I don’t know if you feel the same way, but for me, there’s no better way to get the day started than with a workout at the gym.  You automatically feel like you’ve accomplished something healthy and positive – it starts the day off on the right foot.  I have been a member of Boston Sports Club (BSC) in Waltham since 1999 – just before my first daughter was born.  I love this place with its soaring ceilings, windows galore and earthy tones and colors – the atmosphere alone makes you feel good and motivated to get fit.  The gym features an indoor track, which is great for winter running, as well as two indoor pools, squash courts and basketball.  There are also all kinds of fitness classes, including Zumba, Dancenergy, Boot Camp, Body Pump, Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing and Spinning to name just a few.  The personal trainers are all quite experienced and knowledgeable as are the fitness instructors.

In addition to the usual gym offerings, BSC features so much more.  There is a cafe and grill with very tasty food, massage and physical therapy services as well as a salon and day spa – the Daryl Christopher Wellness Salon and Day Spa is housed there.  This gym has it all – literally.  But the best news is that BSC offers babysitting for children 3 months of age and up.  I used this facility for my kids quite a bit when they were young.  There is a baby room, an art room and a huge gym with a play structure, mats, trampolines (the little, safe ones), tons of basketballs and several basketball nets.  The kids loved playing with all of the crafts and fun equipment, and at the same time, they met new friends and saw old ones too.  Can you tell that I absolutely love this gym and all that it offers?

And just for a last juicy tidbit – the gym is also the home of the Boston Celtics training facility, specifically called “The Sports Authority Training Center at HealthPoint.” (HealthPoint was the previous name of the complex before it was bought by My Sports Clubs/Boston Sports Club.)  The Celtics have their own private entrance but often you can catch a glimpse of a player or two while you’re there.

If you are new to the area or feel like you need a switch in terms of your fitness regime/environment and live in Weston, Wellesley or the surrounding towns, here are some other great gyms to check out:

• Beacon Hill Athletic Clubs, 161 Linden Street, Wellesley
• Body in Motion, 180 Linden Street, Wellesley
• BodyScapes, 386 Washington Street, Wellesley
• Bosse Sports and Health Club*, 141 Boston Post Road, Sudbury
• Boston Sports Club, 840 Winter Street, Waltham (as detailed above)
• Boston Sports Club*, 140 Great Plain Avenue, Wellesley
• Fitness Club for Women, 200 Linden Street, Wellesley
• Get in Shape for Women, 405 Boston Post Road, Weston
• Longfellow Sports Club, 203 Oak Street, Natick and The Longfellow Club*, 524 Boston Post Road, Wayland
• Spynergy Cycling Studio, 386 Washington Street, Wellesley
• Train Boston, 34 Washington Street, Wellesley
• Waltham Athletic Club*, 249 Lexington Street, Waltham
• Waverly Oaks Athletic Club, 411 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham

What kind of gym fun is your favorite – the classes, workout machines, personal training?  And which gym do you frequent?  Is it listed above?  If not, please let me know so I can add it to the list….  I can’t wait to hear.

*As an aside, if you’re interested in playing competitive tennis in the burbs, click here to learn more.

The countdown begins…. In one week, with coverage starting at 4 a.m. (e.d.t.), Prince William of Wales and Catherine “Kate” Middleton will be tying the knot in Westminster Abbey.  The actual wedding ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. London time (or 6 a.m. e.d.t.).  I can’t wait…..

As you probably know, Prince William, 28, and Kate, 29, met in 2001 when they were both studying at the University of St. Andrews, and their relationship has been on and off (though mostly on) since about that time. The engagement was announced to the world on November 16, 2010.

So most importantly, are you planning to watch?  According to Wikipedia’s site on the Royal Wedding, an “April 2011 poll of 2,000 British adults found that 35% of the public intended to watch the wedding on television while an equal proportion planned to ignore the event altogether. Women said they were more than twice as likely (47%) to watch the event than men (23%).^” According to another source, 2 billion people around the world are expected to tune in.

But in addition to my question about whether or not you will watch the ceremony, I have a few others.  First, which designer do you think Kate has chosen to create her wedding gown?  There has been much speculation about this mysterious detail.  My best guess is Vera Wang just because she seems to do so many of the American celebrity wedding gowns.  And yet I know Kate has a penchant for such U.K. designers as Bruce Oldfield, Alexander McQueen and Sophie Cranston so I could be way off.  In fact, it doesn’t even seem that Vera Wang has been on the speculation short-list.

Second, where do you think the Royal Couple will honeymoon?  Based on Kate’s shopping spree on Tuesday of this week, most seem to think it will be in an exotic, warm location.  Check out the Top Ten Hideaways for a Royal Honeymoon.  My vote would be for Nevis. After their honeymoon, which is supposed to last for two weeks, the couple will continue to reside on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, where Prince William is based with the Search and Rescue Unit of the Royal Air Force.

And finally, and anyone who knows me well will not be surprised by the fact that I have to ask this… Do you think they will be happy?

But since none of us know them, so of course we’ll never know the answer to that question for sure, I think it’s most appropriate to end with this hilarious YouTube video of the Royal Couple’s Wedding Processional.  If you haven’t already seen this, you have to view it – it will put a smile on your face.  Check out the antics of Prince William and Prince Harry, which are especially funny.  Cheers – as they say in London.

You may or may not remember the blog I wrote in mid-November when I was brand new to the world of blogging. It was called, “Is There Such a Thing as a Dream House?”  And in that post, I shared that my dream house is my family’s home in Nantucket (see photo above).  Well last night, I learned the sad news that my Dad and stepmom have officially accepted an offer on our home.  We have been the caretakers of 6 Darling Street for 20 years, and now it’s time to pass the torch along…..  Boo hoo – I’ve cried a tear or two to say the least.  It’s really the end of a chapter for our family, but as my Dad likes to say, which is a direct quote from a friend of his, “Times Change.”  Anyway, I wanted to share with you this You Tube video of 6 Darling Street.  (I always loved that our house was 6 Darling because of the word “Darling” and because there are six in our blended family – Dad, Anne, Cathy, Winnie, Nat and me.)  I don’t think the pictures do this incredibly special, historic and charming home justice, but as you might guess, I am pretty biased….

Our family has loved this house for 20 years, and we have shared so many happy memories in it – birthdays, engagements, weddings, Thanksgiving dinners, croquet tournaments, Hurricane parties, Daffodil weekends, wine tastings (I could go on and on).  I hope that the next family, who has the honor to call this extraordinary home their own, will share the same kinds of joyous and happy memories at 6 Darling Street like we did.

Here’s to my magical, dream house that we were lucky enough to have in our lives.  I leave you with a parting photo of 6 Darling’s gorgeous backyard and garden, awesome widow’s walk and beautiful catalpa tree…a true beauty inside and out.

First and foremost, Happy Patriot’s Day, which – where we live – has virtually become synonymous with the running of the Boston Marathon….and so Happy Boston Marathon Day too.  Every year, I walk from my house to Route 16 by the Newton/Wellesley line, also known as Mile Marker 16, to cheer on the runners.  And for some reason, when I first get there, I always get tears in my eyes.  Tears because I think it is so incredible what these runners are achieving, and I am in awe of them.  It makes me proud to be an American, proud to be a Bostonian and proud of what these determined, focused individuals have set out to do on this day – namely, run 26.2 miles, which we all know is not an easy feat.  I was there for about 45 minutes, and I screamed, cheered and clapped the entire time.  I would not give up – trying to give a lift to their spirits, convey my recognition for their hard work and perseverance and encourage them to keep on going.  These runners rock….

But now back to reality and the task at hand – my twice-monthly Pinnacle Report for Weston, MA Real Estate…..

Our Spring market activity has continued during these last two weeks in Weston – 15 single-family homes came on the market and nine sold.*  We are seeing a large amount of inventory between $800,000 and $1,000,000 – 17 active properties in just a $200,000 price band.  Interestingly our inventory (109) is higher than it was this time last year (99), which makes sense given our recent trend of the greater number of new listings versus the number of solds.

To fully enjoy all of the market stats, please click Weston Pinnacle Report 4-4-2011 – 4-17-2011 for the details.

* Sold means “pending/under agreement” and not yet closed.