That being said, the other dancing teams were incredible too. Disney star Zendaya Coleman and Val Chmerkovskiy (pictured right) came in second, Baltimore Ravens player Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff came in third and Olympic gymnast from Needham, MA Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas came in fourth. It was a fabulous seasons with amazing performances from all the celebrity dancers, the roster of which also included soap star Ingo Rademacher and Kym Johnson, The Bachelor‘s Sean Lowe and Peta Murgatroyd, comedian Andy Dick and Sharna Burgess, boxing champion Victor Ortiz and Lindsay Arnold, comedian D.L. Hughley and Cheryl Burke, reality star Lisa Vanderpump and Gleb Savchenko, country crooner Wynonna Judd and Tony Dovolani and Olympic ice skater Dorothy Hamill and Tristan MacManus.

I’m already counting the days until Season 17, and yet I am hearing reports that Dancing with the Stars is getting a makeover in the fall. We’ll have to tune in and see…. But in the meantime, what did you think about Kellie and Derek’s win? Were you as delighted as I was or did you favor another couple? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Then from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m., there will be a grand celebration concert “Pops style” at the Weston High School football stadium. “On an over-sized stage with spectacular lighting, a 300-person chorus and combined orchestras will perform American favorites, gospel, jazz and contemporary classics. Thunderous singing by a town-wide choral group will culminate with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, followed by a rousing round of cannon fire and a spectacular fireworks display.”

In order to defray the cost of the festivities, Weston 300 is asking for modest donations* from participating residents. Wrist bands will be sold in advance at the Weston Recreation Center and on site at Weston High School on June 1. The prices range from $50 for a Reserved Pops-style Table of Five for the concert and $30 for an all day family donation for both events to $5 for bleacher and lawn seating for the concert and several other options in between.

As you may recall, Weston was incorporated as a town in January 2013, and so this year marks its 300th anniversary. The town website sums it up perfectly, “Weston has had a remarkable history, spanning from its rural farmland beginnings to the thriving community it is today. The 300th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate, reflect and showcase the varied aspects of this historic town. To that end, the Town of Weston plans to commemorate the accomplishments and development of the town over the past three centuries through a series of special events” that span throughout the 2013 year.

For more information on this or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* Credit cards and checks are accepted. The donation is tax-deductible as allowable by law. Rain date: Sunday, June 2, 2013

When we look at the metrics from these last two weeks vs. the first two weeks of May 2012, we see that the number of sold properties and total market volume figures are up, and the median and average sale prices are down. Here are the specifics:

• Number of Sold Properties – 8 in 2013 vs. 4 in 2012
• Total Market Volume – $8,660,000 in 2013 vs. $4,809,000 in 2012
• Median Price – $1,035,750 in 2013 vs. $1,250,000 in 2012
• Average Sale Price – $1,082,500 in 2013 vs. $1,202,250 in 2012

Looking at our year-to-date sales (through May 15), only the number of sold properties is up this year vs. last – and not by much. All of the other market figures are down. Here are the particulars:

• Number of Sold Properties – 40 in 2013 vs. 37 in 2012 – up 8% this year
• Total Market Volume – $49,461,340 in 2013 vs. $55,218,578 in 2012 – down 10% this year
• Median Price – $1,083,500 in 2013 vs. $1,260,000 in 2012 – down 14% this year
• Average Sale Price – $1,236,534 in 2013 vs. $1,492,394 in 2012 – down 17% this year

The good news is that the number of sold properties and total market volume have made some gains in these last two weeks, and so these year-to-date figures are not down as significantly as they were in my last report. In fact, the number of sold properties is now up 8% from this time last year. Interestingly, the median and average sale price are still down 14% and 17%, respectively, as they were in my last report. Let’s see what the last few weeks of the Spring market and these upcoming summer months bring – always fascinating to follow and observe….

There weren’t any land sales in the first half of May 2013.

I hope you enjoy this analysis, and please let me know if you have an interest in learning more about other market stats so I can provide this additional data for you. Also for more information about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* These market figures are based on information provided to and compiled by Pinergy/MLS Property Information Network, Inc.

• Fill your planters with flowers to add color and appeal – I can always tell which homes are on the market as I walk toward the front door and see the gorgeous planters filled with a cornucopia of plantings and flowers. Once I see these beautiful displays, I immediately think I am in for a treat when I enter the home, assuming that the inside will mirror the outside. You can bet that buyers will jump to similar favorable conclusions.
• Do your spring or fall clean-up – This is important, especially after a long winter of snow, wind, ice and branches, sticks and leaves everywhere. It shows care, maintenance and attention to detail – all things that are high on buyers’ priority lists for home buying.
• Keep your grass trimmed and looking healthy – Again this sets a positive first impression as buyers approach your home. On the other hand, grass that hasn’t been mowed or that is mostly brown instead of mostly green may indicate to buyers that you do not adequately maintain or care about the look of your property.
• Make sure the exterior paint looks fresh and clean – You may not have to repaint the entire exterior of your home, but do make sure there isn’t peeling paint or signs that the house is in imminent need of painting. Sometimes this can be as easy as a little touch-up painting.
• Clean your gutters – Buyers frequently notice when gutters are filled to the rim with debris. Their first thought could very well be that you aren’t adequately maintaining your house, and their second thought will likely be about the possible moisture problems resulting from the clogged gutters.
• Inspect and remove traces of exterior pests and their damage - By this I mean rid your home of bee’s nests, woodpecker damage and ant hills/farms, for example. Your home’s exterior – void of these yucky insects and their potentially damaging effects – will look aesthetically pleasing, cared for and well maintained. Plus you won’t run the risk of scaring away certain buyers, who are skittish about pests.
• Display your outdoor furniture, fire pits and the like – Outdoor entertaining is BIG these days. So put out those colorful pillows, chairs and couches, and show people how pretty and nice it would be to have dinner on your patio or entertain there.
• Open the pool and/or resurface the tennis court – If you are lucky enough to have a pool and/or tennis court on your property, make sure that these amenities are in tip-top shape too.

These are just a few thoughts on making your home’s exterior sparkle and shine so that your buyer’s first impression is an extremely favorable one. What are your thoughts? Have you focused on certain aspects of your home’s exterior or done work to the outside that have helped successfully sell your home? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Active Properties on the Market. Of the active properties on the market, only 8 of the 79 (10%) are newly-constructed homes, and they range in price from $1,749,000 to $9,900,000 with a median list price of $3,745,000 and an average list price of $4,379,250. The average days on market is 225 days, the average living area is 7,088 square feet, and the average list price per square foot is $560. So given the median list and average list price, you can see that the active new construction is mostly high-end, has been on the market for 7 1/2 months without selling, and has a high list price to square foot ratio.

Pending and Sold Properties on the Market. In looking at the last six months of pending and sold newly-constructed homes, we see some similarities and differences from the data above. First, the market percentage numbers are comparable. There are currently 4 pending newly-constructed homes out of a total of 39 pendings (10%), and there are 5 newly-constructed homes that have sold in the last six months out of a total of 51 solds (approximately 10%). When we look at the pricing of these nine pending and sold properties, we see a range in price from $1,010,000 to $8,000,00. Interestingly, with the exception of the days on market, the other market figures for the pendings look very similar to the actives. While the days on market is only 143 days (4 3/4 months), the median list price is $3,672,500, the average list price is $4,358,750, the average living area is 7,687 square feet, and the average list price per square foot is $533. The market figures for the five solds, on the other hand, tell a very different story than the data for the eight active and four pending newly-constructed homes. Specifically four of the five homes sold below $1,700,000, and the fifth property sold for above $4,000,000, which results in a very low median sale price ($1,480,000) and average sale price ($1,959,449).  The average days on market was 152 days (5 months), which is comparable to the pendings and less than the actives. All of the other market figures, however, were lower than those of the actives and pendings. For example, the average living area was 5,513 square feet, and the average list and average sold price per square foot were $365 and $341, respectively.

What do you get at these price points? Below $2,500,000, you’ll generally get less than 6,000 square feet of living space, which includes the garage, with four bedrooms and approximately an acre or less of land. Over $2,500,000, you’ll usually get more than 6,000 of living space which also includes a finished basement, at least five bedrooms and more than an acre of land. In addition, these homes will feature more expensive finishes in the form of mouldings, paneled libraries, fireplaces, tile choices, cabinetry, built-ins and more.

In the event that you are interested in new construction in other towns, I am sharing our Pinnacle blog on New Construction in Wellesley. For more information on new construction or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* For these purposes, new construction is classified as homes built from 2011 on and those that have been torn down and rebuilt and not those that have been completely renovated.

To get the details on the market stats, please click Pinnacle Report for Weston MA Real Estate 4-29-2013-5-12-2013. And for more information about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

And last but not least, Happy Mother’s Day (a day late) to all Moms, StepMoms, to-be Moms and every other kind of Mom there is! We all would not be here if it weren’t for our Moms so Mother’s Day is an extra-special day. I hope your day was filled with fun, laughter, love, appreciation, caring, peace, understanding, kisses, hugs, happiness, special times and so much more….

The winter is officially over, and spring is here! And you know what this means, time to take advantage of the great outdoors, grab your kids and go have some playground* fun in the burbs…. I have polled some of my trusted confidantes, and here are their top five favorite playgrounds in the area, specifically in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and Needham:

Weston

Tavernside Playground, 358 Boston Post Road – Located right in Weston center, this is playground central for all Weston parents with young kids. Swings, see saws, a large, shaded sand box, play structures and so much more.

Wellesley

Perrin Park, 99 Thomas Road – Situated at the end of a quiet street, Perrin Park has a play choice for everyone. Wellesley Patch sums it up, “The large park features a soccer field, a multi-aged playground and picnic tables. The playground is well shaded during afternoon hours, and the park is open to the public from sunup to sundown.”

Warren Park, 90 Washington Street – This park, set right off of Route 16, is always overflowing with families and kids of all ages. Per Wellesley Patch, “The park is beautiful and spacious, with fields for picnicking and a baseball diamond. The park features two playgrounds: a tall structure for children aged 5 to 12 and a smaller structure designed for toddlers. The fields are wheelchair accessible and free parking is located behind the health department building.”

Wayland

Hannah Williams Playground, Main Street – Located steps from Route 30′s Cochituate Village, this playground has been one of my children’s favorites for years, and it just reopened a little more than a year ago after a complete overhaul and renovation. “The playground is open from dawn to dusk and features a jungle gym, gazebo and large grassy area for picnics or small games. The park is maintained by the Town of Wayland; [and], the wood structure in the park was paid for by a community fundraising effort.”

Needham

Perry Park, Beaufort Avenue near Great Plain Avenue – Winning high praise from Needham residents, Perry Park features a baseball diamond, play structures, basketball court and other fabulous playground choices. This is a place for kids of all ages to have fun.

Have you frequented any of these incredible playgrounds? Where do you have playground fun in the ‘burbs, and are your favorites on the list above? I can’t wait to hear…

For more information on this or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* There are countless playgrounds at elementary and local schools in the area, but we didn’t consider them for this blog post….

When we look at the numbers from these last two weeks vs. the last two weeks of April 2012, we see that some of the data is up, and some is down. Here are the specifics:

• Number of Sold Properties – 4 in 2013 vs. 5 in 2012
• Total Market Volume – $4,523,393 in 2013 vs. $4,751,700 in 2012
• Median Price – $1,028,438 in 2013 vs. $875,000 in 2012
• Average Sale Price – $1,130,848 in 2013 vs. $950,340 in 2012

Shifting gears and looking at our year-to-date sales (through April 30), all of our market indicators are down. Here are the particulars:

• Number of Sold Properties – 32 in 2013 vs. 33 in 2012
• Total Market Volume – $40,801,340 in 2013 vs. $50,409,578 in 2012 – down 19% this year
• Median Price – $1,083,500 in 2013 vs. $1,260,000 in 2012 – down 14% this year
• Average Sale Price – $1,275,042 in 2013 vs. $1,527,563 in 2012 – down 17% this year

The good news is that the median and average sale price have made some gains in these last two weeks, and so these year-to-date figures are not down as significantly as they were in my last report. And thus it follows that our market volume figure has made some gains as well, especially given the almost identical number of sold properties. We hope that the rest of the Spring market and the summer months bring improved sales and performance results….

There was one land sale in the last half of April 2013 – 72 Love Lane (1.57 acres) sold for $1,150,000.

As always, I hope you enjoy this analysis, and please let me know if you have an interest in learning more about other market stats so I can provide this additional data for you. Also for more information about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* These market figures are based on information provided to and compiled by Pinergy/MLS Property Information Network, Inc.

For more information on this or on the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

To get the details on the market stats, please click Pinnacle Report for Weston MA Real Estate 4-15-2013-4-28-2013. And for more information about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

And last but not least, for those of you who were lucky enough to venture to the Art in Bloom exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts this weekend, there were four arrangements designed by garden clubs from Weston. And in honor of all of the hard work that went into producing such exquisite pieces of floral art, I am sharing with you two photos of these gorgeous displays – the first one (pictured above) by the Country Garden Club of Weston and the second one (pictured here) by the Community League Garden Club of Weston…. Cheers to these beautiful pieces of work, flowers and art – and to those who helped create them!

* New listings do not include those re-listed within 90 days, and sold means “pending/under agreement” and not yet closed.