When you imagine yourself buying your next home is it a “move-right-in” or a “fix-it-up” property? From my perspective as a real estate agent, I see the gamut of answers to this question…. Some people are incredibly busy with work, kids, activities, driving, technology and more that they don’t have a minute’s time to dedicate to renovating a “fix-it-up” home. And so they opt for the “move-right-in” home (like the brick colonial pictured here). Similarly, those who are relocating to the area generally have so much to deal with in transitioning to a plethora of new things that they often don’t want to saddle themselves with constant trips to Home Depot, endless decisions about which materials to use and determining which vendors are best tailored to their needs, preferences and budgets.

Yet there are others who think the best home that they can buy is a “fix-it-up” one (see the grey clapboard colonial pictured here) – a home on which they can make their mark. Why pay for someone else’s renovation which is not 100% to their liking? Instead, they will renovate using the colors, granites, moldings, etc. that they prefer.  This way the end product is exactly what they want – not what the family, who previously owned the house, wanted. But as you may know, this way of buying a home takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. And often it can end up costing more than a “move-right-in” house does.  Even though the buyers have likely gotten a good price on the “fix-it-up” house, once they’re done with all that they want to do, the price tag can ultimately be more.

And then there are those who are in the middle.  The house they buy is basically move right in – well, after they’ve painted and refinished the floors – but ultimately needs some updating of the kitchen and bathrooms.  My advice to these people is to live in the house and then over time, develop a plan for some of the updates based on their way of living in the space.

So where do you fit within this spectrum of buyers?  Are you one who prefers a “move-right-in” home without the hassles and unpredictable costs of renovating a home?  Or are you someone who loves nothing more than a “fix-it-up” home which results in an end product that is 100% tailored to your needs and desires? Or are you somewhere in the middle?  I can’t wait to hear….

One of the questions that my buyer clients, who are new to the area, consistently ask me is, “What is the closest supermarket to my new house?”  And the next question typically is, “Which supermarket do you use most?”  So I thought it would be fun to dish on a variety* of the supermarkets in Weston, Wellesley and the surrounding towns:

Weston

• Omni Foods Supermarket, 21 Center Street, (781) 894-0675 – located in Weston’s town center, I use this when I am right in the vicinity and need a few things.  It is a bit more costly than the Shaw’s/Star Market in Auburndale that I frequent (see comments below), and the selection of foods is not as extensive.

Wellesley

• Fells Market, 326 Weston Road, (781) 235-1555 – my friend, M.A., who lives in Wellesley raves about this “neighborhood store that has all the basics, plus amazing steak tips, marinated chicken breasts, and bread so fresh you should buy two loaves – one to eat on the way home and another one for dinner. Locally owned and an amazing community asset for those on the Weston Road side of town.”
• Roche Brothers, 184 Linden Street, (781) 237-2115 – this supermarket is fabulous, fresh and fun, and it has absolutely everything.  For me, though, the parking can be difficult, and it’s quite social – which can be challenging when time is of the essence, and this is usually the case for me.
• Whole Food s Market, 278 Washington Street, (781) 235-7262 – the tag line for Whole Foods is “Selling the Highest Quality Natural and Organic Products,” and that really says it all.  This particular location is smaller than the Wayland Whole Foods (see below), but the produce is awesome, and besides being natural and organic, the food is quite gourmet too.  It’s also more pricey than many of the other supermarkets. (Note that this Whole Foods will soon be relocating to a brand new building at 442 Washington Street, which ironically was once the home of the Wellesley Star Market that is no longer.)

Wayland

• Donelan’s Supermarket, 177 Commonwealth Road, (508) 653-5881 – this is a family-run market that is conveniently located right off of Route 30.  It was updated in the last several years and has a nice, manageable feel to it.
• Whole Foods Market, 317 Boston Post Rd, (508) 358-7700 – If you are looking for a Whole Foods with an extensive selection of foods, this is it.

Waltham

• Costco, 71 Second Avenue, (781) 622-3883 - need I say more….  It’s Costco, and it’s great to have one so close.  Of note, Home Depot is just a hop, skip and a jump away, so you can hit both at the same time if need be.
• Hannaford Supermarket, 55 Russell Street, (781) 893-6776 – every time I go here, I love it, but it’s just a bit further from my house, and so I don’t often make it there.  The variety and array of foods and produce is fabulous.
• Shaw’s, 130 River Street, (781) 647-5341 - this is on the Watertown side of Waltham, so it’s a longer trip for me, which I don’t often take, but it’s a large Shaw’s so it’s also got a nice selection of items.

Newton/Auburndale

• Shaw’s/Star Market, 2040 Commonwealth Avenue, (617) 965-1793 - the reason that this one is on the list is because this is the supermarket that I go to 95% of the time.  It’s about 5 minutes from my house, and getting in and out of the supermarket is logistics-free for me, i.e., easy parking, not social so you can get the job done quickly, plus I know where everything is so that helps cut down on time too.  The prices are also quite reasonable.  On the downside, the produce is not great.

Needham

• Roche Brothers, 377 Chestnut Street, (781) 444-0411 – I haven’t been to this Roche Brothers in years, but it’s nice to know there is another one if you happen to be in Needham area.
• Sudbury Farms, 1177 Highland Avenue, (781) 449-9180 – Sudbury Farms is part of the Roche Brothers umbrella.  And similar to my comment above, I haven’t been here in years, but I have always liked it when I have shopped there.
• Trader Joe’s, 958 Highland Ave, (781) 449-6993 – this is another “need I say more.”  For those who love Trader Joe’s, there’s one right in Needham Heights.

Natick

• Roche Brothers, MA Route 135, 150 West Central Street, (508) 655-5540 – See my comments above about the Needham Roche Brothers.
• Super Stop & Shop, 829 Worcester Street, (508) 650-4050 – located right on Route 9 (and Route 27), I shop at this market because it has a “super” selection of foods.  When I can’t find something at Shaw’s/Star Market in Auburndale, Super Stop & Shop in Natick seems to have it.

Lincoln

• Donelan’s Supermarket, Lincoln Station, (781) 259-259-0144 - this Donelan’s, which was completely renovated in 2009, is temporarily closed due to a roof collapse from this winter’s snow.

Which of these supermarkets do you prefer?  And what are your thoughts on them?  Do you have any to add to the list?  I can’t wait to hear….

* Note that I have not included every supermarket in the above towns.