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….

Outdoor entertaining space has become more and more popular over the years and for more and more months of the year. Especially in our chilly New England towns of Weston, Wellesley and Wayland, for example, it is now commonplace to convene outside into the late hours of the evening in front of an outdoor fire pit or fireplace. In fact, many of the higher-end, newly constructed homes feature the option of having an outdoor fire pit or fireplace. Given all this, it begs the question – which outdoor fire choice would be your preference?

Just for a brief background, a fire pit, as defined by Wikipedia, “can vary from a pit dug in the ground to an elaborate gas burning structure of stone, brick, and metal. The common feature of fire pits is that they are designed to contain a fire and prevent it from spreading.” Generally fire pits are low-lying so they don’t impede a particular view of the property, and sometimes they can be portable units…. We are all fairly familiar with the concept of an outdoor fireplace, but to quote Wikipedia, “An outdoor fireplace is a place for building fires outside of the home. Similar in construction to an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fireplace is usually added to a stone, brick, or concrete patio. It often consists of a firebox and a chimney. As with indoor fireplaces, an outdoor fireplace requires cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking and working at its best.” Furthermore, an outdoor fireplace is generally much more of a sizable structure than the fire pit and definitely cannot be moved.

Cost is a consideration when it comes to which method of outdoor fires you choose. To give you some perspective, when I searched fire pits online, Home Depot had them starting at less than $100. Outdoor fireplaces, on the other hand, started at almost $2,000.  I know for me, the choice is simple. While the outdoor fireplaces can be gorgeous works of stone and masonry, I would always opt for the less expensive, low-lying, smaller-sized and often portable fire pit option. The fire pit is less of an investment in more ways than one, especially from a price and structure perspective, with a similar fabulous effect. But that’s just me….

What are your thoughts? Do you have a preference when it comes to outdoor fire pits and fireplaces? If so, which do you prefer and why? 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.

It’s all good…. As you’ve likely heard or read from a variety of sources, the Spring real estate market, in such towns as Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Wayland, Lexington and Concord to name just a few, is Hot, Hot, Hot. And with properties priced below $1 million and sometimes even below $1.5 million*, a better word to describe the market is frenetic. A typical scenario that we have been seeing of late is as follows:

• A home priced at $895,000 comes on the market on a Wednesday.
• A broker’s open house is scheduled for Thursday.
• Public open houses are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
• Offers are due by the end of the day on Monday, which ultimately results in multiple bids, some over asking and some forgoing inspection and/or mortgage contingencies

I’m not sure if I’ve seen this level of activity – ever….

And so…the bottom line is that we have a changing market. Or maybe more accurately said, we have a market that has drastically changed. And given this, our pricing strategy needs to change as well to adapt to this evolving market. But before I get to all that, let me start at the beginning. When we – as real estate agents – meet with you as sellers to provide you with a value for your home, also known as a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), it is standard to take the last six months of solds as comparatives. The theory behind using six months of data is because this time frame is considered current enough from which to draw relevant market trends and pricing conclusions. At least that’s the way it used to be – but not anymore….

The market has changed so dramatically in the last few months that to accurately price a home, you need to analyze the pending - “sold but not yet closed” – activity that is happening as we speak, right now. The truth of the matter is that looking at a sold home from late October (just under six months ago) tells a very different story because it was a much different market – a market that is virtually no longer relevant today. And so for the first time that I can remember, we are presenting CMAs by using the pending or very recently listed/sold data. This concept is known as pricing in an appreciating market. It’s absolutely fascinating. And given this recent, frenetic activity level, it almost seems as if we are in the midst of a history-making market. Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t add that these market trends of late are subject to change or shift at any moment in time, which makes all this even more fascinating. Stay tuned….

What are your thoughts on this subject? Are you currently selling your home? If so, have you experienced this frenetic market activity? Or are you currently buying a home and seeing this kind of activity from the other perspective? And what are your thoughts on how this Spring market will continue to evolve and develop? I can’t wait to hear.

For a complimentary home appraisal and advice on how to price your home effectively in this Spring market, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com). I would be delighted to help you with your home selling process in any way that I can.

* The higher-end market above $1.5 million is a bit of a different story, however. Because of the nature of the higher-end market, these properties do not sell as quickly, and so the market for this price range is more static. Thus when pricing at this level, a six-month analysis for comparatives is still relevant.

Believe it or not, despite the cold weather and bits of snow still on the ground, it’s about about time to start thinking about and planning for the summer. And naturally that means – Outdoor Swimming Fun in the ‘Burbs, which I’m classifying as Weston, Wellesley, Wayland, Needham and the like. I actually had a buyer relocating from the West coast to this area recently ask me about this topic, and I thought – what a great blog topic. So here’s the skinny on outdoor pools in the area*:

Weston

• Memorial Pool, Alphabet Lane - This is the best invention known to man and womankind…. Large pool, sand area with toys, water park, adjoining playground, snack bar and comfy chairs. What better place for the whole family? Open to Weston residents, their guests and non-resident badge holders, the pool is open this year from June 15 – August 18.

Wellesley

• Boston Sports Club (BSC), 140 Great Plain Avenue – According to BSC, “You don’t have to leave town to have a great summer vacation. Our pools and swim complexes offer everything you need for exciting family fun in the sun all summer long.” From toddler, slide, whale/frog and spray pools to lap lanes, sundecks and a poolside cafe, this outdoor swimming complex has it all. You must purchase a pool membership, which is separate from the BSC membership. The pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

• Morses Pond, 99 Turner Road – The Wellesley Patch sums up Morses Pond perfectly…. “With public swimming, lifeguards, swimming lessons, sailing lessons, a playground and picnic areas, this beach is fun for the whole family. The pond is surrounded by trails through the woods for leisurely walkers to enjoy, with the main trail traveling around the pond for about 1.2 miles.” Open to residents and non-residents, Morses Pond is open daily** from June 12 – August 25, 2013.

Wayland, Natick and Framingham

• Lake Cochituate, Park Entrance – 43 Commonwealth Road, Natick, MA - According to Wikipedia, “Lake Cochituate is a body of water in Natick, Wayland, and Framingham. Originally a reservoir serving Boston, it no longer serves that function, and is now a local recreational resource and home to Cochituate State Park.” You can choose from a variety of activities here, including boating, canoeing, swimming, windsurfing, fishing and picnicking. Lake Cochituate is open to all.

Needham

• Rosemary Pool, Rosemary Street and Hillside Avenue – The Needham Patch does a spot on description of this fabulous outdoor swimming facility…. “Maintained by Park and Recreation, Rosemary Pool is the perfect spot for residents to find relief from the heat during warmer months. Built into Rosemary Lake in 1972, this 300′ x 70′ structure contains several unique attributes. Sand can be found on both ends of the pool with lap lanes on the right side and a diving section on the left. Sections of the pool have been designated for young swimmers, and there is a separate path into the water that is handicap equipped.” Open to residents and non-residents, the pool season runs from June 21 – August 23, 2013.

What are your thoughts and experiences of outdoor swimming fun in the ‘burbs? Do you have a local outdoor pool that you and your family especially love on hot sumer days? 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.

* I did not include outdoor swimming pools at private clubs, universities, schools or hotels.

** Morses Pond is also open on certain days and times prior to when it opens for the season on June 12.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to cover the subject of Dry Cleaning Fun in the ‘Burbs. I think this is likely a crucial service for us all. So once again, I polled my fabulous friends about their favorite local dry cleaners, and here’s what they said:

Ann Cleaners & Tailors, 338 Weston Road, Wellesley – I love Heather’s feedback on her favorite dry cleaner. She reports, “We use Ann’s Dry Cleaning in the Fells Market Place area in Wellesley.  We’ve gone there forever and love the little pick me up when Ann is the one at the desk. She always greets everyone with ‘Hello Beautiful’ and asks ‘How do you stay so young?’ At this age, you take every compliment you can get. Plus, she does quick alterations.”

Anton’s Cleaners, 277 Linden Street, Wellesley (pictured above) – four of my friends, Landis, Patty, Linda and Amanda, use Anton’s. Landis says, “I have used them since I lived in Wellesley [she has moved to Weston in the meantime]. I love that they keep my credit card on file and that I don’t have to pay in person.” Patty says that she finds Anton’s to be “nice and reliable,” and Linda and Amanda say they love Anton’s home delivery option.

Chinney’s Alterations and Cleaners, 301 Boston Post Road, Wayland – Kate uses this local dry cleaner. Of note, Chinney’s uses “organic, environmentally-friendly solvents.”

Mayfair Cleaners, 51 Washington Street, Wellesley (pictured here) – Virginia says the reason she uses Mayfair is because she “goes to Four Seasons for nails,” which is just next door.

Personal Cleaners and Tailors, 596 Boston Post Road, Weston (pictured below) – Madelaine remarks, “They are very nice and professional, and it is right in town.” Kathia also uses Personal Cleaners as she likes its “Ecological drycleaning [option], which is non-toxic and harmless to the environment, and as such is becoming increasingly popular among consumers worldwide.”

Tony the Tailor, 21 Washington Street, Wellesley – Yours truly, a.k.a. me, has used Tony the Tailor since I moved to my current house 11 years ago. It’s so close to my home, plus they do alterations. Parking can be difficult, however, especially given all of the stores, restaurants and businesses in the area. Just cash and checks are accepted; no credit cards.

I must admit that I learned quite a bit from this blog. First, I didn’t know about the “green” option that several dry cleaners provide. It makes sense given the world in which we live today. And I was interested to see that most dry cleaners accept credit cards, making it a little easier for consumers. Finally, I was surprised that no one mentioned Zoots as there are several locations in the area, and I tend to see the purple “Zoots” bags on many doorways during my frequent driving journeys through the streets of Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns.

What are your thoughts? Is your favorite dry cleaner on the list above or do you use another company/service? And what makes your dry cleaner special to you? 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.