Amy Mullen Real Estate

BANK PRICE! What an opportunity on 12+ acres!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:57:55 -0700

BANK PRICE! All offers due by 3pm 5/21! $355,000
3 beds - 3 baths - 4900+ sq ft

12+ acres!

BANK PRICE! ALL OFFERS DUE BY 3pm on Tuesday! Engineer designed home on 12+ acres in Sutton! This does NOT happen every day! Newer construction w/ beautiful open floor plan. 1st floor office, family rm over 3 car garage, radiant floor heat, maple hardwoods throughout

MLS#: 71468427

Property Type: Single Family

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.5

Square Footage: 4900+

Location: Sutton

Year Built: 2007

RE/MAX Professional Associates
Amy L Mullen

Realtor, CPA, CDPE, MBA
508-799-4900 (Office)
508-784-0504 (Direct)
http://www.amymullenrealestate.com

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

©2013 Imprev, Inc.

RE/MAX Professional Associates
246 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

5 Awesomely Easy Landscaping Projects

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:45:42 -0700

Ramp up your curb appeal with cool landscaping projects you can easily pull off in a weekend.

Project #1: Install Rigid Flower Bed Edging

The setup: A crisp edge where the lawn meets the flower beds looks great and eases mowing. Opt for rigid edging — the flexible plastic stuff looks amateurish from day one.

Use a charged garden hose to lay out a smooth curve.

Tip: A “charged” garden hose full of water makes for a smoother, kink-free curve; charge up by turning on the spigot but leaving the sprayer off.

With the hose as your guide, use a lawn edger or spade to cut away excess sod and make an incision for the edging. Tap in the edging with a rubber mallet and add the stakes. Trim the edging with a hacksaw, using a speed square to mark for cuts.

Specs and cost: Steel — $1.25 per lineal foot; aluminum — $2.25 plf; rigid plastic or fiberglass — $1.65 plf.

Tools: Garden hose, flour or powdered chalk, lawn edger or spade, shovel, speed square, hacksaw, rubber mallet, hammer.

Project #2: Add an Earth Berm

The setup: Create an eye-catching front yard feature by shaping a few cubic yards of topsoil into an undulating berm. Topped off with mulch, groundcover, and bushes, a berm adds interest and buffers street noise.

Use a charged hose to outline the berm. Remove sod a couple of feet in from the perimeter. Add a few mounds, but max out at 3 feet high.

Specs and cost: Three cubic yards of soil is enough for a good-sized berm. Expect to pay $15-$20 per cubic yard and $15–$60 for delivery — a total of $60-$120.

Tip: Don’t be tempted by those bags of topsoil at the home center: At $2.50 per cubic foot, a cubic yard (27 cubic feet) will end up costing you $67.50.

Have a cubic yard of mulch dropped off as well ($15–$20). A dozen periwinkle starts, plus a few boxwood bushes and evergreens, will set you back another $140.

Total for an 18-foot-long berm: $215–$280.

Tools: Wheelbarrow, spade, shovel, garden rake, trowel.

Time: A day to form the berm, another half-day for planting and mulching.

Project #3: Build a Wall for a Raised Bed

The setup: A stacked flagstone wall for your raised beds has an old-world look that mellows any landscape. Best of all, you don’t have to be stonemason to build one.

Begin by laying out the wall with stakes and mason’s line. Tamp a level bed of sand for the first course. As you add courses, stagger joints at least 3 inches. Set each course back ¼-inch so the wall leans backward slightly. Once finished, back the wall with landscaping fabric before filling with topsoil.

Specs and cost: Choose a stone of consistent thickness. Flagstone might be limestone, sandstone, shale — any rock that splits into slabs. A ton of 2-inch-thick stone is enough for a wall 10 feet long and 12 inches high.

Cost: About $300 for stones and sand.

Tip: Permanent retaining walls should be backed by pea gravel for drainage. In some locations, walls taller than 3 feet high require a building permit.

Tools: Stakes and mason’s line, spade, shovel, a 2-by-4 that’s 8 feet long, a 4-foot level, garden rake, tamper.

Time: 1 day for a 10-foot-long wall that’s 12 inches high.
Project #4: Install a Flagstone Path

The setup: For a welcoming addition to your yard, add a flagstone pathway. Use a charged garden hose to mark a meandering path about 3 feet wide. Arrange flagstones within the path so they are 2–4 inches apart and mark their location with sprinkled flour.

Tip: Sprinkling flour over the stones creates a “shadow” outline on the ground. When you remove the stones, you’ll have perfect outlines for cutting away the sod.

Cut away 3–4 inches of sod beneath each stone, add a layer of sand, and level the flagstones as you place them.

Specs and cost: For a 40-foot path about 3 feet wide, plan on 2 tons of flagstones and about a cubic yard of coarse sand. Cost: About $550.

Tools: Garden hose, flour, spade, trowel, level.

Time: 1 day for a 40-foot path.

Project #5: Add a Brick Tree Surround

The setup: Installing a masonry surround for a tree eases mowing and looks great. All it takes is digging a circular trench, adding some sand, and installing brick or stone.

Tip: To create a nice, even circle around the base of your tree, tie a big loop of rope around your tree. Adjust the length of the loop so when you pull it taut, the free end is right where you’d like the outer edge of the surround to be. Set your spade inside the loop with the handle plumb — straight up and down. Now, as you move around the tree, the loop of rope keeps the spade exactly the same distance from the base of the tree, creating a nice circle.

Use the spade to cut into the sod all the way around the tree. Remove the rope, and dig out a circular trench about 8 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Add a layer of sand. Set bricks at an angle for a pleasing saw-tooth effect or lay them end-to-end. Fill the surround with 2–4 inches of mulch.

Curious what trees to plant? Our popular slideshow tells you which trees you should never plant in your yard.

Specs and cost: This is an instance where buying small quantities of materials at the home center makes sense. Brick pavers cost $.50-$1 each — figure about 20 per tree. A bag of mulch, enough for one tree, costs $2.50.

Tools: Rope, spade, trowel.

Time: 3 hours per tree.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Offer Troubled Home Owners New Foreclosure Alternative

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:23:16 -0700

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer a new, simplified loan modification program to help troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.

Beginning July 1, borrowers who are at least 90 days delinquent on a Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-guaranteed mortgage will be allowed to lower their monthly payments and modify their mortgage without having to fill out financial or hardship documentation.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee about half of U.S. home mortgages.

Most foreclosure avoidance programs, including the federal government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), make you fill out financial forms documenting your income, expenses, and employment. Troubled borrowers say their lenders often lose that paperwork, while lenders often claim borrowers aren’t completing the paperwork.

The new Streamlined Modification Initiative program would also:

Lower your interest rate close to current rates.

Stretch out your mortgage to 40 years.

Those two changes will reduce the typical program participant’s monthly payment by about 30%.

If you owe more than your home is worth, you also won’t have to pay interest on as much as 30% of your outstanding mortgage amount.

Once you’re in the program, you’ll then have to make three on-time trial payments at the new rate. Do that and your mortgage will be permanently lowered under the new Streamlined Modification initiative.

If you opt for the program, you’ll be encouraged to document your income and financial hardship. That’s because the traditional foreclosure avoidance programs will likely net you a better deal.

The program, which expires Aug. 1, 2015, is open only to home owners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

If you qualify for the program, your lender must offer it to you. If you think you qualify and aren’t automatically offered the program, you can call your lender to ask about the program after July 2013.

To qualify:

You must be at least 90 days delinquent, but no more than 24 months delinquent.

Your mortgage loan amount divided by the current value of the property must be greater than or equal to 80%.

Your mortgage loan has to be a first mortgage.

You can’t have been 60 days late on a prior loan modification payment, or have failed at two or more prior modification plans.

You must have gotten your loan more than a year ago

To see if your mortgage is backed by Fannie or Freddie, go HERE

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

An Unlikely Place to Find Free Seeds for Your Garden

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:25:09 -0700

Free seeds and starter plants for your vegetable garden happily live in your refrigerator and pantry. Plant a potato and you’ll harvest a bagful; plant a single horseradish root, and you’ll grow a field of the eye-watering spice.

Theoretically, every fruit or vegetable seed in your kitchen can germinate and deliver baby produce. But some store-bought veggies are hybrids and produce offspring that look nothing like their parents. Others are irradiated to prevent insect infestation, or sprayed with anti-sprouting chemicals to prevent spoilage, which wrecks their ability to go forth and multiply.

Your best bet is to shop for produce in an organic market. Seeds (and tuberous roots) from chemical-free produce yield plants that sprout readily and look like their folks.

Here’s a look at some kitchen leftovers you can plant this spring.

Celery: The next time you chop celery, save the crown (the bottom), place it in a shallow bowl of water until the center leaves turn green and sprout, then transplant it into your garden. Or, just plant the crown straight from crisper into garden, keeping the top of the crown at soil level. Not only is celery a yummy vegetable, it attracts beneficial insects that keep unwanted bugs at bay.

Garlic: Separate cloves and plant the largest ones pointy-side up, under about 2 inches of rich, well-drained soil. Plant garlic around roses to reduce black spot and sooty mold.

Poppies: For a brilliant floral display, shake poppy seeds directly from the container onto well-drained soil. Lightly press into the ground and cover with a dusting of soil. Thin seedlings to about 10 inches apart.

Horseradish: In the fall, plant the tuberous horseradish roots horizontally under 2 inches of soil that’s been well-worked with compost. The plant is invasive and spreads quickly, so plant at the end of garden rows or in areas where they have room to wander. Harvest with a pitchfork in late fall.

Ginger: Select a plump ginger rhizome with many small, growing buds. Plant just under rich soil in a spot with filtered sunlight and wind protection. Avoid planting in low-lying areas, or in spots with poor drainage.

Sesame: These seeds grow into flowering plants that are resistant to heat, drought, and pests. Press seeds 1 inch into well-draining soil. Water lightly for 3-5 days after planting, then as needed. Be sure not to overwater, because sesame plants do not like to sit in wet soil. Harvest in about 150 days after seed pods open and seeds are thoroughly dry.

Beans and peas: It’s easy-peasy to plant any dried bean or pea. Just push the seed under 1-2 inches of loose, rich soil in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sun each day. If your soil is hard clay, grow beans and peas in a container.

Potatoes: If you’ve ever kept a potato too long in a bowl, you’ve seen the plants begin to sprout. Place the potato in a 10-inch-deep hole, and cover with rich soil. As the plant grows, continue to mound soil around its stem. Harvest potatoes in late fall.

Tomatoes: If you love heirloom tomatoes, cut them in half to scrape out their seeds. “Ferment” seeds in a glass jar with about a cup of water for 2-4 days. When a foamy mold appears, rinse and dry seeds on a paper plate. Start tomato plants indoors in containers, then transplant to a garden spot with full sun

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Tips for Choosing Window Casings

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:21:56 -0700

Photo courtesy of Anderson Windows and Doors

Add the finishing touch to your windows with these tips for picking casings.

Quick Tip

While the installation of casings seems simple, it’s best to hire a professional if you lack the carpentry skills to apply moldings properly or seal them on exterior walls. Mitered corners can be tricky to perfect.

Casings are the moldings that go around the window frames. They are installed outside the house to seal the window frame to the house blocking cold air from entering the interior.

Inside, casings are the finishing touch to a window installation, the same as baseboards and door moldings finish off a room. They generally match the same moldings used in those applications so the room has a cohesive look. Outside, casings match the style of the home so there are countless designs to choose from.

Traditional homes tend to have simple casings flanked by shutters on the sides. Victorian-style homes might feature thicker and more elaborate carved designs in keeping with the gingerbread look that often appears on these types of homes.

Here are the most common types of casings.

Complete Casing

Moldings that surround all four sides of your windows are often called complete casings. They can be a simple layer of molding or multiple layers made up of stacked moldings that trim out the windows, making them appear more decorative and appealing. Interior casings often match or complement the interior moldings inside the rest of your house.

Low-Profile Casing

Mostly utilitarian rather than decorative, a low-profile casing that lays flat against the siding of your house or the interior walls lends a finished look and helps visually tie the window to the house. It blocks cold air from entering the house and keeps warm, heated air inside the house.

Simple single-layer casings cost about $5 per foot.

High-Profile Casing

These types of casings offer the most options. They can either surround the entire window or sit as a pediment above the window. Many companies now offer plastic or composite materials that are ready-made and offer the look or layered moldings without the carpentry skills needed to construct a layered look.

These one-piece casings can be combined to beef up the look. They look especially fitting on classic homes, like traditional and Victorian styles.

Costs vary, but they generally run about $10 per foot for basic styles. More elaborate layered looks and combinations up the cost.

Modern Casings

Minimal and clean lined, modern casings often match the color of the wood or material of the rest of the window, blending in rather than standing out. On modern homes, the glass takes center stage in the design of the windows rather than the moldings.

Costs run from about $1 to $5 per foot.

Traditional Casing

Simple in style, traditional casings are similar to low-profile casings in that they generally suit older homes and lay flat against the exterior and interior walls. They can be made up of a single layer of wood or composite material and often sport a simple design, such as a simple stool molding supported by an apron along the bottom of the window, a slightly protruded header molding and perhaps a more decorative or fluted column design flanking the window frame.

Costs vary but expect to pay about $1 to $5 per foot for this type of casing.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER deal! Open Sunday!!!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:44:22 -0700


	FIRST-TIME Home buyer opportunity!! Open Sunday 1-3 WOW! What a great location for Tantasqua! New to the market and NOT a short sale this 3 bedroom ranch offers so much with an open floor plan, finished space in the lower level and HUGE back deck overlooking the 1+ acres. Storage shed, paved driveway and cute as a button in Brimfield! Roof is only 6 years old and the rest of the home is very well cared for.

	RE/MAX Professional Associates Amy L Mullen Realtor CPA CDPE MBA 508-799-4900 (Office) 508-784-0504 (Direct) http://www.amymullenrealestate.com	RE/MAX Professional Associates 246 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545
	©2013 Imprev, Inc.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

PRE-AUCTION SALE! Make an offer! Once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:34:36 -0700


	PRE AUCTION SALE!!! Open Sunday 12pm! OFFERS! PRE-FORECLOSURE SALE! MAKE AN OFFER! OPEN 4/7 12-3! Engineer designed home on 12+ acres in Sutton! This does NOT happen every day! Newer construction w/ beautiful open floor plan overlooking Blackstone Valley is ready to be finished! First floor office, family rm over 3 car garage, radiant floor heat (in the basement too!), maple hardwoods throughout & everyone gets their own full bathroom.

CUSTOM finishings!

Most of the finish work is complete! All finishings in the house STAY! Hardwoods…granite…custom bathrooms…jacuzzi tub…views from the Master bedroom!

Anderson windows!

HEATED basement with build out plans!

THREE CAR GARAGE!

MOVE-IN and finish it off!

Chance of a lifetime!

We don't see short sales like this every day!

All offers due by 6pm Monday!

RE/MAX Professional Associates

Amy L Mullen

Realtor CPA CDPE MBA
508-799-4900 (Office)
508-784-0504 (Direct)
http://www.amymullenrealestate.com

RE/MAX Professional Associates
246 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Stunning Staircase make-overs…for pennies!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:51:17 -0700

These stair treads are MDF covered in stained brown paper, giving the overall effect of cork. All images in this post: Rachael from Lovely Crafty Home

When I first saw pictures of Rachael Evans’ stairway upgrade, I honed in on the textured wallpaper she applied to the risers beneath what looked like cork treads.

But as I read Rachael’s post, I realized the treads were not cork or burled wood. They were MDF covered with stained brown paper — a decoupage technique that made the plain treads look expensive and elegant. It’s faux flooring for less than $100.
Brown-Paper Stairs 101

This time-intensive but low-cost refinishing technique requires:

Brown craft paper (the kind you wrap packages with; $20 for a 200-ft. roll).

White glue ($12/gal. at craft stores).

Dark walnut stain ($8/qt.).

Floor-grade polyurethane, semi-gloss ($40/gal.). Look for water-based products to reduce your exposure to VOCs; it also dries quickly.

Rachael has printed a complete tutorial on how to lay down brown paper flooring. Here’s the basic process.

1. Remove carpet and padding.

2. Tape off baseboards to protect the paint.

3. Tear paper into 6- to 12-inch-diameter pieces; the smaller the pieces, the more leathery the floor will look. (Pieces with straight edges are good for applying next to walls.) Crumple into balls and toss into a contractor’s plastic bag until you need them.

4. Dilute glue with water using a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part glue. Only dilute enough glue to use in one session.

5. With a paintbrush, brush treads with undiluted glue.

6. Dunk 5-6 balls of paper at a time into the diluted glue; squeeze out excess.

7. Lay paper on treads, overlapping a little. Brush the diluted glue mix over the paper to flatten and remove wrinkles.

8. Allow to dry for about 12 hours.

9. Apply stain, and let that dry for 48 hours.

10. Apply 12 coats of water-based polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats.

Wallpaper Risers

Once you’ve finished refinishing the treads, you can refresh the risers by applying paintable textured wallpaper. Rachael used an embossed print called anaglypta ($20 for 22 sq. ft.), which looks like vintage metal ceiling tiles.

To give the project a finished look, she glued a piece of trim onto the bottom of each riser.

Lessons Learned

1. Work on every other stair, so you can use the stairway while you’re refinishing. The project will take four days to complete, so you don’t want to be without your stairway for that long.

2. For best results, practice the technique on scrap wood before trying it on the stairs.

3. For a light, natural color, skip the stain.

4. Allow everything to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Patience is key to good results!

Thank you Rachael!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Move-Up Buyers Don’t Benefit by Waiting for Home Prices to Rise

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:46:03 -0700

Waiting for prices to increase before you sell your current home and buy another can mean less money in your pocket — especially if interest rates rise.

Waiting for home prices to rise before you sell your current home and buy a move-up home could be a financial mistake.

Although waiting a few years to sell a home will likely mean a higher price, the price of the new home will increase as well. Financially, it makes more sense to capture today’s prices on the more expensive home.

Additionally, interest rates are still very low, but will almost certainly rise over time, which means a higher monthly mortgage payment, points out, Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin.

“The price of the move-up home will increase faster than the price of the place you’re leaving behind,” Kelman said. “But waiting until interest rates rise is what can really cost move-up buyers, because most economists believe that rates at some point will go back to historical norms, well above 5%. This means that most move-up buyers are likely to be trading in a low-interest loan on the old place for a higher-interest loan on the new one. In this scenario, the only winner is the lender.”

In the next 12 months, the Mortgage Bankers Association expects rates to rise to 4.4%. Over a longer period, they are likely to be even higher, considering a 20-year average of about 6.5%.

We are in the “perfect storm” for home owners looking to move-up! Lower rates and good pricing is not often enjoyed at the same time. Looking to find out what your home is worth? Let me know.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Mass Saves Energy Page

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 04:19:26 -0800

Mass Save Deal on Energy Bills! facebook.com/amymullenremax

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

2012-13 Cost vs. Value: Make the First Impression Count

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:08:17 -0800

Updating the outside of a home pays off, according to this year’s Cost vs. Value Report. Real estate professionals ranked exterior improvement projects as winning the buyers’ eye and providing sellers with the most return on investment.

If your clients are wondering what home improvement projects will give them the best return on the sale of their home, tell them to think “curb appeal.”

When buyers are shopping for a home, the exterior can make (or break) the first impression. According to the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, exterior replacement projects are among the most valuable home improvements that sellers can currently invest in, starting with the front door.

A steel entry door topped this year’s survey with an estimated 85.6 percent of the costs recouped at resale. The steel door replacement is also the least expensive of the 35 midrange and upscale remodeling projects included in the survey, costing $1,137 on average.

This is the 15th year that Remodeling magazine — in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine — has released the Cost vs. Value Report. This year’s survey included more than 3,900 appraisers, sales agents, and brokers across the country who provided their opinions and estimates.

Exterior projects dominated the list with six of the top 10 most cost-effective midrange projects and eight of the top 10 upscale projects.

Top 10 Midrange Projects

1. Entry Door Replacement (steel)
Job Cost: $1,137
Resale Value: $974
Cost Recouped: 85.6 percent

2. Deck Addition (wood)
Job Cost: $9,327
Resale Value: $7,213
Cost Recouped: 77.3 percent

3. Garage Door Replacement
Job Cost: $1,496
Resale Value: $1,132
Cost Recouped: 75.7 percent

4. Minor Kitchen Remodel
Job Cost: $18,527
Resale Value: $13,977
Cost Recouped: 75.4 percent

5. Window Replacement (wood)
Job Cost: $10,708
Resale Value: $7,852
Cost Recouped: 73.3 percent

(tie) 6. Attic Bedroom Addition
Job Cost: $47,919
Resale Value: $34,916
Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent

(tie) 6. Siding Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $11,192
Resale Value: $8,154
Cost Recouped: 72.9 percent

7. Window Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $9,770
Resale Value: $6,961
Cost Recouped: 71.2 percent

8. Basement Remodel
Job Cost: $61,303
Resale Value: $43,095
Cost Recouped: 70.3 percent

9. Major Kitchen Remodel
Job Cost: $53,931
Resale Value: $37,139
Cost Recouped: 68.9 percent

10. Deck Addition (composite)
Job Cost: $15,084
Resale Value: $10,184
Cost Recouped: 67.5 percent

Top 10 Upscale Projects

1. Siding Replacement (fiber-cement)
Job Cost: $13,083
Resale Value: $10,379
Cost Recouped: 79.3 percent

2. Garage Door Replacement
Job Cost: $2,720
Resale Value: $2,046
Cost Recouped: 75.2 percent

3. Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl)
Job Cost: $13,818
Resale Value: $9,926
Cost Recouped: 71.8 percent

4. Window Replacement (vinyl)
Job Cost: $13,055
Resale Value: $9,295
Cost Recouped: 71.2 percent

5. Window Replacement (wood)
Job Cost: $16,361
Resale Value: $11,194
Cost Recouped: 68.4 percent

6. Grand Entrance (fiberglass)
Job Cost: $7,088
Resale Value: $4,528
Cost Recouped: 63.9 percent

7. Deck Addition (composite)
Job Cost: $34,403
Resale Value: $20,532
Cost Recouped: 59.7 percent

8. Major Kitchen Remodel
Job Cost: $107,406
Resale Value: $64,113
Cost Recouped: 59.7 percent

9. Bathroom Remodel
Job Cost: $50,007
Resale Value: $29,162
Cost Recouped: 58.3 percent

10. Roofing Replacement
Job Cost: $33,880
Resale Value: $19,194
Cost Recouped: 56.7 percent

Ending a six-year cost-value ratio decline, this year’s Cost vs. Value Report is good news for remodeling industry with a rise in the ratio by three percentage points to 60.6 percent. According to the report, lower construction costs and stabilizing house prices were the principal factors for the upturn.

While every region improved over last year’s survey, the Pacific region — Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington — had the highest average cost-to-value ratio overall at 71.2 percent, despite having the highest construction costs in the country.

Visit www.costvsvalue.com to find information from the 81 cities included in the survey and download free PDFs that include specific market data. Site registration is required. Also visit HouseLogic.com for a slideshow of the report’s results.

Construction cost estimates were generated by RemodelMAX. Cost vs. Value is a registered trademark of Hanley Wood, LLC.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Snow Dog Spectacular Fund Raiser!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:13:22 -0800

Put this on your calender! Great prizes – great people – and know you are helping Siberian Huskies stay OUT of shelters and make new families!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Looking to expand your small business? Come join us!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:09:04 -0800

Want to expand your small business or meet other small business owners? Come join us on Wednesday evening! You won’t find another group like this one!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

You Might Face Tax-Filing Delay This Year

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 03:55:20 -0800

In a rush to claim the home owner tax benefits Congress reinstated? Not so fast. The IRS isn’t ready to accept your tax returns.

Congress’s down-to-the-wire fiscal cliff deal on tax changes, which included some goodies for home owners, has put the IRS behind the eight ball. It’s scrambling to create new tax forms and modify old ones to reflect the tax code changes.

So if you’re raring to collect your due (and you’re eligible to), time to get Zen and sit tight.

In case you missed it, Congress resurrected:

Mortgage cancellation relief

Energy tax credits

The PMI deduction

So that’s the cool part. Now for the paperwork part.

What Kind of Delays are We Talking About?

The IRS was planning to have the 1040 — the workhorse form pretty much all of us have to fill out — on its website by Jan. 22. But now, it’s going to be Jan. 30. That means you can’t file your return until Jan. 30. It doesn’t matter if you file online or with paper — as far as filing is concerned, the IRS is closed for business until Jan. 30.

Still, that’s just over a week, and the various records you receive from banks, brokerages, and employers might not be ready until the end of January anyway. So it’s not a biggie.

But if you’re claiming the energy credits with Form 5695, you’ll have to wait longer. The IRS doesn’t even know when that form, along with many others, will be available. End of February? Beginning of March? Stay tuned.

Regardless, you should still be able to meet the April 15 deadline.

For now, gather your paperwork, such as proof of any credits you’re entitled to, so when the IRS is ready, you are, too. And check with your tax pro or customer service department of the software you use to make sure they’re up to speed as well.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

How to Teach Your Houseplants to Call You on the Phone

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:41:12 -0800

When your houseplants are in need of attention, who are they gonna call?

This Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor tells you what your plants need via your computer or smartphone. All images in this post: Koubachi AG

Healthy houseplants need care: good food, temperate surroundings, and just the right amount of water. But if your houseplants are starving and dehydrated, how are they going to let you know?

They’ll call you up. On the phone.

Okay, they can’t really talk. But they can communicate via the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor, a sleek bubble-headed wand you stick in the soil next to one of your houseplants.

The sensor reads temperature, moisture levels, and light intensity to calculate the immediate needs of your plant, and the info is wirelessly piped to your computer and mobile devices. Now, you can keep an eye on Philly the Philodendron, whenever and wherever.

The battery-powered Wi-Fi Plant Sensor becomes “smarter” as time goes on (we should all be so lucky) as it learns the conditions inside your house, and it’ll automatically fine-tune its readings.

The splash-proof indoor model is $120, plus $48 shipping (from England). The waterproof outdoor version is $161, plus shipping. One Wi-Fi Plant Sensor can monitor room conditions and make recommendations for nearby plants (it’s a conference call!), so you don’t need a sensor for each pot.

I haven’t tried the Wi-Fi Plant Sensor, but I know a bunch of indoor plants that are dying for me to get one. Then I’ll be telling people, “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to excuse me — I’ve got to take this call from an anemic spider plant …”

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

‘Zombie Titles’ Plague Home Owners

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:01:35 -0800

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013

Some refer to “zombie titles” as a little-known horror in the fallout of the foreclosure crisis. Thousands of home owners are discovering they may be legally liable for a home they thought they no longer owned.

In some of these cases, home owners receive a notice of a foreclosure sale and move out to give the home to the bank. But then the bank never completes the foreclosure.

“The banks are just deciding not to foreclose, even though the home owners never caught up with their payments,” Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac, told Reuters.

According to housing experts, the problem of “zombie titles” is worsening, although no national databases track such titles.

“There are thousands of foreclosures in limbo, just hanging out there, just sitting, with nothing being done,” says Raymond Pianka, a Cleveland Housing Court. He says the problem is due to home owners who leave the home before an imminent foreclosure sale. Later, the home owners discover they’re legally responsible for the home. By that time, the house may have greatly deteriorated. And some home owners don’t even discover it until years later, such as when a municipality finally fines them for failing to keep the property.

Source: “‘Zombie Titles’ Haunt Victims of Foreclosure,” Reuters (January 2013)

The moral of this story is despite how difficult it is emotionally to face a foreclosure don’t just walk away! In the history of problem solving, ignoring a problem has never been a successful solution. There are options for dealing with the foreclosure that include short sale (many banks are offering incentives to do this and there are new short sale programs in place from Fannie Mae that include reduced paperwork, faster turn times and relocation funds for the seller) or deed-in-lieu. Foreclosure is not a fun time but make sure it stays where it belongs – in the past – so that you can move forward to brighter days.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

The Biggest Air Leak in Your House You Don’t Know About

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 04:52:21 -0800

There’s a gap in your home that’s wasting precious energy and inviting cold air inside — do you know where it is?

Have you caulked windows and replaced weather stripping on your doors? Good for you. But if you think you’ve sealed up air leaks, you’re in for a shock.

The biggest air leak in your home is right under your nose.

Or, underfoot, more accurately.

It’s the hole that a plumber cuts in the subfloor to make room for the drain assembly at the bottom of a bathtub. Because the drain assembly is big, plumbers make way for it by cutting a generous-size hole that gives them some “wiggle room” when connecting plumbing pipes. This big hole often is left open to the space below.

If you have a first-floor bathroom over a crawl space or unheated basement, you likely have one of these giant energy wasters in your home“Having that big hole for the bathtub drain can waste about as much energy as leaving one of your windows open a few inches, all day, every day,” says Allison Bailes III, president of energy consultant firm Energy Vanguard. “The main difference is that you can easily close the window, but most people don’t even know about this other open window.”

And BTW, that hole also is big enough for good-size critters to crawl inside your home!

Plumbers may plug this hole with a wad of loose insulation, but that’s an imperfect solution — fiberglass insulation can sag over time, especially if it gets damp. The preferred method is to insert foam board that’s cut to fit around the pipes, then seal the board in place with spray foam insulation.

You won’t know if you have a problem unless you crawl under your bathroom and take a look at the tub drain assembly from underneath. Patch the hole with pieces of foam board screwed in place, then seal any gaps with spray foam insulation ($8/can).

A plumber will do the job, too, but that’ll set you back $100-$150. Probably worth it when you think about energy savings, comfort, and keeping mice and camel crickets out of your house!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Coolest Kitchen Sinks on the Planet

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:23:16 -0800

Everything but the kitchen sink? No wonder — it gets so much use, that’s the last thing you’d ever toss!

The Transformer of Sinks

This multi-faceted model is a kitchen wizard. Optional strainers, colanders, cutting boards, and drain racks let you reconfigure and adapt this stainless steel sink to whatever task is at hand.

Type: Self-rimming drop-in
Material: 16-gauge stainless steel
Cost: $1,900 to $3,800, depending on accessories

Credit: Elkay

Sweet-Lookin’ Tough Guy

Big, deep soapstone sinks that harken to the days of Frank Lloyd Wright are making a comeback. Nearly impervious to stains and heat, soapstone requires only an occasional swipe of mineral oil to retain its beauty. It’s so dense that it won’t harbor bacteria, either, making it easy to clean. Save money and buy a used one where salvaged building materials are sold.

Type: Extra-deep (16 inches) apron-front
Material: Soapstone
Cost: $1,500 to $3,000

Credit: JAS Design Build / Vista Estate Imaging

Environmentally-Friendly Sink

This rustic double-bowl sink is made from molded magnesium oxide, a type of ceramic cement. Eco-wise, it trumps regular Portland cement with low embodied energy (it requires less energy to manufacture) and its ability to absorb carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. A good choice for green kitchen remodeling.

Type: Integral (formed seamlessly into the countertop)
Material: Magnesium oxide
Cost: $125 per sq. ft. for the countertop, add $2,500 for the sink

Credit: Lithistone Double Integral Kitchen Sink/Brett Fitzgerald, photo

Statement in Stone

Looking for a signature showpiece for your kitchen but don’t want to spend a ton? Vessel-type sinks carved from a single block of stone have beautiful natural swirls and patterns, and are great focal points. You’ll find them in granite, soapstone, travertine, and onyx. The one shown here is marble. For full viewing (and ease of use), set your vessel sink on a lowered portion of countertop.

Type: Vessel

Material: Carved marble
Cost: $250 to $900

Credit: Vangelis Paterakis

Cast Concrete

Concrete can be made into virtually any shape, including the one-piece drop-front sink shown here. Special molds are used to create the decorative designs. Concrete sinks can be ordered in many colors and finishes, and each piece usually has unique distinguishing patterns and textures. Concrete sinks must be sealed periodically with a concrete sealer; wipe up spills immediately to prevent stains.

Type: Apron-front
Material: Cast concrete
Cost: $1,000 to $3,000

Credit: Trueform Concrete, LLC

Timeless Classic

The single-bowl, enameled cast-iron sink (in basic white, please) is one of the all-time most-popular kitchen helpmates. It’s inexpensive, tough, and a good match for any design scheme. This one was placed in a corner, which helps solve the problem of what to do with that wasted space at the back of corner cabinets.

Type: Self-rimming drop-in
Material: Enameled cast-iron
Cost: $150 to $1,000

Credit: Old Town Home blog

Sleek and Sassy

Stainless steel sinks are especially at home with contemporary surroundings. This undermount type attaches under the countertop and makes cleanup a snap. Stainless steel sinks come in several gauges (the lower the gauge, the thicker the steel), but thickness is less important than sound-deadening material — look for sound-absorbing pads attached to the outside of the sink.

Type: Undermount
Material: Stainless steel
Cost: $150 to $4,000

Credit: Nicole White Designs Inc.

The Art of the Sink

Tough yet malleable, copper is a statement metal that readily accepts hand-tooled finishes and embossed designs. It develops a rich, dark patina with age, but you’ll need to avoid acidic liquids and harsh cleaners to prevent stains. Use homemade green cleaners to keep your copper sink looking great.

Type: Undermount
Material: 14-gauge copper
Price: $1,600

Credit: Rachiele

Say It with Color

If color speaks volumes, why not let your kitchen sinks do a little fancy talking? Colorful kitchens are increasingly popular, and enameled cast-iron sinks offer deep, rich colors that grab the eye. “Every room should have surprises and punctuation marks,” says designer Jonathan Adler. “There’s nothing better than a colored sink to bring a kitchen to life.”

Type: Apron front
Material: Enameled cast-iron
Cost: $1,400 to $1,700

Credit: Kohler

The Gold Standard

Resistant to stains, scratches, and thermal shock, solid glass sinks can be molded to any shape and texture. These examples, as you might have noticed, are not your regular glass sinks — they’re infused with 24-carat gold for that “no-ordinary-kitchen” touch of precious metal that your culinary workspace so richly deserves.

Type: Self-rimming drop-in
Material: Borosilicate glass
Cost: $2,656

Credit: JSG Oceana Decorative Glass

What’s your favorite?

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Home owners win two important tax benefits in the fiscal cliff deal

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:53:42 -0800

The fiscal cliff deal Congress passed this week lets home owners keep the tax deduction for private mortgage insurance payments. It also says troubled home owners won’t owe income tax on amounts forgiven during a mortgage workout or foreclosure.

PMI is what you pay your lender each month if you put down less than 20% on a home, which protects the lender if you default on the home loan.

Without mortgage cancellation relief, home owners who have a portion of their mortgage forgiven as part of a workout plan, short sale, or foreclosure would have to pay income tax on the forgiven amount. This will keep the market moving forward!

In addition, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 lets home owners continue to keep up to $500,000 ($250,000 for individuals) in home sale profits tax-free. Only home sellers whose income is $450,000 or above (or singles earning $400,000 or more) and who net more $500,000 on the sale of their home would pay taxes on the excess capital gains. For the vast majority of home sellers, there’s no change.

For those earning above the $400,000-$450,000 threshold, the cap gains rate would rise to 20% from 15%.
Congress extended the tax deductions for all mortgage insurance premiums and for state and local property taxes, which, along with the mortgage interest deduction, are important tax considerations for home owners and buyers.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

be HAPPIER in your HOME

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 04:43:38 -0800

Found this list on apartmenttherapy.com and was inspired! Hopefully it will inspire you t00!

1. Make your bed.

The book The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.

2. Bring every room back to “ready.”

I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul’s clever book, It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys. It’s a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to “ready” before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home.

One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal.

Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, “What was the best part of today?”) Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can’t get out of it, get into it.

This tip comes from The Happiness Project. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting “Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!” and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day.

In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says “”Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.” Wow. What a wise man. I tend to wake up with a strong visceral reaction that says, “Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!” Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like “be productive” or “enjoy today’s delicious moments” or it could be something more specific like “say thank you to my loved ones today.” But it should not be another “to do” item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!).

(That’s right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don’t expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don’t try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It’s YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It’s a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good.

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day.

You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don’t feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home.

Save money for a new grill for parties or a new DVD for family movie night — something that will encourage you to have people over and entertain. Plan a summer barbeque, invite your closest friends, kick back and relax. (And don’t forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself.

Whatever your spiritual beliefs — or non-beliefs — may be, studies show that connecting to a high power is correlated with happiness. Just stepping back to realize that we are part of an enormous universe can put some perspective on your annoyance with the those-are-definitely-not-mine-and-they-are-abso-fricking-lutely-repulsive socks under the coffee table. Before bed, spend just a few minutes contemplating something larger than yourself. Take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Create a sacred space in your home. (Or if spirituality is really not your thing, create a home spa: light some candles, soak in a hot bath, delve into a good book… are you feeling better yet?)

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

7 Ways to Repurpose Old Electronics

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 06:31:31 -0800

Here are 7 crafty and innovative projects that keep unloved and outdated electronics from cluttering up our landfills. A little crafty thinking can give obsolete electronics and appliances a new lease on life instead of death in a landfill. If you’re a resourceful DIYer or an eco-minded shopper, check out these ingenious ideas that transform outdated objects into fresh new items.

A second life for appliances

1. Did you know the European Union has made it against the law to put working (or easily repaired) appliances and electronics in the trash? Instead they’re cleaned up, repaired, and sold as affordable second-hand goods.

But they haven’t given up on gadgets and appliances that appear beyond repair, either.

To learn more, check out this video that details how old electronics are resold in the U.K., plus a proposal from product designer Gaspard Tiné-Berès on how to repurpose badly broken e-waste.

Short-Circuit from gaspard tiné-berès on Vimeo.

If the video left you feeling inspired, check out these two DIY ideas that give new life to stuff you might have.

2. You can turn a broken coffee pot into a funky fishbowl.

Credit: Mosby Building Arts

3. Or if you’re stuck with an old blender, consider turning it into a tabletop lamp.

Credit: John Ownby

Pet projects

If you’re looking for a few creature comforts, check out these two designs.

4. The Mac cat bed by AtomicAttic upcycles original iMacs into cozy kitty beds. Each cat crash pad comes with a fluffy cushion that includes a removable washable slipcover.

Credit: AtomicAttic

5. For pet parents who forget to feed Fido or Mittens on time, see the top of this post for an automatic kibble dispenser made from an old VCR.

You’ll need a little electronics know-how to execute this project. Peruse the instructions at MakeProjects.com.

Gaming consoles get a grown-up makeover

GreenCub gives old gaming equipment the adult treatment by repurposing them into geeky desk caddies.

6. Shown here is an organizer made from an old GameCube controller. It can store pens and paper clips, plus it includes a 3-ft. extension cable for your computing convenience.

Credit: GreenCub

If Playstation or Xbox is more your thing, check out this Etsy page.

An idea that might be music to your ears

So what can you do with an abundance of vintage vacuums, mixers, and washers? Turn them all into your own personal orchestra.

7. The Blödes Orchester, which means “stupid orchestra,” is an electronic band consisting of ancient appliances created by Michael Petermann, a German conductor and composer. You can decide whether this carefully choreographed spectacle is music or noise.

Blödes Orchester from white tube on Vimeo.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Have a Merrytacular Christmas!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 05:52:56 -0800

Have a Merrytacular Christmas!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

A full, comprehensive Condo Management Tool in Excel

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 04:01:56 -0800

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Got a gift card you don’t want…trade it!

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:10:51 -0800

Happy holidays! Seasons greetings! Merry merry merry!

Here are some great sites to add to you bookmarks…

http://www.cardpool.com: Buy and sell gift cards! If you received a gift card that you’re not going to use – don’t waste it! Sell it on cardpool.com and buy one that you will use!

www.airbnb.com: Traveling for the holidays? Your favorite hotel booked up? Use this site to rent a home in the area you want to stay in. Pictures, contact information and rates included. Listings in 192 countries and 33,382 cities! It’s easy to find a great place to stay at a great rate!

http://www.barterquest.com: This is like trading your lunch in school but a great place to turn an unwanted Christmas sweater into a new set of ear buds! Don’t let your gift giver’s money to go waste and trade up for something that you really wanted.

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

Hail Emerald! Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE MBA (RE/MAX Professional Associates) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:53:55 -0800

Goodbye Tangerine Tango. Hello emerald, Pantone’s 2013 color of the year.

Why emerald, or as Pantone’s swatch names it: 17-5641?

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature — the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, a color consultant to corporations.

Eiseman says emerald sparkles, fascinates, and “brings a sense of clarity, renewal, and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.”

Tangerine Tango, last year’s color queen (and my new favorite hue), was a pinkish orange that packed an energy punch. 2013’s emerald is a vivid, verdant green that “enhances our sense of well-being … promoting balance and harmony,” Pantone says.

Expect to see the color on everything from kitchen colors to gas grills to $25 commemorative mugs. Emerald green: love it or hate it?

Amy Mullen, Realtor CPA CDPE LMC CHS MBA
RE/MAX Professional Associates
617-899-2146
amymullen@remax.net
www.amymullenrealestate.com

"A real person helping real people with real estate"

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