What to cook when your house is for sale - 01/27/11 11:42 PM
What to cook when your house is for sale
There are 2 main things to consider:
First, simplify it as much as your habits allow. Having your Massachusetts home on the market often means added stress - you need to keep it show ready and clean. Good food helps one relax, and preparing food should not be an extra stress and take too much time  on top of everything else you have to do. 
Second, your house needs to smell fresh - be mindful of that when preparing food. One of the of the reasons a showing doesn't go too well might … (9 comments)

Need to sell a house? Sell your street! - 01/26/11 11:59 PM
Need to sell a house? Sell your street!
A while ago, I was showing  a property to my buyers in Natick, MA. It was quite a good fit for most of their criteria, location being first on the list. They knew this particular house would need work, but price reflected that, and all other variables seemed to be met.
Yet once we arrived at the house and got out the car I saw faces elongating, shoulders shrugging, and overall reluctancy.
What's the matter?  - I asked
Turned out, buyers didn't like the look of the street. It's a small dead end … (8 comments)

What are your favorite tools to dig up your car from under the snow? - 01/25/11 11:26 PM
What are your favorite tools to dig up your car from under the snow?
My personal favorite is a rubber broom. They come up under a few different names: "as seen on TV", "rubber push broom", "All in one rubber broom", "One sweep", and "rubba sweepa" (that's mine). 
It's all the same thing: a broom with a rubber head, one one side there are bristles, on the other a squeegee. It takes globs of snow away in one single sweep. Works perfect not only on windows, but takes snow off the roof of the car, because it has the long handle. … (6 comments)

Busy? work, family, volunteering, sports and activities? Synchronize it all! - 01/24/11 11:46 PM
Busy? work, family, volunteering, sports and activities?  Synchronize it all!
OK New year started, it's been almost a month, how are we all keeping up with resolutions, new schedules, new beginnings and old commitments? 
There are plenty of devices, systems, planners, and other what nots to help us stay organized. I want to throw in one more in the mix.
It's a great concept, because
it's online, you can access your calendar through computer or your smart phone,  you can add all family members with all their schedules color code each family member and never get confused! you can make as many … (3 comments)

A day without coffee - 01/23/11 11:54 PM
A day without coffee - that was today. No, it's not one of my new year's resolutions, or medical related decisions. It so happened. 
And, as I was not feeling well, I needed to drink a lot of water, so I did. By the end of the day, I still had a lot of energy, even though my preferred method to get energized is a good cup of coffee (and a good night's sleep).
We forget the simple fact that our bodies are 80% water. We need to stay well hydrated! It is somewhat easier in summer, because it's hot, wand … (5 comments)

Do you want to sell your house fast? - 01/21/11 11:44 PM
Do you want to sell your house fast?
Right price, good location, and desirable features are certainly main reasons that will help you sell your home fast. But there's one more thing I wanted to mention.
Make your home appealing to more buyers. In some instances, it does take a very special person to fall in love with your unique home and buy it. It's a matter of finding this person, pretty much. Yes and no. Thoughtful extensive marketing will present your house to potential buyers. Question is: how do we know that this special person IS looking for a new … (6 comments)

Who are today's buyers? - 01/20/11 11:55 PM
Who are today's buyers?
Despite the recent snow storms here in Boston MEtro West, MA (and there's more snow to be expected!), Spring is in the air.
Days are longer, sun shines brighter, you can feel its warmth. Buyers are warming up as well, t seems, as last week I had spoken to a couple of very motivated potential buyers, planning to buy their new home in Natick, MA and in Brookline, MA
They were a delight to talk to, had their ducks in the row in terms of financial prep work, but most important thing they wanted to discuss with … (1 comments)

They say they bought / sold without an agent? Takes this with a grain of salt - 01/17/11 11:40 PM
They say they bought / sold without an agent? Takes this with a grain of salt.
First, let me say that i DO know a couple of people who bought or sold properties on their own, without having a real estate agent representing them in a transaction. It can be done. But please take note: only a handful of people truthfully did it by themselves.
Whenever there is a social gathering, conversation often turns to real estate, even if there are no real estate agents in the room. People like to tell each other how they bought or sold their house, … (6 comments)

Tired of a remodeling project? Here's a neat idea! - 01/16/11 11:29 PM
Tired of a remodeling project? Here's a neat idea!
The most common problem with any type of remodeling / renovation  /updating and just basic work on your house seems to be TIME. You don't have enough time to do the work yourself, the person or crew that you hired has unexpected delays, there are weather emergencies, family complications, and other what have yous...
Here's an idea: HAVE A PARTY! 
No, I don't mean to forget about whole thing and open up a dance floor in your living room, since the furniture is out anyway. It is a possibility, yet after the … (2 comments)

Are you happy with what you have? - 01/15/11 11:21 PM
Are you happy with what you have? If not, why do you think this is?
More often than not we feel we need to upgrade, to trade up, to expand and get more... But does it make us happier? More content with life?
Not necessarily. I even dare to say the opposite is true. 
Many people have reported, that downsizing and getting rid of stuff gives a feeling of freedom. It's not just regained space in your closet or guest room (that might have been "dump-it-all-and-shut-the-door" room). Something changes inside us, and opens up towards new things in life.
I … (6 comments)

How to create cool buttons and logos for your blog or website - 01/14/11 11:35 PM
 
How to create cool buttons and logos for your blog or website

There's a wonderful site www.cooltext.com that lets you create buttons and logos to use on the web. It's easy, process is very visual, and you can instantly see changes you are making. At the end, you can download the image, you can email it to yourself (or anyone), or you can also get a html code.
Very neat!
Here are some examples: 
      
 
You can do much more elaborate stuff than that, there are plenty of fonts to choose from - both common not well … (10 comments)

Clean that sign! - 01/13/11 11:37 PM
Clean that sign!
If you have your Massachusetts home for sale, keep an eye on the sign in your yard. Is it clear? Is it visible?
Recent snow fall in Boston Metro West area buried even some mailboxes under it's cover! 
Even if your sign is tall enough to peak through the snow, it still is partially invisible. Clear it up! 
If you hire someone to help you shovel the snow, let them know where the for sale sign is, so that they don't run it over, and clear it up nicely.
If your sign is tilted or broken under the … (4 comments)

We are snowed in here in Natick MA! - 01/12/11 09:43 PM
We are snowed in here in Natick, MA!
The well predicted snow storm finally arrived. It's the first big snowfall this season. There was another one a few weeks ago, but it almost melted away by now. Yesterday night one could hardly tell there's snow storm coming. Other than weather channel warnings and cancelled schools, all was as usual. Didn't see many people at the store stocking up on necessities.
Yet it started snowing at nght - and here we are, snowed in!
Main roads are mostly clear by now, and most side streets are cleared up as well. however, one should … (5 comments)

Do you have a hobby that unexpectedly helps you in real estate? - 01/09/11 10:45 PM
Do you have a hobby that unexpectedly helps you in real estate?
My hobby is called STROLLERS. I love trying them out! I have bought and sold many, and have played with many more strollers that my friends had owned...
I know lots of stuff. I can explain you very well why bugaboo costs as much as my first car did, and who the heck is Bob, and why he's even better when he is a double. (No, he doesn't sell furniture!). I can also have a bet with you that a Mac is not a computer... 
I also know very … (8 comments)

Trombetta's Farm in Marlborough, MA - great ice cream, and MINI-GOLF! - 01/08/11 11:41 PM
Trombetta's Farm in Marlborough, MA - great ice cream, and MINI-GOLF! A nice little gem of a place.
As name implies, it used to be a farm, owned by Trombetta's family, that later became a gardening center.  One of the greenhouses was converted into a mini-golf course, that is a delight to visit. 
Air conditioned in summer, with plenty of fabulous ice cream to choose from, it's a wonderful place to visit. 
It's a wonderful activity for kids and adults during fall and winter, when weather is bad, but you don't want to be trapped inside. Minigolf at Trombetta's has a … (2 comments)

How to learn more about a neighborhood - 01/07/11 11:52 PM
How to learn more about a neighborhood, when you are planning to buy a new home?
After you compared statistics on different levels (school scores and reviews, crime rate, median home prices and taxes etc) - how do you actually learn what the neighborhood is like? How do you now you fit in (or not)? 
One of the options is going to local playgrounds and meet people. That is especially important if you have small children or plan to extend your family in near future.
You will meet many locals on a playground, you will be able to strike a conversation … (3 comments)

Does real estate market have a return policy? - 01/06/11 07:55 PM
Does real estate market have a return policy?
You know the long lines to service desks at stores, where customers can return or exchange items they bought 30, or 60 or even 90 days ago.
Mostly, you get full refund, in some cases in form of store credit, and everybody walks away happy. 
What about real estate? It used to be quite sure shot: if you bought a house, you could be pretty sure that you can sell it at a profit few years later, and come out ahead, or at the very least break even. 
Buyers remorse was … (2 comments)

Looking for excellent daycare in Natick, MA? Step by Step Nursery School has openings! - 01/05/11 08:53 PM
Looking for excellent daycare in Natick, MA? Step by Step Nursery School has openings!
If you live or work in Natick, MA or towns nearby, there's a wonderful home daycare facility, Step by Step Nursery School.
I have 2 children, and due to moves, finances, schedule and hundred other reasons I've been through 7 daycare facilities, (not to mention ones that I visited but took off my list) so I know quite well what is a good facility, and what isn't.
Besides, I'm a Mama Bear (or should I say Mama Lion?), well being and happiness of my cubs is the most … (0 comments)

Can you buy a house if you are not US Citizen? - 01/03/11 11:15 PM
Can you buy a house if you are not US Citizen?
Short and sweet answer, is yes, of course you can. Next question is, can you get financing?
That's when it gets a little tricky. Main problem is your credit history. If you have lived in the US for a few years, paid your bills, opened a couple of credit cards, you started the process of building your credit, and it is possible to get a loan. 
There's possible to "transfer" your credit history from another country and apply for a loan in the US, for example, hat can be done … (2 comments)

What's the number one reason to hire a Buyer's Agent? - 01/02/11 08:50 PM

What's the number one reason to hire a Buyer's Agent?
it is exact same reason why you are thinking of doing it without an agent - SAVE MONEY.
At first glance, that's what jumps to mind - no agent = no commission to pay = $aving$!
Well, here's the deal, or should I say "no deal":
Let me ask you: WHO in your opinion pays the commission? 
Most likely, the answer is "seller". That's right, but with a twist. When seller signs a listing agreement with an agent, that's where commission amount is determined, and seller agrees to pay.
But … (3 comments)

 
P1100267

Anna Tolstoy

Natick, MA

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Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Address: 1 Common St., Natick, MA, 01760

Office Phone: (508) 655-0680

Cell Phone: (617) 966-7949

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