I showed a home today to a client who is very much into older houses. It was built in 1878 and is registered in with the Registry of Historic Homes. The house exuded not only charm but also the distinctive craftsmanship that came with that period.
When I see a home like this, I think about all the people who had lives in it and all of the memories that were shared within those walls.
How many Thanksgivings, Christmases, weddings, births, anniversaries, happy times as well as sorrows were spent here?
The family who currently owns the property are nine siblings who have all grown, have their own families and are now selling the home they grew up in. Two of the sisters were there today to go over boundary lines, utility costs and other facts about the property.
During the course of the afternoon, they shared the stories of their childhood - the skating rink their father built in the yard every winter, the ski tote they had on the hillside in the back, the office in the basement where their father, a doctor, saw patients and the nine of them sitting around the kitchen table in the order of their ages.
I was touched by the fact that it was not going to be easy for them to let go of a place that held all of their childhood memories.
In listening to their tales and looking at the old furniture, this house truly had a story to tell.
But the pictures on the walls, which predated even this family, made me wonder all the more about all of the lives that this home has seen and all the comfort it has given for more than 130 years.
Just off of Southville Road and nestled in some of the prettiest conservation land in town is the community of Liberty Estates.
Constitution Drive leads into the developmenton one end and connects with Liberty Drive forming a circle around the Liberty Conservation Area. Off of Constitution are the cul de sac neighborhoods of Independence Drive and Adams Circle. Wentworth Drive completes the community with a third cul de sac setting.
With street names that are so deeply symbolic of a colonial period in history, it is no surprise that this lovely neighborhood is made up of homes that are quintessential colonials in the classic tradition.
The homes include a few hip roofs, federal fronts, garrisons and some just straight faced colonials. Most enjoy level yards, stunning gardens and park like settings.
The home sizes in this development range from 2000 square feet to over 4000 square feet and lot sizes begin at a half acre and go to up to 4 acres.
Homes in Liberty Estates were built from the mid 1980s into the mid 1990s and vary in their amenities and upgrades. Property values in this neighborhood currently range from $400,000 up to $850,000.
One of the best features of this community is its convenient location. You can walk to the MBTA train station and the Mass Pike is only a few minutes away.
Southborough was recently named Number 31 in the nation on CNN Money's 100 Best Places to Live in 2009, and second in the nation for towns in which income was over $100,000.
The town's public school system is highly ranked and Southborough is home to the prestigious St. Mark's School. In addition, the Fay School has the distinction of being the oldest junior boarding school in the country serving grades 1 through nine on its 35 acre campus.
If you are interested in moving into Southborough or any of the surrounding towns, please call me at 508-881-6230 and it would be my pleasure to talk with you.
Now that the Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended and expanded to help all home buyers, there's still plenty of time to take advantage of this opportunity.
Previously, only available to first-time home buyers, the new expanded program was designed to boost home sales, particularly during the customarily slow winter months.
Requirements for the Move-up Tax Credit
You must have owned and resided in the same house for at least five consecutive years prior to your purchase date.
The price of the home you are buying cannot exceed $800,000.
The income limits are: $125,000 for a single person and $225,000 for a married couple.
The home that you are buying must be intended as your principal residence and would include single family homes, townhouses and condominiums, mobile homes and houseboats.
You may not purchase the home from family members, including your spouse or spouse's family.
The credit applies to the purchase of an existing home as well as new construction.
If you buy a home in 2009 (or 2010) you can apply the tax credit against your 2008 (or 2009) tax return.
You must have a valid and executed Purchase and Sale Agreement by April 30, 2010 and the purchase must close by June 30.
Best Not to Procrastinate
In order to meet these deadlines you should be shopping for a house now. It usually takes at least two months from signing an offer to get your home to a closing. Getting an early start on the home search process will give you a much better chance at finding the right home in time.
Have Your Pre-Approval in Hand
To avoid wasting precious time, communicate with your lender as soon as possible and get all necessary documentation in to approve your loan. Have the lender generate a pre-approval for you so that you are in a position to put a serious offer down on a home.
It is important to note, if you are afirst-time home buyer, the tax credit available to you will be up to $8,000 rather than $6,500.
The homes in Pine Hill Estates range in size from 4,000 square feet to over 6,000 square feet; some with regal brick fronts and others with distinctive and elegant designs.
Most of the homes in this coveted neighborhood sit on lots that are over an acre in size and have back yards that offer wooded privacy.
The pride of this community is evident in the stately grounds and meticulous landscaping as well as sidewalks throughout for child safety.
Quality abounds with amenities that include gourmet kitchens, high-end appliances, custom moldings, cathedral ceilings, spacious master suites and finished basements.
It's a short walk from your door to nearby scenic Sudbury Reservoir with surrounding trails for hiking and biking and the convenience of the Mass Pike is only a few minutes away.
Property values at Pine Hill Estates currently range from $800,000 to over a million.
There are currently two properties available in this beautiful development priced at $990,000 and $1,195,000. If you would like to look at these homes or at any homes in the Southborough area, please call my office at 508-881-6230.
Hearthstone is a popular subdivision in Hopkinton conveniently located off of Ash Street.
Its proximity to the center of town sets it apartas one that is close to Route 135, the heart of Hopkinton within walking distance to shops and restaurants and with easy access to Route 495, the Mass Pike and the MBTA station.
The streets in this community are Hearthstone Road and Carriage Hill Road and together they form a private and child safe cul de sac drive.
Homes in in this subdivisionare between 3,000 to over 5,000 square feet in size and sit on lots that are ½ acre to over an acre.
Property values in the neighborhood currently range from $600,000 to $800,000. The ages of these homes are from the 1990s into the early 2000's.
Unlike much of Hopkinton, Hearthstone has the convenience of being serviced by town water and sewer.
The homes in this subdivision are of a superb quality and were built by a local luxury builder. Amenities include two-story foyers, in-home offices, finished basements, crown moldings, wainscoting, exceptional master bedroom suites, some 3-car garages and meticulous landscaping.
Best known for being the start of the annual Boston Marathon site, Hopkinton also enjoys the distinction of having an award-winning public school system that has been consistently ranked highly among schools in the Metrowest area.
Currently, there is a terrific resale available at Hearthstone being offered at $675,000.
For more information on Hearthstone or any of Hopkinton's other fine communities please call my office at 508-881-6230.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
I showed a home today to a client who is very much into older houses. It was built in 1878 and is registered in with the Registry of Historic Homes. The house exuded not only charm but also the distinctive craftsmanship that came with that period. 
I was touched by the fact that it was not going to be easy for them to let go of a place that held all of their childhood memories. 
Just off of Southville Road and nestled in some of the prettiest conservation land in town is the community of Liberty Estates. 
ity with a third cul de sac setting. 
Homes in Liberty Estates were built from the mid 1980s into the mid 1990s and vary in their amenities and upgrades. Property values in this neighborhood currently range from $400,000 up to $850,000. 
School
Now that the 
In a picturesque and wooded area of 
for child safety. 
Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230
Hearthstone is a popular subdivision in Hopkinton conveniently located off of Ash Street. 
homes are from the 1990s into the early 2000's. 
Best known for being the start of the annual 
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