http://activerain.com/blogs/larrylawfer What would you do today, if you knew you could not fail? What actions would you take, what would you share and how would you treat the people around you. Storyteller Marketing in Real Estate by Larry Lawfer will explore the real estate industry through the eyes of the community and it's people and stories. en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/3299701/vacation-time-is-upon-us-best-deals-anguilla <div class="post-1280 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-anguilla category-archive category-beach category-caribbean category-featured category-fractional-ownership tag-anguilla tag-anguilla-beaches tag-anguilla-real-estate tag-best-beaches tag-caribbean-vacation tag-vacation tag-vactation-time-is-upon-us-best-deals-anguilla tag-villa-for-sale"> <div class="post-meta"> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1281" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Memorial Day in Texas</p> </div> <p><img title="Memorial Day, Dallas 2010" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/%C2%A9Larry_Lawfer_Memorial_Day_2010_1-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="Memorial Day, Dallas 2010" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 2px 3px; float: left;">This Memorial Day in the United States was frenzied with <strong>activity in the Boston area</strong>.&nbsp; Honoring our <strong>military hero&rsquo;s</strong>, marching in parades, getting the <strong>screens in the windows</strong>, but the greatest frenzy was the <strong>weather</strong>.&nbsp; It was beautiful here.&nbsp; Temperatures allowed you to <strong>feel the summer</strong>, on it&rsquo;s <strong>best days</strong>.&nbsp; Warm and sunny during the day and cool yet comfortable in the night. It was easy to feel the <strong>joys of summer</strong> and <strong>vacation</strong>. <strong>Vacation</strong> is such a wonderful part of our time line lives. We remember our lives by our <strong>vacations</strong>, don&rsquo;t we?&nbsp; I do.</p> <p>The island of <strong>Anguilla has great beaches</strong>.&nbsp; The theme of your<strong> vacation</strong> might be <strong>best beaches</strong> and in <strong>Anguilla</strong> on <strong>Shoal Bay East</strong> you have reputedly on of the <strong>best beaches in all the world</strong>, by visitors ratings. Instead of dodging the texting, distracted driver next to you in your <strong>commute</strong>, you are walking on the <strong>edge of the turquoise water</strong>.&nbsp; In your mind the story could go any direction, for me I like to <strong>skirt the front edge of the end of the last wave holding back the waves from storming the beach with my foot.</strong></p> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_689" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">The Viceroy Spa and Wellness Center</p> </div> <p><a href="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/?attachment_id=689" title="Anguilla, Viceroy Wellness Center" rel="attachment wp-att-689"><img title="Luxury in Anguilla, Viceroy_Spa" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Viceroy_Sap-300x161.png" height="161" alt="Luxury in Anguilla" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 2px 3px; float: right;"></a>In this way I have to feel the ocean and it&rsquo;s waves so that my toes are not overrun by the end of the wave, but my sturdy foot walking the path is holding back the great blue ocean. &nbsp; Vacation is where I can wage this timeless battle.&nbsp; The battle for the best places in the world to have a vacation and Anguilla is one of them.</p> <p>As an <strong>International Real Estate Specialist</strong> (IRES) I can offer you some of the <strong>best vacations</strong> you can image, or should I say could <strong>never imagine</strong>.&nbsp; <strong>Beaches</strong> like those in <strong>Anguilla</strong> can be <strong>rented or owned</strong>.&nbsp; Give me a call for some of the <strong>finest vacation spots</strong> you&rsquo;ll want to visit.&nbsp; <strong>Larry Lawfer 972 322 7776</strong><span class="tags">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> <div id="comments">&nbsp;</div> <h3 id="reply-title">&nbsp;</h3> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Wed, 30 May 2012 04:39:58 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3299701/vacation-time-is-upon-us-best-deals-anguilla http://activerain.com/blogsview/3296914/holiday-s-for-a-realtor-the-gift-of-service <p><img title="Brownstones In Spring" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/5/2/6/ar133829578562567.jpg" height="209" alt="Brownstones in Spring" width="319" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">Yesterday was a beautiful day in <strong>Cambridge</strong>. The streets were <strong>warm with people walking leisurely</strong> through the morning air on the brick walkways that criss-cross throughout the <strong>neighborhoods</strong>.&nbsp; <strong>Harvard Street</strong> is equidistant between <strong>Harvard Square and Central Square</strong>. The streets are tree lined and yesterday the <strong>stately Colonials</strong> were&nbsp; festooned with American Flags. This is a very sweet neighborhood and we were in town to do an <strong>inspection</strong>.</p> <p>An <strong>inspection</strong> of a home before you go to the <strong>P&amp;S</strong> is a wonderful time to see and understand the <strong>inner workings of the house you are planning to buy.</strong>&nbsp; An <strong>inspector</strong> will be <strong>systematic,</strong> and I mean that literally. They will <strong>check all of the systems in the house, the electric, the plumbing, the heating, the hot water, the A/C-if there is one, the windows, the doors, the trapdoors-if there are any</strong>.&nbsp; Yesterday there actually was a trap door in this old colonial <strong>reconverted carriage house</strong>.&nbsp; Your mind can imagine the trap door is there because it was a way for the slaves to be moved along the <strong>Freedom Trail</strong> that webs it's way through<strong> colonial Cambridge</strong>.&nbsp; It could be a simple as they needed a second way to get to the <strong>heater</strong>. Actually the <strong>simplest answer is usually the right reason, but the story is fun.</strong></p> <p><img title="View of Boston from Cambridge" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/3/6/6/ar133829592466333.png" height="237" alt="View of Boston from Cambridge" width="535" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"><strong>Inspections</strong> always show you the underside of the house. The <strong>things that don't work</strong>, the things that were or are <strong>damaged</strong> this is the hard part to get all at once in a short inspection.&nbsp; It is a lot to take in and that is why <strong>the written report with pictures is always the best resource to review after you have left the inspection</strong>.&nbsp; Personally I prefer to work with i<strong>nspectors who use a computer program</strong> to generate <strong>detailed reports and provide images of the items being discussed</strong> in the report. This is measurably better than the <strong>inspectors who use paper reports with a Satisfactory, Not Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory rating system</strong>.&nbsp; I think <strong>clients prefer detailed reports</strong> that make sense in narrative form rather then ratings form that has no explanation.</p> <p><strong>Appraisers</strong> are another breed.&nbsp; <strong>They prove value of the home</strong> when everyone else uses the seat of their pants or some arbitrary way using one of the 17-20 ways to value a home. <strong>Price per Square Footage</strong>, <strong>Comparative Values</strong> with like properties, <strong>neighborhood ratings, educational or financial ratings</strong> for the neighborhood or town and on and on.&nbsp; <strong><img title="2012-335-Garden Cambridge" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/7/5/0/0/ar1338296700575.jpg" height="225" alt="2012-335-Garden Cambridge" width="300" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></strong><strong>Appraisers factor in all of these methods to be able to prove a value i</strong>n relation to the recent activity and in that time and place. Since <strong>Value for a home is only determined by the price some one will pay,</strong> the appraisers value has some lee-way, but far less than your agents guess unless they are trained as appraisers.</p> <p>It was <strong>Memorial Day</strong> and everyone was excited to be deciding this house would become my clients home.&nbsp; <strong>Taking on the responsibility of the upkeep of a home can be so exciting with opportunity and life change</strong>.&nbsp; It is a wonderful emotion to watch on a <strong>new buyer</strong>.&nbsp; I know this to be true whether the buyer is first time or many times, the inspection of the home is a <strong>high energy day of opportunity and challenge</strong>.&nbsp; As I walked out of that inspection with my <strong>buyer client feeling very good</strong>, I felt as though an inspection, even on a holiday, is <strong>not such a bad way to spend part of the day</strong>. The <strong>service we provide brings value to the house, the home, the community and most importantly your client.</strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Tue, 29 May 2012 06:03:15 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3296914/holiday-s-for-a-realtor-the-gift-of-service http://activerain.com/blogsview/3283861/anguilla-real-estate-not-your-ordinary-opportunity <p class="wp-caption-text">&nbsp; The gold standard-real estate</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/?attachment_id=124" title="The gold standard-real estate" rel="attachment wp-att-124"><img title="The gold standard-real estate" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Gold_Bars_flickr-300x240.png" height="240" alt="The gold standard-real estate" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>When looking for <strong>investment opportunities</strong> the real opportunities exist in <strong>real estate today</strong>, yesterday and last year.&nbsp; Well, maybe not in 2007-2009, but that is when you were protecting your money so that now you could make a <strong>great investment</strong>. <strong>Real estate, land, vacation homes</strong> are a way to put your money into something that will provide you <strong>dividends in the future</strong>, while you <strong>reap the benefit</strong> of being able to <strong>spend time with family and friends each and every day you own the property</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Anguilla real estate</strong> is particularly filled with <strong>great opportunity right now</strong>.&nbsp; I represent a <strong>variety of properties</strong> that can be had as <strong>rentals, or purchases</strong> through programs such as <strong>owner financing, fractional ownership, rent to own and more</strong>. Give me a call at <strong>972-322-7776</strong> to learn more. The point of investment of any kind is to <strong>secure your hard earned cash</strong> in a product or service that has <strong>up-side potential</strong>.&nbsp; Over this last decade most companies have seen a dip in their worth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_290" style="width: 203px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Angulla real estate is love</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/?attachment_id=290" rel="attachment wp-att-290"><img title="Angulla real estate is love" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ARP_Couple_Beach_flickr-193x300.png" height="300" alt="Angulla real estate is love" width="193" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a><strong>Facebook</strong>, everyone&rsquo;s darling right now, has lost money each and every day it is on the market this week because the media so hyped the <strong>IPO</strong> that the company needs to find the landing spot for its value before climbing up or down. This is not a <strong>secure risk</strong>.&nbsp; Real estate is another story. The statistics show that in spite of the downturn of recent years the year over year <strong>value continues to climb</strong> at a higher and faster rate than almost any other company.&nbsp; The saying goes, &ldquo;<strong>real estate, they are not building any more</strong>&rdquo; is true.&nbsp; There is <strong>fixed amount of property</strong> available.&nbsp; If you invest in a <strong>beach front property</strong> there is even less of that around.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a property for sale in <strong>Anguilla</strong> that has more than <strong>250 feet of ocean frontage</strong> in the more desirable areas of the island.&nbsp; <strong>Buying or renting</strong> this property gives you more than most. <strong>Caribbean luxury</strong> is the comfort of a <strong>relaxed, safe environment for your family, friends or business partners</strong>.&nbsp; It is in your interest to keep <strong>real estate on your investment horizon</strong>.&nbsp; Give <strong>Larry Lawfer a call at 972-322-7776</strong> and find out how you can <strong>protect your money by investing it in Anguilla real estate</strong>.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Thu, 24 May 2012 06:29:56 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3283861/anguilla-real-estate-not-your-ordinary-opportunity http://activerain.com/blogsview/3283853/opportunity-comes-a-knocking <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2774" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Getting off the blocks fast Opportunity knocks</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.16.25-AM.png" title="Getting off the blocks fast Opportunity knocks"><img title="Getting off the blocks fast" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.16.25-AM-300x202.png" height="202" alt="Getting off the blocks fast" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>What do you do when opportunity comes a knocking on your door?&nbsp; What is your response when that opportunity comes with some effort, some push back, some hurdles to jump through.&nbsp; Successful people push through. They see the hurdles as mere stumbling blocks. They see the end even though the end can not be seen at the moment.&nbsp; Book after book, program after program repeats these messages over and over again. Where are you when this happens.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2776" style="width: 300px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Mapping Opportunity strategies for success</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.15.52-AM1.png" title="Mapping Opportunity strategies for success"><img title="Mapping Opportunity strategies for success" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.15.52-AM1-290x300.png" height="300" alt="Mapping Opportunity strategies for success" width="290" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>In real estate the process of buying and selling your home has built in pot holes than can cause a stumble or a fall depending on your own personal balance.&nbsp; These are important financial transactions that are also filled with real emotional challenges.&nbsp; This is not to say that your emotional challenges are all bad.&nbsp; Getting your home under agreement either as a buyer or seller can trigger fear and worry, what will you do when you get that signature on the line?&nbsp; Depending on your agent you may have discussed this before hand, or the agent will discuss it when you bring it up.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2778" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Opportunity knocking; Are you listening?</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.17.18-AM1.png" title="Opportunity knocking; Are you listening?"><img title="Opportunity knocking; Are you listening?" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-23-at-8.17.18-AM1-300x210.png" height="210" alt="Opportunity knocking; Are you listening?" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>One of the most criticized aspects of home buyers and sellers is that their agent didn&rsquo;t communicate with them enough.&nbsp; So many agents come into a presentation with statistics about their agency and themselves and never really address the needs of the prospect they are sitting with. This is just flat out wrong.&nbsp; Stats don&rsquo;t sell or buy houses, people do. This is a full contact sport and if your agent isn&rsquo;t letting you know what is happening, going to happen then you are with an agent who just doesn&rsquo;t get the importance to you.</p> <p>This is also true for agents themselves. Agents need to be constantly learning and adapting to the changing environment of real estate.&nbsp; Economics, banking, rules and regulations are constantly changing and if your agent isn&rsquo;t versed in these changes or just wants to do what they did before you may not be being served in the best way possible for you.&nbsp; If your agent states that the reason your house didn&rsquo;t sell is based only on the price, then ask them what they are doing to bring people in.&nbsp; You can not sell any property without people viewing it&mdash;first on line and then in person.&nbsp; If you are getting no offers and no visits then price is certainly one of the main ingredients to look at, but not the only.&nbsp; Make sure you have an agent who answers the door when opportunity knocks.</p> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Thu, 24 May 2012 06:25:36 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3283853/opportunity-comes-a-knocking http://activerain.com/blogsview/3277958/clueless-agents-what-do-to- <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.27.04-PM.png"><img title="Huffington Post most ridiculous real estate signs" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.27.04-PM.png" height="140" alt="Bad Real estate signs" width="222" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a>When an agent rejects a <strong>perfectly good offer</strong> with a value that you know <strong>will never appraise</strong>, what can you do?&nbsp; I like this agent and my client loves the property, but during our back and forth on the <strong>purchase price</strong> I was told a number of things about <strong>how Appraisers do their job</strong>.&nbsp; Not wanting to get into an argument I suggested that he was wrong and that the price they have on <strong>their property will not appraise</strong>.&nbsp; I was sent a long and nicely written note by the agent, which I appreciated, there just aren&rsquo;t enough polite agents, but his thinking was so far off.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2770" style="width: 245px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Huffington Post most ridiculous real estate signs</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.28.07-PM.png"><img title="Huffington Post most ridiculous real estate signs" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.28.07-PM.png" height="205" alt="Huffington Post most ridiculous real estate signs" width="235" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;"></a>I was told that <strong>Appraisers never use price per square foot in their calculations</strong>.&nbsp; I work with a lot of cash buyers and always have our properties appraised because the lack of a bank that triggers the <strong>appraisal</strong> makes this necessary.&nbsp; Knowing that <strong>price per square foot</strong> is one of the many calculations that are used I am wondering how to respond.&nbsp; Truth is the deal will fall through if someone steps up into his price, but me saying that sounds as bad as he telling me price per square foot is not used.</p> <p>I shared his note with one of the <strong>appraisers</strong> I use and the <strong>appraiser </strong>said this agent is <strong>incompetent and unprofessional</strong>.&nbsp; While I will not go that far, I think the agent is truly misinformed and is feeding his client misinformation.&nbsp; My client is still hoping to get the home, but without some reality to the agents thinking and advice to his poor client they will not get this deal closed.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2771" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">&nbsp;</p> <p class="wp-caption-text">Poor agent never sleeps</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.28.36-PM.png"><img title="Poor agent never sleeps" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-shot-2012-05-21-at-2.28.36-PM-300x165.png" height="165" alt="Poor agent never sleeps" width="300" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: right;"></a>What do you do when you have an agent who does not know how things work?&nbsp; What would you do in this situation?&nbsp; Keep in mind I like this agent as a person, he was available when I needed him has been forthcoming with the information I needed, but just is <strong>clueless on the appraisal process </strong>and has too high a value on his home.&nbsp; <strong>Clueless agents are everywhere, what are we to do?</strong></p> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Tue, 22 May 2012 05:44:56 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3277958/clueless-agents-what-do-to- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3276204/vacation-homes-the-real-opportunity <p><img title="Picnic on the Beach in Nantucket Island" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/8/0/5/5/ar133762902155084.jpg" height="300" alt="Nantucket Island" width="239" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: right;">The <strong>real opportunity</strong> with a <strong>vacation home</strong> is not the fact your family will love you, or your friends and colleagues will covet your home and want to visit. The <strong>real opportunity</strong> is to put your money into a <strong>growth investment</strong> that you can use.&nbsp; <strong>Real estate</strong> is at a point right now that you can sink way less than the <strong>$2,000,000,000 that JP Morgan Chase lost</strong> in the market last week and come out so much further ahead in 5-10 years.&nbsp; No sense in throwing your money away, why not <strong>have&nbsp; your money work for you</strong> while it works for your family and friends.</p> <p><strong>Fractional ownership</strong> is one way to get far <strong>more bang for your buck</strong>.&nbsp; This is getting together a few of your friends to <strong>share in the ownership</strong> and time in the place.&nbsp; This is common here in the Northeast where <strong>families share their ski lodges</strong>.&nbsp; This allows you to share <strong>both a winter and a beach vacation</strong>. Give me a <strong>call for the beach vacations. 972-322-7776</strong>.&nbsp; I have <strong>several vacation properties</strong> that are available with <strong>owner financing available</strong>.&nbsp; This can help the <strong>qualified person</strong> to work out a deal the banks won't permit.&nbsp; <strong>Long term rental</strong>, or <strong>rent to own</strong> are also possibilities for many.&nbsp; When you just don't have the ability to buy, but you see your career moving in the right direction and you feel as thought a <strong>vacation home</strong> is something you don't want to put off, this option is a great one.</p> <p><img title="Anguilla Beach and Ocean" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/0/8/9/ar133762945498011.jpg" height="225" alt="Anguilla Beach and Ocean" width="300" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;">We all work hard, but those of us who work hard and plan correctly can benefit from this <strong>unique time in our global economy</strong> to get more for less.&nbsp; If you are not thinking about how to protect your assets and put them into something <strong>way smarter than Facebook</strong> you should certainly <strong>consider real estate.</strong>&nbsp; While Facebook is hot right at the moment, your vacation home will grow in value over the next many years which is not something that can be predicted for your social media darling.&nbsp; <strong>Anguilla</strong> is a country that uses the <strong>dollar as it's currency</strong>, uses <strong>English as it's language</strong> and <strong>beauty as it's calling card</strong>. This wonderful island has been rated in the <strong>Top 20</strong> in all sorts of categories like <strong>Top Ten Beaches</strong>, <strong>Top 20 Restaurants</strong> in the world, yes the world.&nbsp; It is known for it's family atmosphere and the privacy it provides it's visitors.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you are looking for a <strong>vacation home</strong> anywhere along the <strong>Eastern Seaboard and the Caribbean</strong> give me a call and let me help you through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. <strong>Get your money working for you</strong> and allow the love of your family to pour in.&nbsp; A <strong>vacation home</strong> is a great opportunity to save you money now and make you money in the future.&nbsp; <strong>Call Larry Lawfer at 972-322-7776 for more information</strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Mon, 21 May 2012 13:05:22 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3276204/vacation-homes-the-real-opportunity http://activerain.com/blogsview/3271072/warming-northeast-cool-pricing-in-anguilla <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_11" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Anguilla Villa Real Estate for Sale</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/?attachment_id=11" rel="attachment wp-att-11"><img title="Anguilla_Villa" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Anguilla_Villa_WEB-300x224.jpg" height="224" alt="Angulila real estate for sale" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a>The snows have melted, the trees and flowers have blossomed and the air turns warm. We sit in our homes after a hard days work and can hear the neighborhood go about the evening activities because are windows are once again open.&nbsp; Summer is coming to New England and that means the season in Anguilla has moved from it&rsquo;s &ldquo;in season&rdquo; to it&rsquo;s &ldquo;out of season&rdquo; pricing.&nbsp; What is more important here is that deals can be made for property at this point.&nbsp; I represent a number of properties from a 6 plus million dollar property that sits surrounded on three sides of beautiful turquoise and more than 250 feet of ocean frontage to more reasonable properties that may not have the incredible ocean view of 7 Palms, but still get you close to the top beaches in the world.&nbsp; Couple that with an incredibly wonderful collection of restaurants and you have an island paradise.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_10" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Top Ten Islands in the World</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/?attachment_id=10" rel="attachment wp-att-10"><img title="Top Ten Beaches in the world" src="http://anguillaresortproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Anguilla_Top_Ten_WEB-300x225.jpg" height="225" alt="Top Ten Beaches in the World" width="300" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a>Owners on the island are careful to closely guard privacy and family values.&nbsp; There is no gambling like near-by St Martin, but there is miles of great beaches and restaurants and the kind of place you feel comfortable with your family.&nbsp; Located only 7 miles from St Martin this island is easy to get to from anywhere on the East Coast and beyond.&nbsp; Using the US dollar for it&rsquo;s currency and English for the language you will not have difficulty adapting to this island marvel.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Give me a call with any questions you might have about owning, or renting property in Anguilla. 972-322-7776 Larry Lawfer is focused on getting you exactly what you want at a price you will love.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Sat, 19 May 2012 07:45:01 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3271072/warming-northeast-cool-pricing-in-anguilla http://activerain.com/blogsview/3268075/vacation-property-options-bonanza <p class="wp-caption-text">&nbsp;Your morning view from the deck</p> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/?p=2762" title="Angulla Resort Properties"><img title="Anguilla 7 Palms view" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Anguill_Infinity_Menu2-300x195.jpg" height="195" alt="Finding your vacation property" width="300" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;"></a>I represent a number of <strong>vacation properties around the world</strong> and this list is growing.&nbsp; I am amazed at the <strong>options</strong> the Sellers are willing to consider.&nbsp; <strong>Fractional Ownership, Self-Directed Retirement Accounts, Rent to Own, Multi-Owner Ownership, Seller financed options</strong> are just some of the <strong>potential opportunities.</strong>&nbsp; This market is very fluid and absolutely wonderful for the buyers.&nbsp; Give me a call to talk about <strong>Anguilla</strong>, Martha&rsquo;s Vineyard, Nantucket, Bermuda or anywhere you are interested in. As an International Real Estate Specialist (IRES)&nbsp; I can help you push through purchased in local and foreign countries.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2764" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Woman enjoying the Anguilla beach</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/?p=2762" title="Angulla Resort Properties"><img title="Anguilla beaches are the best in the world" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ARP_Concierge_Girl_Beach-300x270.png" height="270" alt="Woman enjoying beach splendor" width="300" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a><strong>Anguilla</strong> is an island that is well known by the<strong> jet set</strong> crowd for years. The<strong> Hollywood</strong> crowd found it many years ago as well.&nbsp; Following that the Travel magazines, websites and TV shows started pouring in by coming to the island and shoot their shows, rate the beaches and some of the restaurants as the <strong>top in the world</strong> on numerous occasions.&nbsp; I represent several properties there and have been able to find a number of people a vacation rental.&nbsp; There is absolutely nothing better than walking on a beautiful beach with the turquoise water lapping at your toes to clear your head to <strong>rejuvenate your relationships</strong>.</p> <p>If you are interested in having a home away from home give me a call and let&rsquo;s talk about your dreams and goals.&nbsp; <strong>972-322-7776</strong> will get you directly to me.&nbsp; <strong>See you on the beach!</strong></p> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Fri, 18 May 2012 05:39:32 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3268075/vacation-property-options-bonanza http://activerain.com/blogsview/3265263/expansion-and-contraction <p><img title="64 Shore Road Wellesley MA" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/9/2/1/5/ar133725881851291.jpg" height="225" alt="64 Shore Road Wellesley MA" width="300" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">Expansion and Contraction of our business is a daily occurrence in real estate.&nbsp; The ups and downs can be hourly.&nbsp; Over the last couple of months, maybe several I have undergone a lot of this change now in my second year.&nbsp; In the beginning I was here everyday all day to learn, share and grow.&nbsp; It is wonderful.&nbsp; As I went into my second year I had even higher goals and got down to business.&nbsp; With the new focus and the growing knowledge and experience came growth, a lot of growth.&nbsp; I lost my first listing in classic style.&nbsp; I had a listing at 1.6 million and had more than 100 people through this listing in the 6 months without a single offer.&nbsp; I spoke to the sellers weekly about a need for a price reduction. They held the line throughout.&nbsp; On the first day after six months the listing went to another broker who put it back on the market for more than $100,000 less. Yup classic, huh.</p> <p>My takeaway aside from the humiliation of having to pull out my own sign with no deal (truly a walk of shame in my estimation) I realized that I knew what to do, was trying to do it, but was ineffective at getting my client to understand.&nbsp; I will never again keep a listing for this period of time with seller's who don't understand.&nbsp; I would rather walk at 2 months, or three than wait six and invest all that much more time and money.&nbsp; The fact that the seller allowed me to shoot a video several days before she was planning to move the listing was the slap in the face I needed. I GET IT.</p> <p><img title="64 Shore Road Wellesley MA Pond view" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/4/ar133725893843443.jpg" height="225" alt="64 Shore Road Wellesley MA Pond view" width="300" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: right;">That week I bore down on a program of Expired and Canceled listing designed by AR member Borino.&nbsp; His work and methods are perfect for my style and personality. I have often said I don't want to reinvent anything, I want to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before with great success.&nbsp; I started a mastermind group of agents up and down the east coast who are like minded and focused. We meet every Tuesday morning for an hour to share our efforts.&nbsp; Letters sent, doors knocked, presentations made, closings completed and listings acquired and calls made are all part of our first 10 minutes. Since we are not in the same areas, states, or even countries we talk about real estate and the process not our local markets. This allows us to be focused on the business and not the idiosyncrasies of the local markets.&nbsp; By using these methods and getting the support of my mastermind group I am about to sign my 4th new listing in a month.&nbsp; I can live with this growth, but it has taken me away from the sharing and caring that goes on here.&nbsp; I miss it and intend to find a time to read, learn and share like I used to.</p> <p>Expanding the business is what I want, what we all want, right?&nbsp; But finding time to keep all the balls in the air at one time is part of the trick.&nbsp; Happy to be back.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Thu, 17 May 2012 05:55:12 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3265263/expansion-and-contraction http://activerain.com/blogsview/3237429/home-video-boosts-sales-the-boston-herald <p><a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate"><img title="The Boston Herald Businss Section" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/7/8/3/ar13363919438734.png" height="102" alt="The Boston Herald Businss Section" width="255" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a>The work of a <a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate"><strong>real estate professiona</strong></a>l is amazing on many levels, and yet it can be overwhelming with all the varied tasks that we have to be good with to compete for our clients.&nbsp; Firstly real estate is a financial transaction and your <strong><a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate">real estate professional needs to know</a></strong>, understand and be able to communicate complex transactional and legal matters with you. Although they always say they are not lawyers or accountants and your should&nbsp; hire ones to professional opinions, the more your<a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate"><strong> Realtor&reg;</strong></a> knows about the process through trainging and experience the better for the client.&nbsp; Transactional details are critical to the success of a deal and demand attention and quick effective response to arising issues.</p> <p><a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate"><img title="Larry Lawfer RE/MAX Landmark MA" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/9/1/9/8/ar133639203689194.png" height="422" alt="The Boston Herald Businss Section" width="467" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a>Real estate is also emotional. It is one of the three basic needs of the human.&nbsp; Food, Shelter and Clothing are the big three, right?&nbsp; Shelter, or your home sits nestled in the middle there--this is important and so it can be emotional and usually is.&nbsp; I have never heard anyone describe their favorite home as that "3 bed, 2 bath, 1800 square foot center entranced colonial."&nbsp; NO!&nbsp; That is not the story.&nbsp; The story is that you loved your bedroom with it's east facing windows for morning light, you cherished the dinners you used to have around the big table in the dining room.&nbsp; You played countless hours in your rec room with your friends, that is what you remember. This is the home side of a house.&nbsp; A house is statistics, a home is story.&nbsp; I share story when I market homes.&nbsp; I think there is no better person to explain why a house can be a great home than the person who made it their home.&nbsp; <strong><a href="http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220507if_a_picture_of_a_home_is_worth_a_thousand_words_then_whats_a_video_worthsome_forward-thinking_local_real_estate_agents_realizing_that_most_of_todays_home_buyers_first_look_at_properties_online_are_upping_the_ante_from_the_popular_360-degree_" title="The Boston Herald Business Real Estate">Paul Restuccia of The Boston Herald</a></strong> wrote about this today.&nbsp; The article appears in thie Business Section, and&nbsp; link here.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Mon, 07 May 2012 05:05:24 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3237429/home-video-boosts-sales-the-boston-herald http://activerain.com/blogsview/3112989/44-lasell-st-west-roxbury-ma-virtual-tour <p><a href="http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/69/117369/1672184/index.ipv" title="44 LaSell St West Roxbury MA virtual tour">Click on the picture below, or here to get to the tour.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; West Roxbury is an area of Boston that has had a long love affair with education and politics.&nbsp; Trancendentalism was started in this town.&nbsp; It is home of Roxbury Latin one of the oldest and most prestigeous private high schools in the country.&nbsp; It is also home of Catholic Memorial, one of the best parochial schools in the city.</p> <p>This is a tight knit community that is close enough to the city to be able to get anywhere, but far enough away that you have space between the houses.&nbsp; 44 LaSell St in West Roxbury is a great find for a young family.</p> <p><a href="http://marketing.remaxdesigncenter.com/69/117369/1672184/index.ipv" title="44 LaSell St West Roxbury MA virtual tour"><img title="44 LaSell St West Roxbury MA virtual tour" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/6/7/1/ar133321596817632.png" height="500" alt="44 LaSell St West Roxbury MA virtual tour" width="800" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;"></a></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:42:53 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3112989/44-lasell-st-west-roxbury-ma-virtual-tour http://activerain.com/blogsview/3101102/west-newton-ma-17-llewellyn-colonial-home-for-sale <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_1154" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial home for sale</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/west_newton_llewellyn_colonial-home-for-sale/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-26-at-8-00-43-am/" title="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" rel="attachment wp-att-1154"><img title="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-26-at-8.00.43-AM-300x187.png" height="187" alt="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>Part of the charm of living in New England is the Center entrance Colonial homes.&nbsp; Their stature, their sturdy and recognizable a Colonial home and New England are synonymous.&nbsp; 17 Llewellyn Rd in West Newton is a great example. West Newton is a great part of Newton.&nbsp; There are parks, and restaurants, and shopping and church all within walking distance. The streets are lined with interesting and varied Colonial homes.&nbsp; Burnished wood floors, fireplaces, space for office,&nbsp; formal dining room, Open Kitchen and Family Room, Back Deck, Garage and yard, but not too much yard. This is a good home in a good neighborhood at a good price.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What is nice about a Colonial home is not their uniformity of layout, but their design of the layout within those formal rooms. Built in book shelves, window treatments either inside or outside, lighting and fire places are figured in all sorts of ways within the rectangle of Colonial rooms.&nbsp; Personal taste is brought in through furniture and lighting. In this home the kitchen is opened up onto an extended family room with outside deck with french doors.&nbsp; This is a very cozy way to live and entertain. The privacy of the back of the home and the open square footage gives a great feel to this home.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1155" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/west_newton_llewellyn_colonial-home-for-sale/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-26-at-8-01-06-am/" title="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" rel="attachment wp-att-1155"><img title="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-26-at-8.01.06-AM-300x198.png" height="198" alt="17 Llewelin Rd, West Newton, MA Colonial" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>Newton is a great community with wonderful schools and varied and inclusive mix of community. West Newton has a neighborhood feel with it&rsquo;s own amenities and charm.&nbsp; <strong>Enjoy quality of yesteryear along with many thoughtfully blended upgrades &amp; addition for today&rsquo;s family needs.Gorgeous classic colonial,very desirable quiet tree lined st near West Newton Sq, leaded glass side-lights frame front door, 8 1/2 &lsquo; ceilings,wainscoting,French doors,sconces,gleaming hdwd floors,master w/walk-in closet,full bth+door to balcony,3rd fl teen suite,cook&rsquo;s cherry kichen opens to large vaulted ceiling famrm that leads to cedar deck &amp; spacious fenced yard.Walk to schools &amp; &ldquo;T&rdquo;<code></code></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong>Listing Price:</strong> 869,000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 17 Llewellyn Rd<br><strong>City:</strong> Newton, MA : West Newton<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 02465</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71310333<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 3000 <br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 5<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 2F 1H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> 1/2 finished, Cedar Closet</div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:18:29 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3101102/west-newton-ma-17-llewellyn-colonial-home-for-sale http://activerain.com/blogsview/3094583/changing-of-the-guard-my-desk-gets-cleared <p><img title="Daffadils in Blue Vase, Milton, MA 02186" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/6/4/8/ar13327779484611.jpg" height="199" alt="Daffadils in Blue Vase, Milton, MA 02186" width="300" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">Real Estate is change, forever and continually. The deal today is not the deal yesterday, nor is it the deal tomorrow.&nbsp; Opportunity comes and goes.&nbsp; Right now it i coming. By all indications predicted and transipiring the real estate market is picking up because there is some confidence building, some restrictions lifting and some political pressures for the news to turn brighter, and it is.&nbsp; Word of bidding wars has returned, but before you get too giddy, word is also that more foreclosures are about to be released because of the settlement between the government and many large banks, like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo and others. There is a payback to some select customers of these banks for their foreclosure ordeal.&nbsp; Details are available at <a href="http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/about" title="National Mortgage Settlement">National Mortgage Settlement. </a></p> <p>The winds are changing and the pendulum is swinging.&nbsp; Interest rates are inching up and indications all pointing to a now scenario.&nbsp; This news must be tempered with the realization that because of the <a href="http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/about" title="National Mortgage Settlement">Settlement </a>more homes will be released onto the market.&nbsp; This increased inventory will change the statistics, pricing and Days on Markets in these areas.&nbsp; <img title="Weston_Golden_Retrevier_Westcliff_Sadie" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/0/6/2/ar133277812526012.jpg" height="300" alt="Weston_Golden_Retrevier_Westcliff_Sadie" width="225" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">The consumer is savvy and they understand the difference and value of a home that has been maintained and one that is not. Their own capacity to trade that sweat equity for some price consideration determines the transaction.&nbsp; You can search for better and simpler deals than work with ones that are difficult.&nbsp; The principle reason for the NOW as time to make a move is related to the interest rate and not the price of the house.</p> <p>The prices of the houses may drop slightly with the new inventory.&nbsp; But if the interest jumps, even slightly as it just did in an upward tick over 4% for a fixed 30 yr, this makes the cost of that change for more significant.&nbsp; It is the cost of a house by the month and not the price of that home.&nbsp; With a lower interest rate pushed over a longer period of time your payments are lower and more affordable.&nbsp; Of course best practices in paying off a mortgage is to make one extra principle payment each year and you significantly drop the number of years you will be paying and that is price and cost.&nbsp; Make your money when you buy your home and when it is financed, not when you sell.&nbsp; This is all pretty compelling news as to why NOW is the time to do this, or darn close to.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have been named the <a href="http://blog.remax-newengland.com/2012/03/agent-spotlight-larry-lawfer-2/" title="Spotlight Agent Larry Lawfer April 2012">Spotlight Agent for RE/MAX New England</a> for the second time in 18 months. This is an honor knowing all the successful RE/MAX New England Agents. My goal is to get you exactly what you want at a price you will love. I am interested in Your Storys.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:18:41 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3094583/changing-of-the-guard-my-desk-gets-cleared http://activerain.com/blogsview/3081232/living-in-a-contemporary-home-weston-ma-02493 <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/living-in-a-contemporary-home-weston-ma-02493/attachment/63-west-cliff-weston-ma-chimesweb/" title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA 02493 Chimes" rel="attachment wp-att-1143"><img title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA 02493 Chimes" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MA-ChimesWEB-199x300.jpg" height="300" alt="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA 02493 Chimes" width="199" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>Living in a <strong>contemporary home</strong> is quite different than living in a box-like construction like a <strong>Colonial.</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Contemporary home</strong> such as the one at <strong>63 Westcliff Road in Weston, MA 02493</strong> provide a very different and more intriguing use of space both inside and out.&nbsp; <strong>Block architecture</strong>, the kind used by <strong>Frank Lloyd Wright</strong> and the architect of <strong>63 Westlcliff,</strong> <strong>Maurice K Smith</strong> is fundamentally different in it&rsquo;s approach to living and space.&nbsp; An architect that uses <strong>Block Architecture</strong> first thinks of the individual rooms with no consideration about how it all might go together later.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The primary concern with this kind of contemporary living is that <strong>each room fulfill its purpose</strong> in a specific way.&nbsp; For instance you might want your bedroom to have it&rsquo;s windows on the East side of the house so that you can get <strong>morning light</strong>.&nbsp; You might want your dining room to have windows on both the east and west side so that you have <strong>wonderful light coming in for breakfast and dinner</strong>.&nbsp; You might want a family room with generous built in furniture to <strong>maximize your ability to entertain</strong>.&nbsp; You might want a <strong>balcony off each bedroom</strong> so that the person living in that space has <strong>a way to connect to the natural surroundings</strong>.&nbsp; <strong>63 Westcliff Road in Weston MA</strong> is just such a home.&nbsp; In fact, it is the home I am describing here.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1144" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63_Westcliff_Weston_Exterior_View</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/living-in-a-contemporary-home-weston-ma-02493/attachment/63_westcliff_weston_exterior_rachel-2/" title="63_Westcliff_Weston_Exterior_View" rel="attachment wp-att-1144"><img title="63_Westcliff_Weston_Exterior_View" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63_Westcliff_Weston_Exterior_Rachel-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="63_Westcliff_Weston_Exterior_View" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>This home <strong>feels much larger</strong> than the actual living space and is <strong>much more intimate</strong> than the living space. This dichotomy is caused by the design of the rooms and the way they are put together after each room was created for <strong>maximum impact and usability</strong>.&nbsp; The <strong>outside of this home wraps around and through the landscape</strong> and fits into it in a very specific way to <strong>maximize the use of the natural landscape</strong> and permit the sense within the house as being <strong>part of the landscape</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Homes like this are rare</strong>, and not for everyone.&nbsp; They don&rsquo;t permit residents with no imagination the comfort they get from the usual, like a Center entrance Colonial.&nbsp; They require the resident to <strong>create their home in their own image</strong> separate from those around them.&nbsp; <strong>Contemporary homes</strong> are far more common in <strong>Europe</strong> than here in the <strong>United States</strong> and especially here in <strong>New England</strong>.&nbsp; Come take a look at <strong>63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493 </strong>and <strong>see what contemporary living is all about</strong>. <code></code></p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong><img title="63 Westcliff Rd, Weston MA 02493" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/9/2/8/ar133278402482914.jpg" height="288" alt="63 Westcliff Rd, Weston MA 02493" width="288" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;">Listing Price:</strong> 1,595,000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 63 Westcliff Road<br><strong>City:</strong> Weston<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 02493</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71298492<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 3340<br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 4<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 3F 2H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> Full Finished, Wine Cellar</div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:37:04 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3081232/living-in-a-contemporary-home-weston-ma-02493 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3078056/winning-awards-winning-in-life <p><img title="&amp;copy;jacinda79_flickr" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/2/3/3/ar133244165933238.png" height="300" alt="&amp;copy;jacinda79_flickr" width="225" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: right;">This month has been big for me.&nbsp; I have been an agent in MA for 18 months now and have already won some awards.&nbsp; My commissions in my first year were just below $100,000 which put me in the Executive Club for the REMAX system.&nbsp; Not bad, but I wanted to do better and I will this year.</p> <p>I just heard I have been named for the second time in 18 months as the "Agent of the Month" for REMAX New England.&nbsp; There are a lot of great agents in New England and this is quite an honor for me.&nbsp; When I told my wife about it the other day, I was flying high.&nbsp; She calmly looked at me and said, "Larry, we don't need any more gold stars for the outside of our refrigerator. We need food for the inside."&nbsp; While her comment was somewhat of a buzz-kill for me, I completely understand her thinking and agree with her. Awards mean nothing compared to accomplishing the real work we agents perform.&nbsp; Closing deals and creating better lives for our clients and communities is the real reward--along with the ensuing commissions.</p> <p>The next 90-120 days will be crucial as our economy makes the slow turn and the penduluum slowly swings in a new direction.&nbsp; Interest rates will not stay as they are.&nbsp; Prices of homes are never stagnant.&nbsp; What we can safely say is that 120 days from now it will be different.&nbsp; Today I need to reach out to assist my community with the sale and purchase of homes.&nbsp; In this manner we, the real estate professionals can help our economy grow.&nbsp; It is up to us, not the banks or the government. We need to communicate that there has never been a better time to build long term wealth by buying a property at the right price and with the right interest rate.</p> <p><img title="Highest overall Satisfaction Buyer and Sellers" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/2/0/9/ar133244214590243.png" height="179" alt="Highest overall Satisfaction Buyer and Sellers" width="334" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;">Sure the prices in some areas may drop again when more of the shadow inventory hits, but the incremental drop in the prices does not compare to the cost of a raised interest rate. We need to communicate that price is not near as important as cost.&nbsp; This is for both buyers and sellers.&nbsp; If your listing is reluctant to drop the price again you need to let them know that new inventory is on the way and the iron is hot now.&nbsp; If you have buyers who want the prices to drop again before they get in, you need to let them know that interest rates have gone up slightly and when they move again, it may be much higher and faster a move.</p> <p>Ask yourself what you can do today to make your community and your own life better.&nbsp; That question will help you put groceries in the refrigerator and more gold stars on the refrigerator.&nbsp; Just saying.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:52:23 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3078056/winning-awards-winning-in-life http://activerain.com/blogsview/3071981/the-importance-of-giving-active-rain-ambassadorship <p><img title="Active Rain" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/9/8/1/ar133232790218999.png" height="46" alt="Active Rain" width="208" style="float: right; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">What is Active Rain is a question I get often from real estate agents in the Boston area where I live and work.&nbsp; It is an easy question to answer, but a more difficult answer to absorb it's importance to the people asking.&nbsp; Active Rain is the largest technology company working in the real estate industry.&nbsp; It is chock full of Brokers, Agents, Realtors&reg;, Investors, Lenders, Stagers, Inspectors and more.&nbsp; It reaches across the country and because it is on the web, across the world.&nbsp; It assists the people just mentioned in learning and growing best practices in the industry, but it also does more than that.&nbsp; It also helps the consumers and home buyers and sellers.&nbsp; It provides them a wealth of information about our industry and gives them insight into the differing ways in which a professional can assist these consumers of the service.</p> <p><img title="Active Rain, Larry Lawfer Ambassador" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/3/5/7/8/ar13323280187535.png" height="257" alt="Active Rain, Larry Lawfer Ambassador" width="223" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">I am relatively new to the industry, but not new to business and make no mistake, real estate is a business.&nbsp; It can be argued that real estate is the most vital business in our economy.&nbsp; A booming real estate business means a booming economy and the opposite is also true. Builders, electricians, plumbers, architects, developers, window manufacturers, carpenters, housing materials of all sorts are needed in a home.&nbsp; When it is built and occupied there is food and clothing inside and cars in the driveways, real estate touches every aspect of our lives.&nbsp; It is no surprise that our economy struggles when the housing market is depressed as it has been.&nbsp; It is no surprise that the economy is coming out of the doldrums right now and we are seeing the housing market pick up.</p> <p>As an Ambassador here on Active Rain I feel I need to be actively paying attention to what is being shared here.&nbsp; It is my responsibility and my opportunity to help anyone and everyone who asks for some assistance on this platform and in our industry.&nbsp; We want to have a vibrant and focused professional force out there helping our consumers.&nbsp; We need community activists with real estate knowledge to be working within these communities to build them to prosperity.&nbsp; I am proud of my Ambassadorship, but not in the ego way.&nbsp; What makes me proud at the end of the day is what I can learn and share here.&nbsp; What makes me feel great is when someone asks a question and I can provide either the answer or the place to find that answer. Thank you Active Rain for allowing me to serve this community.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:08:05 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3071981/the-importance-of-giving-active-rain-ambassadorship http://activerain.com/blogsview/3047461/wellesley-ma-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 <div class="post-1132 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-archive category-boston category-boston-homes-for-sale category-featured category-good-schools category-larry-lawfer category-ma category-market-report category-single-family-homes category-wellesley tag-wellesley-ma-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012"> <div class="entry-content"> <p><img title="Deprisco Jewelers Wellesley" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Deprisco-Jewelers-Wellesley-300x225.jpg" height="225" alt="Deprisco Jewelers Wellesley" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;">Wellesley MA single family housing report Feb 2012 shows a lot of activity. There are 179 homes in the Active, Under Agreement, Sold, Expired and Canceled sectors. This is up from last month.&nbsp; It is clear that Spring season is upon us.&nbsp; 139 of this homes fall into the Active area,&nbsp; but many of them are showing some kind of agreement before the sale, meaning there is an Offer but they are waiting for some verification before putting the home under agreement.&nbsp; This is a lot of homes and will give buyers a lot of choices in almost all the categories.&nbsp; The Days on market are coming down, but 152 is a lot of time to be on the marked.&nbsp; The Under Agreement homes are on the market almost half as long, meaning that the homes coming on the market are getting the most attention.&nbsp; The sold homes number of days on market coming down is also a good sign.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Active Listings:</strong> 139 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 4,000.17 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,698,639 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $413 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 152.65 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Under Agreement Listings:</strong> 18 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,137.56 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,418,883 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $431 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 87.72 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Sold Listings:</strong> 14 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 2,291.64 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $917,407 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $414 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 133.71 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$: </strong>$858,336&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$/SqFt: </strong>$386 </span></p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1135" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Tutto_Italiano_Wellesley</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wellesley/wellesley-ma-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/tutto_italiano_wellesley/" title="Tutto_Italiano_Wellesley" rel="attachment wp-att-1135"><img title="Tutto_Italiano_Wellesley" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Tutto_Italiano_Wellesley-300x225.jpg" height="225" alt="Tutto_Italiano_Wellesley" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>There is a relatively healthy 93% of List Price to Sales Price differential.&nbsp; This is not a bad relationship considering the fact that it is such a buyers market right now with lots of inventory.&nbsp; In both the Expired and Canceled areas there are homes on the market far too long.&nbsp; Either these homes are priced way out of their correct price, or the sellers are not working with agents who know how to get a home sold. This is bad news for the market and thankfully there is not a lot of them.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Expired Listings:</strong> 6 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 7,059.17 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $3,256,167 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $439 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 341.00 &nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Canceled Listings:</strong> 2 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 8,747.50 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $4,425,000 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $507 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 296.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p> </div> <div class="post-meta"><span class="tags"><br class="categories"></span></div> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:37:56 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3047461/wellesley-ma-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3044733/west-roxbury-ma-city-address-with-suburban-feel <p><img title="Boston Map with West Roxbury" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/5/9/9/9/ar133175309599957.png" height="300" alt="Boston Map with West Roxbury" width="268" style="margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black; float: right;">West Roxbury, MA&nbsp; is a Boston City address with Suburban feel.&nbsp; West Roxbury is located in Boston's southwest corner.&nbsp; It was originally part of the town of Roxbury when that town was separate from Boston.&nbsp; Today West Roxbury is known for it's civic activism and neighborhood feel.&nbsp; Many of the cities homes are occupied by the cities police and fire professionals.&nbsp; There is a great deal of youth programming available for the kids in this area.&nbsp; The streets are tree lined and all the single family homes make up the feel of living in a suburban neighborhood.&nbsp; Centre Street anchors the neighborhood's business district, which consists of restaurants, banks, and shops.&nbsp; Millennium Park is a former landfill that has been converted into 100 acres of trails, ball fields and picnic areas.</p> <p><strong>West Roxbury</strong> is a neighborhood in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston" title="Boston">Boston</a> bordered by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roslindale" title="Roslindale">Roslindale</a> to the northeast, the Town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedham" title="Dedham">Dedham</a> to the west and south, the Town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookline,_Massachusetts" title="Brookline, Massachusetts">Brookline</a> to the north, and the Towns of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needham,_Massachusetts" title="Needham, Massachusetts">Needham</a> and City of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton,_Massachusetts" title="Newton, Massachusetts">Newton</a> to the west. It is often referred to as a suburb within the city. Founded in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1630" title="1630">1630</a> (contemporaneously with <strong>West Roxbury</strong>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts" title="Massachusetts">Massachusetts</a> was originally part of the town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxbury,_Massachusetts" title="Roxbury, Massachusetts" class="mw-redirect">Roxbury</a> and was mainly used as farmland. In the 19th century, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury were all called Roxbury. They were later divided up into different neighborhoods, so modern day West Roxbury is at the western edge of what used to be Roxbury in the 19th century. (as stated in the history of West Roxbury on Wikipedia)</p> <p><img title="Saint Teresa of &amp;Aacute;vila Church " src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/1/9/4/ar133175319149132.png" height="300" alt="Saint Teresa of &amp;Aacute;vila Church " width="258" style="float: left; margin: 2px 3px; border: 2px solid black;">The history of this area and the sense of community make this a great place to raise a family.&nbsp; This is affordable Boston.&nbsp; 44 LaSell Street is a home I have on the market right now and I will hold an Open House there this weekend March 18 from 1-3PM.&nbsp; LaSell street if right off LaGrange and a block from the VFW Parkway.&nbsp; There is commuter rail and bus transportation available within walking distance. Come see this home that includes it's own studio apartment on the bottom floor that is a legal in-law.</p> <p>West Roxbury is home of the Roxbury Latin School, part of the Independent School League which includes Milton Academy, Belmont Hill School, St Mark's School and several other of the most prestigious schools in the country.&nbsp; Roxbury Latin has one of the highest endowments of any private school in the country.&nbsp; West Roxbury also has a number of good public, charter and Catholic schools for your children.&nbsp; Once known for a predominantly Catholic population West Roxbury is now a mix of all nationalities and faiths.</p> <p>44 LaSell Street is a move in ready home in a quiet neighborhood.&nbsp; Come visit this Sunday and have a look.&nbsp; West Roxbury is a great place to live and grow your family.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:34:34 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3044733/west-roxbury-ma-city-address-with-suburban-feel http://activerain.com/blogsview/3039071/milton-ma-02186-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/milton-ma-02186-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9-22-42-am/" title="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" rel="attachment wp-att-1119"><img title="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9.22.42-AM.png" height="188" alt="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" width="249" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a><strong>Milton MA 02186 Single Family Housing Report&nbsp; for Feb 2012</strong> has a total of 117 homes listed in the Active, Under Agreement, Sold, Expired and Canceled areas.&nbsp; The vast majority of these home fall into the Active area.&nbsp; It is Spring and so the market heats up at this point.&nbsp; We will see more homes on the market and hopefully more sales.&nbsp; There is an almost equal distribution of homes in the Under Agreement and Sold categories for almost of third of all the homes.&nbsp; This is good.&nbsp; Let&rsquo;s get to the numbers.&nbsp; Look at the DOM for the Under Agreement status and you can see the buyers have been looking and waiting, when they find what they want they are putting in offers.&nbsp; I expect the DOM to go down over the next couple of months for most categories.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Active Listings:</strong> 81 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,058.51 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $782,280 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $262 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 172.98 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Under Agreement Listings:</strong> 11 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,822.27 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $379,555 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $220 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 80.27 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Sold Listings:</strong> 15 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,740.53 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $899,113 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $227 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 198.60 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$: </strong>$737,933&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$/SqFt: </strong>$202 </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1120" style="width: 359px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/milton-ma-02186-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9-23-25-am/" title="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" rel="attachment wp-att-1120"><img title="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9.23.25-AM.png" height="261" alt="3 Green Street, Milton, MA 02186" width="349" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>The list price to sale price is an abysmal 82%.&nbsp; Since it is a buyers market we can expect people to make offers lower than the list price, but to drop down 18% from the list means it was priced too high, the seller was motivated to walk away, or the agent was not helpful enough in fighting for the price the home was listed with.&nbsp; Not all agents are the same, just like all other professions.&nbsp; Look for an agent who can get the job done quickly and for the most money.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Expired Listings:</strong> 6 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,843.50 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $457,333 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $252 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 221.17&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Canceled Listings:</strong> 4 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 2,611.00 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $570,475 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $227 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 250.25&nbsp; <code></code></span></p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong>Listing Price:</strong> 1495000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 3 Green Street<br><strong>City:</strong> Milton<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 02186</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71178706<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 5664<br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 5<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 4F 2H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:09:45 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3039071/milton-ma-02186-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3039054/wayland-ma-01778-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/wayland-ma-01778-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9-44-21-am/" title="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" rel="attachment wp-att-1128"><img title="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9.44.21-AM-300x205.png" height="205" alt="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>More homes have come on the market in Wayland.&nbsp; It seems as though the people who were waiting for the Spring market have jumped into action. With 102 properties listed in Wayland and 82 of them Active sales there is lots of inventory to review.&nbsp; Days on Market are still way high for this town.&nbsp; it is good to see the Sold DOM is considerably lower than the Active&rsquo;s and Under Agreement listings.&nbsp; The other thing to notice here is that the homes that were sold are a bit smaller than the average home for sale in the town.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Active Listings:</strong> 82 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,655.34 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,150,237 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $280 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 186.99 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Under Agreement Listings:</strong> 9 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,446.00 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $783,678 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $230 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 239.44<br> </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Sold Listings:</strong> 8 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 2,031.75 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $568,950 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $263 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 127.88 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$: </strong>$529,125&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$/SqFt: </strong>$245 </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1129" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/wayland-ma-01778-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9-44-36-am/" title="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" rel="attachment wp-att-1129"><img title="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screen-shot-2012-03-12-at-9.44.36-AM-300x194.png" height="194" alt="4 Windy Hill Road, Wayland, MA 01778" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>A 93% List Price to Sale Price differential is a good one.&nbsp; In Milton last month this number was 82%.&nbsp; Since it is a buyers market still it is not surprising to see the price under the list price, although I have heard some stories recently about homes with multiple bidders and the homes being sold above the list price.&nbsp; Getting your home ready for sale and looking just right, putting the right price on the home will get your home sold. Work with a professional to accomplish this goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Expired Listings:</strong> 1 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,452.00 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $369,900 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $255 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 175.00</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Canceled Listings:</strong> 2 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 4,174.50 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,099,000 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $291 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 428.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong>Listing Price:</strong> 1695000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 4 Windy Hill Lane<br><strong>City:</strong> Wayland<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 01778</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71234473<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 6858<br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 5<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 5F 1H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> Partial finish</div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:06:42 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3039054/wayland-ma-01778-single-family-housing-report-feb-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3035674/european-sensibility-contemporary-living-weston-home-for-sale <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_1113" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63 West Cliff, Weston, MA Patio</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/european-sensibility-contemporary-living-weston-home-for-sale/attachment/63-west-cliff-weston-ma-patio2web/" title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA Patio" rel="attachment wp-att-1113"><img title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA Patio" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MA-Patio2WEB-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA Patio" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>Weston MA does not have a whole lot of European Sensibility, Contemporary Living in the many beautiful center entrance colonials that dot the landscape in the town.&nbsp; Contemporary homes have a different feel to them.&nbsp; 63 Westcliff Road in Weston is a showcase of this living.&nbsp; Designed by noted architect Maurice K Smith and built in 1968 this home stands the test of time in providing unique living space and a connection to the landscape from every room.&nbsp; Built in the &ldquo;Block&rdquo; style of architecture each individual room has it&rsquo;s own unique connection to the landscape in which it is place.&nbsp; Each bedroom has it&rsquo;s own balcony.&nbsp; The dining room is awash with light throughout the day because it has windows on both sides.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A screened in porch is attached to the casual family room off the kitchen for quiet cocktails nestled into the trees, or listening to the Red Sox battle for supremacy throughout the season.&nbsp; A sound system upgrade throughout the house and outside was added by the current owners.&nbsp; So too, the lighting system and electrical system was completely upgraded by the owners during their stewardship of this wonderful home.More upgrades, like the kitchen appliances, a wine cellar and a fully finished exercise room and play room in the basement make this home feel much larger than it&rsquo;s square footage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1114" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63 West Cliff, Weston, MA</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/european-sensibility-contemporary-living-weston-home-for-sale/attachment/63-west-cliff-weston-ma-red-chairweb/" title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA " rel="attachment wp-att-1114"><img title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA " src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MA-red-chairWEB-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA " width="300" style="margin: 3px 2px; border: 2px solid black; float: left;"></a>Sunday March 11 from 1-3PM we had an Open House.&nbsp; This home was featured by both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald as the Home of the Week for good reason.&nbsp; Living in a home with such design and style is not for everyone.&nbsp; The sensibility is more European than New England.&nbsp; This is a home that is not like your neighbors, but one that can reflect your own sensibility and design.&nbsp; Block architecture is described as the design of each room separately so that it has the best light from outside, the best placement on the landscape and fully function in and of it&rsquo;s own.&nbsp; When all the rooms are finished with their specific design then the architect goes about putting it all together in a cohesive manner.&nbsp; What happens then is that the homes outside is not block like as with Center Entrance Colonials.&nbsp; The form fits the landscape in a way that you can view out and view back in to your home in differing ways through the house.&nbsp; 63 Westcliff Road is worth the visit, come to the Open House this Sunday March 11 from 1-3 and see for yourself. <code></code></p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong>Listing Price:</strong> 1,595,000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 63 Westcliff Road<br><strong>City:</strong> Weston<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 02493</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71298492<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 3340<br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 4<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 3F 2H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> Full finished</div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:29:21 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3035674/european-sensibility-contemporary-living-weston-home-for-sale http://activerain.com/blogsview/3029266/focus-best-friend-or-worst-enemy- <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Herald_Weston_Westcliff_Nov_11-e1322450371147.jpeg" title="63 westcliff road, weston ma 02493"><img title="Boston Herald_Weston_Westcliff" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Herald_Weston_Westcliff_Nov_11-e1322450371147-300x243.jpg" height="243" alt="Boston Herald_Weston_Westcliff" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>It is known that people with the ability to focus for long period of time with a single mind on a task are often successful.&nbsp; Successful people and people of genius are known for this ability to focus completely.&nbsp; In the real estate business this is true as well, or is it.&nbsp; Most agents are able to multi task a whole bunch of things at once. They prospect while they transact and return phone calls while they set up a lunch meeting.&nbsp; It is somewhat crazy.&nbsp; Real estate has such broad and diverse tasks that need to be addressed during the process that focusing on any single issue may have you missing on another.&nbsp; What is an agent to do?</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_400" style="width: 235px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Standing out in the crowd</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ar10_balloon_makransky_web.png" title="Standing out in the crowd."><img title="Standing out in the crowd" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ar10_balloon_makransky_web-225x300.png" height="300" alt="Standing out in the crowd" width="225" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>One answer should be time blocking.&nbsp; Choose times in your day that you prospect. Another time to return phone calls, another for email, another for researching the market and study of new materials always becoming available.&nbsp; With time blocking you have the chance to fully focus on a single task for a period of time.&nbsp; You have the urgency to get the task completed because you have another task coming up behind this one on your daily schedule.&nbsp; The difficulty is in following through with the plan. That is focus too.&nbsp; There is zero doubt that during your prospecting time a client will call in with a need, or worse yet a friend or family member will distract you with some personal need. What do you do?&nbsp; Your answer to that question can dictate your success of failure in your day.</p> <p>I has often been said that real estate is not hard, but by no stretch is it easy.&nbsp; Organizing your day to get things accomplished for your clients and your business should be your single minded focus.&nbsp; Learning and growing is about adapting and focusing.&nbsp; What are you going to do today?</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:48:29 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3029266/focus-best-friend-or-worst-enemy- http://activerain.com/blogsview/3029254/boston-back-bay-condominium-housing-report-feb-2012 <div class="post-1105 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-archive category-back-bay category-boston category-featured category-larry-lawfer category-ma category-market-report tag-back-bay tag-back-bay-boston tag-back-bayma-02116-housing-market-reports-february-2011 tag-boston-back-bay-condominium-housing-report-feb-2012 tag-boston-back-bay-real-estate tag-boston-real-estate-for-sale tag-condo-for-sale tag-housing-report tag-larry-lawfer-2 tag-market-report tag-yourstorys-realty-llc"> <h1 class="entry-title">&nbsp;</h1> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/back-bay/boston-back-bay-condominium-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/193_beacon_collections_spring/" title="Back Bay Condo for sale" rel="attachment wp-att-1107"><img title="Back Bay Condos for sale" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/193_Beacon_Collections_Spring-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="Back Bay Condos for sale" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>The Boston Back Bay Condominium Housing Report Feb 2012 includes 210 listings in the Active, Under Agreement, Sold, Expired and Canceled categories.&nbsp; Lots of new listings came on the market to get the Spring season started.&nbsp; The Days on Market are coming down again and the mix is about right with the Active&rsquo;s slightly longer on the market than the solds. The good news is that the Under Agreement listings are a lower DOM and them means next month the stats for the others should come down as well.&nbsp; Get your Condo priced right, get it staged to sell and get an agent who knows how to promote your property here on line. That is where the buyers are.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Condominium Active Listings:</strong> 159 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,621.70 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,781,825 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $967 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 147.53 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Condominium Under Agreement Listings:</strong> 27 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,234.30 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,051,022 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $807 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 116.33 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Condominium Sold Listings:</strong> 14 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,763.14 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $2,267,921 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $1,063 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 140.29 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$: </strong>$2,165,714&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$/SqFt: </strong>$1,012 </span></p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1108" style="width: 209px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">Back Bay Condo for sale</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/back-bay/boston-back-bay-condominium-housing-report-feb-2012/attachment/back_bay_spring_collection_sign/" title="Back Bay Condo for sale" rel="attachment wp-att-1108"><img title="Back_BBack Bay Condo for sale" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Back_Bay_Spring_Collection_Sign-199x300.jpg" height="300" alt="Back Bay Condos for sale" width="199" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>We are in the 95%+ range for list price to sale price.&nbsp; This is not too bad.&nbsp; Listing prices are good and since it is still a buyers market with lots of inventory on the market ready for sale this forces the motivated seller to be realistic and take a slightly reduced value.&nbsp; Nothing wrong here.&nbsp; But looking at the expired listings I wonder why the DOM is 88.5.&nbsp; What agent is taking less than a 3 month listing agreement?&nbsp; Why would sellers be so dense to not give a professional a reasonable amount of time to sell a home.&nbsp; I make a 90 day guarantee and even that would be 2 days short of what is happening with the expired&rsquo;s in Feb.&nbsp; Now that Spring is upon us, the Red Sox are in FL it is time to get this season started.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Condominium Expired Listings:</strong> 4 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,251.50 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $903,500 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $724 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 88.50 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Condominium Canceled Listings:</strong> 6 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 1,370.17 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,349,983 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $899 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 198.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> </div> <div class="post-meta"><span class="tags"><br class="categories"></span></div> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:43:21 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3029254/boston-back-bay-condominium-housing-report-feb-2012 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3025482/past-performance-is-an-indication-of-future-results <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/193_Beacon_Collections_V_web.jpg" title="193 Beacon Street, Back Bay Boston"><img title="193 Beacon Back Bay Boston MA" src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/193_Beacon_Collections_V_web-199x300.jpg" height="300" alt="193 Beacon Back Bay Boston MA" width="199" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a>In the financial world they have to say that past performance is no indication of future earnings.&nbsp; I understand why this is necessary, but it is wrong.&nbsp; It is especially wrong in Real Estate.&nbsp; An agent who has a track record of quick sales at and above the asking price is more likely to repeat that for you.&nbsp; An agent who has lackluster numbers is likely to do that for you as well.&nbsp; You have to ask yourself as a Seller, do I want to work with a top agent who can get my house sold, or do I want to work with an agent I know, or one who lives in my neighborhood, or that annoying agent who just keeps calling?</p> <p>One of the areas of growth in my business comes from working with people who have had their home on the market and it has not sold.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2730" style="width: 209px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493</p> </div> <p><a href="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MA-Living-Bed-SouthWEB.jpg" title="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493"><img title="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA " src="http://truthandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MA-Living-Bed-SouthWEB-199x300.jpg" height="300" alt="63 West Cliff, Weston, MA " width="199" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>The listing when not sold goes Expired, or Canceled by the Seller.&nbsp; I pay attention to these listings and see some of the so called top agents loosing their listings over and over.&nbsp; It is usually the best known agents who have many listings.&nbsp; With many listings and no system the individual listings tend to fall through the cracks.&nbsp; To get your home sold in this market right now, you need an agent who is paying attention daily to the work of promoting and marketing your property.</p> <p>If you are one of the many agents who read my blog I have a slightly different story to share.&nbsp; I deliver packages to 2 houses a day&nbsp; in the areas I work that have been expired or canceled.&nbsp; This is a system that I follow and it gets me listings.&nbsp; Yesterday while I was doing it I realized that I have been going to doors all my life.&nbsp; I was the candy champion of my cub scout troop before I was 10.&nbsp; I didn&rsquo;t set out to sell more candy I just like sharing it with my neighbors, some bought, some didn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; As I was walking up to one of the doors yesterday I had a deja vu moment and a big smile came over my face, now much older than 10.&nbsp; As a Realtor&reg; I feel a love for my community and if people want to sell their home and move to another I want to help them.&nbsp; I have developed tools and systems to do so.&nbsp; If you need help in this area, give me a call.</p> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:08:47 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3025482/past-performance-is-an-indication-of-future-results http://activerain.com/blogsview/3025477/weston-ma-02493-housing-report-single-family <h1 class="entry-title">&nbsp;</h1> <div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_1101" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/weston-ma-02493-housing-report-single-family/attachment/63-west-cliff-weston-madeckweb/" title="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" rel="attachment wp-att-1101"><img title="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MADeckWEB-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: left;"></a>With the weather turning springlike again it is time for Open Houses and the ritual of looking for your next home.&nbsp; Activity has not been crazy in Weston this last month.&nbsp; Things are still moving slightly slow, although there was one agent who was interviewed for a local media outlet and this agent reported that $2 million dollar homes in Weston were going quickly.&nbsp; Sadly this agent is full of it and her &ldquo;puffery&rdquo; incriminates all agents.&nbsp; Here are the real facts from MLS.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Active Listings:</strong> 78 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 5,255.91 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $2,496,253 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $429 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 195.36 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Under Agreement Listings:</strong> 11 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 12,679.55 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,291,636 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $309 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 129.27<br> </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1102" style="width: 310px;"> <p class="wp-caption-text">63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493</p> </div> <p><a href="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/featured/weston-ma-02493-housing-report-single-family/attachment/63-west-cliff-weston-makitchen3web/" title="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" rel="attachment wp-att-1102"><img title="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" src="http://bostonareaquickmoveinhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/63-West-Cliff-Weston-MAKitchen3WEB-300x199.jpg" height="199" alt="63 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA 02493" width="300" style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px 2px; float: right;"></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Sold Listings:</strong> 5 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 4,326.20 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,483,980 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $337 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 205.20 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$: </strong>$1,332,405&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avg. Sale$/SqFt: </strong>$313 </span></p> <p>As I can see from the statistics there was only ONE house sold in the $2 million dollar price range.&nbsp; That is no stampede.&nbsp; Days on market is really atrocious at this point.&nbsp; What I do like to see is that the Under Agreement days coming down into more normal ranges. This bodes well for 2012.&nbsp; There is a lot of pent up desire for new homes and people getting their homes sold. The excitement on the street is strong, but you will never find a good agent making up numbers just because some media outlet put a microphone in front of them.</p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Expired Listings:</strong> 5 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 5,851.80 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $2,422,800 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $394 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 179.80 &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><strong>Single Family Canceled Listings:</strong> 2 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: </strong> 3,350.50 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$: </strong> $1,025,000 &nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Avg. List$/SqFt: </strong> $303 &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Avg. DOM:</strong> 215.00 &nbsp; </span></p> <p><strong>OPEN HOUSE MARCH 11, 1-3 P</strong>M</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="property-details-col1"> <strong>Listing Price:</strong> 1,595,000<br><strong>Address:</strong> 63 Westcliff Road<br><strong>City:</strong> Weston<br><strong>State:</strong> MA<br><strong>ZIP:</strong> 02493</div> <div class="property-details-col2"> <strong>MLS # (if any):</strong> 71298492<br><strong>Square Feet:</strong> 3340<br><strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 4<br><strong>Bathrooms:</strong> 3F 2H<br><strong>Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):</strong> Full Finished</div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Larry Lawfer</p> <p>Realtor&reg;, Director of Marketing</p> <p>RE/MAX Landmark, YourStorys Realty, LLC</p> <p>462 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02482</p> <p><a href="mailto:larry@lawfer.com">larry@lawfer.com</a>, 972-322-7776</p> </div> Larry Lawfer, Realtor®, I.R.E.S. (RE/MAX Landmark) Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:05:41 -0800 http://activerain.com/blogsview/3025477/weston-ma-02493-housing-report-single-family