Getting ready for the cold weather!

With shorter days, the beautiful fall foliage and colder temperatures, it's time to think about ways to save on our home heating bills.  Here are some tips to make your home a little more efficient this winter and hopefully keep a few of those precious dollars in your bank account.  

• 
  
  
  
  

  8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House

  For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks—about $350—you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Time for EnKa Fair!

     On Sunday I saw the first of the EnKa Fair rides parked at the High School - the Whacky Worm had arrived. Now, on Tuesday, the parking lots are full of activity. The Tornado, Zipper, Sky Surf, Ferris Wheel and others have staked out their spots. Tents are being set up for the food and other concessions. Soon the books will be overflowing for the book sale - always a favorite. The kids in town - young and old alike - look forward to the 3rd weekend in May when the EnKa Fair is in full swing! This fair is one of the many things that makes Winchester such a wonderful place to live. To learn more about the EnKa Society, go to www.enkasociety.org.
     The weather has turned chilly lately. So typical for New England to tease us with warm summery days, then remind us that it's still only Spring! It is a beautiful time of year, though, with all of the flowering trees in bloom and the wonderful flower gardens bursting with color.
     The Winchester High School sports teams are doing well this season. I follow the tennis closely since my son is on the team. So far they have a 10-2 record. Click here for a recent news report on a couple of their matches. The girls team is also having a fantastic season. Winchester should be proud of all of their teams! Thank you to all of the coaches and parents who support the teams!

Spring is in the air!

We have had a run of wonderful Spring days here in eastern Massachusetts.  I do realize that it is still early March in New England and I shouldn't pack away my winter wardrobe yet - April snowstorms do happen around here!  But, it does feel great to do a little work in the yard and feel the warm sun on your back.  We won't be disappointed if this weather continues!

As the warm weather brings people out of doors, it seems to also be stirring sellers into action. This past week we had 17 new listings come on the market here in Winchester! We are also seeing a lot of action on the buyer side. Currently, 37% of all Winchester listings are pending sale. It looks like it will be a busy Spring around here.

Time is running out for anyone interested in taking advantage of the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit. A contract for purchase must be signed by April 30th, which means that offers should be made by mid-April. This will give ample time for negotiations, home inspections, and for the P&S to be written and signed. Don't forget that this extended credit is not only for first-time buyers. If you have owned a home for five of the last eight years, you may be eligible for a tax credit up to $6,500. Details may be found here.

Enjoy the nice weather, and don't forget to set your clocks ahead on the 14th. Also, make this the time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!
Cheers!
Rachel

Welcome!

It has been busy here in the Winchester, MA real estate market. A quick check of the MLS data shows 23 single family homes have gone under agreement since the first of the year. Compare this with 13 under agreements for the same time period in 2009. Almost all of that increase has come in the past month - 17 in Feb. 2010 versus 6 in Feb. 2009. The spring market is here folks!

We've had some great new homes come on the market in town this week, and if recent activity continues, some of them may get snatched up quickly. We had one of our listing receive 6 offers at the first open house! There are lots of buyers out there ready to make an offer on the right house. Looking for something in the $500K-$600K range? Sorry, but they're all gone. Thinking of selling your house? Now might be the perfect time. With a low inventory in most price ranges, any new listings will get a flurry of activity and serious buyers know that they have to act fast.

Don't forget that there are less than 60 days left to have a signed contract to take advantage of the Federal Homebuyer Tax Credit. The deal must close by June 30th, but that P&S needs to be signed by April 30th. Click here for more information.

For answers to any real estate questions, please send an email or go to my website.
Thanks,
Rachel