Anna Tolstoy's (annaglebova) Blog

We are snowed in here in Natick, MA! The well predicted snow storm finally arrived. It's the first big snowfall this season. There was another one a few weeks ago, but it almost melted away by now. Yesterday night one could hardly tell there's snow storm coming. Other than weather channel warning...

Do you have a hobby that unexpectedly helps you in real estate? My hobby is called STROLLERS. I love trying them out! I have bought and sold many, and have played with many more strollers that my friends had owned... I know lots of stuff. I can explain you very well why bugaboo costs as much as m...

Trombetta's Farm in Marlborough, MA - great ice cream, and MINI-GOLF! A nice little gem of a place. As name implies, it used to be a farm, owned by Trombetta's family, that later became a gardening center.  One of the greenhouses was converted into a mini-golf course, that is a delight to visit. ...

How to learn more about a neighborhood, when you are planning to buy a new home? After you compared statistics on different levels (school scores and reviews, crime rate, median home prices and taxes etc) - how do you actually learn what the neighborhood is like? How do you now you fit in (or not...

Does real estate market have a return policy? You know the long lines to service desks at stores, where customers can return or exchange items they bought 30, or 60 or even 90 days ago. Mostly, you get full refund, in some cases in form of store credit, and everybody walks away happy.  What about...

Looking for excellent daycare in Natick, MA? Step by Step Nursery School has openings! If you live or work in Natick, MA or towns nearby, there's a wonderful home daycare facility, Step by Step Nursery School. I have 2 children, and due to moves, finances, schedule and hundred other reasons I've ...

Can you buy a house if you are not US Citizen? Short and sweet answer, is yes, of course you can. Next question is, can you get financing? That's when it gets a little tricky. Main problem is your credit history. If you have lived in the US for a few years, paid your bills, opened a couple of cre...

What's the number one reason to hire a Buyer's Agent? it is exact same reason why you are thinking of doing it without an agent - SAVE MONEY. At first glance, that's what jumps to mind - no agent = no commission to pay = $aving$! Well, here's the deal, or should I say "no deal": Let me ask you: ...

  Hardwood floors are very popular choice here in MA, and most people like the look of nicely finished glossy hardwood in their home.  How do you maintain it? How do you keep it in nice shape, especially if you have pets and / or kids?  And what do you choose when you are starting from scratch, a...

Are you planning to relocate outside of Boston, MA to Metro West area? Hope you found some food for thought in part one, and maybe even started choosing a town or neighborhood. Here's next post in my series: PART II : Everybody moves with you! When you move, it's not only your family, your furnit...