When you list your Wellesley home for sale, it's important that you understand the market, how to make your home attractive to potential homebuyers and how to make a fast sell. All of these things can help you approach the process in the right way so you can quickly sell your house and move into your new home. An experienced real estate agent can help you through the selling process, but having a basic understanding of these three things can be very beneficial.  Current Market Conditions Best Staging Practices How to Make a Fast Sell Selling your home doesn't have to be overwhelming or even difficult. You can learn more about these three things on the Christine Norcross & Partners website. For information about the Wellesley real estate market, or to lis... 08/06/2013

Buying a home in the Wellesley real estate market will let you take advantage of lots of benefits that you wouldn't get if you were renting a home. Buying a home can seem daunting and it is a big investment. However, it is an investment that will pay off as you begin to realize the benefits of home ownership.  You Could Save Money Settle in Long Term Complete Control of Visual Elements Self-Reliant on Maintenance Needs Your Home Becomes an Asset  These are just a few of the perks home buyers enjoy. For more details about these, and other benefits, visit the Christine Norcross & Partners website. To find a Wellesley home for sale, contact Christine Norcross at 781-929-4994. You can also connect with us on Facebook for market updates and other news.   Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeD... 08/01/2013

                                                      Before you begin house hunting in Wellesley, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier. House hunting is an exciting process, but it does take some preparation and planning. Know Your Budget Think Long Term Make a List of Needs and Wants Research some Areas Save for Moving Expenses List Your Home for Sale House hunting is an exciting endeavor and these tips can help you find your dream home, move in quickly and enjoy your new location. For more information on what to do before you start house hunting, visit the Christine Norcross & Partners website. If you are interested in finding a home in the Wellesley real estate market, contact Christine Norcross at 781-929-4994. You can also connect with us on Facebook for al... 07/30/2013

                                                Having a smaller mortgage payment is probably the first perk that comes to mind when you think of downsizing to a smaller home. But, that's not the only benefit to moving into a smaller home. When you downsize, you are making a conscious decision to simplify your life. What may have started with a need for a smaller home quickly turns into a situation with lots of benefits. Save Money  When you buy a smaller home, you can save money. Your mortgage payment will be smaller, but that's not all. Smaller homes tend to require less electricity and water, so your utility bills will also likely be smaller. You can talk with the home's current owner to get an idea of what how much you would have to pay for utilities should you purchase the home. An... 07/25/2013

                                           Did you know Wellesley has 26 miles of trails you can walk, run, bike and explore? The beautiful landscape here in the Wellesley, MA real estate market is the perfect setting for all types of trail recreation, and Wellesley has some of the best paths around. The trails here are part of the Charles River Link, which is a 16-mile trail system that connects six different towns from Newton to Medfield. About the Trails In total, the trail system is 26 miles long. It is marked along the way with color-coded arrows and winds through scenic Wellesley. The trails are very well maintained and easy to navigate. All the woodland trails are marked with purple arrows and other trails are marked with different colors. You can download trail maps and guides o... 07/23/2013

We're excited and humbled to share that Christine Norcross & Partners was named one of the Best Real Estate Agents in America by REAL Trends. We were ranked number seven in Massachusetts for the best Teams by Volume. Our team works hard to help both homebuyers and home sellers in the Greater Boston Metro-West area. All the members of our team work together to help clients find their dream home or sell their current home. Each of our team members has a unique background and skill set, so we are able to meet the needs of all our clients. Learn more about our team on the Christine Norcross & Partners website. If you are interested in finding a Wellesley home for sale, contact Christine Norcross at 781-929-4994. You can also connect with on Facebook for updates about the market and more inf... 07/18/2013

                                 If you're new to this city, or if you are considering relocating to the Newton real estate area, you should know about the many recreation programs and facilities offered here. Newton is a beautiful place and if you and your family enjoy recreational activities, there are literally dozens of opportunities for you here. Adult Programs Newton offers several sports programs for adults including softball, golf, tennis and volleyball. The city also offers a boot camp program that can help you get in shape and even a cribbage program where you can compete with friends. There are men's, women's and co-ed programs for adults. These programs are a great way to stay active, meet you neighbors and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. For more details about the programs av... 07/16/2013

                                                   It's completely possible to buy and sell a home in the Wellesley real estate market at the same time. If you are upgrading to a larger home, downsizing to a smaller condo or just moving to a different area, the process of buying and selling at the same time is the same. Here's how you can do it. Make Plans for the Time Between Selling and Buying It's not always possible to close on the home you are selling and the home you are buying on the same day. Therefore, you need to plan for the period in between selling and buying. Many people who sell their home before they can move into their new home rent their house. If there is only a short period of time before you can move into your home, and you have already closed on the new home, this ... 07/11/2013

                                                    While home sales are doing very well in this area, there are things you can do to increase your chances of finding a buyer faster. When you list your Wellesley home for sale, it is important to be a proactive home seller and look for ways you can help the process move more quickly. These five tips can help you make your home more attractive to buyers and start getting offers, so you can sell your home quickly. 1. Clean House and Increase Curb Appeal Organize your home and get rid of clutter throughout the rooms, cupboards and storage areas. Making the inside of your home feel clean can help make it more attractive to potential buyers. If you are able to, move things you don't use on a regular basis to another location, like a storage u... 07/04/2013

                                  How are you celebrating the Fourth of July weekend? There's no shortage of festive events in the Wellesley and Newton areas, so if you're still making plans, here are a few ways you can celebrate the red, white and blue.  Boston HarborfestJuly 2 to July 7 In a town packed with history, it's no wonder the Fourth of July gets a lot of attention. The Boston Harborfest runs from July 2 to July 7 and hosts dozens of events, including gun drills, colonial games, musical entertainment, a Paul Revere walking tour and so much more. You can find a schedule of events at BostonHarborfest.com. Freedom Trail Scavenger Hunt Boston Common - July 3, 11 am to 2 pm This scavenger hunt, which begins at Boston Common, is perfect for the whole family. You'll follow clues tha... 07/02/2013

Recent reports show that it's a seller's market in Wellesley. If you list your Wellesley home for sale now, you'll benefit from a lower inventory, so your home will likely receive lots of interest and may even sell more quickly. The real estate market here is very healthy, and the following statistics prove that now is a great time to sell a home in Wellesley.                                  At the end of May, the number of homes on the market, or inventory, was down. In fact, the active homes for sale in the Wellesley, MA real estate market has been trending down over the past 18 months. This makes for an ideal seller's market. If you put your home on the market now, you have less competition. We are seeing in some cases multiple offers on well priced homes.                           ... 06/27/2013

We found this great site called JustAddCooking.com. I was looking for something to help me create different meals and get out of the rut we're stuck in. We are so busy with working and kids that we kind of get in the same routine each week with what to cook. No time to really diversify. Easy dinners like meat, vegetables, starch, spaghetti, slow cooker meals, order out pizza night, Chinese night and taco night become the norm.   Then I ordered three meals from Just Add Cooking. The fresh food is delivered to your door step on Sunday. Everything from the creme you need for sauce, or balsamic vinegar to eggs, and meat and anything else you need for the meals is included in the package. The recipes are included with step-by-step instructions for putting your meal together. It is so great ... 06/25/2013

                                                          If you are considering buying a home in the beautiful city of Newton, there are some steps you should take to make sure you are financially prepared for the move. Buying a home is a significant purchase that takes planning and thought. If you prepare well, buying your dream home can become a reality. Get out of Debt  The first way you can prepare your finances is to get out of debt. If you have outstanding loans, take care of them now. Paying off your debt can lower your credit score, which can help you qualify for a home loan. Another benefit of paying off debt is that you will be eliminating monthly loan payments, which will make it easier for you to save for a down payment. Have a Down Payment and Savings Ready You'll most lik... 06/20/2013

                                                              The Wall Street Journal recently reported that home sales in the United States have increased. According to the National Association of Realtors, sales have increased by 9.7 percent from last year and home sales are higher than they have been since November 2009. But it's not just national numbers that prove it is a seller's market. One of our recent blog posts reported that it is a seller's market in Wellesley, and now is the ideal time to list your home for sale.  National Statistics Show Sales are Up  There are many reasons home sales have increased and the Wall Street Journal reported four findings that show the market is currently ideal for home sellers. Fewer Homes for Sale, But Increased Sales  Interestingly, home sale... 06/18/2013

                                                         Businesses do very well in Wellesley, and the residents in this area benefit from many employment opportunities. Wellesley has an impressive unemployment rate of just 3.7 percent. This is almost half the national unemployment rate of 7.7 percent. Education, business, financial, pharmaceutical and other major industries have a presence in Wellesley, so the variety of job opportunities is just one thing that attracts working professionals to the area.  Top Employers in Wellesley There are several excellent employers in Wellesley, but some of the biggest include: Sun Life Financial Wellesley College Babson College Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Roche Bros. Massachusetts Bay Community College Dana Hall School Wellesley Country Club Trini... 06/11/2013

                                                            There are many great homes and neighborhoods in the Wellesley real estate market and homebuyers have so many options when they choose to move here. So how do you find the perfect home? How do you narrow down your options to find the one that is best for your family? List Your Needs and Wants As you begin house hunting, it's easy to get distracted by all the options and forget exactly what you are looking for in a home. Keeping in mind the reason you are moving, make a list of the things you need in your new home. Things like more space, a better location or a bigger yard are common reasons for moving. Then, make a list of needs, or the things you want in your new house but that you are willing to forgo if a house meets other re... 06/06/2013

                                                                    If you are buying or selling a home in the Wellesley area, working with a professional real estate agent can make the process easier. Real estate agents are highly experienced and trained in how to help homebuyers find homes and help sellers get more offers. Work with an Experienced Professional Real estate agents have experience and training that you can benefit from. When you work with a real estate agent, you are working with someone who has worked in the Wellesley, MA real estate market and who is familiar with what it has to offer.  Working with a real estate agent also means you'll be working with someone who has worked through dozens, or even hundreds, of home sales, so you will have a resource that can help you ... 06/04/2013

                                          Curb appeal is one of the biggest things that can help you sell your home. When a potential buyer approaches your home, or even when someone happens to pass your home and notices it's for sale, the way it looks from the outside can influence the number of offers you receive.  Good landscaping can entice homebuyers in the Wellesley, MA real estate market to further explore your home, make them feel welcome and help them visualize living in the home, which can lead to more offers. Curb appeal and beautiful landscaping starts with a few basic changes, all of which are easy to put in place. Keep the Lawn Green and Mowed Your lawn adds a lot to the rest of your landscaping. A full, green lawn that is regularly mowed gives your landscaping a clean-cut... 05/30/2013

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement when you place an offer on or purchase a new home. However, by doing your homework and keeping a few things in mind, you can make sure you are making a wise investment and can even avoid future problems. Here are a few common mistakes and how you can avoid making them. Not Getting Pre-Approved for a Loan You can make buying a home easier by becoming pre-approved for a loan before you begin house hunting. Knowing exactly how much you qualify for, and how much you can realistically afford, can help you narrow down your options and find the right home faster. It can also help you save a lot of time when you decide to make an offer on a home. Failing to Explore the Neighborhood Wellesley has many wonderful neighborhoods, but it is important that ... 05/28/2013

                                                           If your home has been on the Wellesley real estate market for a while and hasn't received many offers or isn't selling as fast as you would like it to, it is easy to get discouraged. However, many times a home isn't selling due to a few things that a homeowner can easily change. The Listing Price is too High If your home's listing price is a little too high, you could be missing out on a lot of offers. One way to decide how to price your home is to compare it to nearby homes that are similar to yours. You may also consider strategically pricing your home based on your competition, which may mean asking for slightly less than the listing price of similar homes. Your Home Looks Dated Even small things, like worn carpets or outdate... 05/23/2013