Barb's Home and Life in Chelmsford

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2010-05-17T08:32:00.001-07:00

May 11

2010-05-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy and productive day! Barbshomefinder.com back online, all new!
New facebook business page launched - name forthcoming but if you really want to see it just search Chelmsford Real Estate on fb. Using Twitter on a regular basis and could use some followers :)

In other news, met with a great new dentist today - Dr. Lou Stylos. The man knows his stuff and it doesn't hurt that he has a great woman (Lisa) behind him.

School Committee Meeting - officially the SC is going to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship to maintain and repair the Cynthia Moores Memorial Park.

Don't forget the blood drive at my office tomorrow. Enter to win Red Sox Donor of the Game.

Over and out time for NCIS.

Cynthia Moores Memorial Park

2010-05-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

Off to a great start networking, I must have given out 100 cards already! On top of that worked with the usual crew to save the park at the Westlands School in memory of Cynthia Moores. Doing good work is far more important than just working!
Where would I be without Roy Earley, Laurie Meyers, Eric Dahlberg, and Nick DeSilvio? Probably in the town of Chelmsford looney bin! According to Roy I am now a Watchdog!

Seriously back to real estate, the market is great. I could use a few more clients so if you know anyone looking to buy or sell I am ready to go to work with them.

Today begins a new era....

2010-04-30T14:15:00.001-07:00

Today begins the start of my full, full-time real estate career. Nancy and I will still do things together but I am no longer her assistant. Back on the road again doing what I do best, talking with folks and helping them achieve their real estate goals. Stay tuned!

Back to School and Work

2009-09-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I have just been so busy listing and selling homes that I haven't get up my blog. Truthfully, I have been busy but still could be busier so feel free to contact me!

Summer arrived and we were rained out for most of June and 3/4's of July. August was a beauty though. Just returned from 2 weeks at Seabrook Beach and couldn't have had better weather.

Today the kids started school with out any arguments. There are miracles still happening in this world! Wonder if they will get homework? I hope not I am not ready for that.

The $8000 tax credit is suppose to end in November so any first time buyers on the fence jump in now. Prices have stabilized and inventory is decent. Now is a great time to buy.

And what happened to the Red Sox??!!

Spring Has Sprung

2009-03-21T14:13:00.001-07:00

Well, we made it through the snowy winter and now it's spring. Lots of fun things
to do, more daylight, just overall happier people. The best part of the spring is
the real estate market. The time is right, the rates are low and may go lower,
and buyers are finally out! Yipee! I can make a living once again. We haven't
been this busy since last summer.

Now sellers shouldn't start thinking they can get more for their homes; the market
is still declining. The good news is the sellers can sell their homes. If you have
been holding off waiting for the spring market it arrived in March so give me
a call or send me an email.

Now buyers can get the best rates I have ever seen! I refinanced a few years
ago to 5% and now the rates are below that. Everyone who is thinking of buying
should call me.

Love spring, love being busy!
PS if the paragraphs don't look right to you they were fine in my preview and draft.

Let's Get on with 2009

2009-01-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

Well, where do I begin to update you on life? December 11 marked a major ice storm in the area which left us without power for days. I never would have made it as a pioneer. In fact, I went on an eating and drinking binge in order to store up some fat for those cold days. Once electricity and normalcy was restored the holidays began and soon were gone,, but those extra pounds didn't leave me.

Storms have come and gone, and come and gone. Kids have already had 4 snow days and it's only January. We are on a twice a week cycle for ice and snow - now I know, I live in New England and should expect it but geez--could I get a break? I can't stand it! Only 10-15 more years or so and then I can fly south like everyone else. The question is will I make it?

Enough griping - now onto sports. The Patriots had a good season without Tom Brady but alas no playoffs for us. The Celtics are kicking and so are the Bruins. I think this may be the time for the Bruins to do what the Celtics did last year WIN!

Oh yeah, you might want to know about the housing market... . Well, rates are low and prices are reasonable now we need the buyers to come out. Of course the weather doesn't help us one little bit but who knows - perhaps a warming trend will occur after the artic blast we get late week.

I am taking an optimistic look on the new year. Next week we have a young, intelligent, new president taking office. He is the first one is a long time that I can actually listen to speak. I think that the United States will be revitalized and hopefully the housing market will be too.

Enough for now, got to get back to work. Happy 2009!

Playoffs

2008-10-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again when we all stay up way too late watching the Red Sox.
Thankfully, our Boston teams have become fabulous. The way the media portrays the
economy, we need something to perk us up.

Seriously, I know it's not easy out there but homes are selling. Rates are great and first time buyers are out looking. They are informed consumers and with the assistance of a great Accredited Buyer Representative like myself, they can do quite well.

Onto the election - I am so sick of Sarah Palin. You would think she is the first woman ever to run for a national political office. Have we all forgotten Hillary and Geraldine Ferraro? I will not watch the debate tonight.

Thank goodness for on demand - I can catch up on two of my favorite shows. I have become hooked on CSIs. Which makes me think of what happened yesterday. I will end with a funny story, we have a gentleman in the office who likes to play practical jokes. Well, yesterday morning I open up my desk drawer and there is a fake foot and part of a leg. I knew it wasn't real but just for a minute...I took a good look at it. Now I know, I watch too much crime tv.

So stay positive, have a laugh at my expense. GO SOX!

Fall is Upon Us! Rates are falling too!

2008-09-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

This summer we were sooo busy, I had no time to write. Now we are experiencing a brief lull, probably brought on by the economy and the upcoming election. It is a fabulous time to buy! 5% down programs are back and available, MassHousing continues to have options, as well as FHA, VA and good ole conventional.

Tell all your friends, especially first time buyers, to get out there. Give me a call or email me and I will guide them through every step of the process.

Victory is Ours!

2008-06-21T05:55:00.001-07:00

The Celtics won! I fell asleep during half time and awoke with one minute left to the game.
It felt like the old days - what a sense of pride they have brought to us!!

On another note, boy, the real estate market is booming! Finally the buyers have
realized that its time. If they don't buy now, as rates climb, they will afford less.

Gotta run, gotta work!

Celtics Update

2008-06-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

So as I sat at Town Meeting last Thursday, we were kept up to date on the game score. All those fair weathered fans I sat with didn't have faith. When I got home it was half time so I decided to watch a bit. WOW! was I glad I did. What a comeback. I loved the silence at the Staple Center - all those fans watching their Lakers crumble from a 24 pt. lead.

Now tonite may be different, Kobe has to bring it and so does his team. If the Lakers have to win tonite - no doubt in my mind they will. Maybe I can go to sleep before midnight. Tuesday night Boston needs to wrap it up at home. Let's hope the Celtics get the luck of the Irish and bring us a championship!

Who is your favorite Celtic player? I am loving Powe, Parish was my favorite back in the day and now I think Powe is the same type of silent force.

Happy Father's Day to all!

Go Celtics!

2008-06-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

Gotta go with the Celtic Green for the blog!
This series should be a blast, can't wait to watch. I was a big fan back in the day.... Parish was my favorite and I loved Magic too. Those were the days, hopefully now we will have some more fabulous years. Good Luck Celtics.

What Did We Do Before Email??

2008-05-29T07:42:00.001-07:00

Comcast is down! I feel like I can't function. What did we do in the olden days? My day begins and ends with email. At 6:30 this morning I couldn't get into comcast - thank goodness I have a back up account with gmail! But still - it throws a glitch into my day. I can't get into our work email address with comcast and I am sure the world is just waiting to hear from me.

Honestly, who ever thought that there would come a time like this where email is used even more than the telephone! Thank goodness I still have that.

Well, off to set up a new gmail account....

Spring Has Sprung!

2008-05-03T06:24:00.001-07:00

Don't let the media tell you the market is horrible, it's not. We are in the middle of spring market and homes priced right are selling. It is definitely a buyers' market and anyone
renting should seriously be thinking about purchasing. Rates are great and bargains are
out there to be had.

On another note, the beautiful weather from April vacation seems to have left us for our usual cold and rainy May. There is nothing I as a parent enjoy more than putting on my winter coat and standing outside to watch my kids play sports while the wind is whipping through the wind tunnels at the various fields in town. Let's hope we get some dry, warmer weather soon!

Real Estate and American Idol

2008-03-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

OK, we get bombarded with media stats telling us how awful the market is. Guess what? I haven't posted in a month because we have been too busy! We don't deal in foreclosures just good ole fashion resales and things are moving. There is a trick though, you have to price the home attractively. No more throwing a home on the market to see if it will sell, that's so 2005.

If you want to move, do it. Life is too short to wait. If you sell low you will buy low same scenario if you buy high you sell high. Mortgage rates are great and FHA limits have just been increased.

On another note, David Cook is my favorite on American Idol this season. I honestly like the other David and the rest are ok but David Cook rocks! Hope he makes it through tonite. Wasn't that girl who sang "Proud to be an American" brilliant to choose that song?! I thought it and Simon said it, she should be safe tonite for that reason - and she did a nice job. Give me your thoughts on homes and idol....

There's a Mouse in MY HOUSE!

2008-02-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Ahhh suburbia, we dream of living here. Along with the lovely yards and picturesque neighborhoods comes rodents! Rodents of every type! Squirrels, chipmunks, mice, bats, you name it - we have it here in Chelmsford. Now as I am enjoying a quiet day off reading the Sunday paper and drinking my coffee I see my two cats scurry across the floor. They cornered a mouse who in turn outsmarted them and is now loose in my house! It freaks me out - totally. I don't like creatures that belong outside living with me for the winter. I don't like the thought of the cats bringing me a present in the middle of the night, I certainly don' t relish the thought of a mouse jumping out at me and giving me a heart attack. What's a girl to do? Any thoughts - please help.

Is Technology Great or What?

2008-01-29T14:27:00.000-08:00

I love technology, don' t get me wrong, but when my partner's cell phone started randomly calling me that was enough. Now, I know you may think that Nancy was really calling me but we share and office and I watched it happen. The phone was possessed! I don't know much about Palms, Blackberrys, etc... but dialing on its own? shutting on and off? this can't be what it is suppose to do! So off Nancy went to Verizon again, and after a few hours voila! another Treo(this makes #2). How long until this one starts doing its own thing? only the Shadow knows.

On a real estate note, the buyers have come out! Homes are selling and life is good!

Interest Rates Cut

2008-01-22T11:37:00.001-08:00

Interest Rates cut! Bring out some buyers. This is very exciting, finally rates are cut. We have patiently been waiting for this.

Go Pats GO!

2008-01-20T15:54:00.001-08:00

It's off to the Super Bowl we go... Great game although Brady throwing 3 interceptions was shocking. I think the poor boys were freezing out there but for the money they make they need to just tough it out. Now to watch the NFC game, my friends are NY fans but also Pats fans - what will they do if that's what it comes down to?

Just Call Me Crash

2008-01-17T16:58:00.000-08:00

So, last evening was very interesting for me. After teaching ccd to my 5th grade class I went to the church parking lot to leave. There was only my car and one other mom picking up her children. Well, I watched in horror as the other woman backed up right into my vehicle. I was speechless, and for those who know me, that does not occur very often. So now the fun begins with the insurance company, estimates, etc... . I am thankful no one was hurt but honestly, people never cease to amaze me.

On a bright note, work was very busy today. Just got in around 7pm and had cake for dinner! Yes, I do love cake... . Off to do some laundry now and maybe get to watch CSI.

A New Day

2008-01-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well, Nancy will be back tomorrow - I made it through without her for a few days. Glad she is coming back so we can get cracking. Market is busy, buyers are out there and rates are coming down. We may have to add to the team sooner rather than later!

More nasty weather on the way for Thursday into Friday. Please no schools close! I can't take 2 snow days this week.

Gotta run, lots of work and so little time. Being Wednesday, I teach religious education to one of my children's' grade level every week. Thankfully, today is the well behaved group - seriously though - both classes are loads of fun with dynamic personalities. I hope down the road, my children will remember these days and be happy I was so involved with their activities.

Welcome to my life!

2008-01-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

So I am going to try and get into the year 2008 and start a blog. Should be easy and fun but sometimes I am a bit challenged with technology. Today we are snowbound in Chelmsford! I drove over 10 inches of snow to get to the office for some peace - snow day for the kiddies means a bit of hell for the moms and dads. Don't get me wrong, I love my children but I can't work and carry on a decent conversation with then home.

My partner called me this morning from Florida. She said it was cold, a mere 60 degrees! My heart didn't break for her. She will spend the next few days in a seminar to further grow her business. I can't imagine how she could be more successful than she is now. She is the top agent in Chelmsford(Nancy Rogers) and I can't wait to learn even more from her.

The two of us are a comedy act according to our clients. We have fun but we get the job done. I can't tell you how much I love working at Re/Max Prestige in Chelmsford. Both of us have been marketing property for over 15 years and I would love to see another pair of realtors have as many success stories as we do.

Well, that's all for now. Let's see if this even ends up posted. Wish me luck. Barb