Local High Schools listed in TOP 25 High Schools in Massachusetts!

One of the MANY reasons people love living in Massachusetts are the outstanding public schools offered across the state, particularly in the Greater Boston area. The List of Top Schools in Massachusetts has officially been recorded, and two schools in our local community made the list! Congrats to Needham High School ranking #11 and Wellesley High School ranking #21!! School rankings are determined by both student-teacher ratio and college readiness, both critical elements to the MassCore program of studies which readies students for the workforce.

Located in Needham MA is Needham High School, which has approximately 1,400 students. Needham HS offers excellent academics and a wide range of co-curricular activities, including and interscholastic athletic program and 50 clubs. 85% of Needham High School students are involved in at least one activity! To see available homes that feed into this top notch school please click here.

Wellesley High School, in Wellesley MA, has a student population of right around 1,500. Wellesley HS offers 60 extracurricular activities in service, academic, student government, and performing arts programs, and over 80% of students participate in at least one program! Click here to see available homes that feed into Wellesley.

And don’t forget that one of the OLDEST high school football rivalries in the county is the Needham Rockets vs the Wellesley Raiders. Come on out this Thanksgiving to cheer on your favorite team!

If you're interested in Buying, Selling or Investing in the Wellesley and Metrowest Communities, give Team Lynch a call or visit our website at: http://www.teamlynchrealestate.com/

In today’s market, where demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the country, pricing a house is one of the biggest challenges real estate professionals face. Sellers often want to price their home higher than recommended, and many agents go along with the idea to keep their clients happy. However, the best agents realize that telling the homeowner the truth is more important than getting the seller to like them.

There is no “later.”

Sellers sometimes think,...

(continue reading the rest of this blog here): Team Lynch Real Estate

It’s everyone’s favorite day of the year...TAX DAY!!!

Ehh, not so much….

For all of you stressing over this  day, Marketwatch has some great advice. File an extension!! In an article posted by the news source, there are 7 excellent reasons why many people should consider an extension. And contrary to popular belief, filling an extension doesn't automatically raise red flags at the IRS. So if you need the time, or have any one of the following situations present, do yourself a favor and file an extension and give yourself until October 15, 2016 to file.

7 Excellent Reasons to File a Tax Extension:

1.)   You have a balance due and need more time to save up money to cover it. Give yourself that extra 6 months.

2.)   Made charitable donations over $250 to one or more charities and don’t have the proper receipts (which must include the name of the charity, address, taxpayer ID number, and a statement that you did not receive any benefits or items of value for your donation) to submit with your taxes? The IRS is very strict on submitting the required documentation so an extension would give you an extra 6 months to get everything in order.

3.)   Have you recently moved homes? Or are you planning to move within the next few months? If yes, it benefits you to submit an extension because the IRS may need to follow up with you on your taxes and they send all correspondence to the address you have on file.

4.)   If you are waiting for K-1 forms from partnership entities, S-Corps, estates, or trusts you should file an extension.

5.)   Sometimes rushing through your personal or business bookkeeping can cause sloppy or incorrect taxes. Don’t rush and do it right. File an extension to give you that extra time.

6.)   Have a large balance this year? Making contributions to your 2015 retirement plan can help reduce that balance. File an extension if you would like to benefit from this. You have until October 15th to open or add to your retirement fund.

7.)   And finally…. You still have questions regarding your taxes that you have not had answered. Give yourself some time to get everything settled.

Best of luck this tax season!

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According to the BMO Harris Bank Home Buying Report, 52% of Americans say they are likely to buy a home in the next five years. Americans surveyed for the report said that they would be willing to pay an average of $296,000 for a home and would average a 21% down payment. The report also included these revelations:

follow this link for the rest of the BLOG: Home Buying Next 5 Years

Please join us in CONGRATULATING JON LYNCH on his newest achievement....the Coldwell Banker PRESIDENTIAL ELITE AWARD. On Saturday, March 26, 2016, Jon was presented with this  award, given only to the Top 1% of all Coldwell Banker Sales Associates based on sales production. Presidents Elite winners are the "Best of the Best" real estate professionals out of 3400 Coldwell Banker offices; both nationally and internationally, and over 85,000 sales associates!

Jon joins his mother Dyanne in this distinctive class of top ranked sales associates who have reached President's Elite status.  If you deserve the best and are looking to Buy, Sell or Invest in Real Estate in Wellesley or the Metrowest suburbs of Boston, MA; then, you need to partner with the proven, successful Real Estate Team of Team Lynch Real Estate. Recognized in the top 1% of all Coldwell Banker Professionals.

The leaves are changing to their beautiful shades of red, orange and gold and the days are getting cooler....it's Fall in the Metrowest Boston 'burbs!  Well it may not be the most popular season to put your home on the market, there's no reason to wait for spring when the autumn season starts.  People are ready to buy homes year round....you just need to be prepared.

There will most likely be less homes on the market this time of year, so preparing your home ahead of time will allow a fast sale to the right buyer. Most buyers don't want to move when the weather is cold and blustery, if they don't have to, so the fall is your last chance to position your home with those buyers before the winter season moves in.

The Fall season is beautiful in New England and allows for some amazing decorating both inside and out, but it also means that you need to maintain the exterior of your home so that it shows well to each and every potential buyer.  

1. Clean up the Yard. Make sure that the leaves are cleared from the yard regularly and that dead plants and blooms have been cleared.  Shrubs should be cut back as well to give your yard a nice manicured look. This will enhance the overall look of your home from the curb when a prospective buyer pulls up to the curb.

2. Clear deck furniture off for the season and store accordingly and wash deck,& siding of any mildew, mold that has accumulated with the change of season. This is also the time to put on the storm doors and windows and make sure all windows and sparkling clean for your potential buyers.

3. Embrace the Fall season! Most people love the fall color and the anticipation of the coming holidays. Decorating your home with seasonal arrangements of flowers, scented candles, or pumpkin & spice potpourri can really add warmth inside. Adding  lovely Mums to the front porch gives a splash of color that helps create great curb appeal. But DON'T over do it!  A little goes a long way.

4. You NEED the right Real Estate Agent! There's a reason you're selling in the Fall, and you need the agent who is experienced, and knows your area well, knows how to price your home and what it takes to sell your home now. Be serious about asking the right questions so you find the right agent for your needs.  Ask around and get referrals.

5. Keep it Light & Bright. The seasons are changing and that means that the sun is setting much sooner in the day.  It is critical to make sure that you have adequate lighting in place in all rooms. Your potential buyers need to be able to see each room clearly, every area, at all times of the day. Ask your real estate agent for tips on showcasing your rooms best asset's and how to do that at the different times of day.

6. Make sure your House is Priced Right. Fall is the time of year when your home needs to be priced right from the start. Some people think it needs to be priced lower to sell in the fall and winter seasons, but that is simply not true!  It needs to be priced competitively with the market. This is why you need to rely on your real estate agent to know the market and to price your home accordingly. 

Lastly, be prepared to move!  Once your home sells you need to be ready to move. When people buy in the Fall they want to be able to get into their new home quickly before the weather turns bad. So make sure that you have your plan in place and that once you have the offer on your home, you have set the wheels in motion and will be ready to move when your buyers are ready to get into your home.

HAPPY FALL SELLING!  IT'S A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO SELL YOUR METROWEST HOME!

It takes work to prepare your home for success on the market......but putting in that work will yield greater rewards in the end!  These tips will be your guide to help you get the best return on your investment, your home.

 Get an Inspection

Although your property may look up to par, it is beneficial to be aware of any potential problem that could come up later in the process. Every time a buyer walks through the door, they will be looking for the slightest reason to lower the price. The best way to eliminate this issue is to get an inspection on the front end.  Home inspections usually range from $300 - $700,  but will save you thousands in the end.

Repair What You Can.                                                                                                         

After receiving your home inspection, it is time to tackle each problem one step at a time. Whether you revive your garden, replace an appliance or repair a broken screen... every improvement counts.  A new line of caulk in the shower and a fresh coat of grout on the tiles can make your bathroom look brand new. If you are ready to take on your next project, head over to your local hardware store for a great selection of tools, paint, grout and just about anything else you may need. Just remember, the old 3:1 ratio...you want to make sure that for every dollar you spend, you are getting at least a return of three dollars back in your pocket.

Get Estimates on What You Can’t Fix.

While making repairs to your Natick home, keep in mind that the money spent on small projects will give you a positive return. However, there may be a few issues that stretch outside your budget, or the return on your investment may not be worth the dollars spent. In this case it is better to negotiate with your potential buyer than to lay out the larger sums of money at this time.

Clean......and then clean again!

Imaging getting ready for a first date, trying on different outfits, and spending hours in front of the mirror. This is the same way you need to treat your home. Your potential buyer needs to fall in love at first site. It doesn't cost you any additional money, just your time...and it will pay off big. Your home needs a DEEP clean in every corner, nook and cranny.  Appliances, counters, bathroom sink, tub, toilet, closets...everything!  A home in pristine condition will ALWAYS garner a higher selling price point than one that is not. If you would rather call in a service to help you do a deep, thorough clean, check out the preferred link here.

Get Rid of the Clutter.

It may be hard to clean the house with a pile of boxes, toys, your collections, etc  taking up all the great space. In order to maximize your properties potential, you need to show off the beautiful square footage in every room. It starts with getting rid of the clutter, unused furniture and stacking up your moving boxes in the proper areas;  including the garage, basement or even a storage unit. Check out a list of our Recommended Moving and Storage Companies.

Painting.                                                                                                                                

Give your home a fresh look by changing the color scheme or redesigning altogether.  You won’t believe how far a can of paint can really go until you see it for yourself. Give every room a new facial by tearing down that old school wallpaper and rolling on a shiny new color. When a buyer sees the fresh look and modern colors, it is sure to leave a positive impact, mainly in the form of an offer and in dollars.  If you need some help with an interior design make over, we have some of the best designers at our fingertips!  Click on this link for their contact information.

Landscape.

Aside from checking every nook and cranny inside the home, a smart seller would spend a day working on the outside as well.  When a buyer pulls into the drive, the first thing they notice is the welcoming look of the front of the home.  Taking extra time to mow the lawn, trim the greenery, laying fresh mulch or planting colorful flowers appropriate for the season are cheap and easy ways to make your house stand out and greet your potential buyers with a warm and friendly welcome.  Being from Natick you can head on over to Windy-Lo Nursery and pick up anything you may need!

Bottom line...Don't leave money on the table.  A little preparation goes a long way. Do the little things that will pay back in a big way.....in the form of an offer that you will find most acceptable.

For more Home Selling Tips check out our website or give us a call!  We'll be happy to come to you and go through your home with you to make sure that every room is absolutely "SHOW TIME" ready, to bring you the best offer and timeliest sale available today.

SOURCE- AOL REAL ESTATE SURVEY