#2 Wellesley Public Schools | 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley

Wellesley Public Schools was ranked the #1 Safest School District and the #1 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#7 Weston Public Schools | 89 Wellesley Street, Weston

Weston Public Schools was ranked the #20 Safest School District, and the #21 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#14 Needham Public Schools | 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham  

Needham Public Schools was ranked the #7 Best School District for Athletes, #14 Safest School District, and the #24 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#38 Natick Public Schools | 13 East Central Street, Natick

Natick Public Schools was ranked the #10 Best School District for Athletes in Massachusetts.

Congrats to all of these great Metrowest Boston School Districts! We appreciate all that you do for our students and for making our communities such a great place for families to call home!

If you are interested in Buying a home within one of these great school districts, give Team Lynch Real Estate a call today or visit our website at http://www.teamlynchrealestate.com/.

Full Schedule and Map of Venues

Live Entertainment and Performances!

With the first event beginning at 9:30 am and the last one starting at 10:00 pm, it is impossible for you to not find something to keep you and your family entertained all day long. With story time for the little ones, dance performances, local singers and bands, puppet shows, theatrical performances, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy this New Year in Needham.

Magic Show! http://www.newyearsneedham.org/comedy-show/

Don't miss the day's headlining performance by comedian and magician Steve Kradolfer. You will spend the evening mesmerized by his amazing magic tricks and mind reading abilities. The show begins at 7:00 pm at Needham Town Hall.

Countdown Party!  

The countdown festivities will start at 9:30 pm on Saturday at the beautiful Powers Hall. Dance the night away to Boston's favorite blues band The Love Dogs. There will be a cash bar and light refreshments served throughout the evening. The party will bring you right into the New Year until 12:30 am. Attendees must be 21 and older. Tickets are $30 per person. Purchase tickets HERE.

New Year’s Day 5K Run!

Start working towards your New Year's resolutions by participating in the Needham Running Club's 9th Annual New Year's Day 5K run. The race begins at 11:00 am on Sunday, January 1st, at the Needham YMCA Pool Building (863 Great Plain Avenue). Prizes will be awarded to the top runners. Enjoy food, beverages, and raffle prizes after the race. The cost of the race is $20 per person in advance and $25 per person on race day. Register in advance HERE.

We can't wait to celebrate the New Year with you in Needham!!!

According to a recent analysis by CoreLogic, Millennial renters (aged 20-34) who have student loan debt also have higher credit scores than those who do not have student loans.

This may come as a surprise, as there is so much talk about student loans burdening Millennials and holding them back from many milestones that previous generations have been able to achieve (i.e. homeownership, investing for retirement).

CoreLogic used the information provided on rental applications and the applicants’ credit history from credit bureaus to determine if there was a correlation between student loan debt and credit scores.

The analysis concluded that:

“Student loan debt did not prevent millennials from access to credit even though it may delay their homebuying decisions.”

In fact, those with a higher amount of debt actually had higher credit scores.

“Renters with student loan debt have higher average credit scores than those without; and those with higher debt amounts have higher average credit scores than those with lower student loan debt amounts.”

Bottom Line

Millennials are on pace to become the most educated generation in our nation’s history, with that comes a pretty big bill for education. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel:

“Despite the fact that student loan debt has grown into the nation’s second largest consumer debt, following mortgage, and has created a significant financial burden for millennials, it does not appear to prevent millennials from accessing credit.”

Read more real estate tips and updated information HERE!

Christmas is this weekend in Wellesley and Metrowest Boston! We love this time of year, with delicious freshly baked goods, beautiful snow falls, and quality time with all those that we love.

We like to use this time of year to reflect on all the blessings in our life. Team Lynch Real Estate would particularly like to THANK all of our past and current clients for the opportunity to work with them over the years!

We love helping clients fulfill all of their real estate needs in the Wellesley area! We know why this is such a great area to call home and enjoy sharing our years of experience to help those in our community find their dream homes. 

If you are interested in buying or selling your home in the new year, contact us today! We would be happy to help you reach all of your real estate goals in 2017!

Best Wishes for a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Give the gift of music or live theater! The Center for Arts in Natick (14 Summer Street, Natick) sells gift certificates which can be used towards performance tickets or memberships. TCAN has great musical performances throughout the year to enjoy. The Wellesley Repertory Theatre (106 Central Street, Wellesley) is a professional performance group in our area which puts on thought provoking and entertaining plays during their season. Buy tickets to one of their great shows for the theater lover in your life.

If there is someone on your list who loves to be active in the great outdoors, buy them a gift certificate to the Weston Ski Track (190 Park Road, Weston). Cross country skiing and snowshoeing is available on over 15 km of trails and there is a lighted loop for night skiing. The best part of these gift certificates? They are also valid for any of the products and services at Charles River Canoe & Kayak and Community Ice Skating @Kendall!

With all the amazing restaurants in Metrowest Boston, it is incredibly easy to give the gift of a delicious meal to any foodie in your family. We recommend picking up gift certificates from:

Blue Ginger (583 Washington Street, Wellesley)

Sweet Basil (942 Great Plain Avenue, Needham)

Alta Strada (92 Central Street)  

For the little ones, you can find unique, fun gifts at the numerous local boutiques and stores in the area. Buy clothes, toys, gift certificates, and more at one of these great spots:

Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique and Hostess (483 Boston Post Road #3, Weston)

Wellesley Toy Shop (59 Central Street, Wellesley)

Tiny Hanger (200 Linden Square, Wellesley)  

Christmas is just around the corner! The Wellesley and Metrowest Boston area has become a winter wonderland with beautiful holiday decorations and festive cheer. Add instant curb appeal to your home and a cheery spirit by decorating your home's front porch. Here are our Top Tips for Fabulous Front Porch Decorating for the Holidays!

Let There be Light! Nothing says outdoor Christmas decorations like bright strings of lights. Draw attention to your front porch by wrapping porch posts and railings in twinkling lights. You can also use candles for a more natural, classic glow. Just make sure that they are placed in safe locations that are out of reach of children and pets, the wind, and will not pose a fire hazard.

Add Some Color! Make your front porch extra welcoming by adding splashes of color. One great option is with poinsettias. These pretty flowers are easy to come by during the holiday season and instantly add some bright color to your front porch. Real poinsettias won’t survive the Massachusetts weather. If you want to use real ones, display them in front facing windows. Otherwise, synthetic poinsettias look like the real deal and can withstand the outside elements. You can also add color to your front porch by adding clusters of ornaments or festive bows. Just choose a color scheme to keep your decorations looking classic and consistent.

Go the Natural Route! Evergreens are hearty and a great symbol for the holiday season. Use evergreen accents on your porch this holiday season by adding a wreath and some garland. Create a classic look by draping the garland on the railings. You can also use other natural decorations, such as pinecones, bare branches, and red berries.

Make it Welcoming! Add personal touches to make the front porch extra welcoming for your guests. Put a festive welcome mat out for visitors. This can tie your decorations together and provides a place to wipe feet before entering your home. You can also add a chalkboard sign outside to for a personal message to those that come over this holiday season.

O’ Christmas Tree! A Christmas tree doesn’t have to just adorn your living room. Adding a brightly lit tree to your front porch can add interest to your home’s entrance. Use outdoor lights and ornaments to create a festive display. If you have a smaller porch, opt for live trees in pots that can flank your front door.

You could be the winner of one of the following great prizes:

A home exterior holiday decoration and design consultation from Natureworks Landscape Service, worth $2,500 (Grand Prize)

2 Holiday Planters for your front entrance from Blade of Grass

The great news about rising prices, however, is that according to CoreLogic’s latest US Economic Outlook, the average American household gained over $11,000 in equity over the course of the last year, largely due to home value increases.

The map below was created from CoreLogic’s report and shows the average equity gain per mortgaged home from June 2015 to June 2016 (the latest data available).

Read more HERE!

Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair

Date: Saturday, October 15th

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location: Bates Elementary School (116 Elmwood Road, Wellesley)

Cost: FREE!

The Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair is a favorite fall tradition for families in Wellesley. This event is open to everyone in the community. Your family will enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, children’s games and activities, and a haunted house! Plus, enjoy the great pumpkin smash!

Edgar Allen Poe Visit to Weston Public Library

Date: Tuesday, October 11th

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: Weston Public Library (87 School Street, Weston)

Cost: FREE!

The works of Edgar Allan Poe are some of the most haunting. Listen to dramatic performances of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven. Performed by Mr. Campbell Harmon, there will also be interesting information provided regarding the author’s life, death, and his impact on literature in the United States.

11th Annual Weston High School Pumpkin Festival

Date: Saturday, October 15th

Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: Town Green (11 Town House Road, Weston)

Cost: FREE!

Weston High School once again presents their annual Pumpkin Festival. This great fundraising event features everything you could want at a great family Halloween event. Enjoy cider, home baked goods, and traditional fair food. Listen to great live music. Decorate and carve a pumpkin. Plus, there are more activities for the kids to love, such as balloon animals, a magician, and face painting! All proceeds from the event benefit Camp Sunshine, a camp in Maine that helps families of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Halloween Happening

Date: Friday, October 28th

Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington Street, Wellesley)

Cost: FREE!

Bring your children down to the library for an afternoon of Halloween fun. Dress them in their scariest or prettiest Halloween costumes. There will be a costume parade at 4:30 pm. Prior to the parade, enjoy a spooky story time as well as arts and crafts!

Halloween Open Tower

Date: Monday, October 31st

Time: 1:00 pm

Location: Galen Stone Tower (Wellesley College)

Cost: FREE!

Come in costume to the Galen Stone Tower on Wellesley’s campus. The carillon (“bells”) in the tower will be performing spooky theme music for Halloween! Marvel at the talent of the Wellesley students who are playing the bells and at the beauty of the historic college.

Fall in the Northeast is spectacular! There is nothing quite like watching the leaves change to brilliant shades of red, purple, orange, and brown as the weather begins to cool. Celebrate the beauty of the season in

Boulder Brook Reservation Hike

Date: Sunday, September 25th

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Meeting Location: Kelly Memorial Park parking lot (68 Elmwood Road)

Enjoy a peaceful hike through Kelly Memorial Park and Boulder Brook Reservation. This hike will have you exploring woodlands and meadows. Marvel at how the surrounding landscape was transformed by the glaciers and witness a beautiful view from the top of Rockey Ledges.

North 40 Walk

Date: Saturday, October 15th

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Meeting Location: Town Beach gate (Turner Road)

Explore the area around Morses Pond, which was recently purchased by the town. You and the other hikers will walk along the Cochituate Aqueduct. This hike will take you on a scenic route through a pine forest and woodlands before finishing up in the community gardens and near a vernal pool.

Kids’ Trails Day

Date: Sunday, October 23rd

Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Meeting Location: Longfellow Pond parking lot (Oakland Street)

Your kids can get in on the fun too with a trail walk designed specifically for them! They will love exploring nature as they look for treasure boxes using clues. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the hike.

Town Forest Walk

Date: Saturday, November 5th

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Meeting Location: Longfellow Pond parking lot (Oakland Street)

The final hike of the season will take hikers near Longfellow Pond. This fun hike will have you exploring landscapes deposited by the glaciers. Witness the end of the fall season as you walk through a tree tunnel in the woodlands.

School is back in session, the holidays are right around the corner, you might not think that now is the best time to sell your house. But with inventory below historic numbers and demand still strong, you could be missing out on a great opportunity for your family.

Here are five reasons why you should consider selling your house this fall: 

1. Demand Is Strong

The latest Realtors’ Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase… and are in the market right now!

Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

READ MORE BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK:  5 Reasons to Buy a Home in the Fall

Although the kids are back in school and Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, the beautiful weather in the Metrowest Boston area will stick around for a while! Enjoy the sunny days, crisp nights, and spectacular autumn colors this fall by continuing to spend time outdoors with your family. These are our favorite local spots to continue family fun adventures over the next couple of months. 

We are bound to still get some incredibly hot days this September. For those humid days when you need to cool off, splash around in Cochituate State Park (43 Commonwealth Road) in Natick. This state park is perfect for the water enthusiast…..with swimming, boating, windsurfing, and fishing available on the three large lakes. 

Bake a delicious homemade pie from the apples you pick yourself at Belkin Lookout Farm (89 Pleasant Street South, South Natick). Along with spending time picking apples and pumpkins, you and your family can make a whole day of it at the farm with all of the available activities. Your children will love the play area with farm animals, face painting, hay maze, train rides, and so much more. Try some hard apple cider in the tap room while enjoying a freshly baked apple cider doughnut. The farm is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Practice your putt at Golf on the Village Green  (315 Worcester Street) in Natick. You and your family will enjoy a game of mini golf while being reminded of our area’s history. The park is themed after the Freedom Trail. After finishing up your game, grab a delicious ice cream treat. The park is open daily. 

Go for a hike at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (280 Eliot Street) in Natick. You and your family can explore 9 miles of trails that will take you over broadwalks and past waterfalls. There are lots of awesome activities planned for the new season including fall foliage canoe rides, wildlife watching activities, and walks through wildflowers. The sanctuary is closed on Mondays.​

Marvel at stunning flowers and plants at The Gardens at Elm Bank (900 Washington Street) in Wellesley . This is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic with your family. Your children will love exploring the gardens specifically themed for them. There are also several activities offered throughout the week at the gardens. Elm Bank is open Tuesdays through Sundays. 

Our furry friends are truly a part of the family! Although we appreciate our dogs everyday for the unconditional love they provide us, there is no better time to show Fido how much you truly love him by celebrating National Dog Day with a special day trip! Take your dog to a pet friendly restaurant or dog park to give him a day he will never forget!

Ready to go on a day adventure with your dog? Follow these get tips to enjoy National Dog Day to its fullest!

Plan Where You Are Going!

The first step is to decide where you and your furry friend are going to go. There are so many great options in the Wellesley & Metrowest Boston area! We will make your planning easy by recommending these awesome, local dog friendly spots!

Restaurants

Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel Street) in Needham has delicious french food for you and a dog-friendly patio for your pooch! Sip on some red wine while your dog hydrates with water from the provided water bowls!  

Not only humans love a cool treat on hot summer days! Your dog will love some ice cream from Cedar Hill Diary Joy (331 North Avenue) in Weston.

Parks

Centennial Reservation  (150 Oakland Street) in Wellesley is a dream come true for your dog! With almost 2 miles of trails, your dog will get plenty of exercise in a beautiful natural setting. And, when he gets too warm? He can take a dip in Bezanson Pond with the other pooches to cool off.

Needham Dog Park (145 Pine Street) is a special spot for your furry friend. Let him off the leash in one of the two fenced off dog areas.

Don’t let the name fool you….Cat Rock Park (Drabbington Way) in Weston is a dog paradise! Give your pet a full day of exploring of the lease on the trails, open fields, and swimming area.  

Pack Your Car!

With the hot summer weather, you want to ensure that your dog is comfortable during the entire trip. Make sure your car is fully gassed up before you add him as a passenger to avoid making additional stops that will leave him in the hot car.

Add any pet-friendly accessories to your car to make the trip easier and more fun. Put a blanket or extra cushions in the backseat so he is more comfortable on the trip. You can use a console cover to keep your dog in the backseat where he is safer and able to spread out more.

Your dog needs lots of water! Make sure to pack plenty of water bottles to keep him hydrated along with a bowl so he can easily drink it in the car or at your final destination.

Time to Go!

Beyond making sure your pooch is comfortable in the car, make sure to remember safety once you hit the road. Harness them into their seat to keep them safe in the event of a sudden stop.

While on the road, use the air conditioner and only crack windows a little bit. Although your dog loves the fresh air, it can be dangerous for them to have their heads too far out the window and there is always potential for them to jump out.

See an unexpected stop on your way? Make an extra spot. It’s your dog’s special day so make sure they are able to experience all that they might want to. Or, remember the spot for in the future and take your pet back there the following week.

Bring some delicious treats for you and your furry friend. Pack a picnic for you and your family. Be sure to throw in something extra special, and healthy, for your dog as well!

A photo lasts a lifetime so be sure to grab your camera to capture all of the fun that you and your beloved dog have throughout the day!

We hope you and your four legged family member have a very happy National Dog Day!

Fannie Mae’s “What do consumers know about the Mortgage Qualification Criteria?” Study revealed that Americans are misinformed about what is required to qualify for a mortgage when purchasing a home.

Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”

Fannie Mae’s survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the report, 76% of Americans either don’t know (40%) or are misinformed (36%) about the minimum down payment required.

Many believe that they need at least 20% down to buy their dream home. New programs actually let buyers put down as little as 3%.

Read the remainder of this blog here.

There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either yours or your landlord’s.

As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains:

Read the rest of this blog here

The $3 million renovation project has truly been a public-private partnership to help improve the facility for the high school. Funds were raised through the Community Preservation Commission, the town of Wellesley, and private fundraising.

The Wellesley High School Stadium will occupy the same space that the previous track and football field were on. The new field will be wider and have synthetic turf, allowing for more sports to utilize the field throughout the course of the school year. The track is being completely replaced due to the very poor condition of the previous one. To date, the contractor has been installing the electric conduits and drainage pipes at the site. The work on the sewer and water service connections is already done. The new Track and Field will improve the athletic programming at the high school as well as help support community events.

We cannot wait to see the finished stadium at Wellesley High School this fall and to cheer the Raiders on in their upcoming athletic seasons!!!

Wellesley High School is a top rated school in the Metrowest Boston area. If you are interested in moving to the great town of Wellesley or one of the surrounding communities, give Team Lynch a call today or visit our website at http://www.teamlynchrealestate.com/.