THRIVE Real Estate Specialists in Shrewsbury to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Office
Thrive Real Estate Specialists of Shrewsbury MA will hold a grand opening of their new office located at 26 Maple Avenue on June 24, 2018 from 12-3pm. Thrive Real Estate Specialists recently moved their office from 11 Maple Avenue to 26 Maple Avenue in the center of Shrewsbury.
The Thrive team will be on hand and members of the Shrewsbury community, including representatives from the Board of Selectmen and Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce will also take part in this informal celebration. This Grand Opening, which will be open to the public, coincides with the 3rd Annual Shrewsbury Food and Brew Festival being held at Avidia Bank located at 28 Maple Ave. Don’t forget to pick up some locally made goodies Thrive will have on hand. Jubilee Chocolates and Wicked Twisted Pretzels of Grafton will be there with some sweet and savory treats, as well as Lakeway Commons’ newest gelato cart Froze Zone. Plan to attend both events for double fun.
Thrive Real Estate Specialists is a real estate firm specializing in quality, personalized service with a boutique-style philosophy rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach to real estate. They represent both Buyers and Sellers of homes for sale in Shrewsbury and Central/MetroWest areas of Massachusetts. Thrive was founded by long-time Shrewsbury resident and Realtor, Maribeth McCauley Lynch in 2014. After a successful 15+ year career with a large real estate franchise, Maribeth founded THRIVE Real Estate Specialists with the goal of providing a highly personalized and client centric experience for her clients. Her real estate agency has grown from a “one woman” shop to a team of eight Realtors from Shrewsbury and the surrounding area. She is actively involved in the Shrewsbury community and is proud to represent the Shrewsbury business community.
“Our mission is simple; deliver outstanding, individual and convenient services to all of our Clients. We want you to Thrive in your home, and we are committed to being your partner from the beginning to the end of your real estate transaction. Our business is 100% referral based, we are honored to receive many testimonials from our clients who often become lifelong friends,” states owner/broker Maribeth Lynch.
For more information, please visit thriverealtors.com or contact broker-owner Maribeth Lynch.
Map and Directions
Contact Information:
Maribeth Lynch
maribeth@thriverealtors.com
Thrive Real Estate Specialists
26 Maple Avenue
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508-641-9323
website: https://www.thriverealtors.com
Maribeth Lynch Interviewed on WCRN 830AM Radio
Owner/Broker of Thrive Real Estate Specialists is Interviewed on WCRN Radio 830AM
Maribeth Lynch, the owner/broker of Thrive Real Estate Specialists was recently interviewed by Pauline Robertson, host of Shear Transformation on WCRN Radio 830AM.
In her interview, Maribeth answered some common questions for buying and selling real estate in Shrewsbury and the greater Worcester MA area. She also gave some tips for making your home more attractive to buyers with very little effort.
Maribeth discusses the process of choosing the right real estate agent, some questions to ask when interviewing an agent and the importance of using a local expert when buying or selling a home. Maribeth and Pauline discuss how to get the most value when selling your home and maximizing your investment when choosing what time of year to sell. She discusses how different seasons of the year can bring a different level of competition and motivation. They also cover the difference between an appraisal and a CMA. An appraisal is generally performed by a licensed appraiser and is a general scientific value of your home. A realtors opinion of value (CMA) takes in to consideration different factors in the market. They also discussed the 55 and over real estate market.
Listen to Shear Transformation Interview Part I
Listen to Shear Transformation Interview Part II
Click here to learn more about Thrive Real Estate Specialists of Shrewsbury MA
If you would like to contact Maribeth Lynch to discuss buying or selling a residential property, call/text 508-641-9323 or email Maribeth.
Lakeway Commons Shrewsbury MA
Exciting Developments at Lakeway Commons
If you’re like me, you’ve watched with interest as the former Spag’s site has undergone a transformation into Shrewsbury’s newest shopping plaza. While anchor store Whole Foods is not yet open for business, construction is largely complete, and the plaza hosted its grand opening last month with a kick-off party that included discounts, giveaways, and prizes. The event also featured the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating the Spag’s legacy.
The development includes excellent new Shrewsbury dining options such as Burtons Grill and Tavern in the Square, which are both now open and offer excellent, allergy-friendly dining options with large seating in the bar areas and plenty of dining space – although I would recommend making a reservation when dining at either location with a large group, especially on weekend evenings. The new Starbucks location in the plaza includes a drive-through and a roomy seating area inside.
Other new businesses include Especially for Pets, Orangetheory Fitness, the newest location of Jenny Boston Boutique, a UniBank branch, Scottrade, Tile Works, Massage Envy, Visionworks, Lunchbox Wax, and QDOBA. Many are already open for business, while Whole Foods is scheduled to open in January.
Lakeway Commons, the culmination of a revitalization effort by Grossman Development Group, also includes condos and townhomes. Parts of the site were rezoned to accommodate its new mixed-used classification. The apartment complex includes a pool, clubhouse, and rental garages as well as professional landscaping that incorporates trees and green space. One- and two-bedroom and studio apartments are renting now.
While as Lakeway Commons is opening its doors to Shrewsbury residents, nearby Marlborough is home to the new Apex entertainment complex, which features restaurants, shops, offices, and multiple entertainment venues that are sure to appeal to residents from the surrounding towns. These new developments, coupled with existing shopping and dining options and the bountiful opportunities for outdoor activities in the area add further incentive to live in this beautiful part of Central Massachusetts. While we may be saying goodbye to past icons like Spag’s, there are always new opportunities for our town to grow and attract dynamic businesses.
Brighten Your Home with a Little Hygge
Brighten Your Winter with a Little Hygge
Recently, I was introduced to a “new” concept that you may or may not have experienced: Hygge. Pronounced “hue-ga,” this Danish lifestyle concept is not actually a new concept at all; it simply hasn’t become a trend in the U.S. until rather recently. When my client Victoria explained Hygge to me, I immediately connected with the idea and began embracing it in my daily life.
Hygge is a lifestyle concept that is practiced in Denmark. It is best described as a mindset that recognizes and appreciates special, cozy moments – whether these moments occur while alone or with family and friends, indoors or outdoors, unusual or ordinary. Hygge is a central part of Danish cultural identity and is rooted in a culture that experiences long, dark Northern winters; hygge evolved as an effort to counteract the cold, darkness, and boredom of those seemingly endless winter months. With winter on the way, I find that the mindfulness of hygge applies particularly well to hearth and home.
Here are a few suggestions to make your home reflect hygge in the coming months:
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- Coziness. Hygge is sometimes described as “the art of creating intimacy.” At home, consider the places you most enjoy spending your time. A window seat, hearthside armchair, or other cozy reading nook serves as a refuge from everyday problems. Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine and immerse yourself in a book.
- Community. Involve family and friends in Hygge by creating welcoming spaces where you can spend time with the people you care about. This might be your kitchen (often the hub of the household) or a dining or family room. Use low lighting, candles, and appealing scents to set the stage for special times with your loved ones.
- Simplicity. Find your joy in baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, playing board games, or working on a puzzle. Simple indulgences can bring us great satisfaction. A simple Sunday dinner of roast chicken or a hearty stew can give your mind and body a boost.
- Peacefulness. In order to truly appreciate hygge, it’s important to make an effort to unwind. Take time to unplug this winter. Read, knit, paint, cook, or keep a journal of the things in life for which you are thankful. Take a walk in the quiet moonlight. Slow down and take the time to indulge in the activities that warm your heart and free your mind from the near-constant onslaught of electronic data that we are faced with daily.
- Nature. Danes are famous for incorporating outdoor elements inside. Materials like natural stone and wood are key features in their living spaces that reflect a connection to nature. Something as simple as a rustic log pile next to the fireplace can evoke a feeling of natural beauty in your home.
- Ritual. Stop and buy yourself flowers every week. Or make a habit of brewing your favorite tea each morning and drinking it from your best china cup. Cultivate a windowsill herb garden. Wear fluffy socks every day. Bake your own bread each week. Use your best linens every evening at dinner. Creating new rituals that release us from a feeling of drudgery when we’re at home can bring a sense of comfort to each day.
The ideas I’ve outlined really speak to me as we approach the time of year when home becomes a sanctuary from the elements. Coziness and contentment at home ultimately make us happier in every aspect of our lives. This winter, I encourage everyone to embrace hygge. Enjoy the now, feed your soul, and find an inner freedom that will sustain you!
Thrive Real Estate Welcomes Three New Realtors
Thrive Real Estate Specialists is pleased to announce three new realtors have joined their team of agents.
Naat “Nachi” Souza Paiva comes to the THRIVE team with experience in property, casualty, commercial, and personal insurance as well as a successful four-year turn as the proprietor of a Worcester dessert bar. With many of her recent insurance clients approaching her for referrals and advice when buying their first homes, it was a natural step for Nachi to procure her real estate license and join The Thrive Team.
Nachi, who was born in Brazil, moved to the U.S. at the age of ten and grew up in Shrewsbury. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She studied architecture at Northeastern University – a passion that has informed her involvement in real estate – before returning to Worcester and completing a degree in business management from Assumption College.
Charles Kosheff joins THRIVE with an impressive roster of accomplishments. He majored in Film and Television with a minor in Theater at Northwestern University before embarking on a 25-year career in media production, directing and editing stage events and videos for marketing, fundraising, and entertainment. His exceptional work in the field garnered him an Emmy nomination.
Mr. Kosheff’s attention to detail and dedication to perfection will dovetail with his knack for creating a warm and inviting home, bringing great value to his clients looking to move to Shrewsbury and nearby towns. Mr. Kosheff is also an excellent resource for those contemplating a move to the area, particularly those with young children.
THRIVE’s newest team member is Stephanie Jordan, who has lived on and off in Shrewsbury since 1999. Coming from a family deeply involved in real estate investment and rentals, Stephanie is ready to turn her talents to local home sales. She is passionate about supporting community businesses and networks, and cites Owner/Broker Maribeth Lynch’s drive, motivation, and stellar work ethic as a tremendous inspiration. Stephanie hopes to work in concert with Ms. Lynch to continue THRIVE’s tradition of excellence in helping clients not only buy and sell their homes, but also build their lives.
Improving Home Energy Efficiency
How to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
These days, there’s a lot of talk about “living green.” As a matter of course, we recycle everything from cardboard to plastic to metal and glass. Our communities regularly hold recycling events for items such as electronics. And more towns are adopting the same type of plastic bag ban that Shrewsbury has recently enacted to encourage reusable bags and less waste.
Green living also addresses the size of the carbon footprint we each create. One way to reduce our environmental impact is to adopt energy-efficient practices in our homes. Many of us already drive energy-efficient cars. Why not implement some energy-saving conventions at home as well? It isn’t as difficult as you might think and it can save you a lot of money in the long term.
I’m not suggesting that you rush out and replace dated appliances that are perfectly functional. If you’re not sure where to start your energy savings, begin by thinking small. Start by swapping burned-out incandescent light bulbs with LEDs and compact fluorescent options. Take some time to evaluate your home heating systems. How out-of-date is your thermostat? Smart thermostats are not terribly difficult to install and their programmable features allow you to control your furnace even when you are asleep or away from home. Some heating and lighting systems can even be controlled remotely by a smartphone or a tablet.
When one of your appliances does give out, shop for an ENERGY STAR certified replacement. ENERGY STAR certifies everything from furnaces to kitchen appliances to washers and dryers to television sets. Visit www.energystar.gov/ for more information. In addition to energy-efficient product listings, the website also provides useful energy-saving tips for homeowners that are easy to incorporate into daily routines.
If you’re willing to tackle a slightly more involved project in pursuit of energy savings, have a contractor or energy auditor conduct a review of the insulation in your attic and basement and the sealants around your windows and doors. Windows that are original to older houses are particularly prone to energy loss. Replacing weather stripping, adding sealants, and installing additional insulation can cut down on drafts and energy leaks. As a rule of thumb, if your home was built before 1980 and hasn’t been updated, it’s likely that your insulation is inadequate.
Massachusetts has many incentives in place to promote the use of renewable energy. Residential use of solar panels is increasing in popularity and their installation can dramatically reduce a household’s energy costs. For more information on available programs, visit www.mass.gov/solar-information-programs.
Energy efficiency isn’t the only way to make your home more environmentally friendly. You can also save money and diminish waste by reducing your water usage. If your water heater needs to be replaced, you should consider a tankless water heater, which eliminates the cost associated with keeping large amounts of hot water in a storage tank. Low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads can also cut down on the amount of water you use each day.
I am always looking for ways to streamline my life and eliminate waste at home. With renewable energy programs becoming increasingly affordable and advanced technologies growing ever more pervasive in our daily lives, reducing our environmental impact at home is easier than you might think. A little research can set you on a path toward shrinking that carbon footprint and leaving behind a cleaner, greener planet for future generations.
For a complete listing of available financing programs and tax credits available to Massachusetts homeowners, check out www.mass.gov/solar-information-programs.
Downsizing Homes
How Can You “Rightsize” Your Next Home?
Earlier this year, I shared exciting information about several new mid-century homes on the market in Shrewsbury, many of them within walking distance of the center of town. As you might imagine, those properties drew a lot of interest based on their location – but they also appealed to some prospective homebuyers because of their size and amount of yard space.
There has been a recent trend among certain homeowners toward downsizing to a more manageable lifestyle. While there are plenty of buyers out there who are still looking for large homes for their families, there are many families that are finding they require less space than before. The reasons vary – children growing and moving out into the world, a desire to abandon large-scale material possessions and concentrate on a more experiential lifestyle focusing on hobbies or travel, or a heightened interest in lower home maintenance and increased energy efficiency. But whatever the reason, there has been a demonstrable surge in interest in curating a smaller living space rather than sustaining a sprawling property.
Fortunately, a town like Shrewsbury has many smaller homes, and a lot of them are in excellent condition, having been lovingly maintained and updated throughout the years by diligent homeowners. There are also condominium units on the market for those who desire a simpler lifestyle. If you’re in the market for a new home, there are a few considerations to address when determining how to best “rightsize” your next home purchase.
1)Savings. What are the financial benefits of moving to a smaller home? What will you save on your monthly mortgage payments? How much will you net on the sale of your current home? If more money in your pocket is appealing to you, are you willing to give up some of the space you have now?
2) Needs. What are your “must-haves?” Maybe you don’t need as many bedrooms as you currently have, but an updated kitchen or bathroom is important to you. What about a garage? Storage space? What kind of yard do you wish to maintain? What about location?
3) Effort. Are you willing to put in the work necessary to pare down the number of belongings in your everyday space? Swapping a large home for a smaller one involves hard choices about what to keep, sell, recycle, and donate. One solution for items that you don’t currently use but may wish to access in the future is to rent a storage unit. There are several options nearby. This be an involved project, so you should think about whether you have the resources and energy to systematically sift through all of your possessions and make some hard choices. However, that effort can also be a big payoff in the long run when you enjoy the simplicity of less cleaning, yard work, and general maintenance.
4) Ambiance versus Maintenance. Many homeowners appreciate the “charm factor” that accompanies older, smaller homes. Nuances like built-in cabinetry and pocket doors outweigh the potential pitfalls of maintaining an aging house. But for those who value ease of life over architectural aesthetics, a gleaming new condo might be a better choice than a freestanding home that was built 100 years ago.
5) Self-Perception. I know that it can be hard to admit, but our homes are extensions of ourselves. We maintain them, decorate them, spend long hours in them, and ultimately, they become reflections of who we are. If your current home serves at least in part as a status symbol, you may want to rethink moving into a humbler dwelling. While a lot of people are bucking the convention that money can buy happiness, it’s fair to say that our egos can be intertwined with our living space.
6) Routines. This is an important question to ask when assessing any potential move. What impact will your new home have on your lifestyle? Whether it is a question of your children changing schools, having to shop regularly at a new supermarket, or a change in space for entertaining, a move affects many of our established routines.
If you have thought through the benefits and drawbacks of moving to a smaller home and it is something that you would be interested to explore, please contact my team and me. We will be happy to talk you through the process of finding the home that is the right size for you.
19-21 Sias Avenue Shrewsbury MA 01545
Homes For Sale in Shrewsbury MA- 19-21 Sias Avenue
Just Listed by Thrive Realtors!
$305,000
Open House Sunday 9/10/17 11:00-1:00pm
Calling all fans of the classic American bungalow: we may have found your match. This home simply commands a presence on its incredible corner lot, with a porch and huge deck overlooking the big, flat yard. The new Lakeway Commons is just a short walk away from this tight-knit neighborhood. You’ll be able to roll out of bed and stroll over to Starbucks for your morning Joe. A Whole Foods and Burtons Grill will be pretty much in your backyard. But back to the house, which has been in the same family for the past 55+ years. Step inside to find beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, original moldings with some great wood grain, unusual grillwork set into the brick fireplace, a handsome staircase, and a flexible floor plan that allows you to maximize the interior space. Upstairs are three good-size bedrooms with ample closets for the era. Screened-in patio and detached two-car garage. Come usher this quintessential American home into its next chapter, which is sure to be a love story. Showings start at Open House.
See the Full Listing
Call/Text Maribeth 508-641-9323 for more information
11 Heatherwood Drive Shrewsbury MA 01545
Homes For Sale in Shrewsbury MA- 11 Heatherwood Drive
Just Listed by Thrive Realtors!
$509,900
Open House Sunday 9/10/17 12:30-2:30pm
Exceptionally well cared for Cape in coveted Saxon Woods! Freshly painted in soothing yet crisp colors inside AND out, this gem also has new Harvey 8-over-8 windows and new water heater. The foyer offers a teasing glimpse of the living room, flooded with natural light and graced with a granite fireplace. The heart of the floorpan is the dining room, with a lovely, lighted built-in cabinet and views of the great yard. Those gorgeous hardwood floors can be found in every room, including the kitchen, where you’ll find granite counters and cherry cabinets. There’s a first floor bedroom, plus a great full bath: glass shower, pedestal sink, timeless floor tile and beadboard. Three bedrooms and the second full bath are upstairs. Got stuff? No problem. This house has plenty of places to put it. Deck or patio? No need to choose: this home has both. The spacious breezeway can easily accommodate a drop zone as well as a pleasant sitting area. Partially finished LL w/ fireplace, two-car garage Showings start at Open House.
