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Open House 61 Hillando Drive Shrewsbury MA Sunday 9-27-15

Open House in Walnut Ridge Estates in Shrewsbury

Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 12:00-2:00pm

This Walnut Ridge Estates home has just about everything you are looking for! Bright and sunny with french doors leading into the formal dining room just adjacent to a cozy sitting room-both with hardwood floors. The family room features a brick fireplace and opens into the kitchen. Designed for cooking and entertaining, the kitchen is filled with cabinets and offers access to the large deck and first floor laundry. The second floor welcomes you with a large master, two more ample bedrooms and even a small office. The partially finished lower level offers a slider to your outdoor “living room”, tucked under the deck with views of a beautiful wooded backyard. Speaking of your backyard… while sitting on your large deck or outdoor spaces you will enjoy the soothing sound of a backyard waterfall complete with pond. All of this with gas heat, central air, a walkable neighborhood and Shrewsbury’s award winning schools!

View more photos here

Call or Text Maribeth for more information 508-641-9323

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School System another Great Reason to Buy a Home in Shrewsbury MA

Shrewsbury Education Makes the Grade

by Maribeth Lynch, Thrive Real Estate Specialists

Last month, just before students around the country headed back to school, Newsweek published a list of this year’s top public high schools in the U.S. The magazine collected data about which schools turn out students who are best prepared for college, assessing variables such as graduation rates, test scores, percentage of students bound for college following high school, and school poverty rates.

Newsweek partnered with research firm Westat to collect information from more than 16,200 schools around the country before coming up with a “short list” of about 4,800 schools with the highest levels of college readiness. The magazine’s final cut included only the top 500 public high schools around the nation. I’m proud to say that a number of high schools in Massachusetts made the list. And of that top 500, Shrewsbury High School was ranked 128.

With a student retention rate of 99% and a graduation rate of 98.7%, Newsweek reports that 96.2% of students who graduate from Shrewsbury High School are bound for college.

As the parent of three Shrewsbury High School graduates, I am delighted to learn just how top-notch Shrewsbury education is considered on a nationwide scale. Shrewsbury High’s ranking on this list sends the message that Shrewsbury values education, invests in our students’ learning, and provides a pathway to continuing education at the college level.

As icing on the cake, I did a little comparison to check into the value of that quality education that Shrewsbury students receive. There were seven Massachusetts towns with high schools ranking above Shrewsbury High on Newsweek’s list. The average tax bills for those towns are as follows:

Dover: $13,295 (#16)
Medfield: $9,954 (#52)
Weston: $17,832 (#54)
Newton: $10,091(#67)
Westwood: $9,999 (#75)
Hopkinton: $8,885 (#93)
Hingham: $8,679 (#115)

Meanwhile, the average Shrewsbury tax bill is an astonishing $5,030 – dramatically lower than all of the other high schools in the state with high rankings. For the money that Shrewsbury homeowners are paying, the quality of the education that Shrewsbury students receive is second to none. Shrewsbury’s talented educators are able to do less with more, and it reflects on a national level. Kudos to all of those who are involved in managing our town’s budget – these results don’t occur without a high degree of attention to every detail.

To me, nothing says community commitment better than the quality of a town’s education. A dedication to education results in critical thinkers – the young adults who cultivate a passion for changing the face of the future, and who are ultimately the achievers of the next generation.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And we’re fostering that motivation to change the world right here in Shrewsbury.

To read the full article visit: http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2015
To learn more about the Shrewsbury school system click here.

To learn more about buying a home in Shrewsbury Ma, give Maribeth a call/text at 508-641-9323 or email her at maribeth@thriverealtors.com

Click here to start searching for homes for sale in Shrewsbury MA

Local Hiking Trails Offer Northboro, Shrewsbury & Westborough Residents Great Recreational Opportunities

Local Hiking Trails in the Shrewsbury Area offer residents great recreational opportunities — Local hiking trails in the Shrewsbury area offer residents great recreational opportunities

Top-Notch Trails in Our Own Back Yards

Maribeth Lynch, Thrive Real Estate Specialists

New England is such a vibrant landscape in any season, but mild summer days seem as though they were made to spend outdoors. One of the greatest pleasures for me during warm weather is a pleasant hike in the countryside.

Fortunately, those of us in Northborough, Shrewsbury, and surrounding towns don’t have to travel far for some scenic and invigorating hikes – and hiking isn’t the only pastime for trail lovers. Every season brings something different to the region, from nature walks and wildlife spotting to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The Northborough Trails Committee (NTC) maintains a trail system throughout Northborough. A map of the trails network is available online. Trails range from a boardwalk through wetland meadow in the Little Chauncey and Cedar Hill trails areas to watershed vistas at the Carney Park and Cold Harbor trails. Nature lovers can even download audio guides from the NTC website.

One of my current favorite hiking destinations is Northborough’s Mt. Pisgah Trails Area. Mt. Pisgah is the highest point in Northborough, and on a clear day, there are scenic views to the east – it’s even possible to see Boston’s skyscrapers. Much of the area is conservation land that serves as a home to a range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, an abundance of birds, and even the occasional moose or black bear.

The Mt. Pisgah area encompasses land in Berlin, Bolton, and Boylston as well as Northborough. Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary in Boylston is adjacent to Mt. Pisgah and features a 1.5-mile trail loop of its own; half a mile of this loop is handicapped-accessible. The sanctuary also includes the Trailhead House, which was built with an eye toward sustainability and includes a gallery with rotating exhibits and programs.

Northborough is not home to the only nearby trail network. New England is teeming with hiking destinations, and other nearby communities provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and walking. The Shrewsbury Trails Committee sponsors guided walks on town trails. Shrewsbury’s trail sites include Lake St. Street Park, Carlstrom Memorial Forest, Jordan Pond, and Prospect Park.

Westborough residents can explore the Charm Bracelet, a trail network that includes a 28-mile loop trail with interconnecting side trails that join up with open spaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Trail maps for the Charm Bracelet and other Westborough trails can be found online, and there’s something for everyone, from dog walking at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine to a butterfly garden in the Headwaters Conservation Area.

View The Charm Bracelet Trail Map

As a Massachusetts resident, I feel fortunate to live in a region that is so diverse in natural beauty – there really is something amazing to behold in every season and for every interest. And the best part? There are so many opportunities to “get back to nature” just footsteps away.

Would you like to know more about buying a home in Shrewsbury, Northborough or Westbrorough? Visit the Thrive Real Estate Specialists for more information!

New Public Library another Great Reason to Buy a Home in Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Public Library Rendering — Photo Courtesy of Lamoureux Pagano & Associates

Thinking of Buying a Home in Shrewsbury?

New Public Library another Great Reason to Choose this Town

Shrewsbury Public Library Takes Shape

I think most people would agree that a quality library represents a community’s dedication to culture and education. Shrewsbury Public Library, located at the town center across from the town common, is no exception. The library is undergoing a renaissance that has involved the demolition of much of the existing structure and the construction of a new facility. Groundbreaking for the new library took place last November, and major construction should be completed next spring, followed by the re-opening of the library in June of 2016.

I have been personally involved in fundraising for the new library as the chairman of the Small Business Capital Campaign, a committee charged with raising funds from businesses employing fewer than ten employees. Last week I had the pleasure of attending a ceremony to sign names on the top beam of the new building. Library patrons joined staff members in signing the beam before it was raised to the top of the structure in a “topping out” ceremony. A U.S. flag and a tree crowned the beam in keeping with the tradition of the ceremony. Topping out has evolved from an ancient Scandinavian builders’ rite, in which the inclusion of a tree on top of a new building was thought to pacify tree-dwelling spirits that were displaced when timber was harvested for building. In modern times, the incorporation of the tree represents the hope for a safe and successful construction project, and it often signifies the project’s most auspicious point.

When moving to a new community, the town library can be a great resource for community groups and events, and Shrewsbury’s library is no exception. Shrewsbury Public Library programs include:

•   Language and computer classes and crafts workshops
•   Book discussions and poetry readings
•   Children’s programs and story times
•   Talent showcases
•   Passes to nearby museums
•   Summer reading programs for kids

Once completed, the new Shrewsbury Public Library will feature complete handicap accessibility, larger spaces both indoors and outside for children’s programs and play, additional computers and improved technology, a large community meeting room with a kitchen, and more parking. The existing 1903 Jubal Howe Building will also undergo preservation and restoration to retain the library’s historic roots.

While construction of the new library continues, a temporary library has been relocated to Glavin Center on Lake Street and continues to offer essential services. If you’re thinking of relocating to Shrewsbury, you should consider the library as an indispensable resource in your new community.

Would you like to know more?

Visit http://www.thriverealtors.com/ for more information!

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Your Must-Do List Before House Hunting in Shrewsbury, MA This Summer

Shrewsbury Real Estate — Shrewsbury Homebuyers

I know just how exciting it is to begin searching for a new home in Shrewsbury. It’s always fun to make a list of all of the features you want inside, where you want to live and imagine what your home’s exterior will look like. We can easily get caught up in the little details of home buying and just as quickly, get carried away!

The real estate market is full of motivated buyers this year, many more than there have been in past years, but that doesn’t mean you should skip a few steps to get ahead of them.

Consider the following your must-do list before you begin house-hunting in Shrewsbury this summer.

File Your Taxes

With tax day now behind us, you’re already a step ahead— unless, of course, you filed an extension. Lenders will want to see your most recent return to show your income prior to you buying a home. If you’re making payments or filed an extension, you will still be required to provide this documentation in some way.

Prepare Other Documents

Your tax return is not all a lender will want to see. Other documents like W-2’s, 1099’s, and old tax returns may be requested to show your income for the past two years. Remember, the more you can show your Worcester County lender, the better! They want to know you have the funds to cover at least two months of a potential mortgage payment.

Know Your Credit Score

Many Massachusetts homebuyers skip this step and that is a big mistake! Your credit score will have an affect on the mortgage rate you qualify for and oftentimes, it can take months to correct a credit report with errors, so do your research now. Always try to raise your score before applying for a mortgage.

Get to Know the Market

This is where your real estate agent comes in handy! We are here to answer any questions you have about where to live or what home prices are like in Northborough, Westborough, Worcester or Shrewsbury, to name a few. Once you know how much you can comfortably afford, then you can begin searching for homes in your price range.

It’s going to be a busy summer here in the Shrewsbury area and if you’re planning to buy a home, now is the time to get organized! Feel free to contact me with any questions about preparing to buy a home or available properties in the area.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Maribeth McCauley Lynch
THRIVE Real Estate Specialists
Direct: (508) 641-9323
Maribeth@thriverealtors.com

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