Shrewsbury MA Real Estate Market Update July 2018

Thrive Real Estate Specialists Owner/Broker Maribeth Lynch
gives Updates on the August 2018 Real Estate Market in Shrewsbury MA

The Shrewsbury real estate market is strong.
Compared to the prior year, we’ve seen housing sales increase by nearly 8%. And, average selling price is up by nearly 5% to $432k.
The number for days on market for those sales was very low – 60 days for the prior year, and a very similar 58 days for the past 12 months.

Inventory

What about inventory? It seems that after a long period of tight inventory, that we are starting to see a change, and the stats back that up: One year ago, there were 132 listings in the Shrewsbury market and today there are 1444 listing – about a 9% increase.
If we look more closely at inventory, we see that most of the increase in inventory really happened in the last 30 days because just one month ago, there were only 133 listings.
This modest increase in inventory might be a trend to pay close attention to.

Days on Market

One other interesting thing to keep an eye on is days on market. For houses that have sold over the past 30 days, the average days on market was only 36. So, desirable houses are moving. But if we look at inventory today (units not yet sold), the average days on market for those units is 80 days. So, you can see the importance of making your home desirable.
For fun, let’s take a look at the TOP and the BOTTOM of the market:
Bottom: 34 Oakland Avenue was a 2 bedroom / 1 bath home that sold in only 18 days for $175k.
Top: 437 Main Street is a 4 bedroom, 5 bath home that sold in 71 days for $1,850,000.

In summary, Shrewsbury is a strong market.Prices are increasing.
And although we may be seeing inventory start to tick up which is good for buyer selection, desirable homes are still moving fast.
That’s your Thrive Real Estate Market Report for Shrewsbury as of August 2018.
Happy end of summer and start of school year!!

Brighten Your Home with a Little Hygge

example of a Hygge setting in your home

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:

    • 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.

Shrewsbury Ma Real Estate Agent Nachi Souza
Realtor Nachi Souza

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.

photo of Shrewsbury Real Estate Agent Charles Kosheff
Realtor Charles Kosheff

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.

photo of Shrewsbury Ma Real Estate Agent Stephanie Jordan
Realtor Stephanie Jordan

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.

Downsizing Homes

photo of downsizing from a larger home to a smaller one

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

photo of 19-21 Sias Avenue in 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

photo of 11 Heatherwood Drive in 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.

See the Full Listing

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

Why For Sale by Owner is Not Always the Best Option

photo of Male And Female Realtor Standing Outside Residential Property

Don’t Go it Alone When Selling Your Home

Partner with a Realtor for Best Results!

Most of the people I know wouldn’t dream of tackling a complex plumbing or electrical project on their own. Most wouldn’t do their own auto maintenance or attempt complicated home appliance repairs. So I admit to being surprised whenever I hear about someone with no experience in real estate deciding not to hire a Realtor when selling a home.

The veritable mountain of real estate information available online can tempt some homeowners to believe that a little Internet research can equate to the entire body of knowledge necessary to prepare and market a home for sale. But the flaw in that thinking is that it’s virtually impossible to know which information is the correct information – not to mention which advice is pertinent to a seller’s unique situation.

Real estate agents have both the education and the experience necessary to facilitate a home sale. When I partner with a client to sell a home, there are countless services I provide to give my client an edge in the market. I have connections that I can leverage to help clients manage all aspects of a sale from staging to advertising to negotiating with a prospective buyer. I have a pantheon of contacts among mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, landscapers, and interior designers. I can tell the difference between the casual home shopper and the serious buyer. I have lists of comparable neighborhood properties at my fingertips and I know which home features to highlight and which to downplay during showings. And I can give honest advice about properly pricing a home to sell.

Perhaps one of the most valuable tools that a Realtor has in his or her arsenal is intimate knowledge of changing market conditions. Nothing influences the process of selling a home like the current climate of the real estate market in a specific area. I can provide clients with the inside knowledge they need to leverage market conditions in their favor. For example, in a seller’s market, where there is high demand and low inventory, I would develop a marketing strategy that is markedly different than when operating in a buyer’s market, where a glut of properties can make it more competitive to sell a home.

If you aren’t yet convinced that you need to collaborate with a real estate agent when selling your home, there are a couple of facts about home sales by owner compared to Realtor-assisted sales that might interest you. For one thing, sales by owner have been declining in recent years when compared to sales assisted by Realtors. Homes sold by owner are likely stay on the market two to three weeks longer on average before sale than those sold with the aid of a Realtor. And most importantly, selling your house with the help of an agent is likely to result in a higher sale price and more money in your pocket than if you go it alone – even when factoring in the agent’s commission.

When it comes to selling your home, it’s essential to develop a partnership with a seasoned agent who can help you achieve the best possible results. I encourage prospective sellers to speak to me directly so that I can give you an overview of my philosophy and deliver a detailed explanation of the many services that I can provide. If you’re considering selling your home, I urge you to contact me before making the decision to sell your house on your own.

19 Floral Street Shrewsbury MA 01545

photo of 19 Floral Street Shrewsbury MA. 01545

 

Homes For Sale in Shrewsbury MA- 19 Floral Street

Just Listed by Thrive Realtors!

$539,900

Open House Sunday 7/23/17 12-2pm

Love the idea of living in a neighborhood, but still want some privacy? This is the place for you. Tucked away from the road, this classic & pretty American Four Square is perched on a knoll overlooking the neighborhood that grew up around it. Once an active farm with a history dating to the turn of the century, the home retains much original charm, but has the updates you’re looking for. The white kitchen has granite & SS appliances, while the bathroom has an on–trend square sink and tiled floor & walls. On the old house side of things, you’ll find an oh-so-pretty stained glass window, five-panel doors w/ lovely doorknobs, amazing hardwoods, a window seat, and an unusual (and useful!) built-in linen closet upstairs. A recent addition offers a great place for the family to hang out, overlooking the lovely, serene deck/pool area. The guinite pool is ready for you to make a splash! Floral St elementary school is just around the corner. Easy access to Rte. 9 & great shopping. Really nice!  Showings start at Open House.

View the Full Listing

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

Preparing your Home for a Spring Listing

 

Think Spring! What Should You Be Doing to Prepare?

 
Think Spring Quote RS

As I write these words, a light snow is falling outside the window and it doesn’t seem like spring is just around the corner … but time has a habit of flying by and I know spring will be here before we know it. In the world of real estate, spring is typically a busy time of year characterized by people emerging from their winter “hibernation” to put their homes on the market and peruse the real estate listings.

While we’re waiting for spring’s welcome arrival, homeowners and prospective home sellers can do a few things to prepare for a new season. Winter is a great time to hunker down inside and get the house in order, whether that means general cleaning, organizational projects, repainting, or a little light remodeling. A change of colors can breathe life into a room, but paint isn’t the only way to accomplish a new look. Sometimes a fresh look is as simple as some new throw pillows or an area rug.

January and February are a good time of year to do some shopping. White sales are prevalent in the first two months of the year. It’s a great time to stock up on new linens like bedding and towels. Some stores even extend these sales to kitchen items. Furniture sales are also common in the early days of the year since many manufacturers introduce new styles in February and older pieces need to be moved to create space in showrooms and warehouses. I’ve also heard that large-screen TVs are often discounted by retailers hoping to get a bounce in sales prior to the Super Bowl; New England certainly would be a prime area for such discounts with another Super Bowl in the cards for the Patriots.

If you’re in search of other items, post-Christmas sales feature seasonal décor for next year as well as winter apparel that cost a small fortune before the holidays arrived. Sports and fitness equipment see some price reductions during the early months of the year as well, so if you’re looking to work off some of the overindulgence of the holiday season, now is the time to see if you can get a discount on home fitness equipment or even a gym membership.

Small electronics often see an uptick in price reductions in February. And don’t forget that President’s Day is coming up, and long weekends often provide retailers an opportunity to run a short sale – just remember to plan accordingly, as these sales can be brief.

Redecorating and shopping can be enjoyable ways to spend long, cold winter days, but there are a few practical tasks you can do around your house, too. Adding insulation and sealing doors, windows, and walls may not be a glamorous activity, but it can save you money in both the winter and the summer by keeping the elements out of your home. And tuning up your heating system or installing a smart thermostat will keep you cozy until spring arrives.

It’s a little too early to start talking about landscaping and planting flowers and gardens, so in the meantime, plant a small herb garden to put on a sunny window ledge and spruce up your house with a few fresh flowers – Trader Joe’s has an ever-evolving selection at reasonable prices and you can bring the cheer of springtime into your home before the season even arrives!

For more information on getting your home ready to sell this spring, contact Thrive Real Estate Specialists.

Five Reasons to Sell Your House Now

Selling homes in Shrewsbury MA

Five Reasons Why You Should
Sell Your House NOW!

1) Inventory is critically short in certain price ranges (under 650k in Shrewsbury). A home that is staged and in good condition with a good location will sell quickly
2) It’s the most beautiful time of the year for photos. In fact, we have 3 clients we are working with who are planning to sell in 6 months so we have gone ahead and staged and photographed their homes NOW for a sale during the late fall/winter.
3) Interest rates are low-low-low which means your buying power is high-high-high. The Feds met last week and decided there would be no change to the prime, so this summer is a great time to grab a low priced mortgage while you can
4) We are in an ascending market- which means if you are selling and buying you can take advantage of that on your sale side and hope to nab a great house on your buy side
5) Families have TIME in the summer, so Mom and Dad might have time to focus more on homes that enter the market now, and might decide to make that move during the lazy days of summer.

Click here for a free home valuation or call/text Maribeth at 508-641-9323 to start the discussion.

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Thrive Real Estate Specialists
Maribeth Lynch
26 Maple Ave.
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Direct: (508) 641-9323
Maribeth@ThriveRealtors.com

Thrive Realtors, Real Estate, Shrewsbury, MA