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Thrive Real Estate Q & A: How Covid Has Affected Real Estate in Central MA

Thrive Realtors Maribeth Lynch and Kay Sears Discuss How Covid Has Affected the Real Estate Market in Central MA

Thrive owner/broker Maribeth Lynch and Realtor Kay Sears discuss how Covid-19 has affected the real estate market in Central Massachusetts for the month of April 2020. They answer questions that frequently arise right now, specifically;

1. Cybersecurity as it relates to real estate transactions
2. How home showings are taking place during the Covid pandemic.

Contact us if you have any questions about buying or selling real estate!

 
Stay tuned for more Thrive Q & A Videos…

Posted in: Blog, Homes for sale in Shrewsbury MA, Real Estate Agents Grafton MA, Real Estate Northborough MA, Real Estate West Boylston MA, Realtors Grafton MA, Realtors Shrewsbury MA, selling real estate in Shrewsbury MA

Buying and Selling Real Estate During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Thrive Owner/Broker Maribeth Lynch and Gary Kelley of RE/MAX Executive Realty discuss personal best practices for showing and listing real estate in Massachusetts during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Such uncertain times for so many of us. Real estate professionals have been trying to ascertain whether we are/are not essential workers. The answer is just as unclear. We at Thrive Real Estate believe it is our duty to serve our buyer and seller clients by providing them with updated information as well as offer our time and assistance. We have quite a few sellers who want to sell during this time. We support their decisions and have established a set of criteria under which we work. Here are a few of those guidelines:

1) Most showings are conducted by a Buyers Agent who will be escorting the potential buyer through the house. Our first best practice is to have a conversation with the agents to establish that the buyer is MOTIVATED and PRE APPROVED. During these unprecedented times, the last thing we want our seller to have to endure are “tire kickers”. So all of our showings are taking place with the understanding that the buyer can act to buy the house, can afford the house and has a pre approval letter in hand.

2) We are providing all the tools needed for the safety of anyone who enters the house. This means we have rubber gloves and sanitary wipes available to be used throughout the showing.

3) We are leaving lots of doors ajar so there is no need to manually open the door. It’s really all about using common sense. The “look don’t touch” mentality.

Despite the COVID19 outbreak, our office is BUSY. We are spending time answering questions about the real estate market and helping people plan ahead for their purchases or sales of their homes.

We have conducted virtual walk throughs of homes to help with staging and organizing. Most homes will need a bit of organizing/staging, we find most homes need about 2-4 weeks to be prepared to enter the market. We also need time to get our photographer in and also get any contractors in to complete the finishing touches.

We have quite a few homes under agreement and are working with our attorneys and support staff to ensure these homes have all they need to successfully close. The rules are changing daily with regard to home inspections, mortgage underwriting procedures, smoke detector inspections, appraisals and many other things. We are staying on top of the ever changing market and are happy to share what we know with anyone with questions.

Now is a GREAT time to consider selling or buying. But, you want to hire an experienced firm with local resources to help you be successful. We at Thrive Real Estate Specialists have the time and experience to make your home buying/selling experience pleasant!

Stay safe, stay distant and stay immersed in day-to-day activities that bring your joy and keep you occupied with positive thoughts!

Posted in: Featured Blog Posts, Home Buyers, real estate agents, Realtors Shrewsbury MA, selling real estate in Shrewsbury MA Tagged: buying or selling real estate during Covid-19, Real Estate Agents in Worcester County MA

Shrewsbury MA Real Estate Market Update December 2018

Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury Massachusetts | December 2018

Hi again! I’m Maribeth Lynch from Thrive Real Estate Specialists, with your Shrewsbury market report through the end of December 2018.

We are experiencing a market shift that is undeniable. We have moved from a strong sellers market to a more balanced market favoring buyers. The combination of rising interest rates and higher home prices have worked towards a softening in the market. However, Shrewsbury continues to outperform most other comparable towns both in total units sold and pricing.

Shrewsbury’s market volume in 2018 was slightly behind that of 2017, although prices were up by 5% in 2018

Unit sales were up slightly in December but off 30% from last December.

We also saw a sharp fall off in the list price/sale price ratio which dropped to 94%. It was previously holding steady at 98 to 100%.
These two factors confirm the weakening market that we have been feeling.

Despite these downward trends, our days on market are still low, with an average of 50 days on market in December.

Our inventory of homes tells a similar story-with 82 units on market at the end of 2018—this is up 40% more than the previous two years. If you are a Buyer, this data present a clear message that 2019 will be a great year for you to buy.

Looking at the high and low of the Shrewsbury market in December, a condo sold for $133,000, and a beautiful home sold for $2,750,000!

If you are a buyer—NOW is the time to get serious about your search. If you are a seller, the condition, location and price point of your home will be the factors most impacting the bottom line.

We love working with buyers as well as representing sellers in Shrewsbury—if 2019 is YOUR year to buy or sell, give us a call!

That’s your Thrive Real Estate Market Report for Shrewsbury through December, 2018. Here’s to a great 2019 for all!

 

Recent Market Updates

 

November 2018 Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury MA

October 2018 Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury MA

September 2018 Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury MA

August 2018 Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury MA

July 2018 Real Estate Market Update for Shrewsbury MA

Posted in: Blog, Market Updates, Realtors Shrewsbury MA, selling real estate in Shrewsbury MA, Shrewsbury MA, Shrewsbury MA Real Estate, Shrewsbury Real Estate, Shrewsbury Real Estate Agency, Shrewsbury Real Estate Market Updates Tagged: Real Estate Agents Shrewsbury MA, Real Estate Market Shrewsbury MA, Realtors Shrewsbury MA

Reinvigorate Yourself and Your Home This Fall

by Maribeth Lynch, Owner/Broker Thrive Real Estate Specialists

Closeup of exterior door with decorative autumn wreath
 
Most people think of springtime as a season for renewal, but I find that every season brings its share of unique ways to refresh myself and my home. And although my kids are grown, the start to the school year each September feels like a shift … sometimes bringing immediate relief from relentless heat, other times melting into the beautiful days of Indian Summer. As the leaves change to the fiery, vibrant colors of autumn, we change as well, turning our minds toward the coziness of home in the fall and winter.
 
Last winter I wrote about one of my new favorite concepts: the Danish lifestyle mindset called hygge. While this notion of appreciating and savoring life’s simple pleasures can be practiced at any time of year, I find it particularly suited to a season of holidays and family, food and friends, and the warmth of hearth and home.
 
I’ve found myself thinking recently about ways to infuse my home with the magic of fall while also recharging and renewing myself after a busy summer, and I’ve identified  several ways to pursue an infusion of warmth and energy in my surroundings and outlook:
 
 

Activity and Routine

 
Whether or not we have kids returning to school or college in the fall, we can consider the end of summer as a fresh start to the “work year” – a time for a mid-year review of work/life goals and an opportunity to refresh our focus. It’s a good time to establish new routines at work or in daily life – perhaps a regular break at a favorite coffee shop or a weekly lunch with a friend.
 
Calming the chaos is especially important for families with school-aged children. The return to school can feel hectic with back-to-school expectations and the inevitable paperwork pileup. Creating a master family calendar with everyone’s weekly schedules can help a family busy feel more in control of all the expectations. Color-coding activities by family member can help everyone stay on top of obligations.
 
Finally, I like to make sure to add in a little something for my physical and mental health. Physical exercise can be more difficult to do indoors as the weather gets colder, but long walks in the crisp fall air are invigorating. Meditation provides perspective and a much-needed break from the day’s worries. Journaling is also a way to clear the mind and focus priorities.
 

Simplicity and Balance

 
Minimalism is liberating. It can feel claustrophobic to be indoors with a lot of pileup. And as entertaining moves from outside to indoors, creating indoor space is imperative when hosting a big holiday bash or even an intimate dinner. Fall is as good a time as spring to de-clutter a home. Sifting through all of the summer accumulation and purging unneeded belongings lifts a burden both physically and emotionally. Rent a Dumpster and fill it with anything broken and cumbersome that can’t be repurposed. And with the holidays on the way, it’s also a great time for charitable giving of gently-used items that we no longer need.
 
I also think the change of seasons brings a renewed opportunity to look at my home with an eye toward balance. Evaluate each room in terms of lighting, color, and the placement of furniture and accessories. Try to achieve a look that is both practical and pleasing to the eye.
 

Warmth and Comfort

 
Fall offers opportunities to connect with roots and family as well as to create a holiday home. As we begin the slow journey to winter, the nights get longer and the days get darker, making home lighting a priority. With less natural light streaming through the windows, it becomes important to choose warm lighting options that brighten rooms while lending a sense of coziness. I also suggest bringing the best of the outdoors inside in the form of fall colors, which are traditionally warm and inviting. Use vibrant reds and oranges or softer earth tones to accentuate your existing palette. Using texture and ambiance like patterned throw pillows and scented candles will lend a home a more gracious feel than filling it with kitschy holiday decorations or seasonal knickknacks. My rule of thumb is to keep it understated.
 
As we find ourselves spending more time indoors, I urge you to think of how to make your home into a sanctuary. If you’re a cook, perhaps this means planting an indoor herb garden for fresh flavors throughout the winter. In the bedroom, consider using sounds and scents to complement soothing colors; sound machines and scent infusers help create a peaceful atmosphere. What is your passion? Create a reading nook with a cozy blanket or stock up on scented bath products. You know what you like best, so surround yourself with your favorite things, like photos, books, and candles.
 
Meanwhile, outdoor activities do not need to come to a total halt. While we may need to bundle up a bit when the temperature starts to drop, there are still plenty of opportunities to create curb appeal and indulge in fall landscaping. A passion for gardening need not end; many plants thrive when planted during the fall. And don’t forget to plant spring bulbs like daffodils and snowdrops so they’ll be ready to dispel the gloom of winter when the seasons change again. For those without a green thumb, a tasteful seasonal wreath or a few cheerful pots of mums can spruce up a yard.
 
 
All of my suggestions for a hygge-filled home this fall translate well if you happen to be staging your house for sale before the holidays. Prospective buyers will see your house as a home, which will help make that sale. And in the meantime, you can enjoy a lifestyle that lends itself to renewal.

Posted in: Blog, Featured Blog Posts, Homes for sale in Grafton MA, Homes for Sale in Northborough MA, Homes for sale in Shrewsbury MA, Homes for sale in West Boylston, Homes for sale in Westborough MA, selling real estate in Shrewsbury MA, Selling your Massachusetts Home Tagged: home staging to sell, hygge, Selling your Massachusetts Home, Shrewsbury Real Estate, Shrewsbury Real Estate Agent

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      26 Maple Ave.
      Shrewsbury, MA 01545
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      info@ThriveRealtors.com

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      • Home
      • For Buyers
        ▼
        • Featured
        • Browse Properties by Town/City
        • Find Your Dream Home
        • The Home Buying Process
        • Moving Checklist
        • Get Pre-Approved
      • For Sellers
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        • Preparing your Home for A Showing
        • Sold by Thrive Realtors
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        • Holden
        • Northborough
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