Fall Fun in Central Massachusetts

Fall is officially here.  The dry, sunny days, the cool, clear nights, the changing colors, the haunted houses, hayrides, country fairs, apple picking and the colorful mums and pumpkins brightening the pale straw bales. 
There is plenty to do in this wonderful season and I have included just a few of the offerings our part of the state provides.

This weekend is the 126th Bolton Fair.  This is a wonderful 2 day country fair, featuring delicious food, wonderful displays, creative craftspeople, traditional animal exhibits and lively entertainment. 

Also this weekend, Sholan Farms is having Cream of the Crop Weekend – Where the finest eating apple in the region will be unveiled – The cream of the crop celebration begins Wednesday with open house and continues throughout the weekend. Want a perfect no-fat dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth?

Davis Farmland and Mega Maze is always a big hit, with young and old alike.  Between finding a way out of the corn maze to hayrides, you will get a true taste of fall.   

And then, there is apple picking at one of the many orchards that dot the beautiful rolling coutnryside of Central Massachusetts.  There are so many, and I am providing information on just a few. 
Berlin Orchards, Berlin.  Serene, rolling hills offer a quiet, peaceful day of apple and pear picking. Hay wagon rides are offered on the weekends into and out of the orchards. Pony rides and other activities are offered on the weekends as well.

Clearview Farm, Sterling.  PYO apples, peaches, pumpkins, red raspberries, hayrides to orchards. Picnic area. Farm store and cider pressing, baked goods, honey, eggs, jam, syrup, cider donuts, vegetables.

Nashoba Winery Orchard, Bolton.  Bring a picnic. Call for availability, varieties and harvest festival date. Containers provided for u-pick. Wine tasting and tours Sat. and Sun.

Tougas Family Farm, Norhtborough.  Tougas Family Farm specializes in Pick Your Own Fruit and family fun.  Sept starts Apple and pumpkin season, and the last of the Raspberries. We have a barnyard with all sorts of farm animals, a farm kitchen featuring fruit deserts,ice cream and light lunch. Wagon rides are used as transport around the farm.

Carlson Orchards, Harvard. Offer PYO apples, peaches, nectarines, cider mill & bottling area. Packing plant, apple peeler, slicer, cider jelly boiler all on premises.

Relx, enjoy and take your mind off the headlines by taking some time to enjoy our local attractions.

 

Criteria to use in selecting a buyer's agent that is right for you

In today's world, what is a buyer to do?  If you are a first time buyer, you may be  scared into "in-action" due to the overwhelming amount of infomation we have been besieged with every day over the past few weeks.   What does it all mean?

First, let's change the word "scared" into "concern".  It's normal and reasonable to be concerned.  You are about to move forward with your largest investment and like any new endevour, you don't know what you don't know.  
So, it's important to understand the main source of your concern. 

• Is it that you’re a first-time home buyer and the process is new? 
• Or have you been watching the news and have heard how horrible things are? 
• Perhaps you know someone like a friend, family member, or friends-of-friends have lost their home to foreclosure?

The old adage, "Knowledge is Power" was never more true than in purchasing your first home.  So, 
          #1-  Find an agent who is not only seasoned and knowledgable, but is an educator too.  You need to know what the homebuying process entails, and to have the concerns you have about the process
addressed. 
Just in the past few days, I read a term "pop tart agent" (I am unable to properly credit the term because I don't remember the site or blog I first saw it, but it stuck with me). 
You call about a house and the agent Pops Up to show it to you.  How can they show you a house when they have no idea what your needs and wants are?  That method has the agent meeting face to face in hopes of "capturing" a new client.  Hmmmm ... now that is a reason for concern.
          #2-  Your agent should be meeting with you before popping up to show you anything.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss in detail your goals, your needs in the house you want to buy, the process of buying a home, and if it's the right thing for you.  The agent can introduce you to their services, experience and areas of expertise, as well as the way they do business.  Most especially, are they able to gve you concrete information about the news reports, the currnet, local market conditions, and how it all affects you.  You can decide together if this is the right agent for you.
         #3-  Mortgage Pre-approval.  This is a biggie, especially in today's lending world. 
How can the Realtor® help you with your home search if you or they don't know whether you can afford the kind of house you want? 
Does it benefit you to waste your precious time on a search that cannot reap the desired result?  If the agent does not value their own time enough to help you realize you need to make some changes, either in your search criteria, or timing, how on earth will they be able to value your precious time? 
One of the things that I consistently hear people saying is "I'm so busy".  It does not seem to matter whether the person is single, married, with or without children. 
We are all stretched to the limit with our time contraints. Don't squander yours with an agent who doesn't care if you squander theirs.
         #4-  If the previous 3 items have been fully addressed, "concern" should be replaced by  "confidence" in the partner you have found to help you with your real estate purchase.   

There are many reasons to buy in this fall market.  Lower prices, good interest rates, and choices.    Postponing a purchase today, may mean you have less to choose from in a few months or next spring.  During the past few months, there has been a decrease in local "inventory" and the days on the market are beginning to shorten.  Why?  Sellers and their agents are pricing the properties to sell according to location and condition.  Those are the conditions that have to be in place for the market to turn.