Just because the work week started doesn't mean that the fun stops in Wellesley!! There are events occurring all week long! Enjoy the summer weather and time with family and friends at one of these awesome events.

July 26th

Navy Band Northeast Woodwind Quartet Concert: 2:00 pm at Waterstone at Wellesley (27 Washington Street). Celebrate the brave men and women that serve in our armed forces by attending a concert by the Navy Band Northeast Woodwind Quartet. This is one of the 11 official U.S. Navy bands and is based onboard NAVSTA Newport. The concert is FREE but an RSVP is requested at (781) 235-1614.

July 27th

BaHa Brothers Concert: 7:00 pm at the Wellesley Town Hall Green (525 Washington Street). This week’s Summer Concerts on the Green features Massachusetts band the BaHa Brothers. Dance the night away to the perfect summertime music. Concessions will be available from the Rotary Club of Wellesley.

July 28th

Raiders of the Lost Ark Screening: 7:00 pm at Davis Square (106 Central Street) at Wellesley College. Bring your blanket and enjoy this 1981 classic film under the stars. Arts and crafts projects start at 7:00 pm and the film will be shown at 8:15 pm. This event is FREE and popcorn and beer are also complimentary!

Arts on the Green: 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Elm Bank Horticulture Center (900 Washington Street). Spend a beautiful evening in the gardens while enjoying live music and admiring the work of local artists. This great family event will also feature hands-on activities. Bring your own picnic dinner with beverages available for purchase. Admission is $8. Children 12 and under, as well as Massachusetts Horticultural Society members, are FREE. 

July 29^th & 30^th

Annie Jr.: Performances at 7:00 pm (Friday) and 2:00 pm or 5:00 pm (Saturday) at Wellesley High School (50 Rice Street). See the beloved musical presented by the Wellesley Theatre Project, a local nonprofit organization that grants our community’s youth access to acting and theatrical productions. Tickets can be purchased in advance HERE or at the door prior to the performances.  

Looking for something fun to do in Wellesley and Metrowest Boston? There are several family fun events coming up through the next week. Whether it’s a movie, concert or outdoor activity, these summertime events offer something for everyone!

Wellesley

Saturday, July 16th

July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at Wellesley Square. Come for amazing deals from over 60 merchants located throughout Wellesley Square but stay all day for the family fun! Enjoy music, performers, food, kids activities, and so much more!

Thursday, July 21st

Pumpernickel Puppets: 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington Street). Bring the family down to the library to see performances of  “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Lion and the Mouse”. This entertaining show will include colorful puppets, sound effects, and audience participation.

Friday, July 22nd

Summer Family Flix: 1:30 to 5:00 pm at the Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington Street). Watch the hilarious family animated films Ice Age and Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. Popcorn will be provided! First screening is at 1:30 pm and the second movie will start at 3:15 pm.

Natick

Saturday, July 16th

Natick Farmer's Market: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Natick Common (Intersection of Routes 27 and 135). Stock up on some delicious food and beverages from local vendors and farmers.

Fun with Butterflies and Dragonflies: 1:00 to 2:15 pm at the Mass Audubon’s Broodmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (280 Eliot Street). Learn more about the magnificent butterflies and dragonflies that call the Broodmoor Wildlife Sanctuary home.

Summer Morning Canoe on the Charles: 6:00 to 9:00 am at the Mass Audubon’s Broodmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (280 Eliot Street). Enjoy the great outdoors on the beautiful Charles river. Admire at the local wildlife as you canoe.

Needham

Friday, July 15th

On Your Mark, Get Set - Read! Summer Film Festival: 3:00 pm at the Needham Free Public Library (1139 Highland Avenue). Bring the kids to the library for a screening of the Disney film Cloud 9.

Weston

Friday, July 15th

Olympics Celebration:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Spellman Museum (241 Wellesley Street). Celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games by viewing an exhibit of stamps that feature past Olympians, participate in many hands on activities, and potentially meet some past Olympians! Make your own Olympic stamps that you can bring home with you. Admission is FREE!

Friday Night Flicks: 8:00 to 11:00 pm at Town Green. This week’s Friday Night Flicks is the beloved 1980’s classic John Hughes film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! Bring a blanket and watch the film on the big screen outside. Free popcorn will be available for the first 100 people!  

Sunday, July 17th

Caribbean Cruise Day: 1:00 to 3:30 pm at Memorial Pool (Alphabet Lane). Head down to the pool for a fun Caribbean themed day. Enjoy a sundae buffet, games led by cruise directors, and listen to some great music. Event is free with regular pool admission.

Tuesday, July 20th

Concert on the Green: 7:00 pm at Town Green. Swing the night away with the Tom Nutile Big Band! This great regional band features 15 musicians. Enjoy past swing classics as well as contemporary favorites.

Spruce up the landscaping of your WELLESLEY & METROWEST BOSTON home with a garden! After those cold winter months, gardens are a great way to add a bit of color and cheer to your yard. You can ensure gardening success during the warmer seasons by turning to plant varieties that naturally grow throughout the northeast. As an added bonus, native plants require less maintenance. Here are the 15 top native plants for northeast gardens!

CULVER’S ROOT (Veronicastrum virginicum) – Place this plant towards the back of your garden as they can grow up to 5 feet tall. This perennial can flourish in part shade or full sun. In the summer months, petals in varieties of white, pink, and blue will appear.

MAIDENHAIR FERN (Adiantum pedatum) – Perfect for shady areas with moist soil, this fern adds texture to the landscaping. This plant takes a while to establish itself so allow it plenty of time to grow.

CAROLINA LUPINE (Thermopsis villosa) – The Carolina Lupine is a standard along the East coast. It provides fuzzy foliage throughout the year and blossoms with pea-like flowers in the spring.

WILD GINGER (Asarum canadense) – Another great plant for shady areas, this groundcover produces heart-shaped leaves. As an added surprise, burgundy flowers appear under the leaves in late May.

VIRGIN’S BOWER (Clematis virginiana) – This awesome plant will add interest to your garden throughout the summer and fall months. In summer, the vine is covered in white star-shaped flowers that produce a beautiful aroma. In the fall, the fuzzy heads add texture.

WILD ANEMONE (Anemone canadensis) – Fill up large spaces in your garden with this groundcover. It grows easily in organically-rich soil. Make sure to keep this plant well watered.

EASTERN BLUESTAR (Amsonia tabernaemontana) – Attract butterflies to your yard every spring with the blue flowers of this plant. The flowers turn a beautiful yellow to add autumnal color to your garden in the fall.

MERRYBELLS (Uvularia grandiflora) – Enjoy delicate yellow flowers in the spring with Merrybells. Plant several together to reap the most benefit from this easy to grow plant.

TRILLIUM (Trillium grandiflorum) – In shady areas, add this woodland wildflower. In the early spring, the lower part of your garden will sprot beautiful white petals.

SWAMP MILKWEED (Asclepias incarnata) – Monarch butterflies will flit amongst the pink flowers in mid-summer. This plant is perfect for average soil conditions.

JACOB’S LADDER (Polemonium reptans) – In partly sunny areas, rely on Jacob’s Ladder to add great groundcover. There are many different varieties that provide shades of blue, pink, and white to your garden.

FOAMFLOWER (Tiarella cordifolia) – This plant can be placed throughout your garden, whether in the sun or shade. It will produce white flowers in the spring and summer months.

WOODLAND IRIS (Iris setosa) – This iris adds a beautiful blue-violet color to your garden in late spring. It can bloom in partial shade.

YELLOW LADY’S-SLIPPER ORCHID (Cypripedium parviflorum) – Patiently await the blossoming of this stunning flower. In the spring, your garden will be the talk of the neighborhood with this yellow, slipper-shaped flowers. This plant flourishes in moist, acidic soil.

AMERICAN CORAL BELLS (Heuchera americana) – This resilient plant adds great texture to your garden throughout the year. Place in partly sunny areas with well-drained soil.

Adding these gorgeous perennials and other plants, trees, ponds and accents to your yard and landscape can add value to your home and definitely punch up your curb appeal!

For more Home Selling Tips, give our office a call or visit our website at www.teamlynchrealestate.com.

Resource: Better Homes & Gardens June 2016

You've decided to Sell your Metrowest home this summer....BRAVO!  That's a fantastic decision! As you go through the many different tasks to get your home ready to be put on the market, don't forget one of the most important, it's face. Well, not literally, but truly it's first impression it's going to make to your potential home buyers when they drive-by your home, come to a showing or open house, or even the first photo they usually see as a 'Listing Photo'...the front of your home.  We call it 'CURB APPEAL'!

In the summer we have so many fantastic choices to create award winning curb appeal, but the basics are always the same...so we'll start there:

1) Pride of Ownership- Nothing puts a potential home buyer more at ease than driving up to a home that shows an owners 'pride of ownership' from the moment you see the home, and it all starts with the state of the exterior of the home.

2) Homes Exterior- Choose your upgrades carefully. Siding is largest visible surface on your home. Make sure to power wash the entire surface and make any necessary repairs before putting your home on the market. Windows & Screens should also be perfectly cleaned and windows should sparkle (yes I did say sparkle!). If your siding is a hideous color, painting then becomes a serious consideration! 

3) Front Door & Porch- This is an area where you can introduce some pops of color and have a little bit of fun! First make sure you have thoroughly cleaned all surface areas. Once you've accomplished this, then evaluate your front door. A New Front Door has one of the greatest ROI's. If your's is looking a little rough, then this is a great area to invest....and you may want to look for a fantastic complementary color. Again, don't get wild and crazy, we're talking complimentary, not outrageous. Once that's chosen take a look at the porch and decide if you need to repaint any railings or decking. Then you can choose whether a chair, table, rug or other fun, small, uncluttered choices would be a nice touch for your "Welcome" area.

4) Lighting- Do you have adequate lighting on your front porch? How about Landscape Lighting? Have you enhanced any area of the yard that you'd like to highlight? Get rid of dated fixtures and take advantage of outdoor living! Home Buyers rate the yard as 25% of their decision in the summer months! If your yard is a big selling point, don't let it go to waste! Illuminate your walkways as well.

5) Landscaping- Todays homeowners and home buyers love outdoor living and take pride in having their yards landscaped. Take time to give your yard extra attention. If you don't have a lot of extra money to spend, concentrate on the front yard first. Consult a landscaper or even a local garden center and ask for lower cost alternatives that can be implemented for a great look and flow. Add a few solar lights for a walk-way and you'll have a beautiful front yard before you know it....without having to spend a fortune.

For more Home Selling Tips give Team Lynch a call or visit our website at www.teamlynchrealestate.com.

The 4th of July is almost here! There are many exciting family-friendly events going on this holiday throughout Metrowest Boston that we wanted to share with you! Spend the holiday with live entertainment, kids activities, delicious food, and, of course, spectacular fireworks displays!

NATICK

Family Night on the Common

When: Wednesday, June 29^th | 4:30 – 8:00 pm

Where: Downtown Natick

Cost: FREE!

Kick off the 4^th of July celebrations by bringing the whole family down for a night filled with fun activities. The kids will love the obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, slip n’ slide, and endless other activities. Watch the Annual Children’s Parade starting at 6:30 pm which will feature Uncle Sam himself!

Natick’s VOICE on the Common

When: Thursday, June 30^th | 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Where: Downtown Natick

Cost: FREE!

Put your vocal talents to the test and audition to sing the National Anthem at the upcoming 4^th of July Parade. Solo artists, duets, and vocal groups are all invited to try out. Not a singer? Come down to the event to cheer on the performers!

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

When: Monday, July 4^th | 7:00 am – Noon

Where: First Congregational Church (2 East Central Street)

Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12

Start off the 4^th of July with a belly full of delicious pancakes.

61^st Annual July Fourth Parade

When: Monday, July 4^th | 9:00 am

Where: Wilson Middle School to Natick Center

Cost: FREE!

Set up a spot for you and your family along the parade route on Monday morning. Enjoy local performers, live music, and patriotic floats. The theme of this year’s parade is “Celebrating Natick’s Rich History” and the grand marshal is World War II veteran Paul Hasgill.

WESTON

Annual “Happy Birthday USA” Family Day  

When: Monday, July 4^th | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where: Spellman Postal Museum (241 Wellesley Street)

Bring the kids to the Spellman Postal Museum in Weston for a day filled with activities. Children can design their own 4^th of July stamp, participate in a scavenger hunt, and make arts and crafts. All kids will be able to take home a free collection of American flag stamps and enjoy a piece of birthday cake!

Red, White, and Pool!

When: Monday, July 4^th | 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Where: Memorial Pool (Alphabet Lane)

Cool off this 4^th of July with a day at the pool! There will be patriotic events, games, and a pool side DJ!

NEEDHAM

Fourth of July Celebration

When: Sunday, July 3^rd – Monday, July 4^th

Where: Memorial Park (92 Rosemary St.)

Cost: FREE!

Take part in two days of festivities! The celebration kicks off at 5:00 pm on Sunday with music, food, and a fireworks show. On the 4^th, start the day by watching the raising of the American flag at the Town Common at 9:00 am. Afterwards, spend the day watching the Grand Parade, attending the craft fair, and participating in the countless other fun activities at the park.

Charles River YMCA Independence Day 5K

When: Monday, July 4^th | 8:30 am

Where: Episcopal Church (1132 Highland Avenue)

Cost: $30

Be active this July 4^th and race in the Charles River YMCA Independence Day 5K!

Celebrate America’s 240^th birthday at one of these amazing events in Metrowest Boston!

Team Lynch Real Estate wishes you and your family a very happy and safe Independence Day!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the WELLESLEY and Metrowest Boston area? Head to ‘Medfield on the Charles’ Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 26th, from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. This annual event has moved this year from Elm Bank Reservation to the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital. This new site allows for greater space for classic car lovers and enthusiasts to enjoy the day.

Grab the whole family and admire over 800 antique, classic, and custom automobiles. This year's attractions include the Batmobile...with a special appearance by Batman himself!...and antique fire engines! Enjoy some Ben & Jerry's ice cream along with other food on sale as you rock out to the band Four on the Floor or dance away to the tunes spun by the DJ. There is truly something for the car enthusiasts and families alike at this great event.

We can't wait to see you all amongst the hot rods at the ‘Medfield on the Charles’ Classic Car Show this weekend!

Event Details

Date: Sunday, June 26th, 2016

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Medfield State Hospital (45 Medfield Road, Medfield)

Cost: Adults - $7, Children under 12 - Free

For more information on summer events around the Metrowest area visit our Blog and Facebook Page frequently.

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that 92% of all mortgaged properties are now in a positive equity situation, while 74% now actually have significant equity (defined as more than 20%)! The report also revealed that 268,000 households regained equity in the first quarter of 2016 and are no longer under water.

Price Appreciation = Good News for Homeowners

Frank Nothaft, CoreLogic’s Chief Economist, explains:

Continue reading at this link: EQUITY REPORT

In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons why this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers.

Here are the top five reasons:

1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With

Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be prepared to negotiate if you decide to For Sale By Owner:

• The buyer who wants the best deal possible
• The buyer’s agent who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
• The buyer’s attorney (in some parts of the country)
• The home inspection companies, which work for the buyer and will almost always find some problems with the house
• The appraiser if there is a question of value

Read the rest of this blog at this link:  5 Reasons Not to FSBO

Buying a new house is an exciting and important time! There is no better place to call home than METROWEST! House hunting in a seller's market, though, adds more factors for you to consider during the process. Although the market might not be favoring buyers at the moment, there are many things that you can use to your advantage to help you buy your dream home! Look through the current HOME LISTINGS so we can help you begin this exciting journey, and follow these 6 useful tips for buyers in a seller's market.

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED AGENT. Eliminate some of the time and stress that comes with house hunting by working with an experienced real estate agent. Team Lynch Real Estate is here to help you find your dream home! Let us know exactly what you are looking for. We understand the Metrowest housing market, now what is available, and can negotiate the best deal for your new home! Read TESTIMONIALS from our past clients.

BE PREAPPROVED BY A LENDER. Get preapproval for a loan from a reputable lender that you can present to the seller. This shows that you are serious about buying the home and makes the seller feel more comfortable knowing that your finances are in order. If you already know that you can afford the home and have a high credit score, get this part of the process out of the way when you initially start your house hunting process. It can help you stand apart from the other buyers. For help with the kinds of loans that are available for you, check out our FINANCE INFORMATION.

BE DECISIVE IN MAKING AN OFFER. Buying a home is a major decision so being thoughtful about the home you make an offer on is imperative. But don’t get bogged down in over analyzing. Before you begin the house hunting process, be sure to know exactly what you are looking for in your dream home…price, location, and type. When you find a home that checks all of the factors you have previously determined, make an offer! You don’t want to miss out on your dream home due to over thinking.

MAKE YOUR BEST OFFER. Start with a strong opening offer. You should know the maximum that you are willing to pay. Although we all want to get the best deal possible, in a seller’s market competition is high. If you come in with too low of an opening offer, you could miss out on your dream home. Be aware of what other houses are on the market and the pricing of the homes in the area. This will help you determine what is an appropriate amount to negotiate for the house you want. Have a strong opening offer that you are comfortable with AND that will be acceptable to the seller. To strengthen your offer, consider including an OFFER LETTER . An offer letter can help you stand out from other potential bidders and help to personalize why you are interested in the seller’s home.

PREPARE FOR A BIDDING WAR. Bidding wars inevitably cause stress for buyers. The fear of missing out on your dream home is understandable. However, competition in a seller’s market is high. Know what you are willing to pay and search for houses below your max budget. This will help you avoid spending more than you are comfortable with should you end up in a bidding war.

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. You might not get the first home that you make an offer on. In a seller’s market, it is likely that you will have to make several offers on homes before finding the perfect one for you. Recognize what happened with the transactions that don’t work out and learn from them. Stay true to what you want and realize that there are other options in Metrowest that our team will be happy to help you find!

Source: Trulia

On Friday, June 3^rd, the 2016 graduating class of Wellesley High School celebrated their extraordinary academic achievements at the commencement ceremony held outside at Hunnewell Field. This graduating class carried on the proud tradition of excellence at Wellesley High School, representing its 147^th graduation ceremony.

The 2016 class was the first class to spend all four years in the newly built, $115 million dollar, Wellesley High School. This beautiful facility features the latest educational technology and green design elements. Wellesley High School is recognized for its dedication to academic excellence and innovative programming. The school was ranked as the 21^st best high school in Massachusetts by U.S. News and World Report in 2016 based on college readiness and state test scores. The city of Wellesley is proud of its public school system and the incredible achievements of its students.

We wish much success to the 2016 Wellesley High School graduates in all their future endeavors!! Go Raiders!

If you're interested in Buying, Selling or Investing in Wellesley, Natick, or any other Metrowest Community, give Team Lynch a call or visit our website at: www.teamlynchrealestate.com/.