Of all the reasons why Wellesley, Weston, Needham, and Natick are great communities for families, the incredible public school districts might be their best asset!  Educational Review and Ranking website Niche recently released their list of the top public school districts in Massachusetts in 2017! Niche analyzed data from the US Department of Education and from the reviews of millions of Niche users to find our which school districts came out at the top of the class. Out of the 216 school districts examined, the 4 districts in our area were all ranked in the top 40 in Massachusetts!

#2 Wellesley Public Schools | 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley

Wellesley Public Schools was ranked the #1 Safest School District and the #1 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#7 Weston Public Schools | 89 Wellesley Street, Weston

Weston Public Schools was ranked the #20 Safest School District, and the #21 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#14 Needham Public Schools | 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham  

Needham Public Schools was ranked the #7 Best School District for Athletes, #14 Safest School District, and the #24 School District with the Best Teachers in Massachusetts!

#38 Natick Public Schools | 13 East Central Street, Natick

Natick Public Schools was ranked the #10 Best School District for Athletes in Massachusetts.

Congrats to all of these great Metrowest Boston School Districts! We appreciate all that you do for our students and for making our communities such a great place for families to call home!

If you are interested in Buying a home within one of these great school districts, give Team Lynch Real Estate a call today or visit our website at http://www.teamlynchrealestate.com/.

It is that spook-tacular time of here! Halloween is just around the corner! Get in the spirit of the season at some of the amazing events planned in the Wellesley & Metrowest Boston area. Whether you are looking for the ultimate scare or want some tame family friendly fun, check out these great activities going on all month long!  

Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair

Date: Saturday, October 15th

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location: Bates Elementary School (116 Elmwood Road, Wellesley)

Cost: FREE!

The Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair is a favorite fall tradition for families in Wellesley. This event is open to everyone in the community. Your family will enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, children’s games and activities, and a haunted house! Plus, enjoy the great pumpkin smash!

Edgar Allen Poe Visit to Weston Public Library

Date: Tuesday, October 11th

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: Weston Public Library (87 School Street, Weston)

Cost: FREE!

The works of Edgar Allan Poe are some of the most haunting. Listen to dramatic performances of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven. Performed by Mr. Campbell Harmon, there will also be interesting information provided regarding the author’s life, death, and his impact on literature in the United States.

11th Annual Weston High School Pumpkin Festival

Date: Saturday, October 15th

Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: Town Green (11 Town House Road, Weston)

Cost: FREE!

Weston High School once again presents their annual Pumpkin Festival. This great fundraising event features everything you could want at a great family Halloween event. Enjoy cider, home baked goods, and traditional fair food. Listen to great live music. Decorate and carve a pumpkin. Plus, there are more activities for the kids to love, such as balloon animals, a magician, and face painting! All proceeds from the event benefit Camp Sunshine, a camp in Maine that helps families of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Halloween Happening

Date: Friday, October 28th

Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington Street, Wellesley)

Cost: FREE!

Bring your children down to the library for an afternoon of Halloween fun. Dress them in their scariest or prettiest Halloween costumes. There will be a costume parade at 4:30 pm. Prior to the parade, enjoy a spooky story time as well as arts and crafts!

Halloween Open Tower

Date: Monday, October 31st

Time: 1:00 pm

Location: Galen Stone Tower (Wellesley College)

Cost: FREE!

Come in costume to the Galen Stone Tower on Wellesley’s campus. The carillon (“bells”) in the tower will be performing spooky theme music for Halloween! Marvel at the talent of the Wellesley students who are playing the bells and at the beauty of the historic college.

Hoping to sell your home before the end of the year? Staging is an important step for all home sellers. It helps potential homebuyers visual themselves in the space and can increase the perceived value of your home. Adding seasonal touches add a nice touch but don’t over do it.

Make your Wellesley & Metrowest Boston home extra cozy and welcoming this season by following these 5 fall home staging ideas.

Add Curb Appeal. The outside of your home is the first impression for homebuyers. You want to entice the buyers into your home by making sure it looks its best before they walk through the front door. The first step to ensure curb appeal is to make sure that you maintain the landscaping. As the weather begins to cool, your garden and lawn can start to lose some of its beauty. Rake up leaves, remove dead plants, and trim trees and bushes. You can also add a few seasonal decorative touches to the front entryway.

Mums the Word. Add splashes of beautiful autumnal colors inside and out with gold and orange chrysanthemums. Pick up a perfectly round pumpkin to really add some fall decor to your space. Just don’t overwhelm any room with too much color. You just want to add some accents for points of interest.

Let in the Light. The changing season also means shorter days. Natural light help make your home look its best. Always keep drapes and blinds open to let in the sunshine. Turn on overhead lights in darker rooms or for showings that occur later in the day. If more night is needed, add some accent lights with tabletop and floor lamps.

Entice with Fall Smells. Your home will feel especially homey by adding fall scents, such as pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apple pie, or leaves. Add some scented candles or air fresheners throughout key spaces in your home to add a cozy feeling for all home buyers.

Keep a Cozy Fireplace. With crisp fall nights and the upcoming winter months, a fireplace can be an attractive feature for a Massachusetts homebuyers. You want to make sure yours looks its best. Keep it clean and highlight it with simple decor. It can be dangerous to leave a fireplace unattended. If you are able to monitor it during an open house, however, a fire can really add some warmth to your home.

If you are a Buyer looking to find your dream home this fall in the Wellesley area, Team Lynch Real Estate Consultants is here to help! We have incredible Featured Properties currently available! Give us a call today or visit our website at http://www.teamlynchrealestate.com/.

This summer was filled with days of family adventures outdoors. Our family took advantage of the warm, sunny days by exploring New England. The memories from our time in New Hampshire this summer will last us forever. 

Although the kids are back in school and Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, the beautiful weather in the Metrowest Boston area will stick around for a while! Enjoy the sunny days, crisp nights, and spectacular autumn colors this fall by continuing to spend time outdoors with your family. These are our favorite local spots to continue family fun adventures over the next couple of months. 

We are bound to still get some incredibly hot days this September. For those humid days when you need to cool off, splash around in Cochituate State Park (43 Commonwealth Road) in Natick. This state park is perfect for the water enthusiast…..with swimming, boating, windsurfing, and fishing available on the three large lakes. 

Bake a delicious homemade pie from the apples you pick yourself at Belkin Lookout Farm (89 Pleasant Street South, South Natick). Along with spending time picking apples and pumpkins, you and your family can make a whole day of it at the farm with all of the available activities. Your children will love the play area with farm animals, face painting, hay maze, train rides, and so much more. Try some hard apple cider in the tap room while enjoying a freshly baked apple cider doughnut. The farm is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Practice your putt at Golf on the Village Green  (315 Worcester Street) in Natick. You and your family will enjoy a game of mini golf while being reminded of our area’s history. The park is themed after the Freedom Trail. After finishing up your game, grab a delicious ice cream treat. The park is open daily. 

Go for a hike at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (280 Eliot Street) in Natick. You and your family can explore 9 miles of trails that will take you over broadwalks and past waterfalls. There are lots of awesome activities planned for the new season including fall foliage canoe rides, wildlife watching activities, and walks through wildflowers. The sanctuary is closed on Mondays.​

Marvel at stunning flowers and plants at The Gardens at Elm Bank (900 Washington Street) in Wellesley . This is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic with your family. Your children will love exploring the gardens specifically themed for them. There are also several activities offered throughout the week at the gardens. Elm Bank is open Tuesdays through Sundays. 

Our furry friends are truly a part of the family! Although we appreciate our dogs everyday for the unconditional love they provide us, there is no better time to show Fido how much you truly love him by celebrating National Dog Day with a special day trip! Take your dog to a pet friendly restaurant or dog park to give him a day he will never forget!

Ready to go on a day adventure with your dog? Follow these get tips to enjoy National Dog Day to its fullest!

Plan Where You Are Going!

The first step is to decide where you and your furry friend are going to go. There are so many great options in the Wellesley & Metrowest Boston area! We will make your planning easy by recommending these awesome, local dog friendly spots!

Restaurants

Petit Robert Bistro (45 Chapel Street) in Needham has delicious french food for you and a dog-friendly patio for your pooch! Sip on some red wine while your dog hydrates with water from the provided water bowls!  

Not only humans love a cool treat on hot summer days! Your dog will love some ice cream from Cedar Hill Diary Joy (331 North Avenue) in Weston.

Parks

Centennial Reservation  (150 Oakland Street) in Wellesley is a dream come true for your dog! With almost 2 miles of trails, your dog will get plenty of exercise in a beautiful natural setting. And, when he gets too warm? He can take a dip in Bezanson Pond with the other pooches to cool off.

Needham Dog Park (145 Pine Street) is a special spot for your furry friend. Let him off the leash in one of the two fenced off dog areas.

Don’t let the name fool you….Cat Rock Park (Drabbington Way) in Weston is a dog paradise! Give your pet a full day of exploring of the lease on the trails, open fields, and swimming area.  

Pack Your Car!

With the hot summer weather, you want to ensure that your dog is comfortable during the entire trip. Make sure your car is fully gassed up before you add him as a passenger to avoid making additional stops that will leave him in the hot car.

Add any pet-friendly accessories to your car to make the trip easier and more fun. Put a blanket or extra cushions in the backseat so he is more comfortable on the trip. You can use a console cover to keep your dog in the backseat where he is safer and able to spread out more.

Your dog needs lots of water! Make sure to pack plenty of water bottles to keep him hydrated along with a bowl so he can easily drink it in the car or at your final destination.

Time to Go!

Beyond making sure your pooch is comfortable in the car, make sure to remember safety once you hit the road. Harness them into their seat to keep them safe in the event of a sudden stop.

While on the road, use the air conditioner and only crack windows a little bit. Although your dog loves the fresh air, it can be dangerous for them to have their heads too far out the window and there is always potential for them to jump out.

See an unexpected stop on your way? Make an extra spot. It’s your dog’s special day so make sure they are able to experience all that they might want to. Or, remember the spot for in the future and take your pet back there the following week.

Bring some delicious treats for you and your furry friend. Pack a picnic for you and your family. Be sure to throw in something extra special, and healthy, for your dog as well!

A photo lasts a lifetime so be sure to grab your camera to capture all of the fun that you and your beloved dog have throughout the day!

We hope you and your four legged family member have a very happy National Dog Day!

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.

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!

Are you getting ready to move, or maybe just spring cleaning your home and trying to get rid of unused or unwanted things? DONATE THEM instead of just throwing them into the trash!  Gently used items are needed by so many people, and Big Hearted Books and Clothing, Inc will even come to your home and pick them up for you!  Just make sure to check out the lists above to know what "is and is not" an acceptable donation.

Spring Cleaning or De-Cluttering your home doesn't get easier than that!  So start your project today...then give Big Hearted Books and Clothing a call!  HAPPY SPRING CLEANING!

For more Home Maintenance, Spring Cleaning, Home Staging & Selling Tips visit our Blog and Facebook Page often.

It’s everyone’s favorite day of the year...TAX DAY!!!

Ehh, not so much….

For all of you stressing over this  day, Marketwatch has some great advice. File an extension!! In an article posted by the news source, there are 7 excellent reasons why many people should consider an extension. And contrary to popular belief, filling an extension doesn't automatically raise red flags at the IRS. So if you need the time, or have any one of the following situations present, do yourself a favor and file an extension and give yourself until October 15, 2016 to file.

7 Excellent Reasons to File a Tax Extension:

1.)   You have a balance due and need more time to save up money to cover it. Give yourself that extra 6 months.

2.)   Made charitable donations over $250 to one or more charities and don’t have the proper receipts (which must include the name of the charity, address, taxpayer ID number, and a statement that you did not receive any benefits or items of value for your donation) to submit with your taxes? The IRS is very strict on submitting the required documentation so an extension would give you an extra 6 months to get everything in order.

3.)   Have you recently moved homes? Or are you planning to move within the next few months? If yes, it benefits you to submit an extension because the IRS may need to follow up with you on your taxes and they send all correspondence to the address you have on file.

4.)   If you are waiting for K-1 forms from partnership entities, S-Corps, estates, or trusts you should file an extension.

5.)   Sometimes rushing through your personal or business bookkeeping can cause sloppy or incorrect taxes. Don’t rush and do it right. File an extension to give you that extra time.

6.)   Have a large balance this year? Making contributions to your 2015 retirement plan can help reduce that balance. File an extension if you would like to benefit from this. You have until October 15th to open or add to your retirement fund.

7.)   And finally…. You still have questions regarding your taxes that you have not had answered. Give yourself some time to get everything settled.

Best of luck this tax season!

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