Kathryn's Blog

Wow! Over 2600 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, Master Suite, Finished Basement - Amazing Home in Sturbridge Only $349,900

	23 Tannery Road Sturbridge, MA 01518 4 Bedroom Center Entrance Colonial Now Available
Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Kathryn Acciari Office: 508-784-0501 Mobile: 508-982-0686 Website: Visit Website	Price : $349,900 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2.5 Square Foot : 2,668 Lot Size : 21,780 Community : Tall Pines County : Worcester Property Type : Detached Year Built : 2004 MLS Number : 71271024 click for more information and pictures Property Description Outstanding opportunity at the Tall Pines. Spread out in this spacious home - center entrance 2-story foyer, 4 bedrooms, finished basement. High ceilings, open layout, Great Room w/gas fireplace. Hardwoods adorn dining room and lovely kitchen. Breakfast area opens to deck and level yard. Unwind in the private master suite with its luxurious bath. With one walk-in and three other closets, there is storage to spare. Top-of-the-line HydroAir system provides the ultimate in comfort. Set in a neighborhood with sidewalks and hand-crafted streetlamps, surrounded by stately pine trees, oaks, and maples. A classic New England setting for your new home. Features List Over 2600 Sq Ft 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths Open Floor Plan 2-Story Foyer Dine-In Kitchen Formal Dining Room Breakfast Bar Storage to Spare Hardwood Floors Great Rm/Family Rm Expansive Master BR Luxurious MasterBath Corner Jetted Tub Finished Basement HydroAir System 2-Car Garage Level Back Yard Neighborhood Setting Attic Storage
Equal Housing Opportunity.	RE/MAX Professional Associates : 49 Main Street - Sturbridge MA 01566 : 508-784-0501

Sweet!  Tantasqua Educational Fund Offers Evening of Decadent Desserts

On Friday, February 3, 2012, the Tantasqua Educational Fund (Ted.) will hold its annual fundraising event at the Publick House Inn in Sturbridge, MA.

This year, the focus is on decadence, and attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in sumptuous desserts while enjoying live music.

The festivities kick off at 7 pm and go through 9 pm.  Tickets are $20 per person in advance, and $25 per person at the door.  To purchase advance tickets, visit the Ted. web site.  Be sure to order early, as this is a well-attended event.

Ted. is a program that provides funds to teachers of the Tantasqua School District for innovative and creative programs and projects that enhance students' learning.  In the past three years, nearly $50,000 have been awarded.

Office Space for Lease in Historic Sturbridge MA

Soon to be available on Main Street, Sturbridge, exceptional and flexible office space in an outstanding location.  The offices are located in The Barn, a two-story building with charm and character.

Several options are available.  Choose the 900 square foot space upstairs, complete with its own bathroom and a spacious training room ($1000/month + utilities).  Or choose the 1600 square foot space on the first level, which includes two bathrooms, kitchenette, conference room, offices, and a CEO office with sunken meeting space ($1500/month + utilities).

A third option is to rent both spaces for 2500 square feet of office space.

48 Main Street, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Executive Office with Sunken Meeting Area

Training and Meeting Room

This outstanding office space is available for lease starting April 1, 2012.  Call for additional information and terms: (508) 982-0686.

Geeks and Writers Rule the World

Looking around at the world today, it occurred to me that geeks and writers really are in charge here.

Writers are the ones who push their ideas through the media.  They may be in the background, but their thoughts are promoted to us every day.  It is rare that a news anchor writes her own daily reports.  It is rare that an actor writes his own script.  It is rare that a president writes his own speeches.  And it is rare that a Fortune 500 company writes the copy for its own ads.  No, the success of each of these is directly dependent upon the savvy writers who stand behind them.

As for geeks, well they have us so tethered to our electronic devices it would take a massive pair of cable cutters to sever that umbilical cord.  All day, every day, we carry our phone/camera/email system with us in the form of a tiny computer.  At home, we shift from TV to laptop, to iPad to iPod.  In the car, a computer tells us which way to turn and when to slow down.  Even in the gym, computers monitor our workouts and entertain us so that we forget that we are exercising. 

Yes, geeks and writers have truly shaped our society.  What would a day be like without one or the other?  Unimaginable!  And so, to the geeks and writers out there, I applaud you, your creativity, and your persistence at making your ideas a foremost part of our lives.

Casino Plans for Brimfield MA?

January 12, 2012:  Interesting news today:  The Worcester Business Journal has reported that MGM intends to pursue the possible building of a casino in Brimfield, MA.  The article states that MGM has its eye on about 150 acres in Brimfield, a town where land remains plentiful.  This announcement will add fuel to the casino debate in this area, as Mohegan Sun had previously announced its desire to build a resort in nearby Palmer, MA.

The casino topic has been hotly debated over several years.  Advocates cite the potential for job creation, plus revenue for the state, but many question whether such revenues justify the concept.  Residents worry about increased traffic, crime, and an impact on property values.

I'd like to know what your thoughts are.  If you live in a town that has a casino, what have been the pros and cons?  If you live in Massachusetts, do you feel the building of casinos will have a negative or positive impact on the economy?

Personally, I am not a big casino user, so I don't see the existence of a casino having much change on my lifestyle. But there would certainly be changes in the sleepy little towns out here in the middle of Massachusetts.  To go from a history and antiques-centric area to a mega-entertainment area could be quite jarring.  Are we ready for that level of action?

Sturbridge Year-End Real Estate Report for 2011

How did the real estate market perform in 2011 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts?  In 2011, we saw 69 single family home sales at an average price of $250,000.  As the charts below show, the number of homes sold in 2011 was the lowest in the past decade; however, the average sale price stayed fairly stable.

For condominium sales, Sturbridge also saw some stabilization.  Thirteen condos were sold in 2011, with an average sale price of $184,000.  The number of units sold has remained similar to the past three years, with a fairly stable average sale price.

Data source for all graphs:  MLS PIN

Influencing Factors

Several natural disasters in 2011 certainly had an effect on real estate sales in Sturbridge.  Many citizens were focused on stabilization and recovery efforts following severe snow storms and a devastating tornado.  Add in the general state of the economy and a continued distressed property market, and we saw a triple threat to property sales in Sturbridge this year.

Also remember that in early 2010 we had a home buyer tax credit, which created a short increase in activity and sale prices for that time period.  We are now back to 2009 market prices.

Current Market and Predictions for 2012

As of this writing (January 8, 2012), the inventory in Sturbridge is low.  There are currently 61 homes actively listed on the market.  Of these, 8 have accepted offers but are accepting backup offers; 7 of these are priced lower than $250,000, and 5 are short sales. 

Only one property is currently under contract, also a short sale.

There are 5 foreclosed homes currently active on the market.

Ten condominiums are active on the market; one of these is a foreclosed property.  There are no condos with offers pending at this point.

For 2012, I predict a continued slow but stabilizing market in Sturbridge.  Employment in this area is improving, and with that will come the consumer confidence needed to make people feel comfortable purchasing their own homes.  Home sellers should prepare for having to continue to compete with low-priced distressed properties by getting their homes in top condition and setting realistic prices.  Home buyers should prepare for strict lending rules by getting their financial affairs in spotless condition.

If you have questions about buying or selling property in the Sturbridge area, please do contact me.  I am here to help you navigate the market as it moves toward recovery.

Yours in real estate,

Kathryn Acciari, REALTOR(R)
RE/MAX Professional Associates - Sturbridge, MA
(508) 982-0686  kathrynacciari@remax.net

Take 2...and Action! Movie Theater May (Finally) Come to Sturbridge

Exciting news for Sturbridge:  An article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette states that developer/owner Center at Hobbs Brook LLC has filed plans to install an eight-cinema movie theater in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  This is the second attempt by a developer to build a movie theater in Sturbridge.

I believe this project has high hopes of success.  A larger complex was proposed but never came to light in 2000.  One of the common complaints that I hear from friends in the area is having to drive far and wide to take in a movie.  Having a cinema right in town would be a hugely favorable addition to our commercial base.

See the whole Telegram & Gazette story here:  Sturbridge Movie Theater

How Many Homes Typically Sell in the Month of December in Sturbridge MA?

In talking with people about whether or not they should list or keep their homes on the market during the holiday season, the question about home sales in December will come up.  I ran some numbers in the MLS, and came up with the following information. 

The graph below shows how many homes have sold in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in the month of December for each year from 1995 to 2010 (a place for 2011 is included and will be completed after year's end).

Data Source:  MLS PIN

You can see that with the exception of the boom years of 2002 to 2005, there will typically be around six homes sold in the month of December. This year, 2011, is on the low side, with only one home sold in December so far. 

The Current Market in Sturbridge:

While compiling this report, I looked at the number of pending home sales in Sturbridge at this time.  Right now, there are 10 single family homes that have accepted offers but are still being marketed for back-up offers.  Of these 10 homes, half of them are short sales that have had accepted offers for several months.

There are also currently three homes under contract; one of these is a short sale.  Two are scheduled to close sometime this month.

What I find interesting about all of this information is that while December home sales are down, there are effectively 13 homes that have accepted offers.  That is phenomenal, and it means that January could be a very good month for the winter market.

Conclusion:

While actual closed sales in December are slow, the number of pending sales is encouraging.  Should a seller keep his or her home on the market through the holidays and winter months?  Based on the current data, I say a resounding Yes.

Want more information? 

Contact me for a closer look at how the market will impact your home buying or selling decision.

Holiday Tax Tip:  Find the Value of the Items You Donate

This time of year, there is quite often more "stuff" coming into the home than going out.  I have come to realize, however, that the "stuff" is easier to manage if I try to take some of it out on a regular basis.  So, as I've gone about my holiday shopping, I have also gathered items from my closets that are no longer used and in good condition, so that I can donate them to people who may be able to use them.

Taking a few minutes to do this during the holidays is also a great opportunity for year-end tax deductions. 

Yesterday, I donated three suits to the non-profit Dress for Success.  This organization accepts donations of clean, professional outfits for women who are in need of a career wardrobe.  The administrator at the donation site gave me a receipt, which included a suggestion to use the Salvation Army web site to determine the value of my donated items for tax deduction purposes.

At the Salvation Army web site, I discovered that the suits that I donated could be valued between $6 and $25 per suit.  I also donated a pocketbook, which could be valued between $2 and $20.  So my total contribution was valued between $8 and $45.  Well worth having those numbers when tax time comes around in a couple of months.

Next is a bag of boy's clothing, which I will take directly to the Salvation Army.  It has taken a little time to get organized, but I am finding that taking one bag out before bringing another bag in has many rewards:  We get to experience the joy of giving, our home is less cluttered, and we receive a small tax deduction. 

If you live in the Sturbridge area, here are several places that will happily accept your donations:

Dress for Success:  donation site at Bay Bath College on Route 20 in Charlton
Salvation Army:  donation site and thrift store on Route 9 in Spencer
Southbridge Food Share:  79 Elm Street in Southbridge
Toys for Tots:  donation site at Massachusetts State Police, 315 Charlton Road (Route 20) in Sturbridge
Tri-Community YMCA:  regularly accepts food donations, 43 Everett Street in Southbridge

Happy Giving, and Happy Holidays

Written by Kathryn Acciari, REALTOR(R)
RE/MAX Professional Associates - Sturbridge

Rental Properties Needed in Sturbridge, Holland, Brimfield, Brookfield, Wales, Charlton, Dudley, and Central MA

There is a strong need for rental property in the towns of Central Massachusetts. 

In the past year, I have had a constant stream of tenant prospects who are relocating for new career opportunties.  These people are wary of purchasing a home, in the event that they need to move again in a year or two.  Typically, they are looking to rent a home in a town that has a strong school district and is centrally-located for easy commuting.  The folks that I have met are professional and have stable financial histories.

If you are a property owner who is thinking of offering a single family home or condominium for rent, or if you know of someone who is thinking about renting their home, please contact me.  I will help you locate and screen tenant prospects.  All you have to do is be available to sign the lease; I will handle the marketing, phone calls and showings.

Best way to reach me:  (508) 982-0686 cell phone.  kathrynacciari@remax.net  email

Kathryn Acciari, REALTOR(R)
RE/MAX Professional Associates - Sturbridge MA
kathrynacciari.remax.com