Blog :: 2016

The Benefits of Downsizing



More money.


More time.


Increased Efficiency.





Recycle and Donate.







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    Providing 'curb appeal'

    Anyone who has ever sold a home probably has heard a lot of buzzwords, including many references to "curb appeal."
    If you're selling, you want the front of your house and your lawn to look terrific for anyone passersby who might see your For Sale sign and think about returning to pay your house a visit. And great curb appeal makes for a great first impression for anyone booking a showing. So what can you do to set your home apart from the rest?
    Spring is one of the best times to launch into making your property look great. Not only does the market heat up in the spring, but so do temperatures, making it much more appealing to get out into the yard and do some landscaping or hire a service, if the great outdoors is not your thing.
    Make sure that you cover the essentials.
    Winter is hard on the outside of your home. Take care of any overflowing or dilapidated gutters, clogged drain spouts, and damaged siding. A power washer is great for getting the gunk out from between steps, bricks, or pavers and can also help clean off dirty siding or roof tiles. Haul off fallen branches or any other debris left behind by winter storms. Hose off walkways and decks that have accrued sand, dirt or ice melt during the winter months.
    Once the grass starts to come in, it's important to keep it groomed. If you have a large yard, hiring a landscaping service can be a tremendous relief, even if it's just for the duration that your house is on the market. Perennial plantings will start to bud, and you'll want to keep them in check, deadheading and removing any flowers that wither. Don't forget to prune bushes and cut back any dead foliage or branches that are left over from the winter.
    One of the most appealing aspects of spring is the return of color to a grayed-out landscape. Start by mulching your flower beds and areas around trees. Many homeowners enjoy planting annuals each year, and the pop of color provided by flowers can really make a property shine. If gardening isn't your thing, add some color with pots of flowers or window boxes procured from the local nursery or invest in a seasonal door wreath. It's not a bad idea to buy a wreath for every time of year or holiday; you can store all of them in your attic or basement and change your wreath according to the seasons.
    Paint can also enliven the outside of your home. You don't have to paint the entire house; consider sprucing up the front door, trim, the mailbox, the railings, the deck, or anything else that has weathered over the winter. Accent colors that pair nicely with your siding can provide that "pop" of color that makes your home stand out from the other houses on the block.
    A little thought and a pinch of creativity can do wonders when it comes to enhancing curb appeal. You don't have to go crazy. Investing a little time and money can go a long way toward making your house stand out from the crowd and making that sale.
    About the Author:
    Julie O'Neil Dolan 
    Julie O'Neil Dolan is a Concord native, resident, and Realtor® with Andrew Mitchell & Company. For information:

    4 Top Valentine's Day Restaurants in MetroWest

    80 Thoreau

    80 Thoreau Street, Concord MA

    Located in Concord's historic railroad depot, 80 Thoreau describes itself as a "progressive fine-dining restaurant." This local favorite was opened by Ian Calhoun, a Concord native who spent time living Paris and studying cuisine at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu. The menu at 80 Thoreau is relatively simple, with delicious American and Mediterranean options refined by French techniques. While the inspiration for many of the dishes comes from overseas, the ingredients are local, sourced from several of Concord's commercial and family farms.


    il Casale

    50 Leonard St, Belmont, MA

    1727 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA

    il Casale comprises two amazing restaurants, one in Belmont and the other in Lexington. Both locations serve up world-class Italian food and wine in a warm, upscale setting.

    il Casale Belmont operates in a converted firehouse. The building's original exposed brick, creates a rustic, old-time environment that matches the classic authenticity of the menu items.

    The Lexington restaurant is located in the heart of Lexington Center and provides visitors with an equally enjoyable dining experience, but unlike its Belmont counterpart, the Lexington location's menu is focused specifically on the Campania region Italy. This beautiful area of southern Italy is where the de Magistris family, owners of il Casale, first began cooking generations ago. Many of these coveted recipes are included in the rotating menu at il Casale in Lexington.


    51 Lincoln

    51 Lincoln St, Newton MA

    51 Lincoln is a creative, New American restaurant in Newton Highlands. Over the last decade, 51 Lincoln has received numerous accolades, including winning the Improper Bostonian's "Best Suburban 2009" and "Best Charcuterie 2012", as well as being named on of the "50 Best Restaurants in Boston" in 2011 by Boston Magazine.

    The menu at 51 Lincoln offers excellent wine, cheese, charcuterie options to start and succulent seafood options like miso seared scallops and Faroe Island salmon for entrees. Other popular menu items include the "chef's famous" rigatoni bolognese and the pan seared rib eye steak.


    Blue Ginger

    583 Washington St, Wellesley MA

    Chef Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger in Wellesley has created gourmet Asian-inspired meals for almost two decades. In its first year of operation, Blue Ginger was named "Best New Restaurant" by Boston Magazine and has continued to receive accolades ever since.

    Some of the most popular menu items include the Garlic-Black Pepper Lobster and the Sake Miso Marinated Alaskan Sable Fish. The ambiance of the Blue Ginger effectively complements its cuisine, with beautiful Vietnamese waterscapes and metal art by Charles O'Neil.




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