Owner: Needham, MA Real Estate & Relocation - Pat Baker URL:http://activerain.com/blogs/patlaracybaker Join Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:46:40 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Knowledge that can be taught and guidance in the residential real estate market in Needham and Metro West is priceless. Keeping up with the Needham and Metro West real estate market along with what is doing today in Needham and the surrounding communities Site statistics:Click here
About Needham 2007-10-24 20:43:55 "Back Bay Fill"In 1853, the first rail was laid, connecting Needham to Boston. Rail access to Needham was extended not only for commerical purposes, but also to accommodate the "Back Bay Fill.," Starting in 1859, gravel was transported from Needham to Boston to fill in the Back Bay for residential use. For nearly 15 years, over 1200 freight cars per day were loaded with gravel dug from the area that now forms the Industrial Center and route 128/95 interchange. Truly land of Needham is now in the Back Bay of Boston. I truly love that part of the city and especially Commonwealth Avenue and the Public Garden. I have memories of taking the Needham Local everyday to Back Bay for college. I still remember the crisp wind as I walked over the bridge and in front of the Boston Public Library. Does it sound like I love this Town of Needham and its close proximity to Boston. That is what happens when you live all your life
Needham - Restaurants Galore 2007-10-23 20:01:34 I am beginning to think that Needham is the restaurant capital of Massachusetts. We are very fortunate because we don't have to go far to find a great restaurannt. Needham has lots to choose from. New Garden, Mandarin Cuisine, The Rice Barn, Pho Pasteur, Euro Taste Bistro, Fava, Fuji Steak House, Masala Art, Panera Bread, Fresco Restaurant, Sweet Basil's (my favorite), Not Your Average Joe's (big hit), new to Needham - Spiga (Italian Cuisine), Bertucci, Ground Round, Blue on Highland, Sheraton, soon coming The Village Fish (re-locating from Brookline to Needham), Sweet Tomatoes is on its way here too, Pacini's Italian Eatery and Stonehearth Pizza. I may have missed some but we have lots of pizza places and sandwich shops, Ice Cream -Cafe Mucca Blu, Needham Junction ice Cream and Friendly's, Most nights of the week the restaurants are busy and very tasty. I suspect that the Phantom Gourmet must be visiting our res
Massachusetts Associatoin of Realtors Housing Market 2007 3rd Qtr. 2007-10-22 09:32:22 It is a great time to buy a home in Massachusetts
. You cannot beat the investment. We have so much to offer: Our institutions of high learning, the culture, the history, the proximity to world renowned hospitals, the beautiful seasons (this year 2 summers), the "Red Sox," the "Patriots" and believe it or not the people. I think the "frozen chosen" are defrosting. I can say that because I have lived her all of my life. I started out in East Boston for my first 7 years and then on to Stoneham north of Boston and to Needham where I have spent the last 42 years. I have never been part of the "frozen chosen" but just probably more friendly than most. I am what you call a people person all the way. I just love people so I would say I have chosen the right career. Some Talking Points from the Massachusetts Association of RealtorsHousingMarket
2007 September and Quarter Three -Poin
We call it the "T" 2007-10-21 21:12:10 The Chronicle of the Boston Transit System From the mass.gov website on MBTA Massachusetts Transportation Many people study and cherish Boston's rich and colorful history with its ideas of liberty, freedom, and democratic concepts. Few, however, are aware of Boston's historic lifeline regional mass transportation. While Boston is the birthplace of American liberty, it is also the birthplace of American mass transportation.Beginning with a family-operated ferry service, Boston has nurtured many forms of mass transportation, right up to today's most sophisticated mass transit vehicles. The Hub's transit system is the oldest and fourth largest in the nation has a history longer than that of American independence.Mass transportation first emerged in the city in 1631, when Boston was a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land which is now the South End. With no bridges and only limited access to the mainland, transporting freight by ox cart fro
Needham Event 2007-10-21 10:32:32 Longwood Opera "Die Fledermaus" Needham's Longwood Opera will perform Johann Strauss' comic masterpiece, "The Fledermaus (the Bat), on Friday, October 26 at 8 PM Saturday, October 27 at 8 PM, ahd Sunday October 28, t 2;30PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 1142 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA. All performances are elegantly costumed, full staged and sung in English with piano. accompaniment.Tickets at the door $23 general admission, $18 for seniors, $14 for students and $10 for children younger than 10. Purchase tickets in advance and save. For more information visit www.longwoodopera.org or call 781-455-0990 Holiday Craft Fair Local talented artisans - 66 Thurston Road, Needham on Thurs. Nov 1 7 - 9, Friday Nov 2 9 AM -3 PM, & Saturday Nov 3 from 10 AM - 4 PM. Trade Secrets Sectio of hidden treasures. www.sonyamasur.com
Needham Event 2007-10-20 07:05:05 October 20th. Before or after the pancake breakfast you can stop by the Parent Talk sponsored event:At Christ Church on Highland Ave from 8:30 to 12:30 - Clothing, Toy and Equipment Sale. This on is always a hit. The Pancake Breakfast is at Newman School. Just follow Highland Ave then turn right on Great Plain Avenue, go about a mile out of town and turn left at Central Avenue follow to the Newman School.Have a great autumn day.
Events in Needham 2007-10-18 14:04:05 ASTRONAUT SUNI WILLIAMS RETURNS TO NEEDHAM on October 27!!!Please join us on the Town Common on Saturday October 27 at 9:00 a.m., when Needham welcomes back our own Hometown Hero, Astronaut Sunita Williams. Suni has just returned from a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station where she set many NASA records including logging 195 days in space.Suni grew up in Needham, attended the HillsideElementary and Newman Middle Schools before graduating from Needham High in 1983.She then attended theUnited States Naval Academy, and following graduation reported to NavalAviation Training Command. Suni was assigned to Helicopter Combat Supportand made overseas deployments in support of Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort.NASA selected Commander Williams for the Astronaut program in June 1998.Our Suni Williams celebration will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a short procession from the Fire/Police Station on Chestnut Street to Town Hall. Suni will then be congratulated
About Needham 2007-10-17 17:54:44 What makes Needham stands out are its schools, the ease of commuting - Jump on Route 128/95 from 1 of the 3 exits, 10 minutes from the Mass Turnpike, commuter rail with 4 trains stops, and a Mass Transit Bus. It is just a quick rip to Boston and Logan Airport. It is a pretty community in appearance. The library is brand new which is just across the street from the High School that has also just undergone a beautiful expansion. There are 5 elementary schools and one middle school. We have our own hospital Beth Israel Deaconess, formerly Glover Memorial Hospital and the plus about our hospital is that the same staff that is in the Boston hospital work at the Needham campus.Needham has Rosemary Pool that all the residents can take advantage of for a fee, of course. There is an indoor pool which is run by the Charles River YMCA. The Needham Pool & Racquet Club is another option for those that active and avid tennis players. There are
About Needham 2007-10-15 09:50:45 Norfolk County boast of the Charles River and Neponset Rivers along with the Blue Hills which can be seen in many parts of the county. The Blue Hills are near to Needham so when my son was growing up I would take him there for a day of skiiing. Just up from there on Route 138 is the Irish Culture Center. At the Irish Culture Center there is a pub, they have Irish Football and a breakfast with Mass on some Saturdays. Norfolk County has one city with 27 towns included geographically with Needham being one of the towns. Norfolk County is known as the "County of Presidents," because it the birthplace of 4 presidents: John F. Kennedy, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and George Herbert Walker Bush.
Needham Market Today 2007-10-14 18:10:48 Open house activity has been good and that is a good sign. Some Open House hosts and hostesses have several groups coming to their open houses. Prices of homes all over the place as far as the property on Open House list. Here is a snap shot of the Needham Real Estate Market
as I write. The price range for on market property in Needham as of this moment is from $279,000 and $3,295,000. A total of 125 Single Family Listings on the market as of today; Average list price $1,033,482, Average Market Time: 123.40. 28 of the properties on the market are between $1,000,000 and $1,499,000, next high price range is 16 between $600,000 and $699,000; 15 between $700,000 and $799,999. Then we have 13 between $900,000 and $999,999. There are 11 properties on the market presently from $1,500,000 to $1,999,999; as well as 11 between $500,000 and $599,999. There are 10 between a $800,000 and $899,999. I am just highlighting the major price ranges.&nbs Read more:Today
Events in the Fall in Needham 2007-10-13 20:59:02 There is this wonderful Pancake Breakfast on October 20th at the Newman Elementary School,Needham, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Needham from 7 to 2. The proceeds go to scholarships and a list a charities in town. This is really geared towards children. They have a clown, vistis in tehe past by Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Bob he Builder. Sometimes they have brought in reptiles. The celebs in town serve the pancakes which makes it fun. Just a great annual event. I even posed a the clown the year I was president of the club. Great fun for all!More fall events to follow...
Needham a great place to live - Why? 2007-10-12 08:19:57 Needham Schools are so terrific. Here is a link to the school pages I hope this works. Everyone of the schools are great. http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/Here is the Official Needham, Ma site.http://www.needhamma.gov/We have an astronaut from our town now Sunni WilliamsWe have incredible options for commuters:Bus & MBTA 4 commuter rail stops3 exits from Route 95/12810 minutes to the Mass Turnpike - known as the "Pike" We are college town now too with the beautiful brand new Olin Engineering College. It backs up to the Babson Campus wihich is in Wellesley and Wellesley also has Wellesley College. Nearby Waltham is the campus forBentley College and Brandeis. Our playgrounds and Park & Rec. programs are great. There are 2 YMCA campuses. We are a town with many organizations but I would like to highlight one:Needham Community Center - There were wonderful to us recently when we brought my mother up from Florida to live
September Market & little about Needham, MA - first blog 2007-10-08 21:23:23 There were 15 SF homes sold for the month of September
There were 11 SF homes that went under agreement The average List price was $626,835The Sale price was $585,763Average days on market 82As of 10/8/07 there are 117 SF homes listed with an average List Price of $1,057,980 with anaverage on market days of 126.71 The honeymoon weather for late September and early October is over. Now it is rain for a week. Let'ssee what that does to the market. It has been like summer here in Needham. We are a bedroom communityabout 11 miles from Boston. Close to major highways and wonderful commuting options. We havea commuter rail which has 4 stops in town and a bus that connects to the MBTA which can take you justabout anywhere. We are next to fabulous shopping in Chestnut Hill and Wellesley which offers greatshopping. Just 2 towns away are the "shops of Natick." These shops are so upscale and numerousand there is a Chees Read more:little
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All Is Well With The World 2007-10-30 07:57:49 All is well with the world, I am on my way to a closing. That is always a good thing. Homes are going under agreement here in Needham, MA. The sun is shining. The underground oil tank is coming out of the ground as I write. To me that is something to celebrate. It is the a step in getting my home ready to sell probably in a year or so, I think. We have lived there for 37 years on Dec. 1. We have raised our son, had numerous family and friends live with us, our dearest friends live behind us and we have been through so many things together. That is a book in itself.. We are thinking of writing a book together. She is a great writer and very funny so it would read like Thelma & Louise. Now we are sharing grandparent stories. I have 3 grandchildren and she has number 6 on the way. She is the one that picked me up every night when my son was re-hospitalized after his bone marrow transplant just 5 y Read more:World
Needham 2007-11-03 13:28:27 Walk the streets of Needham and you will see beautiful trees all along the way. Bring your children and grandchildren to the Needham High School hill and go sledding. Oh What fun! we had when we were raising our son going to the Needham High School hill. Go skating just before you enter the Town Forest there is a great place to ice skate. Join the Rosemary Pool in the summer and have the kids take swimming lessons. Play tennis at the private club Needham Pool & Racquet or go the the public tennis courts one of which is right by the High School hill. Go to the Needham/Wellesley Thanksgiving Day game. This is the longest running footballl rivalry in the US I believe. Go to the absolutely brand new Needham Public Library, it is jusst beautiful and up to the minute. Just a few of the things we can do in Needham. A great place to live!Some of the streets have beautiful malls in the center: Harris Ave and Fair Oaks Park,
Needham Market Report 2007-11-10 14:29:04 In the last 5 days 6 properties in Needham went under agreement. The list prices were as follows:1 at $529,000; 1 at $569,000; 1 at $750,000; 1 at $799,000; 1 at $975,000; and 1 at $999,000A Total of 5 newly listed propertiesas follows:$519,000, $529,000, $539,000, $575,000 and $735,000.There are 110 properties on the market as follow:3 between $350,000 - $399,9993 between $400,000 - $449,9995 between $450,000 - $499,99913 between $500,000- $599,99912 between $600,000 - $699,99912 between $700,000 - $799,9998 between $800,000 - $899,9997 between $900,000 - $999,99927 between $1,000,000 - $1,499,99910 between $1,500,000 - $1,999,9992 between $2,000,000 - $2,499,9993 between $2,500,000 - $2,999,9993 between $3,000,000 - $3,999,999 Read more:Market
Needham Events 2007-11-10 12:13:26 Thanksgiving in Needham brings a couple of great events to mind.Needham High School and Wellesley High School holds the national record for the oldest (public schools) Thanksgiving day football game. Only interrupted once in 1921. It is now 125 years since Arthur Judson Oldman posed the challenge to the students nearby to a "friendly game of ball."In honor of this annual football event the Rotary Clubs of Needham and Wellesley host a dinner on the Tuesday evening before the game and invite the football teams and coaches. They include a speaker who is usually a professional athlete and it is just a lot of fun. The Rotary Club of Needham in conjunction with the Needham Community Council runs a dinner for folks who might be otherwise alone on Thanksgiving. For those who are unable to attend they deliver meals. They always have entertainment. The local elementary schools children make place mats. It is a great event and starts
Added to my recovery 2007-11-08 21:06:21 Got into a nice conversation with the nurse who attended to me in the recovery room after my surgery today at the Beth Israel Deaconess Needham Campus. As we talked about how long we had been in town and how she was doing some update work on her home it lead to the inevitable. She said, "I am getting my house ready to sell. I said, "Really, well I am agent." I didn't have a card but asked for permission to be in touch. She agreed to that. She is not selling until next year. Recorded the nurses information in my cellphone. It was a great day really and I met a great woman who will most likely give me her home to list when she is ready. It really helped me to be able to have surgery in my community I live in with the expertice that the main campus in Boston would have but handy. Iwas wonderfully cared for by all the staff and no sore throad from the anesthesia.&nb
Waterfall or rushing river 2007-11-06 21:46:38 Time to set goals for the new year coming soon. This makes me think of a canoe trip I took many years ago with my husband up in Concord, NH. I was facing backwards and didn't seen a tree down and rapids so I didn't know what was coming and we hit rapids. The canoe tipped over and I was pinned under it. This makes me think of how I can't look at past experiences and accomplishments or rest on my laurels so to speak. It is a time to look forward to what can be accomplished with anticipation. There are past weight loss goals met but time for new ones for sure. There are properties sold but time to sell new properties. There are lots of things I have done and some I haven't. Time for new things to stretch for. I have to press forward but oh how I fall back.So here are my affirmations:I am looking forward not backward. I am striving for more things. I know I am doing more -- More to help o Read more:Waterfall
Needham Events 2007-11-14 21:21:09 November 17th Village Fair at the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave, (corner of Linden and Great Plain Ave.) Across from Post Office 10-3 - Baked goods, silent auction, luncheon, Attic treasures.Wellesley Event at Mass Bay Community College, just over the Needham line: 3 PM November 18th - Wellesley Symphony Orchestra featuring Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales.
Needham Event 2007-11-14 19:08:29 The Annual Blue Tree Lighting and Holiday StrollEvery year since 1954 to start off the holiday season a very large tree in the Town Common and a Tree Lighting at Avery Square in Needham Heights. This year's lighting is November 24. 2007. After the lighting there ae Santa rides in the Town Common. Between 5:20 and 5:45 Shoppers stroll through Needham shops and there is just a very warm spirit and one not to miss. This event is sponsored by the Needham Business Association. They have done some great things in town for beautification. I will speak more of this in future blogs. Pat Baker, Realtor Needham, MA
CEO Corner NE Real Estate 2007-11-19 11:49:24 Below you will find a link to NECN program that Rick Loughlin, President of Coldwell Banker Residential New England appeared on. He is describing the real estate market in New England. The program is on one of the local cable networks that serves New England. We have had Rick in our office and he such a brilliant but sensible man. He has been in the real estate market for many years and has been in during the various cycles. Massachusetts versus the nation = is coming out of this cofrrection since the mortgage crisis. We are doing better than some parts of the country. We started the correction so if we are coming out that is a good sign I feel for the rest of the country. Sweet spots: Luxury market has seen an increase. Eastern Massachusetts showed a 15% increase in a million and up. Sweet spot has been the Eastern Mass. luxury market. NH, Maine, RI compared to and MA = there is more degradation in NH and Maine which de Read more:Estate
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Needham 2007-11-17 18:10:26 Here are some helpful websites for the area: Great organization for young parents: http://www.parenttalk.info/newsite/ Needham Golf Club for all ages www.needhamgolfclub.com/ Women's Club - very active and fun www.needhamwomensclub.org Needham School Profiles http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search.asp?orgtype=0&location=268&word=&submit=Find+Organization&mode=o MCAS test results spring 2007 http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/home.asp?mode=o&so=-&ot=5&o=1147&view=tstBy no means is this an exhaustive list but as time goes by I will be adding other organizations and helpful web links in order to know the town of Needham and its people a little better.
Gotta get the word out 2007-11-17 10:09:32 Go see the movie Bella this weekend if you can. The movie already has received lots of awards, ie. "People's Choice Award," Tony Bennett Award, Smithsonian and I forget the others. My friends went to a premiere. It is a love story about an international soccer star who loses everything then one day in New York he meets someone who has been through a lot and their lives are forever changes. Read more:Gotta
Needham 2007-11-16 20:01:55 Well there is one more thing about Thanksgiving that I think of and that is wonderful Owen's Poultry Farm. It happens to be within walking distance of my house. That was great place to go when my son was growing up. We would walk over to see the chickens, turkeys, pheasants, bunnys, pigs, horses, cows, emus, lambs, roosters, geese and occasional ducks. It was great. I didn't have to jump in the car. Now I have 3 wonderful grandchildren that I also take over to Owen' Poultry Farm on 585 Central Avenue, Needham . Prior to Thanksgiving they have kept a large cage with all these turkeys in it. Well now the blog is to tell you that they have the most amazing Turkeys there. This year I am picking up a fully cooked, stuffed and complete very large turkey. It is frozen and all I have to do is put it in the oven and cook warm it through. All through the year they have the best stuff cooked and ready. Sometimes&n
The Answer to All you problems 2007-11-21 22:10:26 Back in 1982 I was introduced to a wonderful supplement program. I was so full of energy that my fellow real estate agents were asking me what are you taking. So I kept running to the supplier everyday. It was like drugs but of course not . I just saw this video from "I Love Lucy," and I could certainly relate. I am still taking these supplements and more since I am a whole lot older and busier. It is just so much fun to see this. Back in those days people made fun of anyone who took vitamins, used biodegradable cleaning products and look how far we have come. Now everyone takes vitamins and supplements or just about everybody. The whole world has gone green now too and that was so odd back then. Can you tell I am not the one who is the hostess for Thanksgiving. I have been writing all night it seems. I would say I am hooked.
Pat Baker, Realtor - Needham, MA Read more:problems
Rembering & Cherishing 2007-11-21 21:40:30 I hope this OK but I needed to remember those who are not with us this holiday. Maybe others feel as I do right now. When we get together with family at thanksgiving there are those that were once with us and I remember. I am remembering my dad Herbie who went to be with the Lord in 1964 and always made every holiday wonderful. My step-dad Jack who went to be with Lord in 1988, who was a precious man, although not my dad he really was just great! My step brother Jerry passed away in 1974 My step-sister who went to be with the Lord in 1986.I am remembering my mother Dorothea who went home to be with the Lord in August 2007 unexpectedly.I am remembering my brother Robert whose birthday is on the 24th of November and he went to be with the Lord in 1992. My sister-in-law Susie who passed away in 1997 My step-brother Bob who had a birthday on November 25th and went to be with the Lord in 2002. My father-in-law Ray who went to be with the Lord in 2006.Ha
Needham Market Report 2007-11-21 20:28:21 There are some dynamic changes in the number of sales in a lot of the communities here. Most dramatic being Dover with 160%. I look at these and I am encouraged. The luxury markets are still strong. Median prices have basically moved down except for Dover and Dedham. These are very interesting stats I think. Sales Review by Town Number of Sales %Chg 2006 2007 & Read more:Market
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