This Sunday, April 11th, it is forecasted to rain, so go check them out.  As part of a national push by Realtor associations, 35 states have agreed to increase open house availablity on this weekend. 

As of Friday, there are 27 open houses planned in Ashland, 27 in Holliston, 64 in Framingham, 77 in Natick, 28 in Hopkinton, and 66 in Franklin, to name a few.

Goals are to increase awareness of the available homes, kick off the Spring market, and capture home buyers prior to expiration of generous tax credits.

Many potential first-time home buyers are feeling pressured to find a house because they need a purchase-and-sale agreement by April 30 to qualify for an $8,000 tax credit. A similar deadline confronts so-called “move-up” buyers who want to use a $6,500 credit to help buy their next house.

MassHousing is also holding their annual Home Buyer Fairs called Opportunity Knocks.  Check out the website for locations and times.  The event offers free counseling services for prospective Buyers.

Where are the Open Houses?  Go to www.MARealtorOpenHouses.com for a quick search.

Better yet, call Ed Daniels for a private tour of all the homes available on the market!

The Metrowest Boston area has special days set aside for homeowners to rid the house of waste.  

Holliston Hazardous Waste Day -

July 24th, 2010 9-noon at Adams Middle School

Natick Hazardous Waste Day -

May 15th, 2010 from 9-noon  -  Natick District Court

Limited: Only 300 cars, so pre-register here 

Framingham Hazardous Waste Day -

October  – Town site for all recycling info

I will post more details from other area towns as they become announced. 

The Metrowest Boston area appreciates that you dispose of your household chemicals at these special days that are offered.

Ed Daniels of Remax Executive Realty serves the Metrowest area towns.  If considering a move, the MAhome Team would love the opportunity to help.  Contact them at 508-341-7880 and Ed@MAhome.com

I found my name on the Abandoned Property list that the State Treasurer manages.  Click here for the list.  Granted, I did have to somehow prove that I was living at that address all those years back, but they accepted my previous address listed on my credit report.

Now after about 2 months of processing, I have in my hand a nice dinner out!

Thank you Tim Cahill, for holding onto my cash.

(Don’t tell my past roommates, I guess I should be splitting this 4 ways)

1. The Parade – Doriane, my wife, and daughter Lara participated in the Newcomers Club pirate ship float down Central Street.  How did Lara get convinced to throw candy instead of eating it, I don’t know!
2. Meeting a Fireman – Walking in full gear, Lara was a bit scared but amazed at a fireman up-close.  Plus she boarded the firetruck for a tour.
3. Face Painting – Not me, but again Lara was happy, so Dad is happy.
4. Meeting Local Business People – What a great bunch of business owners out there!  There is a renewed drive for our family to spread the word about these good people doing great service.
5. Community Service Groups – The Masons table had videotaping of the kids, along with teeth impressions and fingerprints as a great service we never want to use.  Putting off this important step of safety is easy, but they made it a fun activity!  Thank you Masons!

Don’t miss it next year.  We will see you there and make sure you say hello!

Sept 13th     The Holliston Senior Center has a Fair and Yard Sale from 9-2pm

Sept 14th     Holliston Farm Day takes place from 10-4pm at area farms.  Go farm hopping and check out the local flavors.

Sept 21st    This is a busy day… the following are all taking place:

“Celebrate Holliston” Family Day at Stoddard Park

5K “Mission Possible” Road Race and Fun Run starting from the Holliston High School

The 28th Annual Harvest Fair takes place at the Holliston Historical Society from 10-4pm.

Sept 22nd     Newcomers Club Activities Fair at 7pm at the Holliston Historical Society

Sept 27th     Celebrate Holliston Day:  Parade 9am and Goodwill Park starts at 10am

Ed and Doriane Daniels are local residents and Realtors in Holliston. 

If you need any further information on the events or on real estate,

please don't hesitate to call us at 508-341-7880.

During this Iraq War, there is seldom a time when we have an opportunity to show our support for the great sacrifices that our Armed Forces are making for us.  On March 8th, I had the opportunity, and privilege, to welcome home my brother-in-law, Michael Sanger.   

In the early morning hours, and during an upstate NY snowstorm, the small group of approximately 35 soldiers arrived at the gymnasium of Ft. Drum in Watertown, NY. 

My wife Doriane, 3 year old daughter Lara, my sister Carrie (with John in tow), and parents, waited anxiously with families.  At 4am, the mood was festive, especially with a band to welcome them.  We certainly worried about the connections and health of the soldiers over the past 15 months.

While watching another report on television this morning about returning soldiers to MA, a father made the observation that this war is really happening for soldier’s families and friends, but is not felt by the general public. 

We are lucky to have this luxury!  Even having a close family member like Michael, the war did not affect me over the past 5 years like I think it “should have”.

My sister gave birth to their baby boy, John Alden Sanger, while Michael was overseas.  He had 2 weeks leave last May to visit.  John has one thing to say, if he could talk: 

 Welcome Home Daddy!

What a great experience it was for me to welcome back the troops.  I really felt honored and humbled by this very “normal” group of soldiers.  Thank you for allowing me to have a proud and amazing group to share with my daughter.  I can tell you one thing, she knows who to look up to… and it is not Spider-man or Paris Hilton.  

Lara’s Uncle Mike is a hero.

We stood awaiting the troops next to Michael’s good friend, Val.  He is in a wheelchair after a sniper’s bullet damaged his spine.  There was also another from the group that did not make it to the ceremony.

Now Michael is home, getting to know his son, and trying to catch up with the past year without Carrie, his wife and my sister.  They have an amazing struggle to get thru over the next coming months. 

I wish them the very best and I want to say again, to both of them:

 Thank you, and it is an honor to call you my family.

Pick up the phone and dial your trusted insurance agent to take good care of you.  That was easy, wasn’t it!  Will this save you every last nickel?  No, but it will be competitive and you will get coverage that your personal situation requires.

Notice how I stated “trusted” insurance agent.  If you do not have someone you can turn to when your home is on fire or you have just had a traffic accident, get a referral to another agent.  Saving money is one thing, but piece of mind counts for something, doesn’t it?

As a Realtor, I had one occasion to receive a call from a past client while their home was on fire.  Upon arrival, this Framingham home was under control, the family was safe, but the industry was descending upon the homeowners quickly.  Adjusters, contractors, lawyers, et al.  I learned at that moment that I would need to trust somebody in this instance.  I would not be in a state of mind to handle big decisions or research the best course of action!

I grew up in Holliston, MA.  My local insurance company is Kiley Insurance.  Jerry and Mary Kiley are parents of a good friend from high school.  Do I think this is a good choice for guidance when my family is in turmoil… yes!  I would recommend them to you also.

Personal referrals are the way to go in insurance (and in real estate, by the way).  There is always a “cheaper” way to go, but you are shopping value here, not the least expensive!

OK, you still want to compare the different companies?  Here is the Mass.gov site that walks you thru some numbers while leaving out your personal coverage requirements, discount programs, etc.  Many programs give you discounts for using the same company for both your homeowners insurance and your auto insurance.

One last try… Find a good Insurance Agent that will take care of you!

If you need personal referrals to trusted and local service providers, the MAhome Real Estate Team has put together a great list.  Contact us to get access to this info!

This year I brought Lara, my 3 year old, with me for the food pickup. We had a great time and would recommend a family event like this for your family. Our job was to take the official “Place to Turn” van over to a distribution terminal in Foxborough, MA. There were many families there to pack up truck after truck with food boxes collected from various sources. It actually did not take any work because there were so many families there to load up the van.

15 minutes later we were on the road back to Natick.The food collected was given out in boxes to referred families to the food pantry. The volunteers seperated out the food and gave them out for Thanksgiving. Everyone has a big meal on Turkey Day!

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.