In addition to this group of professionals, I came across this recent article on Kiplinger’s website that would be helpful to Metrowest MA newlyweds. Click here for the full article: Six Money Mistakes of Newlyweds.  The mistakes are:

1. Keeping Money Secrets
2. Not Having a Budget
3. Giving one Person the Financial Reins
4. Dragging Debt Down the Aisle
5. Sweating the Small Stuff

As the preferred Real Estate Agents for The 495 Wedding Group, I hope that if you have a friend or loved one who is getting married, that you turn them onto this collection of professionals.  Of course, if we can serve you or your friends with buying a home in Metrowest Massachusetts, please call on us anytime.

I have learned to just say NO (thank you).

Furnishing Options of Marlborough may be the resource that says YES.

The mission of Furnishing Options is to provide a variety of household items to individuals in need, low-income families or individuals recovering from mental illness or other disabilities.

Any donations that can make a house into a home for people who may be struggling are welcome.

Be sure that the items are clean and in good working order, and give them a call to see if they can arrange to come pick up the goods (for a small contribution).  They are limited with volunteer resources, so call to inquire.  They can be reached at 508-485-5051 x245.

Visit the website for more specific lists of what they take and don’t take:  Furnishing Options

Ed Daniels of Re/max Executive Realty serves the Metrowest Boston housing market.  Call him at 508-341-7880 if considering buying or selling a home.

Over the past 4 years, $8.8 million has been secured to work on the prostheses needed for lower limbs. This company also works on technology for arms and hands, but the leg technology has more challanges to get right.

All the local politicians have visited the company to show off how the federal funds are being put to good use, like this video of a recent visit .

Holliston does not have a very large commercial base, primarily due to the restrictions caused by private septic systems.  Some people in town believe this helps to keep Holliston feeling like a “small town” that they have grown to love.  On the flip side, increased local business helps with the tax burden and employment for local residents.

Great job to Liberating Technologies and the work they do!

Ed Daniels of Re/Max Executive Realty markets real estate in Metrowest Boston and can be reached at 508-341-7880 or Ed@MAhome.com

A seminar done by New Energy Solutions of Franklin, Massachusetts explained some products and services that will drastically lower homeowner’s heating bills.

This is not just the addition of solar panels or wind turbines, but lower cost options that use unique products that you may have never heard of. 

Check out the website of New Energy Solutions to see the following products in more detail:

Kshield Attic Barrier:  Go into your attic over the summer and you can feel why your insulation gains heat.  In the winter there is still a small amount of heat that escapes past the insulation.  Need a better explanation of this?… click here. 

This thin reflective material will reduce your air conditioning costs in the summer and stop heat from seeping out in the winter.  Fed Tax Credits:  30% up to $1500.

Inflector Screens/ Shades / Verticals:  Same general concept as the attic barrier, these carbon fiber mesh screens reflect heat in the summer and act as a passive solar collector in the winter.  

Imagine your window shades generating the equivalent of a 600 watt heater from a 4×4 foot window.

H.CR22a Hydro Carbon:  What??  Don’t worry, this is just a fancy name for taking out the freon coolant in your air conditioning unit and replacing it with an ozone friendly and more economical material. 

It reduces the energy needed to run the air conditioner by 25-60%!

Power Demand Control:  Placed on your electric panel, this product stops spikes and surges from entering the home. 

Click here to see how it reduces your electric bill by 15-20%.

Put a call into Rob Donadio to come out to your home to have a free evaluation of your home and how New Energy Solutions can help you to save energy and money.  He can be reached at 888-376-5279.  Keep warm!

Ed Daniels can be reached at Re/Max Executive Realty in Hopkinton MA.  The direct number is 508-341-7880 or email is Ed@MAhome.com

A past client gave glowing remarks regarding the work done by Royal Thermal View, based out of Mendon, Massachusetts.  I added him on this site’s Business Directory.

Steve Palmer is the salesman that my client dealt with, and also that I spoke to today.  He can be reached at 781-820-6306.

The website is www.RoyalThermalView.com, but be ready because they have a surprising drum audio when you enter each page (I have to talk to Steve about that!).

The company seems to have a focus on doors, windows and vinyl siding.

One last tidbit that I got from talking with Steve…

I mentioned how perhaps the difficulty of getting equity lines in this market for homeowners may be cutting into his business, and his solution is to offer financing directly.  A terrific solution to adjust to the current market!

Asbestos is classified as a “special waste” under MassDEP regulations.  It requires special handling and transporting.  Disposal can only be done in asbestos approved landfills.

What is Asbestos?  It is a “naturally occuring, mostly fibrous material and may consist of any one of a number of silicates.” as stated by the MassDEP (whatever that means!)  The physical properties make it resistant to heat, fire and many caustic chemicals.   Since it also is a great insulator, it can be found many times as heating pipe and boiler insulation.

Why you need to get rid of it?  Asbestos is known to cause lung cancer and a disease of the lungs called asbestosis.  Many times it takes decades to see these resulting diseases show up.

From a Realtor perspective, removing the asbestos material (correctly) will cause nervous buyers from running for the hills when they discover you have it.  Anytime buyers hear about a hazard or health concern, it is not good for your home’s value.

How do we have to removed?  The best option is by finding a certified removal company.  These companies are listed at this link:  List of Asbestos Removal Companies

When you have great success with a firm, make sure to let us know so that we can add them to the Business Directory we use on this site.

There is a survey that I discovered that does highlight some customer satisfaction numbers you may find interesting.

Surveys are interesting subjects because there always seems to be a motivation behind them.  This survey was conducted by The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).  This government body seems to give hospitals a tool to get better at their care, but more importantly, it gives the consumer a way to compare hospital care.

My wife and I are about to have our second child.  This time around we are using Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as opposed to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston the first time around.  The choice was strictly based upon health insurance reasons, but if it wasn’t, I would use this site to try to evaluate the level of care.

Our method of choosing a hospital prior to a site like this would be asking a handful of friends about their personal experience during their stay.  You can see how this might get a little difficult if you are talking about personal matters with your health.

The Metrowest Daily News wrote a good article about the site and the method of the surveys.  Click here for the full story.

The link for the HCAHPS can be reached by clicking here: www.HospitalCare.hhs.gov.

Here in the Metrowest area, there are several regional hospitals for residents to choose from:

Metrowest Medical Center     Framingham, MA

Milford Regional Medical Center     Milford, MA

Marlborough Hospital     Marlborough, MA

Newton-Wellesley Hospital    Newton, MA

UMass Memorial Medical Center     Worcester, MA

Metrowest Medical Center - Leonard Morse Campus    Natick, MA

 The survey asks questions of patients regarding noise, cleanliness, communication with staff, clear home recovery instructions, among other areas. 

It allows hospital management to track how they do compared to other hospitals and where they are lacking in the eyes of the patient.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital reported an 82% rating of patients who said they would definately recommend the hospital, which was the top score from the hospitals listed above. 

I am glad to hear that, and I am sure you will hear about it if I fall within the 18% who doesn’t!

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!

What drove the new interest is a good article from Money Magazine about Utah’s topnotch 529.

My daughter, Lara, will thank me in 14 years if I make a move now. 

Using all my knowledge from my Finance degree from Bryant College, as well as years of reading about personal finance,

I have been enlightened with one main rule of thumb.

The less expenses you pay while investing, the greater chance of growth.

Utah has such low annual expenses that it may make more sense to forego any state tax incentives and invest out of the Commonwealth. 

The highest annual expenses for Utah’s plans are .38%! 

Massachusetts 529 plans run .5 to 1.09%.

Your next question is about the tax incentives that you would give up by going “out-of-state”?  Say you invest $10000 in a MA 529 where you can deduct contributions on your state tax returns.  If your state tax rate is 5% (ours is 5.3%, but Money Magazine did the math for me at 5%), your net tax savings after 28% federal taxes is $373.44.

If a plan charges .4% less than the one in MA, the lower fees will eventually outweigh the tax savings in 10 years. 

This example shows that over time the reduced fees go a long way.  Since nobody really starts investing the year or 2 prior to college starting (except me at this rate), it just makes “cents”!