Dressing Appropriately Might Mean Wearing Orange!

Dressing Appropriately Might Mean Wearing Orange!

Al of us in this business, as in any business, want to look our best and put the best foot forward especially for a meeting with a client.


Dressing professionally in different instances might mean different things.   For example when you go into a Doctor's office you likely expect to see the employees in a different attire than those at your attorney's office.    For many in the real estate profession, we seem to have become more casual than when I first started 25 years ago.   Back then, it was a business suit and heels with briefcase.   Today, probably because of my age, it is slacks and flats and an I Pad tucked into a shoulder bag.

For years, I have kept a pair of boots and rain gear in the back of my car.   Hat and gloves too.   I sometimes have thrown a spare pair in if I thought I might be taking a client to a place that we would need some more stable footwear.   One  never knows when you might find your self on a new construction site, and if there is one thing that drives me nuts, it is the ridiculously dressed Realtor trying to walk around in heels, or not wanting to get out of the car, because of a little dirt or mud.  

Clearly I like to think I am prepared, but on this day, not so much.    After being contacted by a person for a price opinion on a large parcel of land, we needed to get out there and check it out.   Sure Google maps and earth are great tools these days, but there is nothing like getting out there to see what you are really looking at.    Seeing a beautiful parcel of land, and imagining how it might be developed is pretty exciting.    Walking it.  Listening, and getting the feel of the place helps to imagine type of homes will be best built there.     Really no different that looking at a single family home that might possibly be a new listing.   We walk around, inside and out to know what we have.  

No different really, but did you remember it is hunting season?   

Dressing appropriately might have meant wearing orange!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

________________________________________

About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri, 

a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.
 A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.

 Licensed in MA and RI...

Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Norwood, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
 Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

A Random Act of Kindness at the Supermarket!

A Random Act of Kindness at the Supermarket!
 
Yes, day 28 of the 30 day blogging challenge has crept up on us, and I was hitting the proverbial blogging wall.    And then it hit me.   A random act of kindness, in of all places, the supermarket!

Remax Executive Realty established in 2009 a charitable foundation.    It's mission is to help families in need in our market area in what ever way we can.    The foundation has supported folks that were/are ill, to victims of fire, to local heroes who have encountered a physical hardship while fighting in the war, to helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity and more.  

This holiday season, the Remax Executive Charitable Foundation allotted a substantial amount of money to be donated to various food pantries in the communities that we serve.     I was asked to help one of these out and do some shopping for them.     I made contact, found out what they needed and headed off to the supermarket to pick up their items. 

This particular pantry needed a vast number of the same types of items.    As you can imagine it fills up a cart rather quickly.    Two even.    I dutifully counted out the items and filled my carts.   I had my handy dandy cell phone that doubles as a calculator with me.   It all seemed to work out perfectly.   Too perfectly.       Exactly the number of items for this pantry matched up exactly (within pennies) of my donation amount.

As I got my carriages to the register, the poor Bagger's eyes went wide.    I emptied the items on to the conveyor.   The cashier couldn't have been nicer as I asked her to make sure I didn't exceed the specified amount of money.    As she gets to the end of the order, yes, you guessed it by now, I have not counted correctly.    I am over budget and I have no other cash with me.

No worries, I think.  It's not a big deal,  I will just take some of them off.    In a thoughtful, quiet and simple act the lady in line behind me reaches into her wallet and slides the cashier the shortfall.   "I like to support the food pantries too," she says.

I guess now it's my turn to pay it forward.   

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

________________________________________

About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri, 

a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.
 A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.

 Licensed in MA and RI...

Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Norwood, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
 Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

A Fascination with A Fox Sighting Bellingham MA

A Fascination with A Fox Sighting Bellingham MA

This morning it was very windy, I guess that is what made me look out the window first thing.    As I did, I had to do a double take, for what I saw was a very well feed fox attempting to climb a tree in the back yard!    Now, the tree was leaning and on a 40 degree angle and he was only a short way up, but can fox really climb trees?    

I have only seen a few fox in my life.    I remember seeing one as I was showing some folks a home and this brazen fox walked right through the front yard.   That was in Franklin, MA.   I saw another as I was meeting someone at a home in Medway, MA one year.   That guy didn't look healthy.  It was a hot spring day.  I stayed clear.       Both these times the fox were small and on the ground!

The one I saw this morning was BIG and in a TREE!     There has been a fox sighting in the neighborhood in the past few weeks, and the knowledge of that is most likely the only reason at this early hour that I could put two and two together. 

This is what I have learned.    Both the gray and red fox are abundant through out Massachusetts.

Can Fox Climb Trees?

Yes!   We have two species of fox in our area, the Red and the Gray, but only the gray fox can climb.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Gray Fox and A Red Fox?

Well, if you are me, you can't!    The only way I know this guy is a gray fox is that he was in that tree.   As I read more about them, I think the fox that I have seen over time have been gray.    At first, I might have thought them to be red fox as that was the predominant color that I saw.  It is tricky though because both have red fur.  Besides difference in size and the shape of muzzle, the red fox has dark "stockings"  and that white tail we all think of when we think fox.   Knowing what I know now, I will be looking for that telltale white tail.   

Interesting Fox Facts

• Fox are members of the dog family
• Fox howl, bark and whine.
• They breed in mid January to late February .
• The fox family will break up in autumn when each animal becomes independent.
• They can have one litter a year.
• Baby fox are called "kits".
• Common litter size is four.
• Fox are active all year round.
• Their home base can range from 2-7 square miles.
• Fox learn to hunt at 3 months old.
• They eat small rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, eggs, insects, vegetation, and fruit. 

Should You Be Afraid Of a Fox?

It doesn't appear so.   I wouldn't try and go petting them or encourage them to your property, but it doesn't appear that fox are a danger to humans unless they are cornered.    This is a good article to read regarding our fear of fox. 

Living With Fox.   

I personally can not wait to see this guy again, and with the nature of our yard, heavily wooded in the back and believing that this area might be the home territory for this guy has me thinking that it might just happen!    Having said that, we don't want to encourage him to the house.   The MA Wildlife Division has some good suggestions for living with foxes, 
and we will heed them.

 In the meantime, I have my eyes peeled and hopefully will see this beautiful creature again soon!  

 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Santa Visits Bellingham MA neighborhoods

Santa Visits Bellingham MA neighborhoods

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make all the difference in the world. 
 
I just got home from a "celebration of life".    A very young and beautiful girl's life cut short by a slippery road and a big old oak tree.    The family was dutifully greeting their family and friends who waited in line to say, "I'm sorry".   There are no words in a situation like this.  Never have been and never will be.

Santa Visits Every Home in Bellingham MA

Sad.   Very Sad.

As I get back to my home and pull into the driveway, I park my car and  head up the stairs.    I kick my off my shoes.  In my own world.  I am not sure of what I am hearing but realize that it the wail of sirens.  We live in a small cul-de- sac neighborhood.   Oh God, what can this possibly be, I think to myself.

I open the front door.  What  do I see but Santa Clause on a flatbed waiving to the neighbors.   He has a police cruiser escort!      Kids go running out.    I smile to myself thinking what fun the kids in this neighborhood are experiencing tonight.  I am not sure who is sponsoring this rolling bit of happiness, but  I want to go running out and kiss Santa myself.    Instead I call "Merry Christmas" and in turn I hear the neighbors hoot and yell the same thing! 

For years the rolling Santa has visited the neighborhoods of Bellingham MA.   Systematically he visits every house in the town and thrills kids of all ages with his door to door arrival.    Isn't it wonderful to live in a town where people take the time to make a difference in the lives of others?

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make all the difference in the world.   

Isn't it funny how it happens when you need it most?

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Buyers Remorse What Is It and Will You Get It?

Buyers Remorse    What is it and Will You Get It?

What is Buyers Remorse?

Simply put, buyers remorse can be rephrased to "What the heck did I just do".  It  is a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety coupled with with the sense of regret that one can experience after making a purchase.   This usually happens with a large purchase such as a car or a home, but if you are anything like me, it can be triggered over any purchase.    In fact, it just happened with a purchase of new eye wear.    Of course with the big ticket item it is far worse, speaking from experience that is. 

Yikes!    Did I Make the Right Choice?

Will You Get It?

Probably, but don't worry too much.    Over the years, I have learned to tell Buyers about this syndrome.  If they know about it they don't seem as shocked when it happens to them.    When the house hunting process turns into home buying process, anxiety over whether the right decision has been made seems to be kind of normal.

Experience tells me that buyers might feel remorse at some point after an offer is accepted and right up until and even after the closing.  

One might think,   Can I really afford this?   What if something better comes up?    Am I making the right choice?   Do I really want to make this commitment?  

 It is only natural that such a life changing event can create doubts.  Fortunately for most it doesn't last long.

Avoiding with Buyers Remorse

There are things you can do to avoid "buyers remorse" syndrome before it happens.   Most of it boils down to knowing what you want, not impulse buying and having the professionals do what they do best.

• Recognize that it might happen to you.   If you know that people experience this and that it only lasts for awhile, then you won't feel so freaked out when you do have those nagging thoughts and sense of regret.   Recognize that we are all different and you might experience this before the closing and have it pass only to have your spouse experience it at a different point in the transaction.
• Know what's important to you.    If you really know what it is that you want in a home, and probably more importantly what you don't want, you will feel comfortable in your right decision.  
• Do your homework.   Research the area and look at comparable sales.  Do your home inspections and be present during them.     You will feel more in control of your emotions if you know you have looked at all the facts.  
• Use your professionals.    Identify the Realtor that you believe will be the best guide.  Don't skimp on the home inspections.  Hire a real estate attorney to review your contracts, and go through a seasoned mortgage broker to help you obtain the right mortgage product.   A key to avoiding buyers remorse is to avoid the unexpected.  While that is easier said than done in a real estate transaction, knowing that you have covered your bases will put your mind at ease.
• Understand "friendly" advice.   If you have been looking for a home for some time, you know that everyone you talk to has an opinion about something.   That can go from price, to neighborhood, to how to get a great deal, to how many bedrooms you need.     Recognize that this advice, as well meaning as it is, may not come from current information or circumstances.    Rely on your footwork, your professionals and your homework.  
• Take your self off the market.   Focus on the next step whatever that may be and stop looking at homes.  

Bottom Line

Expect a bit of fear to creep in.  Know that it is not just you, that most people will experience the same thing and that it will go away.  Do your homework and hire experienced professionals and you will feel comfortable in your decision and keep that Buyers Remorse Syndrome at bay.  

________________________________________

Carol-Ann Palmieri is an ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) and has been helping buyers find their homes for the past 25 years.

Looking to make a home purchase.    Let it start here.     Cal@alandcal.com      508-494-9061

Click here to search for homes!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Is There Optimism In The Air or is It Simply Holiday Spirit?

Is There Optimism In The Air or is It Simply Holiday Spirit?

I don't know if I am coming off the emotional high of having a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends yesterday and it may be just me, but these past few days, I have seen a more upbeat attitude in folks.   It makes me wonder is it optimism about the economy or is it simply people thinking about the holiday's and getting in the mood?   

At the Thanksgiving dinner table yesterday the talk was different.   It did not center around the economic woes that the country has been facing.    The conversation did not turn to politics as it usually does.     There was not a lot of commiserating about the price of gas, taxes, the housing market, education costs, or complaining in general.  

I am not saying that this group of people does a lot of complaining, because they don't.     What I did notice though, was a lack of negative conversation and a more optimistic air in this room of approximately 25 people. 

Is it that there is a wider range of age groups, and many are thinking of the upcoming season with excitement?

It's not just yesterday that I have noticed this and not just this family.   Last week at a fund-raising gathering, as I sat with a group of people that did not know each other and as they were trying to find a common ground for conversation, I did not hear the woe is me rambling that I have begun to get used to.

I personally feel more optimistic than I have for awhile.   I don't think it is seasonal.   I see more houses selling, and selling faster too.   I see more folks wanting to move again rather than just needing to.    I see folks that have larger parcels of land thinking this is a good time to take them to market, so, I wonder, are we becoming more optimistic?    Or is it the holiday season?    Or, could it be that we are just getting accustomed to all that we have little control over and are just tired of hearing about it?

With all my talk of optimism this morning,
as I head out to work this black Friday, I wonder, will my attitude change after I face the traffic?     Time will tell!
_____________________________________

Are you looking to sell or buy a home.    There is no question that the market has been changing.   Interest rates make buying a home a wise investment. 

Give me a call.  Carol-Ann Palmieri    508-494-9061    Cal@alandcal.com
 

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Thanksgiving Trivia Do You Know The Answers???

Thanksgiving Trivia Do You Know The Answers???

Good morning and happy Thanksgiving day.    Most are off to Thanksgiving day football games or off to the relatives to have a terrific dinner.     I am writing a post this morning to say true to the 30 blogging challenge that I agree to.   So far, so good.

I think that a fun post is in order this morning, so what about some fun facts that we can take to the Thanksgiving day table?   

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.   I love thinking and reading about the beginnings of this nation and how we did, and then didn't, get along with the native folks.     

Anyone that  knows me, knows that I am obsessed with King Philip or the Indian Chief Metacom and the King Philip Indian Wars that plagued the colonies in 1675.   I paddle the Charles River and feel his presence as I pass by the overlook and all that our history and nature has to offer.      I have had many a discussion with my sister as to why I think he was a very cool guy, but that is for another day/debate.  Debate that is, but...

Today is for fun, so how about a little Thanksgiving related trivia?

Being from Massachusetts, we think we have learned it all.  But have we???

1.   What is credited as the Pilgrims first landing place and where is the rock?   
2.   What was the name of the ship the Pilgrims came over on?    
3.   Who was the captain of the ship?   (be careful,trick question)   
4.   In 1621, How long did the First Thanksgiving last?     
5.   What was the name of the Indian Chief that had dinner with the Pilgrims?     
6.   What's another name for the "horn of plenty"? 
7.   Can you eat "indian corn"?  
8.   How many days did it take the pilgrims to get from England to Plymouth?    
9.   Can turkeys drown if they look up in the rain?     

Want more Thanksgiving Trivia?   Visit this web site.

Answers: 
  9: No,  8: 66, 7: No, 6: Cornucopia, 5: Massasoit (King Philip's father), 4: 3 Days, 3: Christopher Jones, 2:Mayflower, 1:Plymouth, MA

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061