The South Shore Women's Business Network is dedicated to serving our members, supporting our community and to helping facilitate innovative & productive networking meetings, right here on the South Shore!
A Message from the President~

September is fast approaching and yes I can believe it!  

It is August 23rd and there is still time to register  yourself and guests for our August Business After Hours Cruise in Plymouth Harbor on Tuesday, August 29th, 2017.

Our August Business After Hours Event is Proudly Sponsored by:



We will have some exciting news to share with you then!

AND.......................

Let the Nominations Begin!

It's already that time of year to think about next year's Board of Directors.  Who would you like to nominate to be on our ballot to serve on the 2018 Board?  It is an opportunity to help lead and plan SSWBN's future, serve your community and work with a great group of members.  We want your creativity and enthusiasm!  Nominees need only be a current member for at least one year.  Members cannot nominate themselves.  

I know our team will continue this strong momentum, so I wonder, who would you like to nominate to join me in 2018?

Sincerely yours, 
Nicole Perry~
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New Member Mentions!


Welcome to our most recent new members.  We look forward to learning more about you at our meetings & events in the year ahead!

1)  Juli Ford Alhadeff ~ Real Estate Rocks
2)  Jane Cournan ~ Lighthouse Media Solutions
3)  Peggy Leonard ~ Modere
4)  Kerry Reeves ~ Schlossberg, LLC
5)  Peggy Warner ~ PD Warner Consulting
6)  Carol   Soldevilla ~ Soldevilla Therapy

A total of 23 new members so far in 2017~!!!
3rd Qtr. Breakfast Meeting:

Thursday, September 28th!

Please help us support our 3rd Quarter Charitable Cause Calmer Choice &  register today!  September is a big month for Networking so we expect a very large turnout.

Fiona Jensen, Chair & Executive Director of Calmer Choice will be our inspirational breakfast speaker. 

Calmer Choice is a community-based 501(c)3 that was founded in 2010 in response to the emotional devastation experienced by high school students and the surrounding community after the tragic deaths of several Barnstable High School students & graduates.

Please join us!

Let's start the conversation!

You can invest a little more into your business for as little as $50 or up to $500.  

Let us help you optimize your membership for free!
  • Provide educational content to our Newsletter
  • Share your upcoming event flyer with us so we can help promote your event with a weekly email blast
  • Give a testimonial to another member
  • Or join our great team of Board & Chair persons.
Thank You to our Membership Chair Juli Ford Alhadeff with Real Estate Rocks for your contributing educational article!
 
Homework Before Home Shopping
 Three things to do before scheduling showings

by Juli Ford Alhadeff, Realtor - The Rosewood Team at Real Estate Rocks
For today's home buyers, looking at real estate online and imagining living in your dream home is so enjoyable and accessible because of sites like Zillow and HGTV that it is easy to think you're ready to start home shopping as soon as a great house catches your eye.  However, in today's fast-moving market, it is more important than ever to make sure you take a few basic steps before seriously beginning your search.  These top tips can help ensure that when you do find just the right home you are prepared to make a great decision and negotiate the best possible offer on your purchase.

1.  Know how much home you can afford.

             -Check your credit report and FICO score. CreditKarma.com is a free and reputable site for this.
            -Calculate your monthly income, debt, and expenses. There are lots of free online budget planners like this one from BudgetSimple.com
            -Use an online estimator like this one at NerdWallet.com for a quick estimate of how much home you can afford      
            -Use an online mortgage calculator like the one at BankRate.com to estimate payments with today's interest rates and figure out what you'll need to save for a downpayment.

2.  Get pre-approved for a mortgage.

            -Interview several lenders and mortgage brokers to find one you would like to work with.  Check out this article from Realtor.com for help deciding whether working with a big bank or with a local lender is the best fit for you.  National brand lenders may offer the ability to process everything easily online.  Local lenders can usually provide a level of personalized service that you may come to really appreciate during the home buying process.
            -Learn the difference between being pre-qualified and being pre-approved.  This article from Investopedia.com explains the difference.  When you want to make an offer on a home, be sure you are pre-approved.  This allows you to move more quickly and makes your offer stronger because sellers know you are a serious buyer.

3. Choose a buyer's agent to help you navigate the whole process and negotiate the best deal.

            -Now that you have completed steps one and two of your homework, you are almost ready to start shopping for your home.  In order to navigate the home buying process smoothly and negotiate the best price and terms for your home purchase, consider working with a buyer's agent to represent your interests and help guide you successfully to closing day. This article from Moving.com helps explain what a buyer's agent can do for you, how they are paid, and what you can expect from different types of agents.
            - There are many ways to find an agent to work with.  Getting recommendations from family, friends, or business colleagues who have bought or sold property recently is a great place to start.  Call your neighborhood real estate brokerages.  Attend open houses and see if you connect   with a realtor.  You can also conduct on an online search on Realtor.com . Be sure you find someone you feel you can trust and who you feel comfortable with.

Extra Credit:  Finally, if you have never purchased a home before (or if it has been a long time since you have), consider taking a first time homebuyer class.  These classes are offered both online and in person and provide you with all of the information you need to navigate the process.  Check out this article from USNews.com on why taking a homebuyer class is a no-brainer and visit NeighborWorks Southern Mass ( a local, nonprofit housing education organization approved in the State of Massachusetts) to find local classes.
            Juli Ford Alhadeff is a Realtor at Real Estate Rocks in Pembroke, MA.  She and her           husband, Rod Alhadeff, work together as the Rosewood Houses team.  Juli has worked in the nonprofit world of community development for more than 15 years, focusing her     professional life on organizations committed to neighborhood revitalization, homes for          those with special needs, first time homebuyer education and financial coaching.  In             addition to being a Realtor, Juli is the Resource Development Director for
            NeighborWorks Southern Mass.


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