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Newsletter Introduction: August 2024
As I write this, I am wearing a coat. Where did the summer go? Last week Jay and I took a couple days and went to My Favorite place, Newport, Rhode Island. If you’ve never been, it’s such a great getaway spot. Just 90 minutes away, very drivable, and so much to see. On this trip, we just wandered around the various neighborhoods around Newport, and due to the fantastic location of our Airbnb, we only got in the car once the entire weekend – – and that was because I specifically wanted to go to TJ Maxx. We went Wednesday through Friday, and here it is another Friday later, but it feels like it was just yesterday.
The photo above is one of gratitude, because I had a client who gave me a very generous tip for the results we achieved on her home sale. I didn’t want to take the extra money, but she insisted, and said I needed to do something nice for myself. Before I went and spent it on a college bill, I decided to order very large composite self-watering window boxes. I’ve only watered them twice this summer, which is crazy considering how lush and vibrant they are.
Speaking of real estate, the market is crazy right now. Whatever you read nationwide about the real estate market, just know it’s so very different here with our lack of inventory. I’ve never been busier or more productive, and I’m really proud of the work I can do to help clients behind-the-scenes, to able to assist people who aren’t necessarily in a good spot, in order for them to get to a better spot. It’s not always pretty, and sometimes you’ll find me washing walls at 9 PM on the hottest day of the summer, when even my ears were sweating. I’m here to help you get it done, pretty or not. I have a cool collection of stories this month–with some extra time on my hands to write, because Jay went to visit his brother in Colorado for a couple weeks–which we have a story about.
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Sometimes the stars align. In this case, the subject matter is not a positive one–it is about crumbling foundations. However, the fact that pyrrhotite, which in my opinion is the scariest word in real estate right now, has a spotlight on it, aligns with a few things that have crossed my desk since last month's newsletter. First, a reader reached out with questions about pyrrhotite, since she had heard that there were homes in Central Massachusetts with crumbling foundations. Second, it just so happened that I was already signed up for an information session about pyrrhotite, put on by the Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts. The presentation included a few panelists, including Dr. Jonathan R. Gourley, a professor from Trinity College in Connecticut, which has been at the forefront of the pyrrhotite issue for years now. Also on the panel were two affected homeowners in Massachusetts, Michelle Loglisci from Monson and Karen Riani from Holden, much closer to home for most of us. Third, and the huge bit of irony in this, I had already signed up for the class, I had already started writing the story, and then I got a call from a homeowner who asked me to help him sell a house in Winchendon “and it’s got the foundation problem”. READ MORE | |
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I recently spent two weeks in Colorado with my brother and his wife, who live on a small ranch in Granby, an ‘old Colorado’ type town, made briefly famous in 2004 by Marvin Heemeyer, a disgruntled owner of a muffler/repair shop who took out his anger at town government by armoring a bulldozer and plowing down a good portion of the town. READ MORE | | |
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WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL...you know the story, uphill both ways in a snowstorm. I just looked at my elementary school commute--I thought it had to be at least 2 miles. Turns out it was 0.6 mile, but when you're in first grade and you've got from here to there, that's pretty far. Looking for your district's school calendars and bus routes? I update list this throughout the late summer.
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I love a good piece of sourdough bread, with champagne mustard and a slab of cheddar. I’ve recently noticed an abundance of pop up bake stands in my travels around the main streets and back roads of Central Mass (and on my social media), and like the opportunity to purchase delicious homemade bread and pastries. Continue reading for specifics on 4 local bakers. If you know anyone else who should be included, I can add to the story! READ MORE | | |
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State of the Real Estate market isn’t the same old thing this month, as there are some changes, in both the rules for real estate agents and interest rates. First, the results of the verdict in the court case against major real estate organizations and companies will be in effect by the time of the next issue of this newsletter, so after nearly a year of speculation, we’ll finally get a chance to see what effect the ruling has in the real world. READ MORE
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Anyone who knows our house knows that we have a lot of windows. It makes for a beautiful room with a beautiful view, but until lately, has been perhaps the most aggravating part of the house: we have sliding screen doors in each one of these doors. READ MORE | |
COMING SOON: A FEW UPCOMING LISTINGS, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER | | |
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WESTMINSTER: Commercial Building with multiple Garage Bays
WESTMINSTER: 3 Bed/2 Bath with LAKE ACCESS
WESTMINSTER: 3 Bed/1 Bath Ranch $380K +/-
PRINCETON: Small 4 Bedroom Home $400K +/-
GARDNER: 3 Bedroom with additional finishable space, on 2.5+ acres (big garage!) $525K +/-
USE MY CONTACT FORM TO RECEIVE MORE INFO on these properties!
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Westminster Town Benefit Day, also called Neighbors Helping Neighbors, is fast approaching~~with one day of fun and charity, always held the second Sunday in August. This year's event will be held Sunday, August 11, 2024. It's always a fun day, for the benefit of a wonderful and unique local charity. READ MORE | | |
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Princeton’s Labor Day Tennis Tournament, which runs the full week before Labor Day (with matches every day) and the finals on Labor Day, is reported to be the oldest continually running tennis tournament in the entire United States. READ MORE | |
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OUR JULY 2024 TRANSACTIONS | |
Click on the addresses below for more details... | | |
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SOLD OFF-MARKET
121 Hobbs Road, Princeton
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If I've been a local resource for you, even if not to buy or sell a home, I'd love it if you'd write a quick Google review. Even if you write a review about my newsletter! So much of my real estate business comes from people who read my reviews. THANK YOU!
WRITE A QUICK REVIEW HERE
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MORE STORIES FROM PAST NEWSLETTERS | |
My Local Resource Stories section below is updated frequently and will be at the top of each newsletter for easy reference! | |
THANK YOU so much for reading! | |
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JENNIFER SHENK
Team Leader, Listing Agent
Your Local Realtor since 2013
JenniferShenk@KW.com
978 870 9260
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LISA SAULNIER
Realtor, Buyer Specialist
On the team 2020+
LisaSaulnier@KW.com
978 790 7591
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Put our TOP CENTRAL MASS TEAM to work for you!
Jennifer Shenk and Team
2023 RESULTS
#1 Team at Keller Williams Realty North Central
Total Sales Volume
Total Units Sold
#8 Team in Keller Williams New England Region
Listings Taken
Listings Sold Units
Listing Sold Volume
Keller Williams International
Luxury Agent
Platinum Producer
North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors
Platinum Top Producer
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