|
Newsletter Introduction: April 2024
Finally, Spring! I was at a listing appointment this morning and there was a total of about a cup and a half of snow remaining on one spot in the yard. I think I can finally put the basket of barely used snowshoes away, and am still not happy with whoever prematurely put their driveway stakes away and caused that snowstorm we had last week. I’ve got a wide variety of stories in this issue. I always appreciate the feedback on readers’ favorites, and if there are stories that I don’t get a lot of feedback on, I tend to not write that type of story again. So, if you really like something, let me know. There are only so many hours in the day and this thing does NOT write itself! READ MORE
| |
What do Market Basket (an 88 store chain of supermarkets across New England, with 25,000 employees) and Vincent’s Country Store in Westminster, with one location and at most 10 employees, have in common? More than you’d expect. When we do our big shopping trips, we head for Market Basket in Athol. Not only are the prices always lower than anywhere else, but the shelves are always fully stocked and there’s often managers walking around, happy to help if you can’t find something. My general feeling about the store is that it’s almost run like the military. No one is goofing off, managers are always around making sure everything is in order, plus controlling the flow of people through the registers. READ MORE | |
I’d lived with an outdated master bathroom since we bought our house 7 years ago. My Bathroom Mini-Reno project story DID take longer than I expected it to, but don’t all home improvement projects? This one didn’t have an identified completion date because I was at least half way through the project and hadn’t made all the selections. However, I’m thrilled to say that after about 8 weeks without a bathroom door, my Bathroom Mini-Reno is complete! *AND I’m still married. READ MORE | |
I’ve seen locals posting about a new business (a car wash!) coming to the Village Square plaza in Westminster~~people are speculating about it on the Wonderful Westminster Facebook group, in the line at Vincent’s Country Store, Westminster's new sandwich shop Sa'moreRay's and elsewhere. I’m happy to report that in addition to wearing my realtor hat and my newsletter hat, I’m working with the local non-franchise owner/operator of the COMING SOON Village Auto Wash in Westminster on marketing and social media for this new tax-paying business in town. READ MORE | |
The state of the real estate market here in Central Massachusetts is essentially unchanged, despite the unsettled nature of the real estate profession resulting from the court cases concerning buyer agent commissions. Right now, of course, that court case has nothing to do with the real estate market, because the proposed settlement is still just proposed at this point, and the outcome hasn’t gone into effect yet. READ MORE | | |
|
|
I love exploring new technology to keep raising the bar on how I present my listings! I'm probably more excited than I should be that I've made this flip book with floor plans, photos and EVEN VIDEO! First crack at it is on my newest listing, 995 Oak Hill Road in Fitchburg.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FLIPBOOK!
| |
JUST LISTED: 995 Oak Hill Road presents amazing lifestyle opportunities! This stunning property includes a 3,700+ square foot main home with long views of the 10th and 11th holes at Oak Hill Country Club, a 1,000+ square foot cottage (renovated in 2023), and barn/studio with 4 garage bays and 1,000+ square feet of potential with a 2-story partially finished studio. The main home is an entertainer’s dream with large rooms, and quality craftsmanship and fine details throughout, resulting in a wonderful blend of historic character and modern conveniences. READ MORE | OPEN HOUSES: SATURDAY, APRIL 13 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 14 | |
In the mid-1990s, I lived in Ashburnham, on Lower Naukeag Lake, and I’ve always found it a fascinating town, mainly because it is so surprisingly multifaceted. It was quite a surprise to me to recently discover Creative Connections, a combination art gallery and gift shop, with the big surprise being the art on display and the beautiful galleries, right in the center of Ashburnham! READ MORE | |
Attention Ashburnham and Westminster small business owners! The newly formed (and quickly growing) ABC will be hosting its first-ever in-person meetup on Wednesday, April 24 at 6pm. Formed by Heather Couillard of Couillard Creative Consulting, and Kimmie Knesek of Kimmie’s Crystal Clean Co., the ABC was created to bring Ashburnham and Westminster's community of small businesses together, in order to help support and advise each other, as well as to network and refer business to each other. We are a FREE membership group, open to all legitimate local business owners--not limited to one business per industry. READ MORE | |
OUR MARCH 2024 TRANSACTIONS | | |
|
UNDER AGREEMENT: 45 Old Mill Circle, Westminster | |
Here we are again, it's almost Earth Day! Earth Day is always April 22, which is conveniently right around school vacation. Take a look at my list of Town Wide Cleanups in Central Mass and follow instructions to participate in the cleanup in your community. READ MORE | |
I've had to resist going to yard sales as it's been determined that we have a lot of stuff and I'd be better off HAVING a yard sale than GOING TO a yard sale. Problem for me is that I get bored easily and any time I've had a yard sale, I find that it's SO MUCH WORK, for SUCH SHORT MONEY...and sometimes I think we end up with just as much, if not more, than we started with. However, if I see a yard sale, I must stop--just in case there's something I need. *Like this cute red bench I scored at a yard sale in the center of Westminster a decade or so ago. READ MORE | |
|
|
NEXT LISTING: 116 Mill Creek Drive, Ashby
Watch for this one! Do you have the need for multi-generational living, or maybe an in-home business, especially one that could benefit from a huge attached solarium with a separate entrance? How about an intense plant hobby? Or just love your pets so much that they actually have their own first class bedrooms? This exciting and unique listing will be online soon.
Contact me for details!
| | | |
|
72 Worcester Road in Westminster is a popular Farmhouse style home with 2,353 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. It's got an open concept first floor as well as a private first floor office and sunroom. CONTACT ME for more information!
| |
I’ve been seeing occasional Facebook posts for some thing that sounded a bit too good to be true, East Coast - Retail Sales, Wholesale, and Liquidation Services on Hamilton Street in Leominster. Boy, was I wrong--they have a ton of really good stuff! READ MORE | |
|
"Jen helped us sell our home and relocate to a new home flawlessly! As our listing agent, she did an incredible job with our prep work, creating the listing and organizing our offers. We closed on our sale and our purchase on the same day and Jen and her team laid out a perfect schedule for us, all while coordinating with the other realtors involved. She negotiated strategically on our purchase and got all our wants and needs met perfectly. Would highly recommend Jen to anyone selling or purchasing a home!."
--David and Sovary Best, Rutland
| |
Huge Favor, Please!
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
| |
|
REMINDER: Like it or not, time to renew your dog licenses | |
|
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY?
I sold this house in 2017 when it was brand new construction (working for the seller), for $360,000. Fast forward to 2019--the buyers were relocating and asked me to help them sell this home and buy elsewhere. We sold it for $385,000. Whatever Covid did to the real estate market...it was just relisted (not by me) in April 2024 for $599,900. When did you purchase your home? You might be surprised at the value. We’ve all seen the websites where you can enter your address and magically get a value for your home. My husband loves the Zestimate when it’s saying good things about our property. I always tell him if Zillow is in our driveway with a checkbook and is willing to pay what Zillow says our home is worth, we will be living in the car by the weekend.
I’ve hesitated to have one of those valuation tools on my website, because I want people to have actually relevant data. If you click the button below, I promise that 1) I will personally do the public records research on your property, 2) All communication we have will be completely confidential, 3) I will not hassle you to sell your property, and 4) I will not put you on any kind of prospect list. I simply want to provide you with information, and of course I hope that if you ever decide to sell, you’ll reach out to me. It’ll take me a little while longer to send you this information, but my research will be local, legitimate and relevant to the current market in your area.
| |
|
I drove through my hometown of Baldwinville on my way to a listing appointment in Winchendon last week. I was hit with memory upon memory as I drove through my hometown. Just after Mrs. Hubbard’s Nursery School and before the church where we went to Vacation Bible School (don’t look for it because it’s a Dunkin’ now) is a left on to Pleasant Street. That’s the neighborhood I grew up in…Fessenden Street (where we lived), Columbus Ave, Forest Street (where my Kosakowski cousins lived), Cherry Street and Fisher Street (where my Chipman cousins lived). Our neighborhood was full of modest homes on small lots, with two variety stores where we got our penny candy. It’s just so ironic that when I arrived home from that appointment, after driving through Baldwinville twice, I received a text that Pete Duprey, one of the dads from my childhood neighborhood, had just passed away. READ MORE
| |
MORE STORIES FROM PAST NEWSLETTERS | |
What do we write about? By 'we' I mean Jay helps with many stories by either starting them to get me warmed up, or by cleaning them up if I get too off-track. If you're new here, I suggest you read through this month's newsletter here, then come back and click on some of the links like the three below. 'Start Here' brings you to our stories in order of publication date, with most recent stories first. 'Most Popular'--there's always one or two stories in each newsletter that generate a lot of feedback. This link quickly gets you up to speed on the most popular since I've been publishing, and 'Local Resource Stories' are timeless in that they are always relevant, --such as locally owned restaurants in ABC order by town, how to get your burn permit, and some of these stories are updated as needed, such as Farmers' Markets, School Calendars and Bus Routes, Town Wide Yard Sales, Garden Tours, etc. | |
THANK YOU so much for reading! | |
|
JENNIFER SHENK
Team Leader, Listing Agent
Your Local Realtor since 2013
JenniferShenk@KW.com
978 870 9260
| |
|
LISA SAULNIER
Realtor, Buyer Specialist
On the team 2020+
LisaSaulnier@KW.com
978 790 7591
| |
|
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
| | | | |
