Do you have a client team in place?

Congratulations to my first-time Buyer client on her purchase of a beautiful home in Framingham, MA. 

#HomeForTheHolidays

Excellent work by the #ClientTeam: Bob Naranjo of First Home Mortgage and Andrew Rubenstein of Rubenstein and Associates. Great team work makes all the difference in your selling and buying experience (and it was duly noted by our client). 

Is buying or selling real estate on your to-do list in 2018? Connect with me at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com or call 508-507-9715.

Happy Holidays!

2017 New England Holiday Lights and Event Guide

MASSACHUSETTS

* Blackstone Valley Polar Express, Nov 17 - Dec 23
* Blink!, Boston, MA - Nov 29 to Jan 1
* Boston Winter @ City Hall Plaza, Boston MA, opening Nov 24 at 11am
* Bright Nights at Forest Park, Springfield, MA - Nov 22 to Jan 1
* Christmas by Candlelight, Old Sturbridge Village, MA, weekends starting Dec 2
* City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration, Lowell, MA, Nov 25
* Enchanted Village at Cape Codder, Hyannis, MA - Dec 1 to Dec 23
* Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture, Avon MA - Nov 18 to Jan 1
* Fatima Shrine Christmas Lights, 101 Summer Street, Holliston, MA - typically from Thanksgiving to early January
* Festival of Lights 2017, Worcester Common Oval, Dec 1, 4:30-8pm
* Festival of Lights at Edaville USA, Carver, MA - Nov 18 to Jan 1 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
* Festival of Trees, Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield MA, Nov 17 - Dec 31
* Festival of Trees, Methuen, MA - Nov 18 - Dec 2
* Festival of Trees and Snow Village, Elms Bank Gardens, Wellesley, Nov 24- Dec 10
* First Night Boston, Boston, MA - Dec 31
* First Night Trail Walk, Holliston MA Rail Trail, Dec 31 - check FB for updates
* Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich, MA, Nov 24 - Dec 30 (Fri, Sat, Sun), 4:30-8:30pm
* Holiday Giving Tree Lighting and Events @ Patriot Place, Nov 22, 4-9pm
* Lights of Boston, Boston, MA - no info available for 2017
* Lighting of the Green, Taunton MA, Dec 2, 3-8pm
* Marblehead Christmas Walk, Marblehead, MA - Nov 30 - Dec 3
* Middleborough Drive-Through Festival of Lights, Dec 9, 10, 16, 17, 4-9pm
* Nantucket Christmas Stroll, Nantucket, MA, Dec 1-3
* National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro, MA - Nov 23 to Jan 1, 5-9pm daily. Free event, donations appreciated.
* Polar Express Holiday Celebration, Wachusett Mountain, Dec 16, 11am-2pm
* Rockport's Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival by Boat, Rockport, MA - Dec 2, 1-5pm
* Stoughton's Parade of Lights and Winter Warm Up, Dec 9, 5-8pm
* Winter Reimagined, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA - Nov 24 to Jan 7
* ZooLights at Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA - Nov 24 to Dec 31, 5-9pm (closed Dec 25)

Franklin, MA
* Christmas Handbell Concert at Franklin Federated Church, Nov 25, 7:30pm
* Santa on the Town Common - Sun, Nov 26 at 4pm (to be confirmed)
* Ceramic Christmas Tree Class, Dec 1, 1-3pm (7-10 years old) - Franklin Recreation Dept. (registration required)
* Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Elks Lodge, Dec 2, 8-11am, $7/pp, children under 3 and Scouts in uniform eat free.
* Christmas Fair (including pictures with Santa) at St. John's Episcopal Church, Dec 2, 9am-2pm
* Holiday Open House with Santa Visit at Hillside Nurseries, Dec 2, 11am-3pm
* The Nutcracker - Dec 2 at 7:30pm, Dec 3 at 2pm - at FHS
* Holiday Craft Fair at Franklin Senior Center, Dec 5 and 7, 10am-1pm
* Annual Holiday Shop at Parmenter Elementary School, Dec 6, 5:30-7:30pm
* Holiday Stroll - Downtown Franklin, Dec 7, 4-7pm
* Holiday Stroll with Mrs. Clause, Franklin Historical Museum, Dec 7, 4:45-7pm
* Santa's Foundation Annual Breakfast with Santa at British Beer Company, Dec 9, 9am (call 508-440-5190 to reserve your spot)
* Breakfast with Santa at Franklin YMCA (registration required), Dec 9, 8am-11am
* Cookies with Santa! at Daddario Hardware, Dec 9, 2-4pm
* Winterbloom at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse at FUSF, Dec 9 at 8pm
* Visit Sensory Friendly Santa Clause, Cole's Tavern, Dec 10, 12-4 (registration required!)
* 'Tis the Season at FHS, Dec 9 at 7:30pm, Dec 10 at 2pm
* Lessons and Carols at St. Mary's Church, Dec 10 at 3pm, free event
* New England Irish Harp Orchestra at St. John's Episcopal Church, Dec 10 at 7pm (tickets $10 at the door)
* Stories with Santa! at Learning Express, Dec 11 (6:30-8pm), Dec 13 (10:30am-12pm)
* Chanukah Celebration and Lighting of Freedom Menorah, Dec 12, Franklin Town Common, 4pm
* Christmas Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, Dec 13, 3:30-5pm, Franklin Recreation Dept. - registration required
* Visit with Santa! at Franklin Police Department, Dec 16, 10am-1pm
* Crafts with Santa's Elves!, Dec 16, 11am-1pm, My Little Sunshine Children's Consignment Boutique
* Om for the Holidays with Tranquil Souls Yoga, Dec 16, 4-6pm
* 2017 Santa Skate at Pirelli Veterans Arena, Dec 17, 6-7:30pm (all ages, admission: donation for Franklin Food Pantry, helmets are required)
* Annual Holiday Panto at the Black Box, Dec 22 at 7:30pm, Dec 23 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
* Christmas Lights Show - 39 Hayden Ln, typically Black Friday to New Year's Eve (weather permitting)

Near Franklin, MA
* Pursuit of Presents: Pictures with Santa, Medway - Nov 15, 5-8pm
* Tree Lighting at Patriot Place, Foxboro, Nov 21, 5-7pm
* Medway Christmas Parade (followed by fireworks) at Choate Park, Nov 25 at 5:30pm
* Sachs Family Lights Extravaganza, 21 Mann St., Bellingham, typically from Thanksgiving to New Years, check FB for Open House/Santa's visit
* Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, Mendon - Dec 1 at 6:30pm
* Brunch with Santa at Lake Pearl, Dec 3, 9am-1pm, Wrentham
* Autism Eats: Meet Santa, Restaurant 45 in Medway,  Dec 3, 12-2pm. Registration required!
* Lions Club Santa Parade, Norfolk - Dec 3, 3:30-6pm
* Milford Santa Parade and 2 Mile Run, Dec 3, 4-7pm, Milford MA
* Milford Menorah Lighting and Dinner, Milford, Dec 15, 3:15pm
* Free Christmas Concert and Dinner at Medway Community Church, Dec 17, 4:45pm
* Cookies and Milk with Santa and Mrs. Clause, Foxboro, Dec 19, 12:30-2pm, Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel

RHODE ISLAND
* Christmas at the Newport Mansions, Newport, RI - Nov 18 to Jan 1
* Pawtucket Winter Wonderland, Pawtucket, RI - Dec 2,3,9,10 - 4 to 8pm
* Winterfest at Diamond Hill Park, Cumberland, RI
* Christmas in RI

NEW HAMPSHIRE
* Holiday Guide to NH

CONNECTICUT
* Holiday Lights Displays in CT

VERMONT
* Christmas Activities in Vermont 

MAINE
* December Festivals

Last updated on 12/13/2017

Know of an interesting event not mentioned? Send me an email to Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

StoryWalk® on the SNETT rail trail

As some of you may know, I'd like to give back to our community. In the past few years, I have been an active volunteer member of the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

We have a wonderful rail trail in our backyards, but many people still have not discovered it. To help bring awareness, we have a StoryWalk® event planned tomorrow, Friday 8/25/17, 9-11am on the SNETT (Souther New England Trunkline Trail) in Bellingham (Center Street Trailhead).

Here is a nice article by Heather McCarron in The Country Gazette, where you can read all about it!

http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170824/rail-trail-group-plans-walking-story-event

You can follow our committee and trail events and developments on our Facebook Page too!

See you on the trail!

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Just Sold in Bellingham, MA

This 3 bedroom, 1 bath home found a wonderful new owner. Sold at asking price after 5 days on the market.

Wondering what is your home worth? Send me an email for a free market analysis at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com or call (508) 507-9715.

Just listed - 3 bedroom/1 bath ranch in Bellingham, MA!

38 Donna Road

Bellingham, MA 02019

Offered at $239,900

First showings start at the Open House on SAT 4/29/17, 11am-12:30pm

Second Open House will be on SUN 4/30/17, 2-3:30pm!

This charming ranch home in a desirable North Bellingham neighborhood offers one floor living with updated bathroom and 3 bedrooms. Home has newer vinyl siding, gutters, windows and roof. Beautiful, fenced-in backyard with shed and perennials offers plenty of space and privacy for your summer barbecues. Part of the garage has been converted to a family room, playroom or office (you decide). Close to shopping, restaurants, easy highway access. All appliances are included!

For more details on this listing and photos click here.

Come visit us during our open houses or schedule your private showing. Call/text (508) 507-9715 or email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Summer Street, Franklin MA - Open Letter to the Town Council

As a longtime resident of Franklin, I care about our city's past, present and future. I am all for development of our community, but it needs to be done in a responsible way. Here is my letter to the Town Council on the Summer Street rezoning.

Dear Town Council members,

It came to my attention that the Summer Street applicant is coming back to the Town Council to resubmit the request for a change of Rural Residential I zoning to the Residential VII zoning. 

I am reaching out to you to express my strong opposition to the proposed zoning changes for the Summer Street property. I did appreciate the Town Council members voting NO the first time. As many residents have expressed during the meeting then, there is a reason why people move to that particular part of our town - it is for the rural feel of the area. I think the change to Residential VII does not fit the area or Franklin as a whole (we can all see what the Residential VII looks like at the Village at Cook’s Farm). It also contradicts the mission statement of the Master Plan adopted in 2013, especially the sections “…we are a community dedicated to effective planning, responsible land use, balanced growth,…” and “… we are committed to cultivating accessible open space, a sense of neighborhood, and a desire to preserve the character of our New England town..”.

In August 2016, TC Chair Mr. Matt Kelly wrote a response to inquiries on growth and infrastructure : “As a council we agree that built in thousand of new homes in our community is not an answer, nor is it what we want. The Franklin Town Council has taken a stance to look at smart growth…”

With 800+/- units that are either under construction, approved, before PB or in the work, according to the Jeff Nutting’s letter to the Town Council in October 2016, we seem to be heading in that direction…

I hope you will take this opportunity, as an elected Town Councilor, to show your commitment to serving the entire Franklin, MA community and vote NO on this matter. 

I appreciate and thank you for your service and for your commitment to our city, that is known as The Town of Franklin!

Renata Gilarova
resident

On a lighter note - enjoy the musical stylings of Jamie Barrett and his song "The City Known As The Town Of Franklin". We have a beautiful and safe city to live in and are very fortunate!

For more detailed information about Summer Street and other town matters, please visit Franklin Matters.

Spring forward, test your smoke/CO detectors, change batteries

Daylight saving time will begin at 2am on Sunday, March 12, 2017! 




Whether you enjoy to spring forward or not, it is always a good time to test your smoke and CO detectors and change batteries in all of them.

Please remember that the smoke detectors should be changed every 7-10 years and the CO detectors every 5-7 years.

If you are selling a home, you will need all the detectors in compliance with the Massachusetts law. You can find the latest information HERE. If you have any questions, please contact your local Fire Department, they will be happy to help!

For those of you ready for spring (here in New England), here is a preview of what's to come once the snow melts.

Be safe and feel free to connect with me for a free, no obligation consultation if you are looking to buy or sell your home. Email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com or call/text (508) 507-9715. 

February Break 2017 Happenings in Franklin, MA Area

Ideas for activities, camps, mini-camps in and around Franklin, MA during February break (2/18-2/26/2017).

An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Cafe, Plainville - check their calendar for updates

Artworks Studio, Hopedale - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Barnes and Noble, Bellingham - story times, kids activities, check out their calendar for latest updates

Camp Lucky Ducky, Norfolk

Center for Arts, Natick: Musical Theatre Workshop

Chat Noir Nail Studio in the Medway Mills: Offering Mommy and Me manicures during February Break.  Call to reserve a spot - (508) 887-6185.

Cheryl Cohen Arts Center, Holliston

Dean College Bulldog Baseball Clinic, Franklin : no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Drama Kids of MetroWest, Franklin - Drama Kids and The Dance Studio are offering... Drama Dance... Open to ages 4-10 Boys and Girls, 9am-3pm. Cost is $65 per day or $120 for both days. Lunch-if you want to purchase -will be $5 per day-PIZZA-or you can bring your own. Tuesday and Wednesday February 21st and 22nd!

Flipside Gymnastics, Medway - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

ForeKicks, Norfolk - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Franklin Public Library - find the February calendar here.

Franklin Recreation Department 

Fungineers, Norfolk 

John Smith Sports, Milford - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Learning Express, Franklin - typically various activities (check their Facebook Page for calendar)

Once Upon a Kiln, Bellingham - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Patriot Place, Foxboro - no info available at the time of this post, check back often

Self Esteem Through Art 

Soccer For Smiles Tournament, Franklin - February 20-23, 2017

Stony Brook Audubon Sanctuary, Norfolk - day camps from 9am-3:30pm, 2/21-2/24.

Updated 2/1/2017

* If you know of any events that you would like to add, please contact me at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

New year, new home?

Is finding a new home or selling the one you are in now on your to-do list in 2017? 

Connect with me for a free, honest and personalized consultation. Let me help you assemble a client team, that will make your real estate transaction a pleasant experience.

Call/text: (508) 507-9715

Email: Renata@BetterLivingRE.com