Top This! BGreen Needham

Green Homes - Back to Basics Boston - expo

If you are interested in energy savings, green homes, eco-fashion, future cars this is the place to go
d2e  down:2:earth Boston's sustainable living expo.

BACK TO BASICS
Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston St. Boston

Saturday,April 4  11 am to 7 pm
Sunday, April 5th 11 am to 5 pm
Sat & Sunday tickets $10 adults, $8 students & seniors (with id)
Visit www.d2eboston.com for discounts

Exhibitors:  

http://d2eboston.com/about/exhibitors2008.php

Pat Baker, Realtor(R), ABR (R), GREEN(R)
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1 Chapel Street, Needham, MA 02492
(C) 671-435-3471 (O) 781-444-7400 (V&F) 781-446-8697
Search for home in Massachusetts

Tuesdays at "Beverages to Go Dover" - Next to Needham

I have been highlighting a local business and this week I am featuring "Beverages to Go."  On Tuesdays there is always a wine tasting and I wanted to get the word out on that.  I have had Tammy Lamenzo do wine and cheese parties for me around at a property or as part of another event.  She is always a delight and everyone, of course, enjoys the event.  I personally can highly recommend Tammy and Beverages to Go."  I have never been anything but delighted with the service whether I personally go there or Tammy comes to me and my event.

Here is there website and the upcoming Wine Tasting this Tuesday.

    “Tuesday Tastings with Tammy”

Learn a little, laugh a little, live a little

We are delighted to welcome to Ken Brown to our weekly tasting next Tuesday, March 17th from 5-7pm. Yes, we know it is Saint Patrick's day, so when you come in for your beer, you will have a chance to meet Ken. He is from Ken Brown Wines, a small family winery focusing on Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills. Ken produces small lots from some of the region's most highly acclaimed vineyards, including Cargasacchi, Clos Pepe and the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. Check out his website at www.kenbrownwines.com Join Tammy and Jane at Higgins Wine & Spirits Tuesday evenings to taste and learn about wine in a relaxed environment. This is great chance to learn where the wines come from, how to differentiate varietals, what foods to serve with them, and what makes them special. Always free of charge and always low-key. Attend by yourself, with a friend, or make it a night out with a group. 5-7pm every Tuesday evening. Ken Brown, Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley, CA 2007 100% Nielson Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. This Chardonnay is silky and elegant with fresh aromas of gala apple, lemon blossom and honeysuckle, which will gradually evolve into aromas of honey, pear and hazelnut as the wine develops. A rich mouth feel and opulent mid-palate are beautifully balanced by bright natural acidity, a trademark of Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay. The wine culminates in a silky, seamless finish. Our Price: $39.99 Ken Brown, Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County, CA 2006 This wine offers lush fruit aromas on the nose and velvety richness on the palate. Fragrances of sweet, dark cherry are accented by a touch of cinnamon and mocha. An opulent mid-palate features dark cherry flavors and subtle smokiness from well-integrated French oak expression. The wine finishes rich and elegant with a soft touch of tannins. Our Price: $36.99 Ken Brown, Clos Pepe Vineyard, Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills, CA 2006 This Pinot Noir was crafted with a very gentle approach to winemaking, resulting in a wine that is truly reflective of the vintage. Rich aromas of dark cherry, plum and fresh earth combine with hints of French oak instilled spice and a characteristic touch of minerality. The flavors, including hints of plum and currant, are enveloped in a silky mid-palate, which culminates in a long, elegant finish. The wine's alluring perfume, rich, mid-body structure and elegantly balanced tannins suggest excellent development of flavor and complexity with additional cellaring. Our Price: $55.99 Ken Brown, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills, CA 2005 This Pinot Noir displays remarkable purity of expression evident in both the aromas and flavors. Lush aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and brown spice are complemented by a rich earthtone complexity and a touch of minerality. Bright flavors, including hints of wild blackberry and vanilla bean, are supported by a plush texture and a thread of rich tannins. Additional cellaring will be rewarded with enhanced flavor development and complexity in the wine. Our Price: $55.99 Ken Brown, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Syrah Santa Maria Valley, CA 2004 This wine combines aromas of blackberry, dark plum, blueberry and black pepper with a background of smoked meat and French oak instilled spice. The flavors are remarkably extracted with dark fruit components and hints of anise and spice. Firm tannins are softened by a rich, lush mid-palate texture that leads to a round, lingering finish. Our Price: $39.99

	Planning a Celebration? Let us help you make your celebration easier! Call Tammy @ 508-785-2552 for Beverage Catering Call Peter @ 508-785-1843 for Food Catering Call Starr @ 508-429-1060 for bartenders or servers.

	Store Hours Monday–Saturday 9:00am–8:30pm Sunday 12:00pm–6:00pm Higgins Wine & Spirits/Beveragestogo 16 Springdale Avenue Dover, MA 02030

email: info@beveragestogo.com	phone: 508-785-2552	web: http://beveragestogo.com

Top line labels, bottom line prices At beveragestogo, we price our cases of beer and wine as close to wholesale as possible. Whether you need cases of beer and wine for a party or a domestic, imported or microbrew keg for a summer outing, we've got what you need - labels that range from the expected to the exotic at extraordinary prices. And delivery is free, the best price of all. Plus we typically deliver within two business days.Your delivery can arrive at room temperature or cold and frosty. A taste of success Everyone knows good decision-making is the key to any business. So why not practice your decision-making at your own wine tasting? We'll send our wine connoisseur with everything from classic labels to out-of-the-ordinary. We do all the work, you'll have all the fun. A vintage gift What better way to impress a client or someone special with your good taste than sending them a bottle of wine? Order a gift case and we'll enclose gift bags and cards. Give them out all at once or keep them close at hand and whenever special occasions arise, you'll be prepared.

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Ph. 508-785-2552 | Fax 508-785-0880
Avatar, Inc. 16 Springdale Avenue Dover MA 02030
info@beveragestogo.com

Pat Baker, Realtor(R), ABR (R), GREEN(R)
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1 Chapel Street, Needham, MA 02492
(C) 671-435-3471 (O) 781-444-7400 (V&F) 781-446-8697
Search for home in Massachusetts

I love first time buyers. It is a pleasure to help them through the process until find their first home for the joy that comes with that.

Selling Homes & Tax Rules

Well it is tax season and I thought it would be a good time to talk about selling houses.  The law changed about ten (10) years ago and you no longer roll the profit from previous homes.

A few rules to follow to exclude $250,000 of gain as a single person and $500,000 married filing jointly.

1.  During the (5) year period ending on the date of sale, you must have owned the home for a least 2 years.

2.  During that same five year period, you must have lived in the home as your main residence for at least two (2) years.

3.  If you must sell your home for any unforeseen reason, health issues or you are transferred out of area will still be entitled to a partial credit.

To determine the amount of your gain, start with the total purchase price of your home including closing costs and add any major improvements that you made to your home -- not cosmetic, like new paint and carpet but improvements, new concrete, upgrading the furnace or roof, room additions, etc. -- and subtract from the net selling price of the house.  The net selling price is the price less any closing costs you have to pay.

My information came from my CPA  SSC Services, Inc, 2190 NW 82nd St., Suite 4, Clive, IA 50325
                                                     http://www.sscservices.com

Pat Baker, Realtor(R), ABR (R), GREEN(R)
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1 Chapel Street, Needham, MA 02492
(C) 671-435-3471 (O) 781-444-7400 (V&F) 781-446-8697
Search for home in Massachusetts

Tips For Current Homebuyers

The demand for home is about to happen this spring for sure and actually already has which is evidenced by the attendance at open houses by buyers each week.

We have entered the spring market and the rates are the lowest in years along with the $8000 first time buyer tax credit which does not have to paid back if the home owner lives in that home for at least 3 years.  Download The Time is Now (consumer) - Version A

There are 9 tips below but I have this recommendation to make too:  Be sure to get your pre-approval done.  There are 2 reasons for this: 1) You will know the price range you should be looking in 2) So that when you do see something you want to purchase you will be ready with your pre-approval letter.

Below are 9 tips a buyer could be moving in to their home soon.

1.  Cash is king - With down payment increases from FHA and Fannie Mac, cash has more buying power than before.
2.  Negotiate everything. Home sellers will be offering more incentives to sell their home quickly.  Consider asked for  seller paid closing costs, property taxes, and home association fees.
3.  Save for down payment. Set up a budget and include savings.  The ideal goal is for 20% down on your new home.
4.  Determine how much home you can afford.  Understand what you would like to your monthly payment to be before finding out what amount you qualify for.
5.  Improve your credit score.  Check your credit report for reporting errors, pay your bills on time, and do not cancel or close any open accounts.
6.  Research the local housing market.  As you work with your local Realtor, seach on line to find out how long homes have been on the market and what they have sold for.  The more you know, the better off you are in negotiating your purchase.
7.  Watch for certain neighborhoods.  A Realtor knows the area which can be a real asset.
8.  Consider foreclosed homes. With the number of foreclosed homes on the market banks should be eager to sell.  If you do consider foreclosed homes be prepared to wait because the wait time is longer for an answer back from the bank.
Look ahead.  If you don't qualify for a mortgage today continue to watch the market and keep up your savings.
Source: some  - Bankrate.com

Pat Baker, Realtor(R), ABR (R), GREEN(R)
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1 Chapel Street, Needham, MA 02492
Search for home in Massachusetts