Guide Me Home 2 South Of Boston - Home

The Old Oaken Bucket

2010-08-25T16:59:00Z

There is a beautiful poem titled The Old Oaken Bucket, written in the 1800’s by Samuel Woodworth, that begins:

”How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view!………….”

The country charm of a circa 1800 center chimney cape surrounded by well established perrenial gardens, stone walls, beautiful old shade trees, and a 1.35 acre tranquil setting, is always appreciated, especially when you visit this picturesque home at 48 Old Oaken Bucket Road in Norwell which stood in its present location when that poem was dreamed up.

The dreamy screen porch overlooks this nice little spot where you can curl up with a book and relax while your gardens grow well on a rainy day like today. The homestead where the old oaken bucket sits down the street makes me wonder if Samuel Woodworth would visit at this house when he was a boy, and where children had schooling, and if they fished in Scituate Harbor for their supper after working on farms during the day.

When I hold open houses I am always impressed by the numbers of young buyers who still are enchanted by these antiques - often asking if there are ghosts - oh, yes, I tell them, they keep me company to never be bored.

Expansions and updates make this a move in condition home, with room for more to be done for anyone who chooses to. It is how an old house should be, every owner leaving a little something more to add to the history and the mystery that creates the lore of life and little neighborhoods.

For today, a 3.2 mile drive to Greenbush will put you on the train to Boston, or a few minutes in another direction to the highway or bus, or boat….but come home, put your feet up, and you simply relax when you are within the comforting walls of a wonderful old home.

Please email me at Kmorse@jackconway.com or call 781-799-7651 anytime!

Posted by: Kristen Morse

Perfect Summer Day on a Thin Budget

2010-08-19T15:02:00Z

It’s the perfect summer day, you have only a couple of hours to have some fun, the kids are cranky and your budget is thin. What to do? Pack up some PB&J sandwiches, snacks, & off you go to:

Visit the secluded tiny beach at the Scituate Light House where the sand is white, the water inviting, and the view of the harbor makes you simply smile. It is just on the other side of the photos shown here and I never knew it existed when my kids were little, so hope others can take advantage of this picturesque little beach.

There is a jetty to one side, great fun for kids to walk out into the ocean where you see fish jumping & sailboats & simply enjoy the day! Best of all, FREE PARKING, and I’ve never been there when there was not a spot, and someone is usualy selling hot dogs and drinks in the parking lot.

Email me anytime if you want some ideas or hints on where to do. I’m happy to help you find your new home on the South Shore of Boston, especially Norwell, Scituate, Hanover, Marshfield, Pembroke, Rockland, Hingham and Cohasset….other towns, too, just let me know how I can be of help to YOU!

Posted by: Kristen Morse

Memorial Day Weekend in Norwell, MA

2010-06-04T16:45:30Z

It was the perfect Memorial Day week end on the South Shore of Boston, with warm sunny days freshened on Sat afternoon with a nice shower for newly planted annuals, followed by a clear evening sunset; Sunday and Memorial Day perfect. Everyone was out enjoying it and especially preparing gardens for summer.

In real estate, Saturday and Sunday are working days, and I saw great houses, animals and then planted about 100 impatiens in the evenings.

Memorial Day was catch up day but by 3 pm I needed a break, so down the street I drove to visit customers I sold a house to who had asked me to see their renovations in progress - and then to the Bulman Marine @ King’s Landing in Norwell on the North River, right next to them where you can rent a boat and go off for fishing and a picnic in Scituate.

Ahhhh, just 5 minutes taking photos and breathing the cool ocean breezes along the river gave me the lift I needed to go home and get back to work. It was a moment to inhale nature, smile at a dog playing in the water and see people about enjoying the day. South Shore of Boston is a beautiful place in which to live!

Posted by: Kristen Morse

Springtime in Norwell

2010-04-07T19:19:00Z

It is like magic when April 1 hits if we're lucky enough to have nice weather. One year a blizzard took an enourmous pine tree through the back of my house. This year sunshine gave way for lots of perennials to bloom & to enjoy beautiful days for my visiting family from Washington & Oregon. As always, I love to show Boston & my south shore to guests.

We drove to Plymouth to see the Rock & Duxbury Bridge their first night here, then Provincetown & Cape Cod beaches the next day. Sandwich Glass Museum was fascinating, and they were in awe of Cape Cod's dunes. Dinner at the Chatham Inn ended the perfect Cape Cod day trip!

Three days of museums in the rain were perfect. Museum of Science Boston, MIT Museum and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston were wonderful. Parking for all three was no problem, but the "T" is equally easy. The freedom trail was another perfect daytime activity, and for that I drove them to the Hingham Shipyard for a perfect sunny day boat ride into Boston.

A drive along the ocean through Cohasset, Hull & Scituate one day ended at the Millwharf restaurant where I took this photo. It is the perfect place to sit and eat while enjoying the perfect view of ocean, boats & Lighthouse off in the distance. For the price it can't be beat.

Want to know more about Boston & the South Shore? Call me anytime at 781-799-7651 or email kmorse@jackconway.com. I'm always happy to hear from you and help you to pack your days filled with fun & interesting things to do. Today is projected for 85 degrees ~ Yes, summer is on the way!

Posted by:Kristen Morse

Marshfield Real Estate

2010-02-02T22:16:00Z

I took a statistics class in college and I remember it wasn’t easy. But still, as I read Kristen Morse’s last post about real estate in Norwell, I felt inspired to give it a go. I pulled some data from the last quarter of 2008 so I could compare it to the last quarter of 2009 to see where we’re at now compared to the same time last year.

I should preface these figures by saying my sample includes homes listed and sold by brokers in our town. Because I pulled my data from the MLS, it does NOT include private sales like “For Sale By Owner” transactions (which, by the way, averaged a sales price of $153,000 in 2008 versus an average sales price of $211,000 for homes sold by Realtors - according to the Board of Realtors).

I also tried to eliminate distortion by removing the two most extreme values in every sample. For example, a 10 acre riverfront estate sold for 2.3 million in November of 2009 and that would have really skewed my results for 2009, so as a rule I removed the two most expensive as well as the two least expensive sales from every time period.

With that said, when I finally ran the numbers I got some pretty good news - prices only fell by about 1.3% last year! Much better than 2008 when prices were falling by 1% every month. Here is the data:

Average single-family home sold in Marshfield
from October – December 2008: $396,500
from October – December 2009: $391,500

Number of single-family homes sold in Marshfield
from October – December 2008: 39
from October – December 2009: 69

So I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief here. People are finally buying again, and after months and months of watching our home values drop and drop, I think we’re finally starting to level off.

I wish you all a prosperous year of successful home transactions! And remember, for more information on the real estate market here South of Boston visit my website at www.thehousekimfoundme.com or email me at kjardim@jackconway.com.

Posted by:Kim Herget-Jardim

Longing for Summer

2010-02-02T20:24:00Z

I love living in New England but sometimes it seems like winter will never end. We had a couple of warm days this week but the arctic chill is coming back later this week. I was sitting in the Jack Conway office in Scituate Harbor this afternoon wishing for warm weather and looking at the Facebook page “Memories of Old Scituate Massachusetts. Through The Past Darkly.”

They post wonderful old pictures of the town and its inhabitants. Not to mention postings from current and former residents about their memories of the town. Even if you are not on Facebook you can Google the site.

The white house with green shutters is my listing.

I came across a very old picture of one my listings on the beach in Minot. It is an elegant Seaside Villa. You can enjoy spectacular views of the Ocean, Beach and Minot Light from this six bedroom, four bath home. It has a formal living room with gas fireplace that opens onto a front colonnade and rear sun porch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the warm and inviting cooks kitchen and entertaining in the large dining room. This is the place to enjoy seaside living at its best. Give me a call if you would like your own private tour.

Come discover the ahh factor of living in Scituate, where you can find anything from a small cottage by the sea to a spacious three thousand sq. ft home. Our prices start in the $200,000’s to $2,000,000 plus. I would love to show you my Scituate and the South Shore where I live and sell Real Estate from the office of Jack Conway Realtors at 80 Front Street in Scituate Harbor. Call me at 781-545-4100 or email @ bcox@jackconway.com.

Posted by:Barbara Cox

NORWELL Real Estate

2010-01-13T22:40:00Z

Happy New Year!! We are now into full swing for the 2nd decade of the 21st century.

Turn of the century homes will no longer mean the antiques that once came to mind, but…hmmm, what WILL come to mind? Perhaps big beautiful new homes with enormous great rooms and gourmet, granite kitchens; no wallpaper and hardwood flooring and 3 car garages….and there are now lots of those for sale.

Recent news tells us one out of every four homes is worth less than is owed. This is often referred to as an upside down mortgage, and the percentages on these are climbing daily according to various reports.

Short sales are when you sell a house for less money than is owed to the bank, and the lender accepts taking the loss.

Foreclosures happen when payments have not been made to the lender, even if there is very little left on the note.

The good news is, pending home sales for Massachusetts were up for the 6th straight month in December, and November sales were up 63%, according to Massachusetts Association of Realtors. These are promising statistics and helped by the Buyers Tax Credit. Norwell statistics are:

59 Homes on the market, ranging from $ 170,000 to $ 2,950,000.

11 pending sales, ranging from $ 150,000 to $ 1,949,000

With no crystal ball, I can’t begin to imagine the future of real estate this year. But common sense tells me houses will continue to sell quickly when priced at fair market value.

If you need more information on Norwell or any other towns in Massachusetts, it’s very easy to compile from MLS, so give a call or email and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

I work around the corner and around the Globe, so any move, anywhere, is real estate to me…I LOVE referrals and RELOCATIONS of every kind. I look forward to hearing from you!

Posted by:Kristen Morse

New Years Plunge

2010-01-06T18:03:00Z

I wish I had the guts to plunge this year on New Year’s Day. I mean seriously…what better way to start the year than to push yourself to the limit?

While I just don’t seem to have the ginger for plunging anymore, I can remember a time when I couldn’t get enough of it. I think I plunged 3 times in 2007 and I’ll never forget my very first plunge in 2005. I was at the tender age of 26. I was living with my new husband, new baby, and younger brother who had just turned 20.

In the midst of all my adultness, I remember the young and adventurous vibe of my brother feeling so good. And when he invited me to plunge with his friends I just couldn’t refuse. He asked me at 11:40 a.m. which left me just 20 minutes to prepare, jump in the car, and make it over to Rexhame Beach. And since then I’ve learned that this is the only way to do it. No thinking about it, just doing it.

And MAN is it awesome. I remember that New Year’s Day it was FREEZING outside. There were snow flurries blowing sideways. And the tide was low so we had to run forever just to make it to the shoreline.

I remember my heart stopping as my chest went under water. At least it felt like it stopped. And it wasn’t until I was about half way out of the water that I finally felt it start beating again.

And then it hit me – this sense of love and appreciation that was totally invigorating and had me smiling for hours. I remember thinking:

Thank God my heart is beating. Dude, I love you! And How lucky am I to live here?

Now that’s the kind of vibe I like.

And if that’s the kind of vibe you like, maybe you’d like to try living in Marshfield for a while and taking the plunge on New Years Day.

Rexhame Beach has the most popular plunge in town with at least 100 people every year, plenty of parking, and a big countdown right before 12:00 noon. And of course there are more private parties that plunge in smaller groups up and down the coast.

The coolest thing about Marshfield is that no matter where you live you’re never more than 15 minutes from the beach. And with our vast range of housing opportunities, you’re bound to find a proper fit. For more information on housing in Marshfield please call me at 781.424.9097 or visit my website at www.thehousekimfoundme.com.

Posted by:Kim Herget-Jardim

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-16T18:30:00Z

Tis the season for feeling the love ~ And if you’re not feeling the love this year, maybe it would help to conciously create a list of all the things you are grateful for.

So what are you thankful for this year?

I, myself, am grateful for lots of things. For one - I finally got my website published! After years of thinking about it I finally did it. With the help of Jim Federico of Studio 22 Designs, I now have my very own, very unique website and it feels soooo good.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a house this year, please check out my new website at www.thehousekimfoundme.com. The site is packed with fresh advice and local insight for buyers and sellers on the South Shore.

And if you’re thinking about building a website of your own, call Jim! He can be reached at www.studio-22designs.com.

Posted by:Kim Herget-Jardim

December in Norwell

2009-12-03T17:35:00Z

How quickly our skylines change as the whipping winds blow leaves, pine needles and cones to create a whole new atmosphere; and yes, a whole new workout of fun raking them all up.

We transition from pumpkins and scarecrows to holiday lights twinkling from both old and newer homes. Beginning on Veteran’s Day I plug in the window candles to commemorate our past and present military heroes – many in my immediate family and so many others around me to thank.

I love this time of year in these quaint little towns; all along the coast are quiet little streets that are charming, and simple, and welcoming with their little lights. There are bigger, newer, neighborhoods, too, that join in the festive lighting, and there it is fun and glamorous. One of my neighbors has a true Santa’s Village to drive through and enjoy all their lighted animals, scenes, and full life Santa singing.

Edaville Railroad is a really wonderful take for the season. Located in Carver, MA, you can check it out at www.edaville.com. Riding on a steam train around the cranberry bog that is totally decked out with lighted scenes, is a very festive treat for any age.

We have it all here, along with a wonderful spirit – Boston is filled with revived fun stuff to see : Symphony Hall, The Nutcracker ballet, Santa’s Village~ and don’t forget First Night in Boston, a wonderful way to spend New Year’s Eve! Just email me anytime for ideas: kmorse@jackconway.com. Or call me if you have any questions about the area and what we have to offer. I am happiest when sharing whatever possible to enlighten your day! Don’t forget I sell houses too. Kristen Morse can be reached at: 781-799-765, or on her website: www.KristenMorseRealtor.com. Happy and Safe Holidays to All!

Posted by:Kristen Morse

Why All the Partners?

2009-11-19T17:37:00Z

I like bringing in the added help of a partner if it means my client is being serviced better. Sometimes I bring in a partner because I’m being asked to work in a town I’m not too familiar with. Sometimes it’s purely because I’m busy and I know my limit and I’d rather not be a Realtor who’s constantly on the phone and can never give anyone my full attention.

In any given situation, I like to seek out a partner who has a specific personality or a specific specialty that will be uniquely beneficial to each client and their own needs. What it all boils down to is my daily intention in real estate which is let my clients be well-served. And if that means a cut in my commission because I have to pay a partner then so be it. I know that if I put my clients needs first then the money will follow and everyone will be well taken care of.

If you’re thinking about making a move into our out of the South of Boston area, please call me at 781.424.9097 or visit my website at www.thehousekimfoundme.com. I promise to do whatever it takes to help you in your transition.

Posted by:Kim Herget-Jardim

New Waterfront Listing

2009-11-10T19:33:00Z

Looking for waterfront living in beautiful Scituate. You need to look no further. I just listed a sprawling waterfront ranch on beautiful Musquashcuit Pond.

The home is in the area know as Minot with beautiful Minot Beach just a short walk away. The land is located on what was part of The Timothy Hatherly Farm. Timothy Hatherly was a merchant adventurer who came to the new world as the patron of the Pilgrims. He along with others from the Plymouth Colony came to Scituate in 1630. He chose the best land in town for himself as he settled at what was know as Farm Neck. This is your opportunity to own a piece of this historic land. Spend your summer days enjoying the breezes from the ocean on one side and from the Gulph River that runs down from Cohasset through the marsh on the other. The tidal pond is a mecca for birds of all kinds. The home has three bedrooms, two baths, open floor plan with front to back living room to take in the views. One car attached garage and a bonus room with outside access that can be used as an office/studio. It is listed for $429,900.

Posted by:Barbara Cox

Fall Weather and Open Houses in Norwell

2009-11-09T20:56:00Z

There is nothing like New England to enjoy spectacular fall weather. Early snaps of cold weather did not freeze flocks, impatiens, snap dragons, & geraniums, hanging out to enjoy today’s predicted 75 degrees! The beaches & parks will be filled with those who are not home raking leaves & prepping beds for winter. Blue Hills Reservation is a wonderful hike at this time of year for breathtaking views of South Boston. Click here for more information. One does not need to be wealthy to enjoy the wealth of beauty surrounding us.

Blue skies & sunshine will bring buyers to my open house. This 4 bedroom, 2 bath colonial has hardwood floors, 1st floor laundry, full basement, finished attic, screen porch & deck with large level back yard on one acre of land in Norwell. Listed at $520,000, this is the perfect family home in our sparsely populated Norwell with truly great schools.

If you are moving to this area from out of town, or live here now and want to know more about the housing market, please call me at 781-799-7651 or email kmorse@jackconway.com anytime. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing what I know about our richly endowed natural resources, South of Boston.

Posted by:Kristen Morse

The Real Deal with 9 Hazelwood Drive

2009-11-02T20:55:00Z

These days with the Internet and the MLS it’s really easy to research the real estate market. Using sites like www.jackconway.com, a buyer can register, search, and get all the specs on any property they want.

For example, if you go to www.jackconway.com and punch in MLS # 70938201, you’ll come to 9 Hazelwood Drive in Hingham – an expanded 4 bedroom colonial with a sun room, a 24 foot x 24 foot family room, and a 2 car garage.

While the features are great, I’ve worked with enough buyers to know that the first question after reviewing the specs is “What’s the deal with this house?” They want the in-depth, behind the scenes information that you just can’t find in the MLS listing. So in the spirit of giving buyers what they want, here it is: The Real Deal on 9 Hazelwood Drive…

Where’s the septic system?

The system passed the Title V inspection in August of 2009 – It’s a 1500 gallon tank designed for 4 bedrooms and it is located behind the house to the right side.

How is the house situated on the land?

The plot is shaped like a flat-top pyramid and the house rests right in the middle of it. Lots of frontage, plenty of space both in the front yard and the back yard for parties, parking, swing sets, and anything else you can imagine.

Is there room for expansion?

This house has been expanded already three times. The first addition was the 500 square foot living room to the North, followed by a breakfast room off the kitchen to the South, and finally the addition of a large foyer/sitting room north of the living room with a half bath and attached 2 car garage. While I don’t think there’s much space available to continue expanding to the North or South, I do believe there’s potential to expand the upstairs and create larger bedrooms and/or an additional bath.

Why are they selling?

The house is just too big for its current owner and it’s time to downsize.

Why do I get that warm feeling when I walk across the threshold?

The Lydons are delightful people who built the home from scratch and spent decades growing a big loving family there. I believe the house has actually absorbed some of this good energy over the years and that’s why people get a comfortable feeling as they walk in.

I wish I could capture that warm feeling on camera – if I could, I believe the house would have sold on Day 1. People rely on the Internet so much these days, sometimes it’s hard to get buyers actually out the door to see something. But in the case of 9 Hazelwood Drive, you really need to go there in person to feel the love that’s been absorbed into the wood in the last 40 years. You need to see for yourself that the garage is so clean you could lay out a blanket and have a picnic in it. You need to actually run your hand along the lip of the newly installed silestone counter tops to realize that at $545,000 this house is a great deal.

If you’re considering a purchase in Hingham, you’d be well-served to add 9 Hazelwood Drive to your list of prospects! It’s very easy to see, just call me at 781.424.9097 or send me an email me at kjardim@jackconway.com.

Posted by:Kim Herget-Jardim

Scituate History

2009-10-15T18:18:00Z

Scituate where I live and sell Real Estate for Jack Conway Realtors in Beautiful Scituate Harbor is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts. I recently joined the Scituate Historical Society and am taking a six week course in the history of our town. Over the next few weeks I will let you know about all the interesting Scituate History, its people and places.

Scituate was first settled in 1633. The Men of Kent including Timothy Hatherly. The Pilgrims had left Kent , England to go to Holland to pursue Religious Freedom. However after a time in Holland they wanted to start a new life where they and their children could be true to their beliefs and not be influenced by the Dutch. They did not have they money to make the journey to the New World, so they sought the assistance of Merchant Adventurers who would finance their journey. Timothy Hatherly was one of those Merchant Adventurers.

They landed at Plymouth in 1620. Hatherly received a grant in 1633 for some land north of Plymouth in what is now Scituate. He sought out this land because it lies at the mouth of the North River, had a good harbor, and could be defended by rocky cliffs. He divided up the land along Kent Street for farms . Being a merchant adventurer he was looking for more valuable land. He asked for and received grants for the marsh land north of the harbor. Where he eventually built his own farm . That land which has acres of marsh land was called Farm Neck and is now what we know as Minot and North Scituate to the border of Cohasset.

The early settlers discovered this great town 376 years ago, why don’t you find out what is so great about the South Shore! Come discover the ahh factor of living in Scituate, where you can find anything from a small cottage by the sea to a spacious three thousand sq. ft home. Our prices start in the $200,000’s to $2,000,000 plus. I would love to show you my Scituate and the South Shore where I live and sell Real Estate from the office of Jack Conway Realtors at 80 Front Street in Scituate Harbor. Call me at 781-545-4100 or email me at bcox@jackconway.com.

Posted by:Barbara Cox