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Open house at Lynn, MA 01905

Ann Marie Jonah — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:35:11 +0000

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Starts: 5/20/2012 12:30:00 PM
Ends: 5/20/2012 2:00:00 PM
For Directions: click on the map image or feel free to contact me.
For more information: click here for the full details

Open House SUNDAY May 20, 2012, 12:30-2:00 Great opportunity to own this pristine Colonial 3 Bedroom Home on a lovely residential street on the river side. This home features total redesign, lovely large eat it kitchen and new granite baths, freshly painted in warm modern colors, plus new lower level office and plenty of room for storage, also has big deck overlooking above ground pool and garage. Refrig, washer, dryer negotiable with full price offer.

Single-Family – Lynn, MA 01905 is now new to the market!

Ann Marie Jonah — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:28 +0000

Perfect West Lynn Cape – Meticulously maintained inside and out. Large fenced yard, newer roof, thermo windows, Pretty As A Picture!

This is a Cape style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.12 Acres, and is currently available for $219,900.

For complete details click here.

What NOT to Do When Selling your Home

Ann Marie Jonah — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:01:38 +0000

Seems these days everyone is telling you what to DO, but where is the DO NOT list when selling your home? Here are three easy tips on what not to do in the sale of your home.

1. Do not get emotional

That is easier said than done -this is your home after all. The more you think of the sale as a business transaction the better and thinking with your heart is not always the best route to take when negotiating a deal.

Buyers will not place the same value on your home as you do. You will have to put your emotional attachment aside. A house is worth what a buyer is willing to pay. Much to the seller’s chagrin, this means that buyers set the market. In most cases, there is a going fee for homes. The price is typically is determined by location, house style, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, and condition to name a few. What is not taken into consideration are the memories and the love you put into taking care of your home.

2. Don’t go it alone

Real estate professionals are skilled to showcase home selling qualities. They are also skilled negotiators who know how to get you the best deal. According to the 2010 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, homeowners that sold on their own property typically received $59,000 less for their home than an agent-assisted home sale.

It can be very difficult for a seller to show and close the deal on their own home. It is usually very awkward for buyers viewing a home while homeowners are still there. It may discourage them from commenting, criticizing things, or even looking as thoroughly as they normally would. A buyer is leery about trusting and working directly with the seller. Negotiations typically break down without the real estate professional’s expertise.

3. Don’t choose the agent who gives you the highest price

Many sellers get caught up in what an agent will say the house is worth. Refer back to number one on this list. The house is worth what the market will bear. Often times an agent may entice you with a higher list price to get the listing, only to drive down the ultimate selling price of your home because it has sat on the market for too many days. Choose an agent based on their reputation, marketing strategy, and one you can trust. You may want to even throw in a gut feeling on the choice. Remember you will have to work with this person so a good relationship is important.

Single-Family – Saugus, MA 01906 now has a new price!

Ann Marie Jonah — Sat, 05 May 2012 16:01:42 +0000

SAUGUS…Wonderful four bedroom colonial featuring two full baths and new state of the art kitchen with attached laundry room. Lots of cabinet space. New first floor bath. Replacement windows. Sliders to deck. Beckett Burner, HW Tank, Top Roof, Exterior Paint all in 2011. New Electric. Large corner lot. 6 BAY 3 DOOR HEATED GARAGE WITH HOIST. Custom dog house for your favorite pet.

This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 4 bedrooms, 0.19 Acres, and is currently available for $389,900.

For complete details click here.

Condo – Lynn, MA 01902 is now new to the market!

Ann Marie Jonah — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:00:39 +0000

Diamond District – Renovated One Bedroom Condo updated kitchen with granite counters. Convenient to shops, the ocean and public transportation

This is a Garden style home and features 3 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 bedroom, and is currently available for $110,000.

For complete details click here.

Single-Family – Lynn, MA 01905 now has a new price!

Ann Marie Jonah — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:00:34 +0000

Motivated Seller- Lynn/Saugus Line 3 Bedroom Ranch with FP Living Room, Hardwood Floors, 1 3/4 Baths, 2 Zone Heat, partially finished basement with cedar closet and easy access to the highways. Ready for a quick closing – and easy to show!

This is a Ranch style home and features 5 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.13 Acres, and is currently available for $219,900.

For complete details click here.

What You Need to Know About Home-Insurance Rates

Ann Marie Jonah — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:01:16 +0000

While most people buy home insurance to protect property from damage, liabilities from accidents on your property are often what drive up your insurance rate. Unforeseen or overlooked risks can drive up premiums or even lead to a rejection. Here are some of the biggest rate-boosters. This article from Bloomberg points out some of the risks you may not even know you have in your home.

Risks that raise rates
While most people buy home insurance to protect property from damage, liabilities from accidents on your property are often what drive up your insurance rate. “Legal liability can be more costly to home insurers than property damage,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute. “People sue for millions of dollars for minor injuries. Companies are not going to walk away from the business because you have a dog or pool, but they’ll charge you more.” Unforeseen or overlooked risks can drive up premiums or even lead to a rejection. Here are some of the biggest rate-boosters.

Beware of dog
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. More than 50% of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, and they account for one-third of all homeowners-insurance liability claims. Consequently, some insurers don’t like aggressive breeds of dogs and may reject clients or charge more if they own pit bulls and Rottweilers. Others will insist on policies that exclude dog-bite coverage. If your dog has a history of violence, expect higher premiums. One potential way to reduce rates: Get Rex some obedience training.

Guarding the pool
Drowning is the leading cause of fatal injury for children ages 1 to 4. Insurers will cover homes with pools, but often at higher rates and with limited liability on their end. They will want to make sure the pool complies with local regulations and safety standards. “We require fences for homeowners with pools,” says Holly Anderson, a State Farm spokeswoman. The CDC estimates that more than half of drowning deaths involving young children could have been prevented by fencing that securely separates the pool from the house and yard. Homeowners can be liable for injuries that occur to strangers who use their pool without their permission.

Trampolines
Trampolines cause more than 100,000 emergency-room visits a year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Because the devices have become such a headache, insurers sometimes refuse to cover properties that have them or place specific “trampoline exclusion clauses” in policies to address liability. To get coverage for that liability, you will pay more. The insurer may require you to take safety measures such as covering trampoline springs with padding and placing the trampoline at a distance from trees and buildings.

Treehouses
According to the National Safety Council, falls account for 26% of all accidental injuries and deaths in the home. Every day, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries; that totals nearly 2.8 million children each year. Treehouses can be primary culprits because of their height. Some insurers have treehouse exclusion clauses or reject applicants if they consider a treehouse too high or poorly maintained. Expect to pay more to cover one for any liabilities.

Guns
Living in a home that contains guns increases the risk of homicide by more than 40%, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Insurers will generally cover gun owners, with caveats. Whether you have used a weapon in self-defense, with criminal intent or by accident will obviously play a big role in how much liability an insurer will assume. Insurers want to know that guns are properly secured, have safety locks and are kept out of reach of children. Failure to disclose that you have a firearm could lead to an insurer trying to deny your claims in the event of an accident.

Big-ticket jewelry
“Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for personal items such as jewelry and other valuables,” Worters says. “However, many policies limit the dollar amount for the theft of valuable personal possessions such as jewelry, furs and precious stones to $1,000 to $2,000.” That wouldn’t match the cost of most engagement rings today. Covering your most valuable jewelry for theft and loss will increase your home-insurance premiums and require both an appraisal of the property and policy riders detailing both the value and nature of the jewelry you want covered.

Home businesses
The typical homeowners insurance policy covers a maximum of $2,500 for business equipment in the home, according to the Insurance Information Institute. It usually doesn’t cover business-related liability if a customer or supplier is injured on your property. “To cover a home business definitely adds to the premium, due to the increased chance of loss, both from a property and liability point of view,” Anderson says. “In many cases, we recommend such a policy through our business lines, which provides much broader coverage than a basic homeowners policy.” If you don’t notify your insurer of your business’s existence and an accident occurs, chances are you won’t be covered.

Heating fires
More than one-third of Americans use wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and other fuel-fired appliances as primary sources of home heat, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Before installing a wood stove or fireplace, notify your insurer. Some insurers may require proof of certification indicating that a stove or fireplace was installed properly. Without that, premiums can increase. Stoves must also comply with local building codes. Failure to notify your insurer of the installation could lead to a voided policy should a fire occur.

Sewer backup
The nation’s 500,000-plus miles of sewer lines are, on average, more than 30 years old. The Civil Engineering Research Foundation reports that the number of backed-up sewers is increasing at a rate of about 3% annually. Unfortunately, sewage backups — just like floods — are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, although the damage from one can amount to thousands of dollars. Coverage will increase your premiums.

Zip lines
Backyard zip lines — cables suspended in midair for people to slide across — have become increasingly popular and can be purchased for as little as $150. These are not the zip lines you find at resorts, but smaller ones that typically run from 100 feet to 400 feet. Injuries from one can be life-threatening if it has been strung high enough from the ground. As with treehouses, insurers look askance at zip lines because of the risk that someone will be injured; they want you to disclose if you have one and may then exclude it from your policy.

Exotic pets
According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, more than 10,000 big cats, 8.8 million reptiles and 3,000 apes are in private hands in the U.S. Whether you have a chimp in your garage or a fondness for tarantulas, chances are that your insurer will want nothing to do with it. Expect exclusions that don’t cover the creature in the house and a separate policy to cover potential liabilities. You may be able to buy a separate exotic-pet insurance policy.

Rental – Lynn, MA 01905 is now back On the market!

Ann Marie Jonah — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:20 +0000

West Lynn Area – Two Family home – Second Floor Apartment with 2 Bedrooms, fenced in yard situated in a quiet neighborhood

This property features 4 total rooms, 1 full bath, 2 bedrooms, and is currently available for $950.

For complete details click here.

Multi-Family – Lynn, MA 01905 is now new to the market!

Ann Marie Jonah — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:43 +0000

Excellent three family home on Saugus line has been family owned and occupied for many years. Some of the improvements include vinyl siding, replacement windows throughout, rubber roof, electric boards, house meter, new third floor furnace, five year old first floor furnace. Meticulously maintained common areas. Lots of parking. Pride of ownership shows throughout.

This property features 15 total rooms, 3 full baths, 6 bedrooms, 0.12 Acres, and is currently available for $289,900.

For complete details click here.

Stock Your Pantry

Ann Marie Jonah — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:01:22 +0000

What’s for dinner? That is always a tough question when its 5:30, you have just walked in the door and all you can find is a box of cereal.

Avoid ordering out or a dinner malfunction by keeping your pantry stocked with a list of staples that will help you make a variety of meals in a jiffy.

1. Canned chicken: At first it may not sound so appetizing but with a storage life of up to a year, canned or pouch chicken can be a lifesaver. Mix it in with casseroles, stir-fries, creamy salads, or even shredded as a topping to a baked potato. You won’t know the difference.

2. Pasta: It doesn’t matter what kind; spaghetti, linguini, rotini, penne, macaroni,–the list goes on. Pasta is best served to add bulk to a meal. Pasta can be an alternative to rice which can take longer to cook. Add pasta to soups, sauces, with cheese or vegetables and you will have a home-style meal in minutes.

3. Jarred Tomato Sauce: You have the pasta in the pantry so having a quick jar of sauce is a no-brainer. It’s not your mother’s homemade sauce but it will do in a pinch. Tomato sauce is actually very versatile and can also be used in soups, stews, and chili recipes.

4. Rice and Grains: Grains can be used as a quick side to any meal or bulk up any dinner. Stock up on quick-cooking rice, bulgur, and barley. Serve grains with a simple stir-fry or mixed with veggies and an egg for an easy fried rice dish. Mix flavored rice boxes with ground beef for an easy, one-meal dish.

5. Canned Beans: Beans are high in protein; they have a long shelf life and can be a part of lots of different dishes. Heat and mash them for a filling soup or drain and mix them with canned veggies for a light and flavorful dip or vegetable salad. Any kind of beans will do; Black, Pinto, Cannellini, Great Northern, or Garbanzo, just choose your favorite.

6. Canned Vegetables: It is so difficult to use fresh-bought produce before it wilts. Canned vegetables to the rescue, they last much longer. Combine an assortment with broth and seasonings for an easy vegetable soup or add them to pastas, dry soup mixes, casseroles, or rice.

7. Canned Salmon and Tuna: Protein is good for you and helps fill you up. Canned salmon and tuna can be used for easy meal ideas. Serve in salads, pitas, pasta dishes, burgers, loaded potatoes, croquettes, and even as light appetizers or snacks.

8. Canned Tomato Products: Canned tomato products can be turned into so many things. Stock up on paste, stewed, diced and whole tomatoes. Diced tomatoes make a great queso dip when added to melted cheese. Add to ground beef and taco seasoning for a zesty burrito supper, or to a skillet with seasoning for a homemade pasta sauce. Use stewed tomatoes in soups and stews.

9. Peanut Butter: Everyone loves a PB&J sandwich, but peanut butter can be used on the dinner table for Asian-inspired flavor in dips, sauces, and stir-fry. Try it for a snack spread on celery stalks or apple slices, or as a spread with multigrain crackers.

10. Canned Fruit: Fruit for dinner? Why not? Jarred cherries, canned fruit, including pineapple, mandarin oranges, and even fruit cocktail can be used as a healthy and lean side dish. Try serving grilled pineapple with chicken, add mandarin oranges to salads, and fruit always makes a great dessert.