Getting to Know Your New Neighborhood

December 21, 2022/in Community /by Cara Chatellier

You’ve just closed on the home of your dreams, and after moving in, you want to get to know your neighborhood. There are a lot of reasons you chose the location of your new home, like the incredible school district and short commute to work, but you haven’t had the chance to explore. Here are my suggestions for getting acquainted with your new community!

Get outside

Walking around your block is a great way to experience your new neighborhood. Take this as an opportunity to turn down a street you’ve never been on before, explore local architecture, and make a mental note of places that pique your interest. You can do this more than once and it’s a great activity for the whole family. Plan trips around the neighborhood so that everyone can become familiar with the area.

On the Northshore, there are some great walking neighborhoods, especially near the water. A few of my favorites include –

Lothrop Street, Beverly
Pickering Wharf, Salem
Bearskin Neck, Rockport
Harborwalk, Gloucester, MA

Stroll downtown

Depending on the neighborhood, your designated downtown may look different. In a town like Salem, the businesses are densely populated, while in Marblehead there are two downtown areas. Before you head out, consider doing some online research and making a list of must-visit spots.

This is your opportunity to get to know local businesses and hotspots.

Explore historic sites, art murals, and outdoor spaces like parks. Be a tourist for the day and really check out the places you might normally overlook. New England is rich in history, and you might learn something new about your town.

Here are some neighborhoods with my favorite downtown areas –

Salem, MA – The new Destination Salem app is available for iOS and Android.
Beverly, MA – Explore local trails & view maps online.
Rockport, MA – The city has its own digital walking map.
Marblehead, MA – Look at a collection of outdoor spaces, walking trails, and town jewels.

Attend events & join groups

Many local communities have their own websites, online calendars, and other digital resources that can be accessed with a quick Google search. Free events hosted by your town are a great way to meet people that live in the area and foster a sense of community. Events like local farmers’ markets, block parties, and parades can be enjoyed by family members of all ages. Local spaces like public libraries often host events for children & teens.

The Northshore Moms is a local network with great resources for anyone in the area – find event calendars, read interviews with local moms, get coupons, and more.

Here are examples of community groups to join –

Community theater
Local government & town meetings
Volunteering with local organizations i.e. Food pantries, animal shelters
Public library

Joining a new community should be fun! It’s a time for fresh starts, new friends, and creating memories. Don’t let the excitement of moving prevent you from exploring everything your town has to offer. Whether you’ve been considering a move, or are just curious about moving, contact me today.

Ridding Your Home of Negative Energy

December 12, 2022/in Resources /by Cara Chatellier

It can be easy to let your dark surroundings impact your mood in the cold winter months. When it’s dark at 4 pm, how are you supposed to finish the day in a productive way? Winter is the perfect time to cleanse your home of any negative energy that may have been accumulating over the past few months. If your home is feeling stagnant, or you are feeling stuck in the same routines, these tips are for you!

Clean

Though it may seem obvious, cleaning up is an essential first step in cleansing the energy of your space. When there is too much clutter, the energy in your home can feel stale, as it does not have paths to flow freely. Make sure your hallways are especially clear, as they direct the traffic of energy throughout the entire house. Try to let in as much light and fresh air as possible (for a New England winter, that might not be much!) to promote a movement of positive energy.

Burning Sage

You have probably heard of burning sage as a method of ridding your home of negative energy. But have you ever tried it for yourself? If you are in a new space, recovering from illness or tragedy, or are simply not feeling happy in your home, sage is for you. Make sure you do this step before you set new intentions, as it will cleanse all existing energy to make room for the new.

Set Intentions

Even if you have already lived there for years, setting intentions for each room is a great way to ensure that you are making the most of your home. Doing a home blessing can ensure that you have designated areas for each aspect of your everyday routine. State aloud what you would like each room to be for, and how you picture yourself succeeding in it.

A New Smell

Introducing a new scent to your space can make a drastic difference in your mood. Consider a lively and vibrant scent like lemon or orange (musky or deep scents are not going to feel uplifting)! You can do this in your cleaning process, buy a brightly scented candle, or try out an essential oil diffuser.

Redecorate

Perhaps the reason for negativity in your home is a lack of energy flow. Following the rules of feng shui, think of ways that you could rearrange furniture and decor in order to invite positive energy to flow freely through each room. Sometimes a simple adjustment can bring new life into a previously negative or unproductive area!

Try Something New

There are many different practices for ridding negativity according to different spiritual beliefs. If you have a distinct connection to a certain religion or heritage, look into what their preferred method of cleansing is! You can also look into practices that are designed for your specific goals. Different herbs are thought to promote particular energies when burned. For instance, burning rosemary can bring about new beginnings, and burning juniper brings an energy of comfort!

Not every cleansing practice involves burning, however. Some people swear by the use of different crystals, while others practice the cleansing power of sound. You can use a sound bowl, a bell, or simply clap your hands together. The important part of this practice is to insert a sharp and sudden sound in every corner of your rooms. Be sure to open the windows before you begin, so all of that negative energy will have somewhere to go!

No matter your beliefs or how you choose to rid your home of negative energy, this can be a very fun practice that will bring fresh life to your space. Most of these solutions can be done immediately at no cost to you! Whatever method you choose, keep an open mind and give it your best effort. Contact me today iif you have any questions, or if you are ready to start the process of buying or selling a new house!

Understanding a Mortgage Pre-Approval

May 10, 2021/in Loans & Mortgage /by Cara Chatellier

When it comes to purchasing a home, a mortgage pre-approval is often the first step in your process. It is nearly impossible to begin your home search without understanding the amount of money you qualify for. No matter the type of loan you decide to use, from VA to conventional or FHA, all mortgage lenders can (and should!) provide you with a pre-approval to use as the basis in your home purchase search. With this in hand, you can confidently work with a realtor to scope out and secure the home of your dreams.

A mortgage pre-approval dictates your purchasing power.

In short, a mortgage pre-approval is an official letter that you receive from a lender that advises the max amount of money you can borrow for the purchase of a home. It shows realtors and sellers that you have been vetted and are pre-approved for a home loan. This provides security for all parties involved. Most lenders use the terms, “preapproval” and “prequalification” interchangeably when it comes to a borrower’s purchasing power, but there may be a slight difference that you want to look into. Typically, pre-approvals require a more in-depth review of a borrower’s credit history and financial health. With prequalifications, some lenders don’t require a full credit review prior to providing you with their prequalification letter. It is best practice to stick to one that reviews your financial health to set you up for the best home purchase success once you decide on a home to put an offer in on.

Mortgage pre-approvals require personal information.

In order for lenders to make a reasonable decision on your pre-approval request, personal information must be provided and reviewed securely by your lending institution.

Some of the most standard and requested information includes:

Credit history
Proof of income
W2’s for the last two to three years
Pay stubs
A copy of your identification (license or state ID card)
Bank statements
Social security card
Asset list
Debts to determine your debt to income ratio

Pre-approvals are not indefinite in their timeframe.

Although pre-approvals are the best way to secure your stance in the real estate market as a buyer, they don’t last forever. Going into the purchasing process knowing what you want in a home is important to beginning the search, even prior to your pre-approval receipt. Once you decide on purchasing a home sit down and make a checklist of what you need prior to seeking outside assistance from a lender and realtor. Include a pre-approval on your list of must-haves along with your dream home needs. Remember that it’s also important to have all documentation ready to go prior to meeting with your lender. This keeps things moving and keeps everyone involved more organized. As you search for your home, be concise in your decisions while keeping your pre-approval letter in mind. Typically, pre-approval letters are good for 60 to 90 days from issuance, but it varies by state. Check with your lender to ensure the exact timeframe on your pre-approval and request what additional steps need to be taken if you go past that timeframe without securing a home.

There are many factors to consider when deciding to purchase a home. Whether it’s your first home or your tenth, a mortgage pre-approval is key to your leverage and security in the purchasing process. If you think now is the time for you to buy the home of your dreams, let’s work together and start your pre-approval process and home buying checklist today.

Supporting North Shore Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 16, 2020/in Community /by Maura Allard

Over the last few weeks, the world as we know it has been flipped upside down all thanks to COVID-19; the novel coronavirus that’s been sweeping across the nation (and world) sickening our family, friends and neighbors. It is imperative that we listen to the rules regarding social distancing, hand washing and face masks, but we must not lose sight of the valuable people in our lives amongst the chaos. Now more than ever, we need to support one another. We need to stick together as a North Shore community and care for our people.

Throughout the community, essential businesses are ready and willing to serve our needs; from filling our plates to caring for our loved ones, these wonderful people are on stand-by. There are many non-essential businesses that have pivoted away from their standard practices to keep their clientbase happy and engaged, offering online versions of classes and meetings.

Below are some of my favorite spots, and people, to support right here in the North Shore. I hope that you can join me in supporting those who have kept our community afloat during all of the highs and lows we have faced together.

Take Out Food

Crave – Located in Beverly they pride themselves on offering, “great food to go.” From breakfast sandwiches to cupcakes and coffee, there is something to satisfy everyone. They are open daily from 8AM to 2PM for pickup.

Tartine Kitchen & Eatery – Also located in Beverly, they create everything from breakfast to dinner items and specialize in tartines, open faced sandwiches served on artisan bread. They are offering pickup and delivery during the pandemic.

Frank – Located on Rantoul Street in Beverly, this is the idealistic “farm to table” restaurant. They believe in sourcing their ingredients from locally sustainable farmers whenever possible. They are currently offering online ordering for easy pickup or delivery. During order check out they even give you to open to donate meals to Beverly Hospital to support frontline health workers.

Joe’s on a Roll When craving the best lobster in town, Joe’s, on Federal Street in Beverly, is the spot of choice. Their lobster roll paired with a bowl of their delicious chowda’ will lift your spirits and give you a taste of your favorite summer nights. They are open for takeout and delivery. Dig in!

Wrapture if you’re looking for freshly made wraps or a bit of Mexican flair (think made-for-you burritos or tacos) then this is the place! Located on Cabot Street in Beverly, Wrapture uses fresh ingredients to please your palate. They are currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm.

Taste Buds Kitchen – If you’re looking for some variety in your meals, the new cooking club Taste Buds is perfect! They post new cooking videos every Tuesday and Thursday and are great for your entire family to participate in. Sign up is free and supports the No Kid Hungry program; talk about a win-win.

Activities & Self-Care

Clay Dreaming Pottery Studio – If you’re looking to wash away the COVID blues, a Pottery To Go Kit may be just what you, and your family, need. Currently offering this contact-free service via an order online and mailing process, you can pick your favorite clay pieces, your ideal paint colors and the glaze you need to complete your creations. You can add on paint brushes and palettes as needed. All project needs are shipped to you. You can bring you pieces back to the studio on 5/4 to get it fired up in the kiln.

Boston Botanicals – I can’t say enough about how much I love the bath bombs from Boston Botanicals. During these stressful times, it is so important to focus on self-care and de-stressors to get us through. The products offered by this amazing boutique will help you relax and unwind. Order online to support a North Shore staple.

Lisa Ann Schraffa Santin Stylist – If you are in need of the perfect “Stay at home” style, Lisa Ann is your go-to woman. She is currently pivoting her approach a bit and hosting online events teaching women how to dress for Zoom (and other digital) meetings. Be best dressed from home while supporting a local.

Fitness and Personal Training Classes – Both Spectrum Fitness Consulting and Fitness Together: Beverly are offering online 1:1 training classes to take in the comfort of your home. They are both local fitness studios that keep us healthy and fit as a community. Fit Ritual is offering online classes which I haven’t tried yet, but they look great!Stay on track from home with these programs, customized for you.

Craft Beer Pickup

Old Planters & Channel Marker Brewing– If you want to pick up some brews made right in Beverly, MA. Old Planters and Channel Marker Brewing offer a taste of the North Shore. If you want to try both, you’re in luck because they’re located right down the street from one another!

Whether you’re looking for a new activity to try with the extra at-home time you have on your hands or want to try a new restaurant, I encourage you to support our local community in your endeavors. I would love to hear some of your top suggestions to support in the North Shore so please feel free to share them with me.