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28 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, March 19, 2021 HOMES MORE&homes This is a paid advertisement more This is a paid advertisement
The challenges of moving with children
By Michelle Gillespie
In this active real estate market, many families are looking to move to a larger home or relocate to another community. This brings many challenges while buying or selling a home but I can help.
Michelle Gillespie, REALTOR® MEGA AGENT Direct Line: 508-934-9818 michelle@michellegillespie.com www.michellegillespie.com
MICHELLE GILLESPIE REALTORS 10 MAIN STREET, NORTHBOROUGH
Moving into a new home brings with it a lot of emotions, particularly for families moving with children. Excitement and enthusiasm are coupled with anxiety and apprehension as to whether children will take to the new home and neighborhood. Carefully preparing children for the move, both practically and psychologically, will help ease the transition and make the process smoother and more enjoyable for the entire family.
For over 15 years I have been helping families move and offer the following advice on how to make sure children of all ages cope with the home buying process and the big move.
Here are a few recommendations that I share with my clients when it comes to moving with children.
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Explore - After deciding on a new home, I can help your family discover their new neighborhood by showing you the playgrounds, community centers, recreation areas and other areas important to the children that help make the environment seem more familiar. tain an open dialogue with children about the decision to move to a new house. Engaging them at the beginning of the process will give them time to get used to the idea and ultimately accept the change. Explain the reasons behind the move, and answer questions truthfully. However, early discussion does not mean it is necessary to bring them to every single home being considered, especially very young children. Once the choices have been narrowed down to perhaps two or three, bring them to the homes so they can begin to feel familiar with new surroundings. Listen - Listening to what children are saying about the move is just as important as talking to them about it. By paying close attention to their statements and reactions, parents can alleviate any fears. This is especially important for school-age Theresa K. Capobianco, Esq. children and teenagers who 88 Main Street, Suite C may be reluctant to leave Northborough, MA 01532 their friends and classmates. 508-653-1770 (t) 508-650-1869 (f) Theresa K. Capobianco, Esq. 88 Main Street, Suite C Northborough, MA 01532 Avoid being dismissive of their social concerns; theresa@capolawfirm.com 508-653-1770 (t) acknowledge them and remind them about the new opportunities that await Estate planning, probate law, probate litigation, trust & fiduciary law, 508-650-1869 (f) theresa@capolawfirm.com real estate law (purchases, sales, leases, landlord/tenant), Estate planning, probate law, probate litigation, trust & fiduciary law, them. Focusing on the positives of the move may help settle down anxious real estate litigation, civil litigation, small business representation real estate law (purchases, sales, leases, landlord/tenant), real estate litigation, civil litigation, small business representation children.
MOVING IN
Comfort - Pack up the children’s rooms last to minimize disruption. The longer they feel secure in their own rooms, the easier the transition will be. Then, set up their new bedrooms first so they feel like they’re back in familiar surroundings. And do not completely redecorate the children’s rooms in the new home; maintain continuity so the children feel secure. It is very important to return to normal routines as quickly as possible, so set up the kitchen second. Try to serve meals at the same times as before, so there is not too much change all at once.
Engage - Show the children all the other rooms in the new home and let them participate to a degree in decorating decision-making. By accepting input on decoration, parents will make their children feel like they are part of the process.
Surprise - Arrange for special treats to be waiting for everyone at the new house. New games or new cuddly friends will keep the children busy during unpacking and make the first memory of the new house a pleasant one to remember. OUR CURRENT
MARKET
The spring market is here with many buyers looking to purchase a home. With record low interest rates and the limited inventory, I am expecting a robust spring market. I received many calls from buyers and buyers agents looking for homes for sale in Northborough, Westborough, Marlborough, Shrewsbury and Southborough. If you are considering selling your home this year, please give me a call for a free market analysis. You will be pleasantly surprised at the value of your home as they have appreciated significantly over this past year.
LET ME
HELP YOU
I have many years of experience working with families to sell and buy a new home. This past year, during the COVID19 pandemic, I sold many homes and moved many families successfully and safely into their new homes. I have a family of my own, so I understand the unique challenges involved with moving families. In addition, we have many safety protocols in place when selling a home to give the sellers peace of mind.
If you are thinking of selling this year, please give me a call. I would love to talk with you about selling your home. You can reach me at 508-934-9818 or email me at michelle@ michellegillespie.com.
Visit my website at www.michellegillespie.com to request a free market analysis. I look forward to hearing from you.
Shrewsbury takes stock of its historic homes
Gideon Harlow House - 234 Gulf St. circa 1827
PHOTOS/MELANIE PETRUCCI
By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter
SHREWSBURY – A Special Town Meeting was held Oct. 21, 2019 at which voters adopted Article 5 which would fund a survey of historical homes and properties to determine their historical value.
The passage of this Article was the culmination of the work of several people in the community who were passionate about preserving historic buildings, notably the Shrewsbury Historic Preservation Committee (SHPC) which was formed in 2018 by the Board of Selectmen to focus on historic structures worthy of long-term protection from demolition.
When recently asked about the survey’s importance, Paul Schwab, member of the Shrewsbury Historical Commission said, “When they [historical buildings] are gone, they’re gone!”
“The Historical Commission and interested residents have advocated for a preservation bylaw to protect our historic assets, most recently at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting, where a
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International Sterling Society citizens petition was filed and ultimately voted down at the request of the petitioners to allow for a comprehensive inventory of historic properties to occur,” remarked Beth Casavant, chair of the Board of Selectmen.
Casavant added that the intent of the survey was “to take an objective look at places of possible historic significance using a concrete set of criteria so that everyone in the community, including those that own those properties, are all on the same page.”
Since the fall 2019 Town Meeting, the Shrewsbury Historical Commission collabo-
Historic homes | 31
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By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer
NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Cultural Council (NCC) continues outreach to local performers and artists interested in showcasing their talent. The goal is to support the local artists with visibility and to give the community the opportunity to enjoy their talents. This mission is accomplished by an annual CultureFest and grant opportunities.
Annual CultureFest
NCC adapted its 3rd Annual Northborough CultureFest to the pandemic safety and health protocols. The event was held virtually on Nov. 6 and was a success. The format may have changed, but there was no change in the abundance of talented Northborough residents.
Nineteen artists, ranging from novice through professional, submitted performances, art work and displays that were carefully edited to create a one hour show. The show premiered on Northborough Cable Access Television (NCAT). It can be viewed on Northborough Cable’s YouTube channel. Search for Northborough Cultural Council 2020 Virtual CultureFest of Music Arts.
The musical group Fate’s Landing performs at the 2019 CultureFest
Grant applications reviewed
NCC discussed the 21 grant applications received for the 2021 grant cycle at their Jan. 21 meeting. The total requested funding is $15,755, which surpasses what NCC has available to award. The discussion will continue at their next meeting.
“The good news is that the word is getting out and that we can help artists in their craft and talents,” said Chair Terry Un- Dancer Nursin Ata performs at the 2019 derwood. “While CultureFest we would like very much to help everyone with “We would like to thank all their requests, the Northbor- of the artists and encourage ough Cultural Council is just everyone to continue to share not able to do so.” their talent, skill or craft with
Decisions on grant funding the community,” Underwood is based on what proposals said. “We also encourage people and projects best meet the to apply in the future, to mulpriorities of the NCC, fit the tiple local cultural councils, Northborough community, and also look to the state as and follow the Mass Cultural there are other grants available.”Council guidelines. Cultural Council | 31
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Selvi Oyola makes announcements at Northborough Cultural Council’s 2019 CultureFest Artist Katherine Wu at the 2019 CultureFest
Cultural Council | from page 30
“The arts are alive in Northborough and in the surrounding community,” said Underwood.
NCC has 7 additional members including Treasurer Craig Cox, Secretary Bich-Ngan Nguyen, Suzanne Cox, Selvi Oyola, Heidi Knight, Lori T. Pandit, and Lesley Shore. If you have art in your heart and enjoy bringing fun to the community, NCC welcomes you to join their committee.
Grant information can be found at www.massculturalcouncil.org. NCC information can be found on the town’s website www.town.northborough.ma.us/cultural-council.
Shrewsbury takes stock of its historic homes
Historic homes | from page 29 rated with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar to move the survey forward.
“This mission and the vision of the [Historical] Commission is to oversee a survey and to make recommendations for preservation to the Board of Selectmen…” Schwab said. “But then COVID hit and it halted everything.”
“So, we were in a really tricky waiting period for many, many months so as that [COVID] ticked down a little bit over the summer the renewal effort to try to get that going again picked back up as we came into the fall,” Schwab explained.
Survey has begun
Work on the survey is now underway. The architectural firm Spencer, Sullivan & Vogt: Architecture & Preservation, based in Charlestown, was awarded the contract just prior to the holiday season.
Gerry Sullivan, principal, remarked that they are surveying roughly 160 historic buildings, (mostly residential) that have been determined to have some historical character. They also are assessing the conditions of the structures according to criteria set by state standards.
Shrewsbury recently adopted the Community
The Little House - 675 Main St. circa late 1700’s
Preservation Act (CPA) at the November 2020 general election.
As such, he noted that survey findings can impact what buildings might be eligible for CPA funding.
Through the use of maps and other historical information, they can assess the age that a structure was built, when any additions were added and whether there is any historical significance as far as the people who lived there.
Sullivan said that he was surprised that the stock from the early 19th century is still fairly substantial.
The survey is expected to be complete this spring.
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