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Rodman & Rodman P.C. Experiences Rapid Growth, Adds Staff

Jennifer Murphy
Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm with a specialty practice in clean technology and renewable energy, has expanded their accounting team to accommodate their rapidly growing practice.

Five new accountants have joined the Rodman & Rodman team:

Jennifer Murphy, a resident of Stoneham, has been appointed as an Accountant. Ms. Murphy has more than 15 years of experience in both private and public accounting. She is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and is a tremendous resource for companies using this software. Ms. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

Nancy Kozak, a resident of Hopkinton, has been appointed as an Accountant. Ms. Kozak brings many years of accounting and small business experience to the Rodman team, as she previously owned and operated a professional bookkeeping business in the greater Boston area. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI.

Kate Doherty, a resident of Bridgewater, has been appointed as Staff Accountant. Ms. Doherty holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI and will soon receive a Master’s in Business Administration. She will pursue CPA certification shortly afterwards.

Robert Savidge, a resident of South Boston, has been appointed as Staff Accountant. Mr. Savidge is a graduate of Suffolk University, earning a degree in Accounting with a minor in Management. He is in the process of pursuing his MBA and his CPA certification.

Elysha Sturm, a resident of Foxboro, has been appointed as Staff Accountant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Suffolk University. Currently she is in the process of pursuing a Master’s degree in Taxation and CPA certification.

Two additional Tax Accountants, Tony Perrotta, CPA, MST and Vipul Shah, MBA, MST have joined Rodman & Rodman for tax season ensuring that the practice continues to provide the highest level of service to clients. Tony Perrotta, CPA, MST has a lengthy career in public accounting. He is a graduate of Northeastern University and Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business where he received his Master of Science in Taxation. He is a member of the business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma. Vipul Shah, MBA, MST is a resident of Waltham and has 12 years of accounting and tax experience in the Boston area. Mr. Shah holds a Master of Science in Taxation/Accounting from Northeastern University and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.

Rodman & Rodman has been named #20 out of 100 “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2012 in Accounting Today. This is the third consecutive year that Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For”.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified and has been named by “Accounting Today” as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Lapels Dry Cleaning announces veteran’s discount for new franchises

Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, an innovative, environmentally friendly dry cleaning company headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts. Lapels recently announced a veteran’s discount for new franchises.

HANOVER, MA…

As an organization, Lapels Dry Cleaning is known for giving back to the community. One way is through its environmentally friendly dry cleaning methods. Clothing drives for various causes–ranging from helping out victims of Superstorm Sandy to standard drives for Big Brother/Big Sister organizations—stands as another. With its new veteran’s discount, Lapels is giving back to people who have given the most: our returning soldiers and service men and women.

Lapels is offering a 20 percent discount off their franchise fees to veterans who purchase a Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise. There’s no prerequisite for number of years served. Any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is eligible.

“Our veterans have sacrificed quite a bit for our country and we do owe them more than a debt of gratitude,” said Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning. “With the job market making slow strides towards recovery, some veterans might be more inclined to use the skill set they’ve developed in the military in running their own business. You could not ask for a better franchise opportunity than Lapels.”

Lapels Dry Cleaning has also been named a Military Friendly Franchise® by MilitaryFranchising.com.

Lapels has pioneered its eco-friendly dry cleaning experience for the past 10 years.  Using the latest technology in equipment and cleaning solution, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners in the country able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Their environmentally-friendly cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes. At Lapels you can see, feel and smell the difference.

Lapels customers are greeted to a warm and inviting reception area, with friendly customer service representatives, and a full service on-site tailor. Lapels offers its customers Automatic Rewards earning them credit towards free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend, Loyalty Programs, a VIP Program which eliminates the need to wait in line and the use of a 24 Hour Drop Off Service. Same day service is also available with pick-up after 5 pm.

“Our franchise owners come from many walks of life. Some previously owned their own business, some have not. Most had zero experience in the dry cleaning arena. The franchise formula we have in place makes it possible for somebody with the right skill set to buy a franchise and be successful within a relatively short period,” said Dubois.

For information on buying a Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise, please call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners

Each Lapels Dry Cleaning store offers a full slate of services, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage. Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Arizona (Gilbert, Phoenix), California (Poway), Colorado (Littleton), Connecticut (Cromwell), Louisiana (Monroe, West Monroe), Massachusetts (Abington, Bedford, Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Hanover, Marshfield, Newtonville, Norton, Walpole, Westford, Westwood and Wilmington), Missouri (Wildwood), New Jersey (Brick, Freehold and Verona), Ohio (Liberty Towns), Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg), Rhode Island (Lincoln); South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Forest), Texas (Arlington),Chandler, AZ, Boston, MA, Quincy, MA and Brownsville, TX.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.

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Can’t wait to sell your lakefront home? You might have to. Lakefront real estate agency builds waiting list of sellers

Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty

MANSFIELD, MA…

Most people in the real estate understand the market is feast or famine. Lakefront Living Realty Owner Scott Freerksen, however has decided to exercise portion control during the spring busy season, limiting the number of properties his Mansfield, Massachusetts-based firm will sell to no more than five at a time.

“After 10 years of selling only lakefront properties, we have discovered a fundamental truth about this niche: Selling a lakefront property is different than any type of real estate. Not only does it take a high level of knowledge and experience with the lakefront lifestyle, but it takes a substantial amount of effort and planning,” said Freerksen. “By making a promise to every seller that we will never carry more than five listings at a time we can guarantee our premier level of service.”

To accommodate customer number six and beyond, Lakefront Living Realty has created a waiting list. Due to the firm’s expertise in selling lakefront property and built-in buyer list, Freerksen doesn’t anticipate lengthy delays, and sellers believe it’s worth the wait.

Freerksen and his Lakefront Specialty Agents start with the understanding that a buyer is not buying a house, they are buying a lake and a lifestyle. Therefore, the details of the lake itself become the number one consideration. To that end, Lakefront Living’s website solves a number of the issues prospective buyers face when looking for lakefront property.

First, the site  displays ONLY direct lakefront properties from the entire MLS; taking a typical three-hour search down to 15 seconds. Second, the site provides specifications of every lake in New England. After 10 years of research and counting, Lakefront Living has an extensive lake database, all online. Third, the brokerage provides local lakefront specialty agents to coach buyers through the uniqueness of a lakefront purchase.

Currently, more than 25,000 lakefront buyers visit LakefrontLiving.com every month. Five thousand of those visitors have registered on the site as serious buyers anxiously awaiting the next Lakefront Living Realty listing.

“Sellers are starting to understand that whomever controls the buyers holds the key to selling lakefront listings faster and for top dollar”, Freerksen added. “We capitalized the lakefront buyer market. Our website, combined with our popular Keys to Buying Lakefront Property seminar, enables our 5,000 buyers to be the best educated and qualified lakefront buyers in the marketplace.”

Approximately every 10 days, the brokerage adds the next listing to their family of lakefront homes. 90% of the times, their listings sell to one of their own 5000 buyers. When that is the case, Lakefront Living Realty reduces their commission rate. Everyone wins.

Jeanne Wallace was a lakefront homeowner on Lake Maspenock in Hopkinton, MA. “Listing with Scott’s team was a great experience. I would secretly listen in when Lakefront Living Realty agents were showing the property. They never talked about bedrooms and bathrooms. They always discussed the lifestyle the buyers would be enjoying; early morning kayak rides, dinner boat cruises, grandkids playing on the beach, etc. They hooked them emotionally, and that made all the difference. It sold quickly, for over asking price, to one of their registered buyers.”

So why does Lakefront Living Realty have a waiting list of sellers?

“It goes against conventional industry wisdom, but we provide premier personalized service utilizing extensive nationwide marketing plans and professional photos and videos to properly sell the lakefront lifestyle,” said Freerksen. “We can’t do that if we are carrying 40 to 50 listings. Once we take on a client, they receive 100 percent of our attention.”

Adds Freerksen, “Most Realtors are generalists, and that’s OK, but they lack the lifestyle experience to succeed in this niche. Eighty percent of our listings come from sellers who tried and failed when hiring ‘the most popular realtor in town’. All our agents live on lakes themselves, they can walk the walk and talk the talk.”

About Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

Based in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Lakefront Living Realty, LLC is a full service real estate brokerage specializing solely on the purchase and sale of pond and lakefront property in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Owner Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, a Real Estate Broker and Realtor, founded Lakefrontliving.com in 2003 as way to support his real estate practice and to bring to potential buyers and sellers a website that features direct lakefront homes. All the “riverfront”, “oceanfront”, “across the street”, “within walking distance” homes are taken out of the site.

Lakefront Living Realty has one mission: To passionately unite Buyers and Sellers of lakefront property. For complete information, please visit www.lakefrontliving.com or call Scott at 508-377-7167.

Can’t wait to sell your lakefront home? You might have to. Lakefront real estate agency builds waiting list of sellersRead More

Emerson Bearing Boston Offers On-Site Engineering Seminars

Emerson Bearing Boston, providers of bearing and related products for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) markets around the globe, recently announced Engineering Seminars for companies located in the greater Boston area.

Emerson Bearing’s Engineering Seminars are held on-site for a company’s employees. A senior field service engineer from the factory that Emerson Bearing Boston represents will educate staff about bearings and related parts.

Most recently, Emerson Bearing Boston spoke at Schnitzer Northeast in Everett, which is the metals recycling yard, port and regional office of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., a leading global metal recycler.

“Our engineering seminars are designed to educate clients about bearings and related parts required for their machinery which manufactures, processes or recycles products,” noted Steve Katz, president.

Bearings often operate in unique performance conditions such as dirty and biohazardous environments, extremely hot/cold temperatures and environments where chemicals, radiation, speed/velocity and size play a major role. Emerson Bearing’s experts educate clients about the factors involved in the smooth operation of bearings and ultimately in the prevention of premature bearing failure.

“A dry dirty environment is typically an environment that generates some kind of dust. A wet dirty environment often involves water or a chemical that emulsifies with the oil (bearing lubricant), which causes the bearing to fail. To give you an example, worn seals on linear bearings that are used in a dirty environment will enable contamination. Even with the best design, lubrication and installation, bearing failure will occur if the operating environment is not taken into consideration,” explained Steve Katz, Emerson Bearing’s president. “Ideally, our engineering seminars will help companies eliminate the guesswork; avoid costly downtime and ensure maximum operational efficiency.”

To arrange an engineering seminar, contact Emerson Bearing Boston at 866-995-8765.

The Emerson Bearing Difference

In a proud tradition, the same families that started the company in 1957 keep Emerson Bearing rolling by specializing in bearings for OEM and MRO markets throughout the world. Emerson Bearing’s highly knowledgeable staff, operating from their 23,000 square foot facility, provides bearings ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants.

Emerson Bearing provides solutions to a variety of industries including: aggregate, concrete, mining, machine tools, electric motor repair, marine, material handling, metal processing, packaging, food processing, paper converting, printing, wind/power generation, recreation, heavy construction, robotics, automation, transportation, wood products, wastewater treatment, pump, compressor and oil field.

Emerson Bearing offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff dedicated to delivering; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing has become the leading provider of bearings to OEM and MRO markets in the U.S. They are the sister company of Action Bearing and maintain headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, contact 617-782-1400 or toll free, 800-225-4587, email info@emersonbearing.com or visit http://www.emersonbearing.com.

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New Speakers added to Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS) speaker roster for May 2-3 Boston Summit.

Jason Larson, vice president of operations for BizUnite, and Larry Thibodeau, managing partner of Flexecution, Inc. have added as speakers for the Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS) in Boston. Franchise OPS takes place May 2-3 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

BOSTON AND WOBURN , MA…

Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), the only franchise executive conference dedicated to operations performance excellence, recently expanded its roster of speakers to continue to expand on their focus of technology in the field. Jason Larson, vice president of operations for BizUnite, and Larry Thibodeau, managing partner of Flexecution, Inc. have joined the speaker list. Franchise OPS takes place May 2-3 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

“We are focusing on technology and how it can be used to enhance the role of the franchise field consultant,” said Evan Hackel, a fellow speaker at Franchise OPS and the founder of sponsor Ingage Consulting. “Jason and Larry both bring considerable franchise operations and technology experience to the table and will greatly add to the discussion of how franchise operations executives can prepare now for the evolving field consultant role.”

Larson, is the vice president of operations for BizUnite, one of CCA Global Partners’ most profitable and fastest growing divisions.  BizUnite, founded in 2007, is the leading business services marketplace for small and medium sized businesses.

“Franchise field consultants will need to know how to use technologies like Skype, handheld cameras, more interactive, and private franchisee websites as part of their interactions with franchise owners,” said Larson. “What those technologies will do is increase the number and the frequency of interactions between field consultants and franchisees and that will place a premium on consultants also possessing superior communications and interpersonal skills. I’m delighted to be part of Franchise OPS so we can delve deeper into what it will take field consultants in the future to succeed.”

Thibodeau is the managing partner of Flexecution, Inc., a leader in retail store execution. His franchise operations track record of success extends to all facets of retail store execution, including installation, construction, merchandising, warehousing and consolidation.

“The franchise field consultant of the future will have access to online training 24/7. Part of the evolving role of the field consultant will be to help them utilize these training tools to become better owners. So the field consultant role will become more like a business coach than big brother from corporate checking up on them,” said Thibodeau. “With this two-day event, we have literally hundreds of years of franchise operations experience available to attendees to brainstorm and discuss how field consultants can best work with franchisees down the road.”

Topics to be covered over the two days of workshops include:

  • Technology for Field Consultants
  • Benchmarking
  • The Field Consultant of the Future
  • Better Onboarding
  • FDD Item 19 – How to Do It Right

In addition to Hackel, Larson and Thibodeau, the Franchise OPS speaker roster includes Bob Gappa of Management 2000, Deb Binder of Ingage Consulting, Rupert M. Barkoff of Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton; Keith Gerson of FranConnect; Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review; Stacey Ruth of Actio Marketing; Mindy Golde of Listen360; Matt Talbot of GoSpotCheck; Cordell Riley of Tortal; and Steve Abercrombie of Profit Soup.

In addition to the educational benefits, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities with C-level franchise executives, the Franchise OPS offers the added bonus of being approved for 300 CFE credits by the International Franchise Association.

Interested parties can register for the Franchise OPS before March 25 for $599. After that, the fee increases to $699.

Franchise OPS is sponsored by FranConnect, Franchise Business Review, Kilpatrick Townsend; Actio Marketing, BizUnite, Ingage Consulting, Listen360, Management 2000, GoSpotCheck, ProfitSoup and Tortal. For complete information on Franchise OPS, please visit http://www.franchiseoperationssummit.com. 

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees to improve performance through engagement which increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.

The company helps solve the problems of franchise organizations by offering services that range from partnership creation and vibrant intranet community creation to trust building, improved communication and strategic planning to customized online education training programs.  Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of both franchisors and franchisees.  Evan Hackel, Ingage founder and management expert has more than two decades of experience in best practices, turnaround strategies and team dynamics.  He is often engaged to analyze franchise businesses, provide recommendations and facilitate strategic planning.  He is a member of the International Franchise Association and New England Franchise Association.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

New Speakers added to Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS) speaker roster for May 2-3 Boston Summit.Read More

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C. Relocates to Crown Colony in Quincy

Quincy City Council President Michael E. McFarland with Paul N. Barbadoro, Esq., Partner at Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro.

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C., a dynamic full-service law firm with a team of attorneys catering to individuals, businesses and families throughout Quincy, Braintree, South Shore and metro Boston areas, has recently relocated from 50 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree to 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 500 in Quincy.

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro’s relocation to the expansive 3,000 sq. ft. suite at 300 Crown Colony, within the South Shore’s premier business park, comfortably accommodates their legal team of 13 lawyers as well as clerks and administrative staff.

The firm recently celebrated their move with an Open House. More than 150 people were in attendance, among them were Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey, Norfolk County Registrar of Probate Patrick McDermott, Quincy City Council President Michael E. McFarland and Quincy Health Commissioner Andrew Scheele.

The celebration included a custom cake from Montilio’s Bakery of Quincy and catering provided by Front Street Gourmet of Scituate.

“We’re absolutely delighted with our expanded space which will better accommodate our growing legal team. We had a wonderful turnout at our Open House and feel very welcome in this great City of Presidents,” noted Paul N. Barbadoro, Esq., Partner at Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro.

About the Firm

Founded in 1995, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C. is a full-service law firm committed to providing every client with personal attention and superior legal service at reasonable rates.

The firm provides legal advice and counsel to individuals, businesses and families throughout Quincy, Braintree, South Shore and metro Boston areas. Led by five partners with a combined 100+ years of experience, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro’s practice areas include litigation, tax, trust and estate planning, real estate, zoning and land use, corporate law, finance, criminal defense, immigration law, election law, and divorce and family law. Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro also offers a Speaker’s Bureau on topics of tax, estate planning, small business law and corporate law.

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. is headquartered at 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 500 in Quincy, MA. For more information, contact (781) 202-6929 or visit their website at http://www.bbb-lawfirm.com.

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South Shore Skin Center Announces “A Smooth Affair” Jane Iredale Event on March 26th

South Shore Skin Center, one of the most progressive medical and cosmetic dermatology practices in Massachusetts, will hold “A Smooth Affair” showcasing Jane Iredale products. The event will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at their Plymouth office located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3.

This event will showcase a selection of Jane Iredale Cosmetics’ newest products, including Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream and Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener. South Shore Skin Center’s knowledgeable cosmetic staff, as well as their representative from Jane Iredale, will offer individual color matching. Guests may enjoy samples, special offers and light refreshments.

Space is limited. RSVP to South Shore Skin Center at 508-503-8590.

About South Shore Skin Center

South Shore Skin Center is an award-winning progressive dermatology practice for medical, surgical and cosmetic services. Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is a unique team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, surgical assistants, and licensed aestheticians who are all specialists in dermatology and share a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing the highest level of care to both children and adults in the greater Boston area.

South Shore Skin Center offers cosmetic dermatology treatments for wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, birthmarks, hair removal, tattoo removal and more using the Fraxel re:store DUAL and Fraxel re:pair lasers, ePrime (Evolastin procedure), Candela VBeam, Gentlelase, Gentle YAG, and Alex lasers. The practice also offers therapeutic massage and a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Clear + Brilliant, Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other wrinkle fillers; volumizers such as Radiesse and Sculptra; Thermage; microdermabrasion; medical grade facials, micropeels and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center has been awarded South Shore Living’s Best of the South Shore in 2011 and 2012. They are located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

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Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Announces St. Patrick’s Day Bagels

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bakery café and bagel shop, will feature green-colored bagels.

The St. Patrick’s Day green bagels will be available beginning Sunday, March 10th through March 17th. It is recommended that customers place their order at the store ahead of time, as they sell out quickly. Between Rounds locations are South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds’ current locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. Between Rounds is expanding and franchise opportunities are available. For more information about their unique Area Developer Program franchise offering contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

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Staging a lake house – How to prepare a lakefront home for sale

Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty

MANSFIELD, MA…

When you buy a lake house, it’s about more than just the physical structure and easy access to the water. You really are buying a lifestyle. And that’s precisely what you’re selling when you deem it time to sell your lakefront property. And that takes a certain expertise that many selling agents who specialize in more traditional properties don’t necessarily possess.

“When you’re shopping for a house, the first thing prospective buyers want to see varies—bedrooms, baths, ‘man cave’, etc. People buying lake houses want to go to the water first to check out the view, where they can launch their boat, place their fire pit or hang a tire swing.  So, it makes sense to spruce up that path to the water and make it as attractive as possible,” said Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty, LLC, a Massachusetts-based brokerage that specializes in properties that are directly on lakes.

Freerksen recommends a number of other enhancements and “staging” techniques prior to putting your lakefront property on the market:

  • Define the destination – Lakefront buyers will first want to go right down to the water. Be sure there is a welcoming, defined and well-lit pathway leading to the water’s edge/dock.
  • Dock and Deck Safety – If you have docks, decks and/or shoreline walls, be sure they are sturdy and safe. Replace / repair any loose boards. Floating docks should be roped off…not everyone is used to walking on them.
  • Shoreline Curb Appeal -Clean all debris, leaves and dead fish from shoreline. Rake all aquatic weeds and bottom muck as far out into the lake as you can reach. Have photos displayed on a flyer that show the shoreline conditions in ALL seasons, particularly summer.
  • Lifestyle Staging – Buyers are buying a lake home for the lifestyle it will provide them. Help them understand by neatly staging your shoreline and lakeside yard with lifestyle items: kayaks, fishing equipment, swim towels, fire pit, etc. Don’t overdo it, but let them know how they will be spending their days. Provide a great lakefront “experience”.
  • Lake Tours – Have a kayak, canoe or pontoon boat at the ready (with life jackets). There’s no better way to secure a lakefront sale then to get the buyers out on the water! Again, reinforce the lifestyle.
  • Market the Lake – Create flyers that have EVERY detail on the lake itself. Size (in acres), depth (maximum and average), allowed recreation, boating rules & regulations, Lake Association information, aquatic weeds, public access, boat launches, fish type, etc.
  • Lake Visibility – If a buyer enters the home first, they will immediately walk to where they can see the lake. So be sure any window glass and/or sliders are perfectly spotless.
  • Marketing Materials – 95 percent of buyers start their search online. Photos and video must “tell the story” of the home and lakefront location. Assume the buyer knows nothing about the lake and area. Walk them through your location virtually. Panoramic shots of the lake, as well as photos showing the home from out on the water, are critical.
  • Share Your Experience – One of the most powerful tools you can create is a letter to the future owner. Talk about your lakefront experiences, raising your children, the benefits of that particular location of the water, the wildlife, the neighbors, your favorite lake activity, etc. It also helps you to remove yourself from your own emotional attachment. This will be critical to the future success of the sales process.

“Perhaps the biggest thing is working with a selling agent who has experience selling lakefront properties and knows the presentation aspect of selling a lakefront property,” said Freerksen. “Just like buying a lakefront property, selling a lakefront property can be a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you’re an older homeowner or if it’s your parents’ home and you need some of the money to fund their care, getting your asking price is critical. These fairly simple steps can have a great impact in getting that price and how quickly the home sells.”

Lakefront Living Realty, LLC routinely holds information seminars for prospective sellers and buyers of lakefront property. Their next seminar, “Keys to Lakefront Buying”, takes place on Saturday, March 16, from 10am to noon. The seminar is $29 and seating is limited to the first 50 people. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a free kayak. To register, please visit http://www.lakefrontliving.com/seminarKeys.asp  or call 508-377-7167.

About Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

Based in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Lakefront Living Realty, LLC is a full service real estate brokerage specializing solely on the purchase and sale of pond and lakefront property in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Owner Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, a Real Estate Broker and Realtor, founded Lakefrontliving.com in 2003 as way to support his real estate practice and to bring to potential buyers and sellers a website that features direct lakefront homes. All the “riverfront”, “oceanfront”, “across the street”, “within walking distance” homes are taken out of the site.

Lakefront Living Realty has one mission: To passionately unite Buyers and Sellers of lakefront property. For complete information, please visit www.lakefrontliving.com or call Scott at 508-377-7167.

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