Framingham High Ranks high in US News & World Report Report

Framingham High School made the Massachusetts in U.S. News and World Report’s 2015 Best High Schools survey.
Framingham was ranked No. 36.
According to the survey, Framingham High has

• 12:1 student-teacher ratio - with 1,988 students and 160 faculty
• 44.7 college readiness score
• 96 percent proficient in English
• 89 percent proficient in Math

Framingham High was ranked #760 nationally, on the survey.
The national high school graduation rate is at an all-time high, according to U.S. News
“As educators work to get even more students into caps and gowns, they are experimenting with innovative instructional methods,” U.S. News said. “Through specialized class work, high schools are facilitating teen entrepreneurs and published authors, for example. Plus, there has been a renewed interest in career and technical programs.”
The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas was ranked the No. 1 public high school in the country.
In Massachusetts, these were the top 5:

• Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis
• Boston Latin School
• Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester
• Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough
• Lexington High School

In MetroWest

• Dover-Sherborn High was #9
• Newton South High was #12
• Wellesley High was #15
• Needham High was #16
• Ashland High was #29
• Wayland High was #30
• Shrewbury High was #34
• Westborough High was #39

Buying Real Estate Now is the Best Investment Possible

Billionaire Says Real Estate is Best Investment Possible

by The KCM Crew on March 19, 2015 in For Buyers

Billionaire money manager John Paulson was interviewed at the Delivering Alpha Conference presented by CNBC and Institutional Investor. During his session he boldly stated:

"I still think, from an individual perspective, the best deal investment you can make is to buy a primary residence that you're the owner-occupier of.”

Who is John Paulson?

Paulson is the person who, back in 2005 & 2006, made a fortune betting that the subprime mortgage mess would cause the real estate market to collapse. He understands how the housing market works and knows when to buy and when to sell. What do others think of Paulson?
According to Forbes, John Paulson is:

“A multibillionaire hedge fund operator and the investment genius.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Paulson is:

“A hedge fund tycoon who made his name, and a fortune, betting against subprime mortgages when no one else even knew what they were.”

Why does he believe homeownership is such a great investment?

Paulson breaks down the math of homeownership as an investment:

"Today financing costs are extraordinarily low.”

The latest numbers from Freddie Mac show us that you can still get a 30-year mortgage for under 4%.

“And if you put down, let's say, 10 percent and the house is up 5 percent,” as many experts predict, “then you would be up 50 percent on your investment."

How many are seeing a 50% return on a cash investment right now?
Paulson goes on to compare the long term financial benefits of owning verses renting:

“And you’ve locked in the cost over the next 30 years. And today the cost of owning is somewhat less than the cost of renting. And if you rent, the rent goes up every year. But if you buy a 30-year mortgage, the cost is fixed.”

Bottom Line

Whenever a billionaire gives investment advice, people usually clamor to hear it. This billionaire gave simple advice – if you don’t yet live in your own home, go buy one.

Home Upgrades That Pay Off

Remodeling Projects: Evaluating Cost vs. Value Home renovations can be tricky. You want to improve your space (and the way you live in it). But you don't want to end up in the red when it comes time to sell. Before you splurge on that chef's kitchen or a steam shower in your bath, make sure your projects enhance your home in the eyes of future buyers as well. Here are few improvements that Remodeling magazine says will return the most on your renovation dollars. (The examples below reflect 2014 numbers.) Under $5,000: Functional, secure and energy-efficient entries are chief priorities in this price range. Your best bet is replacing your front door with a sturdy steel unit. Finish it with an antique brass lockset, and you can expect to recoup 96.6 percent of your investment. A garage door replacement offers an equally respectable 82.9 percent return. Between $5,000 and $25,000: A wooden deck is tops for a mid-range budget, recouping 87.4 percent of the $10,000 you can expect to spend. A minor kitchen remodel also fares well: Budgeting $18,000 for fresh paint, a new oven, new floors, fixtures, countertops and new doors on existing cabinetry typically results in recouping 82.7 percent at resale. From $25,000 and $100,000: An attic bedroom is a romantic notion, and it offers the best return at this price range. Converting the space into a bedroom and bathroom (with shower) will get you back 84.3 percent of your spend. Likewise, a newly finished basement returns 77.6 percent. Have other plans in mind? Read Remodeling's summary on cost vs. value trends, and jump into your home improvement projects more informed.

Housing Update

	Tightening labor market conditions are another sign of an improved economy. Labor mar ket confidence could help the Fed decide to raise policy rates in June.

	The dollar continues to improve against overseas currency like the yen and euro. Nearing 12-year highs, the strong dollar is good for interest rates.

	Wholesalers report more inventory and decreased sales for January. Blamed by economists on the plunge in oil prices, the changes are good for interest rates.

	The number of new homes being built suggests that housing growth continues. The type of homes built points to interest in home ownership by first-time buyers.

	Millennials accounted for 32% of all home purchases in 2014. With a median age of 29 and income of $76,900 they were also the largest percentage of buyers.

	The housing market continues to rebound. Foreclosure inventory decreased 33.2% and completed foreclosures dropped 22.5% year-over-year in January.

The 5th Annual Taste of MetroWest

Title:	The 5th Annual Taste of MetroWest
Date:	3/24/2015 (Tuesday)
Address:	Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
Location:	Framingham, MA
Hours:	5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)
Cost/Cover:	Early Bird On Line Only $28.00 At the Door $40.00 Corporate Sponsor Tickets $28.00 Children under 12 $14.00
Web Page:	http://www.metrowest.org/

Details:

Announcing the 5th Annual Taste of MetroWest! TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015 5:00PM - 8:00PM SHERATON FRAMINGHAM HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER The region's finest restaurants, caterers, gourmet and ethnic markets, gift boutiques, wineries, brew houses and local purveyors of fine liquors will offer delicious samples of food and beverages at this event at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center. Share your feedback through the “People’s Choice” awards for various food and beverage categories. Cast your vote and celebrate the “Best of MetroWest.” Click here for a list of last year's exhibitors and sponsors! Don't miss out on this fabulous event...The 5th Annual "Taste of MetroWest!"

2015 Home Show

Title: Worcester Spring Home Show Date: 3/6/2015 - 3/8/2015 Address: DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester, MA Location: Worcester, MA Hours: Fri 4-8; Sat 10-7; Sun 11-5 Cost/Cover: see website for free pass Web Page: http://www.worcestershows.com/SpringHome/index.html Contact Info: 508-836-2222 Details: The Worcester Spring Home Show, presented by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Massachusetts is the oldest Home Show in Worcester County. Since 1946 area home owners have found the products, services and advice they need at the Worcester Home Show. But the Home Show is not only the oldest; it’s also the biggest with over 300 displays displaying the latest products and services for your home, your lawn, your patio and your garden. From roofing to flooring, from windows to doors, from siding to paint; if you can’t find it at the Home Show you probably can’t find it anywhere. With spring right around the corner the Home Show is the perfect place to shop for all your needs. Many exhibitors will be offering money saving show specials. There is no better time to get going on the projects you have been delaying. Today’s low interest rates make now the time to turn your house into the home you’ve always wanted.

Heritage Craft Fair 2015

Title:	Heritage Craft Fair 2015
Date:	3/21/2015 (Saturday)
Address:	Joseph P. Keefe Technical School, 750 Winter St., Framingham, MA 01702
Location:	Framingham, MA
Hours:	10am - 4pm
Cost/Cover:	$4 general, $3.50 Senior/Student, Children under 12 free
Web Page:	http://heritagechorale.org/support/craft_fair.htm
Contact Info:	508-277-3999 info@heritagechorale.org

Details:

Saturday, March 21, 10am-4pm. Over 115 crafters will display their creations - pottery, food, glass, paintings, candies, greeting cards, baby clothes, woodworking and more! Delicious food, home-baked desserts and snacks will be available for purchase in the cafeteria. A great event for everyone - especially seniors and families. A fun event for a cold winter day. Handicapped accessible, indoors, free parking.  One fair goer from last year was quoted as saying, "This is one of the best craft fairs I’ve seen. Each booth seems so individual."