Talk Real Estate

Gutter Done! Spring Maintenance Tips For Homeowners As we welcome warmer weather here on the South Shore, it’s the perfect time for homeowners to turn their attention to spring maintenance — starting at the top of the house with your gutters! Recently on our Talk Real Estate Roundtable radio show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Parks, owner of Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More, to talk about why gutter maintenance is one of the most overlooked — but most important — aspects of homeownership. Why Are Gutters So Important? Think of your gutters as your home’s first line of defense against water damage. A properly functioning gutter system channels rainwater away from your home, protecting your roof, siding, foundation, and landscaping. Without routine maintenance, clogged or broken gutters can lead to costly repairs — including rotted fascia boards, foundation cracks, mold, and even interior water damage. As Mike shared, “Water always wins. It’s going to find its way in if your gutters aren’t doing their job.” Signs It’s Time To Clean Your Gutters Mike recommends homeowners do a visual check of their gutters each season. Look for: Overflowing water during rainstorms Sagging or pulling away from the house Plant growth (yes, even trees and bushes!) Staining or mildew on siding Mulch or dirt splash-back near the foundation If you notice any of these signs — it’s time to call a professional. What’s Included In A Professional Gutter Cleaning? Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More provides thorough gutter cleaning services which include: Clearing debris from gutters & downspouts Flushing the system for proper water flow Inspecting brackets & fasteners Identifying rotted fascia boards or potential damage Recommendations for repair or replacement when needed Mike also offers fascia board replacement if damage has already occurred — because fixing the problem behind the gutter is just as important as clearing it. How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned? In Massachusetts, Mike recommends at least once a year — ideally twice for homes surrounded by trees. Cleaning after the leaves fall in late autumn and again in early spring helps prevent clogs and ice dams. Ice dams, especially in New England, are a huge concern. If your gutters are clogged heading into winter, trapped water can freeze, back up under your roof shingles, and cause interior leaks. Gutter Guards — Are They Worth It? While gutter guards can help reduce debris buildup, Mike advises homeowners to consider their specific situation. “Gutter guards aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution,” Mike explained. “Certain tree debris like pine needles and small seeds can still clog up gutter guards — and sometimes they make cleaning harder because debris sits on top.” More Than Just Gutters Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More doesn’t just stop at gutter cleaning. Mike also offers: Power washing Small exterior repairs Window cleaning Seasonal maintenance consultations His business is built on trust, hard work, and a local commitment to keeping South Shore homes safe and sound. How To Reach Mighty Mike Looking to get Gutter Done this spring? Contact Mike Parks at Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More for a consultation or cleaning service. → Facebook: Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More → Email: mightymikesgutters@gmail.com → Call/Text: 781-588-8300 → Website: mightymikesgutters.com → Sign up for seasonal maintenance reminders through his website! Smart Moves: Top Tips From The Talk Real Estate Roundtable At Boston Connect Real Estate, Sharon always reminds homeowners — whether you're thinking of selling now or years from now — taking care of your home today protects your investment for tomorrow. Here are some of the top Gutter Tips for Homeowners from our recent Talk Real Estate Roundtable with Mighty Mike’s Gutters & More: Gutter Tips for Homeowners: Clean your gutters at least once a year — twice if you have heavy tree coverage. Schedule your cleanings after leaves have fallen in the fall and again in early spring. Watch for warning signs like water overflowing, sagging gutters, or mildew on siding. Check for splash-back near your foundation — it could signal clogged gutters. Keep downspouts clear and extend them away from your home’s foundation. Be cautious with gutter guards — they work in some situations but may not be ideal for homes with pine trees or heavy debris. If you notice water inside your home or staining on ceilings, check your gutters and fascia boards first! Hire a professional and don't attempt high elevations on your own! Maintaining clean, functioning gutters is one of the easiest ways to prevent expensive repairs and keep your home looking its best year-round. From All of Us at Boston Connect Real Estate... At Boston Connect Real Estate, we know that taking care of your home is one of the best ways to protect your investment and prepare for future resale. Partnering with trusted local professionals like Mike ensures your home stays in top condition year-round. Ready to talk about your real estate goals? Connect with us at anytime at 781-826-8000 | www.BostonConnect.com.

John Buckley, the Plymouth County Register of Deeds, was invited to our roundtable to discuss Plymouth County’s 2020 Year in Review and the precautions the Registry of Deed’s are taking during COVID, electronic recordings of Deeds and the past year's Real Estate activity. The McNamara Broker Team of Boston Connect Real Estate invites you to listen to our in-depth roundtable conversation with our good friend, John Buckley, Plymouth County Register of Deeds.        Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Along with Pembroke Health Agent -  Lisa Cullity, Pembroke's Deputy Fire Chief - Ken McCormick & Massachusetts State Representative - Josh Cutler discuss the impact the coronavirus is having on our community, what precautions should be taken to ensure public safety, and what the future holds for all of us.    Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Together Trish & Nick Flynn,  The McNamara Broker Team covers everything you need to know about preparing your home to put on the market.    Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Along with their guest, Marissa Jacobson, Health & Wellness Coach from Marshfield Chiropractic & Wellness, The Team tackles the topic of keeping on track with your goals and Ideal Protein.     Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Tackling the conversation regarding the choice between Moving or Improving.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Discussing the reason for believing that Spring Market is upon us early this year! They tackle current market conditions, bold predictions for 2020 and much more!   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Laurie is a full-time real estate agent and works closely with her clients.  Listen in to our conversation with Laurie and hear for yourself how dedicated she is as a real estate agent with a caring heart.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Along with Laurie Reney, Associate Broker and Empowerment TEAM Director, The Team tackles the conversation regarding being a real estate agent.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam       PREFER TO READ THIS EPISODE?   Announcer: Now, Talk Real Estate sponsored by Boston Connect, Real Estate Services. Sharon McNamara: Hi, I'm Sharon McNamara, and you are listening to Talk Real Estate. Let me share a little bit about my background before we get started. I am the broker/owner of Boston Connect Real Estate, located on the South Shore, and I have been working as a full time realtor in sales and marketing consultant for home buyers and home sellers for the past 15 years. I have helped hundreds of clients throughout the home buying and home selling process. My unique approach to assisting my clients to the next chapter of their lives is driven by being a team player and by offering them continuous training, education, advising, and mentoring. I like to say that I offer my clients exceptional service that moves you. Every week I will be providing you with real estate topics ranging from home buyer and home seller advice, legal matters, insurance binders, flood insurance concerns, home inspection questions, environmental worries like radon, lead paint and mold, mortgages and loan programs, staging tips and ideas, real estate contracts, market trends, home values and more. Sharon McNamara: It's a talk radio show, and sometimes we are even interactive so you can follow along online. If you have any questions during the show, please call 781-837-4900. We'd love to talk real estate. If you missed any of our shows, or if you want to listen to one again, you can listen on my podcast at talkrealestateradio.com. If you would like a one-on-one consultation with me regarding your home sale, or your home purchase, I'd love the opportunity to meet with you. You can connect with me anytime at bostonconnect.com or 781-826-8000. Now sit back, relax, take good notes, and let's talk real estate. Sharon McNamara: Hello to all my South Shore neighbors. This is Sharon McNamara, and you are, of course, listening to Talk Real Estate with Sharon McNamara, Mary Baker, and Melissa Wallace, and we have a very special guest with us tonight, Laurie Reney. Laurie Reney: Hello. Sharon McNamara: Hello. Special. Laurie Reney: Thank you for having me. Sharon McNamara: Yeah, and welcome to our Talk Real Estate round table, that's what we're going by here because our table is round, if you get it. Laurie Reney: I love it. Melissa Wallace: It's the symbolism of it that really- Sharon McNamara: Yeah. Melissa Wallace: -gets you. Sharon McNamara: Yeah. And we have Ben in studio. Hello there, Benjamin. Benjamin: Good evening, ladies. How are we tonight? Sharon McNamara: We are doing fantastic. So if people want to call, what number should they call, if they have any questions for us? Benjamin: They should call 781-837-4900. Sharon McNamara: I was just checking to see if you were on your toes and following along with me. Benjamin: Not only am I on my toes, but they are the tippiest part of my toes. Sharon McNamara: Perfect. Perfect. So tonight our topic, we decided that we were going to talk about this, we mentioned it briefly last week. So You Want To Be A Real Estate Agent? What? What? That's what I just wrote on Facebook. You want to be a what what? Laurie Reney: Yeah. Sharon McNamara: I'm really hyper today. All that ginger candy I was eating, Mel. Yeah, I know. I ate a whole thing of it. I have a bellyache. Melissa Wallace: It's kind of addictive. I'm not going to lie. I didn't like it at all at first and now it's growing on me. Sharon McNamara: Yeah. Well I've decided after I gave up gum, January 1st I gave up gum. Melissa Wallace: I found all of your gum today. Sharon McNamara: In the drawer? Melissa Wallace: It's in the draw by the refrigerator if anybody wants any. Sharon McNamara: So we have plenty of gum in the office. But yes, I just gave up gum and I'm doing really good. But then I took on another habit that's called the ginger, and I decided once they're gone I'm not buying anymore. Melissa Wallace: Yeah, because it's a replacement thing? Sharon McNamara: Yeah. I eat 10 of them. I'd rather one piece of gum and then I just have that for a while. Look at Laurie, she's just like, yep. I'm following along. Laurie Reney: I am. Melissa Wallace: Laurie, this is your first time joining us live, isn't it? Laurie Reney: It is. Melissa Wallace: Oh my goodness. Laurie Reney: I love it down here. It's so cozy. Melissa Wallace: Yeah, it really is. Yeah, it's awesome. Sharon McNamara: It's really great too. Cause during the day I have like little meetings down here and like little conferences with people. So. Melissa Wallace: It's your sound studio. Sharon McNamara: Yeah. [crosstalk 00:03:56] No, I feel like Laurie, we have to adjust her mic a little bit so maybe we have to lift you up. How you feeling about that, Ben? Yep- Benjamin: I agree. I think we can bump a little volume and we should be good to go. Sharon McNamara: Yeah. Well, bump her a little volume there and it be good. All right, so we're going to talk about So You Want To Be A Real Estate Agent? What? What? Melissa Wallace: I was going to say, you crazy? Sharon McNamara: No, what are you, crazy? No, we're going to talk about the pros, the cons, the ups, the downs, the in-betweens, everything in between and the, maybe, misconceptions about our profession that it isn't actually a profession, the misconceptions that you can just go into this and make a boatload of money even if you're doing it part-time. There's also the group of people who are like, Oh, I'm going to get into it and I'm going to flip houses and that's going to be my, that's how I roll. Melissa Wallace: My niche. Sharon McNamara: Yeah, my niche. So we're going to talk about all those things and more tonight. What can I help you with there, girl? Laurie Reney: Oh, I thought we might have an agenda. Sharon McNamara: Yeah, we do. They're on the printer. I'll be right back. Sorry about that. So I know that we are going to- Melissa Wallace: Why don't we start by talking about why we have Laurie on talking about You Want To Be A Real Estate Agent? What? What? Benjamin: You mean right after the traffic, ladies? Melissa Wallace: Why don't we listen to the traffic first and I wonder if the... Who's the new guy? I don't even know who's the new guy. Benjamin: David Cedrone tonight. Melissa Wallace: From the WATD Traffic Studio. How's it looking out there, David? David: All right. This time we're sponsored by unbound.org. Expressways southbound, typical delays. Heavy out of the O'Neill, the South Bay. You'll come off the brakes, hit them again from Granted Ave. down through the split. Route 3 not looking too bad, just a bit sluggish through Braintree, down to before Union Street. Lower end of 93 southbound, you're bumping to bumper out of the split out through 24, 24 southbound slow from the top down to the Horse Bridge. 95 northbound gets heavy at the top connecting to 128. No issues on Route 44. David: A girl in Kenya dreams of becoming a doctor. An elder Guatemala dreams of being part of a community. Reach out and change their world, it will change your own. Unbound.org. Traffic on the nines every morning. I'm David Cedrone and the WATD Traffic Center. Announcer: We now return to Talk Real Estate sponsored by Boston Connect Real Estate Services on 95.9 WATV. Sharon McNamara: Back. Hello to all of our neighbors out there. I don't want to just say South Shore because we are South of Boston, so I know that we're hitting all kinds of different studios now, too. Melissa Wallace: I used to get us all the way up in Medford. Sharon McNamara: Yeah- Melissa Wallace: that's definitely not South... Boston. Sharon McNamara: All right, well I lost my glasses, but that's normal. Melissa Wallace: They're on your face. Sharon McNamara: Oh my God. If we could take a picture of what just happened. Melissa Wallace: Well, we have it on video, so, okay. Well while Sharon collects herself, you can go to Facebook. We are live on Sharon Costa McNamara. So if you want to send her a friend request, I'll accept you and you can watch it. Although, we are shared on all of our Connect pages, Pembro Connect, Duxbury, Situate, Hanover, Marshfield, all this on pages. I'm like, "What is she looking for?" And you're, "I'm just looking at my glasses." They were dangling underneath her chin. So that's a thing. That happened, and I'm glad we have it on video. Recorded for the rest of history. Melissa Wallace: All right, so she's still collecting herself. So, Laurie, why don't you introduce yourself to our listeners who might not have heard your introduction before. I know this is the first time live with us, but we have certainly talked about you many times because we love you so much and love what you do with our agents and for our company and all that fun stuff. Melissa Wallace: So why don't you introduce yourself? How long have you been in the business? What you do here at Boston Connect, where you service, and then we'll dive right in. Laurie Reney: All right, cool. I'm Laurie Reney. I've been in the business for about 22 years now. I've been a broker for, I believe, 10 years which is awesome. Here at Boston Connect I sell real estate, but I also mentor agents, as well as coach up the experienced agents, as well, to hold them accountable, to hopefully push them a little bit to do more in sales and to have a good life as well. Melissa Wallace: Balance. So you're teaching a lot of balance and how to do it all. Have it all, do it all. Laurie Reney: I would say... I call it a bot

Steve Cook, owner of Imperial Inspection Services is one of our Preferred Professionals and joins us to tell us a little more about him and his company.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Steve Cook, owner of Imperial Inspection Services is one of our Preferred Professionals and joins us to discuss environmental hazards in the home such as Radon, Lead Paint, Mold, and much more. Steve brings his years of knowledge to our listeners and takes a question regarding freezing pipes in a condo from a listener.  We also had an impromptu appearance from Mark McNamara, owner of McNamara Plumbing Company as he weighed in and gave his professional opinion and advice regarding the caller's frozen pipes.     Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Highlighting a year in review 2019 and 2020 Real Estate Bold Predictions.   Guests:   In our "Home" Studio, Christopher McNamara (yes, Sharon's nephew and Godson) played the National Anthem on his electric guitar.  Call-in, Jasmine Glasgow of Maritime Mortgaged discussed a year in review and her 2020 mortgage predictions.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace | Dustin Hughes Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam      

Sharon, Mary and Melissa review the 2019 Real Estate Market for Plymouth County. They discuss average days on market, average days to offer, average sales price and much more. The Team breaks down the pros and cons of HOA's, what to consider before buying in an HOA neighborhood, and what to expect once you are part of one. Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

Mary & Melissa discuss common Real Estate myths and help give you a clearer picture of what's true and what's false! Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam  

The first significant snow fall of December 2019 prompts a discussion on the pros and cons of buying and/or selling a home during the winter months.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam

We take the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving to give gratitude and thanks to our listeners, clients, and friends & family.  Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam

Mark Stiles & Emmanuel Ebot of Stiles Law discuss the relationship and dynamics of real estate agents working hand-in-hand with the real estate attorney for their client.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam

We sit down with Carolyn Daily, a WATD listener to answer all her real estate questions.  If you would like to be part of our "Be Our Guest", connect with us!  Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam

We sit down with Fire Chief Ken McCormick of the Pembroke Fire Department to discuss fire safety in your home along with great safety tips for the winter.   Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam

We discuss the important aspects of an offer to look at when you are a seller and have multiple offers on your property. Podcast & Live Radio Show on WATD 95.9 McNamara Broker Team Boston Connect Real Estate Sharon McNamara | Mary Baker | Melissa Wallace  Facebook Live every Tuesday at 6:15 pm @ facebook.com/McNamaraBrokerTeam Follow our team on Instagram @McNamaraBrokerTeam