You may have heard of the “4% rule” when it comes to retirement. The idea is simple: After you retire, you withdraw 4% of your investment portfolio each year. In theory, this helps ensure your savings last for your lifetime. While this rule can be a helpful starting...
Whether buying or selling a home, it’s important to understand the specifics of a home inspection. The purpose of a home inspection is to assess the condition of a property. This differs from a home appraisal, which serves to determine a home's market value. A home...
Buying a vacation home is more than a dream — it’s a bold step toward building memories, wealth and freedom. Whether you're picturing morning coffee with a mountain view or beach days with the family, the great news is this: There are a few creative and powerful ways...
As a business owner, you’ve always got a lot to think about today — but what about tomorrow? Have you thought about whom you would like to see as your successor? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Of the business owners who have created a succession plan, about 70%...
In the fast-paced world of vacation rentals, most owners and operators obsess over the usual suspects: occupancy rates, dynamic pricing and five-star reviews. But quietly powering those metrics is something less talked about and far more powerful: team culture. Yes,...
The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MassCPAs) announced that Jeff Strassman was elected to the organization’s Board of Directors for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which began May 1. Strassman, a Hopkinton resident, is New England managing principal...
Some homebuyers see a swimming pool as a property enhancement — an aesthetically pleasing feature that provides entertainment for friends, family and neighbors and endless fun and exercise for the kids. It's almost like being able to vacation every day at the comfort...
Retirement should be a time of freedom and fulfillment — a reward for decades of hard work and careful planning. But this next chapter also brings unique financial risks. Recognizing and preparing for these challenges can mean the difference between an independent...
Once upon a time, there was a farm surrounded by a beautiful forest, filled with all manner of woodland creatures. It’s the beginning of many fairy tales, but this tale is far from fiction. Southwick’s Zoo, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a renowned...
Going through a divorce is emotionally painful and can disrupt one’s life in many ways — but does it also have to be financially devastating? Not necessarily. You can help yourself greatly by making a series of moves. Here are some to consider: Before the divorce is...
In today’s vacation rental market, great photos and clean linens are just the baseline. If you want your guests to leave raving — not just satisfied — it’s time to embrace a whole new level of care. Enter "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara. Originally set in...
A home is a significant investment, and protecting it with home insurance is critical for homeowners. According to the National Association for Insurance Commissioners, "Home insurance covers the structure of your home and your personal property, as well as your legal...
EARTH Ltd., a non-profit conservation and nature education organization, will have a new home this summer next to Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon. “We are really excited about the new EARTH Connection Center,” said Betsey Brewer, EARTH’s executive director and founder. “It...
The financial markets always go through periods of instability. And we may see more of that now, given concerns about tariffs, inflation and the economy. As an investor, how can you deal with this volatility? Some investors try to take advantage of market ups and...
You’ve fluffed the pillows, stocked the fridge with local goodies and picked out the perfect welcome mat — but is your vacation rental truly ready to wow? Enter usability experience: the not-so-secret ingredient that transforms a good stay into a five-star memory....
Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects of Hopkinton recently completed a renovation at One Ash Street, home to the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the Boston Marathon. Built in 1900, this 9,000-square-foot historic building is located on Route 135 next to the...
Using their expertise to install and maintain landscapes by assessing and preserving the health of trees and shrubs for the long term is the aim of the professionals at Hopkinton’s Peer Arboricultural Services. “We treat our clients’ landscapes as if they were our...
Helping kids connect with animals and nature all while having a lot of fun is the aim of the summer programs offered at EARTH Ltd. in partnership with Mendon’s Southwick’s Zoo. “Our summer programs are different,” said Betsey Brewer, EARTH Ltd. founder and executive...
Some well-known public figures in Hopkinton will be going to court beginning in the next two months after several months of relative tranquility in town. The most prominent case involves John “Jay” Porter, the former Hopkinton deputy police chief who was charged with...
Metrowest Boston tends to have high levels of radon in many homes, because we have a lot of rock or ledge in the area. As rock and ground erode, it releases a naturally occurring gas called radon into our atmosphere. You can't see it, and you can't smell it. High...
