Services for Real Estate Pros
Barbara Todaro
If you are buying or selling property in Franklin MA, or a surrounding town, The Todaro Team of RE/MAX Executive Realty is the team to call.
Cell: (508) 918-9148
Office: 508-520-9881
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Real Estate Agent
Praful Thakkar
Real Estate Consultant of New Millennium serving Andover, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Wilmington, Burlington, Woburn, Tewksbury and Eastern Massachusetts.
Cell: 508-314-1640
Office: 978-475-4855
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All About Massachusetts Real Estate

By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key Trends As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are shaping this unprecedented market. A Shortage of Homes for Sale Earlier this year, the number of homes available for sale fell to an all-time low. In recent months, however, inventory levels are starting to trend up. The latest Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com says: “In June, newly listed homes grew by 5.5% on a year-over-year basis, and by 10.9% on a month-over-month basis. Typically, fewer newly listed homes appear on the market in the month of Jun...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
  If you want to sell your house as quickly as possible, a home fact sheet is a must-have. By crafting an informative home fact sheet, you may be able to differentiate your residence from the competition and boost your chances of a fast, profitable home sale. Creating an effective home fact sheet can be quick and easy. Now, let's take a look at three tips to ensure you can craft a home fact sheet that hits the mark with potential buyers. 1. Provide Accurate Information Accuracy is paramount, particularly for a home seller who is crafting a home fact sheet. If you provide homebuyers with accurate information, you can make it easy for them to determine whether to move forward with a home showing. Remember, your goal as a home seller is to make it simple for homebuyers to learn about your ...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market?  Some Highlights The language of buying and selling a home may sound scary at first, but knowing how key terms relate to today’s market can help you. For example, current low mortgage rates and higher wages positively impact affordability for buyers, while home price appreciation continues to grow home equity, which sellers can use to fuel a move up. Terms like appraisal (what lenders rely on to validate a home’s value) and contingencies (which buyers can minimize to make their offer stand out) directly impact the transaction. You don’t need to be fluent in the language of the market to buy or sell. Instead, let’s connect today so that we can translate the process together.
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too? Over the past year, many homeowners realized what they need in a home is changing, especially with the rise in remote work. If you’re longing for a dedicated home office or a change in scenery, now may be the time to find the home that addresses your evolving needs. Working from Home Isn’t a Passing Fad Before the pandemic, only 21% of individuals worked from home. However, if you’ve recently discovered remote work is your new normal, you’re not alone. A survey of hiring managers conducted by Statista and Upwork projects 37.5% of U.S. workers will work remotely in some capacity over the next 5 years (see chart below): Working from Home Gives You More Flexibility and More Options If you fall in that category...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
3 Charts That Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble With home prices continuing to deliver double-digit increases, some are concerned we’re in a housing bubble like the one in 2006. However, a closer look at the market data indicates this is nothing like 2006 for three major reasons. 1. The housing market isn’t driven by risky mortgage loans. Back in 2006, nearly everyone could qualify for a loan. The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) from the Mortgage Bankers’ Associationis an indicator of the availability of mortgage money. The higher the index, the easier it is to obtain a mortgage. The MCAI more than doubled from 2004 (378) to 2006 (869). Today, the index stands at 130. As an example of the difference between today and 2006, let’s look at the volume of mortgages that originated w...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
What You Should Do Before Interest Rates Rise In today’s real estate market, mortgage interest rates are near record lows. If you’ve been in your current home for several years and haven’t refinanced lately, there’s a good chance you have a mortgage with an interest rate higher than today’s average. Here are some options you should consider if you want to take advantage of today’s current low rates before they rise. Sell and Move Up (or Downsize) Many of today’s homeowners are rethinking what they need in a home and redefining what their dream home means. For some, continued remote work is bringing about the need for additional space. For others, moving to a lower cost-of-living area or downsizing may be great options. If you’re considering either of these, there may not be a better tim...
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
Your Home Equity Can Take You Places Some Highlights The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained $33,400 in equity over the last 12 months, and the average equity on mortgaged homes is now $216,000. When it’s time to sell, your home equity can help accomplish your goals. Let’s connect to discuss how you can take advantage of today’s sellers’ market to get the most out of your home sale.
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By Joseph D. Federico, Eastern Massachusetts Real Estate
(Donahue Real Estate Co.)
Which Home Improvements Add the Most Value to a Home     Photo by bidvine via Pixabay   Some home projects and improvements can't wait - a leaking hot water heater or a water damaged floor need to be replaced right away. Other, planned renovations and upgrades are optional. Consider not only your current needs, but the potential impact of any large planned upgrade on your home's value before you proceed. If you are upgrading your home to sell it soon, the improvements you make should add value to your home and be recouped when you are ready to sell.  4 Home Improvements that Add the Most Value to your Home (and 3 That Don't) Some upgrades enhance the overall value of your home, while others allow you to improve the look of your home, and recover the majority of your costs when you sell....
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
South Medford, MA Community and Real Estate InformationSouth Medford is the southernmost portion of Medford, Massachusetts, and is primarily a suburban neighborhood. The area is separated from the rest of the city by the Mystic River and is largely surrounded by Somerville suburbs. The area is bordered on the west by Tufts University, on the south by Powder House Square and Magoun Square, and on the southeast by Winter Hill. Various commercial facilities, including auto dealerships, shops, restaurants, and other local companies, line the Mystic Avenue section of the area. Public parks abound throughout the city, providing wonderful outdoor areas for you and your family to enjoy. Residents also have easy access to the area's public schools. South Medford real estate is fairly diversified...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Glenwood, Medford, MA Community and Real Estate InformationGlenwood is a neighborhood in Medford, Massachusetts that is centrally placed. West of I-93, south and west of Fellsway, north of Mystic River, and northwest of Wellington is the neighborhood. The mixed-use neighborhood has a strong business presence, which is concentrated towards the Wellington border. Throughout the town, there are several shopping malls, office buildings, condos, and other mid-rise structures. Glenwood's growth peaked, like that of most other parts of the city, during the turn of the century, as the region's desire for suburban homes expanded. Many of the suburban developments created at the time are still standing today, along with the many magnificent homes that line the suburb's many streets. Today, new co...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Wellington, MA Community and Real Estate InformationWellington is a riverfront community on a peninsula that is bordered to the south by the Mystic River and to the east by the Malden River. The area, which is located in the city center of Medford, MA, is one of the city's major commercial districts and is home to a variety of department shops, retail malls, office buildings, condominium complexes, and more. Residents are treated to a variety of activities and have easy access to a variety of shopping and eating options, many of which are within walking distance of their homes. The Mystic River State Reservation and Torbert Macdonald Park are located to the south of the town. The views of the river and the city of Somerville to the south are spectacular from this well-kept riverfront op...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
North Medford, MA Community and Real Estate InformationNorth Medford is a residential area of Medford, Massachusetts, located in the northern part of the city. The neighborhood is bordered on the west by the Northern Expressway, on the south by Fellsway W, on the east by the city of Malden, and on the north by the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This hillside neighborhood includes charming cul-de-sac developments with plenty of mature trees and well-built single-family houses. The streets are individually designed to complement the region's natural surroundings. Homes are located in lovely settings with plenty of mature trees and greenery. Residents can easily reach the towns of Medford and Malden and are only a 25-minute drive from Downtown Boston via I-93. Families seeking a new home in ...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Medford Center, MA Community and Real Estate InformationMedford Center is a neighborhood in Medford, Massachusetts, located directly east of West Medford and west of Glenwood and Wellington. S Border Road to the north, Northern Expressway to the east, the Mystic River to the south, and Governors Avenue to the east define the boundaries of this area. The southern riverside part of this neighborhood serves as Medford's major downtown district, including government offices, a shopping mall, and other office buildings. The residential section of the neighborhood, which is made up of different suburban single-family dwellings, is located to the north of this region. Residents in Medford benefit from easy access to schools, shopping, restaurants, public parks, a hospital, and a variety of oth...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
West Medford, MA Community and Real Estate InformationWest Medford is the westernmost neighborhood in Medford, Massachusetts, as the name implies. The suburb is the city's biggest district, bounded on the south by the Mystic River, on the east by Mystic Lake, and on the north by the Middlesex Fells Reservation and Winchester. Governors Avenue, which serves as the neighborhood's eastern border, separates it from the Medford Center district. Although the suburb is primarily residential, it does contain a well-established business district centered on the West Medford Train Station. The Medford - Brooks Estate, Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford High School, and Medford Boat Club are among the community's other significant landmarks. With its finely designed Colonial-style mansions constructed in...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Ball Square, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationBall Square is a largely residential area in Somerville, Massachusetts. To the southeast of Tufts University and to the southwest of Boston Avenue is the neighborhood. Ball Square, like other neighborhoods in the city, is a wonderful bedroom community with lovely housing options for families wanting to reside on Boston's western fringes. The area was named for John Nichols Ball, a prominent local merchant, and politician. The area was formerly a well-known commercial sector, with several of the businesses that opened in those early years still operating today. Lyndell's Bakery, Ball Square Cafe, Kelly's Diner, and many more local businesses are well-known. Today, the area retains its distinct blue-collar vibe, attracting p...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Winter Hill, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationWinter Hill is a hilltop hamlet with Medford Street on the south, McGrath Highway on the east, and Magoun Square on the west. The region has a rich and distinguished history going back to the early 1800s. Among the many sites on the National Register of Historic Places in the region are the Adams-Magoun House, the Charles Adams-Woodbury Locke House, the Broadway Winter Hill Congregational Church, and the Elisha Hopkins House. A large section of the area has been converted into commercial properties. Restaurants, diners, cafés, shops, and a variety of other businesses are all open in the neighborhood. Winter Hill, like many other Somerville areas, has seen substantial gentrification. The vast majority of the area's accessib...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
West Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationThe westernmost neighborhood in Sommerville, MA is known as West Somerville. The Alewife Greenway Bike Path runs through the area, which is bordered by Arlington. Tufts University is to the east of the area, while Teele Square is to the south. The area is mostly residential, however there are a few small grocery stores to the south of the neighborhood that are ideal for your daily shopping needs. Parks abound in the neighborhood, with the parkway to the west providing as an ideal outdoor place for a variety of activities that the whole family may enjoy. Although most of the new construction in the neighborhood is townhouses, there are some condominium and low-rise apartment complexes in West Somerville's southern section. West Som...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Union Square, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationUnion Square is a mixed-use district in Somerville, Massachusetts. Union Square, at the junction of Washington Street, Webster Avenue, and Somerville Avenue, is the heart of the area. Union Square takes its name from a mustering place used by the Union Army during the American Civil War, which is commemorated with a plaque in the square's southwestern corner. Originally, the region, like the rest of Somerville, was primarily agricultural. However, as the city of Boston grew more established, the suburb, like many others, was built for residential and commercial usage by working-class families. The neighborhood now consists of a mix of well-developed residential sections and a significant commercial center with several sto...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Tufts, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationTufts is a suburban area in Somerville, Massachusetts, located just south of Tufts University. Warner Street, College Avenue, Holland Street, Curtis Street, and Boston Avenue are among the neighborhood's boundaries. Beautiful residential neighborhoods, several public parks, and the many academic buildings on the campus to the north make up the suburb. Beautiful mature trees border the streets, giving a lovely suburban environment with great curb appeal. Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and New England designs are among the classic architectural styles seen in Boston. These features all contribute to the creation of a distinct domestic atmosphere that purchasers will undoubtedly love. Tufts is a lovely campus community with excellen...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Spring Hill, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationSpring Hill is a suburban area in Somerville, Massachusetts that is centrally placed. Porter Square and Davis Square to the west, Prospect Hill to the east, and Powder House Square and Winter Hill to the north define the area, which runs north along Sommerville Avenue. Despite the fact that the community is primarily residential, there are several business enterprises along the town's major thoroughfares. Residents enjoy easy access to all they need, including a wide range of schools, public parks, shops, restaurants, recreational opportunities, and much more. As one of the city's original residential subdivisions, the suburb was established in 1843. Many original Colonial-style mansions still exist today, accounting for a...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Prospect Hill, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationProspect Hill is a mixed-use neighborhood in Somerville, Massachusetts that is predominantly residential. Highland Avenue to the north, McGrath Highway to the east, and Somerville Avenue to the south are just a few of the important thoroughfares that run through the area. The Prospect Hill Monument, also known as Prospect Hill Tower, is a historic stone tower monument erected on the site of a Revolutionary War and Civil War battleground. The Grand Union Banner, which is said to be the flag that George Washington hoisted on the location, is now flying from the building, which was constructed in 1904. Prospect Hill is located on the summit of a hill, as the name suggests. There are a number of locations around the area tha...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Magoun Square, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationMagoun Square is a triangle-shaped neighborhood located on the junction of Broadway and Medford Street. Broadway to the north, railroad tracks to the southwest, and Glenwood Road to the southeast define the suburb's boundaries. Over the course of its land area, the suburb is home to around 3,700 inhabitants and nearly 1,500 houses. The location has seen substantial development as a crossroads town, with overpasses and safety traffic features installed to the different routes to prevent accidents. The area was named after John Calvin Magoun, the town assessor of Somerville, in the past. The region used to be largely farmland, with John owning the Adams-Magoun House, which was located between Broadway and Vernon Street. Ma...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
East Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationEast Somerville is a semi-circular neighborhood in the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. The Northern Expressway, Massachusetts Route 28, the McGrath Highway, and Washington Street all run through the area. East Somerville, like many other towns in the region, began as a working-class neighborhood providing inexpensive homes for Boston-area families. Many old residences constructed in the 1880s and 1890s still remain today, preserving this aspect of the neighborhood. East Somerville now has a population of about 8,000 people, with over 2,900 houses scattered over the neighborhood's various properties. The suburb is one of the most densely inhabited in the region, providing plenty of options for investors seeking to buy a rental p...
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By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Davis Square, Somerville, MA Community and Real Estate InformationDavis Square is a well-known business sector and significant junction in Somerville, Massachusetts' northwestern neighborhood. Holland Street, Dover Street, Day Street, Elm Street, Highland Avenue, and College Avenue are among the streets that cross at the junction. Several of the neighboring areas around the crossing are referred to as Davis Square, but they are not truly part of it. The square has a lively commercial center, with stores, restaurants, and a variety of other local companies along most roadways. Davis Square residents may take advantage of the various businesses and attractions in the area. The area is also a key station along the Somerville Community Trail, a pedestrian-friendly path meant to offer a beau...
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