When a seller tells a Realtor that they are waiting to sell their home until the market changes what they have difficulty realizing is that those prices will rise for all homes in that area. The couple who have no mortgage and want to wait a 3-5 years for a market correction will potentially get more for their home sale but they will also pay more for the home they will need to purchase. Eric Berman, of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, reminds us that if a buyer is prepared then the time is fantastic to purchase a home this fall. Obtaining a credit report, getting a pre-approval with the ability to put at least 5% down as well as calculating the costs of homeownership (taxes, insurance, utility bills, maintenance,etc.), understanding the home buying process and working with a ... 11/04/2009

  Congratulations to Matt Kelly of RE/MAX Executive Realty in Franklin, Ma. for his victory in yesterday's race for a seat on the Franklin Town Council.  The loyal campaign staff did a fine job of promoting and supporting Matt in his endeavor to win that race.   On the top left is Matt Kelly.  To the immediate left is Lorraine Kuney.  Shown to the right are Chrissy Lanord and Mike Colombo. This is truly Team Work!! 11/04/2009

  This is truly team work.  That's Mike Colombo of the Colombo Team of RE/MAX Executive Realty holding a sign for Matt Kelly at today's election in Franklin, Ma.  Along side of him is Chrissy Lanord, our call coordinator at RE/MAX Executive Realty.           Last, but certainly not least, is Lorraine Kuney of The Todaro Team of RE/MAX Executive Realty, doing her part to support Matt Kelly.  Soooo, where is Matt Kelly through all of this?  I'm sure he's shaking hands and waving to all of his local supporters.  Good Luck, Matt....we're all routing for you. 11/03/2009

  Lorraine Kuney has been licensed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey for more than 16 years.  She is well-versed in both the resale and new construction markets in the Franklin area.  Lorraine is currently the "point person" for The Villas at Eagles Nest, Meadowbrook Heights and Sandy Knoll in Franklin, Ma.  She has direct communication with the builders and completes all of the transactions in those subdivisions.  Lorraine has also had extensive experience with relocation clients and their companies.      Marilyn Williams has been in the real estate business for 14 years and offers a wealth of experience in residential resales and active adult communities.  Marilyn is the "point person" for Palladini Village, an active adult community in Franklin, Ma.  Marilyn liked this s... 11/03/2009

A recent housing report shows that real estate sales are on the rise in both Franklin and Milford, MA with Franklin leading area towns at a 15% increase in the 2009 median price-up to $417,500 for single family homes. The nonprofit Boston Foundation assembled housing data from five Greater Boston counties from 2008 and the first half of 2009.  Their finding was that Franklin ranked ninth out of all Greater Boston communities for new housing units, with 216 permits issued in 2008 and a lower than usual foreclosure rate of .27% for the same year. Rep. James E. Vallee, D-Franklin, attributed Franklin's success to the town's school system, commuter accessibility and competitive tax rate.  The town has a single tax rate-the same for businesses and residents-which has resulted in many busine... 11/02/2009

Franklin Condo and Multi-family Round up There are currently 116 condos on the market in Franklin. The condo average list price is $326,000 with an average price per square foot of $180.  Average time on market is 185 days.  Two new condos came on the market in the last week.  They are located on Vail Drive and Hawthorne Village. Four condos went under agreement this past week. They were on Applewood Lane, Hawthorne Village and two on Cassandra Avenue.  Two other condos were flagged to go under agreement soon. One condo was sold in the past week in Franklin.  It was a 2 bedroom townhouse on Beaver Street that sold for $328,000. There are 8 multi-family homes currently on the market in Franklin.  The average list price is $376,000 and the average market time is 70 days. There wasn't much... 10/30/2009

Franklin Single Family Home Round up Currently there are 108 single family homes on the market in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The houses have an average list price of $485,000 and an average market time of 181 days.  There are 17 properties available for $300,000 or less. On the upper end of the scale, there are six properties listing for $800,000 or more.  In the last week five new single family homes came on the market.  They ranged in price from $264,900 to $950,000.  The new properties are on Daniels Street, West Central Street, Oak Street Extension, Lenox Drive and Richard Lane Five single family homes went under agreement in the last week. They are located on King Street, Pleasant Street, Lost Horse Trail, Cooper Drive and Maple Brook Lane,  Four other single family homes were flagg... 10/30/2009

What exactly are the expenses involved in selling a Massachusetts home?  There are not many seller expenses but a few are typical.  Some sellers are content to pay for legal representation only for the Purchase & Sale review--opting to attend the closing alone--without their attorney. The following is a Seller Net Proceeds Worksheet to follow as a general guide.  Each town may vary on their small fees for water readings, smoke certificates, etc. but this gives a prospective seller a framework as they begin to calculate their likely costs and proceeds.                       Sales price                                                                              ___________________ Brokerage fee ____% of selling price                            ___often 5%________                         ... 10/28/2009

The chart shown above reflects the top five real estate offices doing business in Franklin, Ma. in the Condominium market as of October 28, 2009.  They are RE/MAX Eecutive Realty in Franklin, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Franklin, RE/MAX Real Estate Center in Foxboro, Bridge Realty in Franklin and Century 21 Commonwealth in Franklin.  This representation is based on data provided by MLS-PIN who does not guarantee the accuracy and the data may not reflect all real estate activity. 10/28/2009

The chart shown above reflects the top five real estate offices doing business in Franklin, Ma as of October 26, 2009.  They are RE/MAX Executive Realty in Franklin, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Franklin, Century 21 Commonwealth in Franklin, ERA Key Realty Services in Franklin and Costello Realty, Inc.  This representation is based on data provided by MLS-PIN who does not guarantee the accuracy and the data may not reflect all real estate activity. 10/26/2009

The homebuyer tax credit initiative has prompted hundreds of thousands of first-time buyers to seek out their "perfect starter home" over the past year--knowing that they will be eligible for up to $8000 in tax credit money that is a gift, not a loan.  Although the deadline for this plan is rapidly approaching on November 30th, consumers and Realtors alike are eagerly waiting for the government's decision on whether the program will be extended into 2010 and on what terms. Many towns in the greater Boston and Franklin area are experiencing a very limited inventory of "first-time buyer" homes due to a combination of fewer new listings coming on the market and existing homes which are under contract or sold after being scooped up by frenzied buyers aiming to meet the November 30th closing... 10/26/2009

Franklin Condo and Multi-family Round up There are currently 118 condos on the market in Franklin. The condo average list price is $325,000 with an average price per square foot of $180.  Average time on market is 182 days.  Six new condos came on the market in the last week.  They are located on Magnolia Drive, West Central Street, Dean Avenue, Hawthorne Village and two on King Street. Five condos went under agreement this past week. They were on Franklin Crossing Road, Dale Street, Stone Ridge Road, Grey Wolf Drive and Eagles Nest Way.   Five conds were sold in the past week in Franklin.  The first was a 2 bedroom garden style condo at Franklin Crossing that sold for $155,000.  Next was a 2 bedroom townhouse at Quince Landing that sold for $290,000.  Then there was a 2 bedroom townhou... 10/22/2009

Franklin Single Family Home Round up Currently there are 114 single family homes on the market in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The houses have an average list price of $482,000 and an average market time of 173 days.  There are 19 properties available for $300,000 or less. On the upper end of the scale, there are six properties listing for $800,000 or more.  In the last week eight new single family homes came on the market.  They ranged in price from $359,900 to $650,000.  The new properties are on Paula Lane, Pond Street, Hunters Run, Cobblestone Drive, Hawthorne Drive, Morse Pond Court, Peck Street and Summit Road. Four single family homes went under agreement in the last week. They are located on Dale Street, Pleasant Street and two on Cross Street.  Seven other single family homes were... 10/22/2009

Currently there are 109 single family homes on the market in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The houses have an average list price of $475,000 and an average market time of 175 days.  There are 24 properties available for $300,000 or less. On the upper end of the scale, there are six properties listing for $800,000 or more.  In the last week eleven new single family homes came on the market.  They ranged in price from $250,000 to $950,000.  The new properties are on Washington Street, Winterberry Drive, School Street, Union Street, Dutchess Road, Summer Street, Maple Street, Maple Brook Lane, Oakland Parkway, King Street and Lincoln Street. Eleven single family homes went under agreement in the last week. They are located on Arlington Street, King Street, Rolling Ridge Road, Pleasant Street, ... 10/16/2009

                                                        THE TODARO TEAM OF RE/MAX EXECUTIVE REALTY HAVE OPEN HOUSE EVENTS EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 1:00PM TO 3:00PM AT ALL OF THEIR NEW CONSTRUCTION SUBDIVISIONS.  THOSE AREAS ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE VILLAS AT EAGLES NEST (MILLER STREET TO SILVER FOX RD)....MEADOWBROOK HEIGHTS (PLEASANT STREET TO LONGHILL ROAD TO GREY WOLF)....PALLADINI VILLAGE (RTE 495 TO KING STREET TO LAWRENCE DRIVE)....SANDY KNOLL ESTATES (MILLER STREET TO SILVER FOX ROAD)....HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. 10/14/2009

ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES IN FRANKLIN, MA ARE ALIVE AND WELL.  THE INVENTORY IS MOVING AT A STEADY FLOW.  THERE ARE FOUR PRIMARY CONDO COMMUNITIES IN THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN.  RE/MAX EXECUTIVE REALTY MARKETS ALL OF THEM.  THERE ARE OPEN HOUSE EVENTS AT EACH OF THEM EVERY SAT. & SUN. AFTERNOON.  VISIT ALL THEM....SHOP AND COMPARE....THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND ONE OF THEM WILL ALWAYS SATISFY WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. THE CHARTS SHOWN ABOVE INDICATE PENDING AND CLOSED ADULT COMMUNITY CONDOS FOR 2009. 10/13/2009

IN COMPARING THE CHARTS OF THE CONDO MARKET IN FRANKLIN MA FOR THE SAME TIME PERIODS EACH YEAR, THE NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD INDICATE STABILITY IN SALES.  THE PRICES HAVE DECLINED ON AN AVERAGE OF 10% FROM 2008.  YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE PRICES IN 2007 AND 2008 ARE VERY SIMILAR AND THE MARKET DID NOT DECLINE IN CONDO PRICES UNTIL 2009.  ALL OF THE FIGURES ARE AN AVERAGE OF THE MARKET DATA GIVEN VIA MLS. 10/13/2009

THE CHARTS SHOW THE CURRENT CONDO MARKET IN FRANKLIN MA ACCORDING TO MLS DATA.  THE CONDO MARKET IN FRANKLIN IS STRONG AND IMPROVING EVERY MONTH. 10/13/2009

I CREATED CHARTS TO SHOW HOW THE MARKET IN FRANKLIN MA. HAS LEVELED OFF IN 2009 COMPARED TO THE DRASTIC DECLINE FROM 2007 TO 2008.  FROM 2007 TO 2008(DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD FROM JAN TO OCT.) THE MARKET FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES DECLINED IN PRICE IN EXCESS OF 9%,  AND 29 FEWER HOMES CLOSED DURING THAT PERIOD.  AS THE CHARTS INDICATE, THE MARKET HAS CLEARLY LEVELED OFF FROM 2008 TO 2009.  THEY ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL.  THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR REAL ESTATE IN FRANKLIN, MA. 10/12/2009

            HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN ON A LISTING APPOINTMENT ONLY TO SEE OVERGROWN SHRUBS, WEEDS AND CRABGRASS IN THE FRONT LAWN?  YOU WOULD THINK HOMEOWNERS WOULD REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT FIRST IMPRESSION WHEN POTENTIAL BUYERS SEE THEIR HOME.  IT'S SUCH A SIMPLE TASK, BUT IT MEANS SO MUCH.  THIS IS TRUE OF NEW CONSTRUCTION, AS WELL AS RESALE PROPERTIES.  SOME BUILDERS SPEND MORE ON LANDSCAPING THAN OTHERS, AND IT SHOWS!! DOES IT TAKE ANY MORE TIME OR MONEY TO EDGE A CURVED AREA RATHER THAN A STRAIGHT LINE? IT TAKES NO EXTRA TO CURVE A WALKWAY RATHER THAN MAKE IT STRAIGHT.  IT'S MORE APPEALING TO PLANT A VARIETY OF SHRUBS RATHER THAN 2 OR 3 OF THE SAME SPECIES.  IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO SELECT VARIOUS SHADES OF GREEN OR VARIEGATED RATHER THAN ONE STANDARD COLOR.  GIVE YOUR SEL... 10/12/2009