The Red Brick School is a historic school in Franklin, Ma., and it's one of the longest running one-room schools in the country. This one room school house was built in 1833, but there was an original building there in 1792.  The existing building as shown was built on the previous foundation.  The bricks that gave their name to this school were shipped via oxen from Boston.  By 1835 Mortimer Blade was running a high school from the building.  There was a charge of 25 to 35 cents per week.  After 175 years of annual use as a kindergarten, the Red Brick School is now used by the  Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School.  So, the tradition of public education continues in this one room classroom, viewed by the residents of the Town of Franklin as a town treasure. 01/27/2010

Our in-house marketing department provides a wide variety of marketing materials for our agents.  I take full advantage of the convenience and the one on one communication that is readily available in-house.  Brochures are an item that my team and I continually have designed for us.  We utilize our marketing department to layout our ten page booklet type brochure for each of our four subdivisions.  The brochure boxes at each subdivision are filled with them at all times.  This is 24 hour on-site marketing.  These brochures are also handed out to visitors during open house events, and we email them to potential buyers and other agents during the week.  These brochures display floor plans, specifications, interior photos of the model units, the site plan, information on the Town of Frankl... 01/26/2010

The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman just released their data on Massachusetts single family home sales.  Their report shows that the four year trend of sliding sales seems to finally be reversed with home sales now up by 3% from 2008 to 2009. Most Realtors will acknowledge that the Massachusetts market peak was during 2005 when prices were almost 20% higher than the current 2009 sales data. According to the (MLSPIN) Multiple Listing Service, there are currently 104 total single family homes, including new construction, for sale in Franklin.  During the past 30 days, sales were posted within 3% of a seller's asking price.  Also the data shows that sellers averaged a 4.5% price change from their original price. The key seems to be pricing right from the start.  This has allo... 01/26/2010

I'm a life-long resident of the Town of Franklin.  This has been home to me from day one except for college years (and those were spent in Maine.)  I taught in Franklin prior to my real estate career, and I've been selling real estate in Franklin since 1978.  During the 1990's, Franklin grew at a rate of over 100%, and my new construction subdivisions provided housing for the rapid influx of newcomers to our town.  New construction literally put the town of Franklin on the map in the ‘90's, and I was fortunate enough to be the agent who listed the majority of that new product.  Franklin, at one point, was named the fastest growing community in the country.  During that rapid growth period, the only marketing that was needed was MLS.  Neither open houses nor print advertising was necessa... 01/26/2010

  Palladini Village in Franklin, Ma. is an active adult community with single family cape and ranch style homes on common land. There are a variety of floor plans that buyers of the homes have custom designed.  This photo was taken from the second floor balcony that overlooks the family room.  The flooring is oak and this room boasts a corner gas fireplace with a mantle.  The photo on the right boasts a vaulted ceiling rather than a cathedral ceiling.  There is also a corner gas fireplace, a double mullion window and a set of sliding glass doors to a deck.  This family room also has strip oak flooring.   The sunroom is one of our most popular optional upgrades.  This sunroom features large fixed glass windows with transoms on the bottom of the window, a see through gas fireplace to the... 01/25/2010

  The chart is a reflection of the dollar volume of market share sold by agents selling Franklin homes during 2008 and 2009. The dollar amount sold in 2009 for RE/MAX Executive Realty increased compared to 2008.  Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is a close second to RE/MAX Executive Realty. The ERA Key Realty Service  office, Costello Realty and Keller Williams are within the same range for production in both '08 and '09. 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. 01/25/2010

  Meadowbrook Heights in Franklin, Ma is an active adult community of 59 duplex townhomes and is the most affordably priced condo community in the Franklin, Ma area.  Our condo fees are $200/month, and they too are the lowest in the area.  All of our condos include granite, hardwood, tile, maple cabinets, stainless appliances, gas fireplace, cathedral family room and first floor master bedroom suite. This community is serviced by town water, town sewer and natural gas.  Our next phase offers privacy and beautiful views of the wooded area that surrounds this adult community.  Prices start at $329,900.  Located in a beautiful residential area, Meadowbrook Heights is fifty percent sold.  Visit our open house events every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and have a Todaro Team mem... 01/25/2010

  The cape style home at Palladini Village in Franklin, Ma has been a very popular home because of its flexibility for a variety of interior designs.  The kitchens are custom designed with the assistance of the cabinet maker.  This kitchen view was taken from the second floor balcony and boasts a five person island.  This cape has a contemporary flair and the layout is quite unique.  The eating area offers a gas fireplace and the addition of columns adds a formal touch to this area. There is also a walk out bay window to add some additional floor space and light to this room.  The rear deck is 14x16 and made of Trex.  The handrails are vinyl clad for maintanence free living.  There is an attached 14 x 16 sunroom with three walls of glass and this rooms has access to the deck for summer... 01/25/2010

  Strawberry Fields in Franklin, Ma is a great location for a home, if you are a frequent user of the "T" to Boston.  This seven lot community of custom homes is a quick five minute walk to the "T" and stores, churches and schools.  Privacy and convenience at its best. Center island in the custom designed kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances including double ovens, cook top, dishwasher, disposal and microwave, is a great place to entertain.  The first floor boasts 9' ceilings, 16x24 sunken family room with gas fireplace, large formal dining room with tray ceiling and rope lighting.   There is an office on the first floor, 2.5 tiled bathrooms, first floor laundry and a beautiful master bedroom suite with soaking tub and 26x8 walk in closet.  Call now for a tour of this... 01/25/2010

  Palladini Village is a 25 home active adult community of single family ranch and cape style homes on common land. This style of condo living is designed to accommodate the buyers who demand privacy but are interested in down-sizing. Our homes are two and three bedroom with first floor master suites in the cape style.  The ranch boasts 1,880 s.f. of living space and the cape is 2,800 s.f.  They all include a two car attached garage, town water, town sewer and natural gas. Prices start at $409,900 for the ranch and $509,900 for the cape.  We have eight home site remaining of the original 25.  Directions: Rte 495 to King Street to Lawrence Drive to the cul de sac.  It's a beautiful area.  Drive through and visit our model home. 01/25/2010

  Sandy Knoll Estates in Franklin, Ma is a community of high end custom homes being marketed by The Todaro Team of RE/MAX Executive Realty.  We have ten wooded acre+ lots remaining of the original thirty-two lots.  Every home is a unique floor plan and offers a plethora of high end amenities. Our homes offer a minimum of four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, custom maple kitchens with granite and stainless appliances, hardwood flooring, tile, master bedroom suites with jet tub and walk in closets.  The family rooms have cathedral ceilings and gas fireplaces. Every home boasts a two or three car garage.  Our prices start at $599,900.  Visit the site or call us for a tour of some homes.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road on the Norfolk Line. 01/25/2010

  The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma. has become a very popular condominium community.  There will be a total of five buildings with seven condos in each of them.  The size of the units range from 1,800 s.f. to over 3,200 s.f. The kitchens are spectacular and include stainless appliances, granite counters and maple cabinets.  The wet bar area is a great addition, also. The cabinetry boasts raised panels, roping and glass doors.  Prices start at $409,900 Visit us every Saturday and Sunday at our open house events and take a tour of the variety of floor plans and features.  Open from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Directions: Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way.   01/24/2010

  There is an open house every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Meadowbrook Heights in Franklin, Ma.  This is an active adult community of 59 townhomes. Each condo boasts a first floor master bedroom suite and 1,800 s.f. of living space.  The condos include a mapel kitchen, granite counters, stainless appliances, tile floor in kitchen, hardwood in eating area,gas fireplace in the family room and a slider to a deck. This community is serviced by town water, town sewer and natural gas.  The condo fees at $200/month.  Our prices start at $329,900. Hope to see you there this weekend.  There are two standing units available. 01/24/2010

  The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma. had another closing today.  The second floor condominium at #723 is closed at $400,000.  The couple who purchased this 2,800 s.f., two bedroom condo are very excited about their new home.  Lorraine Kuney of The Todaro Team is the "point person" for this transaction. We have four standing condos remaining and our prices start at $409,900.  The next two buildings will start construction in the spring.  Visit us every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at our open house event.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way.  Hope to see you there this weekend. 01/24/2010

  Lorraine Kuney of The Todaro Team co-ordinated another closing today for #923 Eagles Nest Way at The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma.  This second floor condominium closed at $400,000 and the couple who purchased this condo are very excited about this closing. Each of the seven condos in all of the 5 buildings have unique floor plans.  This second floor condo offers 2,863 square feet of living space and a plethora of amenities. Lorraine Kuney, the point person for The Villas at Eagles Nest, did a fantastic job of co-ordinating the delivery of this condo with the builder.  There are 4 standing condos available at The Villas at Eagles Nest.  Visit our open house event every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Rd. to Eagles Nest Way. 01/22/2010

There are many fascinating components of the real estate business, and there has been a great evolution of how an office runs.  Every office has a policy and procedure manual.  I think the RE/MAX system has had a tremendous affect on allowing more independence to take place within a conventional real estate office.  The commission splits of decades ago have not completely disappeared, but there are now a variety of splits offered in most offices.  It goes well beyond the old days of 50/50.  Our RE/MAX office offers splits ranging from 50/50 to 95/5.  The costs vary accordingly, and some of the lower splits allow you to receive a monthly budget for advertising.  The majority of agents today are on an 80/20 with no fees.  Now that's a good deal!!  We make life easy for our agents. Today's... 01/21/2010

  The Villas at Eagles Nest has 4 closings within the next 11 days.  Lorraine Kuney of The Todaro Team and the builder of The Villas have been very busy finalizing the last minute details for the four closings that are about to happen. The first walk-through will happen tomorrow morning prior to closing.  The new buyers are very excited and the condo is absolutely beautiful. Visit us this Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for our open house event.  We only have 4 standing condos available.  Construction will start soon for at least one new building but possibly two will begin construction.  The activity is plentiful and the interest in new purchases is evident.  See the condos for yourself.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way.  Prices for the exist... 01/21/2010

  The chart reflects the activity in the Franklin, Ma market for multifamily homes.  There are currently 5 multifamily homes on the market, and they include 2 two family homes, 2 three family homes and one four family. There is only one pending 5 unit building at a $349,900 list price. There are 7 closed multifamily homes during 2009.  The include 5 two family dwellings, one three family home and one four family home. The multifamily home market survived 2009, and I expect that the statistics will improve for 2010.  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. 01/20/2010

Marketing, as I've said in several past blogs, is the first step in developing a successful real estate business.  If the phone does not ring, there will be very little or no business.  How fortunate we are today to have a networking real estate site as we do with Activerain.  It's a small investment with a large return, if worked consistently and properly.  Years ago, we relied on print advertising.  I can't speak for you, but I know it dug deeply into my pockets!!  I have eliminated all print ads, and the only type of printing I purchase is postcards for direct mail advertising.  Direct mail is also expensive, but it works.  Sometimes the more expensive forms of advertising work best during tough times because not many agents want to spend the money.  That's a reason for me to increas... 01/19/2010

  The builder at The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma is planning to excavate for the foundation of building #5 by the end of February.  The foundation will be poured in March.  Construction plans are in place and we are accepting reservations for that building.  There are several people interested in reserving a condominium with a long closing required for occupancy.  Building #5 will most likely be complete by the beginning of the fall.  That will afford more than enough time for us to find a buyer for existing homes that need to be sold. The prices at The Villas at Eagles Nest will start at $369,900 for building #5.  Visit us every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way. 01/19/2010