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

  The penthouse condo at The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma. boasts 3,286 s.f. of living space with a gourmet kitchen, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, granite counters and breakfast room.  The penthouse condo is 45 days from completion. The formal rooms offer double tray and coiffured ceilings, over-sized windows, plenty of glass, wainscoting and crown moldings. There is a library, a media room and a gas fireplace in the family room.  The solarium boasts skylights and a breathtakingly bright and airy room. There are several sets of French doors, large columns and moldings, recessed lighting and so much more. Visit us every weekend and see this incredible penthouse condo for yourself.  You'll love what you see.  This penthouse is offered at $469,900.  Directions: Miller St... 01/18/2010

  Meadowbrook Heights in Franklin, Ma. is the most affordably priced active adult community in the town.  There are four major communities of age restricted condominiums in Franklin, and this subdivision offers the most for the least amount of money.  The condo fees are $200/month and also the lowest of any community. We offer a first floor master bedroom suite and 1,800+ s.f. of living space.  Our base price is presently $329,900for a townhome at Meadowbrook Heights.  It's a tremendous value and our competition is priced higher with a condo fee that is more than doubled compared to ours.  We offer town water, town sewer and natural gas. Other communities have private sewage and bottled gas.  Visit our active adult community and see our model home....you'll be glad that you did. 01/18/2010

  The model home at Palladini Village in Franklin, Ma boasts an incredible gourmet kitchen with custom built cherry cabinets by Franklin Cabinets & Countertops, owned and operated by Ron Calabrese.  The photo at the left displays double ovens and a warming draw plus a massive sized Sub Zero refrigerator.  All of the appliances in this kitchen are commercial grade and top of the line quality.  This kitchen is designed to please those who are connoisseurs of food and wine. The section of the kitchen to the right portrays the spacious granite counters, double under-mount sink and Bosch dishwasher.  The corner cabinet has glass doors to proudly display your fine crystal glasses.                                      The kitchen view to the left exhibits an oversized island with a wine rack ... 01/18/2010

             Well, it's time to blow the old horn of appreciation to all of the members of my team.  Lorraine Kuney, Nancy Maiorana and Marilyn Williams are my team members (from left to right at the top) and have been members from day one of my creating the team. The additional photos are my daughter, Tammy and my daughter in law, Angela(blue shirt.)  They are associate members and their job description is to assist my team members with open house events during our busiest times.  We do business in one of the most affordable communities within Norfolk County with an average sale price in the town of Franklin of $418,000.  My three team members have produced enough business to maintain a ranking within the top 25 in New England from day one of our existence as a team.  We have never be... 01/18/2010

  The homes at Sandy Knoll Estates in Franklin, Ma. provide unique designs and floor plans for each of our homes.  There are no two identical homes within this subdivision and each home has a custom interior layout. Our allowances and standard amenities far surpass those of any other subdivision presently on the market in Franklin, Ma.  All of our lots are thickly wooded and provide privacy while living in a subdivision of over 30 homes.  We have 10 lots remaining and one home under construction.  Visit this luxury community and select a lot for early fall delivery. Our prices start at $599,900.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road.  01/18/2010

  The cape style home at Palladini Village in Franklin, Ma. offers a dramatic cathedral ceiling in the family room and an open loft area on the second floor of this cape.  Appointed with paddle fans, recessed lighting and open rail system, the second floor of this cape provides 2 additional bedrooms and a second full bathroom. The open study is on the second floor and is furnished with a double mullion window and half round.  There are many areas of full walls of glass throughout this home. Visit the model home and see for yourself what living at Palladini Village can offer you.  Directions: Rte 495 to King Stret to Lawrence Drive to cul de sac.  Our cape price starts at $509,900.  There are only 8 sites remaining. 01/18/2010

  Palladini Village in Franklin, Ma. offers one level living in a 25 home community for 55+ age group buyers.  We provide ranch and cape style detached condominiums for those individuals who are not enthused about attached units and less privacy. We are a unique entity in our area.  There are no other condominium communities designed similar to Palladini Village.  Our location is also another wonderful feature.  We are within walking distance to the center of town for easy access to shopping, churches and the "T" to Boston.  The commuter rail is a major bonus for all of the residents in the Town of Franklin, Ma. Our prices at Palladini Village start at $409,900 for the ranch style home and $509,900 for the cape style.  Visit the site and view our model home.  Directions: Rte 495 to Kin... 01/18/2010

  The Villas at Eagles Nest is a community of 36 luxury condominiums with no age restriction.  These beautiful condo units offer one level living at its best.  Each condo is  equipped with a plethora of amenities and incredibly high end features. Our kitchens should be described as gourmet and include granite counters, island, and the appliances are stainless.  The floor plans in each of the seven condos in each building are unique in size and design. Our condominiums provide 2,000 s.f to a spacious condo of 3,200+ s.f.  The latter is our penthouse condominium. Visit our open house event every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and take a tour of all of the condos.  Our prices start at $369,900 for our new building to start construction in the spring.  Directions:  Miller Street... 01/18/2010

  Our open house event at Meadowbrook Heights in Franklin, Ma was a very successful event this past weekend.  There are more buyers for adult communities in our area and they are visiting and seriously considering purchasing a beautiful townhome in our active adult community. These luxury condos all offer a first floor master bedroom suite with an additional bedroom and full bath upstairs and more room for expansion.  The setting is absolutely beautiful.  Meadowbrook Heights is located in a residential area and is surrounded by a tranquil wooded area that allows walking trails and a wonderful natural setting. Our prices start at $329,900 and we are presently half way complete with the 59 townhomes.  Visit our open house events every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Direction... 01/18/2010

My team and I focus on marketing new construction.  We presently have three condominium communities and one luxury home subdivision that we are promoting.  All of our model homes in each subdivision are on an electronic lockbox and a combination lockbox.  We make our new construction easily available to show for any and all real estate agents by providing both types of lock boxes.  We will co broke with everyone, even if they are not members of MLS and dabble in real estate sales on a part-time basis.  Although we provide easy accessibility, we also offer to accompany every showing.  There are agents who are intimidated by new construction and hesitant to show it on their own.  We can always recognize that "sigh of relief" after we offer to meet them at the property and assist with the ... 01/17/2010

Since the topic of conversation with Franklin, MA and Boston area agents has recently centered on the lack of available housing inventory for prospective buyers, I decided to take an informal survey of the situation. I individually asked ten Franklin Realtors how many buyers they had who would likely purchase a home priced between $250,000 and $450,000 on or before April 30th, 2010.  I chose April 30thsince move-up or first time buyers looking to take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit must have a signed contract on a home by this date.  The agents did not know any explanation other than I was gathering information for a future blog post.  The data I collected cannot be viewed as statistically significant but rather just a small snapshot of the current Franklin, MA market conditions.... 01/16/2010

When a real estate team focuses on new construction, does that eliminate or hinder them from competing for resale properties within the marketplace?  The answer to that is a definite, unequivocal, and down right "NO" it does not.  As a matter of fact, knowing the structural systems and the working functions of a home, of any age, is essential, when one interviews to take a listing. How many of us have witnessed agents who are not familiar with what they are looking at when showing a property.  During a new construction showing at our inventory, one of my team members will offer to accompany the showing to make sure the home or condo is presented properly.  We can't assume that everyone is knowledgeable about new construction, and we want the deal.  There are too many agents who have not... 01/16/2010

After having had the opportunity to work with Cheryl Macalone for ten years, there is a void in our office that cannot be filled.  Cheryl passed away on January 18, 2009 from pancreatic cancer.  That is a day that will forever be remembered at RE/MAX Executive Realty in Franklin, Ma.  Cheryl was more than just a real estate agent.  She was a mentor, a friend, a sister-broker and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and partner.  Cheryl was in the real estate business for 25 years, with the first 15 of those years being devoted to managing Boomer Real Estate in Norfolk, Ma.  Cheryl was a member of our RE/MAX Executive Realty family and partnered with her loving husband, John, for the past 10 years.  She was a leader in business, a tower of strength for her family and a devoted, loving frie... 01/15/2010

Franklin Condo and Multi-family Round up There are currently 100 condos on the market in Franklin. The condo average list price is $323,000 with an average price per square foot of $179.  Average time on market is 241 days.  Two new condos came on the market this past week.  The first is a 2 bedroom garden style condo on Highwood Drive.  The other is also a two bedroom garden style condo on Franklin Crossing. Two condos went under agreement in the last week. The first was a 2 bedroom townhouse on Quince Landing and the other was also a 2 bedroom townhouse on Grey Wolf Drive. Two other condos were flagged to go under agreement soon. Three condos were sold in the past week in Franklin: 151 King Street U:202 4 room, 2 bed, 1 bath Garden  $129,500 2 Bancroft Common U:2 6 room, 2 bed, 2.5 ba... 01/15/2010

Franklin Single Family Home Round Up Currently there are 93 single family homes on the market in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The houses have an average list price of $501,000 and an average market time of 172 days.  There are 14 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 six new single family homes came on the market.  The newly listed properties are on Penny Lane, Windsor Circle, Charles Drive, Pond Street, Bens Way and Partridge Street.  They ranged in price from $374,900 to $650,000.  Four single family homes went under agreement in the last week.  The are located on Alpine Place, Lincoln Street, Haverstock Road and Pleasant Street. One single family home sold in the past week in Fra... 01/15/2010

  Visit our open house event this Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at The Villas at Eagles Nest and Meadowbrook Heights in Franklin, Ma.  The Villas at Eagles Nest is for all age groups.  There are 4 condos remaining in the standing buildings.  The next building will start construction in the spring.  There will be a total of 5 buildings.  Our prices start at $369,900.  Directions:  Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way. Meadowbrook Heights is an active adult community of 59 townhomes.  We have sold half of the subdivision, and we are now on the final stretch.  Our prices start at $329,900.  Directions:  Miller Street to Longhill Road to Grey Wolf Drive. 01/14/2010

  2009 was a terrific year for condominium sales in Franklin, Ma.  There were 100 closed condo units in the town with the adult community condominiums leading the way.  Those condos ranged in price from $300,000 to $510,000. The lower end of the price range consisted of condo conversion units and older townhome duplex units. Currently there are fourteen pending condominiums in the Town of Franklin.  We have a very active market for condominiums. 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.  01/14/2010

In our Franklin office of RE/MAX Executive Realty, three of our teams are marketing subdivisions of new condominiums.  We decided to try a new approach to increase activity with a different flavor and style.  We are planning a progressive Sunday open house to be held in the spring to introduce and energize the new season.  We will provide food at each model home in each of the subdivisions.  We'll share the cost of the advertising and the food. Each subdivision provides unique condo designs, different rules and regulations, settings and sizes.  There are plenty of buyers for all of us, and it's a great way to spread the wealth.  We are different teams working as one team and representing several different builders!!!  It's a new approach to marketing our subdivisions, and if it is as su... 01/14/2010