Massachusetts Home Buyer Guide

The Town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, also affectionately known as “the gem of Norfolk County," has a charming New England small-town feel, but its location midway between Boston, MA and Providence, RI makes it easily accessible to two metropolitan areas.

Chelmsford, Massachusetts is a quaint suburb in Middlesex County with well-preserved historic architecture and an active community. Scenic beauty in nestled trails, beaches at lakes and ponds and pathways give Chelmsford that small-town feel and reflect its rural past; however, the town, originally settled in 1653 as one of the Massachusetts Bay Colonies, offers much more than just aesthetic charm.

Andover, Massachusetts is an active community that blends the best of Massachusetts’ past and present. This historic and culturally rich town, founded in 1636, offers a quiet suburban and, in some parts, rural setting for its residents while maintaining a bustling downtown full of excellent shops, restaurants and meeting places.

In addition, the town boasts historical sites, museums, a state forest, public transportation, a wide range of community activities, quality public and private school options, and a thriving collection of high-profile companies. These qualities make Andover, MA an ideal place to live and raise a family.

Obviously, not every home buyer that purchases real estate is married. Unmarried couples and friends, as well as relatives, have two choices on how they may hold title to real estate in Massachusetts. Married couples have another choice.  

The South End is one of the most popular Boston neighborhoods for those individuals who desire a vibrant community. Its tree-lined neighborhood streets are known for historic properties, many dating back to the 1800s; charming brick sidewalks; ethnically diverse restaurants; eclectic shopping; distinct art galleries; and many small, quaint parks.

Geographically, the South End is located between Back Bay and South Boston and in close proximity to the theater district, Chinatown, Beacon Hill and downtown Boston. The neighborhood extends from Massachusetts Avenue on the west to Berkley Street on the east and north to south from Columbus Avenue to Albany Street.

The renaissance city Lowell, Massachusetts is a unique environment where diverse cultures, history and creativity intersect. Built in 1817, Lowell was the country’s first planned factory town. During the 1800s, the city was a major producer of textiles, attracting droves of workers to its mills. Lowell’s history as the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution remains present in the brick buildings and cobblestone streets, adding charm to the city’s lively downtown area.

With a population of a little more than 100,000 in 14.5 square miles, Lowell is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts. Lowell has five zip codes and eight distinct neighborhoods, including the Acre, Back Central, Belvidere, Centralville, Downtown, Highlands, Pawtucketville, and South Lowell. Bordering Dracut, MA; Tewksbury, MA; Billerica, MA; Chelmsford, MA; and Tyngsboro, MA, the city is easily accessed from its surrounding suburbs.

For Boston home buyers looking for a new construction luxury condo in Boston's South End, the Ink Block development presents a rare opportunity. Besides nearly 400 apartments, the development will include 83 luxury condominiums known as the Sepia Condos at Ink Block. 

Only 29 miles southeast of Boston, Marshfield is a town in Plymouth County on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Named for the picture-perfect salt marshes scattered through the town, Marshfield is known for its seashore and environmental beauty. The town's geography has created a unique environment; its salt water tidal marshes are home to many rare plant and animal species.

The town boasts five miles of public seashore, making its eight beaches popular destinations during the summer. It is also the site of several small forests and conservation areas, including the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary along the Green Harbor River and the North River Wildlife Sanctuary along Route 3A.

The City of Peabody is in the “North Shore” area of Massachusetts, with 16.9 square miles conveniently located 18 miles north of Boston, in Essex County. 

The area of Peabody, MA was first settled in 1626 and was often referred to as “Northfields”, “the Farms”, and “Brooksby.” Peabody was originally incorporated as part of Danvers, but later broke off in 1855 to be known as South Danvers. Finally in 1868 the name was changed to Peabody, named after the philanthropist George Peabody, and became incorporated as a city in 1916.

The median price for a single-family home in Braintree, Massachusetts increased 7.52 percent during the first eight months of 2013; however, the median price declined 4.88 percent in August compared to the previous year, according to data provided by The Warren Group. 

The median price of a Braintree, MA single-family house stood at $330,000 January through August 2012. The median price increased to $354,800 during the same period this year. The median price in August stood at $366,200 compared to $385,000 in August 2012.