30-Year Rates Back Below 5% Mortgage rates were on the decline this week, a welcome sign for potential home buyers or those looking to refinance. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 4.95 percent this week, down from 5 percent the week prior, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage market survey. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 5.05 percent. The 15-year, fixed-rate … [Read more...]

Prudential Real Estate ranked "Highest Overall Satisfaction" for home sellers among national full service real estate firms by J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Home Buyer/Seller Study.  The study was conducted between March 2009 and March 2010 and includes 3,096 evaluations from 2817 respondents. … [Read more...]

Common Pitfalls Faced by For-Sale-By-Owners • Seller cannot make themselves available for showings at convenient times to buyers due to work, family, or other commitments • Concerns over safety & security - allowing strangers in the house • Newspaper ads alone don’t draw enough qualified buyers • Seller over-prices home (fewer buyers, fewer offers) • Seller under-prices home … [Read more...]

The year 2010 was another great year for Prudential Howe & Doherty REALTORS® and the market we serve.  We wish to thank our customers for the opportunity to serve them. #1 Real Estate Office in the Andovers* #1 Real Estate Office in the Merrimack Valley* #1 Real Estate Office in Essex County* #11 Real Estate Office in Massachusetts* Sales Volume** $180,779,900 Transactions 386 Agents … [Read more...]

Agency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Everyone in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is entitled to be represented by a Real Estate Firm.  This was not always the case!  Historically, both agents represented the seller since that party was paying all commissions.  Now agencies may represent either the buyer, the seller, or both parties at the same time in any transaction.  … [Read more...]