From the BLS: Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May, and the unemployment rate declined to 13.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These improvements in the labor market reflected a limited resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed in March and April due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it. In May, employment rose...

Tired of looking out the window at your dull, dormant lawn? A little prep now will give you a green lawn all summer long. Rake First things first, gently rake leaves, twigs, and dead grass off your lawn, and remove snow mold if you live in colder climates. This allows air and sunlight to reach down to the grass roots. Avoid power-raking, as hacking away at the ground can damage shallow grasses and good...

In times of uncertainty, one of the best things we can do to ease our fears is to educate ourselves with research, facts, and data. Digging into past experiences by reviewing historical trends and understanding the peaks and valleys of what’s come before us is one of the many ways we can confidently evaluate any situation. With concerns of a global recession on everyone’s minds today, it’s important...

Quarantine means spending way more time at home—and for some people, that also means noticing everything you want to change about your space. But is now a good time to take on a major renovation project? Probably not, experts say. “If you’re not already in the middle of a renovation, I don’t think right now is the time to start a big project,” says Katie Kurtz, a real estate agent in...

A credit score significantly determines the terms of your loans and whether you can afford these loans or not. Credit scores are used in evaluating a range of loans such as personal loans, car loans, and home mortgages, so credit scores are equally important for both renters and homeowners. Your credit score will determine how much you can borrow and the length of your repayment. The higher the credit...

One of the biggest misconceptions of home buying? The 20% down payment. Here’s how to buy with a lot less down. Buying your first home conjures up all kinds of warm and fuzzy emotions: pride, joy, contentment. But before you get to the good stuff, you've got to cobble together a down payment, a daunting sum if you follow the textbook advice to squirrel away 20% of a home's cost. Here are five...

Re/Max Andrew Realty Services of Medford and Stoneham recently announced the addition of Braintree native Alexa Dealy, an experienced realtor and Medford resident. As a Re/Max Andrew realtor, Dealy offers both seller representation and buyer representation. She specializes in the marketing and sale of residential and commercial properties, as well as land and new developments. Dealy services the Boston,...

WALTHAM, Mass. – The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that the number of single-family homes put under agreement in the month of April went up almost 15 percent and the number of condominiums put under agreement went up almost 12 percent compared to this time last year. This marks 12 straight months of year-over-year increases for single-family homes. The median price for...

Be Loyal Pick ONE Realtor® and stick with that Realtor®. Nothing inspires a professional to work hard to find you the perfect home than knowing that you are relying on him or her exclusively. Choose Carefully When choosing a Realtor® check to ensure that they are full-time and professionally trained to serve your needs. Check out their track record. You should also check to make sure that the...