RECENT HOME SALES

Enter a city or town to find recent sales in Massachusetts:
City or Town

MORTGAGE

Future plans key to refi

A mortgage refinance makes little sense for most homeowners who plan to move in the near future.

Mortgage rates head lower

Mortgage rates finally fell after rising sharply over the previous three weeks. (6/18/09)
Enter a city or town to find community info in Massachusetts:
ADDRESS
City or town

DISCUSSIONS

NEWS AND FEATURES

Advantage, renters

Advantage, renters

Apartment vacancy rates are climbing to new highs, pushing down rents after nearly a decade of increases. (By Megan Woolhouse, Boston Globe)
East meets west
HOME OF THE WEEK

East meets west

This mixed zone Medfield property was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright — and Japan.
Is the Bill of Rights outdated?
Bill Wendell at the Real Estate Café has been a consumer advocate for real estate consumers since before it was popular. Another ally, Erle Rowlins,...

BUYING

PHOTO GALLERY
Inside 45 Province

Inside 45 Province

Take a look inside one of the 138 units at Boston's newest downtown luxury high-rise.
Top 15 spots to live

Top 15 spots to live

We asked real estate agents to name the best places for first-time home buyers, kid-friendly activities, nature lovers, public-transit fans, and many others. Read on to find your ideal community.

HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT

The basics of furniture slipcovers

The basics of furniture slipcovers

A friend once said something about furniture that made a lot of sense: If it's going to last forever, I don't want it. Even the thriftiest shopper can get tired of looking at the same old couch year after year after year. So, slip into something more comfortable.
Make your own headboard

Make your own headboard

Follow this simple 7-step guide to give your bedroom a whole new look for about $250 and one weekend. Some handiwork required.
Handyman on Call

Strong detergent may solve soot problem

Q. How can I get soot off a white enameled mantel? Nothing seems to help with this sticky stuff. Even Mr. Clean Magic Eraser did little good.
Detecting smoke
Here is what you need to know about your smoke detectors.
Handyman On Call
Peter Hotton columns
Peter Hotton on home repair.
Gardening
Carol Stocker columns
Tending to your garden.

SELLING

Getting past the appraisal

Getting past the appraisal

Property appraisals, once a routine part of a real estate deal, are complicating home sales as the slumping market makes it difficult for appraisers to pinpoint values.
The $300,000 parking space

The $300,000 parking space

An buyer paid $300,000 for a private parking space in the Back Bay, making it the most expensive parking space in Boston.