John Fortes ™

What should you do before listing your home for sale: Contact a real estate professional like me who is a master market analysis. Get the home listing ready for pictures, the open house, and showings. Contact a professional who can provide details to help you. #RealEstate

Town spotlight: Marshfield. At Brant Rock in 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first two-way transatlantic radio transmission. I share stories like this and check sewer vs. septic, since only part of town is sewered. Thinking about Marshfield? Ask me what you should know.

Town spotlight: Middleborough. It was settled as Nemasket, 'place of fish', for the herring run. I share history like this with sellers and verify municipal gas and electric by address. Thinking about Middleborough? Ask me what you should know. johnfortes.com/sell-my-house…

Town spotlight: Duxbury. The wooden Powder Point Bridge dates to 1892 and was once in Guinness as the longest and oldest wooden bridge. When I help sellers here, I share history like this and get septic details ready early. Thinking about Duxbury? Ask me what you should know.

Town spotlight: Abington. Abington and Whitman-Hanson have played Thanksgiving football since 1910, one of the oldest rivalries in the state. I share traditions like this and confirm sewer for each house. Thinking about Abington? Ask me what you should know.

So long @bot, not sure we will meet again with the current usage. Hard not to feel the rug pulled from underneath you. I tried to endure this week and like everyone else worked on refining the bots to work more efficient. Also, hard to not notice the step down in competency level. Felt like I had to retrain it and spend time at that then getting tasks completed. I'm not looking for confirmation from anyone else and I'm surprised this isn't a trending topic on this platform.

Town spotlight: Hingham. Old Ship Church, built in 1681, is the only surviving 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse in the US. When I help buyers here, I share history like this and check septic early, since most homes use it. Thinking about Hingham? Ask me what you should know.

Town spotlight: Bridgewater. Known as Old Bridgewater, it's the mother town of Brockton and East and West Bridgewater. I share history like this and check septic, since sewer covers about a third of properties. Thinking about Bridgewater? Ask me what you should know.

Town spotlight: Brockton. Climb the 90 steps of the D.W. Field Park tower and you can see Boston on a clear day. I point buyers to spots like this and confirm city sewer before we list. Thinking about Brockton? Ask me what you should know. johnfortes.com/sell-my-house…

Town spotlight: Marion. Settled in 1679 as Sippican, a name still on its harbor. Grover Cleveland and FDR summered here. I share history like this and check sewer and flood maps early. Thinking about Marion? Ask me what you should know. johnfortes.com/sell-my-house…

Town spotlight: Scituate. In the War of 1812, the keeper's daughters scared off a British landing with fife and drum. I share stories like this and plan for septic, which covers about 60% of town. Thinking about Scituate? Ask me what you should know. johnfortes.com/sell-my-house…

What a lender will approve and what you can comfortably pay each month are two different numbers. Know both before you start touring homes.

Buyers looking in Bridgewater, I always mention Lake Nippenicket. Locals call it The Nip. Kayaking, fishing, and birding in the Hockomock Swamp. Want to live near the water? Ask me.

Buyers, the 30-year rate averaged 7.24% in Freddie Mac's latest weekly survey as of 10/29, down a little from the week before. Small moves still change your monthly payment. Want help running your numbers? Text me at 774-619-7846.

Hanover sellers are getting strong offers this year. Single-family homes there have sold at 102.9% of list price on average so far in 2026, the strongest of the 13 towns I track. Curious what that means for your house? Get a home value here: johnfortes.com/sell-my-house…

When the showings stop, it's usually the price talking, not the photos or the season.

Brockton check-in. The median single-family sale price so far this year is $515,000, and 134 homes were for sale on 10/21. Buyers, is Brockton on your list?

Brockton check-in. The median single-family sale price so far this year is $515,000, and 137 homes were for sale on 10/30. Buyers, is Brockton on your list?

Before you list, fix the small stuff. Leaky faucets, loose handles, burnt-out bulbs. Buyers notice everything, and small fixes make a home feel cared for.

Two towns, same price, different tax bill. Duxbury's FY2026 residential rate is $9.96 per $1,000. East Bridgewater's is $13.69. Do you check the tax rate before you tour?

Your home only gets one first impression online. Make the photos count.