Real Estate Information

We may be slightly partial, but we feel buying a piece of Andover Real Estate is a fantastic idea!  There are so many beautiful homes or condos to choose from that range in style, price and prime location.  Not only are homes in Andover very appealing, but so are the lifestyle, community and quality of life.  You will never be without something to do if you’re an active and social person, yet if you prefer a more low-key approach; there is a very calming and laid back side to the city as well.  

Andover’s close proximity to larger cities allows its’ residents to enjoy the sites, sounds and unique cultures of these neighboring towns.  Lowell, which is only a short drive from Andover, is hosting an event this weekend that will appeal to a wide variety of locals, as it hosts the 25th annual Lowell Folk Festival!  This event draws in crowds from all over and is free to the public.  Great for those who love live music, local artisans and great food; the festival spans three days, July 23-25, to ensure everyone has a chance to attend.   If you would like more information on this exciting event, visit the Lowell Folk Festival website.  

We enjoy bringing you the latest information on Andover Real Estate and local events!  We want to help you connect to Andover as much as possible.  If you ever have questions about homes in Andover or just want to get to know the area better, please let us know!   

Papineau Partners
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When looking for an Andover MA home, it’s easy to get distracted by all the great things the city has to offer!  Whether you’re moving to Andover, or are just looking for that “move up” property; you’re familiar with convenient location, outstanding schools, local attractions and other factors that are influencing your move.  We love Andover for those very reasons and have been involved with this great community for years!

But when it comes to buying a home in Andover, there are some very practical tips to keep in mind.  Although they may seem “old school” these basic rules are making a comeback in today’s market.  Below are four things to keep in mind when searching for homes in Andover.

1. Save For a Down Payment- As the market starts to get back on it’s feet, you don’t have to be as concerned about that emergency cash fund in the event of a downturn.  It’s better to put down 15%-20% as it will be more beneficial in the form of higher equity, better interest rates, and lower payments.

2. Stay within Your Means- Just because you’ve been approved by a lender for a specific amount, doesn’t mean you should buy a home at that price.  You need to make sure you can comfortably afford the monthly payments in order to avoid a chance of foreclosure down the road.

3. Buy Long Term- Although it’s the trend to flip homes for fast cash, now is not the time to do so.  Buy a home with a long term goal in mind as the current market is in favor of buyers, not sellers.

4. Andover Real Estate is Unique- Each area has it’s own market, so you can’t put the national averages on Andover.  Talk to us about the Andover market.  We’d love to walk you through comparables and local market trends.

Again, knowing the Andover Real Estate market is key!  If you have questions or concerns about buying a home in Andover; please let us know!  We’d be happy to show you around the area and answer any questions you may have.

Papineau Partners
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Andover MA Real Estate
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There have been a handful of times in our careers in the Andover MA real estate market that have been really unique and exciting.  We love what we do and enjoy sharing in the joys of sales or that ideal new home with our clients.  This type of energy feeds into what we do on a daily basis within the Andover market.  One of those highlights for us that has been an exciting undertaking is having it’s “unveiling” this weekend!  

The Maple Garden Condos is having it’s grand opening this Saturday and Sunday, July 10th and 11th from 1-4pm, and you’re invited!  This eight unit building offers a modern feel with its high ceilings and open concept.  Formally a school, this building has been transformed to include all of the comforts for todays lifestyle while still maintaining its vintage character.  

Each unit features a wall of oversized windows which allows sunlight to come streaming throughout the main living area.  Stunning hardwood flooring, and a gourmet kitchen boasting granite countertops and breakfast bar add to the homes' appeal.  Amenities such as central air and deeded parking ensure comfort and convenience.  

With four different floorplans, you have the option to choose the model that best suits your needs.  These units will go fast due to their location and attractive urban atmosphere.  Join us this weekend to pick out your floorplan and unit!  We’d love to meet you and show you around!  If you can’t make it out this weekend, feel free to visit www.MapleGardenCondos.info for more information.  Or call us anytime for an appointment!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Papineau Partners
Your Andover MA Real Estate Experts

Andover MA Real Estate
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Andover MA is a city fully immersed in rich American history.  From its move from a settlement to officially becoming the city of Andover in 1641 to its involvement with the Salem witch trials, Revolutionary and Civil Wars; Andover is a city deeply rooted in America’s fabric.  

It comes as no surprise that the Andover 4th of July celebration is a fun and festive occasion filled with many things to do!  If you’re hoping to see fireworks or spend the entire day soaking in the holiday with family and friends; you will not be disappointed!  From fireworks to a pancake breakfast, parade, to live music and much more, Andover is the place to be this weekend!  View the Andover 4th of July schedule below or go to Andover’s website for more information.

Saturday, July 3

Fireworks at dusk, Andover High School, Shawsheen Road


Sunday, July 4

Family Fun, the Park, corner of Bartlet and Chestnut streets

8-11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast

8-9:30 a.m.: Live jazz

9:30 a.m.: Horribles Parade

10-11 a.m.: Monkey & Me Entertainer

10-11:30 a.m.: Games & prizes for the kids

10:30-noon: Live music with Middlesex Concert Band

Even if you’re not an Andover MA resident; you’re more than welcome to join in the festivities.  Andover is a great city that we’ve enjoyed being a part of for most of our lives!  If you have questions about living in Andover, or are looking to sell your Andover home; please let us know!  Our goal is to help make the selling and buying process as easy as possible.  We are well aware of what each neighborhood has to offer and can help you find the home that best suits your needs and lifestyle.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy 4th!

Papineau Partners
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Andover MA Real Estate
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Andover MA is truly a wonderful place to live for a variety of reasons.  Those residing in this quaint town treasure such features as its rich history, ideal location to the larger metropolis of Boston and the astute preparatory schools.  Tree-lined streets and quiet neighborhoods may give the impression of a subdued and sleepy city, but Andover is constantly proving itself to be a lively and up-and-coming place to call home.

Local events seem to grow in number each year and as the warm weather beckons the residents to spend time outdoors; there are many ways to enjoy the summer months while interacting with the community.  This Saturday, June 26, kicks off one of these events that people have grown to love over the past four years.  

The Andover Farmers Market, which runs from June 26-October 9, is a great way to support neighboring farmers and artisans while getting a taste of local fare!  The market is not limited to fresh vegetables and fruits, but includes hand crafted items and an array of other vendors.  Enjoy browsing the various booths while being entertained by live music or take part in making crafts or playing games!  The Andover Farmers Market is open each Saturday from 12:30-3:30 on the lawn of the Andover Historical Society.  

Whether you are just visiting Andover or have established your roots in this growing town; this event is just the thing to give you a true taste of the community.  Looking to make Andover your new place of residence?  Let us know!  We know the ins and outs of each neighborhood and would be happy to show you around or answer any questions you may have!  We are confident that you’ll feel right at home in this unique city!

Papineau Partners
Your Andover MA Real Estate Experts

Andover MA Real Estate
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We are in hundreds of homes each year either meeting with sellers who want to know how to maximize their proceeds or with buyers looking for the "right" home to purchase and enjoy their lives.

One area that will always spark a conversation is what is on the walls, be it paint or wall paper. So much has happened over the last 20 years in terms of the fashion of the walls. 20 years ago, there were thousands of wall paper catalogs that you could pour over for your next weekend project. A house looked almost bare with a simple white on the walls.

Then came the advent of bolder paint colors, ranging from warm neutrals that highlighted the homes moldings to strong jewel tones. Pottery Barn and other national home decor stores had catalogs that home owners could pour over - with simple painted walls that showcased their furniture and accessories that were for sale. HGTV showed how easy it was to make over a room with a fresh new feel and a few buckets of paint. It is easy and less time consuming to paint, versus the exacting nature of hanging wall paper.

As everyone became busier and busier in their lives, and the ability to change on a whim took hold, the paint movement became popular. People who had lived with "Linen White" on the walls became a bit daring with some wall color, and owners with wall paper began taking it down.

Today, paint is the wall covering of choice. Different coordinating colors that flow through a house are visually appealing and can lend warmth and energy to the spaces. Consider hiring a "paint consultant" to assist in choosing a color palette. The local paint stores even have people who will come to the house to work with you on-site in making selections that compliment your decor. This can be a wise move that will bring you pleasure with your project. Call us for other ideas that will help you enjoy your home while you live there, and also net you stronger proceeds when you decide to sell!

                       Before                                                              Potential thru the Architect's Eye 

The value of a good architect to help with a vision for curb appeal or expansion can give both a buyer or a seller a real advantage. For the buyer, it is important to know if the plans they want to implement are plausible and structurally sound. For the seller who wants to know the value of their property, buyers will often pay more for a home that can be taken to the next step, either visually or an increase in square footage.

We turned to Matt Juros, principle of Fishbrook Design Studio, recently for just such a project. Look at the before photo. Great location near the Old Center of North Andover, great lot and interior space - but lacking the warmth and curb appeal it could. See Matt's sketch with the potential look and design. Great vision! An important asset to have access to when evaluating a home.

Working with clients, whether it be a seller or a buyer, requires a team work approach to maximize the outcomes. Our goal is to have a successful transaction where our client feels like there was a win-win, and where they want to work with us again and recommend us to their friends and colleagues.

We received this note today after this week's closing. This is why we work so hard for our clients. We want a letter like this every time!

I had the pleasure of attending the opening event for the Imaging Suite at the South Pavilion at the Lawrence General Hospital this week. This brings true innovation to the Merrimack Valley and a host of key services that you may have felt you needed to travel to Boston to find. Dr. Brian Murphy is the head of this Department and his vision has made many key elements of these services come together.

The layout of the facility provides private and comfortable waiting areas. Soothing colors and a tranquil feel bring comfort along with a caring and professional attitude with the staff. A state of the art open air MRI with calming visuals and music make for a better experience. There are also services for Bone Density Scans, Ultrasound and other high tech Heart Imaging.

This is truly a great additional service here in our back yard to improve the quality of life and medical care.

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.