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Home & Garden F |

| SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

& Real Estate

INSIDE

ANTIQUES: A table made by great Art Nouveau designer, F7

IN THE GARDEN: Which varieties of pears are the best?, F4

Learn how to

Burn Better

Ways to dramatically reduce carbon emissions from your fireplace, Page F2

F2 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

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Here’s how to build a better fire Burning wood emits more than fossil fuels

heat, except in a few narrow circumstances. When it comes to nasty particulates lodging in our lungs and organs, it’s far worse than any fossil fuel. By Michael J. Coren That doesn’t mean we The Washington Post should extinguish fireside N 50 YEARS, MY FAnights. After all, fireplaces ther-in-law has never emit a tiny, tiny fraction run out of wood. of total emissions. But we Since building a can dramatically improve wood-heated cabin in Maine what we burn and where we in the early 1970s, he has source it. started each summer collectHere’s how to burn better ing balsam, birch and maples (and why electricity is still that fell or died over the win- the hottest thing around). ter. That’s kept the wood pile The dark side of wood stacked and the cold at bay. Many fireplace lovers Americans have never — myself once included — needed less wood to stay assume burning wood to stay warm. Just 1% say it’s their warm and cozy is a climate main source of heat, down win: trees regrow, suck carfrom 2%t in 2010, according bon dioxide out of the atmo- to the U.S. Census Bureau. sphere and keep fossil fuels When it comes to fireplaces, in the ground if forests are gas fuels about 60% of the managed responsibly. My fa- market. ther-in-law’s forest in Maine Yet the love of an open is as vigorous as always. flame for both warmth and But my intuition was ambiance endures. wrong, according to hunLast year, 191,000 dreds of scientists who have wood-burning fireplaces examined the question. and appliances were sold in Thanks to the physics of North America, according to combustion, wood emits the Hearth, Patio & Barbe2.5 times as much CO2 than cue Association, an industry natural gas and 30% more group. than coal when burned for As a practical matter,

Thanks to the physics of combustion, wood emits 2.5 times as much CO2 than natural gas and 30% more than coal when burned for heat, except in a few narrow circumstances. (PHOTO, COVER PHOTO ADOBE STOCK IMAGES)

though, “wood is a terrible fuel,” said Tim Searchinger, a Princeton University researcher and land-use economist at the World Resources Institute. Searchinger’s work has documented the ecological and climate costs of clearing forests for fuel. His research calculates how cutting U.S. forests for wood pellets, especially for fuel in European power plants, is driving excess carbon emissions. Cutting down a tree for heat is a double whammy for the climate, turning what would otherwise be a growing carbon sink into a big pulse of CO2.

“If you just literally stopped harvesting wood, our forests would massively regrow, and we’d have a lot more carbon” stored in forests, Searchinger said. Burning wood is also highly inefficient. Because of its low energy density and high moisture content, it just doesn’t deliver much heat compared to fossil fuels. In a 2015 paper, Jérôme Laganière, a research scientist at Natural Resources Canada, a government agency, estimated how long it would take trees in Canadian forests to recapture the carbon lost by burning wood compared to fossil fuels. It turns out that under no scenario is cutting trees for heat carbon-neutral compared to gas (or even coal under likely conditions). Salvaging dead or drying trees from fires and insect infestations still results in more emissions than gas.

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The only scenario that delivered an immediate, but modest, climate benefit? Burning forest-and-processing waste — essentially leftover twigs, branches or sawdust. “Cutting [live] trees” for fuel, Laganière said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” How to make a wood-burning fireplace more efficient An open fireplace only captures 10% of the heat from burning wood. The rest goes up the chimney, sometimes even pulling warm air out of the house. One way to address this is with a fireplace insert — a steel or cast-iron box with an insulated glass door that turns an open fireplace into an efficient furnace. Models with an electric blower can distribute air that warms a 2,000-square-foot house with ease. SEE FIREPLACE, PAGE F6

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F4 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

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Lee Reich | In the Garden

Sammy the dog is eyeing these Chojuro Asian pears which, I fear, taste good to both of us.

Which pear varieties are best?

F ALL COMMON tree fruits, pears are the easiest to grow — and not just here in the Northeast. My site is admittedly poor for tree fruits, the flat lowland acting like a reservoir into which cold, damp air flows, leading to increased threats from diseases and late frosts. Proximity to acres and acres of forest provides haven for insect pests. But I’m not complaining; the air might be bad for apples, peaches, cherries, plums and apricots, but underfoot is rich, well-drained, rock-free river bottom soil that grows very nice vegetables, berries and many uncommon fruits such as persimmons, cornelian cherries and kiwifruits. And pears. Of the more than 3,000 varieties of pears, only a handful are well-known. I figured, as with apples, there must be many varieties better or as good tasting as the few usually offered in markets. Twenty years ago, I found space for a number of dwarf or semi-dwarf pear trees. But what varieties to plant? I sought suggestions from other fruit growers, from nursery websites and catalogs (especially Raintree Nursery and Cummins Nursery), from

GARDEN NOTES

the USDA Pear Germplasm Repository, and books such as the 100-year-old tome “The Pears of New York,” finally settling on 16 varieties. The mostly obscure varieties were not available as trees, especially on the rootstocks I wanted. (Particular rootstocks influence the eventual size of the tree as well as how long before it bears its first fruit, and the roots’ resistance to pests and soil challenges.) So I made trees! After ordering scion wood (stems) of the desired varieties and desired rootstock, I set about grafting the trees, which is relatively easy with pears. Over the years, I did a Henry the Eighth on any trees that didn’t perform well as far as productivity or flavor. In contrast to Henry’s work, I could graft a new variety atop any decapitated trunk, and it would grow just fine. In the 17 years since that initial planting, seven additional varieties found their home here (also listed at the end of this post). Back in 1870, Charles Dudley Warner wrote (in “My Summer in a Garden”), “I have seen gardens which were all experiment, given over to every new thing, and which

invasive introductions to the area, including identification, STOCKBRIDGE hosts and control or mitigation methods. Learn strategies to Upcoming events stay abreast of new Invasive Introductions, and how to at Berkshire about the best techBotanical Garden think niques to avoid, prevent, or Berkshire Botanical Garden control invasive species at your presents the following upcom- particular site or situation. A ing program: Saturdays, Jan. 10 review of general concepts through 31, from 9:30 a.m. to regarding pest control strate12:30 p.m., “Invasives: Plants gies, pest life cycles and clues and Insects.” This four-week to identify pest type will be course, taught by Jen Werner, included. Cost $215 members, will include information on how $240 nonmembers. and why pests become invasive, For details, visit www. and the governmental agenberkshirebotanical.org. cies and working groups that Berkshire Botanical Garden is help determine an organism’s at 5 W. Stockbridge Road. invasive status and the regulations around controlling their Send items for Garden Notes spread. Participants will take to pmastriano@repub.com two a deep dive into several newer weeks prior to publication.

produced little or nothing to the owners, except the pleasure of expectation.” I did get to sink my teeth into some great-tasting pears over the years, so my “experiment” did provide pleasure beyond expectation, but not enough for that number of trees.

(LEE REICH PHOTO)

SEE REICH, PAGE F5

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which are different species from the aforementioned European pear varieties. The fruits of Asian pears differ markedly from those of European pears, being round (usually), and sweet with mild floral aromas. They have a “cracking” texture,

their juice exploding in your mouth with each bite. I’m going to pare down my Asian pears to the varieties Chojuro, Korean Giant (Olympia) and, possibly, Ya Li. Asian pear varieties are very quick to yield their first fruits. They’re also very

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025 | F5

productive. So productive that I won’t graft them on a rootstock that promotes bearing too soon, which by stealing energy that could otherwise be directed to stem growth, stunts them. Both Asian pears and European pears are easy to grow. With

European pears, judging when to harvest the fruits is the biggest challenge. With Asian pears it’s removing enough young fruits to leave each a few inches from its neighbor, the sacrifice allowing remaining fruits to be pumped up with better flavor.

Magness is among the best-tasting of all pears. (LEE REICH PHOTO)

Reich CONTINUED FROM PAGE F4

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So I’m paring down my collection this spring, and making new trees. (Every time I write about making trees I think of the last line of Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees” — “But only God can make a tree” — and then am reminded of Woody Allen’s coda “probably because it’s so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.”) I’m selecting what I consider the best of the best varieties, which are . . . (drum roll) . . . • Magness: In my own opinion and that of many other pear growers, there are a few varieties as good as Magness but none better. • Warren: Warren, is about the same as Magness in all respects, understandable since they came from the same seedlot. • Seckel: Although a small pear, Seckel is a definite keeper for its good productivity and, most especially, for its spicy flavor. • Harrow Delight: This one may not be the very best tasting pear, but it’s very good. What I like about it is that comes into bearing age quickly, it bears reliably, and it’s an early season pear, ripening in August. • Concorde: Very popular on the other side of the Atlantic, Concorde is notable for it vanilla-toned flavor. I’ll be grafting new trees of all of these varieties on a relatively new pear rootstock, Pyrodwarf (P2-33), which promotes early production and maintains dwarf tree height, although reports are conflicting on the degree of dwarfness offered. Over the years, I’ve also grown a few varieties of Asian pears,

HOME & GARDEN

F6 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

Renovate or relocate? This is the expensive question facing homeowners By Linda Bell

Bankrate.com

EREMY NUNES CALLS IT THE “money pit.” The three-bedroom, ranch-style home in central Illinois looked like a dream when Nunes and his wife purchased it in 2017, needing what appeared to be little more than a $10,000 bathroom remodel to be perfect. Then came the unexpected. A cascade of problems gobbled up their savings after the first year. Nunes spent $7,500 to waterproof the basement, $5,000 for gas line upgrades, $2,500 to repair the basement walls and $15,000 to fix his sewer line — an expense that forced them to borrow from family members. And he’s not done. The comedian and humor author estimates he’ll soon need up to $20,000 to replace his aging roof. How will he pay for it? “Sadly, I don’t know,” he says. Many homeowners find themselves in a similar predicament: pay for renovation costs that are near record highs or start another home search at a time when home prices have passed them by.

Fireplace

HELOC, renovation loan, credit cards or personal loan is the only way to afford it. But Heany knew he didn’t want to go that route because of the cost. “Many large companies offer financing, but often at really inflated rates ranging between 12% and 30%,” he says. Nevertheless, Heany says that his choices aren’t just about money. “It’s useful knowing what things add value to the home, but it’s more important to treat your house like a home rather than an asset. Assets don’t raise a family or bring joy, homes do!”

As a result, homeowners in many corners of the country have been forced to temper their expectations of a perfect home and find new ways to adapt. That has meant learning how to fix what they can on their own, digging deeper into their finances than expected and, in some cases, redefining what a home is for their family. Here’s how four homeowners are navigating the decision to stay put and what they’re learning along the way. Sweat equity, strategy and savings In 2021, when Billy Heany and his wife bought their 1,700-square-foot home in Federal Way, Washington, it felt just right, although it needed some updates. However, since welcoming two daughters, the house has grown tighter. Instead of selling, the wedding DJ focused on repairing and renovating to make the home work better for their growing family. With a 2.6% mortgage rate and a $2,600 monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance), he says moving isn’t exactly an option for them. “We really like our house and we think we’re lucky with what we have,” Heany says. “But I don’t think we really have another choice. I was comparing it to a friend who’s looking to rent in the area. He’s like, ‘We can’t find anything decent for less than $3,000 a month

also work. Typically a mix of sawdust and wax, they are basically big candles. CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2 Although they burn cleanAnother option is a built-in er than wood, ensure good or freestanding EPA-certified ventilation because they still wood stove. Whereas the effi- emit particulates and carbon ciency of older wood-burning monoxide. stoves tops out below 30%, Pellets made of compressed modern ones can reach 70 to wood are another option. Pel80% efficiency (that is, 80% let-burning stoves are highly of the energy is captured as efficient. heat for the home). But multiple investigations have found that pellet manHow to choose a fuel ufacturers’ claims of using for your fireplace “waste” or “forest residues” If you’re committed to are often misleading. wood, use dry and seasoned While some “multi-fuel” waste wood from your area, stoves will burn cherry pits, not live trees harvested for nut shells, corn pellets and firewood. In my neighborother agricultural waste, hood, we buy from a local you’ll need specially detree pruner. signed appliances to burn Engineered logs, including those safely because they can those marketed as Duracorrode or clog conventional flame or Enviro-Logs, can wood fireplaces.

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Many homeowners find themselves in a similar predicament: pay for renovation costs that are near record highs or start another home search at a time when home prices have passed them by. (DREAMSTIME / TNS)

and your mortgage is less than that.’ Heany knew he couldn’t afford the estimated $120,000 it would have cost to renovate the kitchen, update the electrical and plumbing, and repair rodent damage in the attic and crawl space. So, he turned to his family and friends. “I became the project manager,” Heany says. “I would have teams of friends and family show up to, like, help do certain things. In today’s market, maintaining a home, not even renovating, is incredibly expensive unless you do a lot yourself.” For some families, financing home improvements with a home equity loan,

A newer clean-burning twist on the fireplace involves burning alcohol, typically either liquid bio-ethanol or alcohol gel canisters, similar to what’s used under catering chafing dishes. Those emit real flames with minimal smoke and particulates — just water vapor and CO2 (although ventilation is still advised). Air quality agencies may permit these when solid fuels are banned on no-burn days. Look for UL-certified models. The fuel is often derived from corn, sugar cane or agricultural waste. But like most biofuels, their carbon neutrality is questionable.

Delayed renovations and the challenge of older homes For homeowners, buying an older house can quickly turn into a expensive reality. Jamie Mazur of Lyle, Illinois, knows this all too well. She and her husband bought a 1939 home in 2019 only to discover that updating it would cost far more than they imagined. A kitchen remodel was quoted at $120,000, way outside their budget. Fixing the leveling in their basement? Another $50,000. An air conditioning system? Another $20,000. Six years later, the travel and lifestyle writer and her husband still can’t afford to pay for any of it. For now, they have updated all the kitchen appliances and will paint the cabinets when their budget allows. “We haven’t considered taking out additional loans simply because both my husband and I are averse to taking on debt when we’ve already got a home loan and a car loan.” SEE HOMEOWNERS, PAGE F10

than wood. Modern vented gas fireplaces can achieve 60 to 80% heating efficiency (gas furnaces exceed 90% efficiency) while releasing roughly 99% fewer particulates than wood‑burning appliances per unit of heat. But, in most cases, I wouldn’t advise it. Switching to gas commits you to escalating “delivery charges” just to stay connected to climate-warming infrastructure. Most importantly, gas heating can’t beat the efficiency of heat pumps, which give you two to four units of energy for every unit you put in. Even at temperatures below 15 deDoes it make sense to grees Fahrenheit, heat pumps convert a fireplace to gas? can slash hundreds of dollars Gas is, technically, a cleaner off the average home’s heatand more efficient option ing bill in most places in the

United States. The technology, unlike gas appliances, is still improving rapidly (many models offer air conditioning as well). Those advantages have already convinced millions of Americans to switch to electricity. Since 2010, the share of households heating their homes with gas has fallen from 49% to 47%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, while the share using electricity has risen to 42 %. Heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces in the U.S. since 2021. As for us in Maine, we’ll keep harvesting a few dead trees to stay warm on those crisp nights. I just know it won’t reduce my emissions.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025 | F7

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

An impressive example of Art Nouveau movement

RT NOUVEAU DEsigns were based on nature. A close look at this table, which sold for $2,750 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, shows that the side supports literally branch out at the top, where they meet the panels of carved flowers adorning the ends of the tabletop. The carvings at the base suggest twining roots. It is as if a pair of blossoming trees supports the table between them. The table is the work of French artist and cabinetmaker Louis Majorelle (1859-1926), one of the great designers of the Art Nouveau movement. Along with other artists and industrialists in France, Majorelle was a founding member of the Ecole de Nancy, which crafted everyday items like furniture and glassware in designs inspired by local plant life and nature scenes. Like his colleague Emile Galle, who is known for glass, pottery, and furniture, Majorelle worked with many materials. His background was in woodworking, having taken over his father’s business with his brother Jules in the late 1900s, but he also created stunning glasswork, “caged” by metal. He also made the furniture and ironwork for the majestic three-story house he commissioned for himself and his family, which is now the Villa Majorelle museum.

but were also used for travel by railway and stagecoach. The rounded top, called a dome top, camelback, or barrel top by collectors, was a protective feature. It meant that other trunks could not be stacked on top of it, and it prevented water from pooling on top of the trunk and damaging its material. Steamer trunks were usually made of wood with the exterior covered in leather, canvas, or metal. Colorful lithographs, a new innovation in printing in the late 19th century, were popular decorations for the interior. They often came from fashion magazine pages, advertisements, or labels. Today, many reproductions of these lithographs sell inexpensively online. Antique steamer trunks sell at most shops, shows, and auctions that deal in antique Art Nouveau design drew inspiration from nature. This table by furniture. If you want to sell yours, you may want to look Louis Majorelle isn’t just decorated with flowers. A close look for a dealer or auction that shows that the side supports are shaped like tree branches. (FONTAINE’S AUCTION GALLERY) specializes in dolls. The value of your trunk will depend on its among European collectors. proportions and the quality of material and condition. MiniaThere are many books and its decorations. Again, there ture antique steamer trunks by online resources, including are many books and online unknown makers have sold for the Kovels.com “Look For resources, as well as museum about $100 at recent auctions. Your Mark” feature, that can collections, that can help. TIP: Infrequent waxing of help you learn more about the furniture is best. Once a year mark on your jar. Major auction I received an antique is enough. Go heavy on elbow houses and websites also have box as a wedding gift several grease, light on wax. online guides to Chinese porce- years ago and would like to lain marks. find out more about it. It is Kovels answers readers’ quesA mark in a square shape is small; I can put it on a table- tions sent to the column. Send a probably a seal mark, which is top. It has riveted sides and a letter with one question describI bought an interesting Chinese porcelain jar or vase written in a seal script (“zhuan- rounded top. There is a latch ing the size, material (glass, shu” in Chinese), a decorative closure in front. Inside, there pottery) and what you know at a garage sale. It is round writing style with angular are several fitted wooden with a narrow base and has about the item. Include only shapes. Marks on antique Chi- compartments. They are a detachable bell-shaped two pictures, the object and a nese porcelain are called reign decorated with paper with lid with an animal on top. It closeup of any marks or damage. marks because they include the colorful patterns and picis primarily blue with pink, Be sure your name and return name of the imperial dynasty tures, but a lot of the paper purple, and yellow flowers, address are included. By sending is worn away. I would like to a question, you give full permisbut the animal is red. There and emperor for whom the design was made. However, know if it is worth anything, sion for use in any Kovel product. is a red mark on the base as I am willing to sell at the with Chinese lettering inside this does not necessarily tell Names, addresses or email you when the piece was made. right price. a square. Will the mark tell addresses will not be published. There is a long history of copyme how old it is? We do not guarantee the return ing marks in Chinese porcelain Your box sounds like an of photographs, but if a stamped making. It is not considered antique steamer trunk. Because envelope is included, we will try. Lidded jars and vases are forgery, but an homage to earof its small size, it is probably common among antique ChiQuestions that are answered will nese porcelain pieces. They are lier designs. Antique marks are a doll’s trunk or toy trunk. appear in Kovels Publications. Steamer trunks were essential often called ginger jars because handpainted, but more recent Write to Kovels, The Republican, marks may be stamped. for travel in the late Victorian they were originally made to King Features Syndicate, 300 The best way to tell if a years to the early 20th century, W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New store and transport spices, piece of Chinese porcelain is from about 1870 to 1920. They York, NY 10019, or email us at which helped make them a truly antique is to examine its get their name from steamships collectorsgallery@kovels.com. symbol of luxury, especially

CURRENT PRICES Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions. Jewelry, pendant, pin back, figural, grape cluster, two leaves, silver, marked, Mexico, 2 x 2 inches, $20. Glass, highball, Party Time Firework, gilt fireworks, multicolor centers, gilt rim, Libbey, 5 1/2 inches, eight pieces, $75. Advertising, tin, Campfire Marshmallows, round, lid, red and blue lettering, red trim, The Campfire Co., Milwaukee, Wis., Cambridge, Mass., 1920s, $100. Furniture, chair, Victorian, walnut frame, carved, pierced crest, inlaid trim, velvet upholstery, tufted back, turned legs, closed arms, figural supports, casters, 38 1/2 inches, $160. Toy, noisemaker, horn, flared, painted, red, white, blue, tin, 21 pieces, $260. Toy, hill climber, boy on sled, lying down, red cap and shoes, yellow sweater, green sled, wheels, tin lithograph, Dayton, 6 x 9 1/2 inches, $370. Stoneware, lion, standing, head turned, looped tail, painted eyes and teeth, textured mane and tail tip, blue green drip glaze, Marvin Bailey, 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, $400. Rug, Navajo, Eye Dazzler, five red center diamonds flanked by black and white zigzags, gray field, red serrated inner border, wool, early 20th century, 90 x 51 inches, $515. Barber, pole, wood, painted, red and white stripe, blue ends, ball finial, iron bracket, 29 inches, $800. Furniture, table, console, pine, carved, shaped red marble top, pierced leafy scrolled skirt, leafy swag garland, fluted legs, curved X-shape stretcher, urn finial, 32 x 48 1/2 inches, $1,115.

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F8 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WASHINGTON

Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks down to 6.18% this week By Matt Ott

Associated Press

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage ticked down modestly this week, remaining in the same narrow range of the past two months. The average long-term mortgage rate fell to 6.18% from 6.21% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.85%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixedrate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, rose this week. The rate averaged 5.50%, up from 5.47% last week. A year ago it averaged 6%, Freddie Mac said. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal

Deeds AGAWAM Diane A. Kmec to Raymond Stephen Olko, 82 Dogwood Lane, Unit 82, $260,000. Donna M. Moore and Brian N. Moore to Enver Salihi, 92 Dogwood Lane, Unit 92, $280,000. John F. Lemke, Warren Schreiber and Corey Colonial Association to Corey Colonial Association, 53 Corey Colonial, Unit 53, $49,000. Karen L. Withee, Robin L. Stacy and Stuart W. Randall to Kiana Stowell and James R. Hughes, 111 Cottonwood Lane, $475,000. Maritza L. Zavala to Lynnette Trujillo, 420 Main St., Unit 82, $199,000. Mary Rose Sitek to Lindsey Michelle Kiniry, 134 Mallard Circle, $315,000.

Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. The 10-year yield was at 4.15% at midday Wednesday, up modestly from last week’s 4.12%. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage has been mostly holding steady in recent weeks since Oct. 30 when it dropped to 6.17%, its lowest level in more than a year. Mortgage rates began easing in July in anticipation of a series of Fed rate cuts, which began in September and continued this month. The Fed doesn’t set mortgage rates,

Robert N. Dunn to James Peter Gastringer and Denise M. Gastringer, 15 Forest Ridge Lane, $457,000. Samantha Anderson, Samantha Sanocki and Gregory Sanocki to Ryan P. Todesco, 691 Mill St., $285,000.

Pah Properties LLC, to Michael J. Serra, 869-871 Main St., $561,000. Patricia A. Wodell, representative, Robert J. Wodell, estate, and Robert Joseph Wodell, estate, to Meliha Gizli, 56 Taft St., $320,000. Robert D. Taupier and Lisa M. Taupier to Michael A. Nigro and Tara Bates, 64 Woodside Drive, $475,000.

Jon C. Ventulett to Adam A. Grove and Sarah A. Grove, 45 Howard St., $374,900. Susan R. Coates and Penny L. Coates to Amaz Cleveland, 64 Gold St., $465,000. FSG Realty LLC, to Victor English and Bethany English, 37 Poole St., $133,450.

AMHERST Kristy J. Daniels and Sandra Orsulic to Carmela Dunford and Dennis Dunford, 500 West St., $325,000. Hilda Greenbaum, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Hilda Greenbaum to Krupalu LLC, 630 Main St., $1,150,000. Betty Jacobson, trustee, and Jacobson Realty Trust to Peter Gordan Marcus and Trang N. Nguyen, 13 Harlow Drive, $475,000.

Cynthia Kilmer Skhiri, trustee, Maura Donovan to Group LLC Patricia Kilmer Cranton, trustee, Analytical Sciences Marketing Janice L. Kilmer, trustee, and Group LLC, and Anniemac Private Virginia L. Kilmer Trust to Mingda Equity Cash2Keys, 109 Regency Qiao and Andi Chen, 11 SheerPark Drive, $170,000. man Lane, $750,000. Nathan Charles Auger and Ariana Auger to Jonathan Navarro and Elvira Carrillo, 46 Plantation Drive, $240,000.

but when it cuts its short-term rate that can signal lower inflation or slower economic growth ahead, which can drive investors to buy U.S. government bonds. That can help lower yields on long-term U.S. Treasurys, which can result in lower mortgage rates. Even so, Fed rate cuts don’t always translate into lower mortgage rates. Home shoppers who can afford to pay cash or finance at current mortgage rates are in a more favorable position than they were a year ago. Home listings are up sharply from last year, and many sellers have resorted to lowering their initial asking price as homes take longer to sell, according to data from Realtor.com. Still, affordability remains a challenge for many aspiring homeowners,

BELCHERTOWN Alexandra M. Foster, Alexandra M. Weigel and Benjamin Foster to Ryan Potter, 245 Ware Road, $380,000.

BERNARDSTON Abigail Tokarz and Jacob Tokarz to Keltyn R. Trudeau and Samuel J. Trudeau, 180 Bald Mountain Road, $365,000.

CHICOPEE Annie A. Miltus, Annie A. Mitus and Annie A. Baez to Pedro Colon Martinez, 17 Chateaugay St., $279,000. Daniel S. O’Connor to Erin M. O’Connor, 89 Southwick St., $80,000. Emtay Inc., to Arturo J. Garcia Lugo and Anabell Santiago Maldonado, 528 Broadway St., $375,000. Joseph Frasco to Rachael L. Hardy, 24 Blanchard St., $269,900. Patricia N. Smith, estate, and Deborah Ekanbarger, representative, to Ellis Gray, 97 Collins St., Unit E-7, $255,000.

Shawn P. Peabody and Leigh T. Caitlyn G. Cameron, Caitlyn Peabody to Drew Nalewanski, 16Grace Cameron and Douglas Cameron to Christopher Zenyuch, 18 Victoria Park, $545,000. 276 Amherst Road, $310,000. Wilfred N. Auclair and Denise A. Auclair to Douglas Cameron and Caitlyn Cameron, 399 N. Washington St., $425,000.

DEERFIELD Peter A. Burakiewicz and Theresa L. Burakiewicz to Christine L. Cranston and Gordon E. Crans-

especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase. Uncertainty over the economy and job market are also keeping many wouldbe buyers on the sidelines. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November from the previous month, but slowed compared to a year earlier for the first time since May despite average long-term mortgage rates holding near their low point for the year. Through the first 11 months of this year, home sales are down 0.5% compared to the same period last year. Economists generally forecast that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will remain slightly above 6% next year.

ton, III, Mountain Road, $125,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW Chapdelaine to Aleksandr Chuduk, 260 Porter Road, $285,000. Sandra M. Turgeon to Evan Donermeyer, 85 Brookhaven Drive, $545,000.

EASTHAMPTON

estate, to Glenn Gilbert, 125 Cape St., $300,000.

GRANBY Alicia Volel and Gregory J. Volel to Andrew James Bogacz, 55 Pleasant St., $292,000. Sheila Lee Webster and Beau Charles Webster to Vladimir Ferdman, 5 Greystone Ave., $341,900.

Melissa Murphy, personal repreGREENFIELD sentative, and Thomas J. Murphy, estate, to Lee E. Hurter, $518,000. Brendan M. Cialek and Julissa A. Cialek, “fka” Julissa A. Salazar, Daniel R. Carey and Melissa to John F. Day, 75 Phillips St., Carey to Michael Christopher Reynolds, 6 Newell St., $351,000. $295,000. Patrick A. Foley and Mary M. Foley to Daniel Carey and Melissa M. Carey, 5 Laurin Lane, $530,000. Sandra R. Descoteaux, personal representative, and Eileen S. Routhier, estate, to Lindsey Litwak and Zachry Pilat, 4 Coed Drive, $450,000. Kenneth P. Bachand Jr., and Karalyn E. Bachand to Christopher Aaron Viens and Kelly Yau, 56 Pomeroy St., $761,000.

GILL Joanne D. Hastings and Michael F. Hastings to John Mitchell and Isabelle Peterson, 5 Cove View Lane, “fka” French King Highway, $290,000.

GOSHEN Deborah L. Wunsch, personal representative, and Mark D. Harry,

Timothy T. Williams to Benegan 2 LLC, Laurel Street, $38,000. Trevor Donald Woodworth to Julian Kai von Wodtke, 298 Deerfield St., $220,000. OV Properties LLC, to Nicolae Duca and Irina Lungu, 41 Princeton Terrace, Unit 41 Meadowview Manor Condominium, $150,000. Maria Z. Agudelo to James P. Younger, 192 Wells St., $294,000. Glen Allen Ayers and Mary Chicoine, “fka” Mary C. Praus, to Michelle Ann Dedischew and Greylin Hillary Nielsen, 254 Davis St., $347,553. Ann S. Pratt and Douglas A. Pratt to Harlin J. H. Glovacki, 35-37 Shattuck St., $342,500. Debra J. Gilbert and Susan M. Renfrew, trustees of the Helen K. Renfrew Revocable Trust, to Kyle A. Bostrom and Lisa A. Bostrom, Colrain Road, $125,000.

SEE DEEDS, PAGE F9

HOME & GARDEN

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Deeds CONTINUES FROM PAGE F8

HADLEY Marin Amundson-Graham and Dana Graham to Mordecai Jay Golin and Eliza Wing Yee Lee, 16 Rocky Hill Road, $854,000.

HAMPDEN Sareen Properties LLC, to Nicholas Markopoulos, trustee, and Markopolous Family Revocable Trust, trustee of, 319 Main St., $175,000.

HATFIELD Susan T. Grant, trustee, Henry Donald Grant Jr., trustee, H. Donald Grant Jr., trustee, and Grant Family Revocable Trust to Crystal Marie Hood, 147 Pantry Road, $450,000. James E. Read and Allison Read to David Sloviter and Noryn A. Resnick, 49 North St., $675,000.

HAWLEY Wilmington Savings Funds Society FSB d/b/a Christiana Trust, trustee for CSMC 2017-2 Trust, to Bernard Barnhart and Gina Barnhart, 336 W. Hawley Road, $30,000.

HOLLAND Cormier & Sons Construction & Homebuilding LLC, to Sean S. Yarrows and Makayla J. Caliri, Old County Road, Lot 11, $37,500. Pope Family Trust, trustee of, and Alvan H. Pope Jr., trustee, to David Orszulak, 9 Chandler Road, $289,900.

HOLYOKE

LONGMEADOW Eileen A. Cavanaugh and Philip B. Jones to Collin M. Mack, 37 Captain Road, $476,000. Gary A. Popovich and Heidi Popovich to Rachel Millimet and Ryan Kenyon, 120 Inverness Lane, $515,000. Hoa P. Nguyen and Thao Nguyen to Ryan David Smith and Taryn Brittany Smith, 117 Crescent Road, $474,900. Michael Elfman, Alisa Lynn Elfman and Alisa Harrison to Clarence H. Linder Jr., 217 Williams St., $450,000.

LUDLOW

Mathew W. Walch and Meghan Ann Walch to Stephanie Harry, 44 Converse St., $342,000.

Ladawn Savage and Hayward Burdette to 3Queens LLC, 162 Northampton Ave., $205,000.

SHUTESBURY Spring Associates Inc., to Mary C. Sheehan, “aka” Mary Sheehan, 207 Leverett Road, $335,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Robert F. Bozek and Christine A. Bozek to April R. Lannon, 59 Alvord Place, $100.

MONTAGUE EDS Enterprises LLC, to Property Advantage Inc., 16 Vladish Ave., $195,000. Janine R. Boguslawski, Amelie R. Johnson and William M. Viens to Joshua E. Freund and Molly E. Freund, 21 Hillside Ave., $319,000.

MONTGOMERY Western Mass LLC, to Kristin L. Chaffee and Matthew Thomas Dumphey, 3 North Road, $549,000.

NORTHAMPTON Glenn M. Gilbert and Ellen Kay Hersom to Owen D. Maguire and Elena N. Cravens, 384 Spring St., $675,000.

Joy M. Beaudet, Myra J. Lyne and Mario L. Nicoliello to Channel Z Seismometry Inc., Creamery Hill Road, $190,000.

Robert J. Loughrey, representative, and Robert F. Loughrey, estate, to Tanya Kelley and Kayla Kelley, 121 Locust St., $285,000.

Daniel Stevens and Scarlet Stevens to Isabella Keith and Noah Keith, 257 S. Main St., $375,000.

PALMER

Green Piranhas LLC, to Halifax Capital LLC, 13-15 Canal St., $280,000.

SOUTHAMPTON Richard L. Truehart, Richard L. Truehart Jr., and Paul E. Truehart to Fallon Holdings LLC, 6 Parc Place, $350,000. Daniel LaValley and Abigail LaValley to Christopher Hirsch and Amy M. Scott, 17 Glendale Road, $520,000.

SOUTHWICK Denis Ukrainets and Inna Ukrainets to Gary Popovich and Heidi Popovich, 7 Sawgrass Lane, $647,000. Douglas Wentworth and Launa Wentworth to Rachel Sutherland and Craig Gay, 16 Grandview St., $650,000. Kurt S. Shea and Meaghan Shea to Shae M. Harrison and Richard E. Harrison, 2 Gableview Lane, $1,175,000. Lawrence F. Hallisey, representative, and John P. Lodola, estate, to Jeffrey Carney, 3 Pine Road, $460,000.

SPRINGFIELD Anthony J. Daniele and Carla M. Daniele to Marie Alberte Joseph, 40 Eldridge St., $272,000. Campagnari Construction LLC, to JJJ17 LLC, 157 Penrose St., $137,000. Chamber Investment Group LLC, to Pierre Families Property LLC, 292-294 Orange St., $465,000. Esther Ortiz and Timothy J. Luukko to Lucas Giusto, trustee, Dominic Santaniello, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, 88 Marble St., $110,000. Gemini Town Homes LLC, to Pedro Reyes Figueroa, 39 Morris St., Unit 103, $227,000. Gretchen Dubbs to Faustino Sanchez Jr., 28 Hazen St., $294,000.

Jennifer K. Rossmiller and Jennifer K. Klock Central MA Properties LLC, to J&M Premier to Meaghan Elizabeth Cocuzzo, 28 RenceProperties LLC, 4014 School St., $450,000. lau St., $275,000. Kristin A. Astukewicz and Kristin Jackson to Lucas Giusto, trustee, Dominic Santa-

Lisa M. Garcia to Jacob R. Motyl and Laura J. Motyl, 28 Collingwood Road, $285,000. Livingwater Capital LLC, to Benjamin Goodman Shapiro, 19 Normandy Road, $700,000.

Manchester Enterprises LLC, to Carlos M. Karin M. Eichelman and Douglas M. Wilson Flores, 33 Taber St., $265,000. to Meghan Jacokes and Meaghan Guckian, Melody Carter-Walls and Melvin Walls 23 Pelham Hill Road, $430,000. to Garren Cox and Nicole Walls-Cox, 101 Newhall St., $177,866.

Lorraine Kotelnicki Trust, trustee of, and Kelly A. Ambrogio, trustee, to Thamara Vanessa Jonathas, 519 Lyon St., $375,000.

Kenneth P. Chamberlain, estate, and Melissa L. McAndrew, representative, to Allan R. LaFond Jr., 8 Blackberry Circle, $380,000.

WTM-SB LLC, to ND Logistics LLC, 120 Middle Water St., $875,000.

Joseph A. Cleaveland and Lauren J. Holm to Chrismery Gonzalez, 189 Bowles Park, $382,500.

Andre A. Gagne to Daniel J. Powers and Jennifer Powers, 50 Susan Ave., $455,000.

Ashley Rodriguez, Ashley Figueroa and Zachary I. Rodriguez to Justin Carvalho and Harry Greenhouse and Jennifer C. GreenLuis F. Carvalho, 40A Saint Kolbe Drive, house to Patricia A. Drolet and Kathryn L. Unit 40A, $163,000. McConnell, 100 Emerson Way, $1,090,000. Elaine M. Chittenden to Annette B. ChitJonathan B. Liebman and Anne G. Fine to tenden, Suzanne J. Hermans, Andrea S. Caren Yaffa Irgang and Sandon Hess, 25 Hermans and Elaine M. Chittenden, life Munroe St., $860,000. estate, 111 Hillview Road, $100. Konstantinos Sierros to Susan Elena Josue Colon and Carlos F. Colon to Roland Esquivel and Douglas Arthur Fraser, 84 N. Toussaint, 75 Elm St., $450,000. Main St., $600,000. Judy M. Keith and Patricia Bylicki to Juliana Olmstead and John Barbagallo, 43 King ORANGE St., $290,000.

Russell J. Mawdsley and Helene M. Mawdsley to Kenneth P. Bachand Jr., 17 Cleveland St., $469,900.

niello, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee, trustee of, 22 Crawford St., $140,000.

Dorothy L. Markowski, trustee, and Revocable Trust Agreement of Dorothy Markowski, trustee of, to Aline Gomes DaSilva, 142 Amherst St., $330,000.

Matthew T. Bridges, Jennifer L. Bridges and Jennifer L. Bouvier to Matthew Racel Quinnell, 3 Fontaine St., $390,000.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025 | F9

Jose Ramirez to Maria Del Carmen Maldonado, 88-90 Somerset St., $420,000.

Mike Krasnov and Kateryna Krasnov to Nanaadom Nyarko, 126-128 Miller St., $425,000. Nikolay Dipon to Odalis Marie Velez, 177 Johnson St., $260,000. Nilda M. Colon and Marianelis Colon to Alexis Villanueva Gonzalez and Yomayra Morales, 485 Riverside Road, $365,000. Raixa S. Figueroa-Rios and German Montijo Pares to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Amenadiel Realty Trust, trustee of, 341-343 White St., $288,700. Rendy Cruz to Rendy Cruz and Dejaven Cruz, 722-724 Carew St, $100. Robert B. Mulcahey to Ramon Mazariegos Lopez and Ermitania Perez Perez, 74 Blanche St., $300,000. Robert D. McCann, representative, Marguerite F. McCann, estate, and Marguerite F. Rocray, estate, to Jake J. Falcone, 76 Regal St., $100. Sandra Seymour and Paul Seymour to Rosemary Lopez and Hadley Stena Camilus, 15 Burns Ave., $326,000. Sara L. Maggipinto, Sara L. Brown and James E. Brown to Amanda Bineault, 42 Redstone Drive, $365,000. Sareen Properties LLC, to Damaris Frias, 46-48 Wait St., $425,000. Silvestre M. Gama to Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau, 57-59 Martha St., $220,000. Steven R. Torres to Peter B. Picknelly, 500 Park Drive, Pars T & R, $1,200,000. Timothy J. Deuso to Amanda L. Barrett, 94 Duryea St., $225,000.

SUNDERLAND Patricia Anne Shelby, trustee of the Edward C. Warner Revocable Trust, to Karen Rayne and Nicole Rayne, 134 Montague Road, $585,000. Kitchen Garden LLC, to Kitchen Garden Farm LLC, 106 Silver Lane, “aka” 106 S. Silver Lane, $255,000. Caroline C. Pam and Timothy N. Wilcox to Kitchen Garden Farm LLC, South Silver Lane, $88,000.

WARE Ronald H. LaRiviere to Noah Nathaniel LaFlamme, Malboeuf Road, $100.

SEE DEEDS, PAGE F10

F10 | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025

Deeds CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9 Ronald H. LaRiviere to Noah Nathaniel LaFlamme, 26 Malboeuf Road, $100. Tericyn J. Loehr to Gary D. Bergeron II, and Cherish E. Bergeron, 35 Pleasant St., $249,000. Peter V. Thamel and Patricia A. Thamel to Peter V. Thamel, Patricia A. Thamel, Victor Peter Thamel and Marnie Thamel, 6 Sunny Hill Drive, $100.

WENDELL Donna Andrews, Sara C. Hsiang and Robert LaFrance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, West Street, $165,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD Derek Joseph Murray and Siobhan Marie Murray to Karen Anne Pare and Robert Raymond Pare, 139 Upper Beverly Hills, $339,900. John W. Read Jr., trustee, and John W. Read Jr. Living Trust, trustee of, to Vitaliy Redka and Inna Redka, 0 Bear Hole Road, $56,000. Kenneth Thivierge (REP) and Richard G Thivierge (EST) to Hassle Free Llc, 18 Salem St, $245,000.

$4,000,000. Lynn Ann Morris to Tyler Delgado, 549 Russell Road, Unit 15C, $150,000. Mary D. Jez, Mary D. Herzog and Wolf Herzog to J. Sperry Realty LLC, 229 Union St., $240,000. Marybeth Hayes and Andrew C. Hendricks to Jenna Lee-Guiffre and Kyle Guiffre, 40 Heritage Lane, $491,000. Pizza Town Holdco LLC, to Kingsbridge Vermont LLC, 286 E. Main St., $2,879,984. R & A Realty Inc., to 82 Medeiros Way LLC, 82 Medeiros Way, $576,000. Robert A. Greenleaf Jr., to Eric J. Clarke and Meagan E. Clarke, 243 Holyoke Road, $320,000. Talia K. Williams, representative, and Stanislawa Steglinski, estate, to DL Homes LLC, 10 Ethan Ave., $187,500.

WHATELY Kitchen Garden LLC, to Kitchen Garden Farm LLC, River Road, $105,000. Robert Beede to Mishka Murad and Daniel Sprague, 32 Swamp Road, $484,500.

WILBRAHAM Caitlin A. Garreffi and Darius Trinka to John Michael Sarnacki, 4 Lance Lane, $450,000.

Michael Theulen and Marjorie JoeJoe Properties LLC, to Theulen to William Fontaine Nicolas Rovelli and Valentina and Jean Fontaine, 43 WishRovelli, 12 Highridge Road, ing Well Way, $540,000. $1,113,000. Nicholas Katsoulis, representative, and Dorothy Katsoulis, WILLIAMSBURG estate, to George Katsoulis and Nicholas Katsoulis, 628 Kevin Hale, trustee, Walter Kings Highway, $400,000. Southard, trustee, Richard Paul K. Graves Jr., to AlejanJaeske, trustee, Hampshire dro Marrero, 278 Elm St., Lodge A.F. & A.M., Hampshire $399,900. Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons and Hampshire Stephen M. Cross and DebLodge Building Association orah Ann Cross to Michael Inc., to Susan Fortgang and Theulen and Marjorie TheuDavid Nehring, 1 S. Main St., len, 64 Apple Ridge Road, $287,500. $542,000. West Co. Investments LLC, to Siobhan M. Murray and Derek J. Murray, 42 Gregory Lane, $560,000.

WESTFIELD Cornerstone Homebuying LLC, to Lanee N. Sutherland and James R. Smith, 444 Loomis St., $460,000.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Homeowners

for their century-old home. That essential repair, along with a $7,000 bill for a water filtration system, wiped out their reserves and forced them CONTINUES FROM PAGE F6 to tap their emergency savings. There was also However, as Rachel Drew, director of the a $20,000 estimate to repair the aging electriRemodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center cal system in their 115-year-old house, though for Housing Studies at Harvard University, fortunately, she says those repairs aren’t needed explains, delaying much-needed housing repairs right now. comes with its own problems for homeowners. Mann recalls thinking, “‘What is wrong with “One is the likelihood that the costs to do you, Z? I don’t even have the money to really the work will go up in the future and be more pour into the house.’” Now, the marketing and expensive later on,” she says. “Another is that public relations leader can look back with a bit older systems may not work as well as newer more perspective. She knows the role homeones, costing homeowners more in the interim ownership has played in helping Black families in higher operating costs. In delaying the work, build wealth. Living through those unexpected the homeowner risks facing a bigger mainteexpenses reinforced her belief that the home is nance issue, such as a leak from an aging roof or one of many ways she will pass on generational worn-out plumbing, that results in both greater wealth for her three girls. expense and disruption to them in the long run.” “I see this home being the house that Mommy Mazur says it’s mostly an ego blow not to be really wanted,” Mann says. “She got it, she fixed able to make these updates. it up, she left us with something that we can “It’s just easier to accept the realization that it make some money off of [renting it out]. The will be about another three to four years until we other side is maybe they all want to live here and can get this renovation,” she says. “I would really be an intergenerational family in this home, as rather take the devil I know versus the devil I they are raising their own children, if they have don’t, and that’s why we’re sticking around.” any.” Renovations as a wealth-building tool When Zanade Mann and her husband bought their 1910 Staten Island home in 2020, she fulfilled a lifelong dream. “My grandparents had an apartment for many years and never owned a home,” she says. “Always, this has been a lifelong, generational wealth type of dream for me.” They purchased the home using a VA loan, with her husband serving full-time in the Army National Guard. They also locked in an incredible 2.75% interest rate. But a decision that once felt like winning the lottery now seems more complicated. If they were to look for another house, “there’s no way we’re getting a comparable interest rate, and there’s no way we’re getting another home for the same cost of the home that we have,” she says. Soon after moving in, Mann and her husband were hit with a $10,000 bill for a new furnace

A decision with no easy answer For millions of homeowners, the choice between renovating and relocating isn’t really a choice at all; it’s a calculation shaped by interest rates, repair bills, incomes and the kinds of homes available in their communities. Some homeowners stay because they love their homes. Others stay because they simply can’t afford to leave. And many stay because the cost of moving outweighs the cost of making do. Aniket Mehrotra, policy coordinator with the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute, sums it up. “The choices might seem impossible at the moment, but all hope is not lost. It might be that homeowners need to stay put for a little bit.”

Use it or lose it!

Sell

Peter Blair Klejna, Peter Blair Klejna, personal representative, and Margaret Reid Klejna, estate, to Mackyle Bogachoff and Mika McCrary, 58 South St., $300,000.

WORTHINGTON Steven B. Magargal and Diane M. Magargal to Christina Joelle Marini and Joshua Carl Flinkstrom, 32 Williamsburg Road, $265,000.

Place an ad in the Classifieds. Call (413) 788-1250 or email advertising@repub.com TH54470

Huse Family Realty LLC, to Westfield Falcon 160 LLC, 160 Falcon Drive,

HOME & GARDEN

CLASSIFIED

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025 F11

Auctions

Best local auctions in print and online at masslive.com

PUBLIC AUCTION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH AT 11:00 A.M.

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

•AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS •

PUBLIC AUCTION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7TH AT 11:00 A.M.

•AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS •

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

★GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY★

APARTMENT BUILDING “CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ALL AMENITIES”

APARTMENT BUILDING LOCATED ON

To be Sold on the Premises

873 Springfield Street AGAWAM, MA

★(16) UNIT ★ TWO STORY

438 Springfield Street AGAWAM, MA

Features:

• (16) Unit Apartment Building • ±20,909 S/F (0.48 Acres) Of Land • • (16) One Bedroom Units: w/ Kitchen, Living Room & Full Bath • • All Units w/ Electric Heat • A/C Wall Units • Carpeted & Vinyl Flooring • • Basement • Brick Exterior • Paved Parking for ±23 Vehicles • • Public Water & Sewer • Zoned Business-A • Assessor’s ID: H14-11-14 • • Hampden County Registry of Deeds: Book 22974, Page 571• 1% BROKER INCENTIVE OFFERED!!

Sale Per Order Of Mortgagee Attorney Jonathan C. Sapirstein Of the firm of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, PC 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee

Terms of Sale: $25,000.00 Deposit is Required at Time of Auction in Certified Funds. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies. Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale.

★(28) UNIT ★ TWO STORY

THE CORNER OF SPRINGFIELD & HIGHLAND STREETS

Features:

To be Sold on the Premises

• (28) Unit Apartment Building • ±22,216 S/F (0.51 Acres) Of Land • • (20) Studio Units: Open Concept w/ Living Room/Bedroom, Kitchen & Bath • • (8) One Bedroom Unit: w/ Kitchen, Living Room & Bath • • All Units w/ Electric Heat • A/C Wall Units • Carpeted & Vinyl Flooring • • Basement • Brick Exterior • Paved Parking for ±30 Vehicles • • Public Water & Sewer • Zoned Business-A • Assessor’s ID: G11-2-9 • • Hampden County Registry of Deeds: Book 20566, Page 409 •

1% BROKER INCENTIVE OFFERED!!

Sale Per Order Of Mortgagee Attorney Jonathan C. Sapirstein Of the firm of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, PC 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee

Terms of Sale: $25,000.00 Deposit is Required at Time of Auction in Certified Funds. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies. Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale.

Aaron Posnik

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

★(8) UNIT ★ SINGLE STORY

APARTMENT BUILDING WITH ON-SITE PARKING FOR ±10 VEHICLES 49 North Street AGAWAM, MA To be Sold on the Premises

Features: • (8) Unit Apartment Building • ±13,939 S/F (0.32 Acres) Of Land • • (6) One Bedroom Units w/ Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen & Bath • • (2) Two Bedroom Units w/ (2) Bedrooms, Living Room, Kitchen & Bath • • All Units w/ Electric Heat • Slab Foundation • Wood Shingle Exterior • • Carpeted & Vinyl Flooring • Parking for ±10 Vehicles • Public Water & Sewer • • Zoned Business-A • Assessor’s ID: I14-4.4 • • Hampden County Registry of Deeds: Book 23653, Page 186 • 1% BROKER INCENTIVE OFFERED!!

Sale Per Order Of Mortgagee Attorney Jonathan C. Sapirstein Of the firm of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, PC 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee

Terms of Sale: $25,000.00 Deposit is Required at Time of Auction in Certified Funds. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies. Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale.

Aaron Posnik

PUBLIC AUCTION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7TH AT 1:00 P.M.

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

•AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS •

★GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY★

★(22) UNIT ★ TWO STORY

APARTMENT BUILDING KNOWN AS “THE WALNUT HILL APARTMENTS” 21 Dwight Street AGAWAM, MA

Features:

To be Sold on the Premises

• (22) Unit Apartment Building • ±29,621 S/F (0.68 Acres) Of Land • • (22) Efficiency Units w/ Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen & Bath • • All Units w/ Electric Heat • A/C Wall Units • Basement • • Brick Exterior • Azek Decking • Paved Parking for ±24 Vehicles • • Public Water & Sewer • Zoned Residence B • Assessor’s ID: J16-2-7 • • Hampden County Registry of Deeds: Book 25173, Page 472• 1% BROKER INCENTIVE OFFERED!!

Sale Per Order Of Mortgagee Attorney Jonathan C. Sapirstein Of the firm of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, PC 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee

Terms of Sale: $25,000.00 Deposit is Required at Time of Auction in Certified Funds. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies. Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale.

Aaron Posnik

3218342-01

Aaron Posnik

PUBLIC AUCTION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH AT 1:00 P.M.

AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS

West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655

www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com

MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L

PUBLIC AUCTION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH at 11:00 A.M. MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

• EAST LONGMEADOW •

6 ROOM / 3 BEDROOM SINGLE STORY

RANCH STYLE HOME WITH SINGLE CARPORT

101 Allen Street EAST LONGMEADOW, MA Features:

To be Sold on the Premises

• Single Story Ranch Style Home • • ±0.57 Acres (25,184 S/F) • ±125 Ft. Frontage on Allen Street • • Total of (6) Rooms w/ (3) Bedrooms & (1½) Bathrooms • • ±1,101 S/F of Gross Living Area • Forced Warm Air Heat • • Central Air Conditioning • Full Basement • Vinyl Siding • Open Porch • • Assessor’s Parcel ID: Map:0059, Block: 0048, Lot: 0006 • ★ SINGLE CARPORT ★ Sale Per Order of Mortgagee Attorney Jonathan C. Sapirstein

Of the firm of Sapirstein & Sapirstein, PC

1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee

Terms of Sale: $10,000.00 Deposit Cash or Certified Funds. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies. Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale.

Aaron Posnik

CLASSIFIEDS In print in The Republican or online at MassLive.com

AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS

West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655 MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L

www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com

Auctions

Best local auctions in print and online at masslive.com

F12 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025 THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

CLASSIFIED

Birds Cats Dogs Exotic Animals Feed Fish Horses Livestock Pet Services Pet Shows Pet Supplies Pets - Lost & Found Pets Wanted

Feature Your

WILBRAHAM

OPEN SUN. DEC 28 12:00pm-1:30pm ● 24 Lodge Lane

Introducing a beautifully maintained GRANDVIEW side by side condo built in 2020 offering bright, comfortable living in one of the area’s most sought-after 55+ communities, The Gardens of Wilbraham. The living room features a tray ceiling, a corner fireplace, & stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light. A dedicated dining room sits just off the kitchen, which includes cherry cabinets, an 8-foot breakfast bar, & plenty of space for everyday use .The primary suite offers convenience & privacy w/ its own full bath & a walk in closet. A guest bedroom with wall-to-wall carpeting & an additional full bath w/ a linen closet provide ideal accommodations for visitors.The sunroom is a versatile retreat, perfect for an office, reading nook, or simply a quiet space to unwind. Step outside to the TREX deck & enjoy seasonal views. A full basement offers storage and future possibilities. Additional highlights include a generator and access to the impressive clubhouse.$525,000 MARISOL FRANCO COLDWELL BANKER REALTY 413-427-0151

Open House Here Call Lisa 788-1271

5:00 a.m. Place your classified ad anytime, 24/7.

Birds 4’W x 5’T bird cage for Cockatoo or larger bird. $200. Call 413-304-9359

Cats Orange Siamese-Bengal Mix Kitten, 1 male, 7 weeks old, $25, Call 413777-9659 or text 413-5751389

Dogs AKC Springer Spaniel puppies for sale, top of the line pedigree, great for hunting & pets. Health check & shots Oct. 21st. Ready to go end of Oct. 1 year health guarantee. Males & females. Call 413-774-4640.

Merchandise Antiques/Collectibles Appliances Articles for Rent Articles For Sale Audio Building Materials Cameras Camping Equipment Clothing Coins and Stamps Construction Equipment Do-In-Yourself Materials Electronics/Compuiters Fitness Equipment Flea Markets Forklifts and Equipment Fuel Furniture, Etc. Good Things To Eat Hot Ticket Items Jewelry Lawn & Garden Lawnmower & Snowblower Machinery & Tools Med. Equipment Sales/Wanted Miscellaneous Musical Instruments Office Equipment Pools, Spas & Accessories Professional Equipment Restaurant Equipment Seasonal Snowmobiles Sports Television Tickets Video Vintage Clothing Wanted to Buy Wood-Burning Stoves

Articles for Sale 200 plus VHS movies all for $90.00. Call 413-304-9359

LOOK HERE!

Call 413-788-1234, or go online to masslive.com/repubclassifieds 1,000’s of Baseball, Football, Basketball cards from early 1900 to present. All Hall of Famers. Also, selling boxes for $2.92. BUYING ALL SPORTS CARDS, RETIRED VETERAN CALL 413-596-5783

Furniture, Etc. 5 1/2 ft long pine dresser w/2 pine end tables, $30./all. Call 413-304-9359

Auctions Auctions MORTGAGEES’ REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS TO BE SOLD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PREMISE

THURSDAY JAN. 8, 2025 9:00 AM SPRINGFIELD, MA 57 ELLSWORTH AVENUE DEPOSIT $10,000

MONDAY JAN. 12, 2025 11:00 AM SPRINGFIELD, MA 27 MIDDLEBROOK DRIVE DEPOSIT $10,000 TERMS OF SALES: DEPOSITS IN THE AMOUNTS SPECIFIED ABOVE ARE TO BE PAID BY THE PURCHASER(S) AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF EACH SALE BY CERTIFIED OR BANK CHECK. ALL BALANCES DUE ARE TO BE PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL SALE. OTHER TERMS, IF ANY, TO BE ANNOUNCED AT EACH SALE. CALL OUR AUCTION SCHEDULE LINE AT (617) 964-1282 FOR A LIST OF THE CURRENT DAY’S AUCTIONS AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.commonwealth auction.com FOR CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED SCHEDULING INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL SCHEDULING INFORMATION COMMONWEALTH AUCTION ASSOCIATES, INC. (617) 964-0005 MA LIC 2235

You never know ow what you'll find d inside.

Animals