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| SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
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INSIDE
ANTIQUES: Work from the master of cold-painted bronze figures, F7
Not so intelligent designs
Eight of the worst recent interior design trends, Page F2
F2 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
HOME & GARDEN
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
HOME
Here are the eight worst interior design trends
A
By Dina Cheney
The Washington Post
Egypt, these tomb-like structures are replete with treasures, such as monumental amounts of marble and pricey works of modern art. “Large-square-footage homes do not a home make,” says New Yorkbased interior designer Vicente Wolf. “Decide — is it for living or showing off? Cavernous spaces are generally due to overly high ceilings. Frank Lloyd Wright once said rooms should never be taller than nine feet. Once you go beyond that, you start to lose the humanity.”
vocado-green appliances, furniture covered in plastic, wall-towall shag carpeting, popcorn ceilings: Home design trends like these are best relegated to the past. A few styles now in fashion are just as regrettable. Here IQ test Sometimes minimalist homes are are my personal takes on the sleek to the point of inscrutability. In worst, within the broader what I deem the “IQ test” approach, designers hide appliances, handles categories of minimalism and controls to avoid interrupting and maximalism. stretches of oak cabinetry and other Minimalist environments tend to be uncluttered and low in contrast. Awash in neutrals like white, beige and gray, they’re the aesthetic equivalent of porridge, bland respites from the cacophony of the outside world. Yet their spareness can feel cold. Minimalist spaces often seem uninhabited, devoid of personal effects and personality. Tell us: What design trends could you do without? Dictator’s mausoleum One high-end minimalist variant is a style I call “dictator’s mausoleum.” Popular on the West Coast, these boxy modernist homes have soaring ceilings, as if they’ve been scaled to accommodate outsize egos. Inhabitants climb scores of steps, like video game characters in search of gold. And as with the pyramids of ancient
surfaces. But like lab rats, visitors must navigate these unfamiliar environments, struggling to locate faucets, fridges and trash cans.
Dentist office I describe a less-rarefied strain of minimalism as the “dentist office” style. Common in homes staged for sale, it’s characterized by gray and bright-white palettes. Furniture, floors, counters and other hard-edge surfaces gleam like teeth after a whitening procedure. Occasionally, orange throw pillows or other vibrant accents are added to provide a pulse to these otherwise lifeless spaces. Los Angeles-based interior designer Kim Gordon describes this look as “doom and gloom prison chic,” noting its “industrial style, cement floors, toothpaste-white walls and aluminum foil appliances.”
Contemporary kitchens will often hide appliances, handles and controls. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
Above, like an invasive species, the modern farmhouse aesthetic began sweeping the country after the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” premiered about a decade ago. At right, a modern loft interior with a neon sign that reads “Live Laugh Love.” Cover photo: a living room with a high ceiling. Frank Lloyd Wright once said rooms should never be taller than 9 feet. Once you go beyond that, he said, “you start to lose the humanity.” (ADOBE STOCK IMAGES)
Good vibes only As if trying to compensate for this sterility, minimalist homes in beach towns and other vacation destinations can take a gimmicky turn. They accomplish this with wall signs inviting occupants to “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Relax.” “Those signs are for people who don’t know how to shop for the good stuff at HomeGoods,” Gordon says. “Their heart is in the right place, I guess, and they need to fill that space with something. Trust me: Hang a mirror.” Washington, D.C.-based interior designer Annie Elliott agrees. “That motivational signage that somehow passes itself off as art? It ain’t. It’s a cop-out, telegraphing to the world that you are unwilling — or unable — to commit to art,” she says. Literally anything is better on your wall than words in the form of directions, belief statements or commands. You deserve better, as do the guests staying in your Airbnb basement. Modern farmhouse When minimalism meets rustic, it can become “modern farmhouse.”
Like an invasive species, this aesthetic began sweeping the country after the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” premiered about a decade ago. Seemingly overnight, its trademark white homes with black-framed windows, shiplap walls and dark hardware popped up like mushrooms after a thunderstorm. “Isn’t ‘modern farmhouse’ over yet?” asks Elliott. “It was a nice idea, with its soaring white spaces and natural wood finishes, but there’s a fine line between charmingly simple and boring. Unless you have spectacular art, fabulous antique rugs or sculptural furniture to spark some interest, farmhouse style is pretty forgettable. And do not get me started on those massive, rolling barn doors. They’re for barns. Outside. To corral livestock. They’re too aggressive for humans to live with.” “I deplore the idea that nearly everyone who buys an old house — regardless of its period or architectural style — believes making it ‘modern’ SEE DESIGN, PAGE F3
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HOME & GARDEN
maximalist eccentric homes that you imagine Iris Apfel would live in,” Gordon says. “But this is 2026, and we have to navigate around the poufs and cheetah statues and find a place to do yoga, so maybe crazy maxi can be confined to a little room where you also hang your child’s kindergarten pictures.” Grandmacore “Grandmacore” is a more mature spin on maximalism
“Grandmacore” is a more mature spin on maximalism that often has a gallery wall with paintings of ships, cats and floral arrangements. (ADOBE STOCK IMAGE)
Design
On the other end of the spectrum, circles and other geometric shapes are tradeCONTINUES FROM PAGE F2 marks of maximalist homes. requires installing black win- This busy, overstimulating dows,” says New York-based style was ascendant in the interior designer Maximilian 1980s and has been staging a comeback. Antitheses of “Max” Sinsteden. “Nothing looks more emphatically of minimalism’s serene sanctoday, or already more dated.” tuaries, these vibrantly hued Some of the look’s features, spaces demand attention and seemingly shout, “Fun such as interior sliding barn doors and open shelving, can and interesting people live here!” also be impractical. Open shelving reduces overall storage capacity and requires Fast food restaurant curation and maintenance to For the past few years, one maximalist variant has been avoid dust and clutter, while sliding barn doors can be running rampant in high-end noisy. “I loved ‘modern farm- design magazines. I call this style the “fast food restauhouse’ when it first popped up,” Gordon says. “But the rant” (though it could just sliding barn doors do not give as easily go by “hippie love enough privacy, and that clan- shack”). Picture Ronald Mckety-clank railing overhead is Donald’s home if he lived in a a bummer. Open storage is for rustic cabin in California. Against an earthy base of Marie Kondo.” wood floors and wall panelCircles, and more circles ing, bold, graphic elements Another unfortunate spin pop. These often include on minimalism is a trend I call such geometric shapes as architectural glass blocks, “circles, and more circles.” circus tent stripes and This style embodies a craze for curves. Think curvy checkerboard tile. Colors are couches combined with curvy saturated, as if a child with a starter pack of crayons picked chairs … and curvy tables. In its “2026 Emerging Summer out the paint. The combination of brown with vibrant Trends Report,” Houzz said colors (yellow, orange, that compared with 2025, purple, red, green, blue or all user searches in 2026 for arched range hoods increased of the above) is befitting of a by 177%, arched pantry doors preschool. “I love the colorful layered by 130% and rounded kitchen boho aesthetic and mucho islands by 123%.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 | F3
and proves the maxim “Everything old is new again.” Chaotic and cluttered, this style often features rattan furniture and an excess of patterned wallpaper and upholstery. Often, a gallery wall with paintings of ships, cats and floral arrangements gilds the lily. “When I see a full-on grandmacore, or ‘granny chic,’ room — a cacophony of floral patterns, furniture with skirts,
an acrylic crocheted afghan, possibly hung on the wall — I experience an intense urge to dig out the fabric attachment on my vacuum cleaner,” Elliott says. “To free yourself from this tired trend, I recommend subtracting. Cut back on the accent pillows. Remove one piece of furniture from an overcrowded room. Clear dust-gathering tchotchkes from tabletops and let the surfaces shine.”
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HOME & GARDEN
F4 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Lee Reich | In the Garden
Popcorn and chestnuts are both very easy to grow
T
HE PROBLEM with popcorn is that it, like Rodney Dangerfield, “don’t get no respect.” Sure, it’s a fun food, nice to toss into your mouth while you watch a movie. But that’s been the case only since the 1930s. Popcorn is a grain, a whole grain, as good a source of nourishment as wheat, rice, rye or any other grain. It was among the foods brought by Native Americans to the first Thanksgiving dinner. For anyone who likes the idea of raising their own grain, popcorn is a good choice. It’s easy to grow, it’s easy to process, and it’s easy to save seed from one year to the next. I grow two varieties — Pink Pearl and Dutch Butter-flavored — and have saved seed from my plantings for over 25 years. Popcorn is also fun to grow, especially with children
GARDEN NOTES
long by 3 feet wide. Growing popcorn is no different than growing sweet corn, except that you can plant it a little earlier (early May around here) because the lower sugar concentration of popcorn seeds make them less likely to rot. Popcorn, like any corn, needs good soil; all the beds in my vegetable gardens are moist and rich from drip irrigation and yearly dressings of compost. I plant popcorn in beds sown five weeks earlier, up Hanging popcorn in the kitchen is a convenient way to store it the middle of the bed, to while, at the same time, it is decorative. (LEE REICH PHOTO) peas. By the time pea harvest has wound down, the small around. Growing it yourself becomes ready to eat. The also lets you choose a variety purchased popcorn burst popcorn plants are building you like. You might think into large, fluffy clouds, but up steam and craving in all popcorn is just popcorn; they to call the flavor bland would the light they can get. all taste the same. Not so! be an understatement. Popcorn and sweet corn Last year’s crop yield came Nothing like the rich flavors need to be isolated from up a little short so, for the of Pink Pearl and Dutch But- each other as does each first time in many years, I ter-flavored. variety of popcorn, if you purchased some to tide us Every year I plant two beds want the varieties to remain over until this season’s crop of popcorn, each bed 10 feet pure. My popcorns grow
WILBRAHAM
and the local ecosystem gives her a unique perspective. The program Garden Club meeting STOCKBRIDGE will be at the new meeting location The Wilbraham Garden Club will at the Hampden Town Hall (forUpcoming events at merly Thornton W. Burgess Middle kick off its club year at noon on Oct. School), 85 Wilbraham Road, in 1 at the St. Cecilia Parish Center. The Berkshire Botanical Room A7. Guests are asked to use the activity, “Getting Creative with Peat Garden Pots,” will be a hands-on opportunity library entrance. There is a $5 fee for to create a mini heart-shaped succulent non-members of the garden club. Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: garden that is perfect for small spaces. A light lunch will be provided prior to Tuesdays, Oct. 6 through 27, 5:30 to BOYLSTON 8:30 p.m., it’s “Understanding Woody the activity. Plants.” This course, taught by Jenna Members will be welcomed back, and National Garden Club O’Brien, will focus on the bones of the guests may participate for a $5 fee. For Specialty Flower Show more information or to reserve a spot garden with a survey of ornamental The Central North District and the woody plants for residential landscape at the meeting, contact Anna Howell at design. Students will become familiar Western and Central South District 413-537-5788. with the many garden-worthy woody of the Garden Club Federation of HAMPDEN plants that thrive in Zone 5, including Massachusetts will present a National Garden Club Specialty Flower ornamental shrubs, small flowering Garden Club program trees, shade trees, and broadleaf and Show, “Elevated Blooms: Celebratneedle evergreens. The course covers On Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., the ing 40 Years at Tower Hill” from Oct. Hampden Garden Club will be hosting 23 to 25. plant ID, selection, siting, cultivation, and possible design uses. Students The show will be hosted by the Meghan Hastings, who will be presentshould dress for outdoor field study. All ing her program “Winter Gardening.” New England Botanical Garden at Hastings is a dedicated farmer from students participating in this class as Tower Hill as part of the garden’s 40th anniversary celebration. part of the Horticulture Certificate Pro- Dave’s Natural Garden in Granby. The purpose of the show is to gram are required to complete a final The farm grows vegetables, flowers project. Cost is $230 members, $260 expose to and educate the viewing and herbs and focuses on organic nonmembers. For more information, or methods, sustainable practices and public about floral design as an art to register visit www.berkshire form as well as to the vast world of heirloom varieties. botanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Hastings’ experience in working horticulture. There will also be eduGarden is at 5 W. Stockbridge Road. closely with the soil, the seasons cational displays focusing on horti-
in separate beds that are within 20 feet of each other so they do cross-pollinate a little, which makes for some interesting ears. The sweet corn, though, is in a separate garden. Cross-pollination, in this case, would make for less pop-able popcorn and less sweet sweet corn. I plant two rows of “hills,” or clusters of plants, down each bed, with 2 feet between hills and 5 seeds per hill. Once seedlings are up and growing, hills get thinned to the best three plants. Yields are about 30 to 60 ears of popcorn per bed (the Dutch Butter-flavored variety often yields 2 ears per stalk), and that’s about how much our household consumes each year. (The average American consumes about 3 pounds of popcorn per year — mostly in movie theaters, of course.)
SEE REICH, PAGE F6
culture or conservation. While the show is held at Tower Hill, entries are expected from throughout the New England area. Design entries will showcase the talent around us and the horticulture entries will amaze with the variety of specimens in our own backyards. The design division is open to any national garden club-affiliated garden club member. The horticulture division is open to any amateur gardener — they do not have to be a garden club member. Educational exhibits are open to any individual or organization. The show will be open to the public, Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the show is included with general garden admission. Admission is free for NEBG members. For more information or to request a schedule for the show, including contact and entry information, please contact the general chair, Beate Bolen, at beatebolen@gmail. com. Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
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F6 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
HOME & GARDEN
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REAL ESTATE
Is that fireplace real or AI? By Gerry Smith
saying it made the place look cleaner, not bigger, while the previous tenants were still there. HEN CHRISTOPHER “If we were to use actual pics of MacFarlane was apartment hunting in Hoboken, cluttered apartments,” he said in an New Jersey, this summer, email, half the people “wouldn’t bother coming.” he got excited about a listing on Zillow. Natural light poured through MacFarlane said that a good number of the apartments that he’s visited had the windows, giving the apartment a warm glow. The rooms appeared AI-altered photos, misrepresenting bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets spacious and tastefully decorated. and fireplaces. “When I got there, it was honestly shocking,” said MacFarlane, 38, a SEE AI, PAGE F10 graphic designer. At right, handout image generated by A queen-size bed consumed much AI, four photos from Zillow listings in of the bedroom. The office was little Southern California featuring roaring more than a closet with a desk. The fireplaces, a common giveaway for rooms were decidedly less bright. artificial intelligence images. Brokers He’d encountered a common new had for years employed “virtual stagfrustration for renters and buyers: real ing” software to help buyers visualize estate listings edited with AI. Uploada space with furniture. But AI-powing the listing images to OpenAI’s verered ‘real estate retouching’ has now ification tool confirmed they had been become so deceptive and pervasive generated with artificial intelligence. that some states and cities are moving The agent showing the apartment, to crack down. (VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES) Jeff Radlin, defended his use of AI,
W
The New York Times
Reich CONTINUES FROM PAGE F4
About a week ago, we snapped the dry ears from the stalks of this year’s crop, although there’s no rush to harvest popcorn. Here on the farmden, “processing” entails nothing more than pulling back the husks and tying two or three ears together to hang and further dry from the kitchen rafter, where they look very pretty and homey. Besides popcorn, another of my successful and satisfying home-grown grains is chestnut. OK, it’s not really a grain. But chestnut is a unique nut for being high in starch, just like a grain. In many parts of the world, the nuts are dried, ground into a flour, and used to make breads, pancakes, and other foods usually made with grain flours. Like popcorn, chestnuts are very easy to grow. Just plant two trees, different varieties. They grow fast, they bear quickly and reliably, and they have an attractive spreading form clothed with leaves that
nately, it’s resistant but not immune to blight; it’s now succumbing to it. Fortunately, I planted a few trees of different varieties. Chestnuts are easy to process. Just pick nuts up from the ground daily during their two-week ripening period. For many people, that’s it; just eat them. I take chestnut processing a bit further. Some of the nuts have weevils in them or recently vacated from them as evidenced by a small exit hole. I put the nuts in a bucket of water and discard floaters. Then I prevent further weevil damage by giving the nuts a bath, a hot water bath at 120° F for 25 minutes, in a plastic tub with a “sous vide” cooker to maintain heat. After that, a couple of weeks in the refrigerator allows the nuts to cure as some of the starches convert Most burrs of Colossal chestnuts open to drop the nuts or nut contained within. (LEE REICH PHOTO) to sugars and full flavor is developed. At this point, nuts stay glossy green all season or sitting because of the tant varieties, such as Eaton, can be frozen, dried or, after until they turn a rich brown spiny burs that drop with the Peach, and Labor Day. For 25 being slit to prevent their color in autumn. The only nuts. years, my slightly resistant exploding, roasted in an oven caution is to avoid planting American chestnuts sucColossal variety tree offered at 450° F for half and hour. Or, of course, roasted over an them where anyone will be cumb to chestnut blight but us large harvests of literally frequently walking, playing, there are plenty blight-resis- colossal chestnuts. Unfortu- open fire.
HOME & GARDEN
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 | F7
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
C
Bronze figure from a master of the craft
OLD-PAINTED bronze figures were fashionable in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The most famous were made in Vienna, Austria, and Franz Xavier Bergmann (18611936) is regarded as a master of the craft. Using his middle name helps distinguish him from his father, also named Franz Bergmann, who founded a bronze factory in 1860. The younger Bergmann inherited the factory and used some of his father’s designs but created a distinctive style all his own. Although he is sometimes described as a sculptor, it is more accurate to call him a foundry owner. He did not sculpt his figures but cast them in bronze; his foundry employees did the actual sculpting. His figures are usually marked with an urn shape or with the name “Namgreb,” based on his surname spelled backward. Popular subjects include figures in romanticized foreign costumes, especially Arabian; dancing women in art nouveau or art deco styles; and whimsical animals. Many bronze figures were functional, with lamps or bells built in. A bronze figure by Bergmann that sold for $812 at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is a bit of a departure from his most famous work. Instead of a human figure, animal, or exotic tableau, it is a violin with its bow, sheet music, and a bay laurel branch. The name “Mendel” is visible on the sheet music, probably referring to composer Felix Mendelssohn (18091847), whose “Concerto in E Minor” is one of the world’s most famous pieces of violin music. The bay laurel branch, a symbol of status and victory since ancient Greece (hence the term “laureate”), may be a reference to the music, but is also appropriate for Bergmann himself.
Q. I have read that some vintage cookie jars are
for decorative glassware made mostly in Europe and the United States from the 1800s to early 1900s. It is characterized by decorations like vivid colors, hand-painted enamel, and unusual finishes like satin or iridescence. Small perfume bottles made of colored glass with enamel flowers and silver or silver-plated lid were popular at the time. Art glass perfume bottles are usually worth at least $50, often over $100, even without a known date or maker. However, glass is always tricky to date and identify. There was a revival of interest in art glass in the mid-20th century, and many manufacturers made reproductions or pieces inspired by the old style. It can This cold-painted violin is the work of Franz Xavier Bergmann, be difficult to tell if glassware is original or a reproduction. considered one of the greatest creators of Viennese bronze A collector’s club like the figures in the late 19th to early 20th century. (THOMASTON PLACE International Perfume Bottle AUCTION GALLERIES) Association (perfumebottles. worth a lot of money. There cots. American Bisque had a li- org) or the National American is a cookie jar shaped like a cense to make Disney-themed Glass Club (glassclub.org) bear with a bow on its neck products from about 1944 to may have more information. that I have had for many 1954. These licensed prodyears. I looked it up, and it ucts were usually made in TIP: “Cold-painted” items was made by the American limited quantities, so they are like some glass and porcelain, Bisque Company, but I have much harder to find than the especially cookie jars, should not found a value for it. Can mass-produced designs. Their never be put in a dishwasher. you tell me its value? crossover appeal, attracting Just wipe them with a damp collectors of the character or cloth. brand as well as general cookThe American Bisque Company opened in William- ie jar or mid-century ceramic Kovels answers readers’ quesstown, West Virginia, in 1919. collectors, also contributes to tions sent to the column. Send a They initially made bisque their value. American Bisque letter with one question describdolls. Under new leadership closed in the 1980s, but some ing the size, material (glass, in the 1920s, they expanded of their designs were repropottery) and what you know into a variety of household duced in the 1990s. about the item. Include only goods, including cookie jars. two pictures: the object and a Their best-known designs close-up of any marks or damage. About 50 years ago, I are figural pieces decorated Be sure your name and return got a small empty perfume address are included. By sending with airbrushing in bright colors. Many of their cookbottle as a gift. I don’t know a question, you give full permisie jars, like your bear, were how old it was or where sion for use in any Kovel product. it came from. It does not mass-produced. They were Names, addresses or email sold as inexpensive giftware in have a brand name on it. It addresses will not be published. the mid-20th century. Today, is made of shiny blue glass We do not guarantee the return these jars sell for about $25 to with white painted flowers of photographs, but if a stamped $75 at auctions, depending on and has a silver top. Do you envelope is included, we will try. their condition and the rarity know how old it might be, Questions that are answered will of the design. where it comes from, and appear in Kovels Publications. what it is worth? The cookie jars that get the Write to Kovels, The Republican, highest prices, selling for hunKing Features Syndicate, 300 dreds of dollars, feature faYour perfume bottle W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New mous licensed characters, like sounds like it may be a piece York, NY 10019, or email us at Disney or advertising masof art glass, a collector’s term collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
A.
Q.
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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, bracelet, three camphor glass panels, rectangular, canted corners, clear faceted stone in center, silver tone filigree links, art deco, 6 1/2 inches, $25. Lamp, electric, pendant, globe shade, iron, pierced scrolls, painted, white, mid-century modern, 13 inches, $60. Furniture, chest, faux bamboo, turquoise blue, green marbled top, shaped edge, three drawers, paneled sides, four bun feet, salesman sample, 15 x 20 inches, $90. Roseville, Freesia, vase, dark blue, textured, yellow and pink flowers, slightly flared lip, open angled handles, short pedestal foot, 1945, 9 1/2 inches, $100. Thermometer, Horlick’s Malted Milk, round dial, A Nutritious Food Drink in Powder and Tablets, For Infants, Invalids, Aged and Travelers, metal frame, glass front, 1920s-40s, 9 inches, $135. Opaline, vase, flared neck, tapered base, gilt bands, stepped dome foot, mounted as lamp, electric, France, 24 inches, pair, $255. Box, half circle, hinged lid, relief scene, rose trim, gilt bronze, France, 4 1/2 x 7 inches, $355. Furniture, sofa, Carl Malmsten, Samsas, upholstered, tufted back, beech legs, arms, O.H. Sjogren, Sweden, c. 1960, 35 1/2 x 72 inches, $810. Rug, Persian, salmon center medallion, blue geometrics, brown field, blue leafy border, wool, 6 feet 5 inches x 3 feet 11 inches, $1,000. Inkwell, silver, hinged lid, bud finial, flared, lattice body, guilloche enamel insert, turquoise blue, attached round dish, beaded rim, France, 4 inches, $1,185.
HOME & GARDEN
F8 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Mortgage rate Deeds AGAWAM rises to 7.03% Average climbs for 5th straight week By Alex Veiga
Associated Press
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week above 7% for the first time since January 2025, the latest affordability setback for prospective homebuyers following a fiveweek run of rate increases. The weekly average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate home loan rose to 7.03% from 6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.30%. The average rate is now the highest it’s been since Jan. 16, 2025, when it was at 7.04%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also rose this week. That average rate increased to 6.42% from 6.26% last week. A year ago, it was at 5.49%. Higher mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month to borrowers’ costs, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power. As rates rise, that can also lead prospective home shoppers to delay buying. The housing market has been stuck in a rut this year in large part because of rising borrowing costs. Mortgage rates have continued to march higher in the months since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. Mortgage rates are influenced by inflation, Federal Reserve policy and bond-market investors’ expectations for the economy, among other factors. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. Expectations of higher inflation amid surging oil prices have pushed up the 10-year Treasury yield, which was at 3.97% in late February, before the war began. It surged to 5.17% in midday trading on the bond market Thursday. That’s put its roughly back to where it was in 2007.
Arthur R. Lisee and Joan Lisee to Amanda Taillefer and Eugene A. Sapelli IV, 46 Jessica Place, $564,900. Klaudia Wiktorska, Klaudia Sparveri and Sean Sparveri to Ryan Keating, 30 Vadnais St., $315,000. Kristen A. Langevin to Carol Raus and William George Johnson III, 52 Elbert Road, $340,000. Malka Apts Equities LLC, to Freedom Property Group LLC, 238 Maple St., $6,000,000. Michelle Hatfield and Michelle Bitgood to Nely Orta, 1010 Suffield St., $200,000. Shelby Hall-Gibbons to Naples Home Buyers Inc., 49 Anvil St., $235,000.
lap Smith, 55 Orcutt Hill Road, $420,000.
CHARLEMONT Elizabeth A. Bouyea to Patrick James Flathers, 520 Legate Hill Road, $449,000. Lynden Lyman, trustee of the Lynden Lyman 2014 Revocable Trust, to Bryan C. Jackson and Laura Alexis Jackson, 62 Schaefer Way, $476,000.
CHICOPEE Adam P. Corey and Morgan Corey to Maria Baez Marcano and Juan Ayala Baez Jr., 119 Colonial Circle, $195,000. Angela D. Dunn and James M. Deni Jr., to Careena R. Deliefde, 118 Longwood Drive, $367,500.
Burhan Holdings Two LLC, to Hum Real EsVenkatrao Medarametla to Dakota Davidson, tate Holdings LLC, and Flying Monkey LLC, 194 Regency Park Drive, Unit 2261, $175,000. 1361 Memorial Drive, $650,000.
AMHERST Joan H. Wilce to Alexander G. Wilce, 25 Strong St., $100. Eliot B. Moss and Hannah A. Abbott to J. Eliot B. Moss, trustee, Hannah Allen Abbott, trustee, J. Eliot B. Moss Revocable Trust and Hannah Allen Abbott Revocable Trust, 7 Kestrel Lane, $100. Luke A. Thelen, personal representative, and Mary Lou Thelen, estate, to Mark F. Montagna and Seraphina Montagna, 208 Rolling Ridge Road, $650,000.
Erika C. Saravia, Ana D. Sanchez Morales and Oscar Sanchez to Neil A. Zagorin, 26 Grace St., $322,000. Ferry Landing Properties LLC, to Mendalvo Group LLC, 30 Exchange St., $22,000. Jose Rodriguez Lopez and Jennifer Rodriguez to Edwin Feliciano Jr., 126 Warregan St., $325,000. Michael J. Murphy, representative, Michael Joseph Soja Jr., estate, and Michael J. Soja, estate, to Elite Real Estate Investment Group Inc., 37 Academy St., $190,000.
Michelle Crochiere to Clinton Charles Nichols and Christine Ann Nichols, 224 GreenJulian M. Marinus and Megan A. O’Shea to wood Terrace, Unit 6001D, $209,000. Douglas R. Gibson and Judith A. Gibson, 590 Oleksiy Zhyboyedov, Yuliya Abramov ZhyMiddle St., $590,000. boyedov and Yuliya Abramov to Decision Alex K. Phakos and Lisa M. Minter to Yining Sciences LLC, 162-164 Narragansett BouleFeng and Jinwei Zhang, 28 Trillium Way, vard, $550,000. $900,000. Pamela J. Anderson to James Robert Typrowicz Jr., and Claire Marie Picard, 125 BELCHERTOWN Lynwood Drive, Unit 6201D, $220,000. Nicholas B. Daniel to Patrick C. Welton, 10 Keyes St., $335,000.
Robert Normandin to Aaron E. Yon, 409 Irene St., $370,000.
Carol Robinson to Suzanne V. Shaw and Peter J. Shaw, 136 Springfield Road, $100.
40 Beaumont Avenue Realty Trust, trustee of, and Jean A. Payne, trustee, to Rebekah Joy Graveline and Austin Joseph Graveline, 40 Beaumont Ave., $285,000.
David Robinson and Ellen D. Robinson to Javier Flores and Marisol Flores, 796 Federal St., $630,000.
Kirsten A. Bergstrom to Jessica Marie Morris and Jonathan Michael Morris, 55 Huckle Hill Road and Off Huckle Hill Road, $445,000. Peter Klimoski to Allen Walsh and Lori Walsh, 116 Bald Mountain Road, $375,000.
BLANDFORD Debra Monday and Shonn K. Monday to Scott Bonelli, Old Chester Road, Lot 2, $105,000.
BUCKLAND Clinton W. Phillips and Leah M. Phillips to Donelson Construction LLC, Crittenden Hill Road, $100,000. John Gerry-Karajanes and Patricia M. Gerry Karajanes to Ann Brauer and Nathaniel Dun-
Joseph J. Caruso and Barbara Ann Caruso to Robert Makas and Rebecca Makas, 65 Plain St., $425,000. On The Hill LLC, to CTW Enterprises Inc., 100 Mountain Road, $475,000. Benjamin Premo to 45-47 Pleasant Street LLC, 45-47 Pleasant St., $615,000.
ERVING Luke A. Bissell, trustee of the Verne W. Bissell Trust, to Franklin Jerome Gibbons, 13 Church St., $275,000. Sara E. Campbell to Brandon Bryant and Katie Thompson, 16 Prospect St., $300,000.
GILL Lisa Aubin and Douglas A. Simon to Carolyn L. Curtis and David G. B. Curtis, 5 Boyle Road, $523,500.
GRANBY Mark Veitenheimer and Doreen Veitenheimer to Mark Veitheimer, trustee, Doreen Veitenheimer, trustee, and MDV Revocable Trust, 470 East State St., $100. Kellie A. Cournoyer-Cronk and Jacques Alfred Cournoyer Jr., to Chaisuriya Sim and Kendra Elliott, 597 Amherst Road, $340,000. Elsa Azpeitia Mondeja to John Slavkovsky, 33 Granby Heights, $239,000.
GREENFIELD Carl Freeman and Jasper Lapienski to Brittany Hathaway, 34 Washington St., $308,000. Argolica LLC, to Frances De Luca Hadsel, 143 Log Plain Road, $271,250. Wells Fargo Bank NA, trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-4, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-4, to Robert Nelson, 50 Cleveland St., $180,000. Jane S. Morse and Paul C. Morse to Shelley A. Rogers, 132 Briar Way, Unit 5A Briar Knoll Townhouse Condominium, $319,900. James F. David to Ashley McGowan, 67 Country Club Road, $400,000.
HADLEY COLRAIN
BERNARDSTON
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
C. Ethan O’Brien to Ethan O’Brien, Stacy Road, $12,500.
EAST LONGMEADOW Jill Bonavita to Tadeusz Bukowski, Nelson Street, Lots 254-257, $45,000. Kelsey Deary and Joshua McGowan to Brandon Gilmour and Giovanna Gilmour, 7 Bunker Circle, $510,000. Patrick Guyer, Alyssa Guyer and Alyssa Deane to Brandon P. Hapgood, Scott A. Hapgood and Rachel E. Hapgood, 16 Park Place, $320,000.
EASTHAMPTON Olivia Poisson, Olivia Marsh and Daniel Poisson to Allison Macleod and Philip Macleod, 19 Westview Terrace, $539,900.
Stephen J. O’Connell to Stephen James O’Connell, trustee, and Stephen James O’Connell Revocable Trust, 59 Bay Road, $100. Kevin R. Gotay-Cheverez and Angela Gotay-Cheverez to Kaitlyn Sosnowski and Jonathan Hunnewell, 11 Crestview Drive, $450,000.
HAMPDEN Eric T. Franco, representative, and Thomas Franco, estate, to David Mark Sather Jr., and Heather Elizabeth Sather, 290 Wilbraham Road, $385,000.
HAWLEY Michael Pida to Jodi Shaw, 26 East Road, $99,500.
SEE DEEDS, PAGE F9
HOME & GARDEN
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Deeds CONTINUES FROM PAGE F8
HOLYOKE Arthur J. Holbrook Sr., to Richton & Wynne LLC, 35 Springdale Ave., $175,000. Connor T. Luce to Erin Ferris, 14B Arbor Way, $148,000. Dei Series LLC, to Jorge Efrain Cruz Delgado, 60 North East St., $335,000. Jose Manuel Rojas Quinones and Jose Manuel Rojas to Dei Series LLC, 60 North East St., $248,000. Kenneth A. LaFlamme and Linda M. LaFlamme to Andrew W. Vega and Jennifer M. Vega, 414 Mountain Road, $540,000. On The Hill LLC, to CTW Enterprises Inc., Easthampton Road, $475,000. Pamela Phelps, representative, and Pearson P. Helliwell Jr., estate, to Meghan Crane, 289 Southampton Road, $230,000. Raymond F. Turgeon and Jeanne D. Turgeon to Sokha Sing, 74 Nonotuck St., $250,000. Richard J. Masse, Wayne P. Masse and Allen R. Masse to Joseph Van Allen, 64 Ridgewood Ave., $289,500.
HUNTINGTON Laura J. Bundesen, trustee, and Declaration of Trust of Laura Bundesen Revocable Living Trust to Todd Pittsinger and Avery Chekovsky, 2 Pleasant St., $285,000.
LEVERETT Linda Aubry Bullock and Michael Bullock to Christina R. Yon, trustee of the Christina R. Yon Living Trust, 2 Laurel Hill Drive, $818,885.
LONGMEADOW Abigail White and Vincent White to Michelle Maguire and Timothy P Maguire, 123 Whitmun Road, $499,900. Sally M. Hage to Ana Gyuratz, 198 Converse St., $430,000.
LUDLOW Amy L .Goding to Kyle Rich and Samantha Rich, 195 Cady St., $320,000. Jennifer Rivera and Marcos Rosado to Diane M. Stanton, John H. Stanton Jr., Matthew J. Grise and Sara M. Grise, 142 Marion Circle, $460,000. Manuel M. Quiterio and Fatima F. Quiterio to Ethan Clark, 38 Prospect St., $385,000.
MONSON Diane D. Cousineau to Karen Davis, Patricia Dinsmore and James Dinsmore, 18 Reynolds Ave., $365,000. Quaboag Construction Corp., to Kenneth Krupski and Linda Krupski, 41A Bethany Road, $400,000. Richard E. Klisiewicz to Phil Tempesta
and Tiffany Woodward, 5 Hampden Court, $340,000.
MONTAGUE George E. Hayden and Helen M. Hayden, trustees of the Hayden Investment Trust, and Donna A. Kruk, “fka” Donna A. Prevett, to Sean Francis Norton and Shannon Coakley Ramsey, 25 Unity St., $382,000.
NORTHAMPTON Mary C. Crowe, personal representative, and Martha Elizabeth Catuogno, estate, to Katie MacCallum, 20 Avis Circle, $535,000. John S. Biddle Jr., and Mary B. Biddle to Martin Margolis and Hilary Barraza Bovea, 19 Finn St., $563,000. Heather Ann Marino, Heather Ann Cooper and Kevin A. Marino to Gregory J. Newman and Elizabeth A. Schaff, 304 Fairway Village, $424,000. Jason S. Donaldson, trustee, and Coalie Realty Trust to Asma Kareem, 208 North Elm St., $515,000.
NORTHFIELD Janet E. Mayhew, “aka” Janet Ellen Mayhew, to Cynthia Tolbert, 80 Lyman Road, $540,000. Michael J. Hubbard and Wendy H. Hubbard to Gregory T. Leeds and Heather L. Leeds. 68 Highland Avenue. $600,000. Mary T. Czerwinski and Michael J. Czerwinski to Christine Copeland and Herbert William Copeland. West Road. $55,000. David Gorzocoski and Lilly Diana Gorzocoski to Joseph John Daley. 75 Lyman Road. $445,000.
ORANGE William A. Spooner, personal representative of the Estate of Linda Lee Spooner, to Anice R. Soucy and Gillis L. Soucy, 97 West Main St., $225,000.
PALMER Felix Campos, trustee, Aida Torres, trustee, and Campos Torres Trust, trustee of, to Shawn Gagnon, 4188 Main St., $347,000. Mark J. Liberty to David Duncan, 1537 North Main St., $525,000. Richard W. Perry, trustee, Cynthia A. Perry, trustee, and 1012 Oak Street Realty Trust, trustee of, to William J. McMahon and Brenda C. McMahon, 1012 Oak St., $200,000.
SHELBURNE William M. Bridges to Sayagi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust of Massachusetts Inc., 395 Colrain-Shelburne Road, $192,000.
SOUTH HADLEY Sylvia J. Wodecki to Michael Mendes and Deborah Mendes, 44 Bridge St., $230,000.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 | F9
Michael M. Mendes and Deborah A. Mendes to Corey J. Baker, 42 Bridge St., $100.
$315,000.
Corey J. Baker to Michael M. Mendes and Deborah A. Mendes, 42 Bridge St., $100.
Sofia Carrascal to Angeljoy Galatians LLC, 30 Clayton St. Unit F, $180,000.
Susan Gail Enselek to Hailey Zabko, 43 Pine Grove Drive, $369,900. Timothy C. Stotz, personal representative, and Theresa F. Stotz, estate, to Barbara A. Gregg, 417 Alvord Place, $421,500.
SOUTHAMPTON 113 Maple Street LLC, to Steven M. Thibault and Brenda M. Thibault, 58 Pleasant St., $755,000.
SOUTHWICK Jeanine M. Laporte to Klaudia Sparveri and Sean Sparveri, 130 Mort Vining Road, $570,000. Michael Tichy and Michael F. Tichy to Deborah A. Baringer, 15 Lakemont St., $45,000.
SPRINGFIELD Corina Rivas and Ali Mohamed Saghir to Nanci M. Welch, trustee, and Nanci M. Welch Revocable Trust, trustee of, 41 Rosedale Ave., $300,000. Crystal Haynes Copithorne and Crystal Haynes to Manouche Arnoux, Central Street, $365,000. Daniel Lugo Rodriguez and Angelica Rivera to Naples Home Buyers Inc., 89-91 Wait St., $235,000. Dilenia Belen to Hipolito Martinez, 14-16 Webster St., $400,000. Donna Patterson, Harvey R. Patterson and Ricardo S. Johnson to Alphanso Stanley, 119-121 Middlesex St., $331,000. Elisa Cortez to Flying Monkey LLC, 36 Paramount St., $187,500. George J. Scott III, and Beth A. Scott to Austin E. Agbonifo and Lillian Uju Agbonifo, 33 Olmsted Drive, $375,000. Holyoke SF 2 I LLC, to 240 Locust St. LLC, 236-240 Locust St., $1,725,000. Juan A. Ayala Baez Jr., and William C. Santos to John Peter Serrano and Erika Santos Montes, 39 Wakefield St., $285,000. Luis M. Nunez and Eliana M. Pabon to Akesa Mafi, 108 Fenway Drive, $380,000. Mamba Capital LLC, to David Jones IV, and Ronald L. Loubier, 106 Almira Road, $489,900. Nancy M. Donahue to Samantha Fenney and Aaron Beaulieu, 5 Aspen Road, $390,000. Noel Investment Group LLC, to Nachalie Rodriguez Justiniano and Sebastian Justiniano, 102 San Miguel St., $295,000. Paul R. Richard Jr., and Melissa Richard to Daniel Alberto Laguerre, 50 Talbot Road, $299,000. Samuel Farnsworth to Kimberly Nayelis Medina and Aeneas Santiago, 170 Brittany Road, $320,000. Sarah Miller to Luis Antonio Lopez and Laurie Lopez, 63 Ravenwood St.,
Shanita L. Cruz and Yanzet R. Pizzaro to Kiesha Brown, 87 Lakevilla Ave., $312,000.
Susan Carol Arslanian Marchetti, George M. Arslanian and Linda S. Arslanian to Tifany Ruiz and Shanita Linda Cruz, 56 Santa Maria St., $260,000. Taylor Savioe, Taylor Tranghese and John Tranghese to Pryce J. Wasula and Jessica White, 28 Intervale Road, $338,000. Vested Interest LLC, to Romario Aldahir Vasquez, 20 Kenwood Terrace, $385,000. Victor & Marina Inc., to Clear Spring Real Estate LLC, 41 Spring St., $1,250,000. Vincent Paul James Mazzuca and Crystal Mazzuca to Nathan Disessa, 97 Overlook Drive, $369,000.
TOLLAND Ellen W. Grabowitz to 23 Chipmunk Crossing LLC, 23 Chipmunk Crossing, $423,000.
WALES Connor P. Sergel to Luke David Cellucci and Phyllis Liao-Cellucci, 87 Monson Road, $375,000.
WARE Donald J. Kivior to Dawn Dubois, 1 Coffey Hill Road, $100. Elsie C. Rutan-Heningham to Karley Bielski and Olen Alexander Bielski IV., 93 Beaver Lake Road, $345,000. Robert P. Lagrant and Deborah M. Lagrant to Paul R. Lagrant and Donna A. Holden, 152 Osborne Road, $100. Paul R. Labier to Felix Campos, trustee, and Campos Torres Trust, 117 Old Belchertown Road, $750,000. Robert M. Dumas and Angela M. Dumas to Daniel L. Cote, 26 Eddy St., $275,000. Angeline A. Messier to Nancy A. Harder, 15 Old Gilbertville Road and Gilbertville Road, $100. Kirsten Desjardins and Paul Jones to Robert Goodman, 59 James Road, $615,000. Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Cioccolate Realty Trust to Sheila Hinkley and Gregory Hinkley, Osborne Road and 6 Winslow Road, $606,000.
WARWICK Jean B. Haskell and Claire F. Michaels to Sudipto Sarkar, trustee of the Sudipto Sarkar Family Trust, and Karin Shepardson, trustee of the Karin Shepardson Family Trust, 16 South Holden Road, $395,000.
WENDELL Allen T. Walsh and Lori Walsh, “aka” Lori J. Walsh, to Bethany Rose Perry, 240 Farley Road., $577,000.
SEE DEEDS, PAGE F10
HOME & GARDEN
F10 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Deeds
AI
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F6
WEST SPRINGFIELD Amjad Real Estate LLC, to Laura Katsoulis, 4 Hale St., $337,500. Eastern States Exposition to Cartelli Realty LLC, 1305 Memorial Ave. Par A, $5,000. Kara B. Herman to Shore Bound Realty LLC, 267 Morgan Road, $214,000. Michael C. Fila to Manchester Enterprises LLC, 128 Southworth St., $282,500. Natalia Varela and Rebecca Arguinzoni to Kevin Hernandez, 161 New Bridge St., $460,000. Robert L. Baker, Laura L. Slowick and Ellen A. Glosick to Gregory J. Maichack and Mary Jo D. Maichack, 20 Exeter St., $375,000.
WESTFIELD Aydin Abasov and Leyla Chakhalova to Vishnubhai Patel and Ritaben Vishnubhai Patel, 56 Cardinal Lane, $805,000. Christian Bowers to Oleh Hlavuk, 74 Hagan Ave., $320,000. Christopher Sullivan, representative, and Kenneth J. Premny, estate, (EST) to Raymond Tuttle and Dawn Tuttle, 177 Whitaker Road, $462,500. David D. Dubois to Tyler Yarmesky and Katerina Richardson, 88 Knollwood Drive, $400,000. Diane L. Strzempko-Tillberg and William E. Tillberg to Kyle Silva and Alyson Silva, 210 Steiger Drive, $530,000. Eli Freund and Emily Freund to Joanna Hall, 138 Main St., Unit 6, $285,000. Huiming Zhu to Aga Brothers LLC, 6 Clinton St., $150,000. Jeffrey Angers and Jonathan A. Angers to Vadym Levchyk and Katerina A. Levchyk, 15 Blue Sky Drive, $579,900. John M. Regan to Ivan Yemelianov and Liudmyla Yemelianova, 83 Eastwood Drive, $460,000. Joshua Derrig and Angela Derrig to Kaitlyn Salvon and Nicole Spafford, 63 Spruce St., $485,000. Kyle J. Silva, Alyson Silva and Alyson P. Barre to Aidan J. Burke, 41 Pinewood Lane, $324,999. Mark R. Delmonte and Destiny N. Delmonte to Christopher J. Osgood and Sydney N. Bryden, 37 Saint Dennis St., $360,000.
WESTHAMPTON Daniel R. Crouss to Graham George, 3 Mine Road, $551,775.
WILBRAHAM Joan A. Devitto to Natalia Varela, 161 Stony Hill Road, $347,000. Malcolm Elmasian to Dennis Lotter, 2205 Boston Road, Unit L109, $320,000. Michele Coffey, representative, to Bill H. Sweeney, 2830 Lake Drive, $292,500. Paul W. Lindahl, Karin L. Sardinha and Ann L. Stoddard to Jay-r Rosa and Sarah Lynn Menard, 907 Main St., $410,000. Timothy D. O’Brien, trustee, and John P. O’Brien Trust, trustee of, to Russell Hughes and Linda A. Hughes, 137 Cherry Drive, Unit 137, $400,000.
“AI has to be reined in,” he said. “Not only are they wasting our time, but they’re false advertising.” For years, brokers have employed “virtual staging” using software like Photoshop to add furniture to help a buyer imagine what’s possible in an empty room. But AI has become so sophisticated and easy to use that it has flooded websites like Zillow and StreetEasy and has taken retouching to new heights, adding breathtaking sunsets, lusher lawns or crackling fireplaces. The practice has become so pervasive that some states and cities are moving to crack down. California and Wisconsin passed laws requiring real estate agents to disclose when they use AI to significantly alter listings. Other states, including New York and New Jersey, are considering similar legislation. Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City wants to require brokers to disclose their use of AI in listings as part of his broader efforts to help renters. “You shouldn’t have to worry whether or not the apartment you are viewing online is real,” Mamdani said at a news conference in July. Across the country, renters and buyers are sharing how they’ve been tricked by AI on social media. In May, Curt Walker, a TikTok influencer in New York City, posted videos about deceptive photos during his apartment search. One listing appeared spacious and bright. In reality, it was cramped, and there was a shower inside the kitchen. One Zillow listing for a condo in Portland, Oregon, appears cozy
with a roaring fireplace. But a video posted by the broker on Instagram comes with a disclosure: “AI generated video tour. The fireplace isn’t real. It is for decoration only.” Brian Porter, the broker behind the listing, said he used AI to create a virtual video tour of the one-bedroom condo, which was listed for $260,000. “The AI did it,” he said when asked why the video included the fireplace. “The AI thought, ‘We should put a fire in there,’ and I had no way to control it.” Porter said he doesn’t normally use AI, but he did for this listing because tenants had occupied the condo. Still, he felt conflicted about it. Zillow, the country’s largest real estate portal, recently warned that AI had made modified listing photos “faster to produce, harder to spot and more widespread.” The company said its standards require agents to accurately represent a home. “Zillow supports clear disclosure when AI is used to materially alter a listing image and, where possible, believes consumers should be able to view the original content alongside the altered version,” the company said on its website in July. Alok Gupta, chief executive of AutoReel, a company that makes AI real estate videos, said in an interview that he’s making real estate marketing cheaper and faster. Staging a home without AI, which may involve hiring consultants and renting furniture, can take days and cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. AutoReel charges $12 per listing and makes videos in about 10 minutes. Gupta said that real estate agents should disclose when they’re using AI and that it’s “fair
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
A handout image generated by AI, three photos featuring vivid grass, stunning sunsets or glowing windows, all common giveaways for artificial intelligence images. (IMAGES VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)
play,” as long as they don’t alter the structure of homes, like moving doors and windows. “You are just enhancing what already existed,” he said. Some brokers argue that it makes their job harder. Haley Reynolds, a real estate agent in Rochester, Minnesota, said that fake photos have become so convincing that it’s difficult even for brokers to know what is real. She recently took a buyer to a home and was surprised to see outdated tiling. “I was like, ‘Am I in the
right house?’” she said. Lindsay Crum, a real estate agent in central Florida, has learned to look for red flags. If the bedroom lamps don’t match, or the outside doesn’t match Google Street View, or rooms have a “warm glow,” she assumes that AI has been used. Some of her peers have gone beyond basic staging and made significant changes, she said. “Where do we draw the line?” she said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
CLASSIFIED
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 F11
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT PUBLIC AUCTION
Auctions
Friday, October 2, 2026
11:00 AM - WEST SPRINGFIELD 38 Clyde Avenue
Best local auctions in print and online at masslive.com
Live Onsite &Webcast
PUBLIC AUCTION
PUBLIC AUCTION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 at 11:00 A.M. TH
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH AT 11:00 A.M. (ET)
• WESTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS •
SECURED PARTY SALE
SYNTHETIC & TRADITIONAL
MILLWORK
• WOODWORKING MACHINERY• • MOULDER • EDGEBANDER • SAWS • SANDERS • • JOINTER • PLANERS • SHAPERS • • FORKLIFT • COMPRESSORS • PAINT BOOTHS • • INVENTORY • SUPPORT & OFFICE EQUIPMENT •
TRIMBOARD, INC.
983 PAGE BOULEVARD, SPRINGFIELD, MA TO BE SOLD ON THE PREMISES AND BY LIVE INTERNET BIDDING
★ LIVE ONSITE & LIVE ONLINE BIDDING ★ AVAILABLE AT WWW.BIDSPOTTER.COM SEND FOR DESCRIPTIVE BROCHURE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.POSNIK.COM SALE PER ORDER OF SECURED PARTY JOHN E. DROST, JR., ESQ. OF THE FIRM OF FITZGERALD LAW, P.C., 46 CENTER STREET, EAST LONGMEADOW, MA ATTORNEY FOR SECURED PARTY TERMS OF SALE: 25% DEPOSIT CASH, WIRE TRANSFER OR CERTIFIED CHECK 3% BUYERS PREMIUM APPLIES ON ALL ONLINE PURCHASES OTHER TERMS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT TIME OF SALE INSPECTIONS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. & MORNING OF SALE – 8:30 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M.
Aaron Posnik
12 ROOM / 6 BEDROOM 2½ STORY
COLONIAL STYLE HOME WITH
“DETACHED BARNS & GARAGE”
61 Chesterfield Road WESTHAMPTON, MA Features:
To be Sold on the Premises
• 2½ Story Colonial Style Home • ±6½ Acres of Land • • Total of (12) Rooms w/ (6) Bedrooms & (2½) Baths • • ±3,977 S/F of Living Area • Oil Forced Air Heat • Fireplace • • Full Basement • Vinyl Siding • Private Water & Septic • Enclosed & Open Porches • • (2) Dairy Barns (±6,800 S/F & ±1,620 S/F) • Single Story Barn (±2,016 S/F) • • Zoned: R1 • Parcel ID: 012.0/0014/0000.0 • ★ Two Car Detached Garage ★ Sale Per Order of Mortgagee Attorney Francis R. Mirkin Of the Firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C. 33 State Street, Springfield, MA Attorney for Mortgagee
Terms of Sale: $25,000.00 Deposit Cash, Bank or Certified Funds. Deposit to be increased to 10% of Purchase Price within 5 Business Days of Auction Date. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies.
Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale. .
Aaron Posnik
PUBLIC AUCTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 11:00 A.M. ST
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
• TURNERS FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS •
7 ROOM / 4 BEDROOM 2 STORY
COLONIAL STYLE HOME
63-7 Street TURNERS FALLS, MA TH
• 2-Story Colonial Style Home • ±6,600 S/F of Land • • Total of (7) Rooms w/ (4) Bedrooms & (2) Baths • • ±1,650 S/F of Gross Living Area Above Grade • • Gas FWA Heat • Full Basement • Aluminum Exterior • • Porches • Public Water & Sewer • • Zoned: Neighborhood Business • Assessor’s ID: Map 4. Lots 277 &278 • Sale Per Order of Mortgagee Attorney Joseph J. Lange Of the firm of Lyon & Fitzpatrick, PC 14 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA Attorney for Mortgagee
Terms of Sale: $10,000.00 Deposit Cash, Bank or Certified Funds. Deposit to be increased to 10% of Purchase Price within 5 Business Days. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies.
Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale. .
Aaron Posnik
AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS
AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS
West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA
West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655
West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655
www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com
www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com
413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655
www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com
PUBLIC AUCTION
MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L
PUBLIC AUCTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH at 11:00 A.M.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH AT 11:00 A.M.
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE
• BELCHERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS •
• CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS •
COLONIAL STYLE HOME
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
TWO CAR DETACHED GARAGE 19 Ledgewood Drive BELCHERTOWN, MA
193 Fairview Avenue
7 ROOM / 3 BEDROOM 2 STORY WITH
To be Sold on the Premises
Features: • Two Story Colonial Style Home • ±1 1/3 Acres of Land • • Total of (7) Rooms w/ (3) Bedrooms & (2½) Baths • • ±1,722 S/F of Gross Living Area • FWA Heat • • Full Basement • (2) Fireplaces • Porch • Vinyl Siding • • Private Well & Septic • Assessor’s ID: 255-71 • ★ TWO CAR ATTACHED GARAGE ★ Sale Per Order of Mortgagee Attorney Joseph J. Lange Of the Firm of Lyon & Fitzpatrick, LLP 14 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA Attorney for Mortgagee
Terms of Sale: $10,000.00 Deposit Cash, Bank or Certified Funds. Deposit to be increased to 10% of Purchase Price within 5 Business Days. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies.
Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale. .
Aaron Posnik
Not a SECRET
“CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ALL AMENITIES”
CHICOPEE, MA
To be Sold on the Premises
Sale Per Order of Mortgagee Attorney Gary M. Weiner Of the firm of Weiner Law Firm, P.C. 1441 Main Street Springfield MA Attorney for Mortgagee
Terms of Sale: $10,000.00 Deposit Cash, Bank or Certified Funds. Deposit to be increased to 10% of Purchase Price within 5 Business Days. 5% Buyer’s Premium Applies.
Other Terms to be Announced at Time of Sale. .
Aaron Posnik
AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS
AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS
West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655
www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com
www.posnik.com • E-Mail:info@posnik.com
2 fam, 2,040 sf liv area, 0.26 ac lot, 8 rm, 4 bdrm, 2F/2H bth, Hampden: Bk 15979, Pg 249 Terms: Cashier’s or certified check in the sum of $5,000.00 as a deposit must be shown at the time and place of the sale in order to qualify as a bidder. No CASH. No personal checks will be accepted. Cashier/certified checks should be made out to whomever is going to bid at the auction. The balance to be paid within thirty (30) days at the law offices of Korde & Associates, P.C. 900 Chelmsford Street, Suite 3102, Lowell, MA 01851, Attorney for the Mortgagee.
Auctioneer makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information contained herein.
NORTH CHELMSFORD (978) 251-1150 www.baystateauction.com MAAU#: 1029, 2624, 3039, 116, 2484, 2919, 3092, 3107, 0100030, 3099
Auctions Auctions MORTGAGEES’ REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS TO BE SOLD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PREMISE
MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 2026 9:00 AM - PALMER, MA 2055 HIGH STREET A/K/A 2053 HIGH STREET 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
• Single Story Commercial Building • ±0.14 Acres of Land or (±6,098 S/F) • • ±1,300 S/F of Gross Building Area • Slab Foundation • • Restroom • Office • Vinyl Siding • Gas Unit Heaters • • Paved Parking for ±12 Vehicles • Underground Utilities • • Public Water & Sewer • Natural Gas • • Zoned: Commercial A • Assessor’s ID: 0064-00032 •
West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655 MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L
MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L
±1,300 S/F SINGLE STORY
Features:
12:00 PM - SPRINGFIELD 964-966 Grayson Drive
To be Sold on the Premises
Features:
AUCTIONEERS•APPRAISERS
TOLL FREE 1-877-POSNIK-1 (767-6451) MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L
sgl fam, 1,516 sf liv area, 0.41 ac lot, 4 bdrm, 2 bth, Hampden: Bk 21754, Pg 556
it’s CLASSIFIED! (413) 788-1250 advertising@repub.com
MA Auc. Lic #161 • PA Auc. Lic. #AY000241L
Auctions
Best local auctions in print and online at masslive.com
F12 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
CALL THE PROS
CLASSIFIED
Miscellaneous Services
Professional Service Directory in Print and Online Place your service ad 24/7. Call (413) 788-1234 or go to: www.MassLive.com Masonry/Concrete ABC MASONRY Basement windows, hatchways, foundation & chimney repairs, concrete walks & patios, paver walks & patios, new & repaired. Power washing patios & walks. Concrete pools repaired & resealed. Lic. 120263 569-1611 or 413-374-5377
Miscellaneous Services LIFE COACH/COUNCILOR Focused, practical, problem solving. Sessions are interactive, brief, results-oriented. Goal is to break habitual cycles of inaction. Individual/couples/career issues addressed. Very reasonable rates. Call 413-205-8612
ITEM #33: The fashion mistake.
Trash Removal
Limo/Shuttle Service DRIVING SERVICE Clean, safe, luxury car. Great sound system. Present, professsional ride to: NYC/Boston metro areas & airports. Very reasonable rates. 413-205-8612
Tag Sales Tag Sales Wilbraham
12 Decorie Drive
Sat. 9/26, 9-5 Sun. 9/27, 9-5
MASSIVE & UNBELIEVABLE ACCUMULATION PART 1 - 12 canoes, 1,000’s of tools, hunting & fishing items. Partial list: jigsaw, metal bandsaw, radio arm saws, metal lathe, drill press, air comp., torch sets, grinders, bender, sanders, hydraulic press, indust. sheer mixers, generator, clothing & linens, ’97 Kawasaki Vulcan 37K mi. utility trailer, yard items, Tig welder, tools boxes, chainsaws, planer and way too much to list! Must see to believe. M.R. Russo Company.
Animals Birds Cats Dogs Exotic Animals Feed Fish Horses Livestock Pet Services Pet Shows Pet Supplies Pets - Lost & Found Pets Wanted
Cats Siamese kittens, 1m & 1f, $125 each, black persian, m or f, $50, call 413-5751389 or 413-777-9659
Dogs Miniature dachshund, black & tan male, 11 wks, 1st shot, well socialized, $2500, Call 413-596-8190.
AAA Call - We Haul We Take it all
junk & trash removal, appl. demo, closings, attics, bsmt. V/MC/CK. Free est. Ins. Containers avail. also
WE LOADED IT ALL CALL 1-413-531-1936
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 Giant Marble Pietra Dura inlaid table, w/brass lion head base from Italy. Cracked but restored. Gorgeous. $1,999/bo. 413-426-7063 Ron Invacaire folding wheel chair, large wheels, $100, call 413-538-4484
LOOK HERE!
1,000’s of Baseball, Football, Basketball cards from early 1900 to present. All Hall of Famers. Also, selling boxes for $2.36. BUYING ALL SPORTS CARDS, RETIRED VETERAN CALL 413-596-5783
Sporting Goods Pro Select precision golf bag, 9 irons, 3 drivers, umbrella, $100, call 413538-4484
Tag Sale it! PLACE YOUR TAG SALE PLAC P LA LA ACE CE Y YOU OU O UR T UR AG S AG ALE LE AD AD (413) 788-1234 or classified@repub.com