The Reference · Est. 1995
Real Estate Tips & Tools
Boston's longest-running independent housing resource. Free Massachusetts rental forms, calculators, and guides for renters, owners, buyers, and sellers — written by people who have practiced real estate, not algorithms.
Library overseen by Eric Boyer, licensed MA Broker since 1979 and former mediator for the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
30 years online
Boston-focused
100+ tools & forms
Reviewed by a licensed broker
Most-used tools
No results — try a broader word like “lease” or “credit”.
Real Estate Calculators
- Rent CalculatorSee how much rent you can afford
- Mortgage CalculatorIs it cheaper to buy?
- Mortgage Qualification CalculatorSee if you qualify
- Loan CalculatorHow long to pay off a loan
- Straight Line Depreciation Calculator
- Compound Interest Calculator
- Down Payment Calculator
- Savings Calculator
- Moving Distance Calculator
- Distance Unit Conversion Calculator
- Monetary Conversion Calculator
- Credit Card Interest Calculator
Applications & Forms
- Apartment Application
- Lease Guarantor Form
- Mandatory Agency Disclosure Form
- Mandatory Fee Disclosure Form — Rentals
- Tenant Lead Law Notification — Rental
- Mandatory Lead Paint Law Notification — Sales
- Notice to Quit — Eviction Notice
- FreeMassachusetts Residential Lease
- Rent Receipt
- FreeCommercial Lease Agreement
Mortgage & Loans
- Mortgage DictionaryTerms and definitions
- Mortgage Rates
- Reverse Mortgage Loans
- How Much House Can I Afford on a $70K Salary?
- Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
- Mortgages, Debts & Other Loan Information
- What Is a Hard Money Loan?
- Home Equity Loans
- Finance Overview
- Buy Your Next Home — No Money Down
Credit
- FreeCredit Report Consultation
- 5 Reasons to Check Your Credit Report
- Credit Fraud — How to Fight Back
- How to Protect Your Credit
- Credit Cards — Apply Here
- Understanding Your Credit Score
- Can Bad Credit Be Deleted?
- Applying for a Loan
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Pros & Cons of Debit Cards
- Ultimate Guide to Credit
- Do Credit Repair Companies Really Help?
- Repairing Credit Yourself
- Order a Credit Report Before Applying for a Loan
- Credit Score Tips
Tips for Your Home
Info & Reference
Renters & Tenants
- 30-Day Notices for Landlords & Tenants
- Apartment Renting Tips
- Security Deposits: Purpose & Role
- Discrimination Information
- Fair Housing Advertising Word List
- Fees Involved in Renting
- FreeRoommate Service
- Handicap Accessibility
- Housing Authorities
- Renting With Bad Credit
- Massachusetts Sanitation Codes
- Tenants' Handbook
- Your Moving Rights
- Re-renting Your Apartment / Sublease
- What Is a Co-signer?
- What Is a TAW (Tenant-at-Will)?
- Why a Rent Receipt Matters
Tips for Your Apartment
Landlords & Owners
- Benefits of Owning a Multi-Family
- Buyer & Seller Closing Costs Explained
- Home Damage & Restoration
- Home Heating Options
- Home Maintenance
- Homeowners Association (HOA)
- Land & Property Surveying
- Prepare for Severe Weather
- Property Development
- Property Management
- Pros & Cons of a Real Estate Agent
- Roofing Tips
- Vacation Rentals
- Before Renting Out a Property
Professional & Business
Selling Real Estate
- Home Selling Tips
- Open House
- 4 Ways to Determine Your Home's Value
- Sell Your House Fast: 4 Tips
- Increase Buyer Appeal
- Are Home Buying Companies Legitimate?
- Pressure Washing for Curb Appeal
- Home Staging Tips
- Selling a Rental Property
- Foreclosures
- Selling a Tenant-Damaged Rental
- Real Estate Video Marketing
- “We Buy Houses” Companies
- Sell Your House As-Is
Buying Real Estate
- Home Buying Tips
- Out-of-State Relocation Guide
- Home Appraisals
- Commercial Real Estate
- Home Inspections
- Guide to Flipping Houses
- Top House-Hunting Mistakes
- Real Estate Taxation
- Property Types & How to Choose
- 4 Must-Know Terms for First-Time Buyers
- Real Estate Transaction Tips
- Buyer's Checklist for Closing
- Contractors & Renovations