Brockton, MA Real Estate: A Local Guide

Brockton at a glance

A short history

Brockton began as the north parish of Bridgewater. It was incorporated as the town of North Bridgewater in 1821, renamed Brockton in 1874 and became a city on April 9, 1881, the first in Plymouth County. Shoemaking made it one of the country’s leading shoe cities. Boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, both from Brockton, are the source of its nickname, the City of Champions.

Getting around

Three MBTA commuter rail stations serve the city: Montello, Brockton and Campello. Routes 24, 27, 28 and 123 cross it, and Brockton Area Transit runs local buses. Check mbta.com for current schedules.

Parks and open space

D. W. Field Park, given to the city in the 1920s, has ponds, wooded drives and walking routes on the Avon line.

Records to check for a Brockton property

• The assessor’s record and current tax bill from the City of Brockton; compare the assessed value, rate and any exemptions.
• For two- and three-family homes: leases, deposit records and the city’s rental and occupancy requirements, reviewed with your attorney.
• Permits for additions, finished basements and decks from the building department.
• The Brockton school district profile on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education site, if schools matter to your decision.

Massachusetts requirements for every sale

Homes built before 1978 need the state lead paint notification. Every sale needs a smoke and carbon monoxide compliance certificate from the local fire department. Homes not on public sewer generally need a Title 5 septic inspection.

This guide covers places, history and public records. Under fair housing law it does not describe neighborhoods by who lives in them. Confirm facts with the City of Brockton and the agencies named before relying on them.

Sources: Britannica: Brockton; Brockton, Massachusetts.