What does it take to be a queen?

Loretta Bessette-Mosca
Agency Owner/Broker

Loretta has been in real estate for over 22 years, specializing in sales, apartment rentals and property management. "I have seen it all, I think!" Matching Buyers and Seller or Landlords and Tenants is a challenge and an art. The key is listening to everyone’s needs and trying to accommodate them.

Two heads are better than one. When working with a sales client Loretta and Joanne work together as a team to insure that each client receives the maximum in customer service. Selling or buying can be a stressful time, they try to alleviate the stress and make it a pleasant, fun experience for all. Together they bring their vast knowledge of Arlington and the surrounding communities.

Loretta also has extensive knowledge in the rental industry managing over 100 units and providing rental assistance for many private accounts in several communities. Rental clients receive the quality of service and can trust her knowledge and expertise of the current Massachusetts Laws.

When the papers have passed or the lease is signed our goal to is have all parties feel they were treated fairly, were given 100% of our time, experience and knowledge. But most importantly, have good night sleep in their new home.

Best asset: Multitasking, a trait that is redefined on an everyday basis while raising her four daughters with her husband Mike. A long time resident of Arlington, Loretta recently moved to Acton, MA where life is never dull with four girls, two hamsters, a big white fluffy dog and a fish named Bob.

Outside of the office Loretta enjoys writing and is a featured columnist on www.sanitycentral.com. You can visit her web site @ www.lorettamosca.com for a peak inside her parenting with humor articles.

Joanne Lyttle
Licensed Salesperson/Rental Agent

Joanne has been with us for over 12 years full-time and now as a part-time agent. Her and her son Harry are part of our family. Joanne listens to her clients needs and is excellent with tracking down just the right place for them. She is a trooper; out showing properties on the weekends and at night. Rain, snow or sunshine, she will accommodate the customer’s needs. She is excellent at matching tenants and landlords and guides both through the rental process with ease. As a team member with Loretta, together they have you covered.

Best asset: She is very dedicated to her profession and her clients and customers. She also has a quiet sense of humor, much needed in this business.

Outside of the office Joanne keeps busy with Harry and their dog Tobey. She cannot pass a TJ Maxx without stopping and the only time her cell phone is off is when she is out whacking a ball around on the golf course, with Loretta or course.

Company History

Bessette Realty is a family owned and operated business, founded by Robert and Margaret Loretta Bessette over 50 years ago. Mr. "B" as he was referred to around the office, was an active participant until his passing in 1994 at the age of 86. Mrs. "B" was his backbone. Together they raised three daughters and one son Bobby. As many Arlingtonians remember he was taken at an early age of 17 from a car accident. Their daughters, Alice, Lola and Jane all took a role in Bessette Realty.

In the early years Bessette Realty was a development company helping form many neighborhoods in Arlington and surrounding towns, later concentrating on apartment rentals and management. There was also a short period when Mr. "B" ventured out into the restaurant business; Bessettes Ice Cream was located where Jimmy’s Steer House currently operates. Again many Arlingtonians remember Sunday morning breakfast after church.

Bob and Loretta Bessette were truly special folks, their strong family commitments and their great business sense has been passed down through the generations. Probably their best asset that they shared together as a team was to always be fair and honest. They both are missed everyday but we hold with us all of life's lessons they instilled in us. One of Nana’s most famous quotes "Do noble things and then don’t dream about them all night long".

Bessette Realty Trust is now owned by Alice and Gerry Harman who operate 215 Massachusetts Avenue "The Summit House" as well as several other properties in Arlington. When the Summit house was constructed in the early 1960's it was the tallest building in Arlington, hence the name Summit. Managed by their daughter Loretta Bessette-Mosca, Bessette Realty continues to service the private sector providing brokerage services for rentals, management and sales.

A tribute to Mr. and Mrs. B written by John Tkacs:

I cared for Nana and Pop as much if not more than my own grandparents did. They were truly special people, of which there are fewer and fewer these days. I respected him greatly and admire him for what he achieved in his lifetime. I could listen to him talk endlessly. All the good ones are going on. He is sitting with Nana in a lush green, grassy back yard under an umbrella, sipping martinis with Parker running around at his feet. Nana has a white shawl on her shoulders because there is a gentle cool breeze blowing and Pop is wearing one of those short sleeve silk shirts that you don’t tuck in. They both have wonderful smiles on their faces. And the clock is stuck on 5:00 P.M!