What does having a Starbucks mean for a community’s real estate? Can a community claim to have “made it’’ once the green mermaid moves in?

The first of two Starbucks restaurants recently opened on Trapelo Road near Watham’s border with Lexington. A second restaurant, with a drive-thru, is nearing completion as part of the 1265 Main Street development.

So, what does having a Starbucks mean? Has Waltham turned a significant corner as a community? Can a community claim to have “made it’’ once the green mermaid moves in?

Caroline Daniels, a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at Babson College, says the arrival of Starbucks is a strong sign that Waltham is on the rise.

“Starbucks is a company that does its homework,’’ said Daniels. “It’s a long-term economic vote for them. They’re coming to Waltham because its’ a growth community.’’

Daniels studies future economic trends and has seen an uptick in professionals moving into Waltham in the last few years. This trend may have influenced Starbucks to set its sights on Waltham.

“They like to be that third place. That’s their competitive advantage,’’ said Daniels. “The first [place] is home. The second place is work or school. The third place is someplace where you can connect with neighbors and friends.’’

But having the coffee giant next door won’t necessarily mean a jump in home prices, says Alex Coon, a Redfin broker who manages the company’s Boston team.

“To say a Starbucks moves into a neighborhood and raises the prices … you can’t make that connection,’’ says Coon. That said, he agrees the chain’s arrival is a good sign for Waltham.

“It says that the neighborhood is the right place to support that shop,’’ he adds.

While Coon isn’t convinced Starbucks will impact real estate prices, he does see it as a strong tool when showing properties to potential buyers.

“Most people want to know if they can get a good cup of coffee nearby,’’ says Coon. “It helps when people realize there’s an amenity they know right around the corner.’’

Coon says Starbucks is among a handful of big-name brands to keep an eye on when it comes to real estate. Other companies include Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Zipcar, and bike-shares like Hubway.

“Towns with those brands I would consider an area on the move,’’ said Coon.