According to Boston Magazine in their annual "Best Places to Live" issue, the prices of housing in Boston have outpaced cumulative inflation rates from 2013-2023.  In East Boston, the difference is staggering: it rose by over 96%.  Owning a home in Boston is one of the best - and safest - ways to build wealth.  This is also a market that held its value during multiple dips in the housing market nationwide.  We all know the biotech and healthcare industries have invested heavily in Boston, with the numerous top-ranked universities in the area providing a large pool of high-end talent to recruit from, and that trend is only going to continue.

I encounter people all the time who wish they had bought before 2013, noticing how prices have gone up…

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Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. And if you look at the current number of homes for sale, you’ll see two reasons why.

An article from Calculated Risk shows there are 15.6% more homes for sale now compared to the same week last year. That tells us inventory has grown. But going back to 2019, the last normal year in the housing market, there are nearly 40% fewer homes available now:

a graph with red and blue squares


Here’s a breakdown of how this benefits you when you sell.

1. You Have More Options for Your Move

Are you thinking about selling because your current house is too big, too small, or because your needs have changed? If so, the year-over-year growth gives you more options for your home search. That means…

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Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it's a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you'll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges.

So, if you're ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality.

Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs                                       

Paying the initial costs of homeownership, like your down payment and closing costs, can feel a bit daunting. But there are many assistance programs for first-time homebuyers that can help you get a…

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As the 2024 market really gets going, we have seen a massive increase of buyer activity all over Massachusetts at all price points.  Bear in mind that in the last 81 years, home prices have only increased 75 times.  That means the market has only depreciated 6 times in 81 years and 4 of those years were during the housing crisis that began in 2008.  All signs indicate a very strong 2024.  Inventory is low, future new construction in the city is low - which is hard to believe after the last 10 years, but the Ritz-Carlton Residences at South Station is the only full-service luxury building currently under construction in the city - transactions were down by 25% in 2023 and the average sales price increased by 17% in 2023.  

If you are a buyer sitting…

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Over the past few months, experts have revised their 2024 home price forecasts based on the latest data and market signals, and they’re even more confident prices will rise, not fall.

So, let’s see exactly how experts’ thinking has shifted – and what’s caused the change.

2024 Home Price Forecasts: Then and Now

The chart below shows what seven expert organizations think will happen to home prices in 2024. It compares their first 2024 home price forecasts (made at the end of 2023) with their newest projections:

 a blue and white graph with text


The middle column shows that, at first, these experts thought home prices would only go up a little this year. But if you look at the column on the right, you'll see they've all updated their forecasts and now think prices will…

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There are many ways in which you can get creative with your options when it comes to buying a home.  One is a program that certain lenders offer, which is a  temporary rate buydown.  That is where your interest rate is reduced on your mortgage for the first year or two of your loan, with the contribution to it coming from the seller.  Once that period is over, the rate will go back up (although it is always possible to re-finance at that time!).  It is called a seller's concession.

You can read more about how that program works here.

Thinking of buying this year?  My team and I work with a team of top lenders, as well as attorneys, inspectors and more to ensure the homebuying process is smooth and memorable.  Contact me to get started!


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There’s a lot of confusion in the market about what’s happening with day-to-day movement in mortgage rates right now, but here’s what you really need to know: compared to the near 8% peak last fall, mortgage rates have trended down overall.

And if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, this is a big deal. While they’re going to continue to bounce around a bit based on various economic drivers (like inflation and reactions to the consumer price index, or CPI), don’t let the short-term volatility distract you. The experts agree the overarching downward trend should continue this year.

While we won’t see the record-low rates homebuyers got during the pandemic, some experts think we should see rates dip below 6% later this year. As Dean Baker, Senior…

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A lot of helpful tips are given out to buyers as they start the homebuying process, but sellers don't get as much attention and guidance.  With low inventory over the past several years, many people who chose to sell proved their decisions to be wise, and although those market conditions are the same today, there is still strategic planning that must be put in place before listing your home.  Here are 8 things every seller should do before listing a home:

  1. Make sure the timing is right: although there are still a few more weeks of winter left, the spring market is in full swing - usually, after the Super Bowl marks its unofficial start.  Now is the time to strategize!

  2. Work with a listing agent you trust: only 7% of homes on the market get…

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The ins and outs of the homebuying process from offer to closing can seem overwhelming.  A good buyer's agent is someone who will be working on behalf of your best interests to make it as straightforward and smooth as possible, so you can look back on this time in your life fondly.  My trusted lender, Christina Trethewey, and I have broken it down into 5 simple steps for you:

  1. Narrow Down Your Budget: Figure out how much your monthly payment and down payment should be.  This way, you won't waste time browsing and touring homes that are outside of those parameters.

  2. Talk With Our Preferred Lender: now, you will know for sure what your budget is and you can start the search in earnest.

  3. Identify Properties: contact me to start scheduling…

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If you grew up in Massachusetts, then you know all about Papa Gino's.  But did you know it started in East Boston?  It's true!  Founder Michael Valerio, who emigrated from Italy in the 1930s, used the money his mother had saved for him during his military service fighting in the Korean War to open his first location on Bennington Street in East Boston in 1961.  The original name was Piece O'Pizza, but he changed it to Papa Gino's in honor of his brother.

Eventually, he and his wife expanded to several different locations in Boston and then into the suburbs, where it truly became iconic in Massachusetts culture.  Eventually there were over 300 locations when Valerio sold it in 1991.  Since then, it has changed hands many times and unfortunately…

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