If you're waiting for rates to come down, it will be too late.  Many buyers have been taking this approach and by the time rates are closer to where they were the past few years, the competition in the homebuying market will only increase - and prices will skyrocket along with it.  Now is the time to buy!  It's important to remember you're buying a home, not a rate.  Land your dream home when there is less competition, and refinance once it's yours.

Thinking of buying in 2024?  With the Super Bowl over, we are officially in the spring market so now is the time to make a plan.  Contact me to get started!

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As you think about the year ahead, one of your big goals may be moving. But, how do you know when to make your move? While spring is usually the peak homebuying season, you don’t actually need to wait until spring to sell. Here's why.

1. Take Advantage of Lower Mortgage Rates

Last October, the 30-year fixed mortgage rates peaked at 7.79%. In January, they hit their lowest level since May. That means you may not feel as locked-in to your current mortgage rate right now. That downward trend in rates has made moving more affordable now than it was just a few months ago.

Another reason today’s rates make now a good time to sell? More buyers are jumping back into the market. Many had been waiting on the sidelines for rates to fall, but now that…

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Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true.

The simplest answer is: that what you read or hear will vary based on the time frame they’re looking at. Here’s some information that can help clear up the confusion.

Mortgage Rates Are Volatile by Nature

Mortgage rates don’t move in a straight line. There are too many factors at play for that to happen. Instead, rates bounce around because they’re impacted by things like economic conditions, decisions from the Federal Reserve, and so much more. That means they might be up…

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In a recent press release, government-backed corporation Fannie Mae shared their expectation that mortgage rates will drop below 6% in 2024 and the rate environment will be a more balanced one this year instead of the oscillations buyers have come to expect more recently.  With this announcement, a Fannie Mae survey also reported that buyers' optimism levels are the highest they've been in two years.

If you're waiting for rates to come down to make your move, it will be too late by then.  Every buyer is taking this approach and by the time this shift happens, the competition in the homebuying market will only increase - and prices will skyrocket along with it.  Now is the time to buy!  At the end of the day, you're buying a home, not a rate. …

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Winter in Boston can be hard to get through, especially without trees and plants in bloom.  But there are seven spectacular indoor gardens and greenhouses in the Massachusetts area where everything is green and full of life where you can get your fix - and they are all heated:

1) Botanic Garden of Smith College: it's a bit of a drive, but with over 12,000 square feet of beautiful greenery, banana and cinnamon trees and a waterfall, it's worth it!

2) Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: the indoor courtyard has a rotating landscape of trees and flowers every few months, and the priceless art is always in season.

3) Lyman Estate Greenhouses: located at the Lyman Estate in Waltham, it is known for its orchids and pink and red winter camellias.

…

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Have you been thinking about selling your house? If so, here’s some good news. While the housing market isn't as frenzied as it was during the ‘unicorn’ years when houses were selling quicker than ever, they’re still selling faster than normal.

The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to tell the story of median days on the market for every January from 2017 all the way through the latest numbers available. For Realtor.com, days on the market means from the time a house is listed for sale until its closing date or the date it’s taken off the market. This metric can help give you an idea of just how quickly homes are selling compared to more normal years:

 

When you look at the most recent data (shown in green), it's clear homes are selling…

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On the road to becoming a homeowner? If so, you may have heard the term pre-approval get tossed around. Let’s break down what it is and why it’s important if you’re looking to buy a home in 2024.

What Pre-Approval Is

As part of the homebuying process, your lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. According to Investopedia, this includes things like your W-2, tax returns, credit score, bank statements, and more.

From there, they’ll give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow. Freddie Mac explains it like this:

“A pre-approval is an indication from your lender that they are willing to lend you a certain amount of money to buy your future home. . . . Keep in mind…

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One of the most highly anticipated new construction projects in downtown Boston, Winthrop Center, has just opened The Connector at Winthrop Center, featuring a food hall, The Lineup, with five restaurant concepts by Michelin star chef John Fraser. 

Winthrop Center is one of Boston's tallest buildings and is home to 317 luxury residences as well as 20 floors of commercial and office space, including its anchor tenant, Cambridge Associates, whose global headquarters is sited there.  The Connector at Winthrop Center is a ground floor concourse linking the two at Federal and Devonshire Street, and is open to the public.

The Connector was designed to feel like an extension of the living rooms and shared club spaces of the residences and offices.  The…

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Boston's Back Bay has several zipcodes, and the 02115 area is mostly known for its hospitals, museums and universities.  But there is also a small group of luxurious and historic residences that have made it the most expensive zipcode in America from a $/sq ft perspective.  The average $/sq ft in 02115 was $2,663.  You can read more about it here.

The housing market in 02115 has been redefined by the opening of the Four Seasons at One Dalton.  There are 174 residences starting on the 24th floor of what has become Boston's tallest residential building.  Residents enjoy the Four Seasons amenities that are second to none and include: 24 hour concierge, doorman, separate owner's entrance, two restaurants including an exclusive owner's lounge on the…

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