If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters. The first thing you’ll want to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way you’ll know your numbers and can set yourself up for success from the start of your home search.

What Pre-Approval Does for You

To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to know what pre-approval is. As part of the homebuying process, a lender looks at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan…

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Downtown Boston, the vibrant heart of this historic city, has faced unprecedented challenges in the wake of the pandemic. However, hope is on the horizon as the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) unveils its final draft of PLAN: Downtown. This comprehensive plan not only aims to facilitate the downtown's recovery from the pandemic's impacts but also presents innovative solutions to transform it into a thriving hub for residential, mixed-use development, historical preservation, and enhanced public spaces.

**Four Pillars of Transformation**

PLAN: Downtown is structured around four key areas of focus: growth, transportation, public space, and climate resiliency. These pillars serve as the foundation for a comprehensive revitalization effort…

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In a recent report, it's been revealed that Boston is anticipating the addition of approximately 5,593 new apartment units this year. While this is may seem like a significant number, it's worth noting that it represents just over half of the apartment units constructed in 2020. The real estate landscape in Boston is undergoing some interesting shifts, and here's what you need to know.

**A Decline in Construction**

Over the last three years, Boston has experienced a steady decline in new apartment construction, as indicated by a RentCafe analysis of data sourced from Yardi Matrix. This trend is part of a broader issue: a housing shortage that's impacting the entire United States. The scarcity of available housing has led to rising costs for…

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If you're planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. While you may have seen negative news over the past year about home prices, they’re doing far better than expected and are rising across the country. And data shows, experts forecast home prices will keep appreciating.

Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation

Pulsenomics polled over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts in the latest quarterly Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES). The results show what the panelists project will happen with home prices over the next five years. Here are those expert forecasts saying home prices will go up every year through 2027 (see…

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An important factor shaping today’s market is the number of homes for sale. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, that’s one of the biggest advantages you have right now. When housing inventory is this low, your house will stand out, especially if it’s priced right.

But there are some early signs that more listings are coming. According to the latest data, new listings (homeowners who just put their house up for sale) are trending up. Here’s a look at why this is noteworthy and what it may mean for you.

More Homes Are Coming onto the Market than Usual

It’s well known that the busiest time in the housing market each year is the spring buying season. That’s why there’s a predictable increase in the volume of newly listed…

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If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now. Beyond that, it’s important to understand their relationship with inflation for insights into where mortgage rates might go in the near future.

Giving Context to the Sticker Shock

Freddie Mac has been tracking the 30-year fixed mortgage rate since April of 1971. Every week, they release the results of their Primary Mortgage Market Survey, which averages mortgage application data from lenders across the…

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Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two.

The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and Overall Inflation

Shelter inflation is the measure of price growth specific to housing. It comes from a survey of renters and homeowners that’s done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey asks renters how much they’re paying in rent, and homeowners how much they’d rent their homes for, if they weren’t living in them.

Much like overall inflation measures the cost of everyday items, shelter inflation measures the cost of housing. And for four consecutive months, based…

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As 2023 continues on, the real estate landscape is witnessing some unexpected shifts, particularly when it comes to mortgage rates. If you've been following the market closely, you might have noticed that mortgage rates have been on the rise, causing both concern and curiosity. We'll delve into the factors driving the surge in 2023 mortgage rates and explore when we can reasonably expect them to come back down.

The Culprits Behind Rising Mortgage Rates

1.  Federal Reserve Policy: One of the most significant influencers of mortgage rates is the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. To combat inflation and ensure economic stability, the Fed has opted to gradually increase interest rates. As the Fed funds rate rises, banks adjust their lending rates,…

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The housing market continues to shift and change, and in a fast-moving landscape like we’re in right now, it’s more important than ever to have a trusted real estate agent on your side. Whether you’re buying your first home or selling once again, it’s mission critical to work with an expert who can guide you through each unique step of the process. 

The reality is, not all agents operate the same way. To truly make a powerful and confident decision as you buy or sell a home, you need a real estate expert who uses their knowledge of what’s really happening with home prices, housing supply, industry projections, and more to give you the best possible advice. Someone who can provide clarity and trust like that is essential to your success. Jay…

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 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then. And after years of being virtually nonexistent, more people are once again using ARMs when buying a home. Let’s break down why that’s happening and why this isn’t cause for concern.

Why ARMs Have Gained Popularity More Recently

This graph uses data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to show how the percentage of adjustable-rate mortgages has increased over the past few years:

As the graph conveys, after hovering around 3% of all mortgages in 2021, many more homeowners turned to adjustable-rate mortgages again last year. There’s a simple explanation for that increase. Last year is when mortgage rates…

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