As the weather warms up and the housing market continues to sizzle, we'll discuss the importance of staging your home for sale and exploring some of our city's fantastic summer activities.

The Impact of Staging in the Boston Home Market

The importance of staging cannot be overstated when selling your Boston area home. Staging is more than just sprucing up your space—it's about creating an environment in which potential buyers can envision themselves. It's about showing off your home's best features, making it feel inviting, and subtly persuading buyers that this is their future home.

Think about it: when you walk into a well-staged home, you're not just seeing furniture and decor—you're seeing a lifestyle. You're imagining Sunday brunch in

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If you’re reading headlines about inflation or mortgage rates, you may see something about the recent decision from the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But what does it mean for you, the Boston housing market, and your plans to buy a home? Here’s what you need to know.

Inflation and the Housing Market

While the Fed’s working hard to lower inflation, the latest data shows that, while the number has improved some, the inflation rate is still higher than the target (2%). That played a role in the Fed's decision to raise the Federal Funds Rate last week. As Bankrate explains:

“Keeping its inflation-fighting streak alive, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the 10th time in 10 meetings . . . The hikes aimed to cool an economy that was on…

The recent news of the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates by 0.25 percentage points marks the tenth consecutive hike. While this decision aims to reduce liquidity in financial markets and control high inflation, how could it impact the Boston real estate market? This blog post will explore the potential consequences of rising interest rates on the Boston real estate market.

Mortgage rates and home affordability:  Although the federal funds rate doesn't directly impact mortgage rates, they typically move in the same direction. Higher interest rates often lead to higher mortgage rates, affecting home affordability. As mortgage rates rise, potential homebuyers in Boston may find it more challenging to afford homes due to increased financing costs

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The housing market’s been going through a lot of change lately, and there’s been uncertainty surrounding what will happen this spring. You may be wondering if more Boston homes will go on the market, what’s next with home prices and mortgage rates, or what the best advice is for someone in your position right now.

Here’s what industry experts are saying right now about the spring housing market and what it means for you:

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist, CoreLogic:

“We see more competition among buyers . . . Housing supply also tends to grow during the spring months. And this is also the time of year when relatively more migration happens, as people graduate and move elsewhere looking for jobs.”

Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst, Bankrate:

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As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here. One factor you’re probably thinking about is home prices, which have come down a bit since they peaked last June. And you’ve likely heard something in the news or on social media about a price crash on the horizon. As a result, you may be holding off on buying a home until prices drop significantly. But that’s not the best strategy.

A recent survey from Zonda shows 53% of millennials are still renting right now because they’re waiting for home prices to come down. But here’s the thing: the most recent data shows that home prices appear to have bottomed out and are now on the rise again. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, reports:

“U.S. home prices…

Practical negotiation skills are essential for buyers and sellers in the cutthroat Boston real estate market. Learning the art of negotiating can make all the difference when trying to sell your property for the highest price or buy your dream house. Practical negotiation skills are essential for both buyers and sellers in the cutthroat Boston real estate market. We'll go over key advice in this blog post to help you successfully negotiate and accomplish your real estate goals, as well as how a qualified real estate agent can support you at every stage.

Perform Your Due Diligence: Knowledge is power, and knowledge of the local market, recent sales, and comparable properties is essential for a successful negotiation. A qualified real estate agent

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In the competitive Boston real estate market, it's crucial to make the right improvements to stand out and secure a quick, profitable sale. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Warren Residential, we are proud to partner with Curbio, a national contractor who provides a wide range of repair and remodeling services that sellers don't have to pay for until after the property sells. In this post, our CEO, Nick Warren, shares some insights on the best improvements sellers can make to increase the chances of a successful sale in the Boston real estate market.

How does the partnership with Curbio benefit sellers in the Boston real estate market?

Our partnership with Curbio offers a significant advantage to sellers, as it allows them to make necessary

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Wondering if you should sell your boston home this year? As you make your decision, think about what’s motivating you to consider moving. A recent survey from realtor.com asked why homeowners are thinking about selling their houses this year. Here are the top two reasons (see graphic below):

Let’s break those reasons down and explore how they might resonate with you.

1. I Want To Take Advantage of the Current Market and Make a Profit

When you decide to sell your house, how much you’ll make from the sale will likely be top of mind. So, here’s some good news: according to the latest data, the average seller can expect a strong return on their investment when they make a move. ATTOM explains: 

“The $112,000 profit on median-priced home…

Relocating to a new city can be both exciting and daunting. As a professional moving to Boston, you're likely eager to explore the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and promising job opportunities. At the same time, navigating the Boston real estate market and adjusting to life in a new community can be challenging. That's where our ultimate guide to relocating to Boston comes in! We'll cover everything from choosing the perfect neighborhood to understanding the cost of living so you can make a smooth transition to your new home in Boston.

Understanding the Boston Real Estate Market

Boston's real estate market is known for its diversity, with a mix of historic homes, modern condos, and charming apartments. While the market can be competitive,

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Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened. Others have forecasted a real estate market that could see slight appreciation or depreciation depending on the area of the country. And as we get closer to the spring real estate market, experts are continuing to forecast what they believe will happen with home prices this year and beyond.

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, says:

“While 2023 kicked off on a more optimistic note for the U.S. housing market, recent mortgage rate volatility highlights how much uncertainty remains. Nevertheless, the continued shortage of for-sale homes is likely to keep price…