As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market in Boston is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are shaping this unprecedented market.

A Shortage of Homes for Sale

Earlier this year, the number of homes available for sale fell to an all-time low. In recent months, however, inventory levels are starting to trend up. The latest Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com says:

“In June, newly listed homes grew by 5.5% on a year-over-year basis, and by 10.9% on a month-over-month basis. Typically, fewer newly listed homes appear on the market in the month of

It’s hard to believe that 2021 is half over! This month, Nick talks about how he sees the next half of 2021 playing out in the Boston real estate market. 

What will it be like for buyers looking to make a purchase and sellers looking to sell around the Greater Boston area? 

And, what can we expect to see in the rental market through the end of the year?

For buyers and sellers looking to make a move by the end of 2021, what do you think they can expect?

Most predictions I’ve heard are stating that the market will remain strong with low inventory and high buyer demand, which I agree with.  There has been additional inventory coming on the market over the past few weeks, which has helped things a bit. Historically speaking, we still see only

There’s no denying we’re in a sellers’ market. With low inventory and high buyer demand, homes today are selling above the asking price at a record rate. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

• Homes typically sell within 17 days (compared to 26 days one year ago).
• The average home sold has five offers to pick from.
• 54% of offers are over the asking price.

Because so many buyers are competing for so few homes, bidding wars are driving up home prices. According to an average of leading expert projections, existing home prices are expected to increase by 8.9% this year.

Yet even in today’s red-hot sellers’ market, it’s important to price your Boston home right.

What is it like to sell your home during this competitive and crazy market? Nick talks about some transactions over the past few months to highlight how the inventory shortage impacts sellers. He also gives tips for how sellers can be competitive and sell for top dollar in this market.

What have you seen in recent transactions that is unique to the market right now?

I've written about this before, but the unique thing we have been seeing in transactions right now vs. a regular balanced market is that buyers have become so frustrated with losing out on offers that they are willing to take on significant risk by removing contingencies.  The most important thing when considering this as a buyer is that you know what those risks are.  I wrote a

In a normal market, it’s good to have an experienced guide coaching you through the process of buying or selling a home in the Boston area. That person can advise you on important things like pricing your home correctly or the first steps to take when you’re ready to buy. However, the market we’re in today is far from normal. As a result, an expert isn’t just good to have by your side – an expert is essential.

Today’s Boston housing market is full of extremes. Mortgage rates hovering near record-lows are driving high buyer demand. On the other hand, an absence of sellers is creating record-low housing inventory. This imbalance in supply and demand is leading to a skyrocketing rate of bidding wars and more houses selling over their asking price.

For generations, the process of buying and selling a home in the Boston area never really changed. A homeowner would try to estimate the market value of their house, then tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price they could offer and still get the home. As a result, the listing price was generally the ceiling of the negotiation. The actual sales price would almost always be somewhat lower than what was listed. It was unthinkable to pay more than what the seller was asking.

Today is different.

The record-low supply of homes for sale coupled with very strong buyer demand is leading to a rise in bidding wars on

As we enter the middle of 2021, many are wondering if we’ll see big changes in the Boston housing market during the second half of this year. Here’s a look at what some experts have to say about key factors that will drive the industry and the economy forward in the months to come.

realtor.com

“. . . homes continue to sell quickly in what’s normally the fastest-moving time of the year. This is in contrast with 2020 when homes sold slower in the spring and fastest in September and October. While we expect fall to be competitive, this year’s seasonal pattern is likely to be more normal, with homes selling fastest from roughly now until mid-summer.”

National Association of Realtors (NAR)

“Sellers who have been hesitant to list

This month Nick gives his advice to buyers looking to make a move this spring/summer. With a highly competitive Boston real estate market, it can be challenging, but there are ways to be competitive and purchase the home of your dreams!

There is a lot of talk about “contingencies” right now - can you explain these?

Contingencies are clauses in an offer that define a condition or action that must be met for the purchase contract to become legally binding.  

Typical contingencies buyers use in offers include:

• Inspection Contingency - Allows the buyer to have a professional home inspector inspect the property and then decide whether they want to move forward with the purchase, potentially renegotiate the price/terms, or back out and

When buying a home in Boston, it’s important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as important.

What Are Closing Costs?

According to Trulia:

“When you close on a home, a number of fees are due. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the total cost of the home, and can include title insurance, origination fees, underwriting fees, document preparation fees, and more.”

For example, for someone buying a $300,000 home, they could potentially have between $6,000 and $15,000 in closing fees. If you’re in the market for a home above this price range, your

Homebuyers are flooding the Boston housing market right now to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates. Many have a sense of urgency to find a home soon since experts forecast a steady rise in both rates and home prices this year and next. As a result, buyer demand around Boston greatly outweighs the current housing supply. Here’s how the shortage of houses for sale sets yours up to be the oasis in an inventory desert.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), today’s housing inventory sits at an incredibly low 2.1-month supply, far below the 6-month mark for a neutral market. Inventory of single-family homes a year ago was already very low, and as you can see in the graph below, this year’s levels are even lower:

Due to