In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy, especially in the Boston area. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans to sell at the same time that more buyers aimed to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and purchase a home, housing inventory dropped even further. Experts consider this to be the biggest challenge facing an otherwise hot market while buyers continue to compete for homes. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains:

“With buyers active in the market and seller participation lagging, homes are selling quickly and the total number available for sale at any point in time continues to

There are so many great reasons to purchase a home in the Boston area, and over the past year, we’ve realized more of them than we ever thought possible. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, having a home of your own can give you a greater sense of security and accomplishment in a time that’s largely uncertain. If you’re a repeat buyer looking for your dream home, making a move might give you the space or features you need to find greater success and happiness in a new normal way of life. Whatever your motivations are, here are three reasons why becoming a homeowner now may help you win big in the long run.

1. Buying a Home Is a Great Investment

Several recent reports indicate that real estate is still a good investment, topping other options

Buying a home in the Boston area can be confusing - especially if it is your first time. There are a lot of questions and misconceptions out there. Nick discusses some of the questions he is asked most often as a Boston real estate expert. If you are thinking about buying this year, you don’t want to miss this blog post!

Does a buyer really need 20% down to buy a home in the Boston area?

No, they definitely don’t.  There are plenty of programs from lenders that allow buyers to put less than 20% of the purchase price down.  However, there are restrictions that come with lower downpayment loans such as minimum credit scores and maximum loan amounts which could affect someone’s ability in getting that type of loan.  

The other factor to consider

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home in the Boston area right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don’t have that much saved yet. The reality is, whether you’re looking for your first home or you’ve purchased one before, you most likely don’t need to put 20% down. Here’s why.

According to Freddie Mac:

“The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process