2021 is here, and we could not be more excited! Nick makes his predictions for the Boston city market with a new year ahead of us and what he thinks we will see for buyers, sellers, and renters throughout the Downtown markets.

As we head into 2021, what predictions do you have for the city market - specifically the downtown neighborhoods?

We are now just over a couple of weeks into 2021, and we have already seen about 23% more condos in Boston go under agreement vs. the same period in 2020.  I regularly meet with our agents to gain perspective on the market, and most have told me that this is the busiest January they have ever experienced.

With the vaccine rolling out and a new administration in the White House only days away from taking

The housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest rates are a driving factor in this continued momentum, with average rates hovering at historic all-time lows.

According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is incredibly strong. That’s not the case, however, on the supply side. Seller traffic is simply not keeping up. Here’s a breakdown by state:

As the maps show, buyer traffic is high, but seller traffic is low. With so few homes for sale right now, record-low inventory is creating a mismatch between supply and demand.

NAR also just reported that the actual

If one of the questions you’re asking yourself is, “Should I sell my house in Boston this year?” consumer sentiment about selling today should boost your confidence in the right direction. Even with the current health crisis that continues to challenge our nation, Americans still feel good about selling a house. Here’s why.

According to the latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index from Fannie Mae, 57% of consumer respondents to their survey indicate now is a good time to buy a home, while 59% feel it’s a good time to sell one:

“The percentage of respondents who say it is a good time to sell a home remained the same at 59%, while the percentage who say it’s a bad time to sell decreased from 35% to 33%. As a result, the net share of those who

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them.

When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move. Being mindful and prepared for the process can help you stay on the right track when selling your house this year.

1. Price Your Home Right

When inventory is low, like it is in the current Boston real estate market, it’s common to think buyers will pay whatever we ask when setting a listing price. Believe it or not,

The end of 2020 is here and many would say they are looking to 2021 for brighter days! Nick gives his predictions on what he thinks we can expect from the market next year for buyers, sellers, and renters. Plus, he gives a piece of advice to anyone looking to make a move next year!

What are your predictions for the Boston real estate market as we head into 2021?

The reasons people loved living in Boston, or any major metropolitan city for that matter, such as convenience and the overall experiences it provides for its residents, have all been turned upside down since the pandemic hit.  My prediction is that it will take about 12-18 months after a vaccine is widely distributed for the energy and excitement of city living to return.  But, once it

This year will be remembered for many reasons, and optimism is one thing that’s been in short supply since the spring. We’re experiencing a global pandemic, social unrest, an economic downturn, and natural disasters, just to name a few. The challenges brought on by the health crisis have also forced many homeowners to reevaluate their space and what they need in a home going into 2021. So, experts are forecasting that next year is one in which we can be optimistic about real estate for three key reasons.

1. The Economy Is Expected to Continue Improving

Tim Duy from the University of Oregon puts it this way:

“There is nothing fundamentally ‘broken’ in the economy that needs to heal…there was no obvious financial bubble driving excessive

Talk of a housing bubble is beginning to crop up as home prices have appreciated at a rapid pace this year. This is understandable since the appreciation of residential real estate is well above historic annual averages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), annual appreciation since 1991 has averaged 3.8%. Here are the latest 2020 appreciation numbers from three reliable sources:

• FHFA: 7.8%
• CoreLogic: 7.3%
• Case-Shiller: 7%

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that house appreciation is out of control in today’s market. However, we need to put these numbers into context first.

Inflation and the Comeback from the Housing Crash

Following the housing crash, home values depreciated dramatically from 2007-2011.

Homeownership is on the goal list for many young adults, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to get there. From understanding the homebuying process to pre-approval and down payment assistance options, uncertainty along the way can ultimately hold some buyers back.

Today, there are over 75 million Millennials and 67 million Gen Z’ers in the U.S., making up a significant number of both current and soon-to-be homebuyers. According to a recent Fannie Mae survey of more than 2,000 of these individuals:

“88% said they are confident they will achieve homeownership someday.”

In addition, the survey also reveals that for younger generations, the motivation to own a home may be more emotional than financial compared to previous

In 2020, buyers got a big boost in the housing market as mortgage rates dropped throughout the year. According to Freddie Mac, rates hit all-time lows 12 times this year, dipping below 3% for the first time ever while making buying a home more and more attractive as the year progressed (See graph below):

When you continually hear how rates are hitting record lows, you may be wondering: Are they going to keep falling? Should I wait until they get even lower?

The Challenge with Waiting

The challenge with waiting is that you can easily miss this optimal window of time and then end up paying more in the long run. Last week, mortgage rates ticked up slightly. Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains:

“Mortgage rates jumped

As we head into cooler months and the holiday season, the Boston real estate market historically cools off a bit as well. Nick gives his thoughts on what we can expect this year as well as some tips for staying on top of the latest changes in Boston real estate.

How do you predict the market will trend as we head into cooler months in Boston?

Generally you can expect the real estate market to slow down during the winter months, especially if we get one of those terrible New England winters that makes you want to just sit on your couch with a blanket and binge watch Netflix until April.  With that said, this winter, like most of 2020, might be slightly different.  

There is still lots of demand for housing and with rates still remaining near