With everything going on with the coronavirus, there have been a lot of changes in the Boston real estate market. Nick outlines some of the things buyers and sellers can expect right now as well as what BHHS Warren Residential is doing during this time to help our clients. He also gives a couple of suggestions on things people can do at home to enjoy the Boston community they love.

Although it is evolving often, what are some of the things buyers and sellers need to know about the coronavirus impact on Boston real estate?

This is the question that our clients are asking us most often but is probably one of the hardest to actually answer.  As of today, we are still seeing transactions happen but the volume is significantly down compared to this

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, today announced it was recognized as “Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year” and “Highest Ranked in Trust and Love” in the 32nd annual Harris Poll EquiTrend® study.

In January 2020, more than 39,000 U.S. consumers rated nearly 2,000 brands across 200 categories. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices received its distinctions in the Real Estate Agency category based on consumers’ perception of its brand familiarity, quality and purchase consideration, among other qualifying factors.

We are honored to be recognized once again by consumers in the respected Harris Poll EquiTrend® study,” said Chris Stuart, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

All of us are spending more time at home right now but that does not mean that you have to miss out on many of the experiences that make Boston a special place to live. Using the joys of technology, there are a ton of ways to "see" and "visit" Boston landmarks and attractions from the comfort of your home. Here are some of our favorite online experiences:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

The BSO is holding nightly concerts, Monday through Saturday, at 8 pm online for free! What a great way to remind of ourselves of the value of live performances. Check them out here.

Here is the upcoming schedule:

March 30 - Christian Zacharias Conducts Schubert
March 31 - Tetzlaff Plays Beethoven's Violin Concerto
April 1 - Moser Plays Dvorák
April 2 - A Midsummer

This month, Nick takes a look at the multifamily market and offers tips for investing in Boston’s real estate market. As the months turn warmer and the spring season is upon us, the time may be perfect to look for investment opportunities. He also looks at changes in Boston’s multifamily market over the past few years and predicts what we can expect to see in 2020.

For someone looking to make their first investment purchase in Boston, what tips would you give them?

The first thing you should do is talk to a lender who has experience with investment properties to find out what you can afford.  Investment properties require higher down payments and the mortgage rates are typically higher than those used when lending on a personal residence.  This

Kiernan Middleman has been involved in the Boston real estate market for almost 8 years and recently won the prestigious Chairman's Circle Gold Level Award for her success in 2019. This award goes to agents who are in the top 2% of all BHHS agents worldwide - more than 50,000 people. Kiernan works with buyers, sellers, renters, and investors throughout Boston and has a passion for exploring the city's many neighborhoods. "I love the energy that Kiernan brings to the office," says Nick Warren, CEO. "She has a wonderful personality that her clients appreciate and she goes to bat for them in each transaction. This certainly helped her win the prestigious Chairman's Circle Gold Level Award last year."

A few questions with Kiernan:

How long have you

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services just announced its expansion into Toronto, Canada with a deal with Blue Elephant. The company will become Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Toronto Realty, operating across southern Ontario. With more than 50,000 agents, BHHS became the biggest brokerage in North America. They also have locations throughout Europe in markets such as Berlin, Lisbon, London, Madrid, and Milan as well as Dubai in Asia. 

“Being able to bring the largest and most respected brands in the world is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Blue Elephant founder Mark Wadden. “What makes the Berkshire Hathaway brand so special is that it dominates in every segment of the market, from first- time buyers to luxury sellers.”

This expansion

The Groundhog did not see his shadow so that means spring is, hopefully, right around the corner! With warmer weather tends to come more buyers in the market looking to purchase in the new year. Nick gives tips for finding your first home as well as some thoughts on how the market will evolve in the first part of 2020.

For those looking to make their first home purchase, what 3 tips would you give them?

1. Be Patient - Right now we are at the lowest inventory levels I have ever seen in my career.  This means that you won’t have an abundance of listings to choose from in most neighborhoods.  We are hoping to see this change when the Spring market starts so just be patient and you will eventually find something you love!

2. Don’t be

The Boston dining scene can sometimes be underrated, in our opinion. But from Michelin-rated eateries like Barbara Lynch’s No. 9 Park and Menton to classics like Union Oyster House, there are some places to find an amazing meal throughout the city. We have seen a lot of changes in the past few years as new places have opened and we have had to say goodbye to some delicious favorites. (We miss you, L’Espalier). This year is destined to bring some exciting new restaurant options including these 5 we can’t wait to check out:

Krasi 

The owner of Committee and Greco is opening a Greek wine bar called Krasi in Back Bay as early as next week. It will feature one of the largest selections of Greek wines in the country as well as some amazing food. We

This month, Nick takes a look at how the market has shifted since last year based on the numbers. He discusses the trend many experts are seeing as Boston shifts into more of a buyer’s market. He also gives tips to buyers looking to make a purchase early in the new year.

According to a recent article, the Boston condo market has seen a slight decline in the number of sales and median sales price. What are your thoughts on this?

It is certainly true we are seeing a shift in the overall market here in Boston.  With that said, you have to remember that we were in a seller’s market for so many years that any change is going to feel significant.  As I have said before, I expect most of Boston’s neighborhoods to arrive in a neutral market (3-6 months

What will 2020 bring for Boston real estate? Nick discusses his top 3 predictions for how the market will shift in the new year. He also explains how BHHS Warren Residential can specifically help buyers and sellers in the new year. 

There have been some articles recently about a shift to a more “buyer’s market.” What do you think about this?

The shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market is something that could take a while.  Typically we consider a seller’s market one with 0-3 months of inventory. In 2019, many of our neighborhoods began to see a rise in supply levels, some of which reached above 3 months of inventory which means they have entered a neutral or balanced market (3-6 months of inventory).  The fact that we are still in a