If you've been thinking of buying a home in the Boston area, you may have been watching what's happened with mortgage rates over the past year. It's true they've risen dramatically, but where will they go from here, especially as the market continues to slow?

In an annual Gallup poll, Americans chose real estate as the best long-term investment. And it's not the first time it's topped the list, either. Real estate has been on a winning streak for the past eight years, consistently gaining traction as the best long-term investment (see graph below):

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.

Josh has been an award-winning agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Warren Residential since 2013 and a true innovator in the world of Boston real estate. He recently was named the number one agent in Massachusetts for the entire first quarter of 2020 alongside his team, Moving Greater Boston. This achievement comes after numerous monthly and annual awards over the past years as a result of his hard work with clients and referral network. Josh was also chosen to serve on the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices national REthink Council, a position bestowed by BHHS executives to 15 agents among thousands of applicants. Truly his achievements speak to his incredible work ethic and the passion he brings to the Boston real estate market.