It’s clear the 2022 housing market has been defined by rising mortgage rates. With rates on the rise, it’s also become more costly to purchase a home in Boston. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Compared to one year ago, the monthly mortgage payment rose to $1,944 from $1,265, an increase of 53.7%.”

If you’re thinking of buying a home in the Boston area or have been trying to recently, that’s a big increase in a monthly mortgage payment – and it may be causing you to press pause on your plans. This jump is making homes less affordable, especially compared to the last two years when mortgage rates were at historic lows.

The good news is you can navigate today’s housing market and this rising rate environment

As summer winds down and we look to the autumn season, Nick talks about what he expects during a historically busy time in Boston real estate. He discusses what buyers are looking for in the market now and what sellers can do to appeal to them.

What are buyers looking for right now in the market?

We’ve seen buyers shift from a scarcity mindset that forced them to be aggressive with their offers and terms to now being more patient and confident to negotiate with sellers again.

What can sellers do to best appeal to them?

Sellers face more competition and longer days on the market now vs. during the spring, so they have to be more strategic when listing their property for sale.  Sellers should work with their agents to find items around the

If you put off your Boston home search at any point over the past two years, you may want to consider picking it back up based on today’s housing market conditions. Recent data shows the supply of homes for sale is increasing, giving buyers like you additional options.

But it’s important to keep in mind that while inventory is improving, it’s still a sellers’ market. And that means you need to be prepared as you set out on your home search. Here are three tips for buying the home of your dreams today.

1. Understand How Mortgage Rates Impact Your Homebuying Power

Mortgage rates have increased significantly this year, and over the past few weeks, they’ve been fluctuating quite a bit. It’s important to stay up to date on what’s happening with

With half of 2022 behind us, we have already seen some very interesting changes in the Boston real estate market this year. Nick discusses these changes and how buyers and sellers can best prepare if they are looking to make a move this year.

What has surprised you most about the real estate market in Boston so far in 2022?

The biggest surprise to me is how quickly things have changed.  

At the beginning of this year, we experienced one of the busiest real estate markets I’ve ever seen.  There seemed to be a rush of buyers racing against the looming rise in interest rates.  This rush continued until around April when we suddenly started hearing concerns from buyers and seeing less activity at some listings than we initially expected.  

If you’re thinking about making a move, you probably want to know what’s going to happen to home prices for the rest of the year. While experts say price growth will moderate due to the shifting market, ongoing appreciation is expected. That means home prices won’t fall. Here’s a look at two key reasons experts forecast continued price growth: supply and demand.

While Growing, Housing Supply Is Still Low

Even though inventory is increasing this year as the market moderates, supply is still low. The graph below helps tell the story of why there still aren’t enough homes on the market today. It uses data from the Census to show the number of single-family homes that were built in this country going all the way back to the 1970s.

The blue

 It can be tempting, especially with how hot the housing market has been over the past two years, to consider selling your home on your own. But today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional.

Not only will a trusted real estate advisor keep you updated and help you make the best decisions based on current market trends, but they’re also experts in managing the many aspects of selling your house.

Here are five key reasons why working with a real estate professional makes sense today.

1. A Professional Follows the Latest Market Trends

With higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and a growing number of homes for sale, today’s housing market is showing signs of a shift

Summer is here, and we can’t wait to explore the wonderful outdoors throughout Greater Boston! As temperatures heat up, we look to the Boston real estate market to see if it is following the same trend - or possibly starting to cool down? Nick walks us through what is happening in the market and some ways you can enjoy the wonderful summer season in Boston!

There have been some news reports that the market is cooling or adjusting. Is this true?

Mortgage rates are now above 6%, significantly increasing monthly mortgage payments for those buying now vs. 6-18 months ago.  The increase has affected the real estate market, especially over the past month.  Days on the market have increased, and we’ve seen fewer properties receive multiple offers. 

This month, Nick advises first-time home buyers and ideas for helping them navigate the competitive landscape of the Boston real estate market. Read on to learn how to make an offer competitive and one crucial piece of advice that can help you buy your first home.

What makes the Boston real estate market unique for first-time buyers?

First-time homebuyers in Boston are a bit different. Given that our average sold price in Boston is now over $1m, first-time buyers typically have to wait a bit longer until they can afford to buy a property here vs. other parts of the country.  

Even if they are waiting until they are in their late 20s or 30s, they still may not have enough money for a down payment, so we often see first-time buyers get help

With a limited number of homes for sale today and so many buyers looking to make a purchase before mortgage rates rise further, bidding wars are common. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nationwide, homes are getting an average of 4.8 offers per sale. Here’s a look at how that breaks down state-by-state (see map below):

The same report from NAR shows the average buyer made two offers before getting their third offer accepted. In this type of competitive housing market, it’s important to know what levers you can pull to help you beat the competition. While a real estate professional is your ultimate guide to presenting a strong offer, here are a few things you could consider.

Offering over

Nick and the rest of the office recently got a special behind-the-scenes tour of the brand new Raffles Residences. This month, he talks about the exciting aspects of these highly anticipated homes and how they will blend into the Boston landscape.

What can you tell us about the new Raffles Residences?

Like many Bostonians, I had never heard of the Raffles hotel brand before. Walking into the sales center of the Raffles Residences, I sensed a different level of quality and finishes in these homes compared to what we see in many of the new luxury towers in Boston. 

The attention to detail was noticeable immediately, even in the small details like the knockers on the front door. 

This group of developers definitely wasn’t interested in