Blog :: 2022

Planning To Sell Your House? It's Critical To Hire a Pro.

Planning To Sell Your House? Its Critical To Hire a Pro | MyKCM
 

With higher mortgage rates and moderating buyer demand, conditions in the housing market are different today. And if you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to understand how the market has changed and what that means for you. The best way to make sure you’re in the know is to work with a trusted housing market expert.

Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale.

1. A Real Estate Advisor Is an Expert on Market Trends

Leslie Rouda Smith, 2022 President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

"During challenging and changing market conditions, one thing that's calming and constant is the assurance that comes from a Realtor® being in your corner through every step of the home transaction. Consumers can rely on Realtors®' unmatched work ethic, trusted guidance and objectivity to help manage the complexities associated with the home buying and selling process.”

An expert real estate advisor has the latest information about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they’ll know what all of this means for you so they’ll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.

2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your House

Home price appreciation has moderated this year. If you sell your house on your own, you may be more likely to overshoot your asking price because you’re not as aware of where prices are today. If you do, you run the risk of deterring buyers or seeing your house sit on the market for longer.

Real estate professionals provide an unbiased eye when they help you determine a price for your house. They’ll use a variety of factors, like the condition of your home and any upgrades you’ve made, and compare your house to recently sold homes in your area to find the best price for today’s market. These steps are key to making sure it’s set to move as quickly as possible.

3. A Real Estate Advisor Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers

Since buyer demand has cooled this year, you'll want to do what you can to help bring in more buyers. Real estate professionals have a large variety of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers, agency resources, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure your house gets in front of people looking to make a purchase. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides:

You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home.”

Without access to the tools and your agent’s marketing expertise, your buyer pool – and your home’s selling potential – is limited.

4. A Real Estate Expert Will Read – and Understand – the Fine Print

Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory when selling a house. That means the number of legal documents you’ll need to juggle is growing. NAR explains it like this:

“Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. . . . Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.”

A real estate professional knows exactly what all the fine print means and how to work through it efficiently. They’ll help you review the documents and avoid any costly missteps that could occur if you try to handle them on your own.

5. A Trusted Advisor Is a Skilled Negotiator

In today’s market, buyers are also regaining some negotiation power as bidding wars ease. If you sell without a professional, you’ll also be responsible for any back-and-forth. That means you’ll have to coordinate with:

  • The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
  • The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
  • The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
  • The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender

Instead of going toe-to-toe with all the above parties alone, lean on an expert. They’ll know what levers to pull, how to address everyone’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion.

Bottom Line

Don’t go at it alone. If you’re planning to sell your house this winter, let’s connect so you have an expert by your side to guide you in today’s market.

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You?

 

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You? | MyKCM
 

Mortgage rates have been a hot topic in the housing market over the past 12 months. Compared to the beginning of 2022, rates have risen dramatically. Now they’re dropping, and that has to do with everything happening in the economy.

Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains it well by saying:

Mortgage rates dropped even further this week as two main factors affecting today's mortgage market became more favorable. Inflation continued to ease while the Federal Reserve switched to a smaller interest rate hike. As a result, according to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.31% from 6.33% the previous week.”

So, what does that mean for your homeownership plans? As mortgage rates fluctuate, they impact your purchasing power by influencing the cost of buying a home. Even a small dip can help boost your purchasing power. Here’s how it works.

The median-priced home according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is $379,100. So, let’s assume you want to buy a $400,000 home. If you’re trying to shop at that price point and keep your monthly payment about $2,500-2,600 or below, here’s how your purchasing power can change as mortgage rates move up or down (see chart below). The red shows payments above that threshold and the green indicates a payment within your target range.

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You? | MyKCM

This goes to show, even a small quarter-point change in mortgage rates can impact your monthly mortgage payment. That’s why it’s important to work with a trusted real estate professional who follows what the experts are projecting for mortgage rates for the days, months, and year ahead.

Bottom Line

Mortgage rates are likely to fluctuate depending on what happens with inflation moving forward, but they have dropped slightly in recent weeks. If a 7% rate was too high for you, it may be time to contact a lender to see if the current rate is more in line with your goal for a monthly housing expense.

You Have More Negotiation Power When You Buy a Home Today

You May Have More Negotiation Power When You Buy a Home Today | MyKCM
 

Did the frequency and intensity of bidding wars over the past two years make you put your home search on hold? If so, you should know the hyper competitive market has cooled this year as buyer demand has moderated and housing supply has grown. Those two factors combined mean you may see less competition from other buyers.

And with less competition comes more opportunity. Here are two trends that may be the news you need to reenter the market.

1. The Return of Contingencies

Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal or the inspection, in hopes of gaining an advantage in a bidding war.  But now, things are different.

The latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the percentage of buyers waiving their home inspection or appraisal is down. And a recent article from realtor.com points out more sellers are accepting contingencies:

“A year ago, sellers were calling all the shots and buyers were launching legendary bidding wars, waiving contingencies, and paying for homes in cash. But now, the shoe is on the other foot, and 92% of home sellers are accepting some buyer-friendly terms (frequently related to home inspections, financing, or appraisals), . . .”

This doesn’t mean we’re in a buyers’ market now, but it does mean you have a bit more leverage when it comes time to negotiate with a seller. The days of feeling like you may need to waive contingencies or pay drastically over asking price to get your offer considered may be coming to a close.

2. Sellers Are More Willing To Help with Closing Costs

Before the pandemic, it was a common negotiation tactic for sellers to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs to sweeten the deal. This didn’t happen as much during the peak buyer frenzy over the past two years.

Today, data suggests this is making a comeback. A realtor.com survey shows 32% of sellers paid some or all of their buyer’s closing costs. This may be a negotiation tool you’ll see as you go to purchase a home. Just keep in mind, limits on closing cost credits are set by your lender and can vary by state and loan type. Work closely with your loan advisor to understand how much a seller can contribute to closing costs in your area.

Another tool that lenders have been offering are rate buydowns. That means that you can significantly bring your payments down for anywhere from one to three years in exchange for a payment to that lender. And that could work as a closing credit from the seller! It's not a guartantee, but in a year or two or three, after the buydown ends, you may be able to refinance for a lower rate. Please get in touch with me for details!

Bottom Line

Despite the extremely competitive housing market of the past several years, today’s data suggests negotiations are starting to come back to the table. To find out how the market is shifting in our area, let’s connect today.

Home Ownership is an Investment in Your Future

 

Homeownership Is an Investment in Your Future | MyKCM
 

There are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it’s a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out. As Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains:

The desire for homeownership is strong. Many prospective buyers are waiting for the volatility in mortgage rates to subside, as well as for a clearer picture of the economic outlook.”

If you’re in that position, remember that it’s important to consider not just what’s happening today but also what benefits you may gain in the long run.

There’s a lot of information out there about how homeownership helps build a homeowner’s net worth over time. But even today, many people think first about things like 401(k)s before they think of owning a home as a wealth-building tool. It’s especially important if you’re a young prospective homebuyer to understand how homeownership is another key way to invest in your future. An article from Bloomberg notes:

“Millennials have higher average 401(k) balances than Generation X did when they were the same age, but they're not any better off financially. . . . A lot of that has to do with being less likely to own a home.”

To help you understand just how much owning a home can have a positive impact on your life over the years, take a look at what the data shows. The same Bloomberg article helps show the gap in wealth between renters and homeowners who are 65 years and older (see graph below). The difference is substantial, even when incomes are similar.

Homeownership Is an Investment in Your Future | MyKCM

So, if you want to create wealth to help set you up for success later on, it may be time to prioritize homeownership. That’s because, whether you decide to rent or buy a home, you’ll have a monthly housing expense either way. The question is: are you going to invest in yourself and your future, or will you help someone else (your landlord) increase their wealth?

Bottom Line

Before putting your homeownership plans on hold, let’s connect to go over your options. That way, you’ll have expert advice on how to make the best decision right now and the best investment in your future.

Why There Won't be a Flood of Foreclosures in Boston or Elsewhere

Why There Won’t Be a Flood of Foreclosures Coming to the Housing Market

Why There Wont Be a Flood of Foreclosures Coming to the Housing Market | MyKCM
 

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters.

With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, some people are raising concerns that we’re destined for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008. But in truth, there are many key differences between what’s happening today and the bubble in the early 2000s.

One of the reasons this isn’t like the last time is the number of foreclosures in the market is much lower now. Here’s a look at why there won’t be a wave of foreclosures flooding the market.

Not as Many Homeowners Are in Trouble This Time

After the last housing crash, over nine million households lost their homes due to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they gave it back to the bank. This was, in large part, because of more relaxed lending standards where people could take out mortgages they ultimately couldn’t afford. Those lending practices led to a wave of distressed properties which made their way into the market and caused home values to plummet.

But today, revised lending standards have led to more qualified buyers. As a result, there are fewer homeowners who are behind on their mortgages. As Marina Walsh, Vice President of Industry Analysis at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), says:

For the second quarter in a row, the mortgage delinquency rate fell to its lowest level since MBA’s survey began in 1979 – declining to 3.45%. Foreclosure starts and loans in the process of foreclosure also dropped in the third quarter to levels further below their historical averages.”

There Have Been Fewer Foreclosures over the Last Two Years

While you may have seen recent stories about the number of foreclosures rising today, context is important. During the pandemic, many homeowners were able to pause their mortgage payments using the forbearance program. The program gave homeowners facing difficulties extra time to get their finances in order and, in many cases, work out a plan with their lender.

With that program, many were concerned it would result in a wave of foreclosures coming to the market. That fear didn’t materialize. Data from the New York Fed shows there are still fewer foreclosures happening today than before the pandemic (see graph below):

Why There Wont Be a Flood of Foreclosures Coming to the Housing Market | MyKCM

That means, while there are more foreclosures now compared to last year (when foreclosures were paused), the number is still well below what the housing market has seen in a more typical year, like 2017-2019.

And most importantly, the number we’re seeing now is still far below the number we saw during the market crash (shown in the red bars in the graph). The big takeaway? Don’t let a headline in the news mislead you. While foreclosures are up year-over-year, historical context is essential to understanding the full picture.

Most Homeowners Have More Than Enough Equity To Sell Their Homes

Many homeowners today have enough equity to sell their homes instead of facing foreclosure. Due to rapidly rising home prices over the last two years, the average homeowner has gained record amounts of equity in their home. And if they’ve stayed in their homes even longer, they may have even more equity than they realize. As Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First Americansays:

Homeowners have very high levels of tappable home equity today, providing a cushion to withstand potential price declines, but also preventing housing distress from turning into a foreclosure. . . the result will likely be more of a foreclosure ‘trickle’ than a ‘tsunami.’”

A recent report from ATTOM Data explains it by going even deeper into the numbers:

“Only about 214,800 homeowners were facing possible foreclosure in the second quarter of 2022, or just four-tenths of one percent of the 58.2 million outstanding mortgages in the U.S. Of those facing foreclosure, about 195,400, or 91 percent, had at least some equity built up in their homes.”

Bottom Line

If you see headlines about the increasing number of foreclosures today, remember context is important. While it’s true the number of foreclosures is higher now than it was last year, foreclosures are still well below pre-pandemic years. If you have questions, let’s connect.

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM
 

There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them – so you can make a confident decision.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

Even though the supply of homes for sale has increased in 2022, inventory is still low overall. That means it’s still a sellers’ market. The graph below helps put the inventory growth into perspective. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows just how far off we are from flipping to a buyers’ market:

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

While buyers have regained some negotiation power as inventory has grown, you haven’t missed your window to sell. Your house could still stand out since inventory is low, especially if you list now while other sellers hold off until after the holiday rush and the start of the new year.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

If you’re thinking of selling your house but are hesitant because you’re worried buyer demand has disappeared in the face of higher mortgage rates, know that isn’t the case for everyone. While demand has eased this year, millennials are still looking for homes. As an article in Forbes explains:

At about 80 million strong, millennials currently make up the largest share of homebuyers (43%) in the U.S., according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Simply due to their numbers and eagerness to become homeowners, this cohort is quite literally shaping the next frontier of the homebuying process. Once known as the ‘rent generation,’ millennials have proven to be savvy buyers who are quite nimble in their quest to own real estate. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they are the key to the overall health and stability of the current housing industry.”

While the millennial generation has been dubbed the renter generation, that namesake may not be appropriate anymore. Millennials, the largest generation, are actually a significant driving force for buyer demand in the housing market today. If you’re wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. And your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

3. Can I Afford To Buy My Next Home?

If current market conditions have you worried about how you’ll afford your next move, consider this: you may have more equity in your current home than you realize.

Homeowners have gained significant equity over the past few years and that equity can make a big difference in the affordability equation, especially with mortgage rates higher now than they were last year. According to Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

“. . . homeowners, in aggregate, have historically high levels of home equity. For some of those equity-rich homeowners, that means moving and taking on a higher mortgage rate isn’t a huge deal—especially if they are moving to a more affordable city.” 

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about selling your house this season, let’s connect so you have the expert insights you need to make the best possible move today.

Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today | MyKCM
 

Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First Americansays:

“. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter and homeowners have historically high levels of home equity, so there likely won’t be a surge in foreclosures.”

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) helps tell this story. It shows the overall percentage of homeowners at risk is decreasing significantly with time (see graph below):

Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today | MyKCMBut even though the volume of homeowners at risk is very low, there is still a small percentage of homeowners who may be coming face to face with foreclosure as a possibility today. If you’re facing difficulties yourself, it can help to understand your options. It starts with knowing what foreclosure is. Investopedia defines it like this:

Typically, default is triggered when a borrower misses a specific number of monthly payments . . . Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender attempts to recover the amount owed on a defaulted loan by taking ownership of and selling the mortgaged property.

The good news is there are alternatives available to help you avoid going through the foreclosure process, including:

  • Reinstatement
  • Loan modification
  • Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure
  • Short sale

But before you go down any of those paths, it’s worth seeing if you have enough equity in your home to sell it and protect your investment.

You May Be Able To Use Your Equity To Sell Your House

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation.

In today’s real estate market, many homeowners have far more equity in their homes than they realize due to the home price appreciation we’ve seen over the past few years. According to CoreLogic:

“The total average equity per borrower has now reached almost $300,000, the highest in the data series.”

So, what does that mean for you? If you’ve lived in your house for at least a few years or more, chances are your home’s value, and your equity, has risen dramatically. In addition, the mortgage payments you’ve made during that time chipped away at the balance of your loan. If your home’s current value is higher than what you still owe on your loan, you may be able to use that increase to your advantage.

Rick Sharga, Executive VP of Market Intelligence at ATTOM Dataexplains how equity can help:

“Very few of the properties entering the foreclosure process have reverted to the lender at the end of the foreclosure. . . We believe that this may be an indication that borrowers are leveraging their equity and selling their homes rather than risking the loss of their equity in a foreclosure auction.”

Lean on Experts To Explore Your Options

To find out how much equity you have, work with a local real estate professional. They can give you an estimate of what your house could sell for based on recent sales of similar homes in your area. You may be able to sell your house to avoid foreclosure.

If you find out you have to pursue other options, your agent can help with that too. They’ll be able to connect you with other professionals in the industry, like housing counselors, who can look into your unique situation and offer advice on next steps if selling isn’t your best alternative.

Bottom Line

If you’re a homeowner facing hardship, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to explore your options and see if you can sell your house to avoid foreclosure.

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    Real Estate Investment: Basic Cash Flow Metrics

    Real Estate investment in Boston

    Real estate investment, just like any other kind of investment, comes with its own set of risks and rewards. Being armed with the correct information and knowing how to deploy it makes the process much easier and more predictable. 

    There are many different modalities of real estate investment. But it’s probably obvious that the primary financial objectives are cash flow from rents, and then capital gain from a sale. Additionally investing in real estate can provide significant tax advantages.

    Today we are going to talk about some of the basic terminology and metrics involved in the cash flow of a real estate investment. The same basic concepts apply whether the investment is a small studio in the Back Bay or a 75-unit apartment building in the suburbs. 

    The below spreadsheet is for a condo purchase, just to keep it simple. Also, it’s a cash purchase. As we’ll see in a later example, this purchase (as with many potential investment purchases in the downtown neighborhoods) may not work with financing.

    • 1. Gross Scheduled Income: As the name implies, this is the total on-paper income that your lease(s) says that you will be receiving.
    • 2. Gross Operating Income: This is the GSI minus 5% for potential vacancy. In Boston right now, it is unlikely that if your property is priced correctly and located and presented well, that you will have any vacancy. To my experience 5% is a pretty standard figure to use in these calculations. Many people like to use 8% for an approximate 1 month vacancy. If you are going to purchase and then take a month or two for improvements, you will want to figure that separately for your first year. 
    • 3. Net Operating Income (NOI): This is the coin of the realm. As the name implies, it is what is left over after you subtract your regular operating expenses (excluding financing) from GOI.
    • 4. Expenses: Generally, if you are looking at a multi-unit building being offered for sale, you will probably be offered a pro-forma, listing the expenses of the building over the last year. 

    I can’t overstate how much that the pro forma needs to be the subject of much scrutiny and skepticism. Your due diligence is very  much required. And many times, the pro-forma will say just that, relieving the sellers of liability for misrepresentation. I can help.

    As I said, this sheet details the expenses of a small condo. For a larger building, there may be other details, such as accounting, management fees, snow removal, landscaping, etc. 

    Also, this sheet excludes any other initial expenses you may undertake. In many cases, the rationale for purchasing a particular property, such as a rental building would be to improve it, then rent and hold.

    It is important to remember that most of your expenses will be tax-deductible as well, which is one of the big advantages of real estate investment. The profit doesn’t come solely from the sale, but also from the cash flow, which is leveraged by the tax advantage.

    • THE METRICS: How can we compare potential investments to one another?
    •     5Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate): This is really the gold standard for comparing one real estate investment vehicle to another. It compares the NOI to the price paid for the property. In this case, the Cap Rate is 3.37, meaning that the NOI for the year is 3.37% of the price paid. Once again, it leaves any financing considerations, because it is used purely to compare one property to another. In the Boston area, if you can find a 5 cap, buy it! Or tell me about it so I can! Once you know the NOI of a property and you've established what you should expect the Cap Rate to be, you can calculate the value of the property using the formula NOI=Rate X Value. In other words, NOI/Rate=Value. So if the property has an NOI of $24,700 and the market Cap Rate is about 4 (.04), the value is $617,500. If you need a higher cap, the value to you would be lower, as in our spreadsheet scenario
    •      6. Cash Flow: NOI minus financing costs.
    •      7. Cash-on-Cash-Rate of Return (COCROR): This is essentially the same as Cap Rate, but it takes into account financing expenses, which can quickly turn an otherwise fantastic investment into a no-go, particularly these days. Take a look at the financed version of this purchase. In order to make this purchase carry itself, there would have to be around 40%+- down at the interest rate listed. And looking at the COCROR, you would obviously not be purchasing this property for the immediate cash flow. Are there other considerations, such as rising values in the area over the next few years? Can the properly easily be spruced up at low cost in order to juice up the rents? Also, any initial fix-up expenses should be calculated into your first year COCROR.

    •      8. Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM): This is a commonly used metric, mostly used for on-the-fly, back-of-the-envelope valuation. The calculation is as follows: Gross Rent Multiplier = Sale Price/Gross Scheduled Income. One use of GRM is to calculate what you should expect that the the gross scheduled income should be based upon the market. So if you know the price of a property is $500,000 and the average GRM in that market is 10,  divide the price by the GRM to get the total amount of Gross Scheduled Income you should be able to expect in that market at that price, which is $50,000/year. So you need to determine if in reality, you can actually do that. You can also use this formula to determine what a property's purchase price should be based upon the value of the leases in place. 
    •      Cap Rate vs GRM: Cap rate is a much more valuable tool to use in valuation, because it takes into account the Net Operating Income rather than the Gross Scheduled Income. But GRM, once again, is a good basic tool to use at the beginning of your vetting process, prior to receiving all the details.

     More complex investments: What we just discussed were basic cash flow metrics. There are other metrics that come into play for other types of real estate investment. Suppose you're thinking of purchasing a three family with three two bedroom units for $1m, with current leases totalling $6k/mo. Suppose you do $80,000 in renovations after the individual leases run out, gaining you another $200 per month in rent for each unit? Is it worth it? How will that impact the building's resale value? Do you want to convert to condos? What are the tax implications? 

    You get the idea. More to come....

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      My Thoughts on the Boston Real Estate Market

      That’s when the Federal Reserve started tightening the screws, ending our sugar high of historically low interest rates in an attempt to get a hold on inflation. The post-covid-lockdown period has certainly come with a variety of challenges and uncertainty.

      As we start to transition into this period, it’s worth asking what the housing market is transitioning to.

      Do you think it could be...normal?

      3% interest rates are certainly not normal. Having 50 buyers bid on a house is not normal (as nice as it was for sellers).

      I’m not trying to say that high interest rates are a good thing.

      But what, historically, is a high interest rate? 5%? 6%? Is even 7% a high rate? Not historically. Just for perspective, I’ve got folks in my office who laugh and tell me, “I bought my first place at 18%!” (BTW, that's most assuredly not normal either).

      Here is a link to the history of mortgage rates over the last 50 or so years

      Even at higher interest rates, the sky will not fall. Sellers will still be getting a nice return on their home. Buyers will not have to get into ridiculous bidding wars over homes. There is no bubble to burst.

      Will a recession come? Maybe not tomorrow or even this year, but...Yes! They always do!

      Here's my recession story: I bought my previous home in August of 2008. I paid $640,000. In 2010, in the middle of a historic economic meltdown, the unit next door to mine, essentially the same unit, sold for $575,000. In 2020, I sold my unit for $1.1m.

      Let’s get a grip on what we have here in the Boston area: A super-strong economy with varied industries creating thousands of jobs. A vibrant city that is the envy of most of the rest of the country.

      Over the last decades, Boston real estate has been a super investment.

      Even in the 2009 meltdown, we saw minimal losses and a vibrant recovery. At this time, our market is much healthier. Home equity far surpasses what it was then. The average credit rating of current mortgage borrowers is significantly higher. The structural problems in the mortgage industry have been mitigated to a high degree.

      And one more thing: Inventory. Levels of inventory here over the last 20 years or so have been low relative to most other markets. Absorption rates reflecting low levels of inventory, the envy of most other locations in the country, remain remarkably steady, even in relatively hard times, aside from a few spikes. As of June 15th, 2022, we had only 2.44 months of inventory in our downtown neighborhoods. For the same period of 2020 as we were emerging from Covid lockdown, we had 2.94. During 2009-10, they were higher, but nothing approaching the levels of unsold inventory we were seeing in other places.

      If you just look at our neighborhoods in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Somerville, and our other local inner suburbs, you realize that there is little opportunity to build vertically (at least for non-uber-high-end housing), and there is virtually no room for sprawl (until you get to the more outlying suburbs). So for property owners, there is built-in value protection over the long run.

      So long story short, "normalization" means that there will be less competition for properties (you may even score a great property without any competition!), and less sharp property value inflation. 

      Here is the detailed market report for *all* Boston neighborhoods and inner suburbs.

      If you have questions about buying or selling Boston real estate, please call me at  617-584-9790, or send me an email at joe.wolvek@gibsonsir.com

      UNDER AGREEMENT! Pristine 3 Bedroom Fort Hill Condo with Garage Parking Asking $825,000

      Under agreement! My 2015-built 1,554 square foot pristine 3 bed home in historic, leafy Fort Hill has gone under agreement in one day and at way over asking price! This home includes a garage space, as well as an exterior parking space, and a bonus 800 SF basement just waiting to be built-out. Gleaming wood floors and recessed lighting abound throughout. This beautiful gem of a neighborhood is walkable to the orange line and just minutes from the South End, Jamaica Plain, and Longwood Medical Area.

      See more photos, Matterport video tour, and details.

      If you plan to sell your Boston area home or condo, take advantage of the widest possible exposure for your property to the most highly qualified clientele in the world. As Associate Director of Sales and a 30 year sales associate, I combine my local expertise with the powerful global marketing resources of Sothebys International Realty. You can view my recent sales and listings here. If you have questions about buying or selling Boston real estate, please call me at  617-584-9790, or send me an email at joe.wolvek@gibsonsir.com

       

       
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