Residential Real Estate
Mortgage Rates’ Drop Saves Mass. Buyers $155 per Month
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate tumbled this week in the largest weekly drop since 1981. But optimism that such drops will continue could prove to be short-lived.
Home Price Gains Kept Decelerating in October
Massachusetts homebuyers and sellers kept staying away from the housing market last month – so many, in fact, that the number of closed single-family sales was lower than October since the Great Recession ended in 2012.
NAR’s Yun Predicts No Major Drop in Home Prices
Speaking at a National Association of Realtors conference in Florida last week, association Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says American home prices aren’t likely to drop by significant amounts despite the big drops in demand.
Home Inspections Are Changing. Here’s What You Can Expect
“Contactless” home inspections, which work like a 3D virtual home tour, offer a new way to evaluate a home even in a high-pressure real estate market.
Lies Your Agents Tell You
“The check is in the mail” is one of the great lies of all time. Real estate has its own set of lies, especially among agents who want to list your house for sale.
Compass Kept Adding Agents Despite End of Recruitment Sweeteners
Will Compass be able to keep attracting agents even as it hits choppy waters? The answer appears to be yes – at least so far.
Biz Groups React to Millionaires Tax Passage
Business groups are now warning that the state needs to act to retain its economic competitiveness with strategic investments in transit and education or tax cuts following the passage of a tax hike on high earners.
Voters OK ‘Millionaires Tax’ Ballot Question
Massachusetts voters have approved an amendment to the state constitution that will increase taxes on those earning more than $1 million a year.
What Can Voters Expect from Healey?
In her victory speech from the Fairmont Copley Plaza – the same hotel where Healey capped off a speedy ascension into state politics with her 2014 election as attorney general – Governor-elect Maura Healey on Tuesday night said that she and running mate Kim Driscoll were elected with “a mandate to act.”
Redfin Closes iBuyer, Lays Off Over 800
Brokerage and listings portal Redfin announced the second major round of layoffs this year as the housing market stays suppressed and the prospects for 2023 look pessimistic.
Healey in Historic Win; Question 1 Too Close to Call
Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly chose Democrat Maura Healey as the next governor of Massachusetts. Meanwhile, a hot-button tax policy ballot question remained close Wednesday morning.
Title Options Cheaper – But Scary
As part of Uncle Sam’s efforts to make housing more affordable, some lenders are starting to accept alternatives to expensive title insurance. But at what price?
Generational Warfare in the Housing Market
A recent report from the National Association of Realtors crystalizes the generational and class warfare suburbanites have perpetrated on the rest of this nation.
Community Good Works
Somerville-based Naveo Credit Union employees dressed up in costumes on Monday, October 31 and raised over $160 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during their Costumed for a Cure event.
Homebuyers Are Older Than Ever, Mostly Repeat Buyers
America’s homebuyers are older than ever, whiter than in previous years and a higher-than-ever share are repeat buyers according to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.
The Loan Process Can Be Haunted
Here is a spooky list, from real estate veterans, of the most common things that go “thump” in the loan process.
Unfinished Business, Next Year’s Opportunities Await on Beacon Hill
We made some incredible strides in housing in Massachusetts in 2022. While legislators have left some pro-housing policies in limbo this year, be optimistic about 2023.
Researchers: Pace of Remodeling Spend Growth Expected to Nosedive
Expect the growth of homeowners’ spending on remodeling to slow significantly over the next six months, housing researchers say, as economic uncertainty slows and a pandemic-induced sugar high wears off.
FHFA Moves to Help Beleaguered Buyers
Two moves announced by Federal Housing Finance Agency officials Monday could give a boost to first-time buyers, minority buyers and others with less resources who’ve been unceremoniously shoved out of the housing market by rising prices and interest rates this year.
Home Sales Claim In Anti-Surtax Ad Disputed
A new ad from the coalition opposed to the proposed 4 percent surtax on annual household income above $1 million is causing a stir and, with ballots already being cast, supporters are trying to combat what they see as “misinformation.”
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