by Jim Morrison | Mar 21, 2018
National housing inventory rose 3.3 percent year-over-year, driven almost entirely by a 13.3 percent increase in premium homes. However, starter home inventory plummeted, hitting its lowest level in at least six years, and amid a 9.6 percent year-over-year increase in median list price.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 19, 2018
MassHousing launched a new down payment assistance program that will allow qualified first-time homebuyers to finance up to 100 percent of the purchase price.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 18, 2018
Single-family home prices appreciated about 5 percent on average in Massachusetts last year. Some communities saw less appreciation, some saw more, and some dark horse Boston suburbs saw a whole lot more.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 18, 2018
Martine Taylor took a job as a receptionist after earning a degree in family studies; she thought she’d go back and get a master’s degree in social work, but never did. She’s spent most of her professional life in the nonprofit sector
by Jim Morrison | Mar 15, 2018
In the fourth quarter of 2017, U.S. homeowners with mortgages (which account for roughly 63 percent of all properties, according to a 2016 American Community Survey) have seen their equity increase 12.2 percent year over year, representing a gain of $908.4 billion since the fourth quarter of 2016, according to a report released today from CoreLogic, a global property information provider.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 13, 2018
The years of historically affordable mortgage rates look to be ending as rates have steadily increased in recent months and show no signs of turning back, according to data released today by Zillow.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 13, 2018
Nationally, 5.3 percent of mortgages were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure) in December 2017, according to CoreLogic, a global property information provider. This represents no change in the overall delinquency rate compared with December 2016 when it was also 5.3 percent.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 11, 2018
Anxious prospective homebuyers have found a workaround to waiving home inspection contingencies, asking inspectors to do condensed “pre-offer” inspections – which may not be legal, or of much value.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 9, 2018
Proposed reforms to the government-sponsored enterprises that guarantee the majority of U.S. home loans could drive up monthly housing costs and diminish housing affordability for many Americans, according to recent analysis from Zillow.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 7, 2018
Homeowners insurance in Massachusetts is slightly cheaper than the national average according to analysis released yesterday by Insurance.com.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 5, 2018
While affordability remains better than long-term averages nationally, home prices at the lower end of the market are less affordable than the national average, particularly for those in lower income levels, according a report released today.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 5, 2018
This week’s forecast calls for another nor’easter to follow the one that combined with astronomical high tides to flood the much of East Coast last week. Affected property owners probably hope the magnitude and frequency of those storms would serve as a call-to-action for Congress to reform the beleaguered National Flood Insurance Program.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 4, 2018
The January numbers are in and the spring market has sprung. From the look of things, 2018 is going to make the feverish 2017 market look tepid and continuing to squeeze buyers. Though the typical spring rush of new listings is coming online, it hasn’t been enough to satisfy the demand created by six years of declining inventory.
by Jim Morrison | Mar 2, 2018
Amazon is likely to choose either Northern Virginia or Atlanta for its new headquarters, according to a new survey of economic and housing experts. Austin and Denver were also cited as strong contenders.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 28, 2018
Financial services holding company Ocwen Financial Corp. will acquire mortgage origination and servicing platform PHH Corp. for approximately $360 million in cash in a deal expected to close later this year.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 27, 2018
Boston real estate agent and condo expert David Bates reviewed the 50 most expensive (per square foot) Boston condominiums in 2017 and found five key amenities they had in common.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 27, 2018
Massachusetts fell from No. 1 overall to No. 8 in this year’s U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of U.S. states.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 26, 2018
The co-founder of RE/MAX violated the company’s ethics code by loaning millions of dollars to the company’s then-COO, according to the results of an internal investigation by a special committee consisting of independent directors.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 25, 2018
Several factors at work in the marketplace have combined to create extreme competition for talented LOs. First, rising interest rates have slammed the brakes on the refi business, so only LOs who hustle for purchase business are going to make money.
by Jim Morrison | Feb 23, 2018
Debi Benoit, principal of Benoit Mizner Simon & Co. Real Estate, has been named the No. 1 broker in Wellesley for the 12th year in a row.