Attention sellers, we are currently in a declining market. If you are serious about selling your home then it is critical that your Realtor understands the dynamic between the market trend and your home's value. Let me explain. The longer your home is on the market the lower the market value. In order to sell your home as quickly and profitably as possible, you must get ahead of the trend. The 6-month trend for Boston Single Family homes is a 7.79% decline in values and a 36% decline in volume. This is based on the median sales price in Boston from May 2007 to October 2007. This gives us an average monthly decline is 1.3% in value. If you are serious about selling your home then you should seriously consider reducing the price by 1.5% - 2% to get ahead of the negative trend. It may be p... 11/07/2007

Since there aren't many posts about Boston, I thought I'd write about one of my favorite places to stay when I go into town.  The Colonnade Boston Hotel has got to be one of the nicest hotels in town, and they seem to go unnoticed.  From the expert service we always receive to the wonderful restaurant, I have to highly recommend the hotel.  They are at a great location as well.  (location, location, location).  From their front door, the Prudential Center, Museum of Fine Arts and Copley Square are all walkable.Has anyone else stayed here?The Colonnade also also have luxury apartments (for the Realtor in me) attached to the hotel.  They get to use all of the hotel's amenities.Any other Boston hotel recommendations? 10/20/2007

Your high school quarterback son need some help reading defenses or spotting the open receiver? Well, then move in next door to Patriots QB Tom Brady. The Boston Herald reported (actually using the Boston Globe as a source) September 13, 2007 that Brady is selling two condo units he owns in a Beacon Hill brownstone. The new dad reportedly will keep the top two floors, which have "panoramic views of the Charles River." As for the units for sale, "The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Brady is selling one unit, with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, for $4.59 million. The other has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a $3.99 million asking price." It might seem expensive, but just think of the signing bonus Junior will get after being drafted in the first round. Read The B... 09/21/2007

Downtown Boston Condominium sales are ahead of 2006 in total sales absorption and just a little behind 2005 and is showing upward pressure on pricing:                                     Average Price Jan. 1 - July 13                                    2006      $575,689                                    2007      $660,230                                     Median Price Jan. 1 - July 13                                    2006 $455,000                                    2007 $480,000 MetroWest Single Family Home market is 11% above the sales activity for the same time period last year and is almost at 2005 numbers. The high-end is particularly strong showing momentum in the $1M+ price segment over the last 3 years.                                     For time period of Jan. 1 -June 13:... 09/10/2007

With the closing of Historic Filene's Basement in Downtown Boston, the heart of the city will be revamped with a fresh new look.  A 38 tower retail building will be added above Filnene's Basement when the project is completed. Some of the other changes that will be taking place are, 350,000 Sq. Ft. of Retail space to attract New stores and Shops, 500+ new residential unites, 300+ New Hotel Rooms, and 700+ New parking spaces. The entire project is slated to be completed by 2010. The catalyst for the project was poor economic performance in the downtown area over the last few years.     SB 09/04/2007

According to RealtyTrac, Inc., Massachusetts ranks 9th in the country in foreclosures filings. Massachusetts saw a month-to-month increase of 48.64 percent in July 2007. New Hampshire ranks 34th and actually saw a decline in foreclosures in July 2007 compared to June 2007.  On a month-to-month basis, foreclosure filings in the Granite State dropped nearly 54 percent. One in every 580 Massachusetts household faced foreclosure. One in every 2,946 households in New Hampshire faced foreclosure.

RealtyTrac, Inc. ranks as the third largest real estate site by MediaMetrix, and, for what it's worth, RealtyTrac Inc. calls itself the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties. 08/27/2007

As Green building and development continues to spread across the country, Boston has joined the club.  The Macallen Building, a 140-unit development in South Boston is one of the most progressive developments in the city, opening its doors to residents in June of 2007, it has achieved a coveted Gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design  (LEED) certification badge, currently the only across all Boston real estate. The sloping 6 to 12 story Macallen Building, nestled among hip, and up and coming, condo developments near the Broadway Red Line T-Stop, including Court Square Press, Allele Boston, and the Lofts at 36 A, sets itself apart with its focus on being the eco-friendly neighbor.  The Macallen Building has strived hard to achieve the highest LEED green certification lev... 08/25/2007

Attention All Buyers,As a buyer of real estate you have a choice in your representation. Did you know that you don't pay a fee for this representation? The fee gets paid by the seller after the sale. With that said, All Massachusetts Buyers qualify for up to a 50% commission rebate if you use SharpBuyers.comto make your next real estate purchase. Check out our website at www.SharpBuyers.com, or call us today at 800.880.0468 08/23/2007

After all the volatility and talk of a global crumble, all of the major U.S. stock indices posts gains last week.  It just goes to show you what a strange roller coaster ride we're all on.Last week, the market bounced its way through:The Fed's press release stating that inflation is still a concern Central banks around the world injecting gobs of cash into the global economy A French bank halting withdrawals in several funds until the "true" value of the assets can be determined Bleak outlooks from several high-profile U.S.-based lendersAnd none of those items were based on scheduled economic data releases.This week, by contrast, hosts a bevy of economic growth predictors that will hit the wires.  Continuing with today's Retail Sales report, mortgage rate shoppers will get no rest from ... 08/13/2007

Forbes magazine ranked Boston as the sixth best city for young professionals. New York City (this should not be a surprise to anyone) ranked No. 1 as the city where young professionals had the best chance to reach the corner office. New York is home to many of America's biggest and best companies, not to mention a night life second to no place on Earth. San Francisco ranked 2, ahead of Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, Seattle, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Denver respectively. Forbes compiled the list by tracking where the graduates of top universities across the country ended up 10 years after commencement; where the best business opportunities exist; which cities had the most young and unmarried people; and which cities paid young professionals the best. Alumni that rem... 08/04/2007

As you all know 360 Newbury is our favorite building in Boston!  Prices have just been adjusted to move these last three penthouse units - they are all truly amazing spaces! All 3 360 Newbury Units are penthouse duplex units. 2 of them face West and one faces East right down Newbury Street! 360 Newbury Prices: 915k (1226 sq/ft) 995k (1364 sq/ft) $1.795M (2000 sq/ft) Let us know if you are interested in any of these last three units at 360 Newbury. Remember - buy with us and get back cash at closing $11,437 - $22,437 on the above units at 360 Newbury! More Details on 360 Newbury 07/16/2007

One of my favorite Boston neighborhoods and a booming Boston Real Estate neighborhood is our very own Chinatown. The empty lots, the tangle of highways above and below ground, and the power plant may not look like much. But everyone agrees it’s prime real estate. Residents of Chinatown next door see the 20 acres – called the “Chinatown Gateway” on zoning maps – as their best chance to develop much-needed affordable housing and alleviate a severe housing crunch. But the city’s redevelopment authority has dubbed the area “South Bay” and envisions a new downtown district with upscale apartments, hotels, and offices. This struggle in Boston is the latest in a land squeeze that is changing the nature of Chinatowns across the United States. As America’s downtowns become hip again, urban real ... 07/16/2007

For any of you who may of been confused by the recent Banker and Tradesman misprint about our Boston Real Estate brokerage operations, here it is again. ANTH | JAMES is an independent Boston real estate agent located here in downtown Boston, MA. Our primary brokerage service we offer is to work with buyer’s of Boston Condos, concentrating on New Construction Boston Condos. On the Buy Side, we offer 2 levels of buyers brokerage services: 1. Full Service, where we act out our duties and services just like a traditional full service Boston Real Estate Agent. 2. (Most Popular) Split-Level Service, this is where YOU help us find you a new condo. After you research & find the property using our website or visiting open houses, you engage us to help you facilitate the rest of the transaction. ... 07/16/2007

The stalled NorthPoint project, which is already reeling from a nasty legal battle between its partners, now faces another serious blow that could lead to delays in the opening of condo high-rises. Contractors who had been working on the multibillion-dollar “city within a city” have taken out liens on the Cambridge development, saying they are owed more than $1.5 million for work they were never paid for. The liens could prevent Boston and Maine Corp., a NorthPoint landowner and lead developer, from pushing ahead with plans to open the project’s first two condo buildings, lawyers for the contractors say. Continued.. (Northpoint Condo Blog Post) 07/10/2007

Battery Wharf seems to get re-charged as construction picks up pace. I dont know whether it is me and I just recognized the recent growth but the new North End Condo development seems to be flying along now! Battery Wharf consists 104 units spread out over 7 floors.  Battery Wharf also has a hotel component (Regent) bringing hotel services to these Super Luxury Condos on the Boston Harbor waterfront.  Prices start around $1.1M and go all the way up to $5.2M+ Other Super Luxury Properties in Boston include: Residences at the InterContinental - Four Seasons Residences - Ritz Millennium - Heritage on the Garden - Atelier 505 07/10/2007

  As expected, the holiday-shortened week led to extreme volatility in mortgage rates, led by better-than-expected job growth and rising wages for workers.  In conjunction, these two data points lead to increased consumer spending and the prospect of higher spending pushes the economic slowdown likelihood lower.  That's bad news for mortgage rate shoppers because without a slowdown, mortgage rates are unlikely to make a dramatic decline like they did at this time last year.There's not much data this week except for Retail Sales on Friday.  You can bet that markets will keep a close eye on this one; it's a terrific report to gauge whether Americans are spending more dollars (as expected) or not.  The Retail Sales report will be backed up with the University of Michigan Consumer Confidenc... 07/09/2007

1900 Brownstone with Four Units-Wide Pine Floors-Exposed Brick-Vacant - Near Egleston Square Location: Roxbury, MAFour unit Brownstone on five levels near Egleston Square.Located near newly developed housing, first floor unit is a duplex unit, exposed brick in several units,wide pine floors, thermopaned windows, and yard for garden or parking. Near public transportation and downtown area. Vacant and ready for new owner to renovate. Information Contact Information Kim Ecevido 617-469-4888 Ext. 201 keopendoor@aol.com Pricing Asking Price: $412,500.00 Links Photo Slideshow OPEN DOOR REALTY Features Bedrooms: 8 Bathrooms: 5 Year Built: 1900 Lot Size: 2171 Square Footage: 2474 Agent Name: Kim Ecevido Broker: Kim Ecevido MLS #: 70595921 Attributes Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Inte... 06/28/2007

06/28/2007

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley imposed new emergency regulations to curtail “foreclosure rescuers” who have been accused of cheating consumers out of their homes, the Boston Herald reported June 1, 2007. The regulations would bar so-called “foreclosure rescuers” from making profits on homeowners struggling to afford their mortgage payments. The new regulations do not apply to non-profit groups or family members who step in to try to help people burdened with mortgages they can't pay. “'These ‘rescuers’ take a bad situation - foreclosure - and make it worse by liquidating any remaining equity in the homes,' Coakley said in a statement."Read This Article For More Information on Massachusetts Real Estate, please visit MassHomeBuyerGuide.com  06/20/2007

U.S. Mortgage applications fell 3.4 percent compared to the previous week, the Associated Press reported June 20, 2007. The data comes from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The number of applications for both purchase loans and refinance dropped."Mortgage lenders have been tightening lending criteria in recent months after a surge in defaults and foreclosures. Lenders catering to home buyers with weak, or subprime, credit, have seen a spike in loan defaults, and many have gone bankrupt or sold off their subprime businesses."Read This Article 06/20/2007