Given the unrelenting doom and gloom in the media, it's no wonder you feel like you've got the upper hand when you're looking for a new home.  Visions of lowball offers, grateful sellers, and bargain basement prices dance in your head.   But real estate is local and even today you may find yourself in a competive market where houses sell quickly and still get multiple offers.   There have been a number of multiple offers in my market recently and it can take newcomers by surprise.  Some houses, clearly well priced, get half a dozen or more offers the first weekend on the market. So here's a game plan to take you through the crazy, stress-producing process of buying a home when you've got competition.   What's a savvy buyer to do when there are multiple offers?   For starters, don't be d... 02/09/2009

I ordered re-usable shopping bags for my favorite real estate agents, consumers and co-workers.  They were a huge hit!  Most people have a few of them already, but like myself seem to always leave them at home and they never make it back to the car after unloading their groceries. The best part of all is I have people all over the city advertising for me!  Our front desk agent stopped some gentleman in Harvard Square because he was carrying one of my bags.  They had a laugh and turned out to know each other under six degrees of separation.  They are becoming fast friends!     02/07/2009

1.) Take Your Pick. The days when there were more buyers in the market than homes for sale are over for now. Then, options were few and many buyers felt they had to take what they could get whether or not it was the ideal home for them. Now, the reverse is true: There are many homes to choose from. Also buyers are no longer competing with property "flippers" and other investors in the marketplace. 2.) Make An Offer.  In the sizzling seller's market, buyers were outbidding one another, sometimes offering amounts thousands of dollars above the list price of the home they wanted. Today, buyers don't have to engage in bidding wars and they're finding sellers more willing to entertain their offer. 3.)  A Balanced Market. In the past, many buyers, striving to gain the upper hand in bidding ba... 02/07/2009

provided by www.ratekink.com Market CommentMortgage bond prices fell last week pushing interest rates slightly higher. Governments across the globe continued to battle the credit crisis and economic instability. Billions of dollars of debt offerings by the US Treasury continued to be announced. Unfortunately, the additional supply caused bond prices in general to fall and rates to rise the middle of the week. Record weekly jobless claims, weak factory orders, and strong productivity data released Thursday provided much-needed boost for mortgage bonds. For the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans rose by about 1/8 of a discount point. The retail sales data Thursday will be the most important event this week. The Treasury will auction 3-year, 10-year and 30-year notes... 02/07/2009

One of the pundits this morning said there is a "palpable sense of joy" in Washington today. That's true of my home town too. Barack Obama and Joe Biden carried Massachusetts in November with 62% of the vote.    In Cambridge, 88% of voters cast their ballot for Obama-Biden, second only to the small town of Aquinnah where 90% of the 311 voters cast votes for Obama.   There are a lot of very happy people in Cambridge today - though I don't think happy is a strong enough word.  Jubilant, delighted, ecstatic, overwhelmed....   It's a beautiful day.   Cantabrigians often broadcast their thoughts, obsessions, affiliations and more on their bumpers.  Here's a sampling of the amazing variety of Obama bumperstickers found on cars in Cambridge this week - some a bit the worse for wear. Nary a McC... 01/20/2009

I just saw information on Realtor.com regarding historic low rates for mortages.  Everyone has been saying that now is the time to buy and it is really really true.  With interest rates at their lowest in several years and the inventory being priced now at the most attractive for homes to sell, this is truly a buyers market.  Sellers should not feel that their home's value will be lost,  homes that are priced competitvely can move quickly because true gems don't stay on the market long.  Homes that are priced too high for the area will increase days on market.  My advice to my buyers is now is the time to really start looking, don't wait for the spring market because the rates may not support your search.   Here is what I found on Realtor.com 30-Year Rates Fall Below 5 Percent Mortgage ... 01/17/2009

I think its going to be an exciting week next week.  I would encourage everyone to witness a historic event and remember where you are.  Hopefully it will be the start to pointing the country to more positive than negative.  As a realtor, and a business person we are facing very difficult times with real estate, job losses, businesses losing ground.  Consumers have to learn they can't spend more than they earn, and saving if and when you can is the best way to make a dream possible.   For those who have always been saving, my hat's off to you.  Now is your time to find the best deals around in real estate so you can have a home.   Have a great weekend and a reflective holiday.  Yes we Can!     01/15/2009

Welcome to Cambridge, Massachusetts Cambridge, Massachusetts is a unique community in its mix of cultural and social diversity, intellectual vitality and technical innovation. The city is home to internationally-known Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; over one-fourth of all its residents are students, while one-sixth of all its jobs are in higher education. Yet residents feel that it is far more than a college town.  Cambridge MA real estate is very active with the relocation trends in the community. One of the first towns settled by the 700 Puritan founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the community was established as Newetowne in 1630. Today, world-renowned Harvard Square sits where the original village site once stood. Now the oldest and most prest... 01/15/2009

  No... she didn't. Just kidding.   I sell real estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts and while I've spotted John Malkovich at the ATM (he does live here) and Matt and Ben come home to visit family and friends, Cambridge is not L.A.   Our stars are more likely to have found fame on the small screen - usually PBS - not the big screen. In fact, Julia Child's and Bob Vila's houses have sold since I started in real estate.  That's Julia's house on the left. It sold in 2002 for $2,350,000 - minus the kitchen which went to the Smithsonian.  When you're touring property in Cambridge it's not uncommon to realize you're in the home of a Nobel prize winner, or a former advisor to Kennedy or Clinton, or a best selling author.    My coworkers tug at my sleeve - "Come on. We're falling behind. Let's g... 01/11/2009

I just saw a blog from a realtor in Maryland that put a great list together of top ten things she learned this year.  I feel that it would be a great time to put my own list together of what I learned this year.  Working in the Cambridge market has been challenging and yet homes and condo's have sold well.  If I listened to the media, I would have stayed home all day.  Surprisingly, open houses had a great traffice before the holidays and yes buyers were looking for deals.  I realized that I need to pre-approve my buyers before showing lots of homes.  And even then, really clarify why someone is looking so that valuable time isn't wasted.  I would love to hear the top ten things other agents learned this year so we can compare.   Buyers will buy very different homes than what they told ... 12/29/2008

Cambridge Massachusetts Condominiums For Sale - Direct MLS Access for Map Based Search Click  on Cambridge Condominiums to view MLS condominiums listings in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Select condominiums under "Types". To view condominiums in other Massachusetts communities: Click here and the Virtual Homes MLS Map Search map will appear. Type in a town in Quick City Search.  A map of the town will appear with all properties listed shown on the map.  Select condominiums under the Select Types option - either single family or condominiums.  All condominiums for sale will be located on the map.   Visit the Cambridge, MA Virtual Homes web site at www.cambridgemarealestate.com for community information about Cambridge, Massachusetts The VirtualHomesMLS tool provides a map based search of al... 12/07/2008

The number of multi-family homes sold in Cambridge, MA during the month of October increased from 5 sold (2007) to 8 homes sold in 2008. The average selling price deccreased significantly from $1,001,475 in 2007 to $760,625 in 2008.  The average DOM (Days on Market) decreased to 51 days from 62 in 2007. 11/25/2008

The number of condominiums sold in Cambridge, MA during the month of October remained the same at 46 sold in 2007 & 2008. The average selling price increased significantly from $423,081 in 2007 to $513,336 in 2008.  The average DOM (Days on Market) increased slightly to 69 days from 67 in 2007. 11/20/2008

The number of single family homes sold in Cambridge, MA during the month of October increased dramatically from 4 sold (2007) to 13 homes sold in 2008. The average selling price decreased by 19% from $1,008,275 in 2007 to $817,885 in 2008.  The average DOM (Days on Market) decreased significantly to 102 days from 158 in 2007. 11/17/2008

  Cambridge Massachusetts Bank Owned Property (REO), Foreclosures and Short Sale Property for Sale FREE SERVICE!  New listing alert and MLS search of all property including foreclosures. Sign up to receive new listings owned by banks (financial institutions) in Massachusetts. Here's how to receive this free service: 1  Click here at MA Foreclosures For Sale , fill in your information and submit. 2. You will see confirmation that asks you to check your email for a "Welcome MLSpulse" message. 3. Follow the directions for login and you will see the options for searching. 4. Select the town(s) and set the price range (recommend 0-9999999). In the remarks section enter the words bank, foreclosure, short.  This will search all listings that are bank owned, foreclosures and short sale opportun... 11/16/2008

Now that the election has been decided and interest rates are dropping, I feel as though it's time to roll up our sleeves.  As a realtor I believe there is no better time than now to start looking at the great inventory of homes on the market.  So many of my clients are anxious to get on with their lives and find a home. Many of my first-time home buying clients have taken a long time to make a decision on a home.  Here are some statistics that might motivate those on the fence to jump in: Here are some statistics for October:               Active                                       Sold Total number of listings were                              263                                       42 Average days on market for all listings                 98                                      ... 11/07/2008

  Gena Brown, 48, Died after saving her four children Email|Link|Comments (16) Posted by David Dahl, Regional Editor September 16, 2008 01:00 PM   Gena R. Brown, a Lexington woman known for her devotion to her children and for enjoying rides on a motorcycle, died Saturday Sept. 13 after saving her two daughters from a dryer fire that ignited their home. Brown, 48, yelled for her daughters to get out, as the fire tore through the house on Paul Revere Road in the early hours of the morning. Jordan and Kendal Brown, ages 10 and 12, climbed out a second floor window and warned neighbors to call 911. Brown was unable to escape before firefighters arrived at 5 a.m. The fire is believed to be the result of lint buildup in a clothes dryer. A mother of three, Brown was active and involved, takin... 10/22/2008

The food stalls at Porter Exchange offer a taste of Japan that is pretty darn cool and also light on the wallet, or you can opt for sushi at Blue Fin and sit at the sushi bar.  However, it's usually just a pleasing to eat at one of the stalls and it's what I prefer.  The trip is never complete without a visit to the Japanese foodstore inside the building.   You can stock up on everything from soba and buckwheat noodles to dried fish products (if you're so inclined), sushi grade fish and condiments, along with Japanese candy.  There's also a great little gift shop with pottery pieces, notepaper and other smaller its.   The variety of incense is wonderful and hard to find in other places, a tad pricey but worth it. 09/19/2008

What Was REALLY Cooking. . . ??? Bon Appetit! Was Julia Child Sending A Secret Code?   Papers to be released on Thursday indicate that Julia Child, the indomitable PBS hostess from Cambridge Ma, had more cooking in her pot than just chicken! Documents indicate that Chef Julia was an early operative during WW II, for the office that later became known as the CIA.  Child was a beloved former resident of Cambridge and was world renowned for her culinary talents.  Apparently this Massachusetts resident knew more than how to skin a chicken!  Yes indeed, our dear Julia was in fact. . . a spy!! Long known as a role model for Martha Stewart, it seems that the cooking icon may have been more like the forerunner for Angelina Jolie's character from "Mr. & Mrs. Smith!"     *courtesy API   http://ne... 08/13/2008

Cambridge/ Somerville MLS Market Trends for June.  Active Listing Trends show that inventory has dropped by over 22%, 198 units pretty evenly divided per city.  The days on market have come down by an average of 38%, which equates down from approximately four months to closer to three months on the market Under Agreement Trends show a increase in activity with more 60 more condos U/A this year - an increase of 30%. Cambridge had the larger increase with 49, Somerville 11 more condos U/A The DOM stayed pretty much the same at just over 2 months. The Sold Market Trends continue to drag with 34 less closings in Cambridge and 6 less in Somerville. The days on market reduced slightly for Somerville -6.5% and increased in Cambridge by over 45% to 101 days. Detailed report by city upon request. 07/10/2008