How To Restore a Historic Home

Restoring a historic house is no small task. However, it’s definitely a worthwhile endeavor. Untouched fixer-uppers usually include period detail unscathed by previous renovations. However, special care must be taken when dealing with old structures and keep in mind that old houses are full of surprises and costs can start adding up. So here are a few tips and tricks on what to expect and what to look for when restoring a historic house.

Mortgage Rates Are At Their Lowest In 3 Years

Despite a rapid increase in home prices, mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest point in three years. As of Tuesday, the average rate for a 30-year conforming mortgage nationally was 3.6 percent, down 2 points from last week. This drop means a 6 percent increase in buying power. There are disadvantages to lower mortgage rates however. Credit availability declines marginally as the rates decline. With a small margin, lenders become more risk averse so indicators of credit tightness like the average FICO scores have gone up as rates have gone down.

Needham Market Update : First Quarter of 2016

The Greater Boston Association of Realtors has released the Needham market updates for March 2016 and judging from the increase in single-home listings and decrease in pricing, it is clear we have a buyer's market. The supply of homes for sale in March was significantly higher than February, indicating that more sellers are deciding to … Continue reading Needham Market Update : First Quarter of 2016

Boston Market Update: First Quarter of 2016

The Greater Boston Association of Realtors has released the local market updates for March 2016 and seeing how single-home and condominium sales increased despite an increase in pricing, it is safe to say it's a seller's market. The supply of homes for sale in March was significantly higher than February, indicating that more sellers are … Continue reading Boston Market Update: First Quarter of 2016

Off-Campus Housing in the Boston-Area Rated One of the Most Expensive In The Country

If you are a college student looking for off-campus housing for the coming semester and are planning to live within a 1 mile radius from your school, brace yourself! RadPad, a startup specializing in apartment searches, compiled a list of 50 universities that have the most expensive off-campus apartments. Boston area schools took up a full fifth of the chart. The rankings are based on the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment within 1 mile from the campus.

Condos Are Now More Expensive Than Single-Family Homes

Condo prices all across Boston are skyrocketing as the spring market kicks off. Urban areas, from upscale to affordable, are leading the charge. Somerville, Jamaica Plain and increasingly upscale Charlestown saw some of the biggest increases as did Brighton, Medford and West Roxbury. And it’s not just rent prices that are on the rise. Sales are up by double digits in the same areas as well. The median condo price in Massachusetts went up 10% in March, clocking in at $320,000 which is more than the median price of a single-family home ($315,000).

How Condo Prices In Brighton Have Changed Drastically Over The Past 15 Years

The busy area of Brighton is one of Boston’s more reasonably priced neighborhoods. However, the booming real estate market in Massachusetts has conquered this area too. Housing prices have for the most part scaled upward from the previous decade. A study by NeighborhoodX (a land research site) has shown that the average selling price for condos in … Continue reading How Condo Prices In Brighton Have Changed Drastically Over The Past 15 Years