Tomorrow will mark exactly 7 months from the day the Fenway vacancy rate began its jaw-dropping blastoff as a result of the pandemic, remote learning, and the international travel ban.  The pivotal 9/1 leasing date came to pass, and Fenway saw the usual number of students moving out as their apartment leases expires.  Only this time, there were no students moving in. As a result, the vacancy rate for Fenway apartments rose from 3.38% on August 31 to an unthinkable 17.87% by September 8.  All of a sudden, one of Boston’s best areas to live was in a situation where 1 out of every 5 apartments lay empty. The Fenway apartment rental market is no stranger to high turnover.  As you can see from the preceding graphic, September always brings a spike in vacancies in Fenway as well as the entire... 03/30/2021

The year of COVID was a tough one for Boston’s apartment rental market, that is indisputable.  Apartment vacancies soared in many of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods as local schools enacted remote learning policies and residents in Downtown fled for open spaces.  Average rent prices for Boston apartments have declined by 4% city-wide, 8-10% in Back Bay, South End, and North End, and over 20% for apartments in Downtown Boston.  Some may believe that there is no way out of this market decline other than an end to COVID-19 and the remote learning policies that have stripped Boston of its vital student population.  If there is anything that can be done to quickly restore Boston’s rental market to the dominant force it was before the pandemic, it would be that.   But with more questi... 02/25/2021

You’ve heard of a buyer’s and seller’s market, but have you heard of a renter’s market?Renters now have more negotiating power than they’ve had in a long time.In a city that is usually full to the brim with students, recent graduates starting their first jobs, and young families- something is definitely different this September. Because of a combination of work from home and all around uncertainty from schools re-opening; vacancies in Boston have increased by around 6%. So what does this mean for renters? For one, a much better selection of apartments than usual, but that’s not all. In some cases, owners and realtors are even offering incentives just to get leases signed and apartments leased.If you were hesitant about signing a new lease at first, you should rest assured that you are b... 09/16/2020

Real Estate in Boston by Century 21 Affiliated Agent Michael MahoneyGreater Boston Real Estate Update by Realtor Michael Mahoney I do hope this finds you and your family well, healthy and gainfully employed. I know it's challenging for a lot of people. If I can help you personally, please feel free to reach out. I belong to a couple business organizations and a fraternal organization that likes to help people who need it. If that's you, text/call 617-615-9435. In this week's newsletter, I continue to beat the drum about the lack of inventory in the residential real estate market inside the 495 Belt of Greater Boston. It's clearly the best time to sell. Properties going pending are almost 1.5x's the number of new listings coming on the market. This is reflected in my Norfolk and Suffolk ... 08/07/2020

Real Estate in Boston by Century 21 Affilated Agent Michael MahoneyGreater Boston Real Estate Update by Realtor Michael Mahoney I do hope this finds you and your family well, healthy and gainfully employed. I know it's challenging for a lot of people. If I can help you personally, please feel free to reach out. I belong to a couple business organizations and a fraternal organization that likes to help people who need it. If that's you, text/call 617-615-9435. In this week's newsletter, I continue to beat the drum about the lack of inventory in the residential real estate market inside the 495 Belt of Greater Boston. It's clearly the best time to sell. Properties going pending are almost 1.5x's the number of new listings coming on the market. This is reflected in my Norfolk and Suffolk C... 08/07/2020

The Last 7 Days in Boston Real EstateMichael Mahoney, a manager with Century 21 American Properties produces “The Thank Goodness it’s Monday” e-mail every Monday. It is a newsletter focusing on events, tools and strategies for our Century 21 agents.The market definitely needs more listings. The pendings are outweighing the active listings.   05/18/2020

Hiring the Right Contractor V1 E37 Masters Touch Design-Build.  In this PODCAST Chris Previte of Masters Touch  Design-Build shares with us today the right and wrong way to find, secure and redo your home the right way. Choosing your contractor is the simple matter of knowing what to ask and being focused on finding the right person for your needs. Communications, vision, follow through are big parts. Caring about your needs and having a willingness to focus on those needs is critical. Listen to how one company does it right.Over the many years I have been in the real estate industry I have been in thousands of houses and hundreds of housing sites being built.  Nothing is the same, all have their unique aspects.  Builders use different materials, different crews, different timing and mo... 04/03/2020

Boston Globe Real Estate Writer spills the beans on Real Estate. Our Podcast today talks about high rents, need for affordable homes, transfer taxes, rent control the middle class families have difficulty in the Boston area finding homes that are a good fit for them.  Tim Logan, real estate writer, from The Boston Globe shares what he has covered in the past months on all these issues.  Transfer tax is in front of the legislature this week. The idea is to charge a 1% transfer tax to both Buyers and Sellers.  There are some towns in the Commonwealth looking at this for homes beginning at $400,000. This is a slippery slope. Once towns are reaping income from people who own homes and live in these towns they will, of course,  jump from taxing some sales to taxing all sales.To me this is un... 01/17/2020

Last week a friend asked if I wanted to go in Boston to take on a free country music movie given by WGBH TV which included a tour of Fenway Park.  Of course I said yes.  We go in to Boston Monday night and notice such a crowd and were surprised so many people were taking in this country music movie but maybe it was the tour that brought them out and the fact that it was 'free'.We drive around and around and around looking for parking, refusing to pay $50 to park.  We settle for $35 blocks away and walk (and walk).  As we are getting closer, the crowds are all walking in the same direction towards Fenway.  My friend says, "you know we really need to come back and take in a Sox game sometime" and I was all for it!  They are a blast!Starting about a block or so away there were people on th... 09/12/2019

Pricing a home right can be tricky, especially in volatile markets with prices that often fluctuate. It’s especially hard to tell if the other current list prices are accurate to the actual sale prices, which usually aren’t public until the sale closes- three or four months later. Analysis of similar homes and market changes are critical but sometimes difficult. It’s important to keep in mind the raw numbers such as square footage, monthly rental income, condition and location, as well as any special features. These are the most concrete factors on which to base your price. The history of the home is also valuable but uncertain, as you don’t always know how that particular market segment has shifted since the last sale. One of the best ways to get recent and accurate info regarding simi... 07/15/2019

Because of HGTV, we get asked almost daily, "wow, you're house flippers? How do I get into that business?" I mean, HGTV definitely makes it cool (thankfully, because I completely lack coolness otherwise :). And, it is an incredibly fun business.  So, here are my quick tips on getting into the flipping biz:  1. Start with humility and a desire to learn.  I laugh now to think about how many years I've wasted with a chip on my shoulder, thinking I had the answers.  It wasn't until I realized that I didn't know diddly that I started to learn. If you have this mindset, you can crush it in the "we buy houses" game.   2. Now that you have the right mindset, learn, learn, learn.  We are so blessed to live in a day where education is often free and bountiful.  Youtube has thousands of great vide... 06/18/2019

Are you thinking about selling your Boston home?Even if you already know exactly where you want to move and why – as in the case of retirement – it’s still a big decision. With a life-changing move on the horizon, you understand how to sell your Boston house for the best possible price.3 Tips to Maximum the Price of Your Boston HomeAs housing prices in Bosting steadily increase, now would be a great time to start planning for a sale if you’re thinking about downsizing or moving elsewhere.Just make sure that part of that planning process involves these essential tips.1. Decide When You Want to Move Out ByWhether you already have a new hometown in mind, or you’ve only just begun thinking about where you’ll move next, it’s essential that you set a target date for the sale of your home. Obv... 06/16/2019

Wordless Wednesday: The Hood Milk Bottle in Boston  I was in Boston back in November for the CRS/NAR meetings...and a wonderful ActiveRain Meetup. I took a walk to the convention center from my hotel on the water and walked by the iconic Hood Milk Bottle - an ice cream stand and snack bar - by the Boston Children's Museum where it had stood for 30 years.  Our kids also loved seeing this when we went to the museum (which is well worth a visit, by the way) and it was fun to see an old friend again, even on a dreary rainy day. 12/05/2018

Vinoteca di Monica: a fantastic North End Restaurant in Boston, MAAs we all are now  starting to get Turkey overload, I had to reminisce, about three weeks ago Diane and I were having dinner with old friends at this fantastic Restaurant. Our friends know our food palate and suggested, that we meet at this  Restaurant. Keep in mind if you are not familiar with “Little Italy” in Boston, there are probably 30 or more fantastic Restaurants that you can go to and enjoy a fantastic meal.Having moved away now for over 22+ years, we always defer to our friends to pick the Restaurants, after all, they are the locals and we are just the visitors. They suggested Vinoteca di Monica, so who were we to disagree?When we arrived, the place was packed, well what did we expect on a Saturday evening? Good... 11/25/2018

I am so grateful that Caffé  Vittoria in the North End of Boston aka in Little Italy is still around. It has been one of my favorite Cafes when I lived in Boston. It was the first Italian Café that opened in 1929. Nothing has changed, if you want to have the best Cappuccino in Boston outside of Italy, then this is a must visit destination.On our recent trip to Boston,  even though we were only there for less than six full days, we managed to stop in twice with friends.  I had conversations with friends about various places that sadly have closed. They were Boston Institutions. Hence, Therefore, I was very thankful that I was able to stop in and share a Cappuccino with friends.This Café has been around even before as well as during prohibition times, in the daytime it is a great place to... 11/18/2018

I am truly thankful for all of the friends I know through Active Rain.  When Lisa Von Domek created a meetup in Boston last Friday night. I was happy to make the trip to see so many AR members from all over. I have followed this wonderful AR members for years and I recognized them instantly.  Peter den Boer , Grant Schneider and Phyllis, Lisa Von Domek , Conrad Allen, Endre Barath, Jr. , Lisa Friedman , Sheila Anderson , George Souto , Debe Maxwell, CRS , Debbie Reynolds and Ray.  Also Nina Hollander, Jeff Dowler and Endre's wife Diane.I am grateful for my Active Rain Friends.   11/06/2018

Should you Buy your second home first? Some renters are learning how to build wealth by owning while keeping their rental. If you have a great home already in the city, and can own a property, too, then this brief introduction to buying your second home first will inspire you with information.Join us at a free event to learn how you can rent AND own: Currently renting? Explore options to invest in real estate now to build wealth and be in a better place tomorrow. A Step By Step Guide To Building Wealth Owning a home is one of the best and fastest ways to build wealth and grow your net worth. But I work & rent in Greater Boston...how can I rent and own? Join us at 6pm on Wednesday, October 24th for an informal & informative conversation run by experts which will provide you with the tool... 10/19/2018

Things to do in Boston this Week  D Street Market at The Lawn on D - Boston Come enjoy a European-style market at The Lawn On D featuring a farmers market, a cut flower stand, a mini car show, and roving street performers: jugglers, face painters, magicians, and aerialists! Plus, delicious food, drinks, lawn games, and live music throughout the day. Saturday, August 11, 2018   Truck & Tractor Day on the Greenway - BostonClimb aboard our trucks and tractors, check out a police cruiser and vintage fire truck, and listen in on our very special truck read-aloud Friday, Aug 10   Ignite Global Street Food and Fire Festival - SomervilleCelebrate Union Square's sizzling food landscape as we bring you an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment, and a... Saturday, Aug 1... 08/08/2018

Here Are Some Fun Things in and Around BostonMagic 106.7 Family Film Festival July 7, 2018 - August 25, 2018 South Garden With free, family-friendly movies shown under the stars, the Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival is a great summer night out. Entertainment, children's activities and giveaways will start at 6pm. All movies will start every Saturday at sundown. Rain dates will be held the following Tuesday. 2018 Movie Schedule July 7: The Lion King July 14: SING! July 21: Coco July 28: Wonder August 4: The Incredibles August 11: Mulan August 18: Tarzan August 25: A Wrinkle in Time See more about this event here Download Our Home Search App Now Find homes for sale in your immediate vicinity using the GPS-driven real estate search tool Search homes based on commute times, address, MLS num... 07/23/2018

Habits versus Techniques Day 27 of 90 in a Realtors® life.  When we sit in our continuing education classes we are learning the laws so that we remain compliant as we practice. We also learn techniques on how to prospect, how to follow up, newest trends and techniques.  Successful agents will be present in these classes and they know that techniques are nothing more than that. Techniques for prospecting and selling homes are good, vital in fact, but they are not what will make us successful.  It is our daily habits with what we have learned that make us successful.For instance cold calling.  Is anyone really still using the line "Hello, I'm agent name from agency, how are you today?"  Really?  How salesy can this be.  No doubt you are hearing lots of hang ups on this tired approach.  P... 05/03/2018