In the most competitive Seller’s market since the late 1980s, how did we do? We are pleased for our clients who have bought in 2014. They did buy a house or condo in eastern Massachusetts without bidding wildly over asking price or throwing away their rights. Summary: No clients waived their home inspections in order
It is folly to pretend to be able to predict any real estate market. A year ago, I got this email from Kiplinger [italics mine] June 10, 2013: "Home prices soaring by 20% or more over the past 12 months. Bidding wars. Houses sold just days after the for-sale sign goes up. Is another housing
We have a client who bought in a condo association a couple of years ago. He wrote me about the rules for running his association correctly, in terms of reserve funds. His place is in a six unit association, but I also found out what is expected for the more typical two-unit and three-unit condos
I'll even tell you where to put 'em. Ron Rothenberg 4 Buyers Real Estate Open Houses, how I hate them, for so many reasons. Rona has detailed so many reasons why Open Houses don’t benefit sellers. I think they’re the worst possible way for a buyer to look at house. They’re geared towards
A reporter from Angie’s List contacted me a week or so ago to talk about housing that is compromised by people and places in the area. He wrote his story based on what a number of well-reputed agents told him. He quoted me fairly accurately, but left out quite a bit. He also only cited
Those who don't understand the meaning of the numbers can be easily manipulated. Not only can economists and journalists confuse people with numbers, so can crooked mortgage originators, real estate agents, and companies who give credit to young (and not so young) adults. Economic "news" is frequently poorly written for those who do not read
Sic Transit Gloria Paper Checks Ron Rothenberg 4 Buyers Real Estate Few industries have defended their attachment to paper as ferociously as real estate law. But the reign of paper may be ending, as digital contract signatures become more the norm than the exception. One piece of paper that hasn't gone away
The national survey numbers are here on their chart. Notice the bubble lines on the three levels of composite indexes that FNC creates. They are pretty pronounced. All lines are headed upward. Yet, we are nowhere near the top of that bubble, on average. The blue shaded area also shows a steady, year-over-year increase to
And who couldn't use some of that? by Ron Rothenberg, 4 Buyers Real Estate I love rebates. I even love filling out rebate forms. I especially love receiving checks and gift cards. Right now, I’ve got a $715 gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I got it from the gas company
My lender-friend, Amy Tierce, sent a video meant for lenders about the upcoming real estate year. Remember that their bias is that the more sales, the better. They are not so especially interested in whether you are getting a good deal on the house you are going to buy –that’s my job! The predictions