Archive for the 'South End Real Estate' category

As I am sure many of you have read, Boston is undergoing several transformations throughout several of its neighborhoods. Some are undergoing new additions, while others are getting renovated.

Here is an inside look with David Manfredi, principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, whose firm happens to be one of which that is highly involved with several current/upcoming projects.

"Given all the development in places like Dudley Square, the Fenway, and the South Boston Waterfront, how do you expect the design and atmosphere of the city to change in coming years?

We’re very fortunate, planners and architects especially, to be in Boston. There is activity here, and there are large parts of the country where there’s not nearly as much activity. What’s exciting is that we have this incredible waterfront that sits right next to our downtown, and there is a lot of development there now. It’s not like we’re building at the edges; we’re building so close to the heart of everything." ...Read more HERE (photo credit boston.com) 

Why do they call these the dog days of summer I wonder? Could it have anything to do with consuming hot dogs perhaps? 

I read somewhere or maybe heard it on a radio talk show Howie Carr or NPR or somewhere that in 2009, consumers spent more than $1.6 billion that's BILLION with a B on hot dogs and sausages in U.S. supermarkets. Gosh if you think about it that's alot of dogs! Or could it be they call it dog days of summer simply because someone once noticed a correlation between a hot day and their lazy dog just laying around in the shade doing nothing.  Just resting.  Could it be that simple I wonder? Interesting. 

Well it seems we sure are experiencing some pretty serious dog days so far this month!  100-105 degrees oh my! And I'll tell you it affects me. Not just the way the heat makes me feel slow but it affects work. While I can lay in the shade and rest any time I want in the type of work I do...that would be real estate sales.... unfortunately I can't do it for long.  As a REALTOR I'm pretty much self employed and often host open houses on Sunday's to meet prospective buyers (a small part of the marketing I do to reach out to prospective clients).  In the Real Estate world Sundays it seems is the traditional day to host open houses.  It sounds logical because most work from Monday to Friday however is it really practical? Does it make sense to host open houses on a weekend in the summer time? The dog days of summer time.

Hosting open houses hasn't been so much fun these past few weeks.  I assume if you're a sales agent or know one (and most of us know someone who is one) you know what I mean.  I really don't mind giving up a hot day at the beach or laying by my brother's pool to stand instead in a beautiful air conditioned home for a few hours.  Especially these days it's more important to me that I build my business and a future retirement.  God knows I've done enough bathing, lounging and BBQing to last a life time. As I said it's not so bad hosting an open house during these hot dog days. So I do it for myself and for others I work with at my company.  I stand there in the comfort of an air conditioned unit with iced coffee in one hand and listing sheet in the other.  Then someone enters!!!  And I've got to say how exciting it is when that sweaty, drained and tired home seeker happens to finally come through my door! Can you imagine how excited I am?.!?# I smile at them and offer a hand shake.  Some catch their breath while kindly shewing me away with a grin not interested in talking with me and others engage in a little kabitzing then off they go.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer visitors.  Maybe I should consider offering lemonade or something thirst quenching...hmmm...

Seems many a Sunday has passed with only a few to none pay me a visit at my air conditioned listing.  Other than offering an iced beverage we're doing all the right things. Advertising. Marketing. Could they all be enjoying themselves at the beach on these dog days of summer? Or perhaps basking in the shade under a tree drinking their ice tea?  Yeah I'll bet they are hanging out being handed a beer and a grilled dog somewhere fun. 

Well we all work hard and deserve to enjoy dog days off especially on the weekend when all of our freinds are doing the same thing.  Enjoying themselves that is..  And who really wants to walk around 105 degree Boston touring open houses sweating bullets all over the place when they could be sprawled out with their face planted in a blanket on Carson Beach in Southie or sailing the Boston Harbor with friends or throwing a fishing line out to hook one of the many thousands of yummy striped bass swimming our waters right now!!

But isn't touring open houses important to some of you who recognize property values and interest rates are at the lowest they have ever been in a LONG time?  Touring open houses gives buyers AND sellers a better perspective of what a certain square footage can buy them in a particular neighborhood of interest.  It's an opportunity to investigate, talk to the agent and learn details they wouldn't if they just read about the unit.

So how about attending an open house on a weekday?  Perhaps after work when the sun is going down and it's more convenient for you?  Attending an open house on a week night for example promises not to interrupt your dog day summer afternoons especially the weekends!  And if you happen to spot a home that isn't open on a week night BUT wish to see it you can always call a qualified experienced AND helpful person like myself to set up a showing for you!  Happy Dog Days of Summer!

Vivian Zottola # 617-721-8025  617-721-8025 vzottola@bradvisors.com 

Boston Realty Advisors www.bradvisors.com

It’s April, the month when Boston gets back into high gear!

The month of April brings new energy to the Boston area, temperature changes, symbolic sporting events, spring blooms and more… Most importantly, an abundance of NEW apartment inventory!

Increased Apartment Inventory - the “rental season” in Boston has now begun. It is the best opportunity to be exposed to the maximum number of units, as approximately 90% of the city moves during the next few months. We currently have access to units available NOW through Sept 1st!!

Red Sox Opening Day – Baseball season has officially begun, our hometown Red Sox kicked off the season in a home opener against their all time rivals the New York Yankees! Boston took the win, Boston Red Sox: 9 - NY Yankees: 7 – we’re looking forward to get season!

Marathon Monday - The Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon will be held on Monday April 19th. Be prepared for delays!! Visit: http://www.bostonmarathon.org/default.asp for more information.

Spring Blooms – March Showers, bring April Flowers! Watch for the blossom trees, tulips and daffodils as they bloom creating picturesque sites throughout the Public Garden, along Commonwealth Avenue and the beautifully landscaped brownstone entries.

Street Cleaning - Street Cleaning is in full affect as of April 1st. If you brought your car with you to school and/or you commute in, be sure to look for the “street cleaning” signs. Otherwise, you may find your car with a parking ticket and/or worse, having to get your car out of the tow lot! Visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/ for more information.


We have an abundance of NEW Boston apartments coming available; please feel free to contact one of our advisors if you’re looking to find your ideal apartment.


 

Live for Today - Lease your dream place in Boston's Back Bay!

It's windy and freezing and the nightly news is DEPRESSING!!  But good news folks, you are on your way to Boston!  Boston is such a great city, I really love it here.  Our job market is pretty insulated from the rest of the country's mess.  We have plenty of public transportation.  There are lots of brilliant and successful people working on all types of interesting things.  And here in Boston's Back Bay, we have some of the most beautiful apartments in the country!  Can you imagine yourself sprawling in front of your fireplace in the grand parlor of your front facing brownstone with 20 ft high ceilings and gorgeous bay front windows?  Wouldn't it be lovely to simply walk 50 feet and go from your serene tree lined avenue to your favorite restaurant for supper?  We even have a train that leaves every hour just steps away that will take you to New York!  The best thing about Leasing an apartment in Boston? You don't have to worry about taxes, condo fees, maintenance costs, and many times even utilities!  My name is Avery Johnson, I have specialized in Leasing properties in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End for over 5 years.  I would be delighted to help you find your dream home here in Boston!  Please feel free to call me direct at 617-850-9663.

It's that time of year again, and I am predicting where the residential real estate prices will be in the City of Boston at the end of 2010.

To accurately predict pricing, we have to look at the historicals and segment the marketplace, here are some key points:

We are covering the following neighborhoods:
Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, South End, North End, Midtown and the Waterfront.

We are covering only Condominiums.

Prediction # 1: Days on Market will decrease in 2010 to an average of 80 Days on Market to Sell.

Prediction # 2:  Nominal "average" sale prices will increase by 4% to 5% in the neighborhoods mentioned above. However, real prices will be flat as we expect the Urban Northeast CPI to increase to just under 5%. With this, actual appreciation will be flat.

Prediction # 3: There are about five luxury condo developments in the neighborhoods covered above. These projects will either become rentals and the larger, higher price point units will sell at significant discounts, if developers and the corresponding lenders want to unload product. Look for "original" pro forma sales prices that were $1000 to $1200 per square foot, to sell for $700-850 per square foot. In fact, there will be significant price declines in the luxury full service buildings with "a lot of product." Prices in brownstone properties and boutique full service buildings (inelastic product) should increase in the high single digits due to buyer demand.

Prediction # 4: The healthiest segment in the marketplace will be Back Bay and South End "brownstone" condominiums priced from $400-700K. These properties could have double digit price increases in 2010.

Prediction # 5: Driving the pricing stability will be the fact that mortgage interest rates should remain relatively flat this year in 2010.

Prediction # 6: Look for more purchases from international buyers and investors looking to hedge future inflation risk with purchasing top quality Boston Condo Product.

Read the detailed explanations below and Graph:
Volume of unit sales peaked in 2007 with 1,512 sales. There were 1,160 sales in 2009. To place volume of unit sales in perspective, in 2003 there were only 779 sales, while the volume of unit sales in 2004, matched the volume of 2009. What does this mean? There remains a heavy demand for condo product type in the target neighborhoods and the market remains very fluid. Days on market "DOM" increased from 2005, but with an average in 2009 of just over 100 "DOM", the Boston Condo Market remains highly liquid and vibrant.



I am the Founder and Principal of Boston Realty Advisors. Please check in weekly to review my blog entries. I value client/reader feedback! Also, please email in questions and discussion topics.