The apartment rental market in Brookline MA is historically one of the strongest in the Greater Boston metro.  It’s primely located minutes from Downtown and local universities, and the quality of the apartment supply is superior to most areas around Boston.  This has kept demand high for Brookline apartments over the past decade, but all that changed in the wake of COVID-19. Soaring Apartment Vacancies in Brookline When remote learning was adopted by local universities, it delivered a devastating blow to the off-campus housing market in Brookline.  In September of last year, the vacancy rate in Brookline ballooned to over 9.01%, a shocking 442% increase in empty apartments compared to September 2019.    From November 2020 to March of this year, the vacancy rate hovered between 5.5% and... 05/25/2021

Brookline, MA -- It may have taken 250 days, but Jonathan Slater found a $3.8 million buyer for the contemporary colonial at 265 Woodland Rd. in Brookline. Mr. Slater is President of Castles Luxury Properties, headquartered in Newton Centre, MA.The property is a recently gut renovated and expanded brick and cedar colonial comprising more than 7,000 of living space on three levels in Chestnut Hill/Brookline built by the promient area builders ARCO, LLC. The listing originally hit the market on November 26, 2016 and the sale closed this past Friday after 250 days (September 25, 2017)."We specialize in luxury residential real estate in Boston and MetroWest, and especially in Broolkine and Newton. This is our sweetspot," notes Mr. Slater who added that he is actively working with numerous o... 09/26/2017

Brookline Luxury Condo Market Prices Drop in September and October: Volume Up, Prices Down for $1+ Million Units   BROOKLINE, MA – Average selling prices for luxury condos and townhouses in Brookline over $1 million declined 4.6% for the combined months of September and October 2016 versus the same period last year. A new study by Jonathan Slater, President of Castles Luxury Properties, indicates that prices for $1+ million units dropped to an average of $1.54 million and $608 per square foot this September and October as compared with $1.61 million and $635 per square foot for the same two months last year. The drop in selling prices per square foot amounted to 3.6%. Other Weaknesses Shown In addition, Slater notes that the average number of “Days to Offer” – the number of days a prop... 11/03/2016

Brookline Real Estate Event for Home Buyers at Rifrullo Cafe MONDAY, JUNE 1ST4:30 PM-6:30 PM  REGISTER TODAY                                                                            RIFRULLO CAFE147 CYPRESS STREETBROOKLINE617-505-6727LIGHT APPETIZERS AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED  LEARN FROM THREE  "SEASONED" REAL ESTATE EXPERTS HOW YOU CAN BUY IN THIS COMPETITIVE SELLER'S MARKET AND WIN  REAL ESTATE EXPERTS,  Beth Shuman, Realtor and Resident representing ReMax Unlimited,Thea Simolari, Senior Loan Officer with Mortgage Network  Ilya Fuchs, Brookline Attorney with Kirzner, Fuchs and Hill will be discussing how to make your dream a reality. One on one consultations will be offered as well.  Knowledge Is  Power in purchasing a home and we will help provide you with the TOOLS, GUIDANCE... 05/26/2015

 Buyer's Event at Rifrullo Cafe, 147 Cypress Street, Brookline, MA  HOW TO BUY IN THIS COMPETITIVE SELLER'S MARKET AND "SUCCEED" SEMINAR   MONDAY, JUNE 1ST4:30 PM- 6:30 PM PLEASE JOIN US AT  RIFRULLO CAFE147 CYPRESS STREETBROOKLINE, MA 4:30PM-6:30PMRSVP Beth ShumanBy May 29th at Bethshumanhomes.com508-397-0001http://rifrullocafe.com/ ASK THE  LOCAL INDUSTRY EXPERTS : Ilya Fuchs, AttorneyKirzner/Fuchs+Hill1674 Beacon StreetBrookline Beth Shuman, SRES, Realtor  and local residentReMax Unlimited420 Harvard StreetBrookline Thea SimolariSenior Mortgage BankerMortgage Network5 Burlington Woods DrBurlington  EVENT TOPICS WILL INCLUDE--How to be a strong buyer and get preapproved-How a buyer's agent will assist you in getting your offer accepted-The process from "A-Z"  from the initial handshak... 05/21/2015

Here on a wonderful Monday afternoon reaching back and saying thanks…thanks for your most recent order….here at SendOutCards….to many of my clients.....   Did you know that less than 1% of all small or medium size businesses do not have an appreciation or follow up system to say thanks for business?  And in the real estate world where it is most necessary folks start and stop; start and stop; start and stop…and they wonder why their business is like a roller coaster regardless of the seasonal ups and downs…..     This above new listing on for $1.5 million dollars was generated by a box of brownies; a Thank YOU card; and a follow up phone call.  I received the lead from another agent who receives my cards and is now a client….I won the listing over 6 other agents who interviewed for the... 07/14/2014

Brookline MA Condominium Market Update, June 2014 June is an important month for real estate in Brookline MA and in the Boston area in general.  It is a heavy month for closings, and closings show us where the market has been in previous months.   Between the time of the offer and the time of the closing, there are typically 3-9 weeks, June closings are typically the result of offers made during March, April and May.  The statistics we gather at the end of this month are the definive reflection of the past Spring market in local real estate. Brookline Condo Market Tight, Prices Up The number of sales have gone down from the June the previous year, but prices increased.  Sales closing in June 2014 sold on average for 15% more than in Jun 2013, and 25% more than in June 2012.  Below you w... 07/13/2014

Real Estate Market Report South Brookline, MA 02446 May 2014 South Brookline, MA (02446) Real Estate is still in a seller's market.  This will continue for remainder of 2014 due to lack of available housing and low interest rates.  Like all the real estate market in Boston area suburbs.  If you find the ideal home for you, be prepared to write an offer quickly or accept the possibility you will lose the home to another buyer. Buyers and investors who have are serious about the Real Estate Market in South Brookline, MA  in May 2014  should now have enough facts to get them started on their real estate journey in this community. Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed Understanding the difference between "listing prices" (what sellers are asking for) and "sold prices" (what buyers are willing to ... 06/01/2014

Real Estate Market Report Brookline, MA 02445 May 2014 Brookline, MA (02445) Real Estate is still in a seller's market.  This will continue for remainder of 2014 due to lack of available housing and low interest rates.  Like all the real estate market in Boston area suburbs.  If you find the ideal home for you, be prepared to write an offer quickly or accept the possibility you will lose the home to another buyer. Buyers and investors who have are serious about the Real Estate Market in Brookline, MA  in May 2014  should now have enough facts to get them started on their real estate journey in this community. Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed Understanding the difference between "listing prices" (what sellers are asking for) and "sold prices" (what buyers are willing to pay).  By comparin... 06/01/2014

BURLINGTON Real Estate - Single Family Homes Week Of April 28th, 2014 Here is a snapshot of real estate market for single family homes in BURLINGTON, MA for the week of  April 28th, 2014. (Source: AltosResearch)   For Week of April 28th, 2014 Median Price $499,900 Average List Price $524,609 Average Days on Market 44 Number of Homes On Market 37 Median House Size 1,978 sq ft. Market Action Index 42.2 - Seller's Advantage Data provided by ©2012 Altos Research LLC.The Market Action Index answers the question "How's the Market?" by measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory. Index above 30 implies a seller's advantage. Below 30, conditions give the advantage to the buyer.  The median list price in BURLINGTON, MA this week is $499,900. The 37 properties have been ... 05/04/2014

Real Estate Market in South Brookline, MA Buyers and investors who have are serious about the Real Estate Market in South Brookline, MA in April 2014  should now have enough facts to get them started on their real estate journey in this community. The data provided in this report is from Market Insider (MI) published by Market Leader.  MI consolidates data from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales and more.  Whether you are a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.  Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed South Brookline, MA Understanding the difference between "listing prices" (what sellers are asking for) and "sold prices" (what buyers are willing to pay).  By comparing these price trends, you will have a g... 05/04/2014

Real Estate Market in Brookline, MA Buyers and investors who have are serious about the Real Estate Market in Brookline, MA in April 2014  should now have enough facts to get them started on their real estate journey in this community. The data provided in this report is from Market Insider (MI) published by Market Leader.  MI consolidates data from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales and more.  Whether you are a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.  Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed Brookline, MA Understanding the difference between "listing prices" (what sellers are asking for) and "sold prices" (what buyers are willing to pay).  By comparing these price trends, you will have a good idea of where ... 05/04/2014

BURLINGTON Real Estate - Single Family Homes Week Of April 7th, 2014 Here is a snapshot of real estate market for single family homes in BURLINGTON, MA for the week of  April 7th, 2014. (Source: AltosResearch)   For Week of April 7th, 2014 Median Price $527,400 Average List Price $557,669 Average Days on Market 43 Number of Homes On Market 32 Median House Size 2,224 sq ft. Market Action Index 42.5 - Seller's Advantage Data provided by ©2012 Altos Research LLC.The Market Action Index answers the question "How's the Market?" by measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory. Index above 30 implies a seller's advantage. Below 30, conditions give the advantage to the buyer.  The median list price in BURLINGTON, MA this week is $527,400. The 32 properties have been on ... 04/13/2014

Regency Park Condominiums, 1731 Beacon Street in Brookline MA When I lived in Cleveland Circle and worked downtown, I passed 1731 Beacon Street everyday, at least twice.  By car or by T, you can't miss this building, even if you tried.  And I tried. From the outside, I always wondered how someone managed to build such a large condo complex which was so ill suited to the Washington Square landscape.  Well, it happened in 1984, and this fourteen story building 226 condos. Only after I visited the building a few times did I appreciate it.  The lobby is welcoming, with a concierge alwasy ready to help.  Once you enter, you can where the perfectly kept lounge is always populated by neighbors.  The lounge at Regency Park has been recently renovated, and has a large glass windows and a door op... 04/03/2014

The Brookline MA single family home market is fairly small, with only 39 houses available today.  A smal market is subject to big changes, as every sale changes the averages. The house price range from roughly $800,000 for a small house on a small lot in Chestnut Hill, to large mansions price into the tens-of-millions around the Reseroir.  It is a luxury market, even when the houses are not very luxurious. Click on the link to view all houses for sale in Brookline MA. So, where is the market currently, and where is it going in 2014?  Below find an analysis focuses on the driving force behind the wide range of  house prices, and what is most valued in Brookline MA real estate. 03/17/2014

Do You Prefer an Offer at Asking or Over-Asking? Sounds like a dumb question, I know.  Picture this: You are a listing agent in a hot seller's market, with a listing you know has great demand.  You host a busy open house, and then the offers start to come in.  How do you react when you receive them? You are probably disappointed when an offer is well below asking.  You are probably happy when the offer is at, or around asking.   What about over asking? Substantially over asking? So, here you are with an offer, say, 15-20% over asking.  Most agents respond with elation, proud of themselves of fetching their clients such a great asking price, exceeding expectations. Elation and pride would be common and understandable reactions.   In doing some research for a client on recent condo sales ... 03/03/2014

Home Buyer Advice Videos Home buyers are often confused about the agency relationship in Massachusetts.  The questions which often arise is, Who represents me, and who represents the seller? To whom is it okay to say what? Who pays for the buyer agent's compensation? The confusion sometimes translates into a reluctance by buyers to sign buyer agency agreement, due to the concern of owing a commission in excess of the home price. Most likely, at least in the Boston Area, this is not the case.  There are exceptions and I review them with you, and the issues you need to consider, in the first video.   The next video reminds home buyers the agency relationship and fiduciary obligations of the agent they meet at open houses.  Buyers often give these agents too much information, despite the o... 02/16/2014

Condo Market Report for Brookline MA, January 2014 Trends in the Brookline MA condominium market analysis and forecast, with a special focus on Coolidge Corner condos for sale.   Condo Market Report for Brookline MA, January 2014 from Ruth Lerner 01/25/2014

Just running some numbers from MLSPIN for the Q4 2013 Brookline condo market - looking from Q1 2013 to Q4 2013, prices are up 22%     01/21/2014

Bait and Switch Practice by Home Buyers Common in Brookline MA Last year was an incredeble year to be a home seller in Brooklin MA.  Multiple offers and buyers paying over asking were commonplace.  The most obvious reason for the tight seller's market was the low inventory, in both condos and single family houses. Sounds rosey for the sellers.  In the meantime, buyers were getting slammed out there.  Losing on opportunities, having to pay and pay, and taking on much of the transaction risk. Many buyers, though, who could afford to take on some risk, found a way to get some leverage over the seller while blowing the competing buyers away.  They waived mortgage contingency. Waiving mortgage contingenc is obvious when you have cash, and we saw a lot of cash in 2013. Buyers who had cash mad... 01/06/2014