Shared spaces (condos with swimming pools, gyms etc), work spaces are no longer in high demand.
Mortgage rates fell to record lows, fueling moves, refinancing, equity projects, etc. (at least for now).
People are buying larger homes to accommodate remote work and school, and many families are taking relatives in or re-introducing college students back into the home. Some are moving back in with their parents to save money, take advantage of built-in child care, or to care for their senior family members.
Hygiene is high on buyers’ radars. Homes with half bath additions for hand washing and more toilets are in huge demand, as everyone is home all day.
The kitchen is king! People want a large pantry space for all the kitchen gadgets, toilet paper, flour, yeast, and Clorox purchased this year. We’ve also noticed more touchless faucets. Even Liz has one!
People are seriously living in their living room. They want strong, fast internet for video calls and schooling. They’re looking for huge TVs for entertainment purposes: games, movies, and streaming services have replaced pub trivia night, theaters, and binge-watching parties.
Whether it’s a balcony or a backyard, homeowners are taking advantage of their outside areas. They’re adding patios, planting gardens, buying fire pits, and socializing outdoors. A yard isn’t just a pretty place anymore; it allows us to visit safely with friends and family. And it’s taught us that we’re tougher than we think! How many of you got together with others outside on a chilly February night, just so you could stop having conversations with random household objects? Yep, us too.
The housing market feels the effects of a government shutdown in many different ways. Verifications, loan approvals, and closings can take longer, and in some cases, get put on hold entirely.
Recently Massachusetts has taken action to protect tenants from hidden fees as well as to clarify how fees are paid to real estate agents assisting both tenants and landlords. Together, these reforms aim to make the rental process more transparent and fair. Local communities are also taking a closer look at how short-term rentals (STRs) work—and don’t—when many are not properly registered.
As housing affordability continues to challenge our local communities, we find it encouraging to see legislative steps that prioritize affordability, flexibility, and access, like Massachusetts’s Affordable Homes Act, signed into law last year by Governor Maura Healey. One of the changes we find most intriguing is the expanded ability to build Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs. These are small residential living spaces located on the same lot as another home, either within an existing primary residence, like converting a basement into an apartment, attached to a primary residence as a new construction addition, or completely detached, like a cottage or converted detached garage in a backyard.”
With their complementary communication styles, responsiveness, competence, and ability to truly listen, Ellie and Liz enable their clients to feel at ease throughout any real estate transaction. They would welcome the opportunity to be your next real estate advisors.
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1100 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138
