Are Home Appraisals Coming in Below Sale Price in Massachusetts? (2026 Update) If you’ve been following the Massachusetts real estate market, you’ve probably heard the question: “Are homes still appraising at the contract price?” The short answer:Sometimes—but it’s not widespread. The longer answer

Mortgage Rates Are Rising Again—But Here’s What Buyers Need to Know Right Now After dipping below 6% not long ago, mortgage rates have started creeping back up—and naturally, that’s getting buyers a little uneasy. But here’s the bigger picture:Even with the recent uptick, today’s rates are still low

 Massachusetts North Shore Housing Market for Sellers: What’s Really Happening Right Now If you’re thinking about selling on the North Shore—whether in Beverly, Salem, Danvers, Peabody, or nearby towns—you’ve probably heard mixed messages: “The market is slowing down” “Prices are still high” “Buyers

Why Massachusetts’ Proposed 2026 Rent Control Ballot Initiative Could Harm Both Renters and Housing Providers Understanding Initiative Petition 25-21 The debate over housing affordability in Massachusetts has intensified in recent years, particularly in high-demand cities such as Boston, Cambridge,

Understanding Why Buyers Paused During High Mortgage Rate Cycles When mortgage rates climbed rapidly over the past few years, the housing market experienced something unusual: a large number of potential home buyers simply hit the pause button. Instead of continuing their home search, many household

Quick answer: As of March 2, 2026, the primary residence capital gains exclusion has not been increased. The limits remain $250,000 (single) and $500,000 (married filing jointly) under federal law. Proposals supported by groups like NAR have been discussed, but no bill has become law yet, so there i

  SALEM, MA 2025–2026 MARKET SNAPSHOT Salem’s local market data is a key part of deciding whether to list in 2026. 🔹 Median home values in Salem have been around $590k–$600k, showing slight year-over-year gains — not explosive increases, but stability. 🔹 Inventory levels vary by neighborhood: Sout

The North Shore Real Estate Landscape: Where We Stand Today As we approached the 3rd moth of 2026, we find ourselves at a defining moment in the North Shore Massachusetts real estate market. Over the past several years, the region has experienced remarkable price appreciation, constrained housing in

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Massachusetts in Spring 2026, you’re already ahead of the curve. Spring is traditionally the strongest season for buyer demand — but the market continues to evolve with interest rates, inventory levels, and buyer behavior. Here are the top 10 questions M

❄️ How Snow and Extreme Cold Weather Affect the Real Estate Market in Massachusetts Winter in Massachusetts is not for the faint of heart. Between Nor’easters, subzero wind chills, icy roads, and heavy snowfall, cold weather can have a major impact on real estate activity across the state — especial

🏡 2026 Real Estate Outlook: What Buyers, Sellers & Investors Should Know A practical look at national 2026 housing trends—with a focused lens on Massachusetts, where inventory, affordability, and job-driven demand keep the market behaving like its own micro-economy. As we step into 2026, housing ma

With a $700,000 single-family budget in Essex County, the “best value” pockets right now tend to be places where you’re buying into (1) solid schools, (2) a real commute option (train/Route 128/93 access), and (3) towns that aren’t the priciest on the North Shore, but still ride the same long-term d

  The 3% Mortgage Problem: Why So Many Massachusetts Homeowners Are Still Stuck—And What Their Real Options Are in 2026 By Jim Armstrong • ALUXETY Real Estate & Armstrong Field Group If you’re a homeowner on the North Shore or anywhere in Massachusetts, chances are you’re still holding onto a 2–3% m

Why Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop Could Cost You More Than You Think It’s tempting to think, “I’ll just wait until mortgage rates go down before I buy a home.” On the surface, it seems logical — who wouldn’t want a lower monthly payment? But when you dig deeper, waiting for that perfect rate co

What Is Going to Happen with the Housing Market in 2026? (North Shore, Massachusetts) If you’ve been watching the North Shore market—Beverly, Salem, Danvers, Peabody, Marblehead, Gloucester, and friends—you’ve seen a stubborn mix of low inventory, sticky prices, and buyers waiting for rates to break

Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year In 2025, a noticeable shift has emerged in the the homebuying landscape: a growing share of buyers are opting for new construction over resale homes. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a move-up buyer, or someone downsizing, there are compell

Why October 2025 Is a Smart Time to Buy a Home in Massachusetts If you’re considering buying a home in Massachusetts in 2025, October might be your best window. The fall season brings a confluence of market trends, seasonal behavior, and regional dynamics that favor buyers—especially this year. Belo

  Coffee & Real Estate: A Perfect Blend ☕🏡 Today is International Coffee Day, and as someone who lives on equal parts coffee and real estate, I couldn’t help but notice how much these two worlds overlap. That First Sip, That First Impression Just like that first sip of morning coffee can set the to

Here are five Beverly, MA neighborhoods that typically deliver strong value around $700,000, weighing schools, commute, safety, and long-term upside. I’ll give you the “why,” the best buyer fits, and any watch-outs—plus sources so you can sanity-check the claims. 1) Ryal Side Why it’s a good value:

1. Local Real Estate Climate: Still a Strong Seller’s Market On the North Shore, the real estate market remains highly favorable for sellers. In May 2025, single-family home inventory was down significantly, with median sale prices rising nearly 6% year-over-year. Pending sales also climbed about 10