There are many reasons to be confident that this market will fare better than most due primarily to Boston's real estate owner occupancy rate currently hovering at ±75%! It is also quite evident based solely on the most recent Sales Data that Downtown Boston's property values have remained relatively stable over the course of the past few years years...please review the quarterly and yearly summaries! Fortunately, to date there have been absolutely no increase in foreclosure rates and Sub-prime is really not a factor in Downtown Boston's Real Estate Market! Unless the sales data begin to prove otherwise or job losses are effected in any significance, buyers' motivation will most likely continue to fuel a strong real estate market reflecting signs of significant pent-up demand for well-priced properties in all neighborhoods!

Unlike the stock market, "real estate is local" and this market is still one of the most solvent in the nation! With all things considered, Boston's real estate market has fared much better than most and is surely on its way to becoming the next international city on the east coast. In addition, Boston is truly a twenty-first century city with a strong and diverse economy to support itself including one of the top five or six international financial communities and it's world renowned academic and medical facilities. Corporations from all over the world have been relocating their employees throughout the downtown area for the past decade. Recently, Boston has undoubtedly benefited from the Central Artery Project (commonly known as The Big Dig) adding to the city's infrastructure and enhancing it's accessibility and beauty ±75% federally subsidized. It should not be surprising that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes that Boston is still one of the three most expensive urban markets, and continues to be one of the most stable real estate markets in the country in which to purchase real estate!

Today's real estate market is also protect from unregulated real estate transactions with stringent guidelines implemented by  the Fannie Mae and FreddieMac.com Foundations not present in the late 80's mortgage market. We may not continue to see ±10-15% property value increases per year, but keep in mind that Boston is a very small city with limited inventory protected by an extremely well entrenched historical society and is one of the most popular urban markets in the nation. In addition, most economists are predicting that New England will faire better than most, and so far Boston has done just that! With real estate transactions representing over ±30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is quite obvious that this economy rests heavily upon the countries willingness and ability to maintaining this market! Again, the laws of supply and demand could not be more clearly outlined!

Conversely, the debacle of the late 1980s was unfortunately fueled by speculation with Boston's occupancy rate at an all time low of ±60/40 heavily laden with "investors" versus "homeowners"! In addition, mortgage lenders in the 1980's were allowed to offer these same investors little or no cash down financing, appraisals were not required and the validity of the Purchase and Sales Agreements were not verified. Many transactions went unregulated with falsified documents and inflated cash down payments. When the real estate market crashed in 1988, these same investors bailed out of the market, allowing their units to be foreclosed upon by numerous lien holders. Unfortunately, these foreclosure numbers became the most recent "comparable sales figures", leaving the homeowners in a very precarious situation with devalued properties.The first thing to be sacrificed in a downward spiraling economy is speculative real estate investments.In the condominium market, this surely had a major impact on the City of Boston's real estate values. Ask any financial advisor, tax accountant or lending institution, the last thing people walk away from is their primary home mortgage!

There have been many changes to the guidelines of the Federal Government's FannieMae.com and FreddieMac.com  Foundations, which you should be aware of! Most of these changes have been do to the negative effects of the "sub-prime" mortgage lending. Fortunately however, this type of lending has not been prevalent in Boston's real estate market of any significance! Most economists, accountants, financial advisors and analysts believe that provided you live in a stable real estate market like Boston, the safest place for anyone's money right now is still in their primary residence!

I generally recommend pricing aggressively yet realistically with a predetermined plan that fits both your time frame and preferences with a price that doesn't "leave money on the table” nor put us "out of the ballpark"! I truly believe that to be successful in this market, it is crucial to have an aggressive yet competitive price accompanied with an experienced closer who will position your property to attract the buyer who will pay the highest possible selling price!

Although some may think this is a buyer's market, I have been in the business long enough to know that depending upon how well a property is priced, the competition will either help sell your property; or your property will help sell the competition! If you will also need to purchase a replacement home, remember that real estate prices are relative provided you negotiate a financially lateral transaction. The opposite applies to your new purchase and there could be no better time than the present to find a real deal with a seriously motivated seller who's property is either priced attractively or has been appropriately reduced...and hold steadfast to the adage "location, location, location!

An experienced seller's agent can represent your best interests; navigating to avoid many of the possible pitfalls that you may experience in your pursuit to sell real estate! If we position ourselves properly so that we have the vast majority of the spring or fall market on our side, how aggressive you choose to price your home should be based primarily on your time frame. Representing sellers since 1995 specializing in Downtown Boston's Historic Neighborhoods, I provide experience, expertise, and a willingness to do what it takes to deliver in all circumstances! Please review my Valued Client Service Program with Your Choice Either 3, 4 or 5% Commission!

Is this a buyer's market? I have been in this business long enough to know that prices are ultimately dictated by "how much the market will bare" which is always based simply upon the current level of market activity and the particular seller's motivation. In this market, I highly recommend that you focus on new inventory that has been priced attractively and/or properties that have been appropriately reduced...and hold steadfast to the adage "location, location, location! If we position ourselves properly we should be able to secure an offer that will satisfy your needs and one that will consummate at the true market value or less...and if there ever was a time to find a "deal" there could be no better time than the present if you can identify a property that is also listed for sale by a seriously motivated seller!

In addition, capturing the current interest rates is the balancing act that only you can answer? I believe that now is a truly a great time to BUY because the current mortgage rates are still at all time historic lows: (see the average mortgage rates compiled from FreddieMac.com). If mortgage rates rise over the next few months your borrowing power may be diminished. If you will also need to sell your current home, remember that real estate prices are relative provided you negotiate a financially lateral transaction!

An experienced buyer's agent can represent your best interests; navigating to avoid many of the pitfalls that you may experience in your pursuit to purchase real estate! Representing buyers since 1995 specializing in  Downtown Boston's Historic Neighborhoods, I provide the experience, expertise, honesty and a willingness to do what it takes in all circumstances. Please review my Valued Client Service Program and Receive A 20% Cash Bonus!

"No one in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX®!" With more than 125,000 Sales Associates in more than 6,500 offices worldwide, RE/MAX is the world's largest Real Estate Company! I have been representing sellers and buyers since 1995 specializing in Downtown Boston's Historic Neighborhoods with the proven experience of closing ±300 properties totaling over a quarter of a billion dollars! Over the past several years more than ±95% of my business has been from existing clients and the referrals of their friends, relatives, neighbors and business associates. This allows me to focus 100% of my energies on your property and not spend my time looking for new business. I am also a Realtor®" and have been a member of The National Association of Realtors NAR, The Massachusetts Association of Realtors MAR and The Greater Boston Real Estate Board GBREB since 1995!

The most significant benefit that I offer as a RE/MAX agent is the lack of Dual Agency Disclosure which is very much an issue you should be aware of in this market. With RE/MAX "each office is independently owned and operated" as franchises throughout Boston's historic neighborhoods affording me the ability to truly represent your best interests in almost all instances. In my humble opinion, Dual Agency is without a doubt an irreconcilable conflict of interest for the vast majority of sellers and buyers!

I am also proud to say that with every property I sell, a donation is made to the Children's Miracle Network and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through RE/MAX International. If you are considering selling and/or buying property now or in the future, please feel free to call my cell phone at (617) 283-5044 or email Rich@RichHaen.com to discuss your particular concerns and/or schedule a private consultation. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your trust and your subsequent business.

Children's Miracle Network and RE/MAX are joined by their desire to provide local community hospitals with modern tools and information. Since RE/MAX became the exclusive real estate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network in 1992, RE/MAX Associates have raised nearly $75 million for the cause. Founded in 1983, Children's Miracle Network generates health care funds and awareness programs to benefit children. The nonprofit organization's 170 participating hospitals across North America help 17 million children annually... read more »

With its "RE/MAX Racing for Life®" slogan, RE/MAX is proud to be a co-sponsor of the National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program at Komen Race for the Cure events. Together with its affiliate network, corporate partners and various donors, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested more than $630 million in research, education, screening and treatment since 1982. The foundation is best known for its Race for the Cure events, the world's largest series of 5K runs and fitness walks. Komen estimates that more than 1 million people participated in its 2006 races... read more »