Just when Christmas and New Year's is considered a seasonal low for most real estate locations, it is quite the opposite with Boston real estate.
According to Boston.com, the hardworking real estate brokers across Boston were buzzing to host open houses last week. And why wouldn't they when they are working in what has been considered one of the strongest markets in years. And the reason that the brokers are on the feet is that buyers are also restlessly looking for condos or houses.
Overall, there has been an increase in sales in the Boston areas, not only in units sold but prices have moderately gone up as well. According to Steve Leavey, founding partner of Century 21 Commonwealth, "There are a lot of buyers out there. If you are not in the market, you are not going to get the showings." He also added that the Boston weather is doing the business a good favor. Leavey hosted four open houses last weekend is planning on another one before the year ends.
Besides Century 21 Commonwealth that busy this month, according to Boston.com, LINK Boston has listed 54 open houses across downtown Boston over the last weekend. Moreover, Boston outskirts also saw open houses over the holiday weekend, and it counted the $6.2 million-worth, 8,200 sq ft big property in Weston.
"Keep them up - staging them tends to take some of the soul out of the home," Leavey remarked.
In the days leading to Christmas, Boston.com reports that Peter DelRose of Re/Max Leading Edge in Watertown sold a two-family home each belonging to the $600,000 range. "We are certainly trying to expose all the buyers still out there this time of year," DelRose announced.
In this time of the year there are also conflicting opinions on open houses. For oneVander Stoep, a director on the boards for the Greater Boston Real Estate believes, as stated in his email to the publication, "I personally hold off on open houses during the holidays. There's no harm in holding one but you certainly can't expect a lot of traffic."
Of course, Steve Leavey believed otherwise and adds that it's the quality of foot traffic in open houses that count, not the amount. He believes that the people who come to those holiday open houses tend to be more serious buyers.
