Blog Archives

Defensive homebuying in 2017: Can you future proof homebuying decisions?

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

As 2016 comes to a close, there is an uptick of activity on BostonBubble, a forum for homebuyers in Greater Boston that dates back to 2005. A self-described “lowly renter” is asking advice about homebuying in the New Year because…

Posted in #REonTap, Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Defensive Homebuying, Great Senior Sell-Off, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, Real Estate Bubble, Seasonality, Timing the market

Who will put savings back into buyer agency?

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

My assumption is that many buyer agents who take fiduciary duties seriously have worked with buyers willing to pay over asking price because they believe rising prices will offset their leap of faith. In 1988, Nobel prize winning economist Robert…

Posted in Bidding wars, Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Defensive Homebuying, Dual Agency Detective, Great Senior Sell-Off, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, Real Estate Bubble, Savings & Rebates, Seasonality, Timing the market

WARNING Homebuyers: Will feeling blue morph into feeling misled?

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Rising prices and games real estate agents play have Home buyers feeling blue, according to recent national surveys. Thankfully, Boston.com’s blog post this morning provided stats from Zillow and Redfin, even if it’s a bit confusing to compare and…

Posted in Bidding wars, Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Dual Agency Detective, Housing forecasts, iCovery, Real Estate Bubble, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance

Buy before rates rise or wait, hoping prices fall? Thank you for arguing

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

A recent post in the WSJ says there are good reasons to argue there will be a BEAR housing market or a BULL market in 2014. So it’s no surprise there’s heated debate on Boston.com about what’s hot and what’s…

Posted in Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, Market trends, Price trends, Real Estate Bubble, Seasonality, Timing the market

Pending sale vortex caused by Polar Vortex or other factors?

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

At the beginning of the fourth quarter last night, New England Patriots fans were biting their nails. Their team clung to a 29-22 lead as the Indianapolis Colts threatened a comeback. Like Patriot Nation, home sellers across MA entered the…

Posted in Bidding wars, Bubble Hour, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, Market trends, Price trends, Savings & Rebates, Seasonality, Timing the market

REpiphany: Keep Calm & insist on a REAL buyer agent in 2014

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

This morning, Boston.com’s real estate blog is asking whether 2014 will bring the “Return of the crazy buyer?” It’s a complex discussion, but beyond behavioral economics and predictable irrationality are legal responsibilities to protect individuals and calm the housing market…

Posted in Bidding wars, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Dual Agency Detective, Dump Dual Agency, Housing forecasts, Market trends, Real Estate Consumer Bill of Rights, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance

Real estate predictions 2014: Have sellers already missed the best time to sell?

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Ready to reset your assumptions about where the housing market is headed in 2014 and beyond? Compared to other housing gurus, Mark Hanson looks at trends upside down and backwards; as buyer agents, that’s Real Estate Cafe’s perspective too. So…

Posted in Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Defensive Homebuying, Expired listings, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, Pending sales, Real Estate Bubble, Timing the market, Trend analysis

Double bind: Will soaring rent burdens shrink baby boomer nest eggs / inheritance?

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Referencing the pain some homeowners suffered after the housing bubble, Boston.com’s real estate blog asked Do renters have it tougher? Baby boomers, before you begin family conversations over the Holidays about downsizing or transitioning aging parents, do the math: “More than half…

Posted in Defensive Homebuying, FSBO: For Sale By Owner, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, IntentCasting, Market trends, Real Estate Bubble, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, Trend analysis

Real estate rebels plan Boston Realty Party to document slowdown, plot reforms

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

NEWS FLASH: Thanks to Boston.com’s real estate blogger for validating the off-season price reductions we discovered and picking some transactions out of the data to write his blog post today. Homebuyers, please share this 140 character message via Twitter or…

Posted in Bidding wars, Bubble Hour, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Dual Agency Detective, Housing forecasts, Idea Bar, Pocket Listings, Real Estate Consumer Bill of Rights, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, Seasonality, VRM

Market Psychology: Thanksgiving vs TrustGiving in Real Estate

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Without a doubt, thousands of real estate consumers across MA and millions across the nation are also counting their blessings this Thanksgiving — some grateful that they won bidding wars courtesy of the Fed’s 33% bonus, and others glad they…

Posted in Bidding wars, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, IntentCasting, Market trends, Real Estate Bubble, Trend analysis