Blog Archives

Homebuyers: Need offensive & defensive game plans or occasional coaching?

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Thinking about buying a home in 2019? Yes, it’s pre-season — but got a game plan? Last night’s Super Bowl victory was also a lesson in the importance of systems or game plans. The offense and defense both have game plans,…

Posted in Buyer agent, commission rebate, Creative class, Defensive Homebuying, DIY Homebuyers, iCovery, IntentCasting, Proactive househunting, Savings & Rebates, Seasonality

Will Pope’s encyclical expand Housing Justice Movement?

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Homeownership rates are falling in Massachusetts and across the nation, and housing is back in newspaper headlines and nationally syndicated talk shows. Here’s one perspective, that knowingly or unknowingly, points to the Pope’s encyclical on the environment and the prospect of a grassroots movement for…

Posted in Affordable housing, Bubble Hour, Great Senior Sell-Off, Housing bubble, Housing Justice, iCovery, Luxury housing, Pope's Encyclical, Price trends, Real Estate Bubble

Is growing inventory a bright spot or was housing recovery a giant blind spot?

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

To see how far winning bids are above or below original asking prices, run your cursor over individual sales in this scatterplot. Each data point shows ($K over or under, as well as %). Too zoom-in, drag a box…

Posted in Bidding wars, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, iCovery, Market trends, Price reductions, Price trends, Real Estate Bubble

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

Housing “iCovery” driven by Interest rates, Investors, Illusion & near Insanity in DC?

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Pointing to a wobbling economy made more vulnerable by political gamesmanship in Washington, today’s Boston.com real estate blog asks, Low interest rates today, tomorrow, forever? “This is big news for home buyers – today’s low interest rates, hovering now at…

Posted in Bubble Hour, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, iCovery, In the News, Real Estate Bubble