Infographics

The 10 Biggest Challenges Facing Homebuilding in 2015

Significant challenges remain on the homebuilding front, according to new NAHB research “Booming” is a word that has not been associated with Boston’s housing market, but no other adjective is more appropriate for the market’s new construction sector, where spending

The 10 Most Unaffordable Neighborhoods in Boston

Where in Boston are housing costs the highest? Boston has the nation’s third most expensive rental market, according to a new study by Zumper, a new tech firm that studies housing trends in the rental sphere. With an average

3 Shocking Ways That Inequality is Harming Housing

A new Zillow analysis shows in stark terms just how damaging inequality is for housing’s future. Call it “The Great Housing Divide.” Although homeownership – on the strength of record-low mortgage rates – remains incredibly affordable, rising levels of

Non-Homeowners Show No Signs of Jumping on Buying Bandwagon

We keep hearing that many consumers are ready to enter the homebuying fray, but new analysis casts doubt on that sentiment. Fewer and fewer Americans are planning on purchasing a home, according to a new survey from Gallup. Gallup’s

Will Boston’s Booming New Construction Market Solve Inventory Problems?

This year is shaping up to be a transformative one for new construction in Boston. This year is shaping up to be hugely productive for new construction in Boston – will it be the long-awaied antidote, though, to the market’s

Americans See Real Estate as Best Long-Term Investment

Housing may have taken a beating during the downturn, but its reputation has recovered marvelously in the public’s eye. Americans consider real estate as their best long-term investment, according to a new survey by Gallup. That’s the second year

No, Renters are Not Buying Homes Anytime Soon

All the evidence suggests that renters are not rushing to the homebuying sphere. It would seem to be a perfect environment for homebuying. Not only are rents rising by considerable amounts, but relative to the costs of homebuying, it currently

Are We Underestimating the Student Loan Problem?

Student loan debt may be an even bigger problem than we initially thought. Here’s an eye-opening statistic – 31.5 percent of Americans who are paying down their student debt are at least a month behind on their payments. That

Boston Time on Market Falls in 2015

The Boston market is only growing more competitive. Boston has a reputation as a progressive, fast-moving city, and that case is only bolstered by the rate at which homes sell in 2015, according to a new study by Trulia. Per

Are Boston Home Sellers Undervaluing Their Properties?

We may think we have a firm grasp of our market’s value, but new research suggests that’s not the case. Boston homeowners undervalue their listings by 2.04 percent, at least compared to what certified appraisers judge as the value of the

No, Boston is Not Facing Another Housing Bubble

Boston’s recent housing developments have some screaming “bubble!”, but the facts do not match the fears. The economic downturn of 2008 introduced us to many terms – “quantitative easing” and “credit default swaps” are two of the most obtuse examples –

The Top 5 Reasons People Buy Homes

Many people buy houses, but what are the specific reasons for those purchases? The answers may surprise you. Why did American consumers purchase homes in 2014? And how did those reasons differ generation to generation? In our continuing coverage

It Takes Just 3.4 Years to Break Even on a Boston House – With Big Conditions

It takes a very short amount of time to break even on a house nationwide, but such privileges come with significant conditions. It takes just 3.4 years to break-even on a mortgage in Boston, meaning the point at which the total

5 Troubling Signs of Consumer Uncertainty in Housing and the Economy

Despite recent improvements, there remain considerable uncertainties for consumers when it comes to housing and the economy. Everywhere you look, nowadays, there seems to be a new study or report proclaiming good news about both housing and the greater

2 Charts That Explain Boston’s Affordability Crisis

Boston’s issues with housing affordability are well known, but the following charts are still eye opening. We’ve been reporting on Boston’s housing affordability crisis with fair regularity, and for good reason – the higher Boston’s home prices soar, the

Home Price Growth Far Outpacing Wage Growth in Boston

Sure, home prices are rising, but is that really a good thing, other economic indicators considering? Home prices have grown faster than wages in 76 percent of U.S. housing markets in the last two years, and Boston – where home

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