WHAT A RISING MEDIAN HOME PRICE MEANS TO BUYERS The nation's median home price is up to $236,400 according to the National Association of Realtors. That's “6.5% above the year-ago price and above the peak price set in July 2006,” said USA Today. And whether that seems like a bargain or a bust depends…

BUYER'S ADVICE: DON'T WAIT FOR A BETTER DEAL Despite a hot economy, mortgage interest rates are near historic lows. Prices are still below where they were nearly 10 years ago. Home values have risen for over five years allowing homeowners to build equity. Unemployment is down to where it was before the recession. Prices are…

GREAT HOME UPDATES YOU CAN DO FOR UNDER $100 A sushi dinner. A Saturday night movie for four (with popcorn). A new pair of Nikes. They'll all cost you about $100. But wouldn't you rather put that money toward something that'll make you smile whenever you walk in the room? Take that 100 bucks and…

Trees May Not Grow Money, but They Do Have Financial Benefits Trees don’t ask for much—dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits: They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills, provide a home to wildlife, and add beauty and value to your home in the form of curb appeal. The…

5 Ways Families Can Ease the Stress of Moving Day Moving is stressful. So stressful, in fact, that mental health experts rank it right up there alongside divorce, death of a loved one, job loss and major illness as one of the most stress-inducing life changes people encounter. Sure, there’s the thrill of a new house,…

Here's what's driving up housing prices Home prices took off in 2012 and went on a tear in 2013. And while the double-digit growth has slowed somewhat, prices are still heading higher. In February, prices rose 4.2% from the year prior, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Index. And some local markets are on fire,…

Zur Attias, Beverly Davis, and Nicole Magun receive new “Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE®)” Designation Zur Attias, Beverly Davis, and Nicole Magun of The Attias Group have been certified as Negotiation Experts (CNE) from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI).  The CNE is earned by real estate professionals after successfully completing formal negotiation training over two days.  Agents who…

A PLAN TO ADD THOUSANDS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ALONG MBTA LINES Thousands of new condos, apartments, and townhomes aimed at middle-class buyers and renters could take shape across Boston along various T lines, under a new plan being floated by city officials. The Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) has filed legislation on Beacon Hill…