Accent Insights Avi Kaufman & Ron Scharf

Interest rates continue their recovery, with rates in the 5-6% range, and we're seeing buyers out in force. There don't seem to be many houses for sale right now though.

Also, we discuss three just listed single family homes in Brookline, and predict which one we expect to sell.

FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122

Will overflowing demand for housing continue to protect the Brookline/Newton/Greater Boston market? It may be a New Year, but continued housing shortages may continue to prop up home prices.

Despite what we've been reading in national news of a slowing market, the real estate market here seems to be following our typical seasonal trends. Buyers are still buying and sellers still selling. We examine the numbers and discuss a few new listings we visited this week and what they may portend.

FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122

You've seen the national headlines: interest rates are up, the housing market is slowing, and inventory is growing.

What's happening here, in Brookline and Greater Boston? It's not a single story. In this episode we go through the numbers, discuss several specific examples that fall into different scenarios, and strategy for this new environment.

FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122

Fascinating interview with Jeff Wachter, co-founder of Brookline for Everyone (http://www.brooklineforeveryone.com/), a grassroots organization that advocates for housing policies that promote economic diversity, racial inclusion, and environmental sustainability in our town.

Jeff Wachter (he/him) lives in Brookline Village with his wife and 3 children (one in 2nd grade at Pierce, one excited to start Pierce in the Fall, and a newborn). He has a Master’s in history, focusing on 20th century American cities, previously worked as an urban policy researcher, and currently works in finance and operations at a commercial real estate company. His academic and independent research have continually shown the inequity inherent in our urban land use policies, leading to his interest in using zoning reform and housing policy as a tool to address some of the structural challenges Brookline and the Boston metro area face today. Formerly served Precinct 11 as a Town Meeting Member, and now resides in Precinct 7.

FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122

Interest rates are rising, stock market is falling. What's that mean for the real estate housing market in Brookline and Greater Boston?

First, we examine some leading indicators in the stats.

Then we discuss a number of new listings and "price improved" listings.

47 Kenwood St, Brookline, MA 02446
87 Coolidge St, Brookline, MA 02446
114 Sewall Ave Unit 2, Brookline, MA 02446
55 Addington Rd Unit 1, , Brookline, MA 02446
116 University Rd Unit 2, Brookline, MA 02445
62 Pleasant St Unit 3, Brookline, MA 02445

FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122

Mike Yanovitch is the former Deputy Building Commissioner of Brookline. This was a fascinating interview and Mike gives it to us straight, pulling the curtain back on how permitting and zoning work.

Topics discussed include:
- Why is Brookline zoning so complex? Does that inhibit building?
- We ask about how the building department works. What's the best way to get feedback on plans, for example to build an addition?
- Where is the institutional knowledge when there is turnover in the building inspectors?
- How much of the code is open to interpretation?
- Is it harder to receive permits now than in the past? Why are codes being interpreted more stringently now?
- How does the town meeting style of government contribute to the complexity and difficulty of zoning?
- What are some of the unintended consequences of this complexity?
- How could we make it easier to build?

In addition to having worked in the Brookline Building Department, Mike has also served in similar roles in Boston, Newton and Walpole. Now he is now in the private sector with Mass Construction Consultants (https://massconstruction.org/), a community where professionals in the construction industry can learn, share, and become better at what they do. Mass Construction Consultants provide corporate education, code consulting, permitting services, marketing consultations, and NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plans & Audits.

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FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com
** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com **
AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com
RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122