“I have an above normal number of pre-approvals for January. I?m starting to see movement in the market. A lot of high-end buyers.”
-Loan Officer, Route 128 Suburbs
“Brookline real estate should receive a spike upwards during the spring market like it always does. It looks like the economy has improved slightly which could also help the confidence of the buyers.”
-Realtor (tn), Brookline
“I see purchases up 40 percent for the year, and refinances down slightly.”
-Loan Officer, Route 128 Suburbs
“With 2011 now behind us, real estate agents and others related to the housing industry are hoping that 2012 will bring a significant improvement to the number of units sold and at least stabilization, if not an increase in the median sales price. 2011 ended with a nice up-tick in sales according to the National Association of Realtors, however, sales remain depressed, as confirmed by several of the realtors I spoke with in the Metrowest and Central Massachusetts areas. Central Mass, in particular, has borne the brunt of the home sales price reductions and sales lag. Unit sales within the Route 128 belt have held up nicely, although many homes have experienced a 5-10 percent appraised value drop, year over year.”
–Loan Officer, Metrowest and Worcester
The overall sentiment is conservatively optimistic, but are these industry insiders overly optimistic or is it finally the best time to buy?