The Right Marketing Mix

I was just reading a report on Real Estate Tech Trends. It contains lots of interesting information but I thought the following graph was particularly important. It shows the different aspects of the Real Estate marketing mix that consumers find the most useful. Top of the list is photos followed closely by detailed property information.

This got me thinking – how does the MA Properties Online approach to online marketing match up to “what buyers like”? Turns out very closely indeed.

Here’s the property website that we produce for all homes we market irrespective of price. The top part of the page shows information on the property including photos, a video based virtual tour and detailed information on the property.

The lower part of the page details information on the property surroundings including interactive maps of public transport, town schools and neighborhood Walk Score Information. In addition, the floor plan, plot plan and any property disclosures finish the detailed property information.

The final piece on the property website is detailed statistical information – this is on the “what buyers want” list as “comps”, experience shows that the comprehensive information we provide gives prospective buyers information on how the real estate market is performing in a range of potential towns and gives then confidence when making an offer on a property.

A wealth of information for over 40 towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Concord Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Concord real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Concord as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Andover Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Andover real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Andover as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Westford Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Westford real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Westford as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Bedford Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Bedford real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Bedford as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Belmont Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Belmont real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Belmont as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Winchester Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Winchester real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Winchester as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Arlington Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Arlington real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Arlington as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Lexington Statistics – November 2014

The current months statistics for the Lexington real estate market are shown below.

Inventory Levels

If an inventory level graph shows seasonal fluctuations then we know that the market is ‘healthy’ and showing normal activity. If seasonal fluctuations are not obvious then what we are seeing is an ‘unhealthy’ market where foreclosures and short sales have cluttered and hidden the normal trends of the market. Price trends can be learnt from inventory level data – in a ‘healthy’ market with demand greater than supply, prices tend to move up. In an ‘unhealthy’ market where supply far outstrips demand then the trend on prices is down. This follows the normal Supply and Demand market dynamics.

Absorption Rates

Absorption rates can be described as the number of months needed to sell the available inventory at the rate of sales experienced in the previous 12 months IF no additional properties were listing during that time.

So, given the ‘normal’ rate of sales that have occurred over the previous 12 months, and given the number of homes on the market currently, how many months it would take to sell everything that is currently available is known as the absorption rate. We generally say that anything below 7 months supply is ‘healthy’. The absorption rate can be a general rate for a town, for instance, for all single family homes in that town, or it can be more specific and related to price ranges.

Sold/Original Price Ratios

By reviewing the sold to original list price ratio you can get a very good understanding of the health of the real estate market in a town, and the cyclical nature of sales in the town. The number of homes sold, along with the average percentage of the original list price to sales price data, gives you a snapshot over the last 12 months of important data related to the real estate market in a town. It is important to note that the reported data is approximately 6-8 weeks behind the actual event of the home going under agreement.

Historic Homes Prices

The blue bars represent the average price in the year referenced, the green bars reflect the average home price for each month of the current year. When reviewing this data it is important to note the impact that the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit had on the data for 2009 and 2010. In towns where the average home price is significantly more than the approximate home price of a first time home buyer then the impact is quite marked due to the increase in First Time Home Buyer activity, whereas in towns where the average home sale price is close to that of the approximate price of a home for a First time Home Buyer we don’t see too much of an impact that the increase in home sales due to First Time Home Buyers has had to the overall average for the town.

Homes Sales

A wealth of information about Lexington as well as over 40 other towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website http://www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Newsweek Top High Schools 2014

Newsweek magazine recently published a ranking of the U.S. Top High Schools. Whilst there are many such rankings, including a frequently cited one in Boston Magazine (focusing on the greater Boston area) the Newsweek one is interesting because it allows us to see how Massachusetts compares to the rest of the country. Only 6 of the 50 states had more than 5 schools in the top 100 as this graphic shows.

Lexington High School performed the best out of the Massachusetts schools!

When we focus on MA the top schools and their rank was.

Rank	School	Town
19	Lexington HS	Lexington
28	Boston Latin School	Boston
35	Westborough High	Westborough
82	Weston High	Weston
86	Groton Dunstable Regional HS	Groton/Dunstable
94	Concord Carlisle Regional HS	Concord/Carlisle

This ranking goes some way to explain the strong housing market we see in the towns on this list.

A wealth of information including school information provided by Great Schools for over 40 towns (and a lot more information on buying/selling) can be found on our website www.mapropertiesonline.com (or if you’re on your smartphone – mobile.mapropertiesonline.com) and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.