As a real estate agent for four decades, I’ve experienced the ups, the downs and all the in-betweens. I’ve seen interest rates as high as 18.5 % and as low as 2.85%. I’ve seen houses sell in both hours and in months.

I have learned a lot over the years. Perhaps one of the most important lessons is, the real estate market is always changing.

The past five years have been no exception. We’ve seen an unprecedented increase in property values, bidding wars, lack of inventory, a seller’s joy of an amazing sale price and a buyer’s excitement of winning the bidding war. No one has a crystal ball, but I have experience on my side and I see signs that change could be coming.

Since mid-May inventory has increased across the board for all styles of housing in the area, days on market are longer and there have been price decreases instead of overbidding. Experience has taught us there are easy things to do to make your home stand out from others which could make your home the exception to the norm. This gives you the opportunity to potentially command a higher price through multiple offers. Our goal is to stay ahead of the changing market by educating you on what works and what doesn’t.

As a seller, you want to be sure you have the opportunity to sell your home quickly and for the best price possible. If you’re a buyer you don’t want to sit on the sidelines waiting for the market to change, but you want to buy a home at a price that makes sense for you. Our goal is to set everyone’s expectations correctly for the current market.

Fortunately, our changes are not extreme because we are surrounded by the best universities and hospitals in the country. The Greater Boston area is flourishing, with massive growth in Hi-tech and Biotech. Our communities offer easy access to the city via public transportation and bikeways.

In a constantly fluctuating real estate market the answer remains the same - the best time to buy or sell a home is when it’s best for you. If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the near future contact us and together we can prepare a plan that works for you.

Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team have been Arlington’s #1 agent and real estate team for more than 30 years – and the reign continues.

Through booms and busts, bidding wars, low inventory and saturated markets, The Home Advantage Team has seen it all. Kind of like that Farmer’s Insurance commercial (We Know a Thing or Two, Because We’ve Seen a Thing or Two). We’ve been there, sold that. There is rarely a home buying or selling situation that we haven’t experienced many times.

With experience comes a deep understanding of the market and a trust that has been built and solidified with clients over time.

And the numbers prove it.

According to MLS data for Arlington, Jan. 1 – May 31, 2019, The Home Advantage Team closed 27 sales, the highest volume in Arlington and more than the next four agents/teams COMBINED.  

It is not luck nor is it coincidence that Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team continue to provide solid results and consistent service at the highest level.

Thinking of buying or selling? Put Your Home In Our Hands and see what we can do for you.

Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team achieved the status as a top 10 real estate team in Greater Boston*!

This is a great accomplishment as Greater Boston has a large field of very competitive and highly accomplished real estate professionals.

The Home Advantage Team has proven time and time again that it delivers premium service and exceptional results for its clients - and the numbers validate our ongoing success.

See how we can help you achieve your real estate dreams.

Contact us today and put your home in our hands.

*According to MLS data 1/1/19-5/31/19.

Boston Magazine recently released their annual look at the area's best-performing real estate agents and teams. Teams who met the criteria of producing $30 million or more for the year ending Dec. 31, 2018, made the list. 

We are proud and honored to be Arlington's #1 real estate team for more than 30 years, and recognized by Boston Magazine as one of Greater Boston's top producing teams!

Whether you are buying, selling or just looking for some sound advice in a competitive real estate market, contact us today and see what we can do for YOU!

info@yourhomeforsale.com, 781-645-0505, www.yourhomeforsale.com 

 

Spring is in full swing and we have a number of new listings across Arlington, Lexington and Malden! Take a look and see what strikes your fancy - then contact us to make your next move! info@yourhomeforsale.com, 781-645-0505.

38 Temple St., Arlington

5 Bed, 2.5 Bath, Listed at: 1,029,000

17 Cottage Ave., Arlington

3 Bed, 2.5 Bath, Listed at: $769,000

154 Brooks Ave., Arlington

2 Bed, 1 Bath, Listed at: $619,000

38 Massachusetts Ave., U:38, Lexington, MA

3 Bed, 1 Bath, Listed at: $429,000

43 Fairlawn St., Oak Grove, Malden

3 Bed, 1 Bath, Listed at: $395,000

Big home, small home, older home, newer home – we value YOUR Arlington home.

One reason why Arlington thrives as one of Greater Boston’s most popular suburbs and is such a great place to live is its diversity.  Everything from the people who live here, to the businesses that serve the community, to the wide range of housing options that brings a unique character to the town.

Explore Arlington neighborhoods from one end of Mass. Ave. to the other and you will see a variety of traditional triple-deckers, mid-century ranches, classic Capes, condos, townhomes, historic homes and some beautiful new homes. We understand that each brings its own style, features attributes from a given era. 

As our saying goes, Put Your Home In Our Hands, and you’ll see that we treat every home and every customer with the utmost respect and care.  

Contact us today.

 

Signs of spring and a busy real estate season are popping up everywhere!

Tulips, daffodils, dogwoods - and Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team for sale signs. There's no denying that spring and the real estate season that comes with it are in full bloom.

While it's still a competitive market, there are signs that inventory levels are picking up. Thinking of making the move to a new home this spring? Contact us today - we have plenty more homes that will be available soon! 781-645-0505, info@yourhomeforsale.com 

 

289 Gray St., Arlington SOLD!                                    18 Bradley Road, Arlington SOLD!

 

 

350 Mystic St., Arlington SOLD!                                 611 Summer St., Arlington SOLD!

 

 

67 Mass. Ave., Arlington SOLD!                                 658 Summer St., Arlington SOLD!

 

 

When you go to Vegas, it’s all about rolling the dice. You’re supposed to give it a shot, maybe you get lucky and come up with snake eyes. Maybe you don’t but that’s the name of the game and you go in with the mindset of taking a chance.

But unlike Vegas, in real estate ‘the house’ doesn’t always win.

The good news is, you can increase your odds of success if you don’t leave it to chance. If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, you have options. You could:

1. Stay put and renovate
2. FSBO (For Sale By Owner)
3. Use your friend’s cousin’s Realtor from out of town
4. Do nothing
5. None of the above

The thing is, there’s nothing wrong with any of these answers.

1. Staying put and renovating might be the best option for you if you love your neighborhood and your kids are in school.
2. For Sale By Owner might work for you if you have a deep knowledge of the real estate process.
3. Your friend’s cousin’s Realtor might be an excellent resource in their area.
4. And not doing anything is fine if the timing is just not right.

But the question is, how do you really know? How do weigh the cost/benefits to know which option is the best for you?

1. Maybe staying put and renovating is going to cost you more than moving, cause more headaches, and you still don’t have everything on your wish list?
2. For Sale By Owner seems like a great way to save on a real estate commission, until you realize you overpriced your home, missed some key contract negotiations and all of a sudden it’s costing more than that 5% commission.
3. Your friend’s cousin’s Realtor is very successful in their town, but may not understand the housing stock, school systems and subtle nuances of the town you want to live in.
4. Doing nothing is fine unless you’re not happy where you are and the situation isn’t going to get better any time soon.

That’s why e) might be the best option of all.

Choosing Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team means taking the guesswork out of the home selling process. If selling your home doesn’t seem like a good idea, we’ll let you know. If renovating is your best option, we have professional contacts to get that kitchen you’ve always wanted. And if you’re just not ready, we’ll be here when you are.

Successfully selling homes in Arlington and the surrounding towns for more than 30 years has nothing to do with luck. Put your home in our hands and don’t leave selling your home to chance. 

We all know that clearing out the clutter and staging your home is an important step in the home selling process. But it can also be one of the most daunting tasks, and what holds a lot of people back.

In this Before & After series, we want to highlight the fact that getting your home ready to sell doesn’t always require a major overhaul. Sometimes you just need a good photographer.

Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team use a professional photographer to help your house shine. If you’ll notice, the ‘Before’ pictures are not all that different from the ‘After’ shots. No big renovations, furniture changes, or even paint changes.

But the lighting and angles of the photos are what make them stand out. Because most people will see your home in an online search first, it’s really important to make a solid first impression.

We have a team of professionals to help you every step of the way – cleaning out, storing, staging, photos, marketing – all the reasons why you want the best team of professionals by your side.

So don’t be daunted by the idea of preparing your home for sale, we’ll work with you to be sure your home looks it’s best, but doesn’t run you through the wringer in the meantime. 

Homebuyers take note! Mortgage rates have taken the biggest weekly drop in nearly a decade!

The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.06 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending March 28, 2019, down from last week when it averaged 4.28 percent, according to Freddie Mac. - CNBC.com

Knowledge is power, and lower mortgage rates means more buying power for your pocketbook.

The spring market is in full swing and we are seeing an uptick in inventory in the Greater Boston area. Contact Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team and we will educate and guide you through the home buying process, give you specific strategies for today’s market, and ensure that you are covered, from initial search through signed P&S (and beyond!).

Not sure what your finances can get you? Contact Allyson Kreycik from Guaranteed Rate for superior service and expert advice on mortgage and lending strategies.

Our team can make your homeownership dream come true!