I am working with a client who has a challenging search. This blended family has children of all ages, some living at home, some just visiting between collegiate adventures. I am trying to rustle up a 4+BD/3+BTH with a minimum of 3000 square feet of living space and a fairly large side or rear yard sufficient for a small swimming pool. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you know the house I’m looking for.

Help me find the right house!

guest blog by: Lillian Swift

A promising fourth quarter of 2011 was a great surprise for the Boston real estate market. Demand is strong in the greater Boston area, thanks in large part to the city’s relatively low unemployment rate of 5.7 percent. There are a number of forecasters in the housing market, who despite total year numbers that weren’t as promising as short term results, believe the Boston real estate market is primed for a stronger year than it has seen in quite a while.

Boston is one of five cities that real estate giant Trulia expects to be hotspots in 2012. The others include New York and Houston, just to name a few. Modest price increases are expected during the year as well as an uptick in new construction. Boston universities and research centers are expected to be a major driver of the rebound in both prices and demand. Educational and employment opportunities are both drawing people to the Boston area. Foreclosures are also expected to decrease a little in 2012 as banks finally get through the backlog of delinquencies.

Boston real estate market is getting stronger.

From November 2010 to November 2011, the vacancy rate for apartments in Boston fell from nearly five percent to 2.7 percent. The increased demand will lead inexorably to higher rents and rents are expected to rise by 10 to 15 percent this year. These increases will be especially noticeable in popular neighborhoods, such as Somerville, Beacon Hill and the Fenway. The higher demand for rental units could drive some in the market towards a home purchase in 2012.

While prices decreased by 2.6 percent year-over-over in the fourth quarter of 2011, they also increased by 9.9 percent compared to third quarter prices. The median sales prices for homes in the Boston metro area for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $560,260. The largest price increases during this quarter were seen in four-bedroom homes, which increased in price by an astounding 92.2 percent year-over-year. The average price for a two-bedroom home also increased and by a more-than-healthy 24.7 percent. One-bedroom homes lagged behind; prices “only” increased by 5.7 percent. Three-bedroom units were the one holdover; prices on these homes fell by 9.9 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Prices are continuing their increase in the New Year. Thus far, prices have risen by 1.1 percent since the last week in December. They have also increased by 2.0 percent when compared to the same week in 2011. All of these signs point to a steadily strengthening real estate market in the Boston area during the winter of 2012. Given some positive trends towards the end of 2011, hopefully the Boston real estate market is primed for a full year of good trends in 2012.

Should Realtors ride bikes to work?

For years I have been daydreaming of how much I would enjoy riding my bike to appointments, showings, etc. My friends and family always say, “yeah why don’t you do that – it would be good for you”. I’m always thwarted when I consider my clients. After all, it’s really about what they think.  So rather than guess, vote. I’d love to read any comments you might have as well. Let’s put this question to bed for once and all! Click on the link below to take the poll please:

http://www.facebook.com/questions/10150580247987904/

And while you’re there, “Like” The Boston Home Team page. Thanks!

My daughter Vitoria and I decided to have an adventure as we often do. We spent far too long looking at Google Maps, scouring Boston Central and The Globe for something interesting to do on a recent sunny day. Then I remembered my friend and fellow Realtor, David Hannon at Prudential recently reminded me about The Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church near the Boston Symphony Hall on Massachusetts Ave. In the 17 plus years I have lived in Jamaica Plain, I have for some unexplained reason, never been there.

Christian Science Mother Church

If you haven’t had the pleasure, I would strongly recommend it. To be frank, it’s a little intimidating. I know the church well as it is quite imposing and impossible to miss as you traverse Mass Ave. I think the lack of adornment, grass, fences or much of anything until you reach the front door helps accentuate the sheer mass of the building.

Our goal was a huge globe in which you are allowed passage through the center! We excitedly marched up to the front door and a man with a beautiful smile and outstretched arm greeted us. He told us there was a service going on but we could take an elevator up and catch the end of it. I was worried he would think I was some wacko because I was wearing a green army jacket, fur-lined Elmer Fudd hat and carrying a huge camera. Frankly I was expecting two men in black suits, wearing wires to grab my arms and usher me out.

I was curious about the interior architecture so I said, “what the heck.” The elevator doors opened to a mezzanine and the sun poured in, was funneled down to nearly nothing as it was pinched through a few portals to the interior. As soon as you pass the first few pews the space opens up again to a breath-taking room. This would be about where the railing is above the columns in the picture to the right. A woman kindly, but with intent thrust a hymn book into my hands and motioned to an empty seat. I have to be honest, that I have heard better singing but that wasn’t why I was there.

I’ve been to churches, cathedrals and basilicas all over the world and this is my favorite. Not unadorned by any means but intentional. I must admit I was drawn to the powerful architecture. A stark contrast to the interior of the Trinity Episcopal Church on Copley Plaza for example. This was brilliant but focused. Dare I say “American” if there is such a thing?

As soon as there was a pause in the music we took our leave and sought out to find the Mapparium. You’ll find the giant globe more directly by entering the wing to the left of the church (standing in front facing it) where you are greeted by a reception desk. Tours head out every 15 minutes or so. Buy your ticket and head around the corner the lobby to meet your guide. I’m not sure if all the guides are lacking enthusiasm, but ours certainly was. No matter, show us the map young lady. A solid looking door opens and you are lead into the middle of the Mapparium. A long gangway bisects the globe apparently suspended by nothing but it’s attachment points at either end. A light and sound

The interior of the Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church

show commence impressing upon the viewer just how big (or small) our planet is. The experience is pleasantly disorienting. When the show is over in a few minutes, you are allowed to discuss whatever nonsense you like with your comrades to test out the “surround sound” qualities of the globe when standing directly in the center. Your voice comes back you with more vigor than it left I attest! The glass panels seemingly reverberate it back at your chest and you feel as if speaking has become an out of body experience. The whole experience was over far sooner than I’d hoped – but I’ll be back. Probably with the next out-of-town-visitors that I must entertain.

Just another wonderful treasure we have in Boston. I feel very lucky to be able to roll out of my front door, walk a couple blocks to the Forest Hills T and within 15 minutes from Jamaica Plain, all of Boston is at my finger tips. I would have gotten better pictures (sorry) but it was absolutely freezing! I couldn’t stay outdoors for more than a few minutes. The wind through this corridor is very strong and will push you right over.

I’d really like to go back to the church at some point when it is not in use. I really didn’t explore it at all for obvious reasons but it deserves it’s own trip. I did my best to read and listen to all of the material they had but to be honest, I’m still not really sure what Christian Science is all about. No, I did not see Tom Cruise, but yes, I was watching for him.

The Mother Church with the Boston skyline in the background

Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim - Starbucks finds a new home.

I happened to notice an article while surfing inexpensive ways to build my dream home and came across this little diddy. Apparently Starbucks is getting wiser on all fronts. The idea of re-purposing shipping containers has been around a long time – my favorite website for this type of design is www.fabprefab.com. They have a whole section devoted to shipping containers here. Be prepared to lose 2 hours of your life if you visit that website.

Anyway, Starbucks, great idea. Now how am I going to find a client who needs a Buyer’s Agent to build one of these fantastical dwellings in Jamaica Plain?

I’m very excited about the “open house” I’ll be attending tomorrow on New York City’s Lower East Side. Im a bit bummed they don’t allow photography but regardless I’m very excited about the opportunity to see how people lived during this era. Supposedly the Tenement Museum is basically a time capsule of the early 20th century home.

I’ll append to this post after my visit.

Great idea I found on Apartment Therapy.

The 15-person ad-hoc committee meanwhile is a mix of five of the JPNC’s current elected membership and 10 neighborhood residents who are not on the elected council but were selected specifically for the ad-hoc group. Three of the 10 resident members of the ad-hoc group resigned during the process of creating the report.