The Boston Metro Real Estate Podcast

I can't begin to count how many times I've come home from work to find my wife watching House Hunters. There's nothing quite like coming home from a long day's work to watch, well, work. Not to mention the fact that it's a reality TV show that's not even close to reality. Sadly, House Hunters is completely fake. That's right – the buyers you see are actually "touring" a house they've already bought, then going on fake tours of two other houses. So what does a home buyer in 2016 really look like? Well, unlike on House Hunters where the buyers look at three homes, the National Association of Realtors says that the average time a person spends looking for a home is eight to 11 weeks.    There's just something about pulling up to your own home every day. Another interesting fact is that at least 80% of buyers under the age of 60 buy a single-family home. The number one reason cited for buying a home was the desire to own a home of their own. I can attest to that – there's just something about pulling up to my home every single day. It really is a true sense of pride. When it comes to actually buying the home, overall, 88% of buyers finance their home purchase, and nearly 97% of buyers from Generation Y used financing. Generation Y buyers are also the most active buyers, purchasing 32% of all homes available on the market in 2015. I hope that gives you a better picture of what a buyer is really like in today's market rather than some phony reality TV show. If you have any more questions about today's buyers or you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Boston area, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to speak with you.

I recently had someone ask me why homeowners are worth 36 times more than renters. Today I wanted to illustrate why homeownership is one of the best ways to grow wealth.The average sale price for a single-family home in Massachusetts is $450,000. The latest Home Price Expectations Survey by Pulse Economics found that over the next five years, it is expected that homes will appreciate by 3.5% per year for a cumulative appreciation rate of 18%. In the next five years, homes are expected to appreciate by 18%. So in terms of that $450,000 house, it's expected that in five years, it will be worth $516,000 - a $66,000 gain! The best part is that the owners of this home will have done nothing different than the renters next door. Added improvements like kitchens and bathrooms will only bolster the value gain. Not to mention that a homeowner has the stability of a locked-in mortgage payment and the added benefits of writing off the interest.When you buy a home, you're doing more than just buying an investment. A home increases your financial standing and also provides many other intangible benefits. Remember that real estate is local and that market conditions vary from town to town. If you have any questions about home value, appreciation, or just about real estate in general, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you out.

I wanted to give you a little breakdown of the home buying process and why now is such a great time to buy in Boston.I read the other day that the average net worth of a homeowner is 36 times greater than the average net worth of a renter. It's also expected that this gap will expand to 45 times greater in 2016. There are many reasons why, but simply put, homeownership is a form of forced savings. Every time you make a mortgage payment, remember, you're just contributing to your net worth. If you're currently renting, it might be painful to think that you're contributing to your landlord's net worth. Homeowners have a net worth 36x higher than renters.Rental rates have skyrocketed this year, up 3.8% year over year, marking the largest increase since 2007. Buying a home offers you stability. With a fixed rate, you can take comfort in knowing that your mortgage payment isn't going to increase. With interest rates near historical lows, now is the time to buy a house if you haven't already done so. Thinking you don't have enough for a down payment, or an insufficient credit score? In 2015, the average credit score for an FHA loan was 686. The average home buyer put 10% down, with the average first-time buyer putting just 6% down. Thinking you need 20% down just isn't true anymore. If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the Boston Metro Market, I'd love to speak with you about how we can accomplish your goals. Give me a call or send me an email and let's talk soon!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.It's been an interesting year so far, with some conflicting data out there about the Massachusetts market. While we've seen a huge increase in the amount of houses sold in both the single-family market and the condo market, we've seen a huge decrease in the amount of inventory that's currently available to the buyer. In contrast to those two trends, there has been a pretty small change in the average sale prices in the first six months.Take the single-family market, for example. In this market, the average sale price for the first six months has not changed. In the condo market, it has only gone up 4.64%. That's not that much when you have a decrease in inventory of 16.41%.There are a ton of buyers out there looking for homes There has been a sharp increase in what sellers are currently asking for. In the single-family market, sellers of single-family homes have been asking for 11.81% more than what they were this time last year. For condos, it's even worse. Sellers in that market are asking for 22.75% more than what they were last year.What has all this done to our current inventory levels? In the below $500,000 price range, whether you're in a single-family home or a condo, that market is red hot. There are a ton of buyers out there looking for homes. While single-family properties have growing inventory from $1 million-and-up, we're actually seeing inventory start to build for condos in the above $500,000 price range too.If you know of anyone else who's thinking about buying or selling, I would truly appreciate you sharing my contact information with them. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out yourself by calling me or sending an email. I look forward to talking to you soon!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.Today, we're on location at Stone Inc. to discuss the many options you have to choose from when renovating your kitchen. There are three different types of stone to choose from, each with its own characteristics. Marble: The softest of the stones, marble has a classic, veining look. Granite: More durable than marble, granite has many different styles to choose from.Quartz: This is the most durable stone and is manmade and uniform throughout.  The great people at Stone Inc. can work with you to determine which stone is best suited for your specific needs. To do so, they'll ask what look you're going for, what the surface will be used for, and how often it will be used. For example, if you have an outdoor kitchen, you don't want to use quartz because the glue they use will change color in the sun. If you have a low-volume kitchen, marble is a great option - especially because the sealers they use today are much better at preventing stains that they were years ago. There are a few differences between standard and luxury stones, depending on the material. For marble, the whiter the background, the more expensive it will be. The price of granite depends on where it comes from, how hard it was to quarry the material, and the number of imperfections the stone has. For quartz, the difference between standard and luxury stone is how difficult it was to make it.We hope this information helps you in your home renovation venture. Remember, if you email us before going to Stone Inc. for help, we'll give you a 10% discount on your project! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us or call Stone Inc. at 1-888-909-STONE! Thanks, and have a great week!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.According to Remodel Magazine, the average cost for a high-end kitchen in 2012 and 2013 is $53,931. Obviously, there is a lot of value in your kitchen - which is why it's an important place to spend your money if you want to maximize your return when selling your home. When remodeling, an important question to ask is, "Who are these renovations for?" If they are for your enjoyment, customize away! Just remember, the more customized your kitchen is, the less likely it is to appeal to a mass audience. The question comes down to what your motivation is for the remodel. If you want to get a return on your investment, it's important to remember not to get too caught up in today's trends. In short, play it safe. The more mass market appeal your kitchen has, the higher it's value on the market.A good place to start is with the countertops. Our advice is to go with granite - it has longevity, durability, marketability, and it looks fantastic. Trendy styles you may want to avoid are glass, lava stone, quartz, and concrete. In short, go with a time tested product if you want to sell your home.If you are interested in renovating your kitchen, we can put you in touch with some friends of ours for a discount. Stone Inc specializes in countertops and tile, and has 3 different locations in Massachusetts to serve you. You can reach them at 1-888-909-STONE. Shoot us an email for a special coupon, or if you have real estate questions of any kind. We always love hearing from you!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.Relocating In or Out of Boston Metro Is Easier When Working With Top Agents Across the CountryJeffrey Chubb Real Estate has many friends across the country who we refer to our clients to ensure they are treated right when they relocate. Recently, our friends shared some kind words about us and we would like to share them. Here's what some of the top agents from across the country have to say about us:Homer Tyre, of the #1 real estate team in Greenvile, NC"When we're looking to refer somebody up to Boston, MA, we call Jeff Chubb. They continue to revolutionize the real estate market and are hands down the number one marketers in the Boston market."Josh Deshong, top agent out of Dallas"When referring my clients to Boston, MA, I always go to Jeff Chubb. He spends tens of thousands of dollars a month advertising his homes and has more experience and knowledge of the area than anyone around. He's the obvious choice when selecting a real estate agent in the area."Andrew Duncan with Duncan Duo, 10th-ranked agent with RE/MAX"I can't say enough great things about Jeff Chubb in Boston, MA. Jeff does all the things top agents across the country do to help homes sell for top dollar, and does a great job representing buyers as well. When I have a referral in Boston the only person I'm going to trust is Jeff Chubb. He does a great job for his clients."Lisa Fors with Come2Temecula.com"When I have a referral for Boston, there's no one I call other than Jeffrey Chubb. There's no better feeling than having a client call me to thank me for referring them to Jeff Chubb."Lonnie Bush, from RE/MAX First in Hampton Roads, Va "If you're looking to buy or sell in Boston, there's only one person to turn to - Jeffrey Chubb."That's some high praise from some of the best agents in the country! We're truly thankful for all the great words our friends shared and for the referrals they continue to send our way. We'll be sure to return the favor!As always, if you have any questions or need real estate assistance here in the Boston area, we would love to help!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.Welcome back, everyone. Thanks for taking the time to look at our newest listing. This home is located at 16 Noanet St. in Quincy, MA. This 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is a charming dwelling nestled on a serene setting. The beautiful wood deck on the back porch overlooks a peaceful and beautiful field that will allow you to enjoy nature while sitting comfortably in your own home. The kitchen boasts many modern appliances, as well as ample cooking space for all of your meals. The spacious living areas and bedrooms make this home seem a whole lot bigger on the inside. If you or somebody you know is interested in this charming property, please give us a call or send us an email. If you aren't interested in the property at this time and like these videos that we do for our properties, reach out to us as well. We would love to help you find a new home, or help market your old one.Teaser: We are taking you on a virtual home tour of our latest listing. This charming home, located at 16 Noanet St. in Quincy, MA, boasts beautiful living space, both indoors and outdoors. The spacious back deck backs right up to a serene, peaceful field that immerses you in nature without having to leave your porch. To go on a virtual tour of this great home, just watch this video. See if this home could be right for you!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.When forming Chubb and Associates, our goal was to create a company that provides superior service while consulting on all matters regarding our clients' real estate holdings for life. Our new venture does just that.Chubb Asset Management is a property management firm with the same principles and values you've learned to depend on from our team. Our goal is to use technology to provide you with information in a better and faster format. In a few clicks you can get a full financial rundown of your property. It also allows for tenants to report issues from the comfort of their home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Our firm can assist you in finding that perfect investment property in the Boston Metro, that meets all your financial goals and aid your search for qualified tenants.  It makes property management easy by working with you on a monthly basis in order to protect your assets. We're excited to offer this, as there is nothing we want more than to remain by your side and be the people you can trust with your investments. Are you having problems effectively managing a property, or are simply ready to hand it over to somebody else? Give us a call or shoot us an email for more details on what Chubb Asset Management can do for you. We would love to make your life a whole lot easier!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.How to Sell Your Boston Metro Home Even in a Slower MarketThe dog days of summer are here and the real estate market is as sluggish as we are on vacation. This is typical of the late summer months - homes are selling, but not as briskly as in the fall and spring. Because now is the down time in the market, there is no better time to prepare your home to be sold down the road. If you're planning on selling a home in the Boston Metro area this fall, you need to start preparing it now. The best way to do that is to figure out a game plan for making your home irresistible to buyers. After all, proper planning prevents poor performance.We can arrange for a stager to visit your property and talk to you about the best way to present your home to potential buyers. Something as simple as removing refrigerator magnets or moving a couch to a different end of the living room to maximize space can make all the difference. This kind of planning takes some time, but will help sell your home faster and for more money. To find out more about putting together a game plan to sell your home, give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to make the process easy for you!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.With summer in full swing, there is no better time to explore your options for buying or selling Boston Metro real estate.At Chubb and Associates, we've been expecting the spring market to carry into the summer, and so far that's held true. Interest rates remaining at historical lows have helped fuel a strong spring, and it looks like that trend is continuing.Additionally, the latest national report on home sales shows a significant jump in homes on the market. This means that the market is shifting from a seller's market to a more balanced market, giving neither sellers nor buyers a pricing advantage. As you know, real estate is local. If you want specific market conditions for your target neighborhood or suburb, such as South Boston or Cohasset, we're here to help. The market can favor buyers or sellers depending on your area, but if you need to get into a new property by the end of summer, now is the time to make your move. As always, feel free to send us any of your Boston Metro real estate questions, we'd love to answer them in a future video.Thanks, and enjoy your summer!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.Today we're talking about my belief that the spring market was going to carry over into the summer. If you were looking to buy or sell a home in Boston and were under the impression that your window was closing, I have some great news for you. Recent surveys say that the market will continue to be strong, carrying over from the spring market and into the summer. Also, consumers' perception of real estate is increasingly positive (77% had a positive outlook, which is a 12% increase from last year). In fact, 70% of consumers believe that this spring was a great time to buy and sell real estate because the economy is improving. I believe that trend will continue throughout the summer.What really makes me happy is that same survey reported an 8-point jump in the number of people who plan on buying sooner rather than later. This jump may be due to the fact that interest rates are expected to increase by 2015, which would significantly lower the affordability of homes for consumers. So, if you're thinking about buying in Boston, now is the time to do so. If you have any questions about the Boston Metro real estate market, please don't hesitate to contact me or my team. We'd love to help you buy or sell Boston real estate. 

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation.Today I could use your help. Over the weekend my wife and I took in a stray Saint Bernard we found wandering in South Boston. We're calling him Freddy, and you may have seen Freddy's story on the local news or on Facebook. If you know Freddy's owners please contact New England Saint Bernard Rescue, these folks do great work helping Saint Bernard's like Freddy find a good home. If you or someone you know is up to the challenge of taking in a Saint Bernard, or if you'd like to help Freddy and want to follow his story, you can email them as well or find them on Facebook at New England Saint Bernard Rescue.Thanks in advance for your help!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.Boston Real Estate Market UpdateIf you live in the Boston Metro area, then you're probably enjoying the real estate market right now. However, remember that real estate is local and each market is different. In some markets, like South Boston and Brighton, there are strong seller markets with less than a month of inventory.Other markets are neutral, and neither sellers nor buyers are at an advantage. If you live in the Boston area, you will need a real estate agent that understand the nuances of these markets to get you top dollar on a home.So, while the Boston market continues to perform well, the suburbs also have their own unique markets. We can see this by going down to the South Shore in Cohasset where there is 7 months of inventory, signaling a neutral market.We can also go up to the North Shore, in Newbury, for example. There is over 10 months worth of inventory in this area, and this will create a very strong buyer's market. Understanding these trends is very important for you to position your home more competitively and get you more money on the sale of your home.If you or anyone else you know are thinking about selling in the Boston area, please give me a call. I can be reached at (617) 480-2600 or email me at Jeff@MoveWithChubb.com. Consider me your #1 resource for all of your Boston Metro real estate needs!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Boston, Massachusetts? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (617) 480-2600 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.Why Hire Me?Welcome to my video blog. In order to provide a better service to my clients and make sure that they are making more informed decisions in regards to real estate, I have built a blog for you to lean on as a resource for real estate knowledge. I would like to tell you why my service is unparalleled, and why you should invest your hard-earned money into my business.ExperienceFor one, I have been the #1 RE/MAX agent in the Boston metro market since 2011 and I am ranked sixth in all of New England. I sell over 10 times as many homes as the average real estate agent, and because of this, I have more experience than other agents. I study top market trends and try to stay above them. I am also a stronger negotiator than my principals, receiving nearly 2% more on the average sale price for a home. I realize that buying a home is a huge investment and possibly a risk for you. Because of this, I have a solid team of real estate professionals to assist with your purchase. Even if I am not here to help you for one reason or another, you will be left in the capable hands of my team, and we will do everything possible to ensure your total satisfaction with us.Just remember, experience comes in numbers. In 2013, I sold a home every 6 days. MarketingThe average agents spends $250 per year on marketing. In contrast, I spend $250,000 per year to market my business and my properties. I spend more on marketing, and as a result, I get a better outcome.Full Service TeamMy full-service team creates a smoother and better process for you, too. I used to be a sole proprietor, but after a certain amount of time I needed to a team to satisfy all of my clients needs. Now with a full team of experienced individuals, I am sure that I can meet and exceed all of your expectations.So, if you know anyone looking to buy or sell real estate in the Boston area, please have them contact me and my team and I will be glad to lend a helping hand.