The Google chart above reflects the search volume for the term “Boston real estate.” If one were to predict sales activity for the next few months, based on a Google search for the term ”Boston real estate,” it wouldn’t look that good for Boston condo sellers.

Some fear plans by the government to reduce its levels of guaranteed mortgage loans could lead to further sale and price reductions.
This is obviously a big deal, especially for high-cost states like Massachusetts.
But don’t such fears kind of confirm the notion that guaranteed government loans for high-end homes led to absurdly high prices in the [...]

The Boston Journal via Zillow:
According to the Zillow analysis, Boston-area home values were down 5.3 percent on a year-over-year basis as of March 31 and had tumbled 2.6 percent from the end of 2010. The region’s average single-family home value was $305,800 at the end of the quarter, versus the national average of $169,600. Zillow [...]

In the last 30 days there were a few Boston Back Bay condo sales under $500,000:
1. 466 Commonwealth Avenue – Sold on 4/28/11 for $229,000.00.
Sales history on 10/1/2007 sold for $200,000. On 3/31/2000 sold for $111,000
The Boston property tax assesses value – $334,800.00
2. 182 Beacon Street #1 – Sold on 4/27/11 for $322,500.00.
Sales history on [...]

The Boston property tax chart below is from the City of Boston’s web site. I thought Boston Real Estate Blog readers would find this interesting.

Click on the Boston real estate tax chart to enlarge.

Talk about a bummer headline.
But we also knew this was coming, based on recently released local-market data showing roughly the same disappointing trend. Next logical question: Where do we go from here? The hunch is up. The economy is starting to produce jobs in somewhat significant numbers. Interest rates are still low. The housing [...]

Below are two videos with different views on housing and its impact on the overall American economy. The question: Can we have a long recovery without the housing market improving?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Overall, it likely will be another active week for mortgage rates. Besides the week’s important economic news, look for the stock markets to be a major influence on trading. The most important day of the week is Thursday with the Retail Sales and PPI reports on [...]

Thirteen percent of first-time homebuyers surveyed by the National Association of Realtors last year said their primary reason for purchasing — primary reason, mind you — was the $8,000 federal tax credit.
That was the second most popular answer after “I wanted to own my own home.” The third most popular answer: “Affordability of homes,” which [...]

In the last 30 days The Clarendon had three luxury condo sales:
1. #25D sold for $1,835,000.00 2bed / 2.5 baths. Price per square foot $1,212.00.
2. #20E sold for $2,025,000.00 3 bed / 3.5 baths. Price per square foot $1.078.00
3. #22A sold for $2,225,000.00 3 bed / 3 baths. Price per square foot $1,240.00