5 reasons why some Boston condos sell faster than others
Boston Condos for Sale and Apartments for Rent
5 reasons why some Boston condos sell faster than others
As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some Boston Beacon HIll condos sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says:
“. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.”
That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell your Boston condo. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your home sells quickly.
Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic
The first thing you should know is that, in most markets, things have slowed down a little bit. While you may remember how quickly homes sold a few years ago, that’s not what you should expect today.
Now that inventory has grown, according to Realtor.com, homes are taking a bit longer to sell in today’s market (see graph below):
But before you get hung up on the ten-day difference compared to the past few years, Realtor.com will help put this into perspective:
“In April, the typical home spent 50 days on the market . . . This marks the 13th straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis. Still, homes are moving more quickly than they did before the pandemic . . .”
By this comparison, if your house does take a little more time to sell this year, it’s not really a concern. It’s actually still faster than the norm. Plus, it gives you a bit more time to find your next home, which is welcome relief when you’re trying to move, too.
Just remember, some homes sell in less time than this. Some take even longer. So, what’s the real difference? Why do some homes attract eager buyers almost instantly, while others sit and struggle?
It comes down to having the right agent and strategy. Here are a few tips you need to know.
1. Price Your Property Right
One of the biggest reasons homes sit on the market is overpricing. Many sellers want to shoot for a higher price, thinking they can lower it later – but that backfires by turning Boston home buyers away.
What to do: Work with an agent to make sure your house is priced right. They’ll analyze recent comparable sales (what other homes have sold for recently in your area), so you know you’re pricing appropriately for today’s market and what buyers are willing to pay. As Chen Zhao, Economic Research Lead at Redfin, explains:
“My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly for the shifting market; you may need to price lower than your initial instinct to sell quickly and avoid giving concessions.”
2. Focus on the First Impression
A messy yard or a house that needs paint? It’ll turn buyers off. Since buyers decide within seconds whether they like a home, a good first impression is key.
What to do: Outside, clean up your front yard, tidy up your landscaping, power wash walkways, and add fresh mulch. Inside, declutter and depersonalize. And consider minor touch-ups like repainting in a neutral tone. Your agent will offer advice on what to tackle.
3. Strong Marketing & High-Quality Listing Photos
If your listing or your photos don’t look professional, you could have trouble drawing in buyers who think you’re trying to cut corners.
What to Do: Instead, lean on your agent’s skills, expertise, and resources. They’ll help you make sure you have:
- High-resolution listing photos showing the home in its best light.
- Detailed descriptions that highlight differentiating features of your house.
- Your listing on multiple platforms, including major real estate sites and social media.
4. The Location of the Home
You may have heard the phrase “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate. And there’s definitely some truth to that. Homes in highly sought-after neighborhoods tend to sell faster.
What to do: While you can’t change where your house is located, your agent can highlight the best features of your neighborhood or community in your listing. By showcasing what’s great about your area, they can help draw buyers into what life would look like in your house.
5. A Well Designed Boston Condo Floor Plan
We have a very diverse Boston condo for sale stock, and many homes weren’t built for how we live today. Boston condo buyers are often okay with potentially doing a cosmetic kitchen or bath remodel in the future, but interest levels tail off when awkward floor plans are involved. Having to gut the entire condo so it makes sense is often more than buyers want to take on.
Boston Condos for Sale and the Bottom Line
Homes that sell quickly don’t necessarily have better features – they have better agents and a better strategy.
Are you thinking about selling? Connect with an agent to talk about how to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.
Peace be with you
Byline – John Ford Boston Beacon Hill Condo Broker 137 Charles St. Boston, MA 02114
Updated: Boston Real Estate Blog 2025
Ford Realty Inc., Boston Real Estate for Sale
Click to View Ford Realty Google Reviews for 2000 – 2025
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5 reasons why some Boston condos sell faster than others
How quickly a Boston condo sells comes down to the size of the buyer pool. If a condo has everything a buyer could want, you’ll get multiple offers and top dollar. If not, your Boston home could take a little while to go into contract, and perhaps not attain the outstanding price for which you’re hoping. After all, Boston condo buyers are less motivated to pay list price if a home has been sitting on the market for three weeks or longer—especially in a higher interest rate environment like we have today.
I’ve been selling condos in downtown Boston for over 20 years, and have come to know what Boston condo buyers in this city want. In fact, I’ve narrowed it down to the top five features that consistently end up factoring in to a successful home sale:
1. A convenient location within a popular neighborhood.
We all know the “location, location, location” pretty much counts for everything in a city like Boston. If your Boston condo is within walking distance of a retail corridor with restaurants, shops, and cafes, you’re golden. Bonus points for being near a T line.
2. Pricing a Boston condo according to the current market.
Next to location, listing your Boston condo for sale at the right price is paramount for a fast sale. Boston condo buyers are well informed about the current market ebbs and flows. The Boston condo for sale market is current in flux as interest rates have doubled since last year, so Boston condo sellers need to adapt their price accordingly.
3. A primary bedroom suite.
Who doesn’t love having their own large bedroom and update bath, especially if they come with a fireplace, luxurious finishes and a walk-in closet? Most people would prefer not having a third or fourth floor walk-up to their one bathroom on the top floor.
4. A Boston Condo for Sale with Parking.
Not having a parking space—especially in a hard-to-park location like Back Bay or Beacon Hill—is a big drawback that will knock out a portion of the Boston condo buyers
5. A Well Designed Boston Condo Floor Plan
We have a very diverse Boston condo for sale stock, and many homes weren’t built for how we live today. Boston condo buyers are often okay with potentially doing a cosmetic kitchen or bath remodel in the future, but interest levels tail off when awkward floor plans are involved. Having to gut the entire condo so it makes sense is often more than buyers want to take on.
