Since sometime in December, mortgage rates have been free falling due to the turmoil in the stock market. The rates used to be in the high 4% and low 5% for a 30 year fixed mortgage in the fourth quarter of 2018. Now I am seeing rates lower than 4.5% for a mixed 30 year mortgage! Not surprisingly, the Boston condos housing market is heating up with this window of opportunities. I have been lots of activities for homes under $600K, unusual for January.
Stock Market Volatility
Due to the stock market volatility and the government shutdown, investors are flocking to bonds, causing the bond prices higher with yields becoming lower. When bond yields decrease, so do mortgage rates. The yield on the 10-year Treasury has plummeted from a high of 3.24% in mid December to about 2.7% currently. Will this continue to fall? It will depend on the economy. After the Treasury yield hit the bottom at 2.5%, it is on the upward trend again especially as the US – China trade talks continue. Mortgage rates will continue to face volatility in my opinion because no one really knows how the economy will play out. If the stock market continues to heat up, then the mortgage rates will continue to go up. If we see more slowdowns and recessionary cues, the rates may drop.
Boston Job Market
As of now, Boston job market is very strong and the metro region has expanded economically and we are continuing to see an increase in population as Boston is still one of the places people are moving to for a better lifestyle. That means the region is continuing to see higher demands for Boston condos for sale. The problem is that prices are on trhe rise so much its pricing out buyers.
While we do not know exactly what the rest of the 2019 will look like, this lowering mortgage rate has been a spark of optimism in our Boston housing market for both sellers and buyers. If you have been thinking about buying a Boston condos for sale in 2019, you should move rather quickly this year and take advantage of this window of opportunity. The only problem is the low amount of supplies at the moment because we are still in the winter housing market. If you do see some places that you like that are currently for sale, please talk to me. I help a lot of home buyers in the Boston downtown condo market.
Author Profile
- EXPERIENCE
Over the course of 20 years in the Boston downtown real estate market, John represented and sold numerous, condominiums, investment and development properties in Greater Boston and in the surrounding suburbs
In addition to representing Boston condo buyers and sellers, John is currently one of the most recognized Boston condo blog writers regarding Boston condominiums and residential real estate markets. John's insights and observations about the Boston condo market have been seen in a wide variety of the most established local & national media outlets including; Banker and Tradesman, Boston Magazine The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and NewsWeek and Fortune magazine, among others.
HISTORY
For over 24 years, John Ford, of Ford Realty Inc., has been actively involved in the real estate industry. He started his career in commercial real estate with a national firm Spaulding & Slye and quickly realized that he had a passion for residential properties. In 1999, John entered the residential real estate market, and in 2000 John Started his own firm Ford Realty Inc. As a broker, his clients have come to love his fun, vivacious, and friendly attitude. He prides himself on bringing honesty and integrity to the entire home buying and selling process. In addition to helping buyers and sellers, he also works with rental clients. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new Boston condo or rent an apartment, you’ll quickly learn why John has a 97% closing rate.
AREAS COVERED
Back Bay
Beacon Hill
Charles River Park
Downtown/Midtown
North End
South End
Seaport District
South Boston
Waterfront
Brookline
Surrounding Communities of Boston
Contact
John Ford and his staff can be reached at 617-595-3712 or 617-720-5454. Please feel free to stop by John's Boston Beacon Hill office located at 137 Charles Street.
John Ford
Ford Realty Inc
137 Charles Street
Boston, Ma 02114
Latest entries
Boston condosHow to avoid Boston downtown real estate scams- Boston condosBoston Downtown real estate: Cautious tale for Sellers using Redfin Now and other direct condo buying companies
- Boston condosBoston downtown real estate market: Expert predictions for second half of the year
- Boston condosHow to make your Boston Seaport condo your sanctuary – 5 Tips
