My thoughts on the Boston condo market for 2026
Boston Condos for Sale and Apartments for Rent
My thoughts on the Boston condo market for 2026
October 2026: The Boston condo for sale market is slowing as we move into the fourth quarter.
Mortgage rates remain near their highs for the year, fewer offers are being made, inventory is rising, and price cuts are climbing.
Boston Condos for Sale and the Bottom Line
Most Boston condo for sale owners still have strong equity, affordable mortgage payments, and stable jobs, so foreclosure risk remains limited. But as inventory builds and homes sit longer, some sellers may become more willing to negotiate.
Below is another take on the Boston housing market.
Ford Realty Menu of Options for Seller Listings and for Massachusetts home buyers
Buyers receive 60% rebate from our portion of the broker fee
As a home seller, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of the current 2026 landscape. Times are changing and we plan to keep up with it. We now provide 1% listing fee for Boston and North Shore areas. Here is a concise breakdown of how those Ford Realty tiers typically function based on the service levels you’ve identified:
1. Basic “Entry Only” – $500.00
- Visibility: Your home is listed on the local MLS, which syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, and local brokerage sites.
- Your Role: You are the primary point of contact. You handle photography, scheduling all showings, vetting buyers, and all contract negotiations.
- Best for: Experienced sellers or those comfortable managing real estate paperwork and logistics independently.
2. Flat Fee (Assisted) – Starting at $1,500.00
- The Upgrade: The broker takes professional photos and handles the listing setup.
- Added Support: You gain professional guidance for the initial setup, ensuring the listing looks polished to attract higher-quality leads.
- Broker Role: 60-day listing, one open house per month, schedule day and evening showings. The negative is that the full fee is due after 60 days even if the house/condo doesn’t sell or go under agreement.
3. Full-Service – 1% Commission
- The Full Package: Professional photography and floor plans are included.
- Active Management: The broker hosts one open house per month and handles day/evening showings.
- Logistics: They are physically present for the BFD smoke detector inspection and the home inspection, taking significant stress off your plate.
Key Financial Reminders
- Buyer’s Side: Regardless of your flat fee, remember to factor in the 2%–3% commission for the buyer’s agent to keep your home competitive.
- Tax/Closing: Budget for the MA transfer tax ($4.56 per $1,000) and ensure all Condo fees are cleared to avoid delays at closing.
BUYERS REBATE
Boston and North Shore Buyers: We provide a 60% rebate of our commission to you, as the buyer, for homes priced over 500,000.
Click to View Ford Realty’s Google Reviews
Ford Realty Beacon Hill – Condo for Sale Office
Boston condos for sale – Ford Realty Inc
Updated: Boston Condos for Sale Blog 2026
Byline – John Ford Boston Beacon Hill Condo Broker 137 Charles St.
Updated: Boston Real Estate Blog 2026
Byline – John Ford Boston Condo Broker
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May 2026: Are Home Prices Dropping in Boston? Not exactly, especially not for single-family homes. While some folks might hope for a price drop, the data doesn’t really show that happening right now. Condo prices have experienced a small dip. According to Mark Triglione, President of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS, folks have seen inventory rise in some markets, leading buyers to believe they may see some relief on prices, but the data and buying behavior continues to defy that notion.
Click – Menu of listing options for Boston condo sellers
May 2026: As of May 5, 2026, Boston condo buyers and sellers woke up this morning with mortgage rates experiencing fresh upward pressure, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbing to 6.46%, a one-month high. This recent uptick is largely driven by a combination of sticky domestic inflation and geopolitical instability, specifically the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has driven up oil prices and bond yields
Click – Menu of listing options for Boston condo sellers
As of May 2026, the US housing market is entering a “great recalibration,” with national home prices expected to remain relatively flat or rise modestly by 1% to 4% for the year. While affordability remains strained, the market is becoming more balanced as inventory levels rise and mortgage rates fluctuate, currently averaging in the low-6% range.
Click – Menu of listing options for Boston condo sellers
Love thy neighbor
Updated: Boston Real Estate Blog 2026
Looking for a Boston Back Bay or Beacon Hill condo?
Call today!
Where is Ford Realty Located?
Ford Realty is located in 137 Charles Street in Beacon Hill
Byline – John Ford – Boston Seaport Condo Broker.
Ford Realty Beacon Hill – Condo for Sale Office
Boston condos for sale – Ford Realty Inc
Updated: Boston Condos for Sale Blog 2026
John Ford Boston Beacon Hill Condo Broker 137 Charles Street Boston, MA. 02114
Boston condos for sale – Ford Realty Inc
Updated: Boston Condos for Sale Blog 2026
My thoughts on the Boston condo market
July 2025: Based on the current market conditions, it’s going to be a slow Boston condo for sale market till the end of 2025.
I can go on and on about the sluggish market, but it doesn’t matter. Over the next few months, all that matters is whether Boston condo sellers are motivated enough to cut their asking price – that they surrender. Give up the fight and cut a deal. Capitulate.
At least 3/4’s of them won’t. Why? Because they don’t feel they need to.
My thoughts on the Boston condo market for 2025
Boston condo mortgage rates aren’t going down significantly, and America minted 379,000 new millionaires last year, or more than a thousand each day – combine that with the generational wealth transfer and the buyers’ ability to purchase should be there.
Could there be a boomer liquidation event? It’s probably the biggest threat to pricing, and it could pick up speed in areas where several boomers are aging in place. But how can you time that?
Buy when you find the right Boston condo for sale, and sell when you have good comps and low competition!
Peace be with you
Updated: Boston condo for sale blog 2025
Updated: Boston Real Estate Blog 2025
Click here to view Google Ford Realty Reviews
Where is Ford Realty Located?
Ford Realty is located in 137 Charles Street in Beacon Hill
Ford Realty – Condo for Sale Office
Click Here > Boston Back Bay Apartments for Rent
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My thoughts on the Boston condo market
Everyone is concerned about the economy and both buyers and sellers are wondering about the Boston condo for sale market, and I can’t blame them. My stock portfolio has taken a massive hit. It’s hard to be optimistic at the moment. We’re dealing with big interest rate increases, inflation, hiring freezes, the Ukraine war and yeah—a worldwide pandemic that’s surging again, and a bear stock market.
However, I’ve navigated rough markets before in the 20 years I’ve been in the Boston condo for sale market. Buyer, sellers and agents have to adjust their expectations and reset their strategies.
I’ve noticed signs of a softening market over the past month. Boston condo for sale listing agents encouraging early offers and not relying on offer dates. Offer dates coming and going without any offers transpiring. Price reductions. Developers at new construction condo projects slashing prices to be competitive and get buyers into contract.
Nothing new, the Boston condo for sale market goes in cycles and you just need to know how to handle this particular one. I fortunately have some tips for buyers and sellers that I hope will help everyone navigate the market successfully:
Buyers: Stay the course and focus on what you can afford under the higher interest rates. It’s likely your purchasing power will not be as strong as was earlier this year. But there will definitely be room to move on pricing for the summer and Fall. Yes, there will be Boston condo sellers who won’t sell unless they can get a certain price. But you want the ones who will sell for what the market will bear. Don’t be afraid to include a contingency or two, because you may end up being the only offer and it’s always nice to have a safety net. There will be some good deals in your future, so don’t miss out because you’re sitting on the sidelines or trying to time the market.
Sellers: Make sure your property stands out with the proper prep work, and get those Boston condo buyers to the open houses with a high-quality online presence. This is not the time to try to save money by skipping the painting, cleaning, refinishing floors, and staging. Boston condo buyers will be more critical and you will want to give them a reason to make an offer on your property. Be realistic on price and recognize that sales which occurred earlier in the year closed when interest rates were considerably lower. The list-low, sell-for-more strategy may not work in many cases, so you might want to price your home right around where it should sell. Be prepared to have a longer days on market, particularly if there’s a lot of inventory in your price range. You need that one qualified buyer, so set yourself up to compete against other similar properties.
Updated: Boston Real Estate Blog 2022
Click Here to view: Google Ford Realty Inc Reviews
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I expect to see continuing strength in Boston condo for sale buying demand especially in the affordable market, as a result of demographic trends in home-buying activity from Millennials and Baby Boomers as well as continuing remote work opportunities. However, housing supply headwinds from ongoing supply chain constraints will impact inventory at least for the first part of the year. In addition, all the new construction is designed for high income Bostonians, which does not bode well for individuals looking for their first Boston apartment for rent or first-time Boston condo buyers.
I also anticipate an uptick in mortgage interest rates—although we do not expect them to increase dramatically or abruptly—while incomes rise and the economy strengthens. The new FHA loan limits that will become effective January 2022 will allow for additional first-time buyer participation across the downtown Boston condo market
Boston Condos for sale Sale and Rent
Click Here to view: Google Ford Realty Inc Review
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Where is the Boston condo market heading?
My Boston condo projections haven’t been that accurate in the past, which means my guess of fewer sales shouldn’t be taken as gospel. Bottom line, Boston condo pricing should keep rising though, due to buyers buying luxury condos and with fewer less expensive Boston condos selling, the median Boston condo price may still rise even though prices in general are stagnant or falling.
A combination of Boston luxury condo prices and eroding affordability is expected to cut into the Boston housing demand and contribute to a weaker housing market in 2019.
Conclusion
My predictions, while Boston condo prices will hold next year, interest rates will likely rise and compound housing affordability issues, would-be Boston condo buyers who are concerned that Boston condos prices may have peaked will wait on the sidelines until they have more clarity on where the housing market is headed. This could hold back housing demand and hamper home sales in 2019.
Your thoughts?
Boston condos for Sale
