Slower market is not necessarily a bad thing

Boston Real Estate Search

Slower market is not necessarily a bad thing

Benjamin Cohen, managing director and senior vice president of mortgage lending at Rate, says retreating pending sales reflect the market’s persistent affordability challenges.

“Buyers understand rates aren’t going back to 3%, but when you combine today’s rates with home prices, taxes, and insurance, the monthly payment can still be tough to justify,” Cohen tells Realtor.com. “When rates moved higher again this summer, it caused some buyers to pause, while others believe the short-term affordability factor will improve when we find stability in the markets.”

Overall, August housing data tells the story of a softening yet functioning market.

The national median asking price fell for the 10th consecutive month to $424,500, down 1.3% from last year.

Notably, prices have been falling slower than before, with August’s drop rate being half of July’s 2.4%.

Active listings edged up by 3.6% year over year, with all four regions gaining inventory for the first time in months. However, new listings were slightly in the red nationally and in most regions, with only the West registering a 1.5% gain.

Krimmel says falling pending sales and new listings are both signs that the “natural churn” that keeps the housing market moving has stalled.

However, Cohen makes the case that a less active market is not necessarily a negative thing.

“For buyers, a slower market can actually create opportunity,” he says. “There is more time to make a decision, more negotiating power, and potentially more flexibility from sellers. If you find the right house and the payment works, I wouldn’t sit on the sidelines waiting for the perfect market.”

For sellers, Cohen stresses that pricing matters, and homes that are priced strategically still move quickly.

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/high-mortgage-rates-pending-sales-august-2026-housing-report/

Ford Realty Menu of Options for Boston and the North Shore

Buyers receive 60% rebate from our portion of the broker fee

Renters flat fee $1,000 regardless the price of the apartment.

As a home seller, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of the current 2026 landscape for flat-fee listings in the 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 55% rebate of our commission to you, as the buyer, for homes priced over 500,000.