Bidding Wars return to the North Shore

One of the features of the housing market boom of 2020-2022 was the very high number of sales above list price, an indication that there were multiple offers resulting in bidding wars.
And a logical consequence of the market returning to more normal conditions would be to expect a decline in bidding wars, leading to fewer sales taking place above list price.
Has this actually happened?
Let’s look at the sales in last 12 months in Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem. Here is the chart: (more…)

Mozart Requiem: First Rehearsal TONIGHT!

Registration and the first rehearsal will take place at 7:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the Parish Hall of Old North Church.

Subsequent rehearsals will take place every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. until the April 2 performance.

Go HERE for more details

The centerpiece of the Lenten Choral Concert will be the “Requiem in D” by W.A. Mozart, universally recognized as among the most poignant and breathtakingly beautiful works of the sacred choral repertoire.

Maria van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and minister of music at Old North Church, extends a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all singers to join the chorus for its annual Lenten Choral Concert, which will be the first time the chorus has performed with full orchestra in person since March 2019.

Celebrating her 34th season as director of the Festival Chorus, van Kalken has planned a memorable choral concert to take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Palm Sunday (more…)

Marblehead 2022 Housing Market Review

Single Family Homes (SFH)

The median price of Single Family Homes (SFH) sold in 2022 increased 10.4% to $938,000, and reached exactly $1 million in the second half of the year. Sales, reflecting a number of headwinds – amongst them, reduced inventory and a doubling of mortgage rates – dropped below 200 for the first time since 2011.

The share of sales over $1 million increased from 34% in 2021 to 46% in 2022, driving the median price for the year to over $900,000.

Condos (more…)

January Sales in Marblehead and Swampscott

A small sample for January, but two observations:
1. the number of properties selling above list price was lower overall, and the amount over list decreased – there were no sales at 110% or more.
2. 4 of the properties had price cuts – and all 4 sold for less than their reduced price.

Read February Inventory as low as this weekend’s temperature
(more…)

December sales in Marblehead and Swampscott still mostly above List Price

The small number of December sales in Marblehead and Swampscott continued to show strength.

Marblehead
6 of 9 SFH sales in December – and 1 of 3 Condo sales –  were over List price.

Swampscott
6 of 9 SFH sales in October were at or over List price, while 1 of the Condo sales was at List and one just below. (more…)

Marblehead and Swampscott November sales still strong

November sales in Marblehead and Swampscott continue to show strength.

Marblehead
10 of 19 SFH sales in November were at or over List price, with 2 sales at 23% and 32% over list. Just 1 of the 4 Condo sales was over List.

Swampscott
6 of 10 SFH sales in October were at or over List price (5 over the Original List Price), while 5 of the 6 Condo sales were at or above List.

Comment
While sales continue to be strong – and often strongly above list price – it is interesting to note that 8 of the 14 SFHs currently available for sale in Marblehead have had price reductions, while 4 of the 9 in Swampscott have also seen price cuts – or “adjustments” or “improvements” as we like to call them.
Note also that in November, all but 1 of the sales where the price had been reduced subsequently took place below the reduced price.
The sample is small, but the implication is clear: over-pricing in this market leads to a lower sale price.

(more…)

Marblehead, Swampscott October sales still mostly above List Price

With all the chatter about home prices nationally declining or about to decline, October sales in Marblehead and Swampscott seem to be saying NIMBY – not here please.

Marblehead
12 of 19 SFH sales in October were at or over List price, with 2 sales at 35% and 36% over list:

Swampscott
5 of 10 SFH sales in October were at or over List pice

Comment
While sales continue to be strong – and often strongly above list price – it is interesting to note that 8 of the 19 SFHs currently available for sale in Marblehead have had price reductions, while 4 of the 11 in Swampscott have also seen price cuts – or “adjustments’ or “improvements” as we like to call them.
Notably also, the inventory of SFHs for sale in Essex County has not seen the usual seasonal decline so far, an indication perhaps of the consequences of the doubling in mortgage rates this year, with buyers reluctant to pay the much higher rates – and sellers reluctant to move and surrender their low-rate mortgage.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I suspect both buyers and sellers – unless their need is urgent – may decide to focus on planning time with their families and friends – and then take another look at the housing market in 2023. (more…)

Summer 2022 Market Review

Click on Summer Market Review to read the market review for the first 6 months of 2022,

This reports covers all 34 cities and towns in Essex County, with more detailed reviews of Beverly, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Rockport, Salem and Swampscott

And these recent articles: (more…)