Ford Realty Inc. offers a 60% buyer rebate on its portion of the real estate commission for qualifying property purchases in the Charlestown area and across Boston. This rebate is typically applied to luxury condos and homes priced at $500,000 and above. Key Details of the Rebate Rebate Amount: 60% of the commission received by the buyer's agent. Target Areas: Includes Charlestown (specifically the Navy Yard), Seaport, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and South Boston.
Rebate Amount: Up to 60% of the commission earned by the buyer's agent. Eligibility: Typically applies to luxury condos priced at $500,000 and above. Location Focus: Specialized services for Beacon Hill, Seaport, Back Bay, and Midtown. Mechanism: The rebate is legal in Massachusetts and is paid from the commission the seller's agent shares with the buyer's agent. Contact: Reachable at their office at 137 Charles Street, by phone at 617-595-3712, or via their official website.
Legality: Buyer rebates are legal in Massachusetts and are generally treated as a reduction in the home's cost basis, meaning they are typically not subject to income tax. Negotiability: Following recent National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement changes, commissions are more negotiable than ever. Many agents who do not publicly advertise rebates may still be open to negotiating a refund at closing.
As of January 2026, Boston's condo inventory is currently in a state of "recalibration," characterized by a modest overall increase in listings even as supply remains historically tight. Modest Growth: Real estate experts project a 5% to 10% increase in inventory levels throughout 2026. This rise is partially driven by a "thaw" in the market as sellers, previously "locked in" by low mortgage rates, begin to list their properties due to life events like job changes or growing families.
"It's exciting for me to get back to my roots," the "Million Dollar Listing" star - whose firm deals in million-dollar listings - said. "Boston is the biggest little city in the world. It's built on culture, built on the ethos of the original founders of the United States - this get-up-and-go attitude. That's what I love so much about Boston. It's in everybody's blood to get up and go and make things happen."
Condo Price Index: The Federal Reserve reported the Boston-Cambridge-Newton Condo Price Index at 332.44 in September 2025 (Jan 2000 = 100). This is slightly down from its record high of 336.88 reached in May 2025. Days to Pending: The average time for a Boston condo to go pending is approximately 30 days. Specific neighborhoods vary, with 02132 (West Roxbury) going pending in as little as 14 days and 02116 (Back Bay/South End) taking roughly 55 days.
In November, home prices remained unchanged from the month before, with a median listing price of $899,900. The number of listings on the market shrank 9.5% from last month, which is typical for this time of the year in Boston, and homes are also selling at the same pace as the same time last year. Home prices in Boston Typically, home price per square foot in Boston tend to rise in November. But the most recent data shows that the price per square foot decreased by 1.0% compared with the month before.
"Most respected" is subjective and can depend on whether you are buying, selling, or renting, as well as the specific neighborhood and price point (e.g., luxury vs. standard). Several large national firms with local Boston offices, as well as specialized local boutique firms, are highly regarded based on client reviews, market presence, and industry recognition. Highly reviewed and prominent real estate offices in the Boston area include:
The affordability of a condo in Boston depends on your income, other debts, and desired neighborhood, with a typical price range from affordable neighborhoods in the $600,000s to luxury condos over $2 million. A good starting point for your budget is 3 to 5 times your annual household income. In 2025, the salary needed to afford a typical Boston condo was approximately $205,253, according to one real estate source. The median condo price in Boston increased to $702,000 in December 2025.
On Wednesday, The Sarkis Team, led by George and Manny Sarkis and brokered at Douglas Elliman, launched its very own private exclusive listing platform. According to the announcement, the platform, which is currently hosted on the team's website SarkisBoston.com, debuted with 15 exclusive listings, representing more than $200 million in private listings. Through the website, invited consumers can access SARKIS SOON, an invite-only marketplace, which shows exclusive listings across on-market, pre-market and fully private opportunities.
The real estate market was largely frozen in 2025. Boston condo sales continued to slow, as low inventory, high prices and relatively expensive mortgage rates kept many would-be homebuyers locked out of the market. The annual buyer and seller profile from the National Association of REALTORS® found the share of first-time buyers to be at its lowest level in history, as the median age of these buyers hit a record high of 40.
In times of uncertainty, one of the best things we can do to ease our fears is to educate ourselves with research, facts, and data. Digging into past experiences by reviewing historical trends and understanding the peaks and valleys of what's come before us is one of the many ways we can confidently evaluate any situation. With concerns of a global recession on everyone's minds today, it's important to take an objective look at what has transpired over the years
The Boston housing market is very competitive, with homes usually receiving three offers and selling in around 25 days. July 2025's median sale price was $825,000, holding steady year-over-year, with a median price per square foot of $707, down 0.42% from last year.
The main difference is thata Boston condo is a type of ownership where you own the interior of your unit and a share of the common areas, while a townhouse is a type of building that you can own as a fee simple property or as a. Townhouses are multi-level homes that share walls but have their own entry, while condos are typically in multi-unit buildings with a shared entrance.
