Accent Insights
Business & Economics Podcasts
In Accent Insights the Accent Realty team of Avi Kaufman and Ron Scharf share their real estate and Brookline expertise as your guide to the market, approximately 10-20 minutes at a time. Each episode shares an inside view on an aspect of real estate - tour insights on new and unique properties, updates on the Brookline market, and deep dives on a variety of topics. #AccentRealty #BrooklineMA #RealEstate #Brookline
Location:
United States
Description:
In Accent Insights the Accent Realty team of Avi Kaufman and Ron Scharf share their real estate and Brookline expertise as your guide to the market, approximately 10-20 minutes at a time. Each episode shares an inside view on an aspect of real estate - tour insights on new and unique properties, updates on the Brookline market, and deep dives on a variety of topics. #AccentRealty #BrooklineMA #RealEstate #Brookline
Twitter:
@AccentRealtyMA
Language:
English
Contact:
6177511040
Website:
http://www.accentbrookline.com/
Email:
info@accentbrookline.com
Episodes
Buyers are out in force again, but few homes for sale. Normal seasonality?
2/6/2023
Interest rates continue their recovery, with rates in the 5-6% range, and we're seeing buyers out in force. There don't seem to be many houses for sale right now though. Also, we discuss three just listed single family homes in Brookline, and predict which one we expect to sell. FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON SCHARF,...
Duration:00:17:44
New Year, but continued housing shortages continue to prop up home prices
1/15/2023
Will overflowing demand for housing continue to protect the Brookline/Newton/Greater Boston market? It may be a New Year, but continued housing shortages may continue to prop up home prices. Despite what we've been reading in national news of a slowing market, the real estate market here seems to be following our typical seasonal trends. Buyers are still buying and sellers still selling. We examine the numbers and discuss a few new listings we visited this week and what they may portend....
Duration:00:17:37
Winter is coming, interest rates are up... What's happening in Brookline real estate now?
11/28/2022
You've seen the national headlines: interest rates are up, the housing market is slowing, and inventory is growing. What's happening here, in Brookline and Greater Boston? It's not a single story. In this episode we go through the numbers, discuss several specific examples that fall into different scenarios, and strategy for this new environment. FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN,...
Duration:00:26:18
Interview with Brookline for Everyone co-founder Jeff Wachter
7/2/2022
Fascinating interview with Jeff Wachter, co-founder of Brookline for Everyone (http://www.brooklineforeveryone.com/), a grassroots organization that advocates for housing policies that promote economic diversity, racial inclusion, and environmental sustainability in our town. Jeff Wachter (he/him) lives in Brookline Village with his wife and 3 children (one in 2nd grade at Pierce, one excited to start Pierce in the Fall, and a newborn). He has a Master’s in history, focusing on 20th century...
Duration:00:35:21
Interest rates rising, Stock market falling. What's going on with housing? May 2022
5/23/2022
Interest rates are rising, stock market is falling. What's that mean for the real estate housing market in Brookline and Greater Boston? First, we examine some leading indicators in the stats. Then we discuss a number of new listings and "price improved" listings. 47 Kenwood St, Brookline, MA 02446 87 Coolidge St, Brookline, MA 02446 114 Sewall Ave Unit 2, Brookline, MA 02446 55 Addington Rd Unit 1, , Brookline, MA 02446 116 University Rd Unit 2, Brookline, MA 02445 62 Pleasant St Unit 3,...
Duration:00:26:05
Behind the curtain - an interview with Mike Yanovitch, former Deputy Building Commissioner
3/16/2022
Mike Yanovitch is the former Deputy Building Commissioner of Brookline. This was a fascinating interview and Mike gives it to us straight, pulling the curtain back on how permitting and zoning work. Topics discussed include: - Why is Brookline zoning so complex? Does that inhibit building? - We ask about how the building department works. What's the best way to get feedback on plans, for example to build an addition? - Where is the institutional knowledge when there is turnover in the...
Duration:00:33:10
Pitfalls and perils of purchase process different for new construction - with attorney David Haimi
3/7/2022
Homes for sale are scarce, giving sellers the upper hand. This is even more true for new construction homes in this market, which results in an unusual power dynamic when home buyers get under contract with home builders. Special guest real estate attorney David Haimi discusses with us how buying a new construction home is different than buying an existing home. ***************** ABOUT OUR GUEST: DAVID HAIMI, ESQ Partner at Lieberman Law Office, P.C. liebermanlawoffice.com/david-haimi-esq/...
Duration:00:31:40
PART 2: The future of Brookline, with Select Board Member John VanScoyoc
12/30/2021
The future of Brookline; Select Board Member John VanScoyoc joins us to discuss Brookline's proposed Comprehensive Plan, and other matters of interest to the town and its citizens. At the heart of the discussion, we hear from John on the tension between different and sometimes opposing goals, such as affordable housing, historic preservation, and battling climate change, and how those topics have evolved over time. We are publishing this conversation in two parts. This is Part 2 of 2. Links...
Duration:00:20:17
PART 1: The future of Brookline, with Select Board Member John VanScoyoc
12/23/2021
The future of Brookline; Select Board Member John VanScoyoc joins us to discuss Brookline's proposed Comprehensive Plan, and other matters of interest to the town and its citizens. At the heart of the discussion, we hear from John on the tension between different and sometimes opposing goals, such as affordable housing, historic preservation, and battling climate change, and how those topics have evolved over time. We are publishing this conversation in two parts. This is Part 1 of 2. Links...
Duration:00:32:48
Pricing is hard! Lessons from the Zillow iBuyer debacle and how we approach pricing
11/14/2021
Zillow exits the iBuyer business, lays off 25% of staff, and CEO says "We've determined the unpredictability in forecasting home prices far exceeds what we anticipated..." They've discovered what we've known all along - pricing is hard! We discuss where they might have gone wrong, and how we approach pricing as experienced, local Realtors. FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com,...
Duration:00:20:28
Exodus: Are the suburbs on fire while the city cools? A new market dynamic
10/19/2021
There continues to be strong demand for housing. In the Boston suburbs in particular we are observing an almost insatiable appetite for well-maintained single family homes, resulting in record making bidding wars and price increases. But that does not seem to be the case closer to the city. Do the numbers bear this out? We discuss our observations, some stats, and why this might be the case. FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206,...
Duration:00:20:47
Summertime and the condo buying is easy. What to expect post-Labor Day?
9/1/2021
August 2021: Inventory is rising, at least for condos in Brookline. What does that mean for the real estate market? Ron and Avi review the stats and discuss. We also look ahead to post-Labor day expectations.
Duration:00:10:50
June 2021, is the market overheating... or starting to slow down?
6/24/2021
June 2021: Is the market overheating, or is it starting to slow down? As usual, it's not a simple answer. We look at the data and compare to the prior 5 years. We share recent examples of sales which we believe are illustrative of the current trends. And we talk about pricing strategy and why it's so hard for so many sellers.
Duration:00:24:18
A roller coaster of emotion: we dissect four recent deals
5/23/2021
Sellers act with imperfect information, and evaluate risk differently. This results in sometimes irrational behavior - and hairy deals! This week we dissect several recent transactions. Strap in - it's a roller coaster of emotion! FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122
Duration:00:30:30
Ferrets and Dogs and Cats, oh my! Considerations when buying a condo
5/10/2021
Most condo associations have rules around what pets you may or may not own. There is actually quite a bit of variety in how these rules are crafted, and what their implications are. We discuss some of the ins and outs of pet rules in home owner associations. FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122
Duration:00:16:19
Local Historic Districts: an extreme solution to an imaginary problem with negative consequences
3/11/2021
Brookline has eight Local Historic Districts (LHDs), and some neighborhoods are advocating to add more. What is an LHD, what problem are they intended to address, and what are the drawbacks? Are these extreme solutions to something that's not actually a problem, with negative side effects? FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON SCHARF,...
Duration:00:32:27
Renovating your home? why trust trumps all and there is no perfect contract.
2/26/2021
Renovations! Why trust trumps all and there is no perfect contract. Are you thinking of renovating your home? In this episode we discuss three typical types of contracts your builder might present you with: fixed cost, cost plus, and time and material. Each has its pitfalls. Listen to find out why! FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? Email us! info@accentbrookline.com ** Accent Realty, 617-396-3206, www.accentbrookline.com ** AVI KAUFMAN, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON...
Duration:00:31:51
Only 2 hours from the Berkshires, Think of the Changes it Brings...
12/13/2020
BERKSHIRE COUNTY is only 2 hours away on the Pike, and oh the changes it brings. It is, of course, still in Massachusetts and subject to all the same real estate laws and regulations. And yet, Berkshire County differs in custom and practice from the rest of the state. We discuss the pragmatic differences. [**Segment starts at the 6:20 mark**]. Although we're primarily active in the metro-Boston area, we are also engaged in Berkshire and have cross-over clients. It's not just the Boston...
Duration:00:21:09
Sky high inventory, deadly Gas Stoves, and new Luxury Listings.
11/1/2020
1. What's going on in the market? Wow... there are 153% more condos for sale now than this time in prior years. We talk about how the unusually high inventory represents a rare opportunity for buyers. 2. "Kill Your Gas Stove: It’s bad for you, and the environment. If you can afford to avoid it, you probably should." Almost all high end listings have gas stoves. It's time for a major consumer preference shift to induction stovetops. We discuss this article that appeared in The Atlantic on...
Duration:00:21:29
No longer just rentals...a renaissance in the Brookline streets bordering Allston
10/2/2020
October 1, 2020--- Today we talk about streets *just* inside Brookline adjacent to the Allston & Brighton neighborhoods of Boston. These streets used to have a very student feel with somewhat rundown multi-family rental houses. Many of those have been gut renovated over the past few years into owner occupied condos and the streets have undergone a renaissance. We discuss a few examples for sale now, and what it means. - 23 Winslow Road Unit 1 Brookline MA 02446. Condo with 4 beds, 3 baths,...
Duration:00:12:30