Laer Realty Partners - Kevin Durkin

Laer Realty Partners - Kevin Durkin Hello my name is Kevin Durkin and I have been helping buyers and sellers for 25 years and have seen

09/23/2026

More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools
After nearly three decades guiding clients through every turn in the real estate market, I’ve learned to spot the subtle shifts that matter most. In the four weeks ending August 23, we saw new home listings rise 0.4% and total homes for sale tick up 0.5%—the highest since early Q2. At the same time, pending home sales dipped 1.1% to a six-month low, as elevated costs kept many buyers on the sidelines even with more inventory available across the country. The median sale price climbed 1.9% year-over-year, now topping $400K, and mortgage rates hovered close to 7%, near a 13-month high. What does this mean for you? With more homes to choose from and demand easing, buyers are finding room to negotiate—especially on properties that have been listed for several weeks. Sellers who set realistic prices are seeing the best results. Having weathered both hot and cool markets over the years, I know how to help clients take advantage of these changing dynamics. Experience matters when it’s time to navigate what comes next.

09/22/2026

New Listings Rise as Summer Comes to a Close
As summer winds down, we’re seeing a slight uptick in new home listings—up 1.2%, reaching a three-month high. Meanwhile, pending sales have dipped by 1.3%, now at their lowest point since March. The median asking price edged down by 0.1%, even as the median sale price is still 1.8% higher than last year. These shifts reflect the ongoing impact of higher mortgage rates and general economic uncertainty. After nearly three decades guiding clients through every kind of market, I can say firsthand: navigating these changes takes experience and a steady hand. If you’re considering a move, it pays to have a seasoned Realtor in your corner.

09/17/2026

US Confidence Hits Seven-Mo Low
After nearly three decades navigating the ups and downs of real estate, I’ve seen how shifts in consumer confidence ripple through our market. Lately, even as people felt a bit more secure about current conditions (the present-conditions index climbed nearly 7 points to 121), overall confidence has softened. Expectations about future income, business, and jobs dipped—the expectations gauge dropped about 6 points to 68, a threshold that’s raised recession concerns in the past. Early in Q3, employers trimmed 23,000 jobs and unemployment ticked up to roughly 4%, mostly because more folks left the workforce rather than new hiring. Despite these softer confidence numbers, homebuying sentiment held fairly steady and even kept rising mid-Q3; around 61% of folks still believe interest rates are heading higher. With the Fed keeping rates unchanged and markets signaling little immediate relief, buyers should be prepared for borrowing costs to stay elevated through year-end. Having already guided clients through similar cycles, I know firsthand how important it is to stay grounded and well-informed as you make your next move.

09/16/2026

More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools
Having navigated the real estate market’s highs and lows for nearly three decades, I’ve seen firsthand how shifts in inventory and demand can create new opportunities for both buyers and sellers. In the four weeks ending August 23, we saw new US listings tick up by 0.4% and the total number of homes for sale rise by 0.5%—the highest inventory since early Q2. Meanwhile, pending home sales dipped by 1.1%, landing at a six-month low as higher housing costs kept many would-be buyers on the sidelines, even with improved inventory nationwide.

The median US home-sale price climbed 1.9% year-over-year to just over $400,000, while average mortgage rates hovered near 7%, marking the highest point in over a year. For those actively searching, this environment means more negotiating power—especially on homes that have been listed for several weeks. Sellers are finding that realistic pricing is key, rather than chasing the prices of the past.

After years in the business, I can say these market turns are when experience counts most. Whether you’re weighing your options as a buyer or considering your strategy as a seller, understanding the current conditions can make all the difference.

09/15/2026

Home Prices Rise 2.6% YoY Despite Expanding Inventory
After nearly three decades navigating every turn of the real estate market, I always keep a close eye on the latest numbers—because they tell the true story for buyers and sellers alike. In July, national home prices climbed 2.6%, bringing the median price to $400,000. Not only that, but home sales saw a 2.9% bump while inventory expanded by 4.4%. What’s interesting is how price increases played out across different property types: single-family homes rose by 2.5%, condos by 2.3%, and townhomes edged up 0.8%. Markets may shift, but with the right guidance, you can move forward confidently—no matter which side of the transaction you’re on.

09/11/2026

Gen Z vs. Millennials: Who Has It Worse for Housing Costs in Every State?
After nearly three decades guiding clients through the highs and lows of the real estate market, I’ve seen how each generation faces its own unique challenges. Recent numbers really put things into perspective: millennials across the U.S. are paying noticeably more for housing than Gen Z—sometimes by a wide margin. In Hawaii, for example, millennials pay $1,152 more per month. Seven states show millennials shelling out over $500 extra monthly, and in thirteen states the annual difference is more than $10,000. Navigating these kinds of numbers can feel overwhelming, but experience matters when making sense of shifting housing costs and what they mean for your next move. When it comes to understanding these trends and how they might impact your decisions, it pays to have a proven, hardworking Realtor in your corner.

09/10/2026

US Existing Home Sales Edge Up
Having navigated countless market shifts over my 28 years in real estate, I know how important it is to keep a close watch on the latest numbers. Early in Q3, US existing-home sales dipped 1.7% month-over-month, but overall activity still nudged up 0.7% compared to last year—showing that steady transactions remain the norm, even through changing seasons. The median price for existing homes has climbed to $434,100, marking 37 consecutive months of yearly gains and giving many homeowners a welcome boost in equity. Meanwhile, inventory at 1.54 million homes slipped 1.9% from the previous month and 0.6% from last year, so buyers need to keep a sharp eye on new listings in this still-tight market. Even with prices on the rise, housing affordability actually improved nationally, which is encouraging for buyers who stay prepared and ready to act when the right opportunity presents itself. Mortgage rates have been holding in the high-6% range for a 30-year fixed, and if we see rates ease, that could give buyers another advantage as summer moves along. Having weathered many cycles, I always remind clients that experience and vigilance matter most when the market is moving fast.

09/09/2026

USA: Why ‘Price Stability’ Is a Myth
After nearly three decades navigating the highs and lows of real estate, I’ve seen firsthand how the idea of ‘price stability’ in the US is more myth than reality. When the price of one thing rises, it’s often because spending is shifting elsewhere—so while technology has become more affordable and supercomputers now fit in our pockets, other items like hotel rooms, sports tickets, and tuition have soared in cost. The central bank can’t truly lock down prices, because the sheer number of global transactions and production patterns keeps everything in motion. In my experience, a steadier dollar might encourage investment that’s currently focused on hedging against inflation, which could lower some prices but drive up the cost of scarcer goods. Ultimately, change is the only constant: prices will always move, and that’s not necessarily a sign of trouble—it can also show economic progress. Having already weathered so many market shifts myself, I know a steady perspective is key.

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173 Chelmsford Street
Chelmsford, MA
01824

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+19788154967

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