Johnny Long, Realtor at Privi Realty

Johnny Long, Realtor at Privi Realty Real Estate Agent & Advisor |
Down Payment Assistance Guru

Saving you time, money, & protecting your best interests

Just closed, and the numbers on this one are worth talking about.My buyers purchased a three-family home, but they won’t...
09/25/2026

Just closed, and the numbers on this one are worth talking about.

My buyers purchased a three-family home, but they won’t be carrying the full mortgage on their own. They’ll live in one unit while the rental income from the other two units is expected to cover approximately 85% of their mortgage.

But that’s only part of the story.

Here’s what we were able to put together:
➖ 2 grants totaling $105,000.
➖ $55,000 below list price.
➖ 30-year fixed rate in the low 5s.
➖ 3% down payment with no PMI.

Instead of simply buying a home to live in, they’ve purchased a property that gives them the opportunity to significantly offset their own monthly housing costs with rental income.
They get a place to call home AND two income-producing units under the same roof.

This is why I’m always telling buyers not to assume homeownership has to look one particular way.

The right property, with the right programs and the right strategy, can make the numbers look very different.

Huge congratulations to my buyers on officially closing!

If you’ve ever thought about buying a multi-family, living in one unit and renting out the others, let’s run the numbers and see what could be possible for you.

I’ll happily take being called a “numbers guy.” When you’re helping someone make one of the biggest financial decisions ...
09/25/2026

I’ll happily take being called a “numbers guy.”

When you’re helping someone make one of the biggest financial decisions of their life, knowing the numbers matters.

The purchase price. The monthly payment. The offer. The closing costs. The programs and grants available. Whether the deal actually makes sense for the person sitting in front of you.

But I loved this review because my client came to me expecting the numbers side of things.

What they didn’t necessarily expect was how much they’d value having someone confidently guide them through the process.

Because buying a home can be stressful. There are deadlines, negotiations, paperwork and plenty of moments where you’re wondering, “Is this normal? What happens now? Are we doing the right thing?”

My job isn’t just to help you find a home and crunch the numbers.

It’s to make sure you understand those numbers, know what’s happening at every stage and have someone in your corner who is paying attention to the details all the way to closing.

So yes, I’m a numbers guy.

But I’m also the guy who wants you to feel confident about the decisions those numbers are helping you make.

Thinking about buying or selling? Send me a DM and let’s talk about your options.

A $500,000 house doesn’t cost every buyer the same amount.And this is exactly why I’m a numbers guy when it comes to rea...
09/21/2026

A $500,000 house doesn’t cost every buyer the same amount.

And this is exactly why I’m a numbers guy when it comes to real estate.

Two people can look at the exact same home with the exact same list price and have two very different financial pictures.

One buyer might be putting more money down. Another might qualify for a grant or down payment assistance.

They could have different interest rates, loan products, property taxes, insurance costs or HOA fees.

Even their closing costs and seller credits can change what the deal looks like.

So when someone asks me, “Can I afford a $500,000 house?” the list price alone isn’t enough for me to give them an answer.

I want to know what $500,000 looks like for YOU.
What could your monthly payment be? How much cash might you need upfront? Are there programs you could qualify for? And, most importantly, does that payment actually feel comfortable alongside the rest of your life?

Because qualifying for something and comfortably affording it aren’t always the same thing.

If you’re scrolling through homes and trying to work out what you can afford based purely on the price you see on the screen, let’s run the numbers properly.

You might be looking in the wrong price range, in either direction.

A second chance at a Malden home that recently appraised for $952,000 ($53,000 above the current list price).305 Lynn St...
09/18/2026

A second chance at a Malden home that recently appraised for $952,000 ($53,000 above the current list price).

305 Lynn Street is available again after we weren’t able to come to terms on the previous buyer’s home-sale contingency.

Built in 2015, this Malden home gives you the space and newer-construction feel that can be hard to find in this price range:
➖ 4 bedrooms.
➖ 3 full bathrooms.
➖ 2,048 sq. ft.
➖ Open-concept living.
➖ Hardwood floors throughout.
➖ Granite countertops & stainless steel appliances.
➖ Primary suite with private bath & walk-in closet.
➖ Parking for 6+ cars.
➖ Fully fenced backyard & custom patio.
➖ Solar power system.
➖ Easy access to Malden Center, I-93 & the Orange Line.

It also backs onto peaceful green space, giving the home added privacy and unobstructed views.

And depending on eligibility, there may be options including fixed rates in the low 5s, up to a $50,000 grant, and 1.5% down payment programs.

If you missed your chance to see 305 Lynn Street the first time around, here’s your second one.

DM me to schedule a private showing, or come and check it out at the open house this weekend; details below!

Open House:
Saturday September 19th 12PM - 2PM
Sunday September 20th 1PM - 2:30PM

This is your sign to stop taking homebuying advice from someone who bought their house in 2003!I’m sure they mean well.B...
09/18/2026

This is your sign to stop taking homebuying advice from someone who bought their house in 2003!

I’m sure they mean well.

But if the advice sounds something like:
➖ “You need 20% down.”
➖ “I’d wait until interest rates come down.”
➖ “You need to have a ton of money saved before you even think about buying.”
➖ “Rent for a few more years first.”

There’s a good chance they’re giving you advice based on what buying a home looked like for them, not what buying a home could look like for you today.

The reality is, there isn’t one set of rules every buyer has to follow.

There are loan programs that require far less than 20% down. There are grants and down payment assistance programs that some buyers may qualify for. And waiting for the “perfect” interest rate isn’t automatically the best financial decision for everyone.

I’ve worked with buyers who were convinced they weren’t ready, only to find out there were options available to them that they had no idea existed.

That doesn’t mean everyone should rush out and buy a house tomorrow.

It means you shouldn’t rule yourself out based on somebody else’s experience.

Your income, savings, credit, monthly budget, goals and the programs you qualify for all matter.

So before you decide “I can’t buy yet”, have a conversation with people who can actually look at your numbers and your options today.

You might still decide that waiting is the right move.

But at least you’ll be making that decision based on facts, not your uncle’s mortgage from 2003!

Before you decide homeownership isn’t affordable for you, have the conversation.I speak to buyers all the time who have ...
09/15/2026

Before you decide homeownership isn’t affordable for you, have the conversation.

I speak to buyers all the time who have already ruled themselves out because they don’t have a huge down payment saved, they’re worried their income isn’t high enough, or they’ve looked at home prices and assumed buying simply isn’t an option right now.

But what you see online doesn’t always tell you the full story.

There are grants, down payment assistance programs and different financing options available that can make buying a home far more achievable than you might think. And depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for help you didn’t even know existed.

That’s exactly why I always recommend speaking to a Realtor and lender before deciding you can’t buy.

You don’t need to know which programs you qualify for or have the whole process figured out before you reach out. That’s what we’re here to help with.

This review means a lot to me because this is exactly what I want for my clients, not just to help them find a house, but to help them understand what’s possible for them.

If buying a home has been on your mind but you’re not sure you can afford it, send me a message. Let’s find out what your options actually look like before you rule it out.

Moving to Boston for college? The right neighborhood can make a huge difference to your experience. 🎓With colleges and u...
09/04/2026

Moving to Boston for college? The right neighborhood can make a huge difference to your experience. 🎓

With colleges and universities spread across Boston and the surrounding communities, choosing where to live isn’t simply about finding the shortest distance to campus.

You’ll also want to consider the public transportation route, rent, access to everyday essentials and the kind of atmosphere you want around you.

Allston and Brighton are popular with students attending Boston University and Boston College, while Fenway, Kenmore and Mission Hill can be convenient for Northeastern, Wentworth, Simmons, MCPHS and schools around the Longwood Medical Area.

Cambridge is the obvious place to begin for Harvard and MIT, while students attending Suffolk or Emerson may prioritize more central neighborhoods.

For UMass Boston, parts of Dorchester near the Red Line can offer a more direct commute.

The closest neighborhood on a map isn’t always the easiest option. A slightly longer distance with a direct train route may be far more practical than living closer and having to make multiple connections.

Swipe through for a breakdown of some of the most popular student areas and the colleges they’re close to.

Whether you’re moving to Boston for school, helping your student find housing or considering an investment near one of the city’s universities, I can help you narrow down the right location.

📩 Send me a message to start exploring your options.

Great service in real estate means a lot more to me than answering the phone and showing up to closing.It means communic...
08/31/2026

Great service in real estate means a lot more to me than answering the phone and showing up to closing.

It means communicating with you even when there isn’t a major update.

It means explaining the process instead of assuming you already understand it.

It means answering the questions you might feel silly asking.

It means negotiating like the money involved is my own.

It means noticing potential problems early and working to solve them before they become bigger ones.

And it means remembering that while I work in real estate every day, my clients don’t.

For you, this might be your first home, your biggest investment, the sale of a property you’ve owned for decades or a move that represents an entirely new chapter.

That deserves more than the bare minimum.

I want my clients to finish the process knowing they were informed, supported and represented properly from beginning to end.

That’s what great service means to me.

Want your budget to stretch further? Here are six places I’d recommend taking a closer look at:📍 Lowell. A great choice ...
08/28/2026

Want your budget to stretch further? Here are six places I’d recommend taking a closer look at:

📍 Lowell. A great choice for buyers who still want commuter rail access to Boston while enjoying a growing downtown, historic character and a wide range of housing options. Lowell is popular with first-time buyers, young professionals and investors alike.

📍 Haverhill. Located on the New Hampshire border, Haverhill offers larger homes, a vibrant downtown and direct commuter rail service into Boston. It’s a great option if you’re looking for more space without feeling too far removed from the city.

📍 Worcester. As Massachusetts’ second-largest city, Worcester continues to attract buyers looking for strong value. With universities, restaurants, entertainment and a growing job market, it’s become one of the state’s most popular places to buy.

📍 Fitchburg. If you’re willing to commute a little further, Fitchburg can offer excellent value. Buyers often find larger lots, more square footage and lower price points than many communities closer to Boston.

📍 Springfield. If commuting into Boston every day isn’t a priority, Springfield offers some of the best value in the state. It’s especially worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-family property or an investment opportunity with strong income potential.

📍 Brockton. For buyers who want to stay closer to Greater Boston, Brockton often offers a more affordable entry point than many neighbouring communities. With commuter rail access and a variety of single-family and multi-family homes, it’s a location many first-time buyers choose to explore.

The best place to buy isn’t always the one you’ve heard the most about. It’s the one that fits your budget, your commute and your long-term goals.

Sometimes expanding your search by just a few towns, or considering a city you hadn’t thought about before, can completely change what’s available to you.

If you’re wondering where your budget could go the furthest, send me a message. I’d be happy to help you explore the options that make the most sense for your goals.

Real estate agents won’t always tell you this, but I will!Not every home you like is a home I’m going to tell you to buy...
08/24/2026

Real estate agents won’t always tell you this, but I will!

Not every home you like is a home I’m going to tell you to buy.

Sometimes the numbers don’t make sense.

Sometimes there are issues with the property that I think you need to seriously consider.

Sometimes the location doesn’t line up with what you told me you wanted.

And sometimes the best advice I can give you is to walk away and wait for the next one.

My job isn’t to convince you to buy a house.

My job is to help you make a good real estate decision.

The same applies when I’m working with sellers. I’m not going to promise you an unrealistic price just because it sounds good during a listing appointment. I’d rather have an honest conversation about the market and build the right strategy from the beginning.

You should be able to expect honesty from the person representing you, even when the answer isn’t necessarily the one you wanted to hear.

That’s the kind of agent I want to be for my clients.

Address

Quincy, MA
02169

Telephone

+16172751415

Website

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