Michael Olin - Real Estate Professional - Greater Boston

06/05/2026

When it comes to buying a home, it’s typically the same old tune: first comes love (finding your dream home), then comes “marriage” (committing to a mortgage).

Private lenders can be either individual professionals or investment corporations that lend money to borrowers using real estate as collateral, according to Jessica Kuan, senior partner with DLC Clear Trust Signature Mortgages in Vancouver, British Columbia.

06/03/2026

Fast rent growth can change a city quickly, especially for people trying to balance housing costs with everyday living expenses.

This ranking highlights several U.S. metro areas where rents have jumped significantly, showing how uneven housing affordability still is across the country. In many of these cities, population growth, limited supply, and steady demand are continuing to push rental costs higher even as some home-buy...

06/01/2026

Smart layouts, vertical gardening, and multi-functional pieces can make small yards feel spacious and purposeful

Small yards demand intentional design to balance function and beauty. Techniques like square-foot gardening, vertical planting, and using tiered or stackable planters help maximize growing potential without overcrowding. Even narrow areas, such as side yards, can become lush pathways or compact seat...

05/29/2026

Single Gen Z women are outpacing their male counterparts when it comes to buying a home.

NAR surveyed people who bought a home between July 2024 and June 2025. The survey included homebuyers from several generations, from Gen Z, ages 18-26, to the Silent Generation, ages 80 to 100. No other generation had a bigger share of single women homebuyers than Gen Z.

05/27/2026

WalletHub scored each city on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater affordability.

Flint, Michigan, once closely linked with the auto industry, ranks as the nation's most affordable real estate market, according to a new analysis from WalletHub. The personal finance site based its findings on 10 factors, putting the heaviest weight on the ratio of median home prices to household i...

05/25/2026

New construction can mean fewer repairs upfront, but builder contracts and upgrade costs catch a lot of buyers off guard.

New construction homes can be appealing for first-time buyers because everything is brand new, layouts are modern, and maintenance is often lower at the start. But the process comes with its own learning curve, from builder contracts and upgrade pricing to construction delays and warranty coverage.....

05/22/2026

Boston.com’s 2026 buyer outlook highlights where buyers may find better value by looking beyond the most obvious ZIP codes.

Boston.com’s 2026 buying outlook looks at where real estate agents see the strongest opportunities for buyers across Boston, Greater Boston, and nearby New England markets. Inside Boston, areas like Dorchester, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan, and East Boston may offer relative value, while towns ...

05/20/2026

The price a potential buyer is willing to pay is influenced by so many individual factors, so it makes good sense to do whatever you can to improve your home and maximize its perceived value.

Appraisers and real estate pros don't generally guess at pricing. They account for the wider market conditions and the other elements you can't control, and then factor in the current state of your property, including maintenance, layout, finish, curb appeal, energy efficiency, landscaping, and many...

05/18/2026

The most important factor to weigh before splurging is "adherence to the home's price range and location. If you over-improve — say, install a $200,000 kitchen in a $900,000 home in a $1 million neighborhood — you'll never recoup that money.

05/15/2026

New planning updates in Boston highlight housing supply, climate resilience, small business activity, and neighborhood-level changes worth watching.

Boston’s Planning Department is moving forward with several zoning and development review changes aimed at supporting new housing, small businesses, climate resilience, and neighborhood growth. The update includes Downtown zoning reforms, progress on office-to-residential conversions, Roslindale S...