Episodes

  • Buyers are out in force again, but few homes for sale. Normal seasonality?

    Buyers are out in force again, but few homes for sale. Normal seasonality?
    Feb 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, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122
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    18 mins
  • New Year, but continued housing shortages continue to prop up home prices

    New Year, but continued housing shortages continue to prop up home prices
    Jan 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. 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
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    18 mins
  • Winter is coming, interest rates are up... What's happening in Brookline real estate now?

    Winter is coming, interest rates are up... What's happening in Brookline real estate now?
    Nov 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, avi@avirealestate.com, 617-751-1040, www.avirealestate.com RON SCHARF, ronscharf.re@gmail.com, 617-221-3122
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    28 mins
  • Interview with Brookline for Everyone co-founder Jeff Wachter

    Interview with Brookline for Everyone co-founder Jeff Wachter
    Jul 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 American cities, previously worked as an urban policy researcher, and currently works in finance and operations at a commercial real estate company. His academic and independent research have continually shown the inequity inherent in our urban land use policies, leading to his interest in using zoning reform and housing policy as a tool to address some of the structural challenges Brookline and the Boston metro area face today. Formerly served Precinct 11 as a Town Meeting Member, and now resides in Precinct 7. 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
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    37 mins
  • Interest rates rising, Stock market falling. What's going on with housing? May 2022

    Interest rates rising, Stock market falling. What's going on with housing? May 2022
    May 24 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, Brookline, MA 02445 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
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    28 mins
  • Behind the curtain - an interview with Mike Yanovitch, former Deputy Building Commissioner

    Behind the curtain - an interview with Mike Yanovitch, former Deputy Building Commissioner
    Mar 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 building inspectors? - How much of the code is open to interpretation? - Is it harder to receive permits now than in the past? Why are codes being interpreted more stringently now? - How does the town meeting style of government contribute to the complexity and difficulty of zoning? - What are some of the unintended consequences of this complexity? - How could we make it easier to build? In addition to having worked in the Brookline Building Department, Mike has also served in similar roles in Boston, Newton and Walpole. Now he is now in the private sector with Mass Construction Consultants (https://massconstruction.org/), a community where professionals in the construction industry can learn, share, and become better at what they do. Mass Construction Consultants provide corporate education, code consulting, permitting services, marketing consultations, and NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plans & Audits. ***************** 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
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    35 mins
  • Pitfalls and perils of purchase process different for new construction - with attorney David Haimi

    Pitfalls and perils of purchase process different for new construction - with attorney David Haimi
    Mar 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/ David has been in real estate for more than 15 years, first as a title examiner and owner of a title examination company, and then as real estate attorney. David obtained his B.A. with honors from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and his J.D. with honors from Pace University School of Law in White Plains, NY. At Pace, among other activities, he was managing editor of the prestigious Pace Environmental Law Review, vice president of the law school, and recipient of the Homberger Humanitarian Award. David remains committed to his alma mater as an active member of the Pace University School of Law’s Alumni Board. After graduating, David passed bar exams in both Massachusetts and New York, but has focused his practice in Massachusetts residential real estate law. As a real estate attorney, David has successfully closed on thousands of transactions, and made many relationships with buyers, sellers, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, and investors. To continuously help better the real estate industry, David has spent many hours training real estate agents, and in turn, remains up-to-date on the most current changes in the real estate world. From complex transactions to working with first-time home buyers, he communicates with all parties to make each transaction as smooth as possible. ONE GATEWAY CENTER 300 Washington Street, Suite 160 Newton, MA 02458 E: DHAIMI@GBLLAW.com C: 508.579.6509 T: 617.244.3200 x 122 ***************** 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
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    34 mins
  • PART 2: The future of Brookline, with Select Board Member John VanScoyoc

    PART 2: The future of Brookline, with Select Board Member John VanScoyoc
    Dec 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 mentioned in the episode: - Sign up for John VanScoyoc’s newsletter at www.goodgovernmentforbrookline.com/ - Read the previous (2005-2015) Brookline Comprehensive Plan at www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/…prehensive-Plan 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
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    20 mins