Thank you for your vote! We are honored and humbled to be the Readers' Choice Winner for Builder Restoration in North Shore Magazine’s first Home Awards edition! We would also like to congratulate Matt Diana and Cummings Architects for their much deserved wins. We have partnered with them both on numerous projects and the talent is outstanding.
Read the entire, exceptionally gorgeous, digital issue here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/8557e8b9#/8557e8b9/65
TONIGHT the Town of Lynnfield, MA will hold a Town Meeting that will, if passed, affect the rights of its property owners. 
Take a look at Article 6 on Lynnfield's Town Warrant. This language would prohibit owners of single family homes from renting out THEIR PROPERTY, if the rental period is 30 days or less. No doubt what prompted the panic was the Lynnfield fatal shooting at a sprawling mansion earlier this year.
I can certainly see a homeowner's initial reaction being, "Why should anyone be able to dictate what I can and cannot do with my property?" However, there seems to be more to the story when you dig deeper. Sure, we have Little Neck, Great Neck, and Plum Island which come to my mind immediately; and all the weekly and seasonal short-term rentals that allow many of those owners to afford their slice of paradise. Many of my personal best vacations were the weekly rentals of beach-front and lake-side homes. Are vacationers ruining the fabric of the neighborhoods? One of the biggest opponents of Airbnb says exactly that about how Airbnb is hurting the neighborhoods of NYC. His (some say hypocritical) position is that it forces would-be long-term renters out for the astronomically high rents short-term renters are willing to pay. He does make a point there.
What do you think?
There’s no doubt that “the era of ultra-low interest [mortgage] rates is over,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors®, in a statement. That's the quote that stopped me in my tracks.
I wish I could tell you that lower home prices will offset the rate increase but currently we are still experiencing low inventory and high demand, including multiple offer situations and many frustrated buyers. The article suggests that if you're planning on buying in 2017, act sooner than later; I agree. Get the full article on rising interest rates from realtor.com here.
When does owning your home become cheaper than renting? There are plenty of pros and cons both ways but if we look at cost only, the gap continues to narrow, particuarly here in Boston, MA and North of Boston. Try this handy Rent Vs. Buy Calculator from Realtor.com to help you decide. Have questions about neighborhoods, schools, community services, home values, etc.? Speak with an experienced professional who knows the area! We do! 978-356-8922