Boston MA Real Estate & Homes For Sale

About Boston, MA Real Estate

Real Estate Market

Over the past decade, property prices in Boston, MA have been increasing. Since 2010, few metros have seen the same price growth in property as Boston. This is due to a steadily growing population and a limited supply of real property in Boston’s metro area. The demand for land and buildings has steadily increased and outpaced supply.

Established in 1630, Boston, MA is one of the oldest cities in America. The metropolitan area has been developed and redeveloped repeatedly over the past 400 years. Land for new construction is scarce in or near Boston, creating a challenge for the Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) to navigate the demand for new housing inventory.

Most of the new construction in Boston consists of condo communities in large multi-unit developments. Houses for single families are rare. If you want a condo or townhome, there are many available in the Boston, MA real estate inventory.

Home Prices

The median home price in Boston, MA is high because demand exceeds supply. There is a shortage of land available for development and the population growth in Boston has been trending upward for the past 20 years.

Since the turn of the new millennium, Boston has evolved into a tech focal point. According to PitchBook’s Venture Monitor, Boston has become the fourth largest hub for new venture capital. Living in Boston, MA homes has become highly desirable.

Types of Real Estate

If you are thinking about living in or near Boston and are looking for a home for sale, there’s a good chance you can find a single family residence, a condo, or a multi family home.

Boston Single Family Homes

A Boston, MA single family home is any free-standing residential building. A single-family home is real property that you can sell as a single-dwelling unit with its own land and no shared walls with another owner. In Boston, single family residences account for roughly 10-20% of the total housing inventory at any given time. Areas closest to the city center typically have few single family dwellings for sale, while you’ll find more listings in Boston’s outer neighborhoods and suburbs.

The majority of single family structures available for sale were built 50 to 100 years ago. Boston’s inventory of Victorian homes, colonial homes, Cape Cod homes, and estate homes for sale are stellar examples of homes that were built to last. Living in a home with good bones makes it much easier to add that extra bedroom, bathroom, office, or private patio.

Boston Condos

If you are looking for a condo for sale, Boston, MA has the options to suit your needs; a condo with two bedrooms, condos with tall ceilings, a condo with more than one full bath, a condo with a gas fireplace, a condo with a choice of floor plans, etc. Boston Pads can help you navigate through the multitude of choices to find your best living accommodations. You can choose a condo community near Boston schools, coffee shops, stores, and green space. In Massachusetts, a condo is defined as any form of real estate comprised of separately owned units that have jointly owned common areas. The word condo does not refer to the actual units themselves, but rather the legal arrangement in which a piece of real estate is owned.

In Boston, a condo can refer to a condo or townhome in any multi-dwelling unit where common space or walls are shared. This can be a property within a 2- or 3-unit rowhome or a larger luxury high rise. Boston condos account for 70-80% of all property sales at any given time. That percentage has been growing steadily because most of the new housing units are in the condo category.

Boston Multi Family Homes

The state of Massachusetts defines multi-family structures as any residential building in which two to four families or separate tenants can reside. Any residential building with five or more units is considered a commercial property and does not fall under the category of multi-family.

Multi-family homes account for 5-10% of Boston’s total real estate inventory at any given time. In some cases, single family homeowners can renovate their homes into multi-unit dwellings to generate income, as long as it falls within the BPDA zoning regulations. Apartment rentals are always in demand in Boston, making  multi-family homes a great addition to any real estate investor’s portfolio. When you are in or near Boston, home values are on the rise!

The Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Buy Real Estate

Back Bay Boston, MA

Home to the bustling Newbury St. and Boylston St. shopping districts, Boston Public Library, Copley Plaza, and the Prudential Center, this locality successfully merges old and new Boston and is one of the most popular neighborhoods for visitors. Back Bay real estate offers buyers modern condos, vintage brownstones, Victorian single family, and multi-family homes.

Beacon Hill Boston, MA

Beacon Hill’s gaslit streets and historic brownstones exude prestige and charm. This hill is home to Boston Common. There are few homes for sale due to the size of the area and its allure, but our skilled realtors can help you navigate the tight Beacon Hill marketplace and make living here a reality.

Fenway-Kenmore

Home to Fenway Park, this area offers some terrific opportunities for buyers looking for a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom condo. Huntington Ave. and Massachusetts Ave. are centrally located, and living here puts you in the heart of the action. In addition, your new home will be adjacent to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area. If you are searching for a multi family home or a single-family home, data shows that there are few for sale here.

Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Boston, MA. When you invest in Jamaica Plain real estate, you’ll own property near Olmstead Park and numerous trails. Jamaica Plain’s inventory includes a good selection of homes for sale, including beautiful colonial, Victorian, single- and multi-family residences.

Charlestown

Historic landmarks surround property in Charlestown. The gas lamps and cobblestone streets invite you to step into America’s past while still living in homes that have all the amenities of upscale MA real estate. Charlestown real estate offers buyers plenty of options in single family, condo, and multi-family homes.

East Boston, MA

Boston Harbor separates East Boston from the mainland. The neighborhood’s popularity comes from a combination of modern residences, greenspace, beach access, proximity to public transportation and Logan Airport, water views and relative affordability compared to Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Property values are on the rise, so don’t wait. East Boston offers potential buyers a wide range of options in all three real estate property types and has one of the largest multi-family inventories in Boston.

Dorchester

The eclectic nature of Dorchester provides a great place to buy a first home. If you purchase here, you will be near the University of Massachusetts and John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum. Throughout the neighborhood’s six-mile radius, you can find a wide variety of dwellings, including a Boston, MA real estate staple: the triple-decker. Dorchester has plenty of listings in all three categories and is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Boston. There are also lots for development, making this area attractive to both investors and builders.

Allston

Allston is a trendy district with an easy commute to the area’s universities, attractions, and top companies. Most of the buildings in this area are residential. If you like living in homes that are rich in history and are larger than one bed and one bath, you should check out an Allston property. Navigate a virtual tour or contact Boston Pads. Data indicates that summer is a good time to tour one of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods.

Roslindale

Roslindale real estate provides a community atmosphere while offering some of the best homes in Greater Boston. These residences have varying floor plans and are beautifully maintained. In addition to single-family residences, there are plenty of multi-unit, multi-floor assets available. Let an agency with experienced real estate professionals such as Boston Pads help you navigate the homebuying landscape.

South End, Boston, MA

New construction, Victorians, and historic brownstones all coexist beautifully in this historic section. South End real estate is in high demand, and local businesses dot the landscape. Much of the property types offer spectacular amenities.

South Boston, MA

Southie property owners love living in Southie! The huge demand for real estate and its increasing value is evident in its continued growth. If you’re looking for beachfront property, find it here in South Boston in nearby Castle Island. There are several multi-unit investment opportunities here as well.

Brighton

If you want to purchase a property on the Charles River, explore Brighton. You can find studios, homes with one or more bedrooms, units with more than one full bath, townhouses, multi-unit, and detached homes. There is also some new construction in Brighton. Boston Landing has acreage containing numerous businesses and research facilities. Due to its popularity and relative affordability, housing availability here is short-lived.

Where to Start

There are so many wonderful real estate options in Boston and so many details to navigate before buying a home! Which area is the best fit for your lifestyle? Do you know all your options for home loans, lenders, and home mortgage rates? How much can you afford? How do you negotiate with home sellers? How do you navigate the competitive and rapidly evolving housing market in Boston? We can help you make the right decision based on the right information and years of experience helping buyers find Boston homes they love.

Start with the map search feature on this page. It will show you all homes available and let you refine based on criteria such as neighborhood, bedroom count, cost, amenities and more. Our save search feature sends you email updates on new listings you may be interested in that match your search criteria. Then use the mortgage calculator to estimate your costs. Once you find a property you love, simply fill out the contact form on the listing or give us a call, A Boston Pads real estate professional will be ready to help you.

We look forward to working with you!