First post - South Boston, MA - CMA advice on 824sf condo

First post - South Boston, MA - CMA advice on 824sf condo

Contractor · Portsmouth, NH · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 2 votes

First post:

My wife and I are getting ready to list our 824sf 2bed,1bath condo in South Boston, MA. We're working with a realtor we've worked with before and trust but I'm looking for other opinions on this particular market. The CMA our realtor came up with is $449-459k (we paid $275k in 2012). That figure works well for us but what do other people think about the South Boston market? There are only a couple other properties on the market for under $550k. And neither of those were used in our realtor's CMA. He basically comped it against the $550k properties then took what appears to be a subjective discount based on exact neighborhood. I don't want to be greedy by any means and don't want it to sit on the market, but no one wants to leave money on the table. How can you be sure without any good comps?

For context, this is our only rental property and currently cashflows close to $750/mth and we're looking to capture the massive appreciation, free up all the equity which is roughly $200k (currently have heloc but as investment prop could only get a line for 25% of equity), and use the cash to purchase a few other properties outside of the crazy Boston market. The kicker to all this is we've lived in the unit 2 of the last 5 years so we can avoid capital gains by selling in the next year. 

We're waiting to hear back on an offer we made on a duplex outside of the city. If that offer is accepted than we'll have better CF than the one Southie condo and it will tie up a lot less cash so we can continue to expand. So goal is to sell Southie condo, use around 30% of proceeds to purchase a duplex with higher cash flow, and invest the rest in other properties. Regardless, that's our expansion strategy and motivation for selling and I'd love opinions on how pricing works in this market or similarly hot ones. 

Thanks in advance! 

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Real Estate Agent · Estero, FL · Member since 2016 · 7 posts · 3 votes
9y
Hi Tim, I currently live in South Boston, and have been renting there for over a year now. I've been looking to buy and invest in South Boston, so I have a pretty good idea of values in the area. I'd be happy to try to help you out in terms of value. Feel free to PM me. All the Best, Jen
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  • Investor · Somerville, MA · Member since 2016 · 150 posts · 70 votes
    9y

    Hi Tim,

    I'd be glad to give you a second opinion on it... DM me the details (address, # beds, baths, parking) 

    Sq ft isn't everything, but a good base to start with, and rent in an awful way to value a SFR or condo

  • Real Estate Agent · Estero, FL · Member since 2016 · 7 posts · 3 votes
    9y
    Hi Tim, I currently live in South Boston, and have been renting there for over a year now. I've been looking to buy and invest in South Boston, so I have a pretty good idea of values in the area. I'd be happy to try to help you out in terms of value. Feel free to PM me. All the Best, Jen
  • Contractor · Portsmouth, NH · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Thank you both @Jen Kenely and @Mike Abramowitz. I'll PM you both. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Pawtucket, RI · Member since 2017 · 47 posts · 37 votes
    9y
    Tim Upton congratulations you and your wifi in that great investment. You could try to list it for over 459k but just be careful that you don't have to lower the price eventually because buyers could think that there is something wrong with the property even when is an excellent conditions. Great idea to invest on a duplex with better cash flow because it gets you guys in a better position in case of a down term.
  • Contractor · Portsmouth, NH · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 2 votes
    9y
    Victor Gutierrez thanks for the response. That's exactly what we're thinking. With investment properties there are limited options to "realize appreciation" without selling the property. It's not like the stock market where you can sell half your shares to lower your exposure and cap the risk of a downturn. The duplex wouldn't have the same appreciation potential but with the market being where it is we feel a lot more comfortable with a higher cash flow and less exposure to all the equity we've enjoyed disappearing. Not that I think there's a bear market coming, but need to capture that appreciation!
  • Real Estate Agent · Boston, MA · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 0 votes
    9y

    HI @Tim Upton,

    The Pricing your agent came up with seems to be pretty in line although you are correct in that inventory in sub $550K 2 beds is pretty slim so maybe for that reason alone you could test it a bit higher.  There has been a lot of New Construction sales along Old Colony and Dorchester Ave in the past year so it can be tough to comp out $/SF to them.  Are you receiving comps for similar finish level and quality type buildings?  If not the $/Sf can be misleading.    If you want to discuss further feel free to PM me.

    Best of Luck on the Sale

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