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What’s Driving the Market
Real estate insights, trends, and the forces shaping the market.


What's in the Affordable Housing Bill Everyone's Talking About—And a Boots-on-the-Ground Update the News Cycle Is Way Behind On
In a city that can't agree on much, Congress just passed the largest housing affordability bill in decades, and they did it with overwhelming bipartisan support. The 21st Century Road to Housing Act passed 358-32 in the House, with the Senate approving it shortly before with similarly lopsided margins. That's not a close vote. That's a statement. It hasn't been signed yet. There's some Washington drama around that. But the bipartisan support is so strong that even if it faces
David Cutler
Jun 254 min read


The Northeast Just Had the Biggest Pending Home Sales Jump in the Country — Here's What It Means for You
Charming suburban home for sale on a sunny afternoon, with the temperature reaching 93°F, highlighting a warm and inviting neighborhood. Fresh data dropped from the National Association of REALTORS® this morning, and one number jumped off the page immediately. In April 2026, the Northeast saw the largest month-over-month gains in pending home sales of any region in the country — up 6.6%. The Midwest came in second at +3.0%. The West barely moved at +0.4%. The South actually d
David Cutler
May 204 min read


The Fed Is Debating AI's Impact on Interest Rates — And Quietly Rolling It Out at the Same Time
Federal Reserve official highlights interest rates hovering around 6%, humorously referencing AI with a note confirming the rate prediction. If you've been watching mortgage rates and wondering why they seem to have a mind of their own — even when the Federal Reserve is cutting rates — you're not imagining things. There's something genuinely new happening behind the scenes, and it has everything to do with artificial intelligence. Right now, Federal Reserve officials are in t
David Cutler
May 186 min read


How Does Buyer Agency Work in Massachusetts in 2026?
Guide to Buyer Agency in Massachusetts: Essential Insights for 2026 by David Cutler Real Estate. If you're thinking about buying a home on the South Shore — or anywhere in Massachusetts — you've probably heard the term "buyer's agent" and wondered what it actually means. Here's a straight answer, without the sales pitch. What Is a Buyer's Agent? A buyer's agent is a licensed real estate professional who represents you — the buyer — throughout the home purchase process. Their
David Cutler
May 134 min read


Home Sales Are Up, Jobs Are Steady, and the Market Is Moving. Here's What This Week's Data Actually Means for Buyers and Sellers.
A serene residential street is lined with charming houses and lush greenery, basking in the gentle light of the setting sun. The April jobs report came out Friday, and if you followed the news at all this weekend, you probably got two completely different takes depending on where you looked. One headline told you the economy added 115,000 jobs — well above what forecasters expected. Another told you consumer confidence just hit its lowest point since 1952. Both are true. And
David Cutler
May 115 min read


Boston Ranked #3 in the Country for Young Professionals — But 26% Want Out. Here's Where They're Heading and Why Brockton's Renaissance Should Be on Your Radar.
Brockton City Hall stands majestically amid a vibrant bloom of white flowering trees, highlighting its historic architecture under a clear blue sky. Greater Boston just earned a title worth talking about. According to a recent analysis by Redfin and Glassdoor, Boston ranked third among the nation's largest cities as a top destination for recent college graduates and early career professionals. The drivers behind that ranking are ones anyone who lives here already knows: stron
David Cutler
Apr 235 min read


The Strait of Hormuz Just Opened. So Did the Spring Market. A South Shore Market & Rate Update
As the Strait of Hormuz opens, signaling smoother shipping routes, the hope for lowering mortgage rates follows suit. If you've been watching mortgage rates lately, you may have felt like you were tracking a news ticker more than a financial index. And honestly — you weren't wrong. For most of early 2026, rates were being driven less by economic data and more by headlines out of the Middle East. As tensions escalated, oil prices surged, inflation concerns followed, and mortga
David Cutler
Apr 174 min read


Waterfront property in Canton for Under $250K? Why Manufactured Homes Might Be the Most Overlooked Path to South Shore Homeownership
"Experience unparalleled elegance in a luxurious manufactured home, nestled by the tranquil seaside with stunning views and sophisticated style." If that headline caught your attention, good — it was supposed to. Because right now, there's a waterfront property in Canton, Massachusetts on the market that checks boxes most buyers assume are completely out of reach at this price point. Peaceful setting. Twenty minutes to Boston. Water views. A price tag that won't require you t
David Cutler
Apr 25 min read


MA Home Sales Are Down, What's the Deal?
Massachusetts Real Estate Market Insights: Understanding Why Inquiries Persist Despite Declining Sales. The headlines are telling one story. My phone is telling another. If you've been following the Massachusetts real estate market, you've seen the numbers — sales are down. And on the surface, it looks like things have cooled off. But I want to give you the view from the ground, because what I'm actually experiencing day-to-day looks a lot different than what's showing up in
David Cutler
Mar 254 min read


Massachusetts Just Made It Easier to Build Starter Homes — Here's What It Means for South Shore Buyers and Sellers
Workers actively construct new houses in a suburban neighborhood, showcasing modern starter homes with a "For Sale" sign promising affordable living. If you've been waiting for good news on housing inventory, this one's worth paying attention to. The Massachusetts housing market has a well-known problem: not enough homes that working people can actually afford. Teachers, nurses, tradespeople, young families, and people looking to downsize — they all want to stay in the commun
David Cutler
Mar 203 min read
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