Housing Market Reaches Record-high Home Prices

Strength of real estate market opens new opportunities for retirement living at Brooksby Village

Every weekday morning, Joyce Sullivan with Keller Williams Realty in Topsfield, Mass., is on a call with the top 20 agents in her company.

“There are so many buyers out there for every house that comes on the market,” says Sullivan. “They’re making offers over the asking price. Many are waiving the home inspection, and they’re waiving the difference if the house doesn’t appraise. This is what we talk about because we’re living it.”

Nationally, the median existing-home sales price rose 16.2 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“Significant price increases throughout the country simply illustrate strong demand and record-low housing supply,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

Realtor Joyce Sullivan listed this Salem house in late February for a client moving to Brooksby Village. The seller had 16 offers, all over asking price

Pent-up buyer demand and limited supply, coupled with historically low interest rates and a shift in work/home life, are all contributing to the hottest housing market in decades.

“There are so many buyers out there, we require pre-approvals before they can schedule an appointment to see a house,” says Sullivan. “We’re also scheduling individual appointments, so there’s not a line of prospective buyers down the street.”

For seniors considering a move, this is the ideal time to get the most money for their homes and invest in a vibrant lifestyle at Brooksby Village in Peabody, Mass., managed by Erickson Senior Living.  With such a strong sellers’ market, there is little need to spend money in prepping a home for sale.  It’s the perfect time to sell in “as in” condition.

Sullivan has extensive experience assisting seniors as a designated Senior Real Estate Specialist [SRES] and frequently works with clients moving to Brooksby Village, the Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass.

“Brooksby is the best because my clients know where they’re moving and they don’t have to turn around and jump into the buying frenzy,” says Sullivan. “The most important thing is that their lives are not disrupted throughout the sale of the house and closing. In this seller’s market, many clients choose to move to Brooksby before they list the house.”

A wonderful new carefree life for seniors doesn’t have to be a lengthy process, especially with the support of Erickson Realty and Moving Services.

Erickson Realty and Moving Services is a program designed to support seniors through every step of the move to an Erickson Senior Living community.

Laurie Phillips, Personal Moving Consultant at Brooksby Village, offers complimentary coordination of moving resources, including referrals to trusted real estate agents, estate sale planners, and moving companies.

Sullivan has been one of Brooksby’s preferred Realtors for the past eight years.

“There are no sub-par people partnering with Brooksby,” says Sullivan. “Laurie has the highest standards, as she should. Even in this crazy market, you want to make sure you’re working with a professional who has the skill set to ensure the deal will close.”

To illustrate the breakneck speed of the housing market, Sullivan points to a client’s house that went on the market in late February.

“She’d lived in Salem since 1971 and raised her family in that house,” says Sullivan. “She moved to Brooksby first, and the house was empty when it went on the market the last weekend in February. I set a deadline for offers two days later because I wanted to give everybody an opportunity to see the house and submit their bids.”

The house garnered 16 offers by the deadline, all over asking price.

“We knew the house would sell, but we were amazed at the number of buyers willing to waive the home inspection and the fact that the house sold for ten percent more than asking,” says the client’s daughter, who lives in Vermont. “My mother had several neighborhood friends who had moved to Brooksby, and she’d thought about moving there for years. It was serendipitous she moved when she did.”

For those contemplating a move, Sullivan cautions against waiting too long.

“The market may experience a slight correction towards the end of the year,” she says. “Now is the time to list your house if you’re thinking of moving.”

About Brooksby VillageBrooksby Village is one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Senior Living® and is situated on a scenic 90-acre campus in Peabody, Massachusetts. The not-for-profit community, located in Essex County, is home to 1,700 residents and is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community.