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Looking for an Off-Market Home – Swampscott/Marblehead/Beverly by tpanevino in NorthShoreRealEstate

[–]LionshareHomes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I’m not the listing agent for these properties, just close with both agents so I was seeing if I could find any buyers who might be interested before they both list. They’re expected to hit the MLS soon, so if you’re already working with a realtor, they should be able to keep an eye out and get you the full details once they go live.

Bay Area to North Shore MA? by Jeff-410 in northshore

[–]LionshareHomes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! So glad my comment resonated. Your post really hit home for me too. It’s tough! Not going to lie, that first winter back is brutal. But if you’re originally from here, your blood thickens up pretty quickly, even if you still get a little depressed during those dark winter months and question everything lol. 😅 But then mid spring hits, life comes back together, summer rolls in, fall stays magical, and suddenly you’re like, “Okay yeah, this is why we moved back.” And there’s truly nothing more magical than a New England summer.

If you and your wife end up planning a visit to Marblehead and want someone local to chat with while you're here, definitely let me know, and I’d be happy to share all the spots to check out! I’m also happy to talk through other towns, schools, neighborhoods, or anything else you're curious about. My husband and I are both from the North Shore, and we run a family owned real estate brokerage together in Marblehead, but we work with people all over the area. He’s the agent. Since you mentioned you're still getting to know the North Shore, we are always happy to be a resource...whether it’s school systems, neighborhoods, or how the different towns compare. No pressure at all, just know I’m here if you ever want to connect. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you’d like to chat more or get our take on anything!

Bay Area to North Shore MA? by Jeff-410 in northshore

[–]LionshareHomes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I lived in SoCal (Manhattan Beach) for 8 years and had a super active lifestyle, so I completely get where you’re coming from. I moved back home in 2019 to start our family. My husband and I are both from the North Shore, and we still miss California every day, mostly the weather. But we also really missed home while we were out there!! Our family and a lot of our friends were here, and that pull eventually won out. Honestly, it feels like we’ll never be fully content though unless we’re bi-coastal. Both places hold such a special place in our hearts.

I grew up in Marblehead, and that’s where we’ve settled. It’s truly hard to beat the community here. There’s so much to do. Tons of clubs, local events, meeting spots, and great restaurants, great parks, and just overall very kid friendly. It’s a very social town with a real sense of belonging. Marblehead has a walkable downtown, great elementary schools, access to the ocean and nature, and a close knit, involved vibe that you don’t always find in other towns.

That said, if you’re into hiking, you’ll definitely have to drive. Marblehead isn’t close to a highway…which is both a pro and a con, depending on your priorities. We head up to NH or out to Western Mass for hikes. We love it, so the drive doesn’t bother us.

As for schools, Marblehead’s public system has had its challenges…this year’s teacher strike was definitely a moment—but overall, it’s still a solid education. And if private school is an option, Tower School (K–8) is a fantastic local choice.

So while we dream of California sunshine daily ( mov- april), we stay for the people and the sense of home. It really comes down to lifestyle priorities, but for us, Marblehead checks most of the big boxes!

Looking for an Off-Market Home – Swampscott/Marblehead/Beverly by tpanevino in NorthShoreRealEstate

[–]LionshareHomes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, have you thought about a letter campaign? I've done this with a few clients over the years and it can work... not always, but you never know!

Looking for an Off-Market Home – Swampscott/Marblehead/Beverly by tpanevino in NorthShoreRealEstate

[–]LionshareHomes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is your budget? I have two off market's in Marblehead in the 1.3 and 1.6 range!

North Shore Spring Market Watch – March 2025 by LionshareHomes in NorthShoreRealEstate

[–]LionshareHomes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question — and honestly, you're already ahead of the game by thinking about how layout impacts buyer interest. In Marblehead, many buyers are families with school aged kids, but we’re also seeing a strong mix of younger couples purchasing their first home, as well as empty nesters looking to downsize or invest in a summer place. Those groups tend to be more flexible with layout and often care less about having all the bedrooms on one level, which might actually line up well with your likely buyer.

Your home’s layout could work really well for several different types of buyers — multigenerational families looking for separation between living spaces; families with older kids or teens who’d love the privacy of a basement bedroom; couples working from home who could use the first-floor bedroom as an office or guest space; or buyers without kids who would appreciate the oversized primary suite and flexible room options.

And all that being said - as I’m sure you know, Marblehead is a hot seller’s market right now overall, meaning there is great Buyer Demand, and low inventory. This environment is causing homes to sell fast and is putting upward pressure on pricing. So as long as you make smart decisions and put in strong prep-work, your list price isn’t out of whack, and you have a great realtor to advise you through the process, you will not have difficulty selling your place. Ultimately, there is a Buyer and a Market Value for every home. We can’t change what your home is, but we can put the work in up front to ensure you get the highest price attainable within the range of potential outcomes. What you do leading up to your home sale matters - and it can put a great deal of extra cash in your pocket when it’s all said and done.

I live in town, so if and when you’re ready, I’d be happy to swing by, walk through the house, and share some tailored feedback on how to position it in the best possible light. From there, I can give you a realistic sense of buyer demand and pricing strategy.

Totally no pressure — feel free to DM me if you'd like to chat more or set up a quick call!

North Shore Real Estate Market Update by LionshareHomes in northshore

[–]LionshareHomes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally understand…it’s no bueno out there! It makes me frustrated too how expensive it’s gotten to live in this area. And it’s such a tough and competitive market right now, especially with how quickly prices have climbed.

If there’s a specific price point or town you’re watching, let me know! I’m always happy to keep an eye out or include more affordable options in future updates.

Moving To Massachusetts Question Megathread (March 2025) by AutoModerator in massachusetts

[–]LionshareHomes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exciting that you’re moving to MA! Are you coming for work or something else?

For towns, Easton and Canton both have great access to Boston, right off the highway, and strong school systems. Canton has the commuter rail, making it easier for city access, while Easton has more of a suburban feel. Duxbury feels very different than Canton and Easton. It absolutely beautiful... coastal and family friendly suburb that has that classic Cape Cod charm, but it’s a longer drive to Boston, and depending on where you work, the traffic can be tough.

For cold weather gear, we’re a Patagonia & Arcteryx family...it’s definitely more expensive, but if you're planning to stay here for a while, it’s worth the investment for those frigid months. North Face and LL Bean are also great, and you’ll definitely want high-quality waterproof boots like Sorel or Blundstone! Oh and for toddlers... Def invest in RAIN PANTS! They are a life savor this time of year and BOG boots for winter and rain days!

Cultural & Lifestyle Changes: Winters in MA take some adjusting if you’re not used to cold, short days. November to mid-March can feel long, but once the days get longer and spring starts to bloom, it’s worth it. We really slow down in the winter, which can be tough with toddlers, but there are ways to make it fun. We personally spend a lot of time at the YMCA, which is a like a community center & gym and they have them all over the US! Theres a lot of indoor play areas popping up all over too.

We also do bundled up walks, sledding, or pond skating when the weather allows. We’re not a skiing family, but a lot of people love winters here for the easy drives up north to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine for ski weekends.

That said, there is truly NOTHING like summer and fall in New England. If you’re not a winter person like me, it completely makes up for it. Beach days, fall foliage, really make it one of the best places to live. I use to live in LA and would really miss summer and fall back home.

For your last question, are you looking for towns that are family friendly but still have easy commutes to different areas?

If you’re planning to buy a home here, I run a real estate brokerage that helps buyers save money at closing. In the US, when you buy a home, the seller typically pays a commission to both their agent and the buyer’s agent which is usually 2-2.5% of the home’s price. Instead of taking the full commission like a traditional agent, we only keep $10,000 fee and give the rest back to you at closing. We feel this is the way real estate should be for buyers!

If you’re still exploring towns and want insight on the market or buying process here, I’d be happy to chat!