jim lowenstern: The Most Renters Ever
- 07/26/17 11:40 AM
More people are renting than at any other point in the past 50 years.
In 2016, 36.6 percent of household heads rented their home, close to the 1965 number of 37 percent, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center based on data from the Census Bureau. The total number of U.S. households grew by 7.6 million over the past decade, Pew reported. However, the number of households headed by owners remained relatively flat, while households headed by renters grew by nearly 10 percent during the same time period.
Rising home prices, lingering fears from the housing crash, and larger amounts … (1 comments)
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jim lowenstern: The Non-Franchise Franchise for the Disenfranchised
- 02/10/17 01:48 PM
In 2015, James Lowenstern wrote and self-published the book Your Million Dollar Year in Real Estate in order to shine a critical light on the defining principles, structures, and tenets inherent in the current residential real estate brokerage industry. Over the last 3 decades, Lowenstern has been building a name for himself within the Greater Boston area real estate market - presently, he is the President and CEO of Castles Unlimited®, as well as the founder and publisher of Castles® Magazine (in print and online as castlesmag.com). But Jim’s love of real estate has stretched across all sorts of platforms – … (1 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Contemporary Villa in Cannes
- 05/03/16 11:58 PM
Listing ID# 6667
Location: Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, Cannes, France
Price Upon Request
Beds: 4
Baths: 4
For more information on the property
please visit our website castlesmag.com
or call 800-967-3561
or email info@castlesmag.com
… (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Villa Faaopore in French Polynesia
- 05/03/16 03:54 AM
Listing ID# 6652
Location: Faaopore Bay, French Polynesia
Price: $6,000,000
Living Area: 7,000 Sq. Ft.
Features: 6 Guest Houses, Infinite-Edge Pool, Sun Deck, View of the Pacific Ocean
For more information on the property
please visit our website castlesmag.com
or call 800-967-3561
or email info@castlesmag.com
… (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: An Amazing Question "Out Of China!"
- 09/25/15 06:24 AM
I was a featured lecturer today at the Harvard University Faculty Club which was hosting a group of 30 Chinese business men and women who had an interest in learning more about investing in real estate in the US.
During the Q and A period of the session a man, who identified himself as a builder in China, asked me this question: "Can a broker and a buyer work together to defraud a builder on the selling price?"
I wasn't even sure that I understood the question that's how foreign it was to my ears. So I asked the translator to repeat it. The second … (2 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Castles Unlimited Brokers/ Closes $3.7 M Sale in Newton Centre, MA
- 08/19/15 05:55 AM
Jim Lowenstern, President and a top broker at Castles Unlimited's brokerage office in Newton Centre has just brokered the sale of a 1.29 acre (56,121 sq ft) residential plot of land known and numbered as 367, 373, and 377 Langley Road. This landmark sale closed yesterday, August 18.
It sold for 3.7 Million. The lots which included stucco and brick residences were the following sizes:
367 Langley Rd: 23,426 sq ft
373 Langley Rd: 9,150 sq ft
377 Langley Rd: 23,545 sq ft
Total: 56,121 sq ft.
This Newton assemblage will eventually evolve into upscale townhouses (rendering above of possible development). Keep an eye out for more … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Whole Foods vs Trader Joes: Which One Increases Your Home Value More?
- 08/14/15 05:01 AM
Continuing the Whole Foods/Trader Joe's Debate...
While the rivalry between the two organic grocery store chains has been a reoccurring theme this summer, with individuals comparing food quality, food prices, customer service, etc., we decided to account how these two grocery magnates affect the real estate estate industry. The results weren't what I expected.
Although Trader Joe's is generally much less expensive than Whole Foods, with the latter generally charging very high prices for their all-natural groceries (see the infamous asparagus-water outrage), it was Trader Joe's that was found to increase the value of one's home more than Whole Foods. Housing data site RealtyTrac found that … (4 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Top Ten International Luxury Properties - August
- 08/11/15 03:10 AM
Recently featured on CastlesMag.com are our picks for international luxury properties for the month of August. Click on the pictures below to be directed to CastlesMag.com, and to see additional photos and information on these exquisite properties!
1) Caesare, Israel (Listing ID: 4423)
Price: $90,000,000
2) Barnes Bay, Anguilla, British West Indies (Listing ID: 4424)
Price: $42,000,000
3) Bayfour Mews, London, United Kingdom (Listing ID: 4425)
Price: $40,000,000
4) Grand Baie, Mauritius (Listing ID: 4426)
Price: $35,000,000
5) Gland, Switzerland (Listing ID: 4417)
Price: $75,000,000
6) Versoix, Switzerland (Listing ID: 4418)
Price: $55,000,000
7) Etampes, Ile-De-France, France (Listing ID: 4419)
Price: $53,000,000
8) Le Chateau, Gigins, Switzerland (Listing ID: 4420)
Price: $52,000,000
9) 7th Arrandisement du Paris, Paris, … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Living Arrangements Changing in American Households
- 08/09/15 01:14 AM
The U.S. Census Bureau recently visited population data of the living arrangements of adults over the last half of the century. While one can infer that more adults today are living alone today than they were in the 1970s, the statistics found bring to surface the changing aspects of adult living arrangements. In 1970, the percentage of adults living with a spouse was a high 69.4%. Today, this number is at a low 51.7%. If this pattern continues, one can expect this number to keep dropping, and in a few years, dip below the 50% line. But why is this so? Experts … (2 comments)
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jim lowenstern: CastlesMag.com Top 5 International Homes (August)
- 08/07/15 04:39 AM
Recently posted to CastlesMag.com is a selection of international properties for sale that can only make one dream of spending summertime in such a residence. Listed below are our top 5 picks for such exquisite properties, with links to CastlesMag.com for more information.
1) Virgin Gorda Property, British Virgin Islands (Listing ID: 4413)
Price: $40,000,000
2) Mahoe Bay, Virgin Gorda Property, British Virgin Islands (Listing ID: 4415)
Price: Available Upon Request
3) Marrakech, Morocco Property (Listing ID: 4414)
Price: Available Upon Request
4) Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Bahamas Property (Listing ID: 4401)
Price: $45,000,000
5) Paradise Island, Bahamas Property (Listing ID: 4416)
Price: $21,500,000
… (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Top 5 Luxury Homes in Weston, MA for Sale
- 08/05/15 05:33 AM
Recently added to CastlesMag.com are our picks for the most select properties in Weston. With convenient access to RT 128 and the Mass-Pike, Boston's most exclusive suburb has remained the premier town to live for those in Massachusetts. As the wealthiest town in the state based off of per capita income, Weston offers some of the most elite homes for affluent individuals. Here are CastlesMag.com's choices below:
1) 5 Concord Road, Weston, MA (Listing ID: 4355)
Price: $14,900,000
2) 60 Meadowbrook Road, Weston, MA (Listing ID: 4409)
Price: $9,250,000
3) 99 Westcliff Road, Weston, MA (Listing ID: 2197)
Price: $7,795,000
4) 70 Black Oak Road, Weston, MA (Listing ID: 4410)
Price: … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Study Shows Millennials Prefer Walkable Communities
- 08/04/15 03:05 AM
Recently reported in the 2015 National Community Preference and Transportation Survey states that millennials prefer walking as a mode of transportation by 12% points to any other form of commute. Aged 18-34, these individuals also were found to prefer attached houses, often located in neighborhoods walking distance to shops and restaurants. Work commute was also a factor highlighted in the survey, as millennials favor developed communities where individuals don't need to drive long distances to get to work. They also lean towards places with access to public transportation, such as trains and subways, as well as communities with the presence of sidewalks and bike … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Boston Ranked "Healthiest Housing Market"
- 08/04/15 02:15 AM
In a study conducted by WalletHub, Boston has been ranked the healthiest home market in the U.S. Based on Census data and the American Housing Survey, these figures compared the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, with the Massachusetts capital taking the top spot. The survey was established upon the following 7 figures:
-equity levels
-percentage of mortgages underwater
-downpayment percentages
-amount of time remaining until financial freedom from mortgages
-mortgage costs
-number of "easy" mortgages
-first time home buyer assistance and access to financing
Boston had the lowest interest rates at 4.23% (compared to 4.71% nationwide), as well as lowest share of easy mortgages at 9.25% (compared to … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Housing Markets Strong in July
- 08/04/15 01:24 AM
In accordance to realtor.com's "Advanced Read of July Trends," the U.S. housing market remains strong for that of July. Based off of data for the first three weeks of the month, the Read shows that the national median price of a home has increased to $243,000, up 7% in the last year-over-year, and a 1% increase from June. Median days on the market increased to 69 days, however, up 5% for the month-over-month (although this is down 7% in the past year).
John Smoke from realtor.com states that it's typical to see a decline in the U.S. market towards the end … (0 comments)
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jim lowenstern: The Impact of China's Stock Market Crash on the U.S. Housing Market
- 08/04/15 12:47 AM
In the past three weeks, the Chinese stock market has taken a hit. With its stock market plunging 30% in less than a month's time, this economic turmoil could have significant impact in not just China, but also of that in the U.S. and its housing market. American cities have seen a splurge of investment in real estate from the Chinese, particularly on the west coast in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose in the past 10 years. However, this has been largely due to the booming Chinese economy. Now that the Chinese market has crashed, it is likely … (2 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Smart Homes: Why They're a Trend That Will Last
- 07/10/15 02:48 AM
It's only been about ten years since the term "smart-home" has been first used, but now more than ever it has become common, and even somewhat mainstream for new homes on the market to be labeled as such. But what is it about smart-homes that are so popular with buyers? Will this trend last? My answer is yes. With everything from energy-saving thermostats, cloud-connected home control systems, and proximity based locks, smart technology is not only convenient, but also practical and saves money. With sales in smart homes reaching $7.19 billion in 2013, this number is expected to hit $22.4 billion … (2 comments)
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jim lowenstern: "Downsizing:" Why Buyers are Opting for Luxury Rentals
- 07/10/15 01:38 AM
While it appears to be just a short time ago that the American 1% were opting for 10,000 square foot homes, one-upping their friends, and seeking as much acreage as possible, the tides are visibly changing. In a recent report by Bloomberg Business, it accounts the rapidly declining demand for large properties in Greenwich, with buyers substituting their interests for luxury rental complexes and developments. With the term "downsizing," becoming mainstream, homeowners state that this doesn't necessarily mean that one has to downsize the square footage of the home, but rather the square footage of the entire property. With continual maintenance … (1 comments)
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jim lowenstern: 5 Ideas to Build the Patio of Your Dreams
- 07/08/15 06:41 AM
If you follow my blog, you'll notice that I frequently write about ways to improve landscaping or outdoor yard space. But, many individuals don't realize that a home doesn't just cover what's in the interior, but it also attributes to what is shown outside in the exterior. A property's outdoor space and patio can make or break a home, and, while it's summer, now is the perfect time to do that outdoor renovation that you've always wanted to do. With the help from RIS Media, I've compiled together 5 patio upgrades that will not only allow you to enjoy your home … (2 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Yes, You Should Care about Your HVAC System (Here's Why):
- 07/08/15 06:04 AM
HVAC systems: every home has one, yet no one thinks about it until there lies a problem. With HVAC bills appearing to be more and more expensive these days, it's important to ask necessary questions ahead of time until your HVAC system has a serious problem and a serious bill. Yes, HVAC systems typically exist in a hidden part of the back yard, yes they're ugly, and yes they're complicated, but this doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't ask yourself three legitimate questions regarding it.
First, how old is the system? An HVAC system is usually good for 10-15 years. After 10 years, … (3 comments)
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jim lowenstern: Everyone's Dream: Buying an Island in Paradise
- 07/08/15 04:28 AM
If you're like me, you're sitting at your office dreaming of getting away to a tropical island, dipping your toes into the sand, and breathing in the salt water aroma of the ocean. While many of us do enjoy the beach in the summer, who says you can't permanently live in a tropical island of your choosing? For those with tens of millions to spare, or for those who just take pleasure in fantasy living, here are 4 tips on what to consider when buying your own private island.
Inventory and Cost: RIS Media reports that less than 1,000 islands are listed … (5 comments)
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More people are renting than at any other point in the past 50 years.
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