Premium: Real Estate News - The Manchester Cricket

A Federal Colonial with Space, History and a Village Address

This week’s Home of the Week brings us, again, to Manchester’s downtown village area, which buyers love for its charm, walkability, and ease of getting everywhere you want to be in Manchester (think beaches, shops, restaurants, the harbor, or the train.)

Sold! Museum Acquires Main Street Property in Essex

Main Street Antiques has been a downtown Essex presence since 1981. The building will now be part of the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum.

After a whirlwind nine months of quiet fundraising, the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum this week purchased a prominent downtown property at 44 Main St. in a move that will preserve the site for public use and expand the museum’s footprint in Essex.

Gretchen Berg named top-producing agent in J Barrett’s Manchester office

Gretchen Berg, a vice president and realtor with J Barrett & Company, was the top-producing agent in the firm’s Manchester office for 2025, according to the brokerage.

New Construction in the Heart of Manchester

This week’s Home of the Week takes us to a quiet side street in the center of Manchester’s village area.

Cobb Avenue Colonial Revival

A late-19th-century Colonial Revival residence on Cobb Avenue in Manchester has come to market for $11.75 million. Known as Seaway, the 1899 property comprises approximately 10,664 square feet with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms on about 0.82 acres.

Local Transfers | Jan. 2025

Check out the property transfers in Manchester and Essex recorded between Dec. 30, 2025 and Jan. 27, 2026 with the Essex County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.

Americana Comes Home - Classic New England Style Feels Fresh Again

Some design trends that arrive with great fanfare and disappear just as quickly. Americana isn't one of them.

Mulch Rings Keep MBTS Trees Healthy

A ring of dark bark mulch around a tree gives parks and cemeteries a neat, cared-for appearance. But mulch rings do much more than improve aesthetics: they help young trees survive and thrive.

Where young adults are house hunting

How much square footage a $500K housing budget buys across US metros

Conforming mortgages just lost their majority. Non-QM is helping drive the shift

Survey: Nearly half of Americans are comfortable with AI approving or denying their mortgage

Lower reports that 49.2% of consumers are comfortable with AI approving mortgage applications, with even higher comfort in other tasks.

How absentee owner data is reshaping real estate investment strategy in 2026

PropertyReach reports that absentee owner data is vital for real estate investors, providing insights into motivated sellers and enhancing investment strategies.

Where renters have the most negotiating power right now

Apartments.com reports a national vacancy rate of 7.9% for multifamily properties, with rising rents. States like Texas and Arizona offer renters the most negotiating power due to high vacancies and declining rent growth.

A 1-percentage-point mortgage rate rise can outrun 4 years of rent growth

Griffin Funding reports that the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike affects rental property investors, as rising mortgage costs may outpace slow rent growth.

The neighborhoods where property values are moving fast this fall, and what the records show

PropertyReach reports on rising property values in various U.S. neighborhoods, highlighting trends and six promising ZIP codes for real estate investment.

How the $40,000 SALT expansion creates high-tax winners and income traps

Ownwell reports that the $40,000 SALT deduction cap, effective in 2025, benefits high-tax homeowners while high earners face complex income traps and regional disparities.

3 costly mistakes sellers make when their home isn’t selling

HomeLight reports that sellers often make costly mistakes like delaying price reductions, refusing to adjust expectations, and making inadequate price cuts, hindering home sales.

What $1,500 gets you in Europe vs. the US for housing

HousingAnywhere reports that $1,500 in rent offers more space and lifestyle options in Europe compared to the U.S., with significant differences in cities like Vienna, Brussels, and Paris.

Which football cities score highest for renters?

Apartments.com reports on the best football cities for renters, where Denver ranks highest for its home record and affordable rent, while Los Angeles offers a flashy stadium despite high rental costs.

The rental portfolio math that changes the DIY vs. property manager debate

RentRedi reports that self-management with property management software outperforms hiring property managers, maximizing cash flow without added chaos.

States that cap rent increases, and where support for rent control is building

TurboTenant reports on states with rent control laws, highlighting how these regulations vary locally.

Home equity reaches a record $18 trillion among US mortgage holders. Here is where it runs deepest

Griffin Funding reports U.S. mortgage holders have a record $18 trillion in home equity, but access varies widely by state, with Vermont leading at 78.9%.

What 3,002 renters say matters when free rent offers end

AppFolio reports that rental market conditions are shifting, with fewer concessions as satisfaction with maintenance drives renter retention and decision-making.

Understanding DSCR loans: How cash-flow underwriting works for rental properties

Griffin Funding reports on DSCR loans, an alternative for investors in rental properties.

States where home insurance got cheaper, and what they're doing right

Insurance.com reports that despite rising national homeowners insurance rates, 16 states saw average annual premiums decrease from 2025 to 2026.

Survey: Nearly two-thirds of US homeowners are shocked by their property tax bill

Ownwell reports that nearly two-thirds of U.S. homeowners are surprised by rising property tax bills, with many unaware of their rights to appeal.

How community-focused homebuilding is preserving character amid rapid growth

Triple Crown Homes reports on community-focused homebuilding, balancing affordability with character and sustainability, amid U.S. housing shortages and rapid growth.

What skip tracing reveals about distressed properties and how investors use it

PropertyReach reports that investors use skip tracing to locate owners of distressed properties, revealing vital data that aids in off-market acquisitions.

The rise of legacy properties: Why families are investing in land they already own

Triple Crown Homes reports families are investing in land they own to preserve wealth across generations, focusing on property upgrades with high ROI amid estate planning challenges.

Why vacation rental investors are spending more time on market research before buying

Griffin Funding reports that vacation rental investors are focusing more on market research due to cooling returns and stricter regulations impacting profitability and loans.

Rental property cash flow checklist: 15 ways to increase profit

RentRedi reports a checklist of 15 practical ways for landlords to improve rental property cash flow by optimizing rents, reducing expenses, and careful tenant screening.

As more unmarried couples buy homes, financial conversations are becoming essential

Underwood Law reports that as unmarried couples increasingly buy homes, essential financial discussions become crucial to avoid disputes and ensure clear agreements.

The states where vacation rental returns are holding and where they're falling apart

PropertyReach reports on the shifting landscape of vacation rentals, highlighting states with strong investment potential like Texas and Indiana, while noting challenges in California and New York due to regulations and high property prices.

How real estate investors are using property data to find deals before they hit the market

PropertyReach reports that real estate investors are using data to identify off-market properties, allowing them to make pre-listing offers and avoid bidding wars.

Half of homeowners now say the American Dream is 'eroding' or 'broken,' survey finds

Hometap reports that half of U.S. homeowners view the American Dream as eroding or broken, reflecting skepticism about homeownership's true benefits.

Where Americans are moving this summer, and how it changes who can find you

PeopleFinders reports that during summer 2026, many Americans are moving for affordability rather than jobs, creating digital privacy risks.