Robyn A. Friedman
@robynafriedman.bsky.social
Business journalist, covering real estate and personal finance. Wall Street Journal columnist. Dog lover/rescuer. Yogi.
How do you plan to sell your #house? By yourself, as a #FSBO, or by using a #realestateagent? Read about the pros and cons of each method in my story for the @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/r...
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For Sale by Owner: Should you attempt to sell your own house? - The Boston Globe
FSBO, as it's known in the industry, can save sellers thousands in broker fees, but it’s a complicated task.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
How do you plan to sell your #house? By yourself, as a #FSBO, or by using a #realestateagent? Read about the pros and cons of each method in my story for the @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/r...
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To #stage a home or not to stage? Read about the pros and cons of staging when selling a #home --both traditionally and virtually -- in my latest story for the @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/r...
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In Greater Boston, real estate is a ‘beauty contest’ of virtual and traditional staging - The Boston Globe
In a "Zillow world," listing photos are a seller's one chance to make a first impression on prospective buyers, making staging — both virtual and traditional — a commodity.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:21 PM
To #stage a home or not to stage? Read about the pros and cons of staging when selling a #home --both traditionally and virtually -- in my latest story for the @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/r...
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#Home #mortgage rates inched down this week, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, down from 6.11% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.87%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
February 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM
#Home #mortgage rates inched down this week, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, down from 6.11% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.87%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
#Home sales fell 8.4% in January, the biggest monthly decline since February 2022 wsj.com/economy/hous...
via @wsj.com
via @wsj.com
Homes Sales in January Posted Biggest Monthly Decline in Nearly Four Years
Frozen temperatures and high home prices snuffed out the sales momentum from previous months.
wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
#Home sales fell 8.4% in January, the biggest monthly decline since February 2022 wsj.com/economy/hous...
via @wsj.com
via @wsj.com
#Home #mortgage rates remained stable this week, according to Freddie Mac. A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11%, up slightly from 6.10% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.89%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
February 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
#Home #mortgage rates remained stable this week, according to Freddie Mac. A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11%, up slightly from 6.10% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.89%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
#Home #mortgage rates remained steady this week, near their lowest levels in three years, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.1%, up from 6.09% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.95%. #interestrates
January 29, 2026 at 5:01 PM
#Home #mortgage rates remained steady this week, near their lowest levels in three years, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.1%, up from 6.09% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.95%. #interestrates
The U.S. #housing market spent 2025 mired in one of its worst slumps in decades. But at the ultra high-end of the market, a very different narrative unfolded: Luxury real-estate sales were way up. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com
#luxuryhomes
#luxuryhomes
The Housing Market Is Slumping—but Sales Over $10 Million Are Skyrocketing
The broader real-estate market has struggled under the weight of higher mortgage rates. Meanwhile, the high end is surging.
wsj.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The U.S. #housing market spent 2025 mired in one of its worst slumps in decades. But at the ultra high-end of the market, a very different narrative unfolded: Luxury real-estate sales were way up. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com
#luxuryhomes
#luxuryhomes
The #Fed held rates steady and offered little clarity on when cuts might resume. #interestrates @wsj.com www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
Fed Holds Rates Steady for First Time Since July
Officials offered little clarity on when cuts might resume. Two governors favored a rate reduction.
www.wsj.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:33 PM
The #Fed held rates steady and offered little clarity on when cuts might resume. #interestrates @wsj.com www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
If you're like most #home buyers or sellers, you'll probably use a #realestateagent to represent you. But with so many out there, how do you choose? My latest story for @bostonglobe.com provides some guidance.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/28/r...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/28/r...
With more than 8,000 in Greater Boston, how do you choose a real estate agent? - The Boston Globe
Real estate professionals in the Boston area offer tips for choosing the right agent whether you are buying or selling a home.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
If you're like most #home buyers or sellers, you'll probably use a #realestateagent to represent you. But with so many out there, how do you choose? My latest story for @bostonglobe.com provides some guidance.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/28/r...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/28/r...
Raccoon poop? Strange odors? Drug traffickers? #Realestateagents dish on the worst post-closing issues they've ever encountered. #realestateagent @wsj.com www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Finding Issues After a Closing Happens. But a Colony of Raccoons in the Attic?
Three real-estate professionals reveal nightmarish scenarios they ran into after the deal was done.
www.wsj.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Raccoon poop? Strange odors? Drug traffickers? #Realestateagents dish on the worst post-closing issues they've ever encountered. #realestateagent @wsj.com www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
#Home #mortgage rates remained close to their lowest point in three years, according to @freddiemac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, up from last week when it averaged 6.06%. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.96%. #interestrates
January 22, 2026 at 5:51 PM
#Home #mortgage rates remained close to their lowest point in three years, according to @freddiemac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, up from last week when it averaged 6.06%. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.96%. #interestrates
This week, #home #mortgage rates hit their lowest level in over three years, according to Freddie Mac, and both purchase and refinance applications have jumped. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.06%, down from 6.16% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 7.04%.
January 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Is January the best time to buy a #home in the #Boston area? A recent study by LendingTree says that January buyers could save an average of $23k. But it's not as simple as just timing. Read more in my latest for @boston.com. www.boston.com/real-estate/...
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Is January the best time to buy in the Boston area?
A recent LendingTree study says those who purchase a home in January could save an average of $23,000. But it's not as simple as just timing.
www.boston.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Is January the best time to buy a #home in the #Boston area? A recent study by LendingTree says that January buyers could save an average of $23k. But it's not as simple as just timing. Read more in my latest for @boston.com. www.boston.com/real-estate/...
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#Home #mortgage rates remained stable this week, and purchase applications are up over 20% YOY, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.16%, up slightly from 6.15% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.93%. #interestrates
January 8, 2026 at 5:14 PM
#Home #mortgage rates remained stable this week, and purchase applications are up over 20% YOY, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.16%, up slightly from 6.15% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.93%. #interestrates
Concerns about the economy, job insecurity and high insurance premiums are causing some home buyers to have second thoughts. Here are some things you can do to avoid losing a deal to a buyer with cold feet. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com
How to Keep a Deal Alive When a Home Buyer Backs Out
There are several ways you can prepare yourself in the event a buyer pulls out of a home sale.
wsj.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Concerns about the economy, job insecurity and high insurance premiums are causing some home buyers to have second thoughts. Here are some things you can do to avoid losing a deal to a buyer with cold feet. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com
#Home #mortgage rates dropped this week to the lowest level in 2025, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.15%, down from 6.18% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.91%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
December 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
#Home #mortgage rates dropped this week to the lowest level in 2025, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.15%, down from 6.18% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.91%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
#Home #mortgage rates dipped lower heading into the Christmas holiday, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18%, down from 6.21% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.85%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
December 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
#Home #mortgage rates dipped lower heading into the Christmas holiday, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18%, down from 6.21% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.85%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
Affluent #renters are increasingly customizing their new places—and many landlords are not only allowing these renovations, they’re actually encouraging them. @wsj.com
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Wealthy Renters Are Customizing Their Spaces, and Landlords Are All for It
More owners are giving the greenlight to upgrades that boost the value of their rental property.
www.wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Affluent #renters are increasingly customizing their new places—and many landlords are not only allowing these renovations, they’re actually encouraging them. @wsj.com
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Apartment owners/operators: Even at a time when operational costs are rising, it's still possible to trim expenses in 2026. My latest for @multihousingnews.bsky.social discusses 9 ways to cut costs next year. #apartments #multifamily www.multihousingnews.com/9-ways-to-sa...
9 Ways to Save on Operations Costs in 2026
Industry experts share smarter ways to lower expenses in the year ahead.
www.multihousingnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Apartment owners/operators: Even at a time when operational costs are rising, it's still possible to trim expenses in 2026. My latest for @multihousingnews.bsky.social discusses 9 ways to cut costs next year. #apartments #multifamily www.multihousingnews.com/9-ways-to-sa...
#Home #mortgage rates dropped slightly this week, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.21%, down slightly from 6.22% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
#Home #mortgage rates dropped slightly this week, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.21%, down slightly from 6.22% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
The estate of Sydell Miller is listing the late beauty mogul’s sprawling #WestPalmBeach penthouse for $78.9 million, ending rumors that Elon Musk had bought the unit late last year. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com #luxuryhomes
Exclusive | No, Elon Musk Did Not Buy This Penthouse. It’s Up for Sale.
The roughly 20,000-square-foot unit is asking $78.9 million, ending rumors tech billionaire Elon Musk bought it late last year.
wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The estate of Sydell Miller is listing the late beauty mogul’s sprawling #WestPalmBeach penthouse for $78.9 million, ending rumors that Elon Musk had bought the unit late last year. wsj.com/real-estate/... via @wsj.com #luxuryhomes
The #Fed cut rates but signaled reluctance to ease further. Three dissents underscored diverging views on the path forward. wsj.com/economy/cent... via @wsj.com #interestrates
Fed Cuts Rates Again, Signals It May Be Done for Now
Three officials dissented in opposite directions. Stalled progress on inflation and a cooling job market made for one of the most divided meetings in years.
wsj.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The #Fed cut rates but signaled reluctance to ease further. Three dissents underscored diverging views on the path forward. wsj.com/economy/cent... via @wsj.com #interestrates
What new trends in #apartment marketing became prominent in 2025 -- and are likely to continue into next year? Read all about it in my latest for @multihousingnews.bsky.social. #multifamily www.multihousingnews.com/the-3-bigges...
The 3 Biggest Apartment Marketing Trends
What worked, what didn't and what we'll see in 2026
www.multihousingnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:18 PM
What new trends in #apartment marketing became prominent in 2025 -- and are likely to continue into next year? Read all about it in my latest for @multihousingnews.bsky.social. #multifamily www.multihousingnews.com/the-3-bigges...
Planning to buy an apartment? If you think there's no real difference between a #condominium and a #cooperative unit ("co-op"), think again. In my latest for the @bostonglobe.com, I discuss the differences and provide advice for buyers. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/04/r...
Condo vs. co-op: What’s the difference? And how to know which to buy in Boston. - The Boston Globe
Unlike New York City, where co-ops are the norm, most of the multifamily market in Boston is made up of condominiums.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Planning to buy an apartment? If you think there's no real difference between a #condominium and a #cooperative unit ("co-op"), think again. In my latest for the @bostonglobe.com, I discuss the differences and provide advice for buyers. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/04/r...
#Home #mortgage rates moved down for the second straight week, according to Freddie Mac. A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.19%, down from 6.23% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.69%. #interestrates #mortgagerates
December 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
#Home #mortgage rates moved down for the second straight week, according to Freddie Mac. A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.19%, down from 6.23% last week. A year ago, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.69%. #interestrates #mortgagerates