The Condo Comeback: Where Buyers Are Fighting—And How Sellers Can Win

Something's shifting in the Greater Boston real estate market, and if you're thinking about selling a condo in the $700k-$800k range, you need to pay attention.

Single-Family Homes Have Priced Out a Generation

For years, condos played second fiddle to single-family homes. Buyers tolerated condo fees and shared walls because they had to, not because they wanted to. But here's what's changed: single-family homes have become so financially unattainable that well-prepared condos are now getting the kind of attention—and competition—we used to see reserved for houses with yards.

I just watched my first-time homebuyers, putting 5% down, get outbid by a cash offer on a three-bedroom condo in West Medford. My clients offered more than $70,000 above the asking price. And they still lost.

Let that sink in.

But It's Not Every Property

Before you start thinking every condo is a goldmine, let me be clear: this isn't happening across the board. It's not all single-family homes. It's not all condos. It's not every neighborhood.

The battles are being fought over well-prepared, well-marketed, and well-priced properties in the $700k-$800k price band. That's the sweet spot where qualified buyers with decent down payments are colliding with cash buyers who've been priced out of single-family homes.

If your property checks those boxes, the competition is fierce. If it doesn't, you might be sitting on the market wondering why your neighbor's place sold in three days while yours lingers.

What This Means for Sellers

If you're a seller with a property valued in this range, you have an incredible opportunity—but only if you're willing to do what it takes to capture it.

Here's the hard truth: you're leaving significant money on the table if you're not willing to:

1. Make Your Property Turnkey

Buyers in this price range have options. They're not going to overlook scuffed walls, outdated fixtures, or cluttered spaces when the next condo on their list is move-in ready. Fresh paint, professional staging, and addressing deferred maintenance aren't optional—they're the entry fee to compete.

2. Let Your Agent Go All Out with Marketing

Professional photography, virtual tours, targeted digital advertising, compelling property descriptions—this is where properties separate themselves from the pack. If your agent isn't investing in top-tier marketing, you're not getting full market exposure. And without full market exposure, you're not getting full market value.

3. Price Just Below Market Value

This is where many sellers stumble. Pricing at market value gets you market interest. Pricing just below market value creates urgency, competition, and bidding wars. When multiple qualified buyers are competing for your property, that's when you see offers $70k+ over asking.

The Bottom Line

Demand for condos is back—not because buyers suddenly love condo living, but because single-family homes have become unreachable for so many. If you're selling a well-located condo in the $700k-$800k range, this is your moment.

But only if you're willing to prepare it properly, market it aggressively, and price it strategically.

The buyers are out there. The question is: are you ready to compete for their attention?

Thinking about selling? Let's talk about how to position your property to win in this market.