Wayland Tops List Of Hottest Towns In Mass. For Home Sales
BOSTON (CBS) -- Realtor Anthony Lamacchia told WBZ a year ago that an improved economy would make 2015 a great year for the real estate market. Now, after the biggest year in Massachusetts home sales in nine years, his realty company has released a list of the hottest towns for home sales last year.
Of 351 communities in the state, Lamacchia Realty compiled a list of the top 25 with the largest increases in overall home sales in 2015.
Towns had to have at least 200 home sales in 2015 to be considered for the list, and several towns that made the list last year returned.
Wayland topped the list with 269 homes sold, a 46.2 percent increase over the town's sales last year.
"It's an awesome community, great school system, right next to the pike, so, a wonderful place to live," said Lamacchia.
Saugus, with a 45.2 percent increase, and Lawrence, with a 36.3 percent increase, round out the top three.
"Saugus is a great town, great proximity to Boston," said Lamacchia. "In Boston, the average price is over a million dollars. So, ten miles north, which, without traffic isn't so bad, for $335,000?"
In Lawrence, meanwhile, Lamacchia said affordability was the biggest factor in the increase.
"It was the lowest-priced community in that area, and now people are going to it," Lamacchia said. "As prices rise, people tend to do that."
Lamacchia wrote that home sales across the state were up 9 percent in 2015, while prices went up an average of 3.6 percent.
To see the full list, go to lamacchiarealty.com.