Best Places to Live 2009

Our annual guide to Hub real estate spotlights the lucky towns emerging from the market crash with their values intact. Plus: The smart buys for those still shopping, and sanity-saving tips for those staying put.

By Katherine Bowers· 2/23/2009, 7:52 a.m.

Masters of the House

The region’s busiest real estate agents give us their read on the market (and a few words of wisdom, too).

Gail Roberts

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Cambridge)
"I tell my clients if they're selling, bring it on!"
Units sold last year: 24Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

David Digregorio

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Waltham and Belmont)
"It's hard to see it when you're in it, but now is such a great time to buy."
Units sold last year: 43Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Carmela Laurella

Otis & Ahearn Real Estate (Waterfront and North End)
"I just specialize in the waterfront... it's a very desirable area to live."
Units sold last year: 22Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Jay Rooney

GKR Residential (Boston and Dorchester)
"The days of pushing the market are gone—you have to be priced right."
Units sold last year: 18Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Anita Horowitz

RE/MAX Advantage Real Estate
"It's about knowing how the market works today, not what neighbors and friends experienced in years past."
Units sold last year: 24Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Steve McKenna

Bowes GMAC Home Advantage Team (Arlington)
"Years ago homeowners would say, 'If I don't get top dollar, I'm not selling.' Now they're realizing we're all in this together."
Units sold last year: 36Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Hannah Driscoll

Redfin (Boston, Cambridge, and MetroWest)
"Don't just dump right in; ask a lot of questions. You really need to do your homework."
Units sold last year: 33Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Hans Brings

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (MetroWest)
"Clients are buying a bigger, better home for so much less than a few years ago—the savings can really add up."
Units sold last year: 61 (!)Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Jessica Ye

Keller Williams Realty (Boston, Cambridge, and Quincy)
"In '04, '05, there were agents without skills who could put a sign in the yard and get things sold. It's different now."
Units sold last year: 21Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Photograph by Tim Llewellyn

Best Places to Live 2009

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Masters of the House

Gail Roberts

David Digregorio

Carmela Laurella

Jay Rooney

Anita Horowitz

Steve McKenna

Hannah Driscoll

Hans Brings

Jessica Ye

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