REAL 4000 Yuki Kobayashi
CRN 15794
Case Analysis: Pinckney Street
1. How did Lee search for his property?
Edward Lee began his search utilizing several resources available to him, ranging from
public records to real estate websites and even newspapers. He obtained a copy of the 2010
U.S. Census Tract, Boston Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) to check
demographic data on age breakdowns, education, employment, marital status, income,
length of stay, and ethnic backgrounds of present Beacon Hill residents. He then checked
maps to see how accessible the city’s office, shopping, cultural, and entertainment centers
were. He used websites such as Trulia.com and Realtor.com to compare listed values and
sales of local properties and Bankrate.com to check mortgage rates offered by lenders.
Pictures, descriptions, prices, mortgage rates, as well as aggregate data on Boston’s housing
market were being updated on these sites daily. He was also introduced to Zillow.com by a
friend and favored the interactive mapping and selection features it provided.
Lee would also turn to the real estate section of newspapers for brokers’ names and
become familiar with available offers and price ranges. He found Sunday papers advertised
real estate the most. He reached out to brokers that advertised the most in the papers, but was
disappointed in the offerings shown to him. He also spoke with tenants of renters in the area
to better understand the market. Through these in-person experiences and interactions, Lee
would consider several factors that affect the value of a property that would ultimately
CRN 15794
Case Analysis: Pinckney Street
1. How did Lee search for his property?
Edward Lee began his search utilizing several resources available to him, ranging from
public records to real estate websites and even newspapers. He obtained a copy of the 2010
U.S. Census Tract, Boston Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) to check
demographic data on age breakdowns, education, employment, marital status, income,
length of stay, and ethnic backgrounds of present Beacon Hill residents. He then checked
maps to see how accessible the city’s office, shopping, cultural, and entertainment centers
were. He used websites such as Trulia.com and Realtor.com to compare listed values and
sales of local properties and Bankrate.com to check mortgage rates offered by lenders.
Pictures, descriptions, prices, mortgage rates, as well as aggregate data on Boston’s housing
market were being updated on these sites daily. He was also introduced to Zillow.com by a
friend and favored the interactive mapping and selection features it provided.
Lee would also turn to the real estate section of newspapers for brokers’ names and
become familiar with available offers and price ranges. He found Sunday papers advertised
real estate the most. He reached out to brokers that advertised the most in the papers, but was
disappointed in the offerings shown to him. He also spoke with tenants of renters in the area
to better understand the market. Through these in-person experiences and interactions, Lee
would consider several factors that affect the value of a property that would ultimately
