Arlington Small Biz Spotlight: Home Advantage Real Estate

ARLINGTON, MA — Steve McKenna who has been with The Home Advantage Team (a subset of Bowes Real Estate) since 1986, has been the top agent in the area for the past quarter century with the Arlington-based real estate team, according to the Real Living Real Estate top team rankings.

McKenna moved to Arlington from Allston years ago and has since been using his understanding of home values, neighborhood dynamics, schools in the real estate biz.

In an attempt to learn a bit more we posed a few questions to the local small business Home Advantage Team at Bowes Real Estate, tucked at the corner of Mass Ave and Walnut Street. Here's what they got back to us with.

This is part of an ongoing feature: As Small Business Saturday approaches, the Arlington Patch is featuring a number of Q&A's about small business owners in the city. If you know someone we should talk to send us an email at Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com

Will you do anything special or have any special promotions on Small Biz Saturday?
As a real estate team (and a small business ourselves), we support our local Arlington businesses and organizations in a number of ways. We are a proud sponsor of the Regent Theater, and for Small Business Saturday we will be hosting a Facebook promotion. Anyone who likes our page on SMB will get 2 tickets to The Boston Children’s Theater production of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at the Regent on December 9 at 1 p.m. We have a limited supply, so will be on a first come first serve basis.

When did the business open?
Steve has been associated with Bowes Real Estate, Real Living for nearly 30 years and Bowes Real Estate has been a part of the community for over 70 years

What made you decide to go into this type of business? And why here?
Steve is originally from Allston and believes that being sincere and honest are the key to success in any industry. But real estate in particular is a business where a positive attitude and strong work ethic goes far. Steve lives and works in Arlington, has a deep understanding of home values, neighborhood dynamics, schools and all the critical factors that come into play when making important real estate decisions.

What do you like best about it?
Arlington is a town unlike any other, and its mix of social and cultural capital have made it one of the most sought-after suburbs in Greater Boston. As a densely populated town that enjoys many benefits of being close to Boston and public transportation, it also has a thriving business community of its own that makes it vibrant place to live and work. Young working professionals move here from the city because it's more affordable yet still has that urban feel. Families move here because of the good schools and kid-friendly amenities. Downsizers move here because of the vibrant arts scene. As we like to say, come for the city-like vibe, stay for the family-like atmosphere.

Biggest struggle?
Right now inventory a big struggle. There are so many buyers who want to live in Arlington, but there are a limited number of homes available on the market. This isn’t unique to Arlington, in general, housing availability in Greater Boston is relatively low. So if you live in Arlington and are thinking of selling, this is a great time. Buyers on the other hand need to be savvy about the real estate process so they are prepared when something does become available that suits their needs.

What do you see for the future?
I think Arlington will continue to grow and evolve, but its identity which has diversity and culture at its core will always be there. We have so many smart, talented people in town with great ideas and a vision to make the community a strong one – both now and in the future.

Politics and business - how does it affect yours?
It doesn’t, really. Buying or selling a home is such a personal endeavor. It does not really cross the realm into politics – unless you’re talking interest rates. But even so, it generally stays under the political radar.

Name another local business you’d send customers to:
Declined to comment.

Learn more:
Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team Named Real Living Real Estate's No. 1 Team in the Country

The Home Advantage Team, Bowes Real Estate, Real Living

1010 Massachusetts Ave., near Walnut Street.

*

Previously on Patch: Arlington Small Business Spotlight: CYPRIANA Fashion

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Arlington Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Photo courtesy Steve McKenna and team