
Frank Carroll
Vice President, Compass
BU-area real estate guidance


BUY NEAR BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Current BU-area homes, neighborhood intelligence and ownership math — with local property and financing guidance kept in one place.
Boston University · Charles River Campus · Compare the home, the commute and the complete ownership plan.

Vice President, Compass
BU-area real estate guidance


BOSTON MARKET MOMENTUM
Boston University · MARKET CONTEXT
University demand and local housing benchmarks, with the location and reporting period kept beside each number.
Boston University · Fall 2025
BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗Median sale price for the cited city housing market; not a campus-only or student-property price.
Boston, MA · 2026-07 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.
Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Degree-seeking undergraduates off campus or commuting; not solely off-campus rental demand, and not graduate students; CDS F1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗All undergraduate and graduate students, including full-time and part-time students; CDS B1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗Year-over-year change paired with the saved city median sale-price series.
Boston, MA · 2026-07 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Median value of owner-occupied housing units; ACS 5-year estimate, not a current listing/sale price.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.
Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.
Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Saved source-specific rental reference. Scope is the cited city or off-campus market guide; not median rent, per-bed rent, or a live quote.
Boston, MA · 2026-09 · Checked 2026-09-07Saved school cost intelligence ↗Degree-seeking and nondegree undergraduate students; CDS B1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗All full-time and part-time graduate students; CDS B1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗First-time, first-year degree-seeking students, full-time and part-time; CDS B2.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗First-time first-year degree-seeking students living in college-owned, operated or affiliated housing; CDS F1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗Degree-seeking undergraduates in college-owned, operated or affiliated housing; CDS F1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗BU Admissions says first-year students are required to live on campus; actual first-year share is 99%, not 100%.
Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Admissions: Housing ↗BU Housing states housing guaranteed for all four undergraduate years. Housing application, payment and eligibility conditions still apply; use official policy link.
Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Undergraduate Housing ↗First-time, full-time bachelor's degree-seeking Fall 2024 entrants enrolled at Fall 2025 census; source reports 3,072 of 3,260, rounded to 94%.
Boston University · Fall 2024 cohort retained to Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗Fall 2019 first-time full-time bachelor's cohort completing by August 31, 2025: 2,815 of adjusted cohort 3,144; reported rounded percent.
Boston University · Fall 2019 cohort, by August 31, 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, B ↗First-time first-year degree-seeking students living off campus or commuting; CDS F1.
Boston University · Fall 2025 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Common Data Set 2025–2026, F ↗Undergraduate housing guarantee duration as stated by BU Housing.
Boston University · Policy verified October 15, 2026 · Checked 2026-10-15BU Undergraduate Housing ↗Median monthly gross rent, including contract rent plus applicable tenant-paid utilities; ACS 5-year estimate, not current asking rent.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗Share of occupied housing units occupied by their owner; citywide, not student housing.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗Monthly selected owner costs for owner-occupied units with a mortgage; not a mortgage quotation or principal-and-interest-only payment.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗Number of households; ACS 5-year estimate.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · 2020–2024 ACS 5-year · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗Population estimate, July 1, 2025, vintage 2025.
Boston city, Massachusetts (FIPS 2507000) · July 1, 2025 (V2025) · Checked 2026-10-15U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boston city ↗University figures and citywide housing data cover different populations and periods. They do not establish achievable rent, occupancy or investment returns for a specific property.
Compare campus proximity, ownership costs and the four-year numbers — not just listing prices.
Fenway · 0.4 miles to BU · 8 min walk
Current published selection. Confirm prices and availability. Distances are straight-line to campus.
Get guidance from professionals who know BU and the surrounding neighborhoods.


WHERE THE HOME CHANGES THE DAILY ROUTINE
$440K – $579KCurrent verified asking rangeStart with the part of Allston that fits your daily route to campus. A home near the western campus can offer a different commute from a property farther into the neighborhood.
Frank’s checklistWalk the actual route to your BU building at the time you expect to travel.Explore Allston →
$599K – $880KCurrent verified asking rangeBrookline borders Boston University, but the right location depends on the campus building you use. Compare walking routes with the B and C branches of the Green Line.
Frank’s checklistCompare the full monthly cost, including condo fees and parking.Explore Brookline →
$569KCurrent verified asking rangeFenway and Kenmore put you close to the eastern end of BU’s Charles River Campus. Building type matters: a co-op, condominium, and rental apartment can carry different requirements.
Frank’s checklistHave Frank explain ownership structure before comparing prices.Explore Fenway – Kenmore →
$589K – $1.5MCurrent verified asking rangeBack Bay and the South End are distinct neighborhoods. Their appeal extends beyond a student’s time at BU, but neither should be treated as one uniform campus commute.
Frank’s checklistIdentify whether you need BU’s Charles River Campus or Medical Campus.Explore Back Bay / South End →
Compare published BU-area rent evidence with a principal-and-interest starting point, then add the costs that make ownership real.
Mortgage benchmark: Freddie Mac PMMS ↗ · not a rate quote.
PROPERTY + FINANCING, KEPT SEPARATE

Vice President / Real Estate Agent · Compass

Mortgage Loan Consultant · NEXA Lending · NMLS #227603
BU BUYING INTELLIGENCE
These guides support the property decision instead of sending you back to a generic resource library.
QUESTIONS BUYERS ASK
The median asking price for a BU-area home is $777,000, while a 2-bedroom rental averages $4,596/month. For a 4-year degree, a student’s half of that rent totals a sunk cost of $110,304. Buying a property allows families to offset this cost through principal paydown, but requires upfront cash for a down payment, HOA fees, and a planned exit strategy after graduation. Use the calculator to compare the same housing arrangement, then ask Frank to review the property assumptions and Matt Dean to review financing.
Start by identifying who will own, borrow, and occupy the condo. Then review building rules, cash needed, monthly costs, and the plan after graduation. Frank handles the property discussion; Matt reviews the financing question and applicable eligibility.
The association’s budget and documents control. Ask which utilities, insurance, maintenance, staffing, amenities, and reserves the fee covers, and whether assessments or major work are planned. Compare the complete monthly cost rather than the asking price alone.
Frank works with buyers relocating to Boston and can help coordinate a property search from out of state. Financing and ownership arrangements require a separate review of your circumstances. Start with a callback and explain your timeline.
Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact for this page. Share your intended occupancy, purchase budget, and selected property. Ask him to confirm the applicable state licensing, property eligibility, and available programs before proceeding.
Choose Learn More on the property you are considering. Your request will include the address, listing ID, Buy or Rent selection, and BU market. You can also call or text Frank at 617-721-7461.
READY TO NARROW THE SHORTLIST?