W
hen Mallory and David Gonzalez bought their three-bedroom duplex in Charlestown, they thought it was the perfect size. However, after welcoming their son Rainer two years later, they found themselves struggling with limited storage space and no mudroom for dirty shoes and strollers. "This place has enough space for us," said Ms. Gonzalez, a vice president at a commercial real estate firm, "but there were little pain points that came with having a kid." The couple began searching for a new family home in 2019, looking at almost 50 listings by 2023.

    They had nonnegotiables: they wanted to stay in Charlestown, where they'd lived since moving to Boston in 2012. They also had to part ways with their real estate agent and go it alone online. Despite loving their current condo, they were determined to find a house that met their needs. Their ideal home would have good natural light, an open living area, and around 2,500 square feet of space. Budget-wise, they were willing to spend up to $2.2 million for a move-in-ready home or $1.8 million for one needing renovation. They considered single-family homes and garden-level units that could be rented out. "It pays to be patient," Ms. Gonzalez said, correcting her husband's earlier comment that they were being picky.