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Welcome to Centers and Squares
As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.
Best Places To Buy A Christmas Tree Near Cambridge
Best Places to Buy a Christmas Tree Near Cambridge Judging from all the trees I saw on car rooftops this weekend many people have already bought their tree. But if you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas tree here are a couple of my favorite places.
Everybody wants a bushy Christmas tree - Walgreen's in Arlington
The Boy Scouts have a lot at the corner of Cameron Ave and Mass Ave in Cambridge. They used to set up at the end of Day Street where Pemberton’s was eventually built. They’ve lost that high profile site so I was glad to see they have some large signs directing people to this year’s location. They’re set up by the bike path behind the new apartments on Mass Ave next to the end of the streetcar line in North Cambridge.
There’s also a nice selection set up at the front of the Walgreen’s parking lot in Arlington center. That’s their sign above- “bushy trees” – just what everybody is looking for. I can also attest that they sell very fragrant trees – and a Christmas tree that smells like a Christmas tree is high on my list for sure.
Last year my tree went up on December 24th. I’ve resolved to do better this year but time’s a fleeting. See you at the tree lot!
Over The River To Grandfather’s House In Medford
Site of Grandfather's and Grandmother's House In Medford
We all remember the holiday song “Over the river and through the woods to grandfather’s house we go…” but did you know that grandfather and grandmother lived in Medford?
Lydia Maria Child wrote the poem, source of the beloved song, about memories of visiting her grandparents in their home by the Mystic River in Medford, Massachusetts.
First published in 1844 in Child’s Flowers for Children Vol. II, the poem was originally titled “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day”. Truth be told I always thought of it as a Christmas song. No wonder – when you search for the lyrics you’ll find versions with Christmas substituted for Thanksgiving. And what’s with all that blowing snow in November? I also always thought of it as grandmother’s house and many versions refer to “grandmother’s house”, rather than grandfather’s, in the opening lines.
Grandfather’s house that Lydia Maria Child visited was a small farmhouse near the Mystic River. About 1839 the house was expanded and became a stately Greek Revival. The ell on the back of the house is the original farmhouse. The house has been restored and is today owned by Tufts University.
Grandfather's House was the original farmhouse in the rear of the 1839 addition
Here are the verses of A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day aka Over the River and Through the Woods. There’s also a 12-verse version.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ’tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood-
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood
and straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow-
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood-
when Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, “o, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for every one.”
Over the river, and through the wood-
now Grandmothers cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
The site remembered in ”Over The River and Through the Woods to Grandfather’s House We Go…” is at 114 South Street, Medford, MA and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Somerville Homes Sold – November 2009
Somerville Real Estate Report
Somerville homes sold in November 2009 were boosted by real estate buyers hoping to qualify for the first time homebuyer’s credit which had been scheduled to end at the end of the month. Here’s a look at the numbers.
Homes for Sale in Somerville
226 Somerville homes were listed for sale in the MLS on Nov. 30, 2009 priced between $148,900 and $1,684,133. Properties had been on the market an average of 139 days.
Somerville Homes Sold in November 2009
56 residential properties sold in Somerville in November 2009, an increase of more than 20% over last month’s sales The median sales price was $367,000.
9 Somerville single family houses sold in November priced between $262,000 and $758,000. The median sales price was $385,000. Houses had been on the market an average of 84 days and sold for an average of 97% of asking price.
31 condos sold in Somerville in November for prices from $173,500 and $650,000. Condos were on the market an average of 106 days. The median sales price was $315,000. Condominiums sold for 98% of the asking price on average.
16 multi-family homes sold during November for prices from $292,500 to $775,000. The median sales price in November was $483,000. On average, multi-unit houses sold for 100% of list price and were on the market 61 days.
Total value of Somerville homes sold in November was $21,903,800.
See Also:
October 2009 Somerville Real Estate Activity
Somerville homes sold info from MLSpin
Gothic Revival Houses In Cambridge, Somerville and Medford
Cambridge Gothic Revival
The Gothic Revival, was one of the early Victorian Romantic architectural styles.
Most Gothic Revival houses were built between 1840 and 1870.
The development of the jigsaw led to the popularity of elaborate gingerbread trim.
Somerville Gothic Revival House
The Gothic Revival style was particulary popular in the Northeast. There are a number of great examples in our area. Three of my local favorites are pictured here:
- The house in Cambridge is on Dana Street
- The brick Somerville Gothic Revival is on Morrison Ave. in Davis Square and was built for Nathaniel Morrison for whom the street was named
- The Angier House in Medford, built in 1842, is next to the library on High Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places
Gothic Revival Features
- Steeply pitched roof
- Typically has cross gables
- Gables often have decorative pendant trim
- Trefoil and quatrefoil ornamention is common
- Windows often have a Gothic-style pointed arch.
- If only one window has the Gothic arch it typically at the top of the most prominent gable – see the Somerville house
- Often has a one-story porch – either an entry porch or a larger porch that spans the width of the house
Medford Gothic Revival
Other Architectural Styles Around Cambridge:
Greek Revival Houses In and Near Cambridge
Shingle Style Houses in Cambridge
Medford MA Homes Sold – November 2009
Welcome to the Medford Real Estate Report
Medford MA homes sold in November 2009 benefited from the boost created by buyers timing their real estate purchases to qualify for the first time homebuyers credit.
Medford Homes On the Market
On November 30, 2009 120 Medford homes were on the market priced between $179,000 to $894,000. Homes had been on the market an average of 121 days.
Medford MA Homes Sold - November 2009
52 properties sold in Medford in November, an increase of more than 25% over October’s closings. The median sales price was $318,250. Average days on market was 64 and homes sold for an average of 97% of the list price.
23 single family homes sold in November for sale prices from $188,000 to $547,000. The median sales price for a single family home was $340,000. Houses were on the market an average of 51 days and sold for an average of 97% of asking price.
23 condos sold in Medford in November priced between $170,000 and $450,000. The median condo sales price was $275,000. Condominiums sold for an average of 97% of the asking price and were on the market an average of 73 days.
6 multi-family house sold during November in Medford MA priced between $315,000 and $510,000. Multi-families sold for an average of 97% of asking price and on average were on the market for 83 days.
Total value of Medford MA homes sold in November was $17,412,950.
Also see:
Medford MA Real Estate Sales in October 2009
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN MEDFORD MASS
Information about homes sold in Medford MA in October 2009 was based on data from MLSpin
Primary Day In Massachusetts – Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009
Special Election Sign in Cambridge
It’s Primary Day in Massachusetts. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 voters in Massachusetts will go to the polls in the special primary to choose candidates to vie for the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat.
It’s disheartening that expectations for voter turnout are so low. Not only will our new Senator have large shoes to fill after Teddy Kennedy’s long and illustrious career but the seat has previously been held by
- John F. Kennedy
- Daniel Webster
- John Quincy Adams
So – take a moment from your day and head to the polls.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And don’t forget – the special state election is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19. 2010. The deadline to register to vote in the Special Election is Dec. 30, 2009.
Arlington MA Home Sales – November 2009
Arlington MA Home Sales Report
Arlington MA home sales in November were brisk - caused in no small part by buyers taking advantage of the homebuyers credit.
Arlington Homes On The Market
106 homes were listed for sale in Arlington MA on November 30, 2009 for asking prices from $159,000 to $1,499,000. Homes had been on the market an average of 95 days.
Arlington MA Home Sales – November 2009
52 homes sold in Arlington in November - an increase of more than 40% from the month before when 36 homes sold. The median price paid was $434,500. Homes sold on average for 98% of the asking price.
26 single families sold in November for prices between $330,000 and $901,346. The median sales price was $460,250. Houses were on the market an average of 35 days and sold on average for 99% of list price.
23 condos sold in Arlington MA last month for prices from $177,000 to $590,000. The median sales price was $340,500. Condominiums sold for an average of 97% of the asking price and were on the market an average of 51 days.
3 multi-family houses sold last month for $460,000, $555,000 and $563,500. Two of the houses were on the market less than a week and sold for over asking price.
Total value of Arlington MA home sales in November was $22,798,155.
SEARCH FOR ARLINGTON MASS REAL ESTATE
ARLINGTON MA HOMES SOLD IN OCTOBER 2009
Information about Arlington MA Home Sales from MLSpin
Window Boxes Decorated For Winter
Wondering what to do with your window boxes now that winter’s on its way? Here are some of my favorites spotted while we were on the Marblehead house tour this afternoon.
Window Box with Pineapple and Greens
Pair of Marblehead Windowboxes
Marblehead Window Box with Deer
I’ve yet to put window boxes on my old house but when I do I’ll remember these when winter comes.
It was a beautiful day for a house tour. The sky was clear and blue and most of last night’s snow had melted from the ground. Marblehead has an astonishing collection of restored pre-1800 houses. What a treat!
Next weekend is the last of the holiday house tours for 2009. Make your plans now!
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