Title
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.
Celebrate Longfellow’s Birthday This Saturday
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of Cambridge
This Saturday, Feb. 27th is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s birthday. Longfellow was born on Feb. 27, 1807. He lived for many years in Cambridge on Brattle Street and is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Mount Auburn Cemetery is celebrating the Cambridge poet’s birthday with an event that also marks this year’s 150th anniversary of Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride”.
Longfellow wrote the poem in 1860 and it was published in the January 1861 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. “Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere …”, the poem has long been a favorite of school children who learn a version substantially shorter than the original.
The poem was also a favorite of the late Ted Kennedy who narrated the poem for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s premiere of “Paul Revere’s Ride”.
The birthday celebration at Mount Auburn at the Story Chapel will include a multi-media presentation of Kennedy’s narration. Coffee and tea will be served at 9:30 a.m. Following the presentation a wreath will be laid at Longfellow’s grave, and then birthday cake will be served at the Chapel.
Admission is free.
The Longfellow birthday celebration will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at Story Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery. 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA.
For information call 617-601-1981.
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge MA – An Avon Hill Masterpiece
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge MA – An Avon Hill Masterpiece. Old and untouched houses are my weakness. The less done to a house over the years the happier I am with it.
For years, whenever I walked or drove past 37 Lancaster Street on Avon Hill I would think to myself that one of the many reasons I loved being a real estate agent in Cambridge was that someday I would get to see inside that amazing house.
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge Mass
Well, a few weeks ago, someday finally came. John Petrowsky and Christian Jones of Hammond Real Estate listed the Yerxa-Field House for sale and held an open house for brokers. Cambridge real estate agents turned out en masse to see the house, a number bringing spouses who, like me, had long dreamed of seeing the inside of this landmark house.
The house was every bit as extraordinary as people had imagined, leaving at least one agent in tears, overcome by its beauty (no – it wasn’t me - I’m not the crying type!).
The reading nook off the living room. An exquisite stained glass window is on the left wall
37 Lancaster Street was built in 1888 for Henry Yerxa and is an example of Shingle Style architecture. When it was sold to the Field family in 1919 many original furnishings remained with the house, giving us a rare glimpse of how people lived 12o years ago. Walking through the house it seemed that the children’s books of the 1880s and 1890s that I loved as a girl had come to life.
The two families that have owned the house kept extraordinary care of this masterpiece. Shades were pulled to prevent sun damage and the lavish finishes on walls and ceilings in room after room are in superb condition. There are nine different types of wood used for the woodwork throughout the house and it is all in impeccable condition.
Everywhere you look there is incredibly rich detail – far too much too describe here. Window seats, built-ins galore, fine paneling, hand carved details - the house is a feast for the eyes. Here are a few of my favorite things:
37 Lancaster Street, Cambridge – A Few of Many Fine Features
- There are ten fireplaces in the house, each with a different fire back, each with a different set of andirons that match the light fixtures in the room.
- The reading nook off the living room is one of my favorite spaces with a large stained glass window and a window seat to curl up on with a book
- The laundry room has eight soapstone sinks in a row, each with two brass faucets, and at the end of the row of sinks, a brick reservoir that held the hot water is still intact.
- There are two wonderful pantries. A third is now a bathroom though the original icebox with its marble shelves remains, now used as storage for towels.
- Even normally mundane features like door hooks and hinges are over the top – “like fine jewelry” one agent exclaimed when she spotted a particularly fine hook that held the pantry door ajar.
- My heart almost stopped when I first saw the second reading nook off an upstairs bedroom. This sweet space has a built-in bench opposite a lovely bookcase-flanked fireplace. This is happiness.
- Best yet – the small square stained glass window in the reading nook that opens up and looks out over the fireplace in the landing downstairs. What fun it must have been for a child to poke her head out the small window to wave at the adults below!
- A second floor bath has a painted mural of a river above the vintage fixtures.
- The carriage house has a row of horse stalls, complete with original raffia fringe trim above the stalls. The tack room has racks for saddles and tack, bearing 1880s patents from a Boston company.
At once grand and charming, the house has beautifully proportioned rooms and an elegant flow. To walk or drive up to this house and call it home – to wake up and walk out to the beautiful golden oak hall – to sit on a bench and gaze out at the neighboring houses on Avon Hill – the new owners of 37 Lancaster Street will be very fortunate. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Click on the small photo below for more information and additional photographs.
Check back as I have lots more photographs to share in another post or two.
37 Lancaster Street, on Avon Hill in Cambridge, MA 02140 is listed for $4,495,000.
321 Harvard Street Cambridge – Stone Chapel Condos
Stone Chapel Condos at 321 Harvard St, Cambridge Mass
The condo building at 321 Harvard Street in Cambridge is often referred to as the “Stone Chapel” condos because of the eye catching church tower entry.
This was originally the site of a Unitarian church designed in 1911 by architects Newhall and Blevins, a Boston firm that designed more than 40 buildings in Cambridge including The Castle at 10 Dana Street and the Inman Square fire station.
A 1974 fire damaged the church building which was subsequently torn down, leaving only the stone tower. A 30 unit brick apartment building was then built around the stone church tower.
Today the building houses 30 one and two-bedroom condos. Cambridge real estate buyers will appreciate the modern amenities and proximity to Central Square and Harvard Square.
321 Harvard Street Cambridge Condos Feature:
- Multi-level layouts
- Garage parking
- Elevator building
- Central air conditioning
- In-unit laundry hookups
- Balcony
- Large common yard
- Storage
- Condo fee includes heat and hot water
- Professionally managed
- Pets are not allowed
321 Harvard Street Real Estate Sales
There hasn’t been a sale in the building since 2005 when
- A one-bedroom with 1.5 baths sold for $346,500
- A two-bedroom condo with 1.5 baths sold for $415,000
If condos are available in the building they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional information and more photographs.
MORE CAMBRIDGE CONDOS
276 Harvard Street – The Elmhurst
University Green in Harvard Square
The Stone Chapel Condos are at 321 Harvard Street, Cambridge MA 02139
15 Upland Road Cambridge – Condos In Porter Square
Condos at 15 Upland Rd Cambridge Mass
15 Upland Road in Cambridge is a six-unit condo building in Porter Square at the base of Avon Hill. The building style is what I call a “double triple-decker”.
This former apartment building was gutted, renovated and converted to condos in 2000. My friend lived there when it was under rent control and I can attest to the transformation.
The building is in the heart of Porter Square. Roll out of bed, grab a bagel at Bruegger’s, and hop on the Red Line T or commuter rail across the street. Down Mass Ave in one direction is Harvard Square, or head in the other direction to Davis Square.
15 Upland Road Cambridge Condo Features
- Two bedroom condos with one bath
- Open living / dining / kitchen
- Granite counters, stainless steel appliances
- Bay windows
- Crown molding
- In-unit laundry
- Marble bath
- Central air conditioning
- Back deck
- Hardwood floors
- Storage
15 Upland Rd Real Estate Sales
There hasn’t been a sale in the building since 2007 when a top floor unit sold for $415,000.
If a condo is available in the building it will appear below. Click on the small photo for more information and additonal photographs.
15 Upland Road, Cambridge MA 02140 is a three-story, six-unit condo building.
Boston Globe Article About the Current Real Estate Market
It may look like winter - but the spring real estate market has started in the Cambridge area.
We Cambridge real estate agents often grumble about the Boston Globe’s real estate reporting. Too often they’re behind the curve, not quite giving the real take on what’s happening in the real estate market around Boston and Cambridge.
A lot of that has to do with basing analysis and reporting on home sales. Since the home sale process in Massachusetts takes about six to eight weeks, from offer to closed sale, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that sales reflect current reality – when they’re actually a reflection of what was happening two months ago.
But on Saturday, the Globe’s front page article about real estate activity, ”For Sale, But Not For Long” was right on the money. In many towns around Cambridge inventory is low and demand is up, spurred by the homebuyer credit which is set to expire before the end of the spring real estate market.
I just finished the latest round of monthly real estate reports for half a dozen towns. In several towns, the number of homes for sale is down substantially from this time a year ago. The difference is even more dramatic if you compare the numbers to the same time two years ago.
And yet, demand is up because of the homebuyer credit, not to mention continued low interest rates, and in many cases, lower prices.
What does this mean for prospective home sellers? If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market this spring it’s best to do so sooner rather than later. Many sellers think waiting until the lawn is green and the flowers and leaves are out is the way to go. Not this year! You don’t want to miss the surge in activity created by the impending expiration of the homebuyer credit.
A property must be under agreement by the end of April and close by the end of June for the buyer to qualify for the homebuyer credit. Times a wasting to get your property in the mix. Ideally you want to list your home for sale no later than the beginning of April if not sooner. There may very well be a lot of sellers thinking the same way so putting your home on the market sooner to get ahead of the crowd is not a bad idea.
What does this mean for home buyers? Home buyers who hope to qualify for the credit should be hitting the pavement, familiarizing themselves with what’s on the market in their price range. Once you’ve seen enough properties you’ll start to develop a sense of what price seems right and a better idea of what you like and what you don’t. When you find “the one” you’ll know it – because you’ve seen enough of the competition to know this is the right home for you.
You also want to get out and visit new listings as quickly as you can. It’s not uncommon right now for properties to sell the first weekend. We’re also seeing properties sell before the open house. Last week a single family came on the market in Cambridge on Wednesday. By Friday there were multiple offers and it was under agreement.
Want some answers to your real estate questions? I’d be happy to help! I can be reached by email or by phone at 617-504-1737.
Elizabeth Bolton is a real estate agent at the Huron Avenue office of Coldwell Banker in Cambridge. Let her put her ten years of real estate experience to work for you.
Happy Valentines Day From Centers and Squares
Early Valentine With House In The Background
Before I became a real estate agent I was an archivist. I’ve always loved old paper and have collected all sorts of ephemera.
Not surprisingly there’s often a common denominator in what I collect – house images are everywhere.
Catalogs, greeting cards, postcards, magazines, letterhead, and yes – valentines – often have very charming vintage house images.
Here’s a vintage Valentine from the early 1900s, maybe the 1920s or a bit earlier. I love the sweet little Cape in the background and the curving path behind the swinging gate. You just want to pinch the rosy cheeks of the boy and girl – him in his sailor suit, her in her gingham bonnet.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
2427 Mass Ave Cambridge – Trolley Square Condos
2427 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge MA - Trolley Square Condos
2427 Mass Ave in Cambridge, the Trolley Square Condos, is a mansard-style building built in 1999. There are seven two-bedroom condos in the complex.
The building is located in North Cambridge by the intersection of Cameron Ave where the bike path crosses Mass Ave. Davis Square is nearby and restaurants and shops line the street as you walk towards Porter Square and Harvard Square.
2427 Mass Ave Cambridge Features
- Two bedroom condos with 1 – 2.5 baths
- Condos range in size from 660 – 1433 sq.ft.
- Decks
- In-unit laundry
- Storage area
- Garage parking
- Central air conditioning
- Up to two pets with permission of trustees
2427 Mass Ave Cambridge Real Estate Sales
The most recent sale in the building was a two bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,344 sq.ft. unit that sold for $463,750 in 2006.
If condos are available in the building they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for more information and additional photos.
Other Cambridge Condo Buildings:
Still want to see more? Click on the Property Info or Cambridge Condos link below for info about many more local condominium buildings.
Trolley Square Condos are located at 2427 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02140.
Somerville Real Estate Sales – January 2010
Welcome to the Somerville Real Estate Sales Report
Here’s a look at Somerville real estate sales during January 2010.
Homes for Sale in Somerville
186 residential properties were listed for sale in Somerville in the MLS on January 31, 2010 priced between $176,900 and $1,684,133. Properties had been on the market an average of 146 days.
Somerville Real Estate Sales in Jan. 2010
30 residential properties sold in Somerville in January 2010. This is an increase of 88% over January 2009 sales when 16 properties sold in Somerville. The median sales price in January 2010 was $357,500.
4 Somerville single family houses sold in January priced between $217,000 and $380,000. The median sales price was $335,000. Houses had been on the market an average of 40 days and sold for an average of 96% of asking price.
17 condos sold in Somerville in January for prices from $173,000 to $480,000. Condos were on the market an average of 102 days. The median sales price was $345,000. Condominiums sold for 99% of the asking price on average.
9 multi-family homes sold during January for prices from $260,100 to $528,000. The median sales price was $385,000. On average, multi-unit houses sold for 103% of list price and were on the market 83 days.
Total value of Somerville real estate sold in January 2010 was $10,560,100.
SEE ALSO:
Somerville Real Estate Market in 2009 and 2008
Somerville real estate sales info from MLSpin
Copyright © 2008 Centers And Squares Log in Design by Real Estate Tomato Powered by Tomato Blogs
