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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.
100 Station Landing Medford MA 02155
100 Station Landing Lobby
Are you looking for a luxury condo near the T? Look no further than 100 Station Landing in Medford MA 02155. This 127-unit, 12-story condo building, the Skyline Condos at Station Landing, was built in 2007. Near the banks of the Mystic River the Station Landing condos are in the heart of one of Greater Boston’s newest neighborhoods. You’ll love the sleekly styled condos, the fun and convenience just outside your door, and the easy access to Boston, the airport and commuting routes.
In 2012, one-bedroom /one-bath Station Landing condos sold for $344,000 to $375,000. Two-bedroom condos with two baths sold for $470,000 to $635,000 in 2012.
Features of Condos at 100 Station Landing Medford MA
- Central air conditioning
- Marble baths
- In-unit laundry
- Garage parking
- Walk-in closet
- Balcony
- Granite / stainless kitchen with cherry or white cabinets
- Most units are one or two bedrooms with one or two baths
- Most condos are 744 to 1291 sq.ft. with several larger penthouses
- Several larger penthouses range from 1455 to 1578 sq.ft.
- Some have river views
The condominum documents state that condo owners may have two cats and / or one dog. The condo fee includes heat and hot water. The building is professionally managed.
100 Station Landing Medford MA Amenities
- Elevator
- Concierge
- Game room
- Clubroom with fireplace
- Fitness center
100 Station Landing Medford MA 02155
100 Station Landing is adjacent to the Wellington T stop – just three stops to North Station in Boston. The 20-acre site includes the condo building, apartments, office space, restaurants, shops, and plenty of parking. The adjacent waterfront park has walking paths, a bike path, boat launch and marina.
Station Landing Establishments
- Boston Sports Club
- Not Your Average Joe’s
- Starbucks
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries
- Yoki Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
- Regina Pizzeria
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
If condos are available at 100 Station Landing Medford MA 02155 they will appear below. Click on the small photos for more info and additional photographs. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment to see a condo at Station Landing, give me a call at 617-504-1737 or email me at [email protected]. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny.
My New Desk
In October, after 12 years at 171 Huron Ave – first at DeWolfe and then Coldwell Banker – I moved across Cambridge to ReMax Destiny.
I’m thrilled by the move – and now that I’ve finally unpacked I thought I’d introduce you to my new office.
Over the years many of my favorite agents had moved to ReMax and I’m delighted to join them. Coincidentally, all four of us in my room were formerly at DeWolfe. The admin and marketing staff at ReMax Destiny is top notch and such a pleasure to work with. The office has all the real estate bases covered with a property management division, commercial real estate agents, a super rental department, and close to 50 residential real estate agents.
My new office address is 907 Massachusetts Ave. It’s a very different feel than Huron Ave with lots of foot traffic well into the evening and easy access to the Red Line at Central or Harvard. The convenience of being just down the street from City Hall and the post office can’t be beat and I love walking around Mid-Cambridge when I leave the office. I’ve yet to find a nearby place for a slice of pizza (where’s my new Armando’s?) but there are plenty of restaurants to explore. Come join me for lunch when you’re in the neighborhood!
Before I packed up I made sure to photograph my old desk:
This was my desk at Coldwell Banker
And here’s my new space. It’s really sweet – you can’t see the wide board floors or the wall of windows overlooking Hancock Street and Mass Ave.
My new desk at ReMax Destiny
If you’re in the neighborhood stop by ReMax at 907 Mass Ave and say hi!
Adding Water to a Steam Boiler
Add Water To Your Boiler to Keep that Steam Heat Humming
This bitingly cold weather is one more reminder to pay close attention to your heating system. If you have steam heat you may need to add water to the boiler (and yes – it’s a boiler, not a furnace, if your heating system uses water).
During our last cold snap I spent two hours in an unheated foreclosure. It took me all day to thaw. The first thing I did when I left that frigid house was to return to mine to check on my boiler.
I love steam heat. I had it in my first house and it’s in my current house too. Neither boiler had an automatic feed so it’s up to me to make sure the water level is sufficient. You would think I would know how to add water to a steam boiler by now.
But when I arrived home that day I wasn’t sure. Could I add water to the boiler if the heat was on? Would it hurt the boiler if I added water when it was hot? Could I break the furnace?
Turns out when adding water to a steam boiler you want to turn off the heat and let the boiler cool. Adding cold water to a hot boiler can crack the boiler – which will then require replacement – or worse, according to at least one article I read, cause the boiler to explode – eek!
Best practice I guess is to not wait until the coldest day of the week to check the water level in your steam boiler. And if you want more help with your steam heating system the very best resource is Dan Holohan’s The Lost Art of Steam Heating
November Real Estate Numbers
The November Massachusetts Real Estate Numbers Are In
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors released the November real estate numbers on Friday – and encouraging numbers they were.
Here are some of the highlights:
Single family house sales were up 29.2% from November a year ago
The median price for a Massachusetts single family house was up 3.5% from a year ago
Condo sales were up 35.9% from November 2011
The median price for condos was up 12.6% from a year ago
Inventory dropped dramatically – down by 25.9% for houses and down 34.4% for condominiums
In the Greater Boston real estate market this was the busiest November for house sales since 2004
If you’re thinking of buying or selling in 2013, give me a call – I’d love to help. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny. 617-504-1737.
Merry Christmas!
From my house to yours -
Wishing you the very merriest of Christmases.
Closets Too Shallow?
The Answer to Shallow Closets
Are your closets too shallow? Can’t fit hangers in the closet?
Shallow closets are a common problem in older houses and apartments. At one time closets were designed to have a row of hooks inside – not a closet rod. I’m not sure through what time period closets were built this way – I’ve owned two houses built in the 1800s and in each some of the closets weren’t deep enough for closet rods.
Sometimes short closet rods can be installed from front to back to the left or right of the door – that’s how the closets were adapted in my house. It’s not perfect – those are pretty short closet rods – but it works.
The problem with a shallow closet is that when a closet rod is installed from end to end – as closet rods typically are – you can’t fit clothes hangers on the rod and still close the closet door. Some homeowners remove the closet doors altogether but that’s not ideal.
Here’s an innovative fix to the problem of shallow closets – children’s clothes hangers. Yup – that’s right – children’s clothes hangers typically will fit in the closet and allow for the door to close.
I picked up these kids’ hangers at the Container Store – a bargain at just 29 cents a piece.
Thanks to Tara for this innovative solution – all of us with shallow closets thank you!
MassHousing Loans – 3 Things I Didn’t Know
Mass Housing Loans May Be Right For You
It’s a testament to the complexity of the real estate transaction that after twelve years selling real estate full-time I still learn new things and encounter various twists for the first time on a regular basis. Today at a closing I learned three things I didn’t know about MassHousing loans.
Mortgages from MassHousing have become more and more popular in the last few years with first time homebuyers. They allow for a low down payment and since nobody seems to be offering “blends” – second mortgages that make up for down payments under 20% – a Mass Housing loan without mortgage insurance is an attractive option for many buyers.
So what do I know now about Mass Housing loans that I didn’t know before?
- You have to be an owner occupant as long as you have a Mass Housing mortgage. Even years down the road, if you still have your MassHousing mortgage, you can’t opt to rent out your place. You can buy a multi-family with a MassHousing loan but it still has to be your primary residence.
- You may have to move into the place you just bought with a mortage from MassHousing within 30 days. Most lenders require you to move in within 60 days – giving you some time for renovations, etc. – but Mass Housing cuts that period in half. I’m not sure this applies to all MassHousing loans – I found info that varies on other sites but this was a requirement of the buyer’s loan today.
- There’s the potential for paying back some of the MassHousing benefit you received if you sell before nine years have passed. Talk to your lender to get the particulars – it has to do with your income going up beyond certain levels as well as the profit you make when you sell. Mass Housing may reimburse you if you’re subject to this ”recapture tax” - again, make sure you ask your lender to explain how this works.
A good lender who offers MassHousing loans can explain these provisions and more. If you’re interested in Mass Housing loans or other mortgage products that fit your particular circumstances give Kevin Greeley of NEMoves a call at 781-929-4147.
Watertown MA Real Estate Market Review
Watertown MA Real Estate Review
I’ve been previewing a lot of Watertown properties recently so it seems like it’s high time for a Watertown MA real estate market review. As we head into the holidays and real estate takes a bit of a pause let’s see how real estate sales did in Watertown in 2012.
Properties on the Market in Watertown MA
As of today there are just 52 residential properties on the market in Watertown MA that are listed on the MLS. This time of year tends to be a low point for listings as most sellers opt to wait until after the 1st of the year once we’re in the holiday season. But inventory is particularly low this year. Last year at this time there were 82 Watertown properties listed for sale in the MLS. Inventory has dropped by 36.6%.
Pickings are even slimmer than these numbers suggest. 16 of the 52 properties are actually under agreement. They’re listed as “red active” – still showing as active but listed in red on the agent’s view because the seller has already accepted an offer.
Watertown MA Real Estate Sales
355 residential properties sold in Watertown in the last year. These properties were on the market an average of 72 days. On average, Watertown real estate sold for 98% of the asking price.
The year before, 313 properties sold in Watertown. Despite limited inventory, the number of real estate sales is up by 13%. Days on market have decreased 20% and properties are selling for closer to asking price than they did a year ago when they on average sold for 96% of list price.
Single Family Houses Sold in Watertown
Watertown single family house sales held steady. In the last year 91 houses have sold vs. 88 in the year before. Average days on market is down to 65 days from 73 days the year before.
The median price for a house sold in Watertown held steady as well – $429,910 vs. $431,250 the year before. What did you get for $430,000? In 2012 that bought you a three bedroom, two bath Cape.
Condo Sales in Watertown
Lots more condos sold this year than last. 204 condos have sold in the last 12 months vs. 157 in the year before. Days on market went down to 83 from 118 the year before. The median price of a condo sold in Watertown in the last year was $328,500.
What did you get for $328,000 in Watertown? In 2012 it bought you a 1270 sq.ft. two-bedroom condo with two baths and garage parking in a large complex. Or you could have purchased a renovated 1100 sq.ft. two-bedroom condominium with one bath in a two-family house with 2 outdoor parking spaces.
Watertown Multi-Families
Fewer multi-family houses sold in Watertown this year. 60 multi-unit houses sold over the last 12 months vs. 68 in the previous 12 months. That probably is due to fewer multis being listed for sale – just four are on MLS right now. That low inventory meant that multi-families sold much more quickly – average days on market dropped to 45 days from 89 days the year before. The median sale price in the last year was $532,500.
SEARCH FOR WATERTOWN HOUSES & CONDOS
SEARCH FOR WATERTOWN MULTI-FAMILIES
Do you have a property to sell in Watertown? Or are you hoping to move to Watertown? I can help. Give me a call at 617-504-1737 or send me an email via the Contact Me form. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny
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