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.
The Calvert – Condos at 7 Centre Street, Cambridge
7 - 7.5 Centre Street, Cambridge MA
The Calvert is a 13-unit condo building at 7 – 7.5 Centre Street in Mid-Cambridge. Built in 1915, the building was designed by architect C.H. (Charles Henry) Bartlett who designed scores of buildings around Cambridge at the turn of the century.
Today these classic Cambridge condos are popular with real estate buyers who appreciate the walk to everything location midway between Harvard Square and Central Square. The building has one, two and three bedroom units ranging in size from 868 sq.ft. to 1304 sq.ft.
Condominium features at 7 – 7 1/2 Centre Street:
- Hardwood floors
- Built-ins and pantries
- Some units have porches
- Many have assigned parking
- Heat and hot water are included in the condo fee
- Common yard with patio
Recent Sales of Condos at 7-7.5 Centre St Cambridge MA:
- 870 s.f. one-bedroom sold for $339,000 in 2008
- 1302 s.f. three-bedroom sold for $514,000 in 2008
- 1304 s.f. two-bedroom sold for $539,000 in 2009
The Calvert is located at 7 – 7.5 Centre St Cambridge MA 02139
Davis Square Condos
Davis Square T Station
Davis Square Condos No doubt about it – Davis Square is a popular location for Somerville real estate buyers. Davis has a Red Line T stop, the bike path, the Somerville Theatre, and plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. There’s a liveliness to the square day and night.
The condominium styles available in the neighborhood are similar to options elsewhere in Somerville and Cambridge – units in converted two and three-family houses, in converted brick buildings – one from the 1930s, one circa 1960, lofts in former industrial buildings, condos in a converted school, and new or recently built townhouses.
In the last 12 months the average sale price for Davis Square condos was $462,504 and the median sales price was $429,500. 52 condominiums sold in the neighborhood (or at least those identified to be in the neighborhood by the listing agent – truth be told some stretch the location a bit and others fail to include the neighborhood designation in the listing entry) for sale prices from $145,000 to $893,000.
Currently 17 condominiums are listed for sale in Davis priced between $299,000 for a one-bedroom in a 15-unit brick building to $1,100,000 for an enormous condo in a converted church. The median asking price per square foot is $388.
Davis Square bench photo courtesy of ekilby
Click on the photos below for more info (and more photos) about these Davis Square condos. If you’d like to take a look at any of these or want some help with your real estate search please give me a call at 617-504-1737. I’d be happy to help! Elizabeth A. Bolton, ReMax Destiny, 907 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02144.
Goodbye Copper Beech
Beautiful Tree's Last Days
It was sad to see that this majestic copper beech on Walnut Avenue in Avon Hill had died. Beeches are my favorite trees and it was hard not to notice this one when I was on the street recently. Growing up, our backyard was filled with beech trees, some with initials carved on the trunks years before the neighborhood existed. The huge copper beeches that are found in front of some of the nicest houses in Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley and other nearby towns are some of my favorite features in those neighborhoods.
So I was tickled to see the article in the Cambridge Chronicle that told of the owners and neighbors memorializing the tree. It’s not surprising to learn that the tree had a big impact on its owners and its neighbors. Trees can do that – even ones less impressive than this beautiful copper beech. I still remember various trees that were on the routes I walked as a child.
Here’s the video of the owners talking about what the tree meant to them:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgwhwjwUBcM&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Garden at the Fletcher-Maynard Academy
This healthy crop of corn and sunflowers put a smile on my face when I spotted it while on our tour of new listings last week. These are outside the Fletcher Maynard Academy, part of the Cambridge Public Schools, on the corner of Harvard and Windsor Streets. I think it’s probably part of the Citysprouts garden at the school.
Check out the corn at Fletcher-Maynard!
Look how high the sunflowers grew!
CitySprouts is a group that brings gardens to Cambridge’s schools. Here’s a wonderful video about the program – the students are just great in it – and you can see some more of the garden at the Fletcher Maynard Academy:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOeX_vSjn6o[/youtube]
This is the condo we were previewing on tour – it’s very stylish – we loved it.
Arlington MA Homes Sold In Sept. 2009
Welcome to the Arlington Home Sales Report
OK – another month done – here’s the last of the market reports for 9/09 – Arlington MA Homes Sold in September 2009.
Homes on the Market in Arlington
112 homes were listed for sale in Arlington MA on September 30, 2009 priced between $179,000 and $1,499,000 and on the market for an average of 86 days.
Arlington MA Homes Sold In September 2009
48 homes sold in Arlington last month. The median sales price was $376,250. Homes sold for an average of 97% of the asking price.
23 Arlington single family houses sold in September for prices between $319,000 and $685,000. The median sales price was $430,000. Homes were on the market an average of 46 days and sold for an average of 98% of list price.
21 Arlington condos sold in September for prices from $102,000 to $641,000. The median price was $320,000. Condominiums sold for an average of 97% of the asking price. Average days on market was 97.
4 multi-family houses sold last month for prices between $366,250 and $585,000. Average days on market was 114 and the houses sold for an average of 95% of asking price.
Total sales volume in September was $19,103,183.
SEARCH FOR ARLINGTON MA REAL ESTATE
ARLINGTON HOME SALES IN AUGUST 2009
Information about Arlington MA Homes Sold from MLSpin
North Cambridge Condos – Condo Buildings on Mass Ave
In recent years more and more condo buildings have been built on Mass Ave in North Cambridge. Condos line the street from Porter Square to the Arlington line.
This stretch of the Avenue runs close to the Red Line subway with three nearby T stops – Porter at one end, the Alewife station not far from the other end, and Davis Square in the middle. Additionally, it’s intersected by the bike path at Cameron Ave and the 77 bus runs down the street from Arlington to Harvard Square.
From Porter Square to Route 16, here’s a look at the condominiums along Massachusetts Avenue:
One Russell
One Russell Street - the address may be on Russell, but this condo building is on the corner of Mass Ave so I’m including it here. Formerly a nursing home, it was dramatically transformed into 24 luxury condos in 2004. It’s an elevator building with garage or outdoor parking. Sale prices ranged from $418,500 to $933,000.
Cornerstone Park
2130 Mass Ave – Cornerstone Park - This eight-story building was built in the early 1980s on the corner of Cogswell Ave. Today there are 30+ one to three-bedroom units, many with a wood burning fireplace. The building has an unusually large backyard. A two-bedroom two-bath sold for $459,000 in 2009.
Russell Place
2143-2157 Mass Ave - Russell Place – OK, I’m fudging it a bit with this complex too since these eight attached townhouses are actually in fee simple, not condominium, ownership. But if you’re looking for a spacious townhouse you’ll certainly want to take a look at these if one comes on the market. Built in in 1984 these multi-level townhouses have 2- 3 bedrooms, decks, direct access from a garage on the first level, central air conditioning and multiple baths.
2192 Mass Ave
2192 Mass Avenue - Brick building on the corner of Rindge Ave. Built in 1962 as a 15-unit apartment building it was converted to condos in 1973. Almost all of the units are two-bedrooms, one bath, 693 sq.ft. Heat and hot water are included in the condo fee. There is a parking lot out back though not all condos have parking. The last sale was several years ago for $280,000.
2277 Mass Ave
2277 Mass Ave – It’s hard to imagine since this building is as modern as can be – inside and out – that this is actually a total renovation of an older building. Converted to condos in 2006, it houses eight one and two-bedrooms, approx. 700-1000 sq.ft, with central air, balcony, fireplace, and parking. Two bedroom condos have sold in the $300,000s.
Northview
2353 Mass Ave – Northview – At nine stories this is the tallest building in the neighborhood. As you’d expect, many of the units have great views. Located close to Cameron Ave by the bike path and the end of the trackless trolley line, the 1973 building has 60+ one and two-bedroom condos. Recently one-bedroom condos have sold for $270,00 to $275,000 There hasn’t been a two-bedroom sold since 2007 when units fetched $297,000 to $310,000.
Trolley Square
2427 Mass Ave – Trolley Square – Seven-unit building built in 1999. Two-bedroom condos on one or two levels. Units have central air, a deck, and a garage parking space. There hasn’t been a sale in the complex for a few years – the most recent sale was for a two-level unit that sold for $463,750 in 2006.
Cambridge Point Condos
2440 Mass Avenue – Cambridge Point – 42 unit building constructed in 2006 just where the bike path to Davis Square crosses Mass Ave. I was sad to see the former building on the site go – it was a very distinctive 1950s era package store. This luxury building has a heated garage, elevator, and concierge. Most units are 1-2 bedrooms but there are larger units, some close to 2000 sq.ft.
2456 Mass Ave
2456 Massachusetts Avenue – 1990 apartment building converted to condos in 2006. 24 units, with central air, garage parking, in-unit laundry, and a common courtyard. The most recent sales included a one-bedroom for $265,000 and a two-bedroom for $383,500.
The Parkway
2595 Mass Avenue – The Parkway – This building sits by the Arlington – Cambridge line at Route 16. The Alewife T Red Line stop is an easy walk and the bus stops right out front. Built in 1979, there are 18 studio and one-bedroom condos with parking.
SEE WHAT’S AVAILABLE ON MASS AVE IN CAMBRIDGE
‘
Homes Sold in Cambridge MA – Sept. 2009
Welcome To The Homes Sold in Cambridge Report
Time for another look back – here’s the scoop on homes sold in Cambridge MA during September 2009.
Homes On the Market in Cambridge on Sept. 30, 2009
On September 30, 2009 there were 331 homes for sale in Cambridge MA priced between $199,000 and $6,600,000. Average days on market was 131.
Residential Real Estate Sold In Cambridge In September 2009
79 home sales closed in Cambridge during September for prices between $245,000 and $3,910,000. The average sales price was $584,720. The median sales price was $445,000. Average days on market was 73.
There were 8 single family homes sold last month for prices ranging from $375,000 to $3,910,000. Houses had been on the market for an average of 86 days and sold for an average of 98% of asking price. The median sales price was $883,000.
69 condos sold in Cambridge in September. Sales prices ranged from $245,000 to $1,639,000. The median condo sales price was $440,000. Condominiums sold for an average of 97% of the asking price. Average days on market was 73.
There were 2 multi-family houses sold last month – one for $525,0oo and one for $780,500. Both sold for over asking price within days of coming on the market.
The total value of residential real estate sold in Cambridge during September 2009 was $46,192,850.
Information from MLSpin.
Last month’s numbers:
August 2009 Cambridge Home Sales
SEARCH FOR CONDOS FOR SALE IN CAMBRIDGE
SEARCH FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR SALE IN CAMBRIDGE
Ribbon Driveways – Old Fashioned and Green
It's a ribbon driveway!
I’ve always loved this driveway style but never knew it had a name – it’s a ribbon driveway and it’s today’s installment in the House Parts We Love series.
Popular in the 1920s to 1940s this is the obvious evolutionary first step in driveway paving – before driveways were paved you’d have packed down ruts in the dirt. Ribbon driveways paved those ruts with concrete, leaving the grass in the center.
You don’t see many of these old fashioned driveways around the city. But I’m always happy when I come across one. This one is in North Cambridge near Davis Square. I always called these grass strip driveways. Sometimes you’ll find them paved with cobblestones rather than cement.
The city tends to have way too much pavement so a ribbon driveway with its minimal paved footprint makes a lot of sense. I hate to see the runoff in the rain when all the asphalt means the water ends up in the sewer system. “Green driveways” with a plastic grid underlayment are the newest thing but the good old grass strip version works for me.
One municipality in California, Fullerton, even recommends the installation of historically appropriate ribbon driveways in their remarkably thorough preservation guidelines for a bungalow neighborhood. How cool is that?
More House Parts We Love:
Porch Railings with Curved Spindles
Copyright © 2008 - 2009 Centers And Squares Agent Login Design by Real Estate Tomato Powered by Tomato Real Estate Blogs
