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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.
Watertown MA 2009 Real Estate Market Review
Welcome to the Watertown Real Estate Wrap-up
Watertown MA 2009 Real Estate Market Finally – the year has come to a close and it’s possible to do a year end wrap-up of the real estate market in Watertown. 2008 figures are included for comparison. The report includes sales that were listed in the MLS, the Multiple Listing System.
The percentage of year-to-year change is included in parentheses.
As you’ll see, fewer properties sold in Watertown in 2009 than in 2008 – more than 10% fewer. Was that because properties were harder to sell in 2009? The numbers seemed to suggest that wasn’t the case – on average properties sold a bit more quickly in 2009 and the spread between asking price and sale price didn’t change. The median sales price for Watertown properties barely budged..
Looking at the numbers of properties that failed to sell – that “expired” as we say, shows that more properties failed to sell in 2008 (120) than in 2009 (109).
It seems that the decline in numbers of properties sold occurred because fewer properties were listed for sale in 2009. Reasons why fewer properties were put on the market include sellers who are able to wait and think they’ll get more money for their home some time in the future and homeowners who are unable to sell at a price that works for them and choose to stay put or rent their home.
After the annual sales info you’ll find the stats for December 2009.
Total properties sold in Watertown:
- In 2009: 321 (-12.3%)
- In 2008: 366
Average days on market:
- 2009: 82
- 2008: 89
Total value of real estate sales:
- 2009: $122,196,592 (-17.34%)
- 2008: $147,822,196
Properties sold for:
- 2009: An average of 96% of asking price and a median price of $368,000 (-1.61%)
- 2008: An average of 96% of asking price and a median price of $374,000
Watertown Single Family Sales
- 2009: 79 (+5.34%)
- 2008: 75
Price range for single family homes:
- 2009: $260,000 to $967,500
- 2008: $280,000 to $1,577,000
Median price of single family houses sold:
- 2009: $415,000 (-.01%)
- 2008: $419,000
On average, single families:
- In 2009: were on the market 61 days and sold for 95% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 82 days and sold for 96% of list price
Watertown Condo Sales
- 2009: 199 (-13.86%)
- 2008: 231
Price range for condos:
- 2009: $150,000 to $781,000
- 2008: $182,000 to $1,060,600
Median price of condominiums sold:
- 2009: $322,000 (-6.67%)
- 2008: $345,000
On average, Watertown condos:
- In 2009: were on the market 91 days and sold for 97% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 84 days and sold for 97% of list price
Watertown Multi-Family Sales
- 2009: 43 (-28%)
- 2008: 60
Price range for multi-family properties:
- 2009: $310,000 to $723,000
- 2008: $335,000 to $2,400,000
Median price of multi-family houses sold:
- 2009: $445,000 (-6.8%)
- 2008: $477,500
On average, Watertown multi-families:
- In 2009: were on the market 75 days and sold for 96% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 120 days and sold for 93% of list price
The December 2009 Stats
Watertown Homes on the Market
74 Watertown homes were listed for sale in the MLS on December 31, 2009 priced between $182,000 and $1,395,000. Average days on market was 172.
Watertown Home Sales – Dec. 2009
Total value of Watertown home sales closed in December was $8,702,400
See Also:
WATERTOWN REAL ESTATE SALES Nov. 2009
Info about Watertown real estate sales from MLSpin
North Cambridge Catholic High School Closing
On December 22nd, just before the holidays, the Archdiocese of Boston, announced that the North Cambridge Catholic High School on Norris Street would be closing and moving to Dorchester.
The school is relocating to 100 Savin Hill Avenue in Dorchester, the former St. William School. The school’s name will be changed to Cristo Rey Boston. North Cambridge Catholic has been part of a national association of Catholic high schools called the Cristo Rey Network since 2004.
North Cambridge Catholic High School, 40 Norris Street
It seems that the Archdiocese plans to sell the school building after the move. Will North Cambridge have a new schoolhouse condo building? Let’s hope so.
Renovated schools make super condos and 40 Norris Street is an exceptional building. The Northwest Cambridge: Survey of Architectural History in Cambridge calls it “one of the handsomest schools in the city.” It’s massive, over 35,000 sq.ft. according to City records, and has large rounded windows on the upper floors. The satellite view of the school shows twenty or so parking spaces currently sited behind the building.
The school was built in 1898 for the City of Cambridge and served as the Ellis School until the 1950s. The building was designed by Boston architect A.H. Gould.
Norris Street is a pleasant, residential street lined with multi-families. It’s a one-way street running from Cedar Street to Mass Ave. The bike path is nearby and Davis Square is not far. At one end of Norris you’ll find the path that leads into a very nice park and playground, the Reverend Williams Park.
Schoolhouse condos would be a great addition to the neighborhood. The closest renovated school in Cambridge is the former Lincoln School on Mead Street at the corner of Walden and condos turn over infrequently there.
Watch this space for updates on the North Cambridge Catholic High School closing and plans for the building’s future.
Related posts:
Schoolhouse Condos In Cambridge and Somerville
Condos in Renovated Schools in Medford
The North Cambridge Catholic High School is at 40 Norris Street, Cambridge, MA 02140.
44 Concord Ave Cambridge – Observatory Hill Condos
44 Concord Avenue Cambridge, MA - Observatory Hill Condos
The condos at 44 Concord Ave, Cambridge on Observatory Hill are close to Harvard Square and not far from Huron Village. The bus and trolley to Harvard Square run out front.
Built in 1974, there are 25 condominiums in the four-story building. One bedrooms are approx. 550 to 900 sq.ft. and the two-bedrooms with two baths are approx. 1000 to 1150 sq.ft. in size.
44 Concord Ave Condos Features
- Elevator building
- Off-street or carport parking
- Common laundry
- Balcony
- Fireplace
- Central air conditioning
- Pet friendly
Recent Sales at 44 Concord Avenue, Cambridge
- In 2008 a 692 sq.ft. one-bedroom sold for $340,000
- In 2009 a 998 sq.ft. two-bedroom, two-bath condo sold for $406,500
If condos are available at 44 Concord Ave, they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional pictures and more info.
The Observatory Hill Condos are located at 44 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Cheap and Easy Way to Keep Out Drafts
It’s nippy in Cambridge tonight and I’m glad I finally finished one of my winter chores this weekend.
Some of my windows are a bit drafty and since I’m not a big fan of replacement windows (subject of a blog post to come!) these older windows are here to stay.
Pulling the shades down at night and letting the sun in during the day is a good idea. Some people do the plastic on the windows trick but I’ve always worried about taking the paint off when the plastic is removed in the spring. And insulated shades are a super idea that I’ve yet to implement. Window rehab would make a difference and weatherstripping would help I’m sure.
Rope caulk keeps out winter drafts
But if you’re not terribly handy or don’t want to spend a lot of money my method to stop the drafts is easy – and cheap.
This box of flexible rope caulk that I picked up at Tag’s in Porter Square for $6.39 does the trick. It’s as simple as can be to unroll the clay-like caulk and seal any cracks where the sill meets the frame of your windows. A box or two will do you.
Maybe it’s my imagination but my house always feels warmer after I get the windows caulked.
I first saw rope caulk on the windows of a Union Square condo I listed. It was springtime so we had to remove the caulk to open the windows. Afterwards I realized that the caulk and the tighter seal had meant the condo was quieter so if you’re on a busy street it may help to keep noise down too.
For less than $15 rope caulk can’t be beat as a wintertime fix.
Stay warm!
9 Ellery St Cambridge – Mid-Cambridge Condos
Mid-Cambridge Condos at 9 Ellery St, Cambridge MA 02138
9 Ellery St Cambridge – Mid-Cambridge Condos. 9 Ellery Street is a classic Cambridge brick condo building, built in 1929. Located just off Mass Ave, the building is a good choice for Cambridge real estate buyers who want easy access to Harvard Square and Central Square, to Harvard and to MIT. It’s a walk-to-everything location with shops, pubs, restaurants, stores, the Cambridge Public Library and more just outside your door.
9 Ellery Street Features
- Four-story walk-up
- One bedroom condos, 440 – 650 sq.ft.
- Heat and hot water included in the condo fee
- Hardwood floors
- Common laundry
- Pet friendly
- A driveway that fits four cars is shared by the residents
9 Ellery St., Cambridge – Recent Condo Sales
In 2009:
A second floor 450 sq.ft. condo sold for $252,000
A 3rd floor, 590 sq.ft. one-bedroom sold for $325,000
A 4th floor, 605 sq.ft. one-bedroom condominium sold for $325,000
If condos are available at 9 Ellery Street, they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional photos and more information.
The Tudor Architectural Style – Tudor Homes in Belmont and Nearby
Tudor Revival House in Belmont MA
Tudor Style Homes in Belmont and Nearby. Real estate buyers who move from other parts of the country may expect to see more Tudor style homes when they move to Cambridge.
The Tudor architectural style in America was popular in the early 1900s and was very popular in American suburbs in the 1920s and early 1930s after most of Cambridge and Somerville’s houses were built.
Characteristics of Tudor Revival Architecture
- Usually brick or stucco, less frequently stone or wood
- Many have decorative half-timbering
- Steeply pitched roof
- Massive chimneys, often with decorative chimney pots
- Tall, narrow multi-paned windows, often in groups of three
- Rounded arched doorways are common
- Patterned brickwork or stonework detail is common
Tudor Houses in Belmont and Nearby
Belmont has the largest concentration of Tudors in the area by far. There are some in Cambridge near Brattle Street or in the Divinity neighborhood. Tudors in Medford can be found in West Medford and the Lawrence Estates. In Arlington you’re most likely to see a Tudor Revival house in the Morningside neighborhood.
Here’s a slideshow of tudor style houses in Belmont Massachusetts.
SEARCH FOR TUDOR HOUSES FOR SALE
SEARCH FOR BELMONT HOMES FOR SALE
To see posts about other architectural styles in Cambridge and nearby towns click on the Architecture tag below.
Rent An Author For Your Book Club
Rent An Author for Your Book Club. I came across some flyers for this nifty program while shopping at the Harvard Book Store in Harvard Square in Cambridge.
The Harvard Book Store is sponsoring this program. Book clubs or other small groups who raise at least $1,000 to benefit the non-profit group 826 Boston are eligible to have a private evening with one of four well known New England authors:
- Julia Glass – author of The Three Junes (I loved this book), The Whole World Over, and I See You Everywhere
- Tom Perrotta – whose novels include The Abstinence Teacher, Little Children, The Wishbones and Election
- Jim Shepard – Shepard’s 2005 novel, Project X, about two boys who plan a Columbine-like massacre, won the Massachusetts Book Award in 2005 and his short story collection, Like You’d Understand Anyway won the Story Prize.
- Donald Hall- poet, memoirist, essayist, and critic was appointed Poet Laureate in 2006. His most recent memoir, Unpacking the Boxes: A Memoir of a Life in Poetry was published in 2008 and recently released in paperback. Two of his earlier memoirs are also among my favorites – String Too Short To Be Saved and The Best Day the Worst Day: Life With Jane Kenyon.
826 Boston is a non-profit tutoring and writing center in Roxbury that works with students ages 6 to 18. Check out their website for info about the Rent an Author program and a downloadable application.
What a rare treat it would be to have an author attend your book club meeting. Time to start fundraising!
1 Richdale Ave, Cambridge – Condos at Richdale Park
Condos at 1 Richdale Avenue in Cambridge MA
Richdale Park at 1 Richdale Avenue in Cambridge is a 16-unit condo complex in the heart of Porter Square.
Tucked behind Richdale Ave, this secluded enclave has a courtyard and outdoor parking. Architecturally interesting, the four buildings include the former University Storehouse building, a storage business established in the 1890s whose old painted sign remains on the building’s facade.
The condos were built in 1981. Some units have been recently renovated, others have finishes from the 1980s.
As convenient a location as you could ask for – the Red Line subway is just around the corner and the commuter rail too. From Porter Square you can easily walk to Harvard or Davis Square with restaurants and shops lining the blocks.
1 Richdale Ave Cambridge Condos
- Condos range in size from 1024 sf.ft. to 2723 sq.ft.
- There are duplexes and a number of larger townhouses.
- Townhouses have 3 – 5 bedrooms and as many as 3.5 baths
Features of One Richdale Condos
- In-unit laundry
- Off-street parking
- Central air conditioning
- Balcony
Recent Sales of Condos at Richdale Park
- An unrenovated 1024 sq.ft. two-bedroom, two-bath sold for $354,000 in 2007
- A renovated four-bedroom, 3.5 bath townhome sold in 2008 for $609,000
- A four-bedroom, 3.5 bath townhouse sold in 2009 for $565,000
If condos are for sale at 1 Richdale they’ll appear below. You can click on the small photo for additional photographs and more information.
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