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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.
Fences – More House Parts We Love
Diamond Patterned Fence Near Harvard Square in Cambridge
I think of fences as house parts since it’s the whole package we fall in love with when a house catches our eye. And a fence is often the first thing someone sees when they walk up to your house.
If you’re trying to decide on a style, Cambridge is great for getting ideas – you’ll find all styles of handsome or charming fences here – from the modest to the elaborate or fanciful. Most are made of wood – believe me you won’t be seeing any plastic on these pages – from picket fences to grander versions, some vintage cast iron can be found as well as ones that use granite for posts or bases.
There are a couple of popular companies in our area if you’re thinking of adding a border at the street or want to enclose your yard:
Walpole Woodworkers‘ exquisite work can be spotted along Brattle Street and elsewhere in Cambridge.
W.J. McDonough Fence has done a couple of fences for me and does very nice work
Here’s a gallery of local fences and walls:
Porch Railings with Curved Spindles
July 2009 Belmont MA Real Estate Market
Welcome to the Belmont Real Estate Market Report
Time for another market report – here’s a look at the July 2009 Belmont MA Real Estate Market.
On Market Snapshot:
97 homes were listed for sale in Belmont on July 31, 2009. The least expensive was listed for $209,000 and the highest asking price was $2,345,000. The average days on market was 158.
Belmont Real Estate Sales in July:
34 residential properties sold in Belmont during July. The average sales price was $668,121 and the median sales price was $592,500. Average days on market was 105. Houses sold for an average of 98% of list price.
24 Belmont single family homes sold in July for sale prices ranging from $400,000 to $1,365,000. The median sales price for a single family home was $657,500. Average days on market was 105. Single family houses in Belmont sold for an average of 97% of asking price in July.
7 Belmont condos sold in July. Condominiums sold in a wide price range with sale prices between $260,000 and $1,175,000. The median condo sales price was $409,500. Average days on market was 111. Condos sold for an average of 99% of asking price.
3 Belmont multi-family properties sold in July 2009 for $525,000, $555,000 and $565,000. Average days on market was 87. Multi-families sold in July for an average of 97% of asking price.
Total residential sales volume for July was $22,716,100.
Check out last month’s Belmont real estate activity here:
BELMONT REAL ESTATE MARKET IN JUNE 2009
Data about Belmont MA real estate market activity for July 2009 data from MLSpin.
Medford Real Estate Market – July 2009
Welcome to the Medford MA Home Sales Report for July 2009
Another page pulled from the calendar – time to look back at the Medford real estate market in July 2009.
On Market Snapshot
On July 31, 2009 147 residential properties were on the market in Medford Massachusetts, down from 160 a month ago. Asking prices ranged from $139,900 to $1,200,000. Average days on market was 129. The median price of homes for sale in Medford was $369,000.
Real Estate Sales in Medford MA in July 2009
42 properties sold in Medford in July with an average sales price of $333,359. The median sales price was $337,500. The average days on market was 96. In July homes sold for an average of 96% of asking price.
23 Medford single family homes sold in July for sale prices from $173,000 to $501,000. The median sales price for a single family home was $344,444. Average days on market was 90. Single family houses sold for an average of 100% of asking price.
12 condos sold in Medford in July for sales prices from $195,000 to $390,000. The median condo sales price was $286,250. Condominiums sold for an average of 98% of the asking price. The average days on market was 100.
7 multi-families sold in July in Medford MA for sales prices between $285,000 and $450,000. Multi-family homes sold for an average of 94% of list price. Average days on market was 110. The median sales price was $365,000.
Total Medford residential real estate sales volume closed in July was $14,001,077.
Also see:
Medford MA Real Estate Sales in June 2009
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN MEDFORD MASS
Information about the Medford real estate market in July 2009 was based on data from MLSpin
Buying A House Or Condo In Cambridge – What To Bring To The Closing
Buying a House or Condo in Cambridge – What to Bring to the Closing The big day is almost here – you’re buying real estate in Cambridge – your first house, a new condo – congratulations!
What Do I Need To Bring To The Closing?
Cambridge Real Estate Closing
A limber wrist is probably the most important thing to bring to your real estate closing – there’s a reason the closing is often referred to as “passing papers”. Nowadays at a Massachusetts real estate closing there’s a large stack of papers getting passed around the table between buyers, sellers, and attorneys.
Seriously though, here are the things you need to remember to bring with you:
A bank check – also called a certified check or cashier’s check. The check for the amount of money you’re bringing to the closing can’t be a personal check – the bank requires cleared funds. The bank attorney’s office will let you know the amount of the check a day or two before the closing. If the figure for the check still hasn’t been determined sometimes they’ll give you an estimate and either you or the attorney will write a check for the difference at the closing. Typically, you’ll be instructed to have the check made out to yourself and then you’ll sign the check over at the table.
Don’t forget to arrange for access to your funds for the closing. If you need to move money around it’s best to do it well in advance of the day of your sale. You may choose to have your bank wire the money but this too needs to be arranged in advance. The bank attorney’s office will be able to give you wiring instructions.
Photo ID. You are required to present photo identification at the closing – a driver’s license or a passport is what people usually bring. It’s a good idea to have a second form of identification as well since every so often a bank asks for a second form of ID.
Your checkbook. It’s not uncommon for a personal check to be needed for some miscellaneous expense or recalculation. Nowadays more and more people don’t carry a checkbook but you should be sure to pop one in your bag just in case.
An hour or two at the table and you’ll be the happy owners of a new house or condo. Congratulations!
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Buying A House Or Condo In Cambridge – What To Bring To The Closing by Elizabeth Bolton, a Cambridge real estate agent at Coldwell Banker, 171 Huron Avenue, Cambridge MA.
Watertown MA Real Estate Market Report – July 2009
Welcome to the Watertown Real Estate Roundup
Here’s a quick look back at the Watertown real estate market in July 2009.
Homes on the Market
123 residential properties were listed for sale in Watertown on July 31, 2009. Asking prices ranged from $179,900 to $1,395,000. Average days on market was 124.
Watertown Real Estate Sales in July 2009
Total Watertown residential real estate sales volume closed in July was $$17,582,000
See Also:
JUNE 2009 WATERTOWN REAL ESTATE MARKET
2009 Cambridge Discovery Days – Focus on Architecture
Attention old house enthusiasts and local history buffs! This year’s Cambridge Discovery Days will focus on architecture.
Vintage Postcard of the Cambridge Home of James Russell Lowell
Each summer, Cambridge Discovery Days offers a variety of events, lectures and tours on two successive August Saturdays. This year’s dates are August 8, 2009 and August 15, 2009. There’s a wonderful lineup of free events sponsored by the Historic Cambridge Collaborative.
Cambridge Discovery Days – Saturday, August 8, 2009
Some of the offerings on August 8th include:
- 10 to 11:30 am The Poet and the Civil War: James Russell Lowell. Tour meets at the Longfellow House at 105 Brattle Street (also offered on August 15th, same time and place)
- 10:30 to noon A Walk Down Tory Row. Meets at the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House at 159 Brattle Street
- 11 to noon What Style Is It? Meets at the Cambridge Historical Society, 159 Brattle Street
- 1 to 3 pm Buildings at Fresh Pond I: Homes, Hotels and Ice Houses. Meets at the Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
- 4 to 5:30 pm Mount Auburn’s Notable Architects. Meets at the cemetery entrance gate, 580 Mt. Auburn Street
Cambridge Discovery Days – Saturday, August 15, 2009
Events on August 15th include:
- 10 to 11 am The Cambridge Houses of William Dean and Elinor Mead Howells. Tour begins at 41 Sacramento Street
- 11 am to 12:15 pm New Ideas from a Quiet Neighborhood. Tour begins on the steps of the Longfellow House, 105 Brattle Street
- 11 am to 1:00 pm “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down”: Folk Music in Cambridge. Tour begins at the Johnston Gate to Harvard Yard
- 1 to 3 pm Buildings at Fresh Pond II: Club Houses, Homes, Railway Stations & More. Tour begins at the Ranger Station at the Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
- 2 to 3 pm Inman Square, Historically Speaking. Tour begins at the plaza at the intersection of Cambridge and Hampshire Streets
- 2 to 3 pm The Women of Central Square. Tour begins in front of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue
This is just a sampling of events – there’s a very full schedule on both Saturdays. There are also activities for kids scheduled on both days.
The City of Cambridge website has more info and a full schedule of events available for download. You can also call the Cambridge Historical Commission at 617-349-4683 for more information.
The 2009 Cambridge Discovery Days – Focus on Architecture is free and open to all. Events take place rain or shine.
Arlington MA Real Estate Sales in July 2009
Welcome to the Arlington MA Real Estate Report
The months pass so quickly! Here’s a look at Arlington MA real estate sales in July 2009.
Residential Properties Currently on the Market in Arlington Massachusetts
118 residential properties were on the market in Arlington on July 31, 2009 priced between $113,800 and $1,095,000. Average days on market was 69.
Arlington Real Estate Sales in July 2009
74 homes sold in Arlington during July – a significant increase over June when 56 homes sales closed. The average sales price in July was $455,851 and the median sales price was $432,400. The average days on market was 42.
43 Arlington single family homes sold in July for sale prices from $294,000 to $822,500. The median price for a single family house sold in July was $521,000. Average days on market was 40. Houses sold for an average of 99% of list price.
29 condos sold in July for prices from $180,000 to $595,000. The median price paid for a condo was $355,000. Arlington condos sold for an average of 98% of the asking price. Average days on market was 48.
2 multi-family property sales closed in July for $562,500 and $640,000. The properties were on the market for 28 and 26 days respectively.
Total Arlington residential real estate sales volume closed in July was $33,733,000.
SEARCH FOR ARLINGTON MA REAL ESTATE
ARLINGTON REAL ESTATE MARKET IN JUNE 2009
Franklin Street Park – Cambridge Parks – An Urban Oasis
Entrance to the Franklin Street Park in Cambridge Mass
Franklin Street Park on Franklin Street in the Riverside neighborhood of Cambridge Massachusetts is a lovely and unusual pocket park. Measuring just 4400 sq.ft. the park is similar in size to the city house lots that line the street.
Before Franklin Street Park was rehabbed in 2003 it was a dark, gloomy space covered in large part with paving. The city held a number of meetings to solicit feedback from Cambridge residents about what they hoped the park would become. Goals in the reconstruction of the park included increasing safety, adding more natural elements in the park, adding play areas for kids, and making the park wheelchair accessible.
In 2004 the American Society of Landscape Architects’ magazine Landscape Architecture awarded the park an “Editors’ Choice” designation.
Today the park is a treat to discover. From the granite entrance gate designed by Boston sculptor Murray Dewart to the unusual metal dome that seems to rise from the ground at the back of the lot – this park is full of surprises.
The park is green, lush and serene. There are places to sit, a water feature, and kid-friendly spaces. That mysterious metal dome? It’s meant to be a space for kids to play and is surrounded by plastic grass.
The City of Cambridge’s Community Development Concept Plan in Spring 2002 gave this vision for the park project:
“The concept is to create an exciting and unique enclosed public open space that residents will discover and enjoy. A space for quiet reflection, reading a book, playing a game or watching a child play… A space with beautiful plantings, shade and visual interest… an urban oasis…”
A visit to Franklin Street Park confirms that the city has achieved its goals – the park is indeed an oasis – and a beautiful space to while away the afternoon.
Here are some more photos of Franklin Street Park:
This is the second in a series on Cambridge parks. Here’s more:
The Smallest Park in Cambridge
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