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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.
Belmont Condo – New to the Market
Today was our tour day and my favorite stop on the tour was my new listing at 48 Marlboro St Belmont. The condo is brand new to the market and listed for $369,000.
This bright and sunny three-bedroom condo is in sparkling, move-in condition. Conveniently located, 48 Marlboro Street is just blocks from the Cambridge line with easy access to shops, Fresh Pond and public transit.
48 Marlboro St Belmont MA
The condo is part of a two-unit association in a building of much more recent vintage than most. It was built in 1979 and converted to condos in 2008. The owners have done all sorts of upgrades – you can just move in and enjoy! Click on the link above for a list of just some of the updates.
In addition to the three bedrooms, there’s a living room with fireplace, a dining room, a spacious kitchen fully outfitted with stainless steel appliances, and a semi-finished room downstairs with direct access to the garage. There’s a nicely landscaped common yard and deck. Do you have two cars? No problem – you get a driveway space plus the garage parking space.
Living room with fireplace
48 Marlboro St, Belmont MA can be shown by appointment or at the open houses scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 11 am to noon and Sunday, July 29, 2012 from noon to 1 pm. See you there!
Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, Cambridge
617-504-1737
Arlington Storm Damage
Arlington Storm Damage If you weren’t in East Arlington last week you may have missed the terrible storm damage from last Wednesday’s “micro-burst.” According to local residents we spoke to, town employees and local tree companies did a super job – clearing downed trees and cleaning up in less than 48 hours.
“Micro” seems to be the wrong way to describe this freak storm. In just minutes more than 100 trees were knocked over and countless branches broken in a large part of town – on both sides of Mass Ave from Walgreens to Route 16 . It’s terribly sad and a huge loss to the local landscape and tree canopy.
Urban trees have it hard enough under normal weather conditions – or what passes for normal nowadays. You could see evidence of this year’s drought around the uprooted trees. The very dry exposed earth around several toppled trees looked more like sand than dirt.
My Dad and I drove around on Friday. We wouldn’t have been able to drive through East Arlington just a day or so before – streets were littered with trees. There were still some downed trees and branches that had yet to be cleared but it was amazing how much had been done in such a short period of time. Kudos to all who worked so hard on the cleanup.
Arlington Storm Damage July 2012
New Cambridge and Somerville Properties on Tour
It felt like we were in New Orleans yesterday on our weekly tour – awesomely hot and humid. Though it’s mid-summer the real estate market continues to hum and we had a great selection of new to the market Cambridge and Somerville properties on tour.
Two of my favorites:
A recently built single family house at 16 Churchill Ave in Cambridge was a real surprise. We don’t get to see many new construction single family houses in Cambridge. Buyers will appreciate the open floor plan, gorgeous kitchen, first floor bedrooms, and direct access garage. The house sparkles – even the garage floor gleams. 16 Churchill Ave is newly listed by Bill Patterson for $874,900.
The location of 12 Elston Street in Somerville can’t be beat – smack dab in Davis Square and just down the street from Porter Square. It’s a two-family with really nice original features and a third floor that’s been opened up with vaulted ceilings. 12 Elston Street Somerville is listed by Terry Drucker for $895,000 and sure to be popular.
Wondering about how to navigate this market as a buyer or seller? Give me a call – I’d love to help. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, Cambridge – 617-504-1737.
Here’s what we saw on tour yesterday. To get more info about these newly listed Cambridge and Somerville properties click on the small photo:
Supermarket Hours
Foodmaster doesn't have the best hours but it's my favorite supermarket
Supermarket Hours The real estate market is buzzing and many nights I leave the office late. I’ve spent way too much time lately driving around trying to find a supermarket that’s open. What gives? I live in the city in large part because I like the conveniences. The suburbs roll up the carpet early – in the city we night owls expect our conveniences. Shame on these supermarkets with their lousy hours.
So – here’s a rundown of supermarket hours in local cities. I know I need this list so I’m betting you do too. Supermarket hours are current as of today, July 7, 2012, but are subject to change.
Cambridge Supermarket Hours:
Shaw’s 699 Mount Auburn Street
Mon – Sat: 6 am to midnight
Sun: 7 am to midnight
Shaw’s Porter Square
7 days a week: 24 hours – hurrah!
Shaw’s 20 Sydney Street Central Square
7 days a week: 7 am to midnight
Trader Joe’s 748 Memorial Drive
7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm
Trader Joe’s Fresh Pond
7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm
Whole Foods Fresh Pond
7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm
Whole Foods 115 Prospect Street Central Square
7 days a week: 7:30 am to 10:30 pm
Whole Foods 340 River Street Cambridgeport
7 days a week: 8 am to 10 pm
Arlington Supermarket Hours
Foodmaster 808 Mass Ave
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
Sun: 8 am to 9 pm
Stop & Shop 905 Mass Ave
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
Sun: 7 am to 9 pm
Trader Joe’s 1427 Mass Ave
7 days a week: 8 am to 9 pm
Belmont Supermarket Hours
Shaw’s 535 Trapelo Rd
7 days a week: 7 am to 10 pm
Medford Supermarket Hours
Aldi’s 630 Fellsway
Mon -Sat: 9 am to 8 pm
Sun: 10 am to 7 pm
Shaw’s 61 Locust St
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 10 pm
Sun: 7 am to 9 pm
Super Stop & Shop 760 Fellsway
Mon – Sat: 6 am to 11 pm
Sun: 7 am to 9 pm
Whole Foods Route 16
7 days a week: 8 am to 9 pm
Somerville Supermarket Hours
Foodmaster 45 Beacon Street
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
Sun: 8 am to 9 pm
Foodmaster Route 16
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 10 pm
Sun: 8 am to 9 pm
Market Basket Union Square
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 9 pm
Sun: 7 am to 7 pm
Shaw’s 14 McGrath Hwy (aka East Cambridge)
Mon – Fri: 6 am to midnight
Sat – Sun: 7 am to midnight
Star Market aka Shaw’s 275 Beacon Street
7 days a week: 7 am to 10 pm
Super Stop & Shop 779 McGrath Hwy
7 days a week: 7 am to 11 pm
Watertown Supermarket Hours
Super Stop & Shop 700 Pleasant St
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
Sun: 7 am to 9 pm
Super Stop & Shop 171 Watertown St
Mon – Sat: 7 am to 11 pm
Sun: 7 am to 9 pm
Condo Near Harvard – New to the Market
Are you looking for a condo near Harvard? Hoping to find garage parking? Central air conditioning? An elevator building? You’ll find all this and much more at a newly listed condo near Harvard in Kirkland Village at the Cambridge / Somerville line.
97 Kirkland St Living Room
This four room, one-bedroom condo with a study is less than a half mile from the heart of the Harvard campus. 97 Kirkland Street Cambridge (aka 435 Washington Street Somerville) is in Kirkland Village and Savenor’s Market, Dali, the Wine and Cheese Cask, The Biscuit and more are just outside your door.
This condo near Harvard has a sparkling renovated kitchen
You’ll be able to check off all the items on your wish list including hardwood floors, in-unit washer and dryer, air conditioning, an elevator, garage parking, stainless steel appliances and granite counters in the kitchen, and a private balcony.
This Kirkland Village Condo has a spacious bedroom plus a study
Unit 206 at 97 Kirkland Street Cambridge is new to the market at $349,000. You won’t find a nicer condo near Harvard for the price.
For more information, please call Liz Bolton of ReMax Destiny- that’s me! – at 617-504-1737 or come by the open house on Saturday or Sunday, July 7 and 8, 2012 from noon to 1:30 pm.
Unit 206, 97 Kirkland Street, Cambridge MA in the 97 Kirkland Condo Association, is taxed in Somerville as 435 Washington Street.
4th of July 2012 Celebrations In and Near Cambridge
July 4th Celebrations
Time to make plans for this mid-week holiday. Boston is the place for fireworks on the 4th of July near Cambridge. Here’s a link to the very glitzy website for the Fourth of July festivities on the Esplanade. And here’s a link for info about Boston and Cambridge road closures on July 4, 2012.
Here are some other ways to celebrate Independence Day locally:
Arlington 4th of July Celebration
You’re invited to celebrate the 4th at Robbins Farm Park in Arlington Heights. The party starts at 6 pm with refreshments available and music from the John Penny Band starting at 7 pm. The Boston Pops fireworks will be shown on the big screen starting at 10:30 pm.
4th of July in Cambridge
The Recreation Division is hosting kids’ activities in three locations in Cambridge on the July 4, 2012. Events include races and doll carriage and bicyle parades. Events begin at 9:45 am at Donnelly Field at 40 Willow Street; Glacken Field at Huron Ave and Holworthy Street; and Hoyt Field at Western and Putnam.
Watertown July 4th Events
There aren’t fireworks scheduled for Watertown but the Recreation Department is hosting a day of fun at Victory Field. The Watertown 4th of July celebration begins at 9 am and activities continue until 3 pm including a homerun derby, All Star baseball games, water ballon toss, flag football, dodgeball, and much more.
Still want more fireworks?
Lexington Fireworks on July 5th
The Lexington Lions Club annual carnival runs from Tueday, July 3 to Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Hastings Park. This year the fireworks are scheduled for Thursday, the 5th, after dusk.
80 Webster Ave Somerville MA
80 Webster Ave in Somerville MA is a 46-unit condo building built in 2009 by noted local developer David Aposhian. Midway between Inman Square in Cambridge and Union Square in Somerville, 80 Webster Avenue is one of three associations that make up the Union Place complex.
Union Place Condos at 80 Webster Ave Somerville MA 02143
There are studios, one, two and three-bedroom condos at 80 Webster Avenue. Somerville condo buyers looking for an elevator building with garage parking will want to check out any available condos here. Residents enjoy the close proximity to a myriad of restaurants and cafes in Inman and Union Squares. If all goes as planned, soon the Green Line T will be nearby.
Condo Features and Amenities at 80 Webster Ave in Somerville
- 4 story elevator building
- Studio condos – approx. 450 – 575 sq. ft.
- One-bedroom condos – approx. 650 – 800 sq. ft.
- Two-bedroom condos – approx. 900 – 1100 sq. ft.
- Three-bedroom condos – approx. 1450 sq. ft.
- Air conditioning
- Pet friendly
- Kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel appliances
- Some Upper floor units are on two levels
- Some upper floor units have a private deck
- Common roof deck with city skyline views
- Private storage and bike room
- Beautifully landscaped with a courtyard patio where you can grill
- Monthly condo fee includes heat and hot water
- Guest parking available
- Residents with a car are required to pay monthly fee and park in the Union Place garage
Condo Sales History at 80 Webster Ave Somerville MA
Original 80 Webster Ave. sales at market rates:
- Studios sold for $200,000 – $250,000
- One-bedroom condos sold for $285,000 – $350,000
- Tw0-bedroom condos sold for $$390,000 – $460,000
- Three-bedroom condos sold in the mid-$500,000s
In 2012:
- A 719 sq. ft. one-bedroom on the 3rd floor sold for $320,000
- A two-bedroom 1113 sq. ft. condo with two baths on the 2nd floor sold for $421,000
If condos are available at 80 Webster Ave Somerville MA 02143 they will appear below. Click on the small photo for additonal info and more photographs. And if you’d like to schedule an appointment or get more info about Union Place or Somerville condos, please give me a call. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, 617-504-1737.
80 Webster Ave Somerville MA 02143 is part of the Union Place complex.
How Long Does It Take To Buy A House in Massachusetts?
How Long Will It Take To Buy a House in Massachusetts?
If you’ve never bought real estate before of if you’ve owned elsewhere but never bought real estate in Massachusetts you’ve probably wondered – how long does it take to buy a house in Massachusetts?
While I can’t predict how long it will take for you to find the house or condo of your dreams, once you do find the perfect place and make an offer there is a typical time-frame for your home purchase.
The home buying process varies state by state. Here in Massachusetts the typical home buying purchase takes six to eight weeks. That’s from the day your offer is accepted until the day you close and get your keys.
It may be possible to speed up the process or to extend the time-frame. Perhaps you need to move more quickly or maybe the seller won’t be ready to move for several months. Buyer and seller will agree to a date that works for both parties.
I once had a sale close in just 12 days. That’s fast. Nowadays closing so quickly would be a much bigger challenge – the mortgage industry isn’t making things easy so it is better to work in the 6 – 8 week time-frame if you’re getting a mortgage.
Closings can also be extended. More often than not this happens when the seller needs a particular closing date beyond the standard period and the buyer agrees. However, you’ll want to consider the ramifications for your financing. Your lender will only be able to lock your mortgage rate for a certain period of time. An extended closing may very well mean that you won’t be able to pin down your mortgage rate until you get closer to the closing.
In general, you can expect it to take six to eight weeks to buy a house in Massachusetts. So if you’re in the real estate market, plot the weeks on the calendar and make your plans.
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