Centers And Squares
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.
Best Real Estate Agent Gift
Best gift ever - a bib for a real estate agent
Ok – confession time. I’m a bit of a messy eater – at least messy enough that on a number of occasions, as I eat on the fly during my busy day, something ends up spilled on me.
Too many spots and stains later, I’ve taken to draping paper towels from my chin to my lap. It’s not pretty but it works – my dry cleaning bills are in check and I’m presentable for appointments.
But thanks to my dear friend June, my coworkers will no longer look askance at my paper draped dining habits. June made the beautiful custom bib at right. With its hand stitched houses decorating the front – each one a different architectural style in miniature – it’s the best real estate agent gift ever.
Come noon, in between appointments, I’ll be in the kitchen at the office wearing my new bib.
Thanks so much June! My bib is going to be a big hit in the lunch room!
Hand embroidered houses decorating the front of my bib
Best Places to Buy Thanksgiving Turkey, Pies and Sides
Get Your Thanksgiving Turkey at the Mayflower Poultry Co in Cambridge
It seemed like I was ahead of the game when I set out today to order the turkey and pies for Thanksgiving. Turns out I’m late to the party – some places stop taking Thanksgiving orders tomorrow. So if you still have some shopping to do here are the best places to buy Thanksgiving turkey, pies and sides.
Live Poultry Fresh Killed in Cambridge
You have through Friday (November 18, 2011) to place your turkey order at Live Poultry Fresh Killed aka the Mayflower Poultry Company for their it-doesn’t-get-any-fresher-than-this birds. Our Thanksgiving turkey from LPFK was a hit last year so I’ll be swinging by the Mayflower Poultry Co. at 621 Cambridge St in Cambridge on Wednesday to pick up my Thanksgiving turkey. Orders for turkey or “Turducken” (turkey-duck-chicken) can be placed in person, by phone at 617-547-9191, or online.
Petsi Pies in Somerville and Cambridge
Petsi Pies stops taking orders for its Thanksgiving pies on Friday at 7 pm (November 18, 2011). I put in my order for mixed berry pie today (believe me – you never forget your first taste of Petsi Pies’ fresh mixed berry pie). Petsi Pies has pies for Thanksgiving including: brown butter pecan, chocolate bourbon pecan, sweet potato, apple pear cranberry, pumpkin and more. Yum! Petsi Pies is located at 285 Beacon St Somerville and 31 Putnam Ave Cambridge.
Pemberton Farms in Cambridge
You have until Monday at 5 pm (November 21, 2011) to place your Thanksgiving order at Pemberton Farms. Pemberton offers several versions of Thanksgiving dinners with all the fixings – traditional, organic, turkey breast or half-turkey. The dinners come with several sides, gravy and rolls. Pemberton also has pies, tarts, and a bakers dozen of sides that can be ordered a la carte. Orders can be placed in person at 2225 Mass Ave in Cambridge or by phone at 617-491-2244.
Russo’s in Watertown
Russo’s in Watertown has a large Thanksgiving menu. In addition to being a super place for produce, Russo’s has a large catering department. You can order all sorts of appetizers, side dishes, deli platters and desserts. Not sure you want turkey this Thanksgiving? Russo’s also has lasagna, pork loin or ham on the menu. To order visit Russo’s at 560 Pleasant Street in Watertown or call 617-719-4107.
Wilson Farm in Lexington
Procrastinators take note – Wilson Farm will take Thanksgiving turkey orders through Tuesday though all sizes may not be available. A week before Thanksgiving and Wilson Farm was already bustling (isn’t it alway?!). They have beautiful Fall flower arrangements and centerpieces, Autumn wreaths, dazzling produce, and a glorious array of food and fixings: homemade pies, desserts, cheese plates, fruit bowls, vegetable platters, more than 20 side dishes, and in addition to turkey they offer geese, duck, beef. pork of lamb for those who want something different for Thanksgiving. They also offer full heat-and-serve- turkey or ham dinners. Wilson Farm is located at 10 Pleasant Street in Lexington – just off Mass Ave or heading West on Route 2 take exit 57.
Verrill Farm in Concord
The pumpkin pie from Verrill Farm in Concord has become my parents’ favorite indulgence so they headed out to Concord today to place a Thanksgiving pie order. Check out the mouth watering menu of sides and pies. Verrill Farm turkeys are from Vermont’s Stonewood Farm. I love Verrill’s Thanksgiving centerpieces in pumpkins – if you want one you’ve got to get your order in by Friday (November 18. 2011). Verrill Farm at 11 Wheeler Rd in Concord is a quick (and scenic!) drive from Cambridge.
Do you have any other favorites? Let us know what you think are the best places to buy Thanksgiving turkey, pies and sides – before it’s too late!
Self Magazine Rates Cambridge Healthiest City for Women
Cambridge - Healthiest City for Women
We recently posted about Cambridge and Somerville superlatives. Here’s the lastest kudos:
Self magazine, in its December 2011 issue, ranked Cambridge as the “healthiest city overall” for women.
Cambridge got great scores in nearly every category the magazine looked at including wellness, safety, and how many women walk to work.
“Plus it’s easier to afford the doctor in a place where 97% of women have insurance, thanks in no small part to a state that requires residents to be covered by law and chips in to help.”
Look for the December issue of Self on newsstands.
10 Chester St Cambridge MA Condos
10 Chester St Cambridge Condos
The condos at 10 Chester Street in Cambridge are in one of the handsomest Victorian buildings in town, the Chester Kingsley House. 10 Chester Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is a beautifully preserved Queen Anne Victorian with a corner turret and exterior ornamentation intact.
Today the building houses seven condominiums. Chester Street is a popular location – just off Mass Ave, not far from Porter Square, with the heart of Davis Square at the other end of the street.
History of 10 Chester Street Cambridge
10 Chester Street was built for Chester W. Kingsley in 1866. Kingsley was a self-made man whose successes came in banking and business. He paid his way through school by doing odd jobs, began his banking career as a messenger, and made his fortune in the wholesale provision business.
In an 1898 article in the New York Times about Kingsley’s charitable bequests, Chester Kingsley describes his attitude towards money with this: “I don’t smoke, because I have always felt that every cigar was burning up the price of a loaf of bread.” His successes and frugality enabled him to donate large sums to a variety of educational institutions.
Kingsley died on January 1, 1904. The house was converted to a nursing home in 1913 and an addition put on the back. In the 1960s it became an apartment building. In 1983 it was restored and converted to condominiums. Beautiful original details including ornamental moldings, paneling, fireplaces, a handsome paneled staircase and magnificent front door with stained glass windows have been preserved.
Details of 10 Chester Street Cambridge Condos
- 7 condominiums
- One bedrooms (870 – 1148 sq.ft.)
- Two bedrooms (1388 – 1709 sq.ft.)
- One and two-level condos
- Fireplaces in some units
- Large common yard with gardens, fountains and patios
- Parking
Condo Sales at 10 Chester Street
There hasn’t been a condo for sale at 10 Chester Street since 2009. In 2009 a 1,388 square foot two-bedroom condo on the first floor and lower level sold for $444,500.
If a condo is for sale at 10 Chester Street, Cambridge MA 02140 it will appear below. Click on the small photo for additonal photographs and more information.
The Chester Kingsley Condominiums are located at 10 Chester St Cambridge MA 02140.
Watertown MA Real Estate Market – January-October 2011
Watertown MA Real Estate Market Review
Here’s a look at how the Watertown MA real estate market is faring in 2011.
The numbers for the same period in 2010 are in parentheses for comparison.
On October 31, 2011, 114 residential properties were listed for sale in Watertown. That’s a large decrease, more than 26%, from the same time last year when 155 properties were on the market.
For the market as a whole the median price was up by 6%. That wasn’t true of single family houses with a median sale price this year through October of $420,375 compared to $482,500 last year. That may in part be due to a different mix in what was offered for sale. In the first 10 months of last year 27 homes sold for more than $500,000 vs. just 20 this year during the same period.
The mix of properties sold this year in Watertown was quite a bit different than last: fewer condos sold this year while single family house sales were up and considerably more multi-unit houses have sold this year.
Residential Real Estate Sold in Watertown – Jan-Oct 2011 (2010)
- 260 properties sold (247)
- Average days on market = 95 (91)
- Properties sold for an average of 96% of asking price (97%)
- Median price of $380,000 ($357,500)
Watertown Single Family Sales – Jan-Oct 2011 (2010)
- Total sold: 70 (57 )
- Sale prices ranged from $240,000 – $1,250,000 ($135,000 – $879,000)
- Median price: $420,375 ($482,500)
- Average days on market: 73 (66)
- On average, houses sold for 97% of asking price (96% )
Watertown Condo Sales – Jan-Oct 2011 (2010)
- Total sold: 129 (155)
- Sale prices ranged from $163,100 – $1,435,000 ($150,000 – $1,105,000)
- Median price: $325,000 ($320,000)
- Average days on market: 108 (112)
- On average, condos sold for 96% of asking price (96%)
Watertown Multi-Family Sales – Jan-Oct 2011 (2010)
- Total sold: 61 (35)
- Sale prices ranged from $296,000 – $667,500 ($155,000 – $665,000)
- Median price: $497,000 ($490,000)
- Average days on market: 91 (37)
- On average, multi-unit houses sold for 96% of asking price (98% )
Info about the Watertown MA real estate market in 2011 (2010) from MLSpin
Charles Hotel Parking Garage Gives a Break to Small Cars
Small cars get price break at Cambridge hotel garage
The Boston Herald had a great article today about the garage at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge. Turns out the Charles Hotel parking garage gives a break to small cars.
Small cars get a price break at the Charles Square garage. Vehicles that are less than 12 feet in length get the first hour free and a reduced rate. Minis and Smart Cars – of which there are plenty in Cambridge – meet the size limits.
I think this is a super idea. Anything that encourages more small cars on the road – or in the garage – is a good thing in my book. Way to go Charles Hotel.
A few years ago I was running late for an appointment in Brookline. I was trying to park in a parking garage and was stuck behind a line of big, hulking SUVs that were too large for the cramped spaces in the garage. As I fumed, we slowly crawled through the garage as drivers tried every which way to get their supersized vehicles into spaces that were simply too small. Their SUVs were also too tall – making me gasp since it looked quite possible that an SUV top would be sheared off at any moment. It’s a sight that I’ve never forgotten.
It has struck me as odd that in an era of ever bigger vehicles, garages and parking lots, seemingly in attempt to squeeze every possible dollar from their operations, have made parking spaces tighter and smaller. It sure does lead to some nasty confrontations – as I’ve witnessed more than once at the Porter Square shopping center lot for example.
Whether on the road or in the garage, I’d rather be behind a small car than a behemoth. Maybe it’s time to give small cars perks all over town – make the prime parking lot spaces small, give reduced rates at meters for small parking spaces.
Open Houses on Sunday, Nov 13, 2011
I’ll be hosting two open houses tomorrow on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011:
14 Packard Ave Somerville Open House
At noon, 14 Packard Ave Unit 1 in Somerville MA will have its first open house. 14 Packard Avenue is a wonderful blend of original architectural features (stained glass, pocket doors, wood floors, beautiful woodwork and a built-in china cupboard) and modern upgrades including central air conditioning and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wide expanses of granite counters, and a big island with space for stools.
The kitchen will be a favorite hangout spot at 14 Packard Ave. Even better, it opens to a large covered deck & a spacious, landscaped backyard that’s private to the condo. That’s right – it’s all yours.
14 Packard Ave Somerville is new to the market and priced at $399,000. It’s off Broadway midway between Davis Square & Teele Square. I’ll be hosting the open house there from noon to 1 pm on Sunday, November 13th.
36 Jerome St Medford Open House
Then it’s off to West Medford to 36 Jerome St in Medford MA. 36 Jerome Street is a three-bedroom, two-bath single family house in move-in condition. You’ll love the open layout, high ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, and upgraded systems – the central air conditioning and furnace are just a few years old.
The kitchen at 36 Jerome is spacious with plenty of cabinets and granite countertops. Light streams in through the skylight and through the slider to the back deck. The yard is enclosed and the parking spaces are side-by-side – no early morning juggling of the cars.
36 Jerome Street, priced at $409,000, is close to West Medford Square with its commuter rail station. There’s easy access to commuting routes and bus service to Davis Square and nearby Arlington Center.
The open house at 36 Jerome St Medford MA is scheduled for 2 to 3 pm on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. Hope to see you there!
Eastern Coyote Lecture in Watertown
Eastern Coyote Lecture in Watertown
Is that a dog? No? It could be a coyote that you’ve spotted. The Eastern Coyote can even be found in Cambridge. I haven’t seen one (though I have had some rather odd animal encounters – a deer on Orchard Street, a stuck possum on Somerville Ave) but I know people who have over by Mount Auburn cemetery or Fresh Pond.
I do remember the eerie howls of coyotes you could hear at night from my parents’ porch when they lived in NH. We’re the ones incroaching on their turf.
On Thursday, November 17th, there will be an Eastern Coyote lecture in Watertown.
The Belmont Animal Control Officer, John Maguranis, will present a lecture, Living with the Eastern Coyote, at the Watertown Town Hall.
Coyote Lecture:
Where: Watertown Town Hall, 2nd floor, 149 Main Street, Watertown
When: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Free and open to the public
I wrote this post several days ago and scheduled it for today. Coincidentally the Boston Globe published an editorial today calling for education so that people can coexist with the coyotes that have been spotted more frequently in suburban towns like Belmont and Newton. Watertown’s Eastern Coyote lecture is just the ticket.
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