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.
Mass Ave Into Arlington
What's Up With Traffic as Mass Ave Goes Into Arlington?
Somethings wrong on Mass Ave going into Arlington…
I’ve done my best to keep Centers and Squares rant-free – not always easy for a natural born ranter. But today I’m going to indulge myself.
In the 90s I lived in New Hampshire for a few years and with my city-bred impatience was often aggravated by New Hampsherites’ odd behavior in lines (aka queues). Inefficiency was the norm – lines that didn’t move, lines formed for no good reason, etc.
I’d tap my toe impatiently as the line at the post office failed to move despite the 6′ space that had opened up between waiting customers. I’d bang the steering wheel as cars waited behind a stopped car in traffic despite the wide expanse of pavement on the right that allowed for plenty of room to drive around. “This would never happen in Massachusetts!” I’d exclaim.
Except, now it is. Inefficiency rules. At least on Mass Ave at the Cambridge / Arlington line.
I’ve driven through the intersection of Mass Ave and Route 16 countless times. Never had a problem. But now the intersection has become the source of intense aggravation.
Mass Ave approaching Route 16 has three lanes – the left lane to turn to go to Route 2, the middle lane to go straight into Arlington on Mass Ave, and the right lane to go straight onto the two-lanes of Mass Ave in Arlington or to turn right to go onto Route 16.
Something’s fallen apart.
Drivers line up in the middle lane despite the empty right lane. Traffic backs up further and further as we get closer to rush hour. Always the right lane remains empty or close to. Fewer and fewer cars manage to make it through the light cycle.
I’ve steamed. I’ve honked. I’ve even tweeted for cripes sake. I rant out loud “Two lanes! Not one – but two!” But the dozen cars in front of me don’t budge.
Today I left a message for a traffic engineer at the Cambridge Traffic and Parking. My suggestions so far – maybe repainting or adding another set of the white lines on the pavement that show the 3rd lane as a straight / turn right lane may help. Even better – one of those neon yellow signs that show the lane configurations should be installed.
Something’s gotta give. Don’t make me get out there with my flag to direct traffic.
Somerville Happiness Survey Meeting
The city of Somerville garnered national attention when they were the first municipality in the country to survey residents’ happiness.
On Tuesday, the city will discuss the results of the Well-Being Survey, aka the Happiness Survey, at an interactive community meeting at the Somerville High School Library.
Mayor Curtatone and city staff members will share findings from the study. Audience input will be encouraged and residents will get a chance to share their opinions and stories about how Somerville impacts their happiness.
The Somerville Happiness Survey meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2o11 at 6:30 pm at 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA. Take a right after the Main Office and the Library will be down the hall to the right.
Details Matter
A Lincrusta wallcovering pattern
It’s a slow time of the year for new real estate listings. Many sellers wait until after Labor Day to bring their properties on the market.
So it was a pleasant surprise to have some really super listings on our office tour this Wednesday.
One property was the star of the day for me. It’s a truly magnificent townhouse condo at 52 Wendell Street just listed for $1,665,000. One of two units in a large 1880 house in the Agassiz neighborhood, the condo is a splendid mix of original detail and fabulous updates. It’s very spacious – over 3,000 sq.ft. – and opens from the kitchen /family room to a very nice private backyard.
We see so many renovated places that all look alike that it’s hugely refreshing to see a place renovated with real style and attention to detail. At every turn, 52 Wendell offers finishes, fixtures and details that delight the most discriminating buyer – or agent!
I was really happy to see that the renovation included – in a kitchen with gorgeous, high end appliances and fixtures – real linoleum floors. Linoleum is a green choice – it’s made of materials that include linseed oil and crushed cork – and a comfortable one for a kitchen. It makes so much more sense than wood that won’t hold up or tile that’s hard on your feet and back. It was great to see it used in this setting.
Linoleum is still manufactured and can be obtained from companies that include Armstrong and Forbo. I’ve had the Forbo linoleum samples for years with the idea that I’ll install it in my next kitchen redo. My only wish is that they would bring back some of the wonderful, vintage colors. I visited a house in Melrose recently that had the most scrumptious minty green linoleum floor – still in perfect condition some 70 years after it was installed.
The other finish that caught my eye at 52 Wendell was the Lincrusta or Anaglypta wall covering that’s used in a half bath and a hallway. It’s another old-is-new-again touch I’ve meant to use in my home.
It’s the details that make a property stand out. Hurrah for a renovation with real style! Here’s more info about 52 Wendell Street and a link to a photo gallery. Believe me, it’s even better in person.
Real Estate Buyers Paying Cash
Banker & Tradesman reported in a story this week that Cambridge is one of a number of Massachusetts towns where more than 50 percent of the residential real esate sales in the first six months of 2011 were cash deals.
In the first half of 2011, 36.8% of residential real estate transactions in Massachusetts were cash sales. This is a big jump from previous years. In 2010, 24% of Massachusetts real estate sales did not involve a mortgage and in the years from 2005 to 2007 cash transactions only accounted for just over 12% of the market, notes B & T.
In the first six months of 2011, 53.6% of real estate purchases in Cambridge were paid for with cash. Other communities where cash transactions accounted for more than half of all sales included Edgartown, Provincetown and Brighton.
Tightened lending guidelines have reduced the number of people able to qualify for mortgages so it makes sense that cash buyers will make up a larger portion of the pool of buyers. It also seems clear that for many well heeled buyers real estate is seen as a solid investment.
Moving Season
Despite the "Don't Block Intersection" sign, these poor guys were stuck with their truck for 15 minutes in Teele Square Somerville
Moving season in Cambridge and Somerville has begun. Moving trucks and cars loaded with possessions could be seen all over town this past weekend, the first in August. More and more people will be arriving as the moving season comes to a head on September 1st.
You had to feel bad for the poor drivers of this mammoth moving truck. I was stuck in Teele Square for almost 15 minutes as, inch by inch, they tried to maneuver onto a narrow, car-lined street. Imagine what all these poor truck drivers think as they pull off highways and discover that their destinations are close to impossible to reach. And the reward for finally getting your truck in place is several hours of lifting and toting. Tip your movers well!
If you’re moving into Cambridge or Somerville you’ll want to get space reserved for your truck or van. It’s money well spent. The Somerville moving truck permit application can be found at the Traffic & Parking page – click on Permits then Moving Van – Container – Pod. Cambridge moving van permit applications can be found online on the Traffic, Parking & Transportation page.
Cambridge Discovery Days 2011
Cambridge Discovery Days
Looks like we’ll have good weather (not *too* hot) for the first installment of Cambridge Discovery Days tomorrow.
Every August on two Saturdays, a variety of tours and talks are held around Cambridge. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War and many of the events will focus on the impact of the Civil War in Cambridge.
Cambridge Discovery Days is sponsored by the Cambridge History Collaborative – a partnership of local historical and educational groups that include the Cambridge Historical Commission, the Cambridge Historical Society, Mount Auburn Cemetery, and the Longfellow National Historic Site.
In addition to tours of Mount Auburn Cemetery, the Longfellow House, and the Cooper-Frost-Austin House, there are talks and tours around town. Here’s a sampling of the talks for Cambridge Discovery Days 2011:
- Telling Our Story: Fresh Pond and the Civil War
- Candy Land
- Discover East Cambridge Through Public Art
- The Poet and the Civil War: James Russell Lowell
- “His thoughts sounds no depth”: Cambridge’s Greatest Literary Battles
- Strolling Down Magazine Street
For details, times and more there’s a two-page flyer or a multi-page listing with full descriptions of each tour or talk.
Events are free, open to the public and held rain or shine. Please note – some events require registration. Check the flyer for more details and contact information.
Cambridge Discovery Days 2011 will take place on Saturday, August 6. 2011 and Saturday, August 13, 2011. Self-guided tours of Mount Auburn begin at 8 am, the first talk begins at 9:30 am.
Scotty Dog Cutout Shutters
Scotty Dog Cutout Shutters
Heart be still – these have to be the best cutout shutters I ever did see! I spotted them this afternoon on a colonial in Melrose.
Cut-out shutters do something to me – they produce that internal “click” that makes any house instantly appealing. Cutout shutters come in all sorts of varieties – diamonds, initials, squirrels, shamrocks, etc.
But scotty dogs? Never did see these before. Scotty dog cutout shutters are a twofer for me. This house isn’t for sale but if it were I’d be in line.
I’m a cat person but years ago on ebay I discovered the enormous popularity of scotty dogs and scotty dog ephemera. Though I’ll never have a real live scotty dog my house now has its share of scotty dog collectibles – I’ve got drinking glasses, vintage cards, framed mottos, books and more adorned with these endearing little black dogs.
Here’s more info about cutout shutters in an earlier House Parts post I wrote. Sadly, the squirrel shutters pictured on the Cambridge house have since been removed.
And here’s the charming Melrose colonial adorned with scotty dog cutout shutters.
Melrose house with scotty dog shutters
New Condos at 7 Cameron Ave Cambridge
From Rounder Records to 7 Cameron
Finally an answer to what’s happening at the old Rounder Records and Fort Apache Studios site – condos are coming.
The lot at the corner of Cameron Ave and Camp Street adjacent to the bike path has been empty since the former home of Rounder Records was torn down. Building – or at the least very beginnings of it – has started.
Oaktree Development is building out the site. The condo development has been designed by Davis Square Architects – aptly named since Davis Square is just minutes away.
The site has multiple addresses: 2419 Massachusetts Ave, 1 Camp Street and 7 Cameron Avenue, Cambridge. The new condo building will be known as “7 Cameron”.
7 Cameron Ave Details:
- 37 1 and 2 bedroom condos
- Energy Star appliances
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Walk-in closets
- High efficiency HVAC systems
- Some units have a private patio or balcony
- Garage parking
- Option for a fireplace
- Common elements include a roof deck, patio, bike storage, fitness room and function room
Oaktree Development has built a number of very nice condo buildings around Cambridge. Judging from the utility bills I saw at 369 Franklin Street when I sold two condos there, the new residents at 7 Cameron Avenue can anticipate having amazingly low utility costs.
Other Oaktree Development projects in Cambridge include:
- Richdale Place at 113 Richdale Ave at the corner of Walden
- 369 Franklin Street in Central Square
- Bay Square at 950 Mass Ave near Harvard Square
- Cambridge Cohousing on Richdale Ave
Occupancy at 7 Cameron Ave Cambridge is anticipated in Spring – Summer 2012. Given the building’s proximity to the bike path and to Davis Square these condos are bound to be popular with Cambridge real estate buyers.
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