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.
Beacon Hill Garden Shares For Sale
You can buy a share in a Beacon Hill garden
I was window shopping on Charles Street on Beacon Hill a few days ago and spotted a flyer in a real estate office’s window. Seems that the office is marketing Beacon Hill garden shares for sale. You can purchase a share in the garden, the Putnam Garden Coop, for just $16,000 (or $24,0000 if you’re a business).
For urban dwellers outside space is a coveted amenity but this was a new one for me. It doesn’t appear to be an opportunity to garden similar to community garden plots around the city, but is instead meant to allow access to the garden for “social gatherings” and to “relax, read, and enjoy the garden”.
If you’d just like to look, rather than buy, the Beacon Hill Garden Tour is scheduled for May 15, 2004. You can check out other upcoming tours on our updated Garden Tours page.
Boston Magazine’s Real Estate Issue
Boston magazine’s real estate issue gives Newbuyport a thumbs up
Boston magazine’s real estate issue is always a sure sign that the spring market is here. Real estate didn’t make Boston‘s cover this year but there’s plenty inside the March 2014 issue.
This year’s coverage includes an article “You Belong Here” that identifies top communities for various demographic groups. Here are 2014’s winners according to Boston magazine:
- Starting Out – Medford
- Power Couple – Lincoln
- Moving Up – Natick
- Growing Family – Winchester
- Empty Nester – Newburyport
A couple of runner-ups are given in each category, and another town in the heart of Centers and Squares territory, Watertown, made the cut for “starting out”.
I don’t think you need to be an empty nester to consider Newburyport. With its gorgeous housing stock, rich history and fabulous downtown it’s one of my favorite Massachusetts towns. I recently sold the Newburyport house pictured above. Built in 1720, remarkably intact and beautifully restored, it was the most fascinating house I’ve sold.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Boston magazine’s real estate issue. It’s got tips for homebuyers, a fun piece titled “Embracing Plan B” with more affordable suggestions when your homebuying budget won’t suffice in the town you’re dreaming about, and a chart showing the one, five and ten-year change in home values for ~150 Massachusetts towns.
Historic Homeowners – This Group’s For You
Do you live in an old house? Chances are good that you do since so much of our local real estate was built before 1900. Old house owners should consider a Historic Homeowner membership with Historic New England. It’s one of several special interest membership categories and comes with a long list of member benefits. One that was invaluable for me was a historic paint color consultation done for my house by Historic New England’s Sally Zimmerman. Never would I have been able to choose those colors myself.
One of my favorite Historic Homeowner member benefits is the opportunity to tour vintage houses with fellow members and Historic New England staff. It’s a super opportunity to see very interesting privately owned houses and to get a close-up look at architectural details and restoration work – completed or in progress. There’s nothing like seeing the houses first-hand in the company of fellow old house enthusiasts and old house experts.
The Alanson Tucker House in Derry NH
Last Fall, as a Historic Homeowner member, I had the opportunity to visit the Alanson Tucker House in Derry, NH, pictured above. It was an unforgettable experience. The house was built for Tucker, a successful merchant, in 1816 and the setting and the house retain an amazing amount of original detail. The owner, a Historic Homeowner member, is in the midst of a years-long painstaking restoration. It’s truly a case of a perfect match between house and homeowner. The owner’s deep knowledge of historic architecture means that he can read the telling details in the house that others might miss and can peel back layers added over the decades to reveal the house as it was almost 200 years ago.
The last two weekends I’ve toured two more properties with fellow Historic Homeowner members – one in Boston and one in Cambridge. Both of the houses are protected by preservation easements held by Historic New England.
Across from the Boston Common we visited the headquarters of the American Meteorological Society on Beacon Street, pictured below. 45 Beacon Street is the third house in Boston that architect Charles Bulfinch designed for Harrison Gray Otis. Built in 1806 it is here that the Otis family lived the longest. The first Harrison Gray Otis house on Cambridge Street is the headquarters for Historic New England. The second, on Mount Vernon Street is a private home and Beacon Hill’s only freestanding single family. Our tour was fascinating on many levels – the house is extraordinary, we learned much about Otis, one of Boston’s early developers, and as the daughter of a lifelong weather buff I appreciated all of the weather-related tidbits too.
The Third Harrison Gray Otis House in Boston
Last weekend Historic Homeowner members were invited to tour a house built in North Cambridge in 1853 and restored by its long-time owner. The house is a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate styles and we toured it from top to bottom. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the architectural details up close with all sorts of insights shared by the homeowner and by Sally Zimmerman from Historic New England. My notes from our visit are filled with the names of companies and artisans who do quality restoration work of all sorts.
This coming weekend we’re off to see another house in the stewardship easement program. It’s a very early house in Brookline, built in 1683.
Don’t think that your house isn’t old enough for you to benefit from a Historic Homeowner membership. The program welcomes homeowners with more recently built vintage homes and previous member tours have featured mid-century modern houses.
If you want to do right by your old house the Historic Homeowner program is an invaluable resource – and great fun too for old house enthusiasts.
Looking for Value? Location? Here You Go!
You’ll walk out your door into the heart of Union Square in Somerville
If value and location are tops on your real estate wish list you’ll want to check out my new listing this weekend.
17A Everett Street in Somerville is a 1-2 bedroom condo in the heart of Union Square Somerville new to the market at $189,000. The condo needs buffing up and elbow grease but a buyer with vision will reap the rewards of a smart real estate buy. It’s the proverbial diamond in rough in a location that’s getting more and more popular as the Green Line extension nears and many new businesses open in the square.
The first-floor, 765 sq.ft. condo has a private entrance and eat-in kitchen. Originally configured with one generously sized bedroom and a living room more than 20 feet in length, the condo is being used as a two-bedroom by dividing that living room. It’s a smart use of the space and with some finishing touches you’ll be able to maximize the condo’s potential.
The association is 100% owner occupied, there’s storage and common laundry in the basement, and the roof was replaced two years ago.
For more info about 17A Everett Street in Somerville call me at 617-504-1737 or email me at [email protected]. Showings will take place at open houses this coming weekend on Saturday, Dec. 7 th from 11:30 to 1:00 and Sunday, Dec. 8th from noon to 1:30.
Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, Cambridge 617-504-1737.
Audubon Shop Turkeys
Turkeys at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm
Today I headed out to Lincoln for my annual visit to the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm. These two big turkeys were right outside. There was actually a third turkey sitting among the trees behind us.
Nothing’s better than being a turkey strutting about the day after Thanksgiving.
And nothing’s better for Christmas shopping than the Audubon Shop. It’s one of my not-to-be missed stops every year about this time. There are gifts for people of all ages from wonderful children’s toys to housewares, accessories, jewelry, garden items, bird feeders, binoculars, and all sorts of beautiful and intriguing items. Why settle for run of the mill when you can instead buy something lovely and unexpected? The book section is particularly rich with loads of books about animals, birds, nature, the landscape, etc. Many have a local or New England emphasis. You can also count on finding very nice boxed Christmas cards here.
As part of my shopping at the Audubon shop I renew my parents’ Massachusetts Audubon Society membership. It comes with a subscription to their excellent magazine, Sanctuary, and all sorts of benefits including 10% off in the Audubon Shop.
So skip the mall and head to the Audubon Shop this month. You’ll be able to make real headway on your shopping list and contribute to a great cause at the same time.
The Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm is located on Route 117 in Lincoln, MA. The address is 208 South Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. The store is open 10 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays except for Monday holidays.
Over the River to Grandfather’s House
You could spend next Thanksgiving in Grandfather and Grandmother’s house!
Lydia Marie Child wrote of traveling for Thanksgiving in her poem, Over the River and Through the Woods.
The poem is sometimes written as “to grandmother’s house we go” but the original version, published in 1844, referred to grandfather’s house.
Over the river, and through the wood
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ’tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood—
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood—
and straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood—
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, “O, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for everyone.”
Over the river, and through the wood—
now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
The river was the Mystic River and grandfather and grandmother’s house stands to this day at 114 South Street in Medford looking out at the river. The house that Child refers to is a smaller, modest portion that now serves as an ell to the large, imposing Greek Revival house that was added in 1839.
Grandmother and Grandfather’s house is now for sale according to a postcard I received recently. It is listed with Hammond for $975,000.
Wherever you’re celebrating today – enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving.
Cambridge Costume Race
I got to work early this past Sunday and wondered why there was a policeman at the corner outside my office.
A few minutes later I discovered I had a front row seat to a Cambridge costume race. Families, friends – all sorts of costumed racers, young and not as young, went running or walking past our front window.
I had a feeling that the theme had something do with superheros judging from the number of caped crusaders on the street. Sure enough, this was the Superhero 5K race/walk. Despite the theme I spotted a variety of costumes including Harry Potter and a bunch of purple grapes.
As you’ll see the slide show the race seemed to be doubling back just outside my ReMax office – costumed runners were coming and going.
Here’s some of the pack in my somewhat fuzzy photos – click on the image below to watch the slide show. Happy Halloween to all!
Cambridge Election Day
Campaign Signs are Everywhere Around Cambridge
The other night the long line of sign waving supporters for Cambridge City Council candidates on Mass Ave gave me pause. Was it Election Day? I was sure it wasn’t but it *was* Tuesday after all. With so many days to vote this fall – the Boston mayoral primary, the special election to fill Markey’s seat, even the election that Corey Booker won in NJ – it’s been difficult to figure out when the Cambridge election day is. If you’re still wondering it’s next Tuesday, November 5th. Turns out the crowd of campaigners on Tuesday had gathered outside the candidates forum at the Senior Center.
Next Tuesday, November 5, 2013, Cambridge residents will vote to elect City Council and School Committee members. Twenty-five(!) people are running for nine seats on the City Council and there are nine candidates for the six seats on Cambridge School Committee. No wonder there are so many election signs around town.
My intention was to link to all the candidates’ websites but instead I found an excellent page with a list of candidates that links to their interviews, statements, websites, etc. It’s well worth checking out before Election Day. It’s too easy to walk into the voting booth knowing little about many of the candidates. Since Cambridge residents can vote for more than one candidate, we’ve got more homework to do than many voters.
Cambridge uses a system of proportional representation for both the City Council and the School Committee voting. You rank your choices with your vote for your number one candidate your most valuable choice. Even your number two choice matters. You have to wonder, with this many candidates, if your third or fourth place vote might matter more this year.
And last, in case you missed it, here’s a link to the Boston Globe article about the 11-year-old campaign manager for one of the Cambridge School Committee candidates. Love this!
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