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.
Secret Santa at Walgreens in Arlington
Secret Santa at Walgreens
The Secret Santa gift tree is up at the Walgreens in Arlington Center. The tree is decorated with senior citizens’ wishes for gifts.
I dare you to pick just one!
That was my problem last year – it was hard to stop.
So many of the requests are poignant – and irresistible- either because they’re so simple – ” a sweatshirt, Ladies Large, dark color if possible” or because the potential recipient really went for it – asking for multiple items or something really big. If only I could have gotten the air conditioner someone asked for last year.
You select your gift request(s) and bring the items back to Walgreens for distribution. The presents are due in a couple of weeks – details are at the store.
Stop by Walgreens at 324 Mass Ave, Arlington, MA and make somebody’s Christmas wishes come true.
135 Willow Ave Somerville MA
135 Willow Ave Somerville MA - The Davis Square Condominiums
135 Willow Ave Somerville MA – This ten-unit condo building at 135 Willow Avenue in Somerville, the Davis Square Condominiums, was built in 2007.
Somerville real estate buyers will appreciate the convenient location and spacious one and two-bedroom units.
135 Willow Ave Somerville MA – Location
135 Willow Ave offers quick access to Davis Square and to Porter Square – or head up Willow for breakfast in Ball Square. The building abuts the bike path – popular with bicyclists, joggers, and people walking to the T.
135 Willow Avenue Somerville – Features
- 925 sq.ft to 1676 sq.ft condos
- Central air conditioning
- Hardwood floors
- Granite counters and stainless steel kitchen appliances
- Garage parking
- In-unit washer/dryer hookups
- Most units have a patio or deck
Real Estate Sales at 135 Willow Ave Somerville MA
Condos have sold for $392,500 (for a 925 sq.ft. one bedroom) to $540,000 (for a 1289 sq.ft. two-bedroom, two-bath condo).
If condos at 135 Willow Avenue are available they’ll appear below. You can click on the small photo for additional photos and more information.
The Davis Square Condominiums are located at 135 Willow Avenue, Somerville MA 02144.
America’s Kitchens – Nancy Carlisle Lecture in Arlington
America's Kitchens - Lecture by Nancy Carlisle
America’s Kitchens – Nancy Carlisle Lecture in Arlington On Tuesday evening, November 30, 2010 Nancy Carlisle, curator at Historic New England (formerly the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities or SPNEA) will speak at the Arlington Historical Society’s meeting on America’s Kitchens.
Carlisle is the co-author of America’s Kitchens published by Historic New England in 2008. The lavishly illustrated book traces the history of the kitchen through the centuries. Historic New England also had a traveling America’s Kitchens exhibit that toured museums around the country.
This talk promises to be a fascinating look at the evolution of this important room and the role it plays in our families’ lives – especially in this era when “gourmet kitchens” with granite counters and all the stainless steel bells and whistles are considered essentials by so many home buyers.
The lecture is scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Arlington Heights Nursery School at 10 Acton Street, Arlington (off of Appleton Street near Mass Ave.). Admission is free for members of the Arlington Historical Society or $3.00 for non-members.
Lake Street Townhouses – Somerville MA – Union Place Townhomes
12 - 26 Lake St Somerville MA
The Union Place Townhomes – 12 townhouses on Lake Street in Somerville, MA were built in 2003-2004. There are four buildings, each with three three-level townhouses.
Whenever I drive down Washington Street in Somerville and notice the view of the Lake Street townhouses I’m delighted – the new pastel paint job is so cheery – it puts a smile on my face every time.
Lake Street is a U-shaped street that runs behind Somerville Avenue just as you get to Union Square by the ever popular Market Basket. The restaurants and shops in Union Square are right around the corner and in a few years we hope there will be a Green Line T stop in the Square.
14-26 Lake Street Features
- Three level townhouses
- Two-car garage with direct access
- Laundry and utility room on the first level
- Three bedrooms
- 2.5 baths
- Cherry and granite kitchens
- The three units at 26 Lake St have a study
- Patio and balconies
- Double sided gas fireplace
- Central air conditioning
- Vaulted ceilings
- Pet friendly – two pets allowed per unit
14-26 Lake St Somerville Real Estate Sales
The most recent sale at Union Place Townhomes was in 2008 when a townhouse sold for $445,000.
The addresses of the townhouses in the complex are a bit convoluted (see below) making it difficult to pull just the MLS listings for townhouses in the complex. If any real estate is available on Lake Street Somerville it will appear below. Click on the small photo for additional photographs and more information.
Addresses for the Union Place Townhomes are 12R Lake St, 14R Lake St, 16R Lake St, 18R Lake St, 20R Lake St, 22R Lake St, 24A Lake St, 24B Lake St, 24C Lake St, 26A Lake St, 26B Lake St, and 26C Lake Street, Somerville, MA 02143.
Happy Thanksgiving
May you have the best of holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving
from my house to yours.
Let the fun begin!
Last Days For Yard Waste Pickup
It’s time to rake the leaves!
Wondering when the last days for yard waste pickup are?
Local towns collect yard waste on specified days in the spring through the late fall.
Yard waste collection typically coincides with your regular trash and recycle collection.
Here are the dates for the last pick ups for Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Medford, Somerville and Watertown.
Last Days for Leaf and Yard Waste Collection
Arlington: last days for leaves and yard waste collection are Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, 2010
Belmont: last pickups for yard waste are Dec. 6 – Dec. 9, 2010
Cambridge: yard waste will be collected through the week of Dec. 13 – Dec. 17, 2010
Medford: last collection of yard waste will be the week of Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, 2010
Somerville: picks up yard waste through the week of Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, 2010
Check your town or city’s website for more information about what is collected and when and how yard waste should be left out.
520 High St Medford MA – Brentwood Court Condos
520 High St, Medford MA - Brentwood Court Condos
The Brentwood Court condos are located at 520 High Street, Medford MA. Medford real estate buyers looking for a condo with architectural charm in a convenient location will want to check out Brentwood Court.
Brentwood Court History
The Brentwood Court apartments were built at 520 High Street in Medford MA in 1926. Medford’s population was rapidly expanding in the 1920s. While today real estate buyers will appreciate the building’s quintessential charm, at the time of its construction Brentwood Court was “said to be the last word in modern construction” according to an article of the time in the Medford Historical Register.
The building was converted to condos in 1980.
520 High Street, Medford MA Features
520 High Street is located in West Medford just down the street from the commuter rail and close to shops, restaurants and the Mystic Lakes.
- 31 condos – 579 – 1255 sq.ft.
- 19 one-bedroom condos and 12 two-bedroom condos
- Three stories
- Hardwood floors
- Largest units have a fireplace
- Landscaped courtyard entry
- Parking space in lot behind the building – access via Boston Ave
- Laundry and private storage in the basement
- Heat and hot water included in the condo fee
- Pets are not allowed
520 High Street Condo Sales
In 2010:
- A 579 sq.ft. three-room one-bedroom condo sold for $200,000
- An 1142 sq.ft. five-room two-bedroom on the first floor sold for $256,000
If condos are available at 520 High Street Medford they’ll appear below. Click the small photo for additional photos and more information.
The Brentwood Court Condominiums are located at 520 High Street, Medford, MA 02155.
Should I Take My House Off the Market for the Holidays?
The weeks from Thanksgiving to the end of the year are quieter than other times of the year.
Many sellers wonder – Should we take our house off the market for the holidays?
The answer is – it depends.
There’s a lot to be said for remaining on the market during the holidays:
Buyers who are looking for property right now tend to be serious, motivated buyers. Searching for real estate isn’t as much fun in the cold, short days of December – if you’re out there looking it’s usually because you want to buy.
Fewer properties come on the market in the weeks between Thanksgiving and early January. Other sellers take their homes off the market. Less competition means that your odds for finding a buyer are better.
People move at all times of the year. If someone is getting transferred to a Cambridge company they’ll need to buy now – and if your home isn’t on the market it won’t be in the mix when they visit Cambridge on a real estate buying trip.
Last but not least – you’ve gone to all the trouble to keep your place show-ready for buyers – now you’re all set for holiday company!
On the other hand:
If your house or condo has been listed for sale for many months you might consider taking your home off the market for the holiday or even for a few months.
If your plans allow, taking your home off the market for several months can reset the days-on-market clock. That way you’ll be able to come back on the market for the spring real estate buyers with a New listing – Zero days on market status.
Make sure your agent has canceled the listing in the MLS (the Multiple Listing Service) or your days-on-market ticker will resume when your home is relisted.
If home has been for sale for some time a break may be just what you need to stay sane – a few weeks, especially the busy holiday weeks – without having to worry about showings may be a welcome respite.
You and your agent can strategize about your best options during the holidays and decide together whether you should take your home off the market for the holidays.
November and December can be a great time to sell your home. There are plenty of buyers still hoping to find the perfect place. Maybe it will be yours!
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