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.
Cambridge Property Tax Rate – 2011
Time to write a check for your 2011 Cambridge real estate taxes
Cambridge Property Tax Rate – 2011 Cambridge announces its new real estate tax rates earlier than many nearby towns and cities.
The rates for FY 2011 are already out and the first of two property tax bills is due on November 22, 2010.
Cambridge Property Tax Rate – 2011
For 2011 the residential property tax rate in Cambridge is $8.16 per $1,000. Though it’s an increase over last year’s rate of $7.72 Cambridge property taxes remain quite low compared to other Massachusetts towns and cities.
The value of the residential exemption in FY 2011 is $1,601.20.
Cambridge real estate taxes are paid in two installments. The first property tax payment is due by November 22, 2010. The second half will be due in May 2011.
More information about residential real estate taxes in Cambridge can be found on the city website.
Window Restoration Workshop
Original window in a Cambridge bungalow
Window Restoration Workshop Your old windows have a lot of life in them yet!
A good fitting old window with a tight storm window is very comparable to a replacement window in terms of energy efficiency. And a replacement window is never comparable to an original in terms of architectural integrity or life expectancy.
Your original windows can last one hundred years or more and after restoration can last one hundred more. That’s not the case with replacement windows. We often see inspectors pointing out problems with replacement windows during inspections even though the windows are only a few years old.
There are companies that can restore windows for you or you can learn to do it yourself. The Newton Historical Society will be hosting a workshop on Saturday where you can learn to restore your own windows.
Window restorer Ryan Pirro will lead a hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to weather strip and repair your windows.
The workshop is co-sponsored by Green Decade/Newton.
Cost is $30 or $15 for members of Green Decade or of the Newton Historical Society.
The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2010 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
You can register and pay online or contact Green Decade for more information at 617-965-1995.
Belmont MA Home Sales – October 2010
Welcome to the Belmont MA Home Sales Report
Here’s a quick look at Belmont MA home sales in October 2010.
Belmont MA Homes for Sale
94 residential properties were on the market in Belmont, MA on October 31, 2010 priced between $164,900 and $4,800,000. These properties had been on the market an average of 101 days.
Belmont MA Home Sales in October 2010
18 Belmont residential properties sold during the month of October 2010. Properties sold for an average of 98% of asking price and had been on the market an average of 119 days.
8 single family houses sold in October for sale prices between $498,000 and $2,731,377. The median price was $801,203. Average days on market was 74 and homes sold for an average of 97% of asking price.
8 condos sold in Belmont in October 2010 for prices between $265,950 and $830,000. The median price paid was $377,750. Condos sold for an average of 99% of the asking price. Average days on market was 177.
2 Belmont multi-family houses sold in October for $475,000 and $510,000. Average days on market was 74 and the houses sold for 96% of list price.
Total value of home sales in Belmont MA in October was $12,326,527
Also see:
Belmont Properties Sold In September 2010
Info about Belmont MA home sales in October 2010 is from MLSpin.
Election Day – November 2, 2010
Election Day – November 2, 2010
It’s going to be a busy day at the polls today.
I saw more people at my polling place than I can remember seeing – even during the presidential election.
Polls in Cambridge and across Massachusetts are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Don’t forget to vote – and bring some extra cash for the bake sale!
It’s going to be a looong night waiting for results to come in – an afternoon nap may be just the ticket so I can make it through till 3 a.m. – but I’m too wound up to sleep.
Watertown MA Home Sales – October 2010
Welcome to the Watertown Real Estate Report
Here’s the first of the monthly real estate reports – a recap of Watertown properties sold in October 2010. Sales are still off from last year’s numbers.
Watertown Homes On the Market
163 homes in Watertown were listed for sale in the MLS on October 31, 2010 priced between $152,900 and $1,375,000. That’s significantly more homes – by just over a third – than were on the market one year ago in Watertown when 120 residential properties were listed for sale in the MLS.
Watertown MA Home Sales In October 2010
Total value of Watertown MA home sales in October 2010 was $$5,709,500
See Also:
Watertown Properties Sold in September 2010
98-100 Erie St Cambridge MA – Erie Street Lofts
Lofts at 98-100 Erie St Cambridge MA
98-100 Erie St Cambridge MA – Erie Street Lofts In 2000, a warehouse building, formerly used by the Central Pipe & Supply company, was transformed into 16 lofts.
Erie Street is in Cambridgeport, a residential neighborhood close to the Charles River, MIT and Central Square. 98-100 Erie Street is on the block between Brookline and Sydney Streets.
98-100 Erie St Cambridge MA – Features of Erie Street Lofts
- 850 – 2200 sq.ft. two and three-level loft condos
- Garage parking
- Central air conditioning
- Some lofts have a gas fireplace
- Large windows
- High ceilings
- In-unit washer /dryer
- Pets permitted with restrictions
- Common landscaped courtyard
- Condos have a variety of outdoor spaces including balconies, roof decks or patios
Recent Sales of Condos at 98-100 Erie Street Cambridge MA
A 2061 sq.ft two-bedroom, 2.5 bath triplex at the Erie Street lofts sold for $873,000 in 2010. The condo had a wrap-around roof deck and one garage parking space.
If condos are available at 98-100 Erie Street they will appear below. Click on the small photo for additional info and more photographs. And if I can help you with your search for a loft or a condo in Cambridge please call me at 617-504-1737 or email me.
The Erie Street Lofts are located at 98-100 Erie Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Watertown Public Library – Memorial Bricks
Engraved Bricks Outside the Watertown Public Library
Watertown Public Library – Memorial Bricks Recently I was in Watertown Square and popped into the Watertown Public Library.
It was my first time in the library since the renovation and addition. Time flies I guess because the library project was finished in 2006.
There’s a new twist at libraries – perhaps influenced by the popularity of bookstore cafes – local libraries have opened cafes where library patrons can eat and drink – in the library! The Watertown Public Library has a cafe just inside the door lined with bookcases offering used books for sale.
Memorial Bricks at the Watertown Public Library
Outside the library the walkway paved with engraved bricks caught my eye. The bricks were part of the fundraising for the library renovation. For donations of $100 or more people could purchase a brick engraved with a message of their choice. The bricks memorialize loved ones, pay tribute to teachers and library staff, commemorate book lovers – I think even a few pets are remembered here.
Here are a few of my favorite messages I came across on the bricks:
Reading Today Paves The Way. J Peschiers
Books Were My Life. I.V. Cvijanovic
John Hayward – WHS Exceptional History Teacher
For My Dear Mom Who Always Carried A Book
The Watertown Public Library is part of the Minuteman Library Network so if your town is too you can borrow books in Watertown. Or just buy one – or a few – in the library cafe.
The Watertown Public Library is located at 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Trick or Treating on Melville Ave Dorchester – Boston Globe Article
Trick or Treating on Melville Ave Dorchester – Boston Globe Article The Boston Globe had a front page article today about Halloween trick or treating in Dorchester on Melville Avenue.
Melville Avenue is a lovely street – lined with handsome Victorians on spacious lots. The Codman Square House Tour, which sadly was discontinued several years ago, always featured houses on Melville Ave and nearby so I’ve been in many of them.
Turns out that this Victorian neighborhood is also a destination spot for Boston trick or treaters.
One homeowner “plans to give out some 2,000 Reese’s peanut butter cups, packets of M & Ms and Milk Duds, and lollipops.” 2,000!! I’m lucky to get 30 trick or treaters and am consumed by envy.
Another resident remembers that “one year, 50 children formed a line outside their front doors, patiently waiting their turn for treats”.
Read more about this Halloween extravaganza in the Boston Globe article about Melville Ave, Dorchester trick or treating.
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