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 Hawks on Concord Ave

Two Ca,bridge Hawks

Two Cambridge Hawks

Cambridge Hawks on Concord Ave   Lately one of my favorite things to do when I leave my Coldwell Banker office is to look up at the steeple on St. Peter’s Church on Concord Ave.

There’s a good view of the steeple from  our front door. 

A couple of months ago I spotted a hawk on the steeple.  But better yet – now there are often two hawks sitting on opposite sides of the cross.

My theory is that these are two hawk siblings from the hawks’ nest on Alewife Brook Parkway that caused such a stir earlier this year.  Why else would a hawk allow another on its perch?

I’m happy they’re together and have found a new hangout. 

I figure they can see me as they keep watch over the neighborhood so I sometimes give a little wave.

 

church with hawks

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Medford Real Estate Sales – July 2010

Welcome to the Medford Real Estate Market Review

Welcome to the Medford Real Estate Market Review

Here’s a quick look back at Medford real estate sales in July 2010

Medford Real Estate On the Market 

On July 31, 2010 188 residential properties were on the market in Medford priced between $159,900 and $1,300,000.  Inventory levels continue to be high relative to last  year when 33% fewer properties were listed for sale at this time of the year.

Medford Real Estate Sales – July 2010

28 properties sold in Medford during July 2010, a significant drop from 2009 when 47 homes sold in July.  The median sales price in July 2010 was $400,000.  Properties that sold had been on the market an average of just 35 days and sold for an average of 97% of the asking price. 

16 single family houses sold in July  for sales prices between $179,000 and $618,000. The median sales price for a single family home was $400,000.  Houses were on the market 36 days on average and sold for an average of 96% of the list price.

condos sold in Medford last month priced between $200,000 and $463,000.  The median condo sales price in July was $283,500.  Condominiums sold for an average of 96% of the list price and were on the market an average of 31 days.

multi-family houses sold during July in Medford for prices from $345,000 to $555,000.   These properties sold for an average of 101% of asking price and were on the market an average of 39 days.

Total value of Medford real estate sales in July 2010 was $10,919,060.

Also see: 

Medford Homes Sold In June 2010 

SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN MEDFORD MASS

 

Information about Medford real estate sales in July 2010 from MLSpin

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Medford – Somerville Marker

Medford Somerville Boundary Marker Near Tufts

Medford - Somerville Boundary Marker Near Tufts

Medford – Somerville Marker  Often, when I drive up Curtis Street (or is it Winthrop?) I find myself wondering where the Medford-Somerville line is.

How many times did I drive past this granite post before realizing what is was? 

On one side is carved an “M” for Medford – on the other an “S” for Somerville.  Here is the line.

But what’s the “14” carved on the side between the two?

The answer can be found in a 1915 issue of the Medford Historical Register.  Turns out there are – or were – some 30 of these numbered granite posts, marking the boundaries of Medford.   City law requires that municipal officials walk the boundaries – the “metes and bounds”  – every five years.

The article describes a series of photographs of the granite markers, taken during a survey of Medford’s boundaries in 1888. I would love to see the photographs – perhaps the city has them or the Historical Society.  What a perfect way to compare the city – then and now.

I’m going to be on the lookout for the other 29 granite posts.  Let me know if you’ve seen them.

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Arlington Real Estate Sales – July 2010

Welcome to the Arlington Real Estate Sales Report

Welcome to the Arlington Real Estate Sales Report

Here’s a quick look back at Arlington homes sold in July 2010.

Arlington Real Estate On The Market 

There were 150 Arlington homes  for sale on July 31, 2010 priced from $164,900 to $1,350,000.  Average days on market for these properties was 86.

 

Arlington Real Estate Sales – July 2010

46 Arlington homes sold in July, more than a third fewer properties than sold in July of last year. That’s a bit sobering given the amazingly low interest rates that are available now.  Our bump in sales during the first half of the year seems to have drained some of the activity from the market.  The median price paid in July 2010 was $524,500.  Homes sold on average for 99% of the asking price. 

33 single family houses sold in July for $350,000 to $1,220,000.  The median price paid was $555,000.  Houses were on the market an average of just 39 days and sold on average for 99% of the asking price.

condos sold in Arlington in July 2010 for prices from $325,000 to $605,000.   The median sales price was $470,000.  Condominiums sold for an average of 101% of the asking price and were on the market an average of 60 days.

4 Arlington multi-family houses  sold in July for prices between $496,250 and $763,000.   These properties sold on average for 100% of asking price.

Total value of Arlington real estate sales in July 2010 was $26,112,600.

SEARCH FOR ARLINGTON MASS REAL ESTATE

ARLINGTON Homes Sold in June 2010

 

Information about Arlington homes sold in  July 2010 from MLSpin

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Cambridge Discovery Days – Aug 7 & 14, 2010

Cambridge Discovery Days

Cambridge Discovery Days

The next two Saturdays are Cambridge Discovery Days on August 7, 2010 and August 14, 2010.

Each Saturday there are a variety of tours and talks about Cambridge history offered around Cambridge.

The theme of this year’s Discovery Days is Women’s Voices.

 

Some of the tours and talks include:

On Aug. 7th:

  • James Russell Lowell’s Brattle Street – 9:30 am
  • Culinary Cambridge: Our City’s Role in Shaping America’s Love of Fine Food – 1 pm
  • The Ladies of Tory Row – 3:30 pm
  • Margaret Fuller and the Writers of Cambridge – 5:30 pm

On Aug 14th:

  • Longfellow Homes on Brattle Street – 9:30 am
  • Women: Their Presence, Influence and Use of Fresh Pond – 1 pm
  • The Women of Central Square – 2 pm
  • William James in Cambridge – 3 pm

There will be tours of Mount Auburn (self guided) and the Longfellow House (admission charged) throughout the day.  From noon to 4 pm you are invited to bring old photos of Cambridge and Cantabridgians to be scanned at the Cambridge Historical Society – and get a free ice cream for doing so!

Most events are free of charge.  A few require advance registration.  The city of Cambridge website has the full details and a calendar of Cambridge Discovery Days events.

Cambridge Discovery Days 2010 – Women’s Voices – will take place on two Saturdays, August 7 and August 14, 2010.

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Cambridge Real Estate Sales – July 2010

Welcome to the Cambridge Real Estate Sales Report

Welcome to the Cambridge Real Estate Sales Report

Here’s a quick recap of Cambridge real estate sales in July 2010

Cambridge Real Estate On the Market – July 31, 2010

On July 31, 2010  there were  366 residential properties listed for sale in Cambridge, down from 432 one month ago.  Inventory tends to be at a low point in mid summer.  Asking prices ranged from $182,900 to $4,000,000.  The median asking price was $499,000.  Properties had been on the market an average  of 107 days. 

Cambridge Real Estate Sales – July 2010

98 homes sold in Cambridge during July 2010.  Sales prices ranged from $178,000 t0 $2,250,000.   These properties had been on the market an average of 61 days.  July 2010 sales numbers were down significantly from July 2009 when 127 properties sold.

13 single family houses sold in July 2010 for prices ranging from $29`,000 to $2,200,000.  Average days on market was 69 and these houses sold on average for 96% of asking price.  The median sales price was $840,000.

76 condos sold in Cambridge in July for sales prices from $178,000 to $2,250,000.  The median condo sales price was $439,750.  Condos sold on average for 98% of the asking price and were on the market an average of 62 days.

9 multi-family houses sold in July. Sales prices ranged from $429,000 to $1,430,000.  Average days on market was just 39.

The total value of Cambridge homes sold in July 2010 was $61,766,050.

Information about the Cambridge real estate sales in July 2010  from MLSpin.

Last month’s numbers:

Cambridge Homes Sold in June 2010

SEARCH FOR CONDOS FOR SALE IN CAMBRIDGE MASS

SEARCH FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR SALE IN CAMBRIDGE MASS

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What’s Your Neighbor Reading?

Wondering what’s your neighbor reading?  

codIf your town has a “One Book” or a  “Community Reads” program you may be reading the same book.

Local libraries sponsor the programs and encourage townspeople to read the selected book.  Lectures and other events about the book’s subject are offered by the library and local groups.

Cambridge Reads has selected Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World.  Medford Reads also read Cod and had some excellent lectures related to the book.  Plans are in the works for a 2011 Medford Reads – keep an eye on the MPL website for details.

One Book One Watertown is reading March by Geraldine Brooks this Fall.  The novel explores the Civil War as seen through the imagined experiences of Mr. March, the absent father in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.  There are a number of events planned for September and October focusing on Alcott and on the Civil War.

One Book One Belmont has also chosen a book with a local focus:  Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 will be the 2011 One Book One Belmont (OBOB).  Author Stephen Puleo will speak in Belmont on March 24, 2011 and other events will be scheduled for February and March.

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Belmont Real Estate Sales – July 2010

Belmont MA Real Estate Report

Belmont MA Real Estate Report

Here’s our monthly recap of Belmont real estate sales for July 2010.   

Real Estate For Sale In Belmont MA

81 residential properties were on the market in Belmont, MA on July 31, 2010 priced between $155,500 and $1,975,000.  These properties had been on the market an average of 96 days.

Belmont Real Estate Sales – July 2010

31 homes sold  in Belmont during the month of July 2010.  That’s four fewer than sold during July 2009. The decrease is less pronounced than in nearby communities.  The properties sold in July 2010 had been on the market an average of 61 days and sold for an average of 98% of asking price.  

21 single family houses sold in July for sale prices between $420,000 and $1,695,000.  The median price was $740,000. Average days on market was 65 and houses sold for an average of 99% of asking price.

6 condos sold in Belmont in July 2010  for prices between $305,000 and $517,000.  The median price paid was $425,750.   Condominiums sold for an average of 98% of the asking price.

4 multi-family houses sold last month for prices from $546,050 to $705,000.  These properties had been on the market an average of 53 days and sold for 97% of asking price.

Total value of Belmont homes sold in July was $22,132,199.

Also see:

BELMONT HOMES SOLD IN JUNE 2010

 

belmont-real-estate-search1

 

Info about Belmont real estate sales in July 2010 is  from MLSpin.

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