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.
Belmont MA Home Sales In 2009 and 2008
Welcome to the Belmont Real Estate Year End Review
Here’s the annual review of Belmont MA Home Sales with numbers for 2009 and 2008. Sales info is pulled from the MLS, the Multiple Listing System.
Belmont MA real estate sales in 2009 bucked local trends. The number of residential properties sold in 2009 increased by more than 13%.
Condo sales (and condo sales prices) were essentially flat. The bulk of the increase in sales came through single family home sales – the number of single families sold in Belmont increased by well over 20% in 2009.
At the same time the median price for single family homes dipped by 6.5%. Part of this shift may be because a higher percentage of houses sold in 2008 consisted of homes sold for more than $1,000,000.
At the end of 2009 only 47 homes were on the market in Belmont, substantially fewer than at the end of 2008 when 71 homes were listed for sale.
Given the encouraging sales in Belmont and the low inventory (low inventory = less competition and more enthusiastic buyers) it’s a really good time to put your Belmont home on the market.
Belmont MA Real Estate Recap
Properties sold in Belmont:
- In 2009: 243 (+13.56%)
- In 2008: 214
Average days on market:
- 2009: 93 (-7.0%)
- 2008: 100
Total value of real estate sales:
- 2009: $152,079,929 (+6.89%)
- 2008: $142,278,688
Homes sold for:
- 2009: An average of 97% of asking price and a median price of $555,000 (-6.91%)
- 2008: An average of 97% of asking price and a median price of $596,195
Belmont Single Family Homes Sold
- 2009: 148 (+23.34%)
- 2008: 120
Lowest to highest prices for single family homes:
- 2009: $338,500 to $2,200,000
- 2008: $342,000 to $2,600,000
Median price of single family houses sold in Belmont:
- 2009: $648,500 (-6.52%)
- 2008: $693,725
On average, single families:
- In 2009: were on the market 94 days & sold for 97% of asking price
- In 2008: were on the market 81 days & sold for 96% of asking price
Belmont Condo Sales
- 2009: 66 (-2.95%)
- 2008: 68
Price range for condos:
- 2009: $205,000 to $1,305,375
- 2008: $190,000 to $1,185,000
Median price of Belmont condominiums sold:
- 2009: $366,000 (+1.11%)
- 2008: $362,000
On average, Belmont condos:
- In 2009: were on the market 106 days and sold for 97% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 139 days and sold for 97% of list price
Belmont Multi-Family Sales
- 2009: 29 (+11.54%)
- 2008: 26
Price range for multi-family properties:
- 2009: $350,000 to $830,000
- 2008: $290,000 to $770,000
Median price of multi-family houses sold:
- 2009: $550,000 (-.68%)
- 2008: $553,750
On average, Belmont multi-families:
- In 2009: were on the market 62 days and sold for 96% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 82 days and sold for 97% of list price
And here’s our last monthly report for 2009 – Belmont MA homes sold during December.
Homes On The Market in Belmont:
47 homes were listed for sale in Belmont on Dec. 31, 2009 for prices from $159,900 to $2,275,000. Homes had been on the market an average of 173 days.
Belmont MA December 2009 Home Sales:
19 homes sold in Belmont in the month of December. Properties had been on the market an average of 78 days and sold for an average of 97% of the asking price.
12 single family homes sold in December priced between $450,000 and $1,800,000. The median sales price was $708,500. Houses were on the market an average of 98 days and sold for an average of 96% of list price.
6 Belmont condos sold in Dec. 2009 for prices ranging from $265,000 to $465,000. The median sales price was $372,000. Condominiums sold for an average of 98% of asking price and were on the market an average of 50 days.
Just one multi-family house sold last month for $598,000.
Total value of Belmont MA Dec. 2009 real estate sales was $13,280,650.
Also see:
BELMONT MA REAL ESTATE SOLD IN NOV 2009
Data about Belmont MA real estate sales from MLSpin.
Concrete Buildings In Cambridge
William James Hall - Minoru Yamasaki
Robert Campbell, the Boston Globe‘s architecture critic, had an excellent article in last Sunday’s paper about concrete buildings in Cambridge and Boston. Even if it’s not your favorite architectural style the article will give you a new appreciation for these 1950s – 1970s buildings.
Campbell writes:
“No other American city boasts as much noteworthy concrete architecture in as small an area as Boston and Cambridge”
At right is Harvard’s William James Hall, Minoru Yamasaki’s 1963 building which Robert Bell Rettig describes in Guide to Cambridge Architecture as “fourteen stories of pure white concrete”. Yamasaki also designed the 1962 Engineering Sciences Laboratory included in the slide show below.
Here’s a sampling of concrete buildings in Cambridge. I’ll try to add more the next time the sky is blue!
Click on the “Architecture” link below for more posts about Cambridge architecture.
Watertown MA 2009 Real Estate Market Review
Welcome to the Watertown Real Estate Wrap-up
Watertown MA 2009 Real Estate Market Finally – the year has come to a close and it’s possible to do a year end wrap-up of the real estate market in Watertown. 2008 figures are included for comparison. The report includes sales that were listed in the MLS, the Multiple Listing System.
The percentage of year-to-year change is included in parentheses.
As you’ll see, fewer properties sold in Watertown in 2009 than in 2008 – more than 10% fewer. Was that because properties were harder to sell in 2009? The numbers seemed to suggest that wasn’t the case – on average properties sold a bit more quickly in 2009 and the spread between asking price and sale price didn’t change. The median sales price for Watertown properties barely budged..
Looking at the numbers of properties that failed to sell – that “expired” as we say, shows that more properties failed to sell in 2008 (120) than in 2009 (109).
It seems that the decline in numbers of properties sold occurred because fewer properties were listed for sale in 2009. Reasons why fewer properties were put on the market include sellers who are able to wait and think they’ll get more money for their home some time in the future and homeowners who are unable to sell at a price that works for them and choose to stay put or rent their home.
After the annual sales info you’ll find the stats for December 2009.
Total properties sold in Watertown:
- In 2009: 321 (-12.3%)
- In 2008: 366
Average days on market:
- 2009: 82
- 2008: 89
Total value of real estate sales:
- 2009: $122,196,592 (-17.34%)
- 2008: $147,822,196
Properties sold for:
- 2009: An average of 96% of asking price and a median price of $368,000 (-1.61%)
- 2008: An average of 96% of asking price and a median price of $374,000
Watertown Single Family Sales
- 2009: 79 (+5.34%)
- 2008: 75
Price range for single family homes:
- 2009: $260,000 to $967,500
- 2008: $280,000 to $1,577,000
Median price of single family houses sold:
- 2009: $415,000 (-.01%)
- 2008: $419,000
On average, single families:
- In 2009: were on the market 61 days and sold for 95% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 82 days and sold for 96% of list price
Watertown Condo Sales
- 2009: 199 (-13.86%)
- 2008: 231
Price range for condos:
- 2009: $150,000 to $781,000
- 2008: $182,000 to $1,060,600
Median price of condominiums sold:
- 2009: $322,000 (-6.67%)
- 2008: $345,000
On average, Watertown condos:
- In 2009: were on the market 91 days and sold for 97% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 84 days and sold for 97% of list price
Watertown Multi-Family Sales
- 2009: 43 (-28%)
- 2008: 60
Price range for multi-family properties:
- 2009: $310,000 to $723,000
- 2008: $335,000 to $2,400,000
Median price of multi-family houses sold:
- 2009: $445,000 (-6.8%)
- 2008: $477,500
On average, Watertown multi-families:
- In 2009: were on the market 75 days and sold for 96% of list price
- In 2008: were on the market 120 days and sold for 93% of list price
The December 2009 Stats
Watertown Homes on the Market
74 Watertown homes were listed for sale in the MLS on December 31, 2009 priced between $182,000 and $1,395,000. Average days on market was 172.
Watertown Home Sales – Dec. 2009
Total value of Watertown home sales closed in December was $8,702,400
See Also:
WATERTOWN REAL ESTATE SALES Nov. 2009
Info about Watertown real estate sales from MLSpin
North Cambridge Catholic High School Closing
On December 22nd, just before the holidays, the Archdiocese of Boston, announced that the North Cambridge Catholic High School on Norris Street would be closing and moving to Dorchester.
The school is relocating to 100 Savin Hill Avenue in Dorchester, the former St. William School. The school’s name will be changed to Cristo Rey Boston. North Cambridge Catholic has been part of a national association of Catholic high schools called the Cristo Rey Network since 2004.
North Cambridge Catholic High School, 40 Norris Street
It seems that the Archdiocese plans to sell the school building after the move. Will North Cambridge have a new schoolhouse condo building? Let’s hope so.
Renovated schools make super condos and 40 Norris Street is an exceptional building. The Northwest Cambridge: Survey of Architectural History in Cambridge calls it “one of the handsomest schools in the city.” It’s massive, over 35,000 sq.ft. according to City records, and has large rounded windows on the upper floors. The satellite view of the school shows twenty or so parking spaces currently sited behind the building.
The school was built in 1898 for the City of Cambridge and served as the Ellis School until the 1950s. The building was designed by Boston architect A.H. Gould.
Norris Street is a pleasant, residential street lined with multi-families. It’s a one-way street running from Cedar Street to Mass Ave. The bike path is nearby and Davis Square is not far. At one end of Norris you’ll find the path that leads into a very nice park and playground, the Reverend Williams Park.
Schoolhouse condos would be a great addition to the neighborhood. The closest renovated school in Cambridge is the former Lincoln School on Mead Street at the corner of Walden and condos turn over infrequently there.
Watch this space for updates on the North Cambridge Catholic High School closing and plans for the building’s future.
Related posts:
Schoolhouse Condos In Cambridge and Somerville
Condos in Renovated Schools in Medford
The North Cambridge Catholic High School is at 40 Norris Street, Cambridge, MA 02140.
44 Concord Ave Cambridge – Observatory Hill Condos
44 Concord Avenue Cambridge, MA - Observatory Hill Condos
The condos at 44 Concord Ave, Cambridge on Observatory Hill are close to Harvard Square and not far from Huron Village. The bus and trolley to Harvard Square run out front.
Built in 1974, there are 25 condominiums in the four-story building. One bedrooms are approx. 550 to 900 sq.ft. and the two-bedrooms with two baths are approx. 1000 to 1150 sq.ft. in size.
44 Concord Ave Condos Features
- Elevator building
- Off-street or carport parking
- Common laundry
- Balcony
- Fireplace
- Central air conditioning
- Pet friendly
Recent Sales at 44 Concord Avenue, Cambridge
- In 2008 a 692 sq.ft. one-bedroom sold for $340,000
- In 2009 a 998 sq.ft. two-bedroom, two-bath condo sold for $406,500
If condos are available at 44 Concord Ave, they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional pictures and more info.
The Observatory Hill Condos are located at 44 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Cheap and Easy Way to Keep Out Drafts
It’s nippy in Cambridge tonight and I’m glad I finally finished one of my winter chores this weekend.
Some of my windows are a bit drafty and since I’m not a big fan of replacement windows (subject of a blog post to come!) these older windows are here to stay.
Pulling the shades down at night and letting the sun in during the day is a good idea. Some people do the plastic on the windows trick but I’ve always worried about taking the paint off when the plastic is removed in the spring. And insulated shades are a super idea that I’ve yet to implement. Window rehab would make a difference and weatherstripping would help I’m sure.
Rope caulk keeps out winter drafts
But if you’re not terribly handy or don’t want to spend a lot of money my method to stop the drafts is easy – and cheap.
This box of flexible rope caulk that I picked up at Tag’s in Porter Square for $6.39 does the trick. It’s as simple as can be to unroll the clay-like caulk and seal any cracks where the sill meets the frame of your windows. A box or two will do you.
Maybe it’s my imagination but my house always feels warmer after I get the windows caulked.
I first saw rope caulk on the windows of a Union Square condo I listed. It was springtime so we had to remove the caulk to open the windows. Afterwards I realized that the caulk and the tighter seal had meant the condo was quieter so if you’re on a busy street it may help to keep noise down too.
For less than $15 rope caulk can’t be beat as a wintertime fix.
Stay warm!
9 Ellery St Cambridge – Mid-Cambridge Condos
Mid-Cambridge Condos at 9 Ellery St, Cambridge MA 02138
9 Ellery St Cambridge – Mid-Cambridge Condos. 9 Ellery Street is a classic Cambridge brick condo building, built in 1929. Located just off Mass Ave, the building is a good choice for Cambridge real estate buyers who want easy access to Harvard Square and Central Square, to Harvard and to MIT. It’s a walk-to-everything location with shops, pubs, restaurants, stores, the Cambridge Public Library and more just outside your door.
9 Ellery Street Features
- Four-story walk-up
- One bedroom condos, 440 – 650 sq.ft.
- Heat and hot water included in the condo fee
- Hardwood floors
- Common laundry
- Pet friendly
- A driveway that fits four cars is shared by the residents
9 Ellery St., Cambridge – Recent Condo Sales
In 2009:
A second floor 450 sq.ft. condo sold for $252,000
A 3rd floor, 590 sq.ft. one-bedroom sold for $325,000
A 4th floor, 605 sq.ft. one-bedroom condominium sold for $325,000
If condos are available at 9 Ellery Street, they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional photos and more information.
The Tudor Architectural Style – Tudor Homes in Belmont and Nearby
Tudor Revival House in Belmont MA
Tudor Style Homes in Belmont and Nearby. Real estate buyers who move from other parts of the country may expect to see more Tudor style homes when they move to Cambridge.
The Tudor architectural style in America was popular in the early 1900s and was very popular in American suburbs in the 1920s and early 1930s after most of Cambridge and Somerville’s houses were built.
Characteristics of Tudor Revival Architecture
- Usually brick or stucco, less frequently stone or wood
- Many have decorative half-timbering
- Steeply pitched roof
- Massive chimneys, often with decorative chimney pots
- Tall, narrow multi-paned windows, often in groups of three
- Rounded arched doorways are common
- Patterned brickwork or stonework detail is common
Tudor Houses in Belmont and Nearby
Belmont has the largest concentration of Tudors in the area by far. There are some in Cambridge near Brattle Street or in the Divinity neighborhood. Tudors in Medford can be found in West Medford and the Lawrence Estates. In Arlington you’re most likely to see a Tudor Revival house in the Morningside neighborhood.
Here’s a slideshow of tudor style houses in Belmont Massachusetts.
SEARCH FOR TUDOR HOUSES FOR SALE
SEARCH FOR BELMONT HOMES FOR SALE
To see posts about other architectural styles in Cambridge and nearby towns click on the Architecture tag below.
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