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Cambridge, MA Real Estate News

By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
The Pemberton Place Condos at 177 Pemberton Street in Cambridge were built in 1999.  These modern, spacious townhouses are popular with Cambridge real estate buyers in a city where the average single family sales price is over $1,000,000 and most of the single family homes are more than one hundred years old. The twenty townhouses are over 2000 sq.ft. in size with rooms on four levels.  The condos have three to four bedrooms and three to five full and half baths.  Features include: Fireplace in some units Master bath Lower level family room Private patio or deck Vaulted ceilings and skylights Central air conditioning In-unit laundry Central vac Garage parking space 177 Pemberton Street is located in North Cambridge within easy walking distance of three Red Line T stations - Alewife, Dav...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
Newport Road Condos in Cambridge.  While walking down Mass Avenue in Porter Square chances are you've noticed the handsome brick buildings by Newport Road.  The Newport Road condominiums line the entire block of Newport Road with buildings at 1775 and 1783 Massachusetts Avenue flanking the street's entrance. Ten buildings, 83 units in all, make up the condo association. The buildings date from 1916 and were designed by architect John A. Hasty.  Hasty had a prolific career in Cambridge, designing more than 40 Cambridge homes and similar apartment buildings between 1886 and 1916 including 18 Centre Street, 88 Hancock Street, and 27 - 31 Linnaean Street. Cambridge condo buyers who appreciate classic construction and charming details will find much to love on Newport Road. Most of the units...
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By David Laven, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”-SA
(EXP Realty)
One Bed Condos for sale near Kendall Square T - Cambridge MA Real Estate For Sale - Cambridge MA condos Below are the top 12 most affordable one bed condos that are walking distance to the Kendall Square T station on the MBTA Red Line in Cambridge.  A great area for a variety of reasons, Kendall Square boasts some of the most impressive luxury condos in the Boston area.  Ease of commute, fine dining and shopping, world class hotels and entertainment, and the proximity to the bio-tech industry at Kendall Square and Technology Square.  Also a great location for students of M.I.T., Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts University, and many more!  To take a look at any of these fine Cambridge condos call Mike at 508-410-3993 or email teamlaven@gmail.com Check out our new blog de...
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By David Laven, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”-SA
(EXP Realty)
One Bed Condos For Sale near Central Square T - Condos in Cambridge MA - Cambridge MA real estate for sale I've hand-selected these 12 one bed condos for their combination of value, features, and most importantly, their proximity to the Central Square MBTA train station.  If you're not familiar with the MBTA's Red Line, hopping on at the Central Square T stop gets you where you need to go very quickly, whether it's Boston, or Harvard, Porter and Davis Square.  Central Square has quickly become one of the most desired locations within the city of Cambridge due to it's large M.I.T. and Harvard student atmosphere combined with the amazing dining, shopping and housing that Central Sq. has to offer.  From fine Indian, Ethiopian, Irish-Fusion, New-American and Middle Eastern restaurants to di...
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By David Laven, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”-SA
(EXP Realty)
Best One Bed Condos walkable to Alewife Red Line MBTA - Condos in Cambridge, Condos in Fresh Pond! Below are the what I think are the best condos that are walking distance to the end of the Red Line T, the Alewife T Station. Most of these condos are in North Cambridge, Cambridge Highlands, and what's known as the Fresh Pond area. Besides the obvious value of being close to the Alewife MBTA station, the Fresh Pond Mall offers a Whole Foods Market, CVS, and Trader Joe's (coming soon), as well as the very nice Best Western Hotel Tria, which provides an alternative to the ultra-pricey Harvard Square hotels and b&b's. I recently showed a few units at the Wheeler Street compex, which is located right behind the new CVS. Every unit has garage parking, and either a patio or balcony space. The u...
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By John Prescott, Top Real Estate Agent: Wellesley,Needham,Natick,Metrowest
(Century 21 Commonwealth Wellesley)
BROOKLINE, Washington Square Town Home,  OPEN HOUSE: SUN 7/19,1:30-3 PM Posted on July 19, 2009 by bostonkayakguy 64 Regent Circle, Brookline, $695,000 Prime location in Brookline one block form Beacon Street train, shopping, & restaurants! Direct entry garage and additional parking space.  2007  Granite/Cherry/Stainless kitchen.  2007 Lavatory.  2009 Master Bath.  2007 new roof & heating cooling systems.  Oak, Brazilian Cherry, & tile  floors. John Prescott, Vice President CENTURY 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252     Filed under: Metrowest | Tagged: beacon street, BROOKLINE, condos, coolidge corner, garage, garage parking, new listing, New Listings, Newton, open house, Open Houses, townhouse, Wellesley
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By Tim Cahill, MBA, EcoBroker
(RE/MAX Results)
From my blog on 6/18/2009: The most recent Cambridge, MA, single family median sales price data show prices have jumped a healthy 12.7% compared to the same period last year. Arlington, MA and Somerville, MA have each experienced small declines in pricing (-5.2% and -6.3%, respectively). But combining all three locations, we find the median sales price has dipped only -1.4% compared to last year. For more, read my blog at CyberGreenRealty's Blog. --Tim
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By Erica Wallace
(the Wallace Consulting Group)
This week I am attending Inbound Marketing University that runs until Monday June 22nd. Inbound Marketing University (IMU) is a free marketing retraining program for marketing professionals-as well as marketers between jobs-looking to gain new skills to get ahead in the competitive workforce. The IMU program includes ten webinar classes and one review session. Professors include: Chris Brogan (New Marketing Labs), Brian Carroll (InTouch), Mack Collier (MarketingProfs), Rand Fishkin (SEOmoz), Eric Groves (Constant Contact), Ann Handley (MarketingProfs), Jeanne Hopkins (MarketingExperiments), Lee Odden (TopRank Online Marketing), David Meerman Scott (New Rules of Marketing & PR), Marshall Sponder (Monster.com), Elyse Tager, (Silicon Valley American Marketing Association) and Mike Volpe (...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
After stumbling across info about a woman I had never heard of - Ellen Swallow Richards - twice in two days I decided it was a sign of a blog post in the making.  And since Ellen Swallow Richards spent quite a bit of time in Cambridge Mass I was particularly taken with her story. I never had given much thought about the history of home ec though I did enjoy my classes the couple of years it was offered when I was in junior high. Not that it took - I'm no Martha Stewart and the pastry we made in 7th grade remains one of the fanciest things I've ever cooked. But reading about it - that's another story.  I love vintage cookbooks and books about maintaining the house so couldn't resist the book at right when I found it online.  It's a 1967 textbook for a home ec class. Ellen Swallow Richard...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
My nemesis - black swallowwort - is invading Cambridge.  I've been out and about in the last few days and found big patches of it in many, many  front yards in Cambridge. And no question about it - it's in Somerville, Medford, and Arlington too.  In fact, it's becoming an issue all over Massachusetts.  It could very well be in your area too - black swallowwort has spread across much of the United States. Black swallowwort looks a bit like milkweed.  But instead of the fuzzy, lumpy pods of regular milkweed the swallowwort seed pods are thinner and smooth, shiny green.  It's a rapidly growing vine and if allowed to flourish will produce numerous pods. Last summer I would find large stands of swallow-wort covering chain link fences and dripping with pods.  Unfortunately I think some people...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
No - it wasn't snow - but it sure looked like it yesterday as the spring breezes filled the air with falling petals from the beautiful flowering trees all over Cambridge. It was so nice to have a couple of spring-like days since within a week of shutting off the heat we had temperatures over 90 degrees.  With no leaves on the trees that makes for a lot of unshaded pavement. Ugh!  For the time being temperatures have cooled. I've so enjoyed - vicariously - all your beautiful pictures from warmer parts of the country as we plodded through an endless winter.  So before we immediately segue into summer here's some proof that we do get indeed get spring in Cambridge.      
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
Recently, as part of a series on local architecture on my blog, I wrote a post about Greek Revival houses, an architectural style popular in Cambridge and nearby towns and cities. Of course I had to take some photographs to illustrate the post.  Well now I can't stop.  I see wonderful examples of Greek Revivals everywhere. Not to mention the bungalows, Victorians, and triple deckers that are subjects of other posts.  So far my colleagues are bearing with me as I slam on the brakes and leap out of the car to take yet another photograph.  But their good will may be tested as I hold up our tour, retrace my steps, ever in search of yet another photo of a great house.  I guess this obsession shouldn't be a surprise. Years ago when I lived in New Haven Connecticut my daily walk took me past a...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
Nowadays many people talk about houses as investments and advise buyers not to get emotional about the home buying process.  While I'm happy to work with buyers seeking to aquire real estate solely for its investment value, the truth is, buying a home to live in often is about emotions.  After all, when you buy a house to make it your home, you're charting the course for you and your family and friends.  This house will be the place where you celebrate holidays, where your memories are formed, the place you come home to.  The good and the bad - this will be where it happens for however long you live in your home.  Your home will be your haven. You'll care for your house.  You'll put your own stamp on it.  Inside and out you'll make it your own.  And the house will make its mark on you. ...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
Since I was an archivist before I became a real estate agent in Cambridge I couldn't help but be intrigued by an article in today's Cambridge Chronicle.  The Chronicle reported that the archival records from the 1994 campaign that successfully led to the end of rent control in Massachusetts have been donated to the Cambridge Historical Society. At the time Boston, Brookline and Cambridge had rent control in place.  Cambridge's rent control regulations were particularly stringent and feelings were strong on both sides of the issue. The Cambridge Archives Project, an organization formed to improve information about and access to the various archival collections in Cambridge, is interested in acquiring other documentary evidence about rent control in Cambridge. The Chronicle reports that t...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
My google alert pulled up a story that caught my eye today. It was an article from a Montana newsaper about musician Martin Sexton.  I'm not familiar with his music but the article notes that John Mayer called Sexton the "greatest live performer he'd ever seen". Turns out Sexton turned to music after "failing a real estate exam in 1986."  The paths we take through our work life often have twists and turns. Mine certainly did before I found my calling in real estate.  And I've met more than one former musician now making a living in real estate. Sexton's journey took him in the opposite direction. His path to a career in real estate stymied, Sexton turned to music. A stint as a sidewalk performer or "busker" in Harvard Square led to a successful career as a musician.  The sidewalk perfor...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
More than once when showing real estate in Cambridge Mass. I've come across chickens - and a rooster or two - in nearby backyards. It's a surprising and delightful sight in the city. Luckily Cambridge does not prohibit raising chickens. With the increasing emphasis on eating locally produced food, a backyard chicken coop may be just the ticket.  Raising your own chickens means you're going to get the freshest eggs possible.  You can't get more local than your own yard. Raising chickens is an opportunity to introduce a bit of nature to your city kids and to increase their awareness about how food gets to their table. And far better that the eggs come from your backyard than from a factory farm. Turns out city chickens are part of a trend.  A blog post by Karen Klinger alerted me to an am...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
Cambridge real estate agents often remark that we don't have any cookie cutter real estate in our area.  We don't have large developments, and there aren't any tract homes in our neck of the woods.  It's part of what makes selling real estate so interesting here - all the houses are different and you never know what to expect. It's also one of the challenges since good comps can more difficult to come by than would be the case if we had neighborhoods filled with similar homes.   But are all the houses unique?    My first eye opener ocurred when I bought my own house in Cambridge. It was weeks before I realized that my house was one of about eight on my block that were probably identical when first built.  It wasn't immediately obvious because over the years a dormer had been added here,...
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By Elizabeth Bolton, Cambridge MA Realtor
(RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA)
An article in today's paper about several boutiques and shops in nearby towns going out of business got me thinking.  It's the fun and funky small shops that make a neighborhood shopping district appealing.  Local shops, cafes, bookstores, independent businesses of all types - all add up to make a shopping district a destination spot.  Every local store that closes threatens to erode the unique character of the neighborhood.  Every time another bank or cell phone store moves into the space vacated by a failed independent business, something is lost.     And this should matter to all of us in the neighborhoods where we live and work.  Given the choice would you rather live near a strip mall or a bustling Main Street where pedestrians stroll, customers sit at cafe tables outside restauran...
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By C Hamilton, MBA, Realtor
Just when I thought I could I knew how to read the market, things change. Although Cambridge has been one of those fortunate areas that have seen property prices holding somewhat steady. I had been telling my buyers, that they surely have an advantage in this market. After doing some research on home sales in comparison to last year, I realize that it isn't the case. Yes the media has been saying, there is so much demand and foreclosures that have hit the market have for many areas of Massachusetts have taken their toll on prices. But when you look at how much inventory is active on the market at this point in time. You can clearly see that the market is really changing in Cambridge.  What may have sold in the past 12 months is far from what is selling now. We may have had 4 - 5 months ...
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By Nike Damaskos
I'm writting in the Rain, just writting in the Rain, what a glorious feeling I'm selling again..... My apologies to Gene Kelley but ........ It's not everyday you get the tip of a lifetime!  Thanks to Liz Bolton, a premier real estate agent in our office here in Cambridge, I'm up and running.  Look for me to comment on real estate & all things real about the state of this industry.  I look forward to reading your blogs and comments too!  See you in the RAIN Nike    
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