The single family on market listings are lower than I have seen it in a long time with just 93 properties on the market and  5 of those have accepted offers and will take back up offers. The list price range is from $349,900 to $3,500,000. During the last 10 days there have been 7 single family homes sold.  One of those properties was very unique and historical one.  There are less buyers in that category and price range of $2,400,000.  The original price was $2,750,000 and it was on the market for 322 days.  This is a wonderful property near the center of town. A total of 9 properties came on the market and 2 of those are pending.  So it has been a busy 10 days in spite of the fact that we are all trying to enjoy what is left of the summer.  The market is still strong and as I always s... 08/10/2008

In today's August 1, 2008 Boston Herald there was a great article really talking about how this wonderful suberb of Boston - Needham, MA is meeting the needs of buyers who want the close commute to Boston without the high prices of living in Boston. Recently  Bill Bartlett purchased a starter home, ranch-style for $395,000 with 3 bedrooms and it has met his needs.  He has been renting for 17 years.  Ofter the homes at that price range have been purchased by a developer. The ome he purchased for his family was 50 years old and owned by the original owner for the life of the home.  She had maintained it well.  He is planning to add a garage with a studio above it. Developers have been snapping up properties that are what we call "tear-downs." and they are replaced with $1 million plus hom... 08/01/2008

Needham has 2 great spots but nearby Dover, Wellesley and South Natick have some great spots too.  In fact, my brother-in-law comes to visit us often from Cape Cod to do the nearby trails.  This keeps him young at 58. Ridge Hill Reservation - Charles River Peninsula - This reservation has sloping hills that gently roll down to the charles River also known as the city river. Needham Town Forest - 200+ acre trails run the gamut of types of terrain - your average garden variety type to a very frightening rocky sections Nearby Dover: Noanet Woodlands Trail - Dover -A network of trails with diverse terrain.  387 foot peak-- Great for Cross Country Skiing Nearby Wellesley: Elm Bank: This reservation has miles of trails that lead to the borders of the Charles River.  Beautiful spot. South Nati... 07/31/2008

Needham has the best schools. ..The best restaurants - like Panera Bread,  Sweet Basil's, Blue on Highland, Fuji's Steak House, Not Your Average Joe's, Masala Art, Quince Bistro, Fava, Gabriella's Bistro, Bertucci, Rice Barn, Village Fish, Stone Hearth Pizza, Spiga, New Garden, Mandarin Cuisine,  Pacini's, Fresca's ...The best transportation - Bus and commuter rail ....The best 4th of July Celebrations .....The best New Year's Eve Celebration ......The best coffee shops - Dunkin' Donuts (3) & Starbucks ........The best bagels - Bagel's Best, Finagle-A-bagel, Cafe Bagel .......The best hospital - Beth Israel Deaconess .........The best walking and hiking trails ..........The best clubs and organizations - to name a few- "Parent Talk" "Rotary Club of Needham, the Needham Exchange Club ...... 07/30/2008

Entire 2007 Real Estate Sales for Single Family Homes:  -Total homes sold all of 2007  = 373 home   The average sales price was $748,000   The average list price was    $776,000+   Selling at and average 97% of list price and average of 94% of original price The volume of sales for the entire of 2007 was $279,219,386   Comparatively from Jan. 2008 to July 29 2008   Total homes sold through July 29 149 homes   The average sales price  $780,000+    The average list price is $804,468+    Selling at an average of 97 % of list price and an average of 94% of original price    With a volume of sales thru today of $115,064,642  with 5 months of this year to go.   The blog was created by Pat Baker, Licensed Real Estate Broker/Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, One Chapel Street, N... 07/29/2008

The Green Needham Collaborative brings the community together with other people who are like-minded when it comes to the education and effice use of our resources.  There are many topics on the iste and they have kept the site up to date. There is a link to some great tips for conservation.  I am pleased that a group like this is available at no cost to join.  For 26 years I have been recycling before Needham had their recycle facility the town of Wellesley allowed me to bring my recycle materials there.  All these things take time but it is worth the time.  I have used biodegradable products since the l977.  I was introduced to some amazing products that were developed in 1956 and broke down in days and weeks instead of years.  This same company got the "Stevie Award," and is a Climate... 07/27/2008

Saturday Afternoon July 26th  report.  There are 102 Active single family properties on the market The average single family home on the market is $1,051,612 as of today. The prices range from $349,000 to $3,500,000 There are 24 condominiums are active starting at $248,000 to $749,000 There are 2 multi-families $519,000 and $799,000 Presently there are 10 land listings from $335,000 to $1,795,000 4 single famly homes went under agreeement as of 7/19/08 As we approach the end of July the market has been quiet but generally is during the summer months.  We continue to open houses in Needham and they are pretty well attended.  Folks will want to have made their home choice before we enter the fall especially if they have children starting school in September. The work continues at Needham ... 07/26/2008

Needham Market Report July 9, 2008 - Hazy Hot and Humid - still better than snow and ice cold.  There were 70 properties sold since May 1, 2008. Ranging from $289,000 to $2,722,732 Average days on market for that time period was 70 days.  Sales Ratio of 94% of the original price and  97% of the present list price. For the same period one year ago the Average Days on Market were 82.  The lowest sale price was $250,451 and the highest price was $2,850,000. Sales Ratio was $95% of the original price and 97% of the current list price. The Median Price for the period from 5/1/2008 to 7/9/2008 is $609,750 The Median Price the the period form 5/1/2007 to 7/9/2007 was $651,000. The Average Price (5/1/2008 to 7/9/2008) is $770,074 The Average Price (5/1/2007 to 7/9/2007) is $781,372 The On Marke... 07/09/2008

The Needham, Massachusetts housing market continues to hum along.   School is ending and it quiet around but behind the scenes there is much preparation going on for the Fourth of July celebration in town.  The spring market started a little later this year.  There were 3 new listings that came on the market today priced as follows: 1 at  $669,000 -2 at $1,399,900 New Contstruction,  4 singles family homes went under agreement ranging from $449,000 to $1,399,000.  There are 125 single family homes on the market today.  The price ranges are $369,000 to $3,500,000.  Highest concentration would be in the  $1,000,000 to $1,499,999 with 32 homes.  After that the next would 26 homes in the $600,000 to $699,999 price range.  Then there 15 in the $500,000 to $599,999 followed by 14 between $1,5... 06/17/2008

For the past month there were 26 single family homes sold in Needham with the average price of $739,962 and the average days on market were 64.  The highest price was $1,650,000 and the lowest price was $390,000.  The sales price to list price ratio was 96% and the sales price price to original price ratio was 93%.  Still a very strong market.  The concentration of sales were between $500,000 and $599,999 with 10 homes sold and the next highest concentration was 5 homes sold between $1,000,000 to $1,499,999. There are 127 active listings with 6 of those having accepted offers but flagged for contingencies while contingencies are met.   There are 39 properties pending or under under agreement with the average price of $882,718.  the highest list price being $2,750,000 and the lowest bein... 06/13/2008

Needham 2008 Celebration - Go 4th and Celebrate theme for the 4th of July in Needham This Year!  Sponsored by The Exchange Club of Needham The first day I ever came to Needham to visit before we moved was July 4, 1965.  I was amazed to see what the 4th of July celebration in the town of Needham was like.  This year there won't be fireworks but they will be back next year.  We are always in Needham for the 4th of July and it is a great time every year.  Then it is cookouts with friends and family and they are happening all over town.  I had a lot of fun participating in decorating floats over the years, ie, hospital float, Visiting Nurse float and the Rotary Club of Needham. " It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with...games, sports...bells, bonfires and illuminations, from o... 05/31/2008

I listened to syndicated money guy today Dave Ramsey and he says that he believes that we are coming out of the housing slump in some areas of the country.  I really feel that Needham, MA is one of those areas and the surrounding communities are as well.  I have seen an uptick in Natick, Holliston, Millis.  I have also noticed that some new listings are coming on in higher price ranges.   This is surely a great time to move up if you own and a great time for the first time buyer.  It couldn't be better for the first time buyer with the house prices as they are and the interest rates so low.  This has been my experience. There were 44 single family homes that went under agreement in the past month and in six months a total of 81.  That is over half of the properties going under agreement... 05/28/2008

That is the front page lead article in the Needham Hometown Weekly "Recession Proof Needham."  Now I have been saying that for a while.  I know that it is true.  While we are constantly bombarded with bad news all the time 24/7 this is great news.  It is evident by the way the homes for sale in Needham, MA are going under agreement faster than you can get your clients in to see the property. One agent told me that she has had 100 people come today to see her new listing.  There are multiple offers and I know that one other that came on 40 hours ago will surely be gone in a heartbeat.  Why's that.  Location!  Location!  Location! Needham has the best schools, wonderful commuter advantages, 20 minute ride to Boston.  The nearby shopping.  To quote one agent "It seems like Needham is reces... 05/22/2008

We have been renovating our home for quite some time. I don't even want to tell you how long.  Sometimes I think we will just get it done and sell it but lately I have had a new thinking. I love my home and where it is located. I love busy street, the four bedrooms, the family room off the kitchen.  The new floors that will be going in and the new drapes I will be hanging up.  The new furniture, lamps and kitchen I am going to purchase.  This is going to be a showplace but in the meantime I am loving it just the way it is.  I am glad that I have had this long experience with doing our home.  I can appreciate it more and I can help my clients too if they have similar experiences.  In my estimation, there are 2 great streets in Needham that I would love to live on and they are:  Woodlawn ... 05/10/2008

In the last 16 days there were 23 homes that went under agreement with an average list price of $820,048. There are 121 homes for sale in Needham, MA with an average list price of $1,000,593.  During the same time period 10 homes were sold with an average sale price of $700,100 and average days on the market was 80.80. There are some great homes on the market in the $700's and certainly even greater just over $1,000,000.  The market is humming along and homes that are priced right go rather quickly. There are 39 active listings from $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 There are 32 active listings from $600,000 to $800,000 There are 20 active listings between $450,000 and $599,999 We are coming to the end of the school year and the Needham High School renovations are in progress and the new track w... 05/07/2008

The Needham market continues to be very strong.  In the last 7 days 10 properties went under agreement with 6 of those properties from my office - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Needham, MA  and 5 of those properties sold within a month.  It is agreat time to be a first time buyer for sure.2 Days on Market Single Family $659,0004 Days on Market    "        "      $405,0004 days on Market   "         "      $595,00011 Days on Market                   $519,00019 days on market  "         "     $669,00033 days on market  "         "     $545,000105 days on market "        "     $599,000111 days on market "         "     $649,000211 days on market "         "     $589,000342 days on market "         "     $1,849,000There is definitely an uptick in activity and showings.  I would say... 04/21/2008

Market Report for Needham 122 Single Family homes for sale in Needham, MA Average Price:  $1,030,173 Median Price:       $789,450 1 single family homes on the market between $300,000 and $349,999 2 single family homes on the market between $350,000 and $399,999 4 single family homes on the market between $400,000 and $449,999 6 single family homes on the market between $450,000 and $499,999 15 single family homes on the market between $500,000 and $599,999 22 single family homes on the market between $600,000 and $699,999 13 single family homes on the market between $700,000 and $799,999 3 single family homes on the market between $800,000 and $899,999 5 single family homes on the market between $900,000 and $999,999 30 single family homes on the market  between $1,000,000 and $1,499,99... 04/12/2008

Active Listings as of today 105Price range $374,000 to $3,500,0004 single family homes between $400,000 and $449,0005    "        "        "          "        $450,000 and $499,999  15   "        "        "          "        $500,000 and $599,99920    "       "           "       "        $609,000 and $699,9008      "       "           "       "       $700,000 and $799,9994     "       "            "       "       $800,000 and $899,9995     "        "          "         "     $ 900,000 and $999,9994     "        "          "         "     $ 800,000 and $899,99926   "        "          "         "      $1,049,000 and $1,499,00010   "        "          "         "      $1,590,000 and $1,849,000 4    "        "          "         "      $2,095,000 and $2,399,000 2    "        "          "  ... 03/24/2008

On New Year's Eve our office had the pleasure of displaying some the of unique and creative pottery from the Potter's Shop on Thorpe Street, Needham, MA.  Take her invitation and come in and visit.  They have some wonderful works there.         Pat Baker, Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Needham, MA - Working with buyers and sellers in Needham, Wellesley, Weston, Natick, South Natick, Westwood, Dover, Sherborn, Newton,Hollistonpatbaker.wordpress.com 03/13/2008

Market Report for Needham  3/12/2008Market Share of 9 properties sold - 6 sides were Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage- Needham: 32.54% of the market share for Needham and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is #1 again in Needham for sales sides. 8.74% of the sales sides  came from the Newton Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office.The total dollar volume sold for this time period is $16,022,000.0094 properties on the market as of today - ranging from $350,000 to $3,999,999The average price for properties on the market is $1,023,705Median price is $809,500 with average days on market 127 versus 135 last month. 20 homes went under agreement versus 22 last month.  $887,840 is the average price this month.14 properties had price changes with the average being -3.36%.  Propertie... 03/12/2008