Have you been thinking about buying a condo? Perhaps you’ve imagined that a condo offers the best value for your dollar? Well, although this is sometimes true, the good news is that it is actually possible to purchase a single family home for the price of a similar sized condo!
46 Woodside Lane in Arlington MA, listed on August 29th, provides a perfect example.
This amazing, updated ranch is more spacious than many condos, with living and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen, three bedrooms and an office. 
Like many of the condos on the market, it has been tastefully updated. The main living area has bamboo and cork flooring, the kitchen contains newer Bosch energy star appliances and an island with custom chairs. The energy efficient washer and gas dryer are on the first floor, and walls sparkle with fresh paint.
There’s no need to bother with common yards or to worry about privacy here though. 46 Woodside boasts an oversized private yard with brand new fence and a cozy patio/perennial garden right outside the door for that festive summer bbq! There’s even a tree house for the kids. And the driveway is all yours.
In Arlington, there are currently 13 3-bedroom condos on the market, at an average price of $428k. 46 Woodside Lane Arlington MA is priced at just $399,000. Why share space when you can have your own?
Interested? Contact Avenue 3 Realtor Nellie Aikenhead to schedule a showing or to start your search for an affordable single family home!
There will always be people who are shouting at you that this is a good time to buy a home, this is a good time to sell a home. The question is; is it?
There is turmoil throughout the world, the stock market is on a roller coaster of its own making and regardless of your politics, there is plenty to be unhappy about in our government's book keeping. All of these things impact the housing market. "Consumer confidence", that amorphous entity that gets kicked around as an economic indicator, is shaken by both these distant realities and by ones closer to home. Nothing shakes consumer confidence like the threat of unemplyment...if you are afraid of losing your job, you are unlikely to be thinking about buying a house.
On the flip side, there are folks, albeit fewer than before, who are secure in their jobs and enjoying higher confidence levels. Those lucky enough to live in an area less affected by the housing downturn - like Boston Metro West - definitely are thinking about buying a home. I hate to sound cliche, but mortgage rates are very low and prices are the lowest we have seen in recent memory.
So, the answer to the question "Should I buy a house in Boston Metro West?" is the same as it has always been - is it a good time for you? Then, yes, it is a good time to buy a home in Boston Metro West.
For a complete list of all the current listings available by town visit our property search pages : Avenue 3 Real Estate Property Search
Or Contact Us to set up a meeting with one of our Agents for a consulation on your next step toward homeownership.
Download Free Home Buying Kit
Find tips on buying a home by downloading our very informative Better Buyer Kit.
We all know that money seems to go out the door much faster and easier than it comes in. We all realize that for most of us, buying a home is the single largest financial decision we will make in our lives. It is important to make a wise decision. So, how do you really know what is “affordable” for you when it comes to buying a home.
Looking at just the asking price of the home is not terribly helpful. I would suggest you work from the bottom up and look at the monthly payment you would face when you own this home and see how “affordable” that feels. You can start by talking to a mortgage broker. Be sure to ask them to break down the monthly payment to mortgage costs, taxes and insurance. All three of these may or may not be included in your monthly payment. If you are buying a condo, factor in the monthly condo fee. If you are buying a home, factor in your own ‘condo fee’ for maintenance, heating, electricity, water and sewer.
Add up the figures, stare the number in the face, think about it for a while, see if you break out in a cold sweat… if not, then this price may well be what makes a home “affordable” for you.
Download Free Home Buying Kit
Find tips on buying a home by downloading our very informative Better Buyer Kit.
Monday night, Foundation Keys, Bertucci's...
August can be slow due to vacations, day trips, back to school activities and shopping. This is the refrain you hear from listing agents telling an anxious seller to just wait until buyers return in the fall, however, the dog-days of summer can present opportunity for the buyer! Less folks out looking limits the competition and opportunity to really negotitate.
This is one of the topics we will discuss tomorrow night at our Monday night Bertucci's Alewife Station (Cambridge) open real estate forum. Or just bring your real estate questions.
Agents Rob Russell and John Reilly: Every Monday night, Bertucci's Alewife "T" Station, Cambridge, 5:30 - 7pm.
Look forward to seeing you there!
These are slow times in real estate. Most people vacation in August or spend their Sundays enjoying the area attractions but this rainy day may change that!
Seven (7) new properties entered the Winchester MA real estate market this weekend and all are open today except 207 Cross Street...
Winchester Single families:
4 North Gateway, $545,000 8 room Ranch
207 Cross Street, $569,000, 8 room Ranch
247 Forest Street, $595,000, 8 room split entry
21 Cranston Road, $1,299,000, 9 room NEW CONSTRUCTION
Winchester Condominiums
72 Irving Street, $359,000, 6 room condo
23 Harvard Street, $399,000, 5 room condo
70 Irving Street, $469,000, 7 room condo
And or a complete list of the Open Houses in the Boston/ Metro West area click here: Avenue 3 Open House Search
Not ready to start looking at real estate until the fall? Download our informative better buyer kit now and review our kit at the beach or wherever you vacation this summer!
Winchester MA Real Estate Update....
a 7 MONTH REVIEW of single family homes and a look at the future of the town.
Summer 2011 - Winchester Center
Jan - July 31, 2010 - total WINCHESTER SF sale units: 132
Average sale price: SF: $808,663 average days on market: 79 days
Jan - July 31, 2011 - total WINCHESTER SF sale units: 98
Average sale price: SF: $842,610, average days on market: 88 days
2011 compared to 2010: # of units are down and the average sale is price up....
It will prove interesting if the plan to make some changes to the existing town center will provide new and different housing opportunties. Read more about this plan posted by
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And here are the pending sale numbers for all the towns we track weekly:
total number of offers accepted for all property categories 07.24.11 - 07.31.11
For community resources, trending topics or to search for homes click on the town name ...
First # under agreement for this week, second # "WIR" last week....
What do the above numbers mean? If you are a regular viewer of "Week in Review" the Boston and Metro West under agreement numbers remain relatively consistent week to week...Boston jumps up/down by 10% - 25% week to week. One or two towns in Metro West will jump up/down by 3 - 10 properties week to week. This is all good news for the above towns and cities.
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Total Number of Accepted Offers For All Property Categories Source: MLSPIN