Just off Mass Ave in North Cambridge, this attractive Mansard has 16 units, four on each floor, with a wide stair case running up the middle. Units range from under and over 1000′ feet, and have soaring 10′ ceilings, exposed brick, open floor plans and great views. From this spot you can easily reach Porter, Davis and Harvard Square, Arlington, th Alewife T, the Minuteman Bike Trail, as well as numerous restaurants and shops nearby.

Unit 9 is currently for sale at $389,000. It has two beds and two baths, a modern but not fully updated kitchen, lovely hardwoods, built in bookshelves, in-unit laundry, a deeded parking spot, and extra storage. For a true lifestyle statement, this beats out ordinary condos any day. The light just streams in the beautiful tall windows, framed with plantation shutters and surrounded by exposed brick. Open and airy, this unit could be decorated in numerous ways, or kept simple and serene.  The $307 condo fee includes heat, hot water, master insurance, snow removal and maintenance. Very affordable, especially combined with Cambridge’s low taxes.

The French School Condominiums is a stable community. Only 5 of the 16 units are currently rented. Here are the sales in the buildings in the past 5 years:

Unit 1:   11/30/2005    $385,000

Unit 1:   7/17/2009   $403,500

Unit 5:  4/30/2009   $415,000

Unit 16:  8/23/2005   $485,000

To schedule a showing, contact listing agent Bija Satterlee at (781) 354-4835, or email bsatterlee@bowesre.com. See it soon!

When you buy a single family home, you are buying the land and the buildings upon it, and you normally own it “fee simple,” which is the most complete form of ownership. Single Family homes provide the maximum privacy of ownership, and simultaneously more responsibility for upkeep and maintenance. Condominium ownership gives you exclusive right to the interior space of your unit, and you are a co-owner of the rest of the property, land, building, fences, driveways, etc.

Single family home owners are usually free to renovate or landscape at will, whereas condo owners would need the approval and cooperation of other unit owners, especially if joint funds are to be used for improvements.  The two-family home style condos in Arlington are mostly managed by the owners of the units, and arrangements can be informal.  In the larger condo complexes a professional management company handles most of the affairs of finances, repairs, and landscaping, etc. As a Trustee, you would be able to vote, but there is less absolute power of decision than either a two-family condo or a single family. In return for less responsibility for the upkeep of the property, individual unit owners have less say over decisions made and actions taken. At certain points in your life this may be a great choice.

Two-Family Style Condos in ARLINGTON

The majority of condos in Arlington are in Two-Family style homes, the largest density of which are located in East Arlington. A typical layout of a unit may have five rooms, two bedrooms and one bath. The early 1900’s was a boom for building most of these homes, and they still have the special charm of that era. Gleaming woodwork, built-in cabinets, crown molding, hardwood floors, and in some cases glass doorknobs (my favorite). Variations on the theme include fireplaces, sunrooms, and front or rear decks. Over time many of these have been updated to have amenities like granite and stainless steel kitchens, gorgeous modern baths, overhead lighting, better insulation, replacement windows, gas fireplaces, central air conditioning, and walk-ups to a finished 3rd floor. I always wonder what those original builders would think if they came back today and saw what we’ve done with their work!

When Two-Family homes are turned into condos, one property turns into two. Legal documents are created establishing the Condo Trust, the Rules and Regulations, Master Deed, Unit Deeds, and detailed floorplans including common and private areas. These documents must be recorded at the Registry of Deeds when the properties get sold.

If you buy a condo, you should review the Master Deed, Unit Deed, Rules & Regulations, Budget, and if possible, minutes of recent meetings. Normally your attorney reviews these during the inspection period, while you are also learning about the house itself. You also want to know if any future assessments are planned for improvements, which will be levied on unit owners. Your Buyers Agent will help get answers to these questions.

Townhomes in Arlington

Another popular style of home is the Townhouse, or side-by-side condo. The layout provides a unit to have multiple levels of living area, from basement to second or third floor. Some recent builds (since the late 1990’s) have become some of Arlington’s most popular housing options. These could have 2500′ or more of finished living area, built to modern code standards, while maintaining yesterday’s charm. These townhouses range from the mid $400,000’s to the mid 5’s.

There are about 20 larger condo complexes in Arlington, which are managed professionally. Condo-living in a building or larger complex has the appeal of requiring less physical involvement in the upkeep, and are potentially more private (less involvement with your direct neighbor) than living in a Multi-Family style condo. A larger building condo may also have under-cover parking and elevators. These are advantages, and you do pay for them. Condo Fees are usually higher in building-style condominiums, and can range from $300 a month to as high as $800! Check the listing sheet!

As a rule of thumb, the interior living space of a “renovated condo” is higher than that of a single family home when compared dollar-for-dollar. Taking exmples straight from recent MLS sales in Arlington, here are photos of kitchens from properties that sold for around $300,000. See if you can guess which one belongs to the single family home, and which one belongs to the condo:

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES in Arlington

Depending on your stage in life maybe you are physically and financially ready to tackle landscaping, repairs, shoveling, and maintenance. Perhaps you need the room for a growing family. Many people forego the fancy condo updates in favor of the privacy of owning their own house. Over time you can make improvements that will add to your enjoyment and the value of the home. With some soul-searching and thorough property touring, I believe you will come to your own conclusion of which is right for you, a Single Family, or a Condo. There’s no right or wrong answer to this one, just where you think you’d like to call HOME.

Condos make a great alternative to renting, and are ideal for First Time Home Buyers. Once you outgrow your space there will be someone thrilled to buy your condo when you move up to your Single Family Home!

What other advantages or disadvantages do you expect from owning a condo? If you would like help exploring this topic, feel free to contact me for some help. I specialize in helping first time home buyers, who often find condos in Arlington the perfect choice.

Getting cities and towns to shift toward clean energy was such a cornerstone of Massachusetts’ 2008 energy legislation that the law is named The Green Communities Act.

Those that meet five clean energy goals are eligible for millions in local aid, under the law. But state officials didn’t expect many communities to make it right away because the rules were tough.

Yet (today) Governor Deval Patrick designated 35 cities and towns as the Commonwealth’s first official “Green Communities” making them eligible for $8.1 million in grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects.

“These pioneers are notable not only for their commitment to a cleaner, greener Massachusetts, but also for their diversity,” Patrick said in a statement.

Towns and cities had to adopt local zoning bylaws to encourage and speed up permitting for renewable energy projects. They had to agree to purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for their municipal fleet wherever possible. And the communities had to require all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet, as well as all new commercial and industrial real estate construction, to save energy by adopting new building codes.

The communities are Acton, Arlington, Athol, Andover, Becket, Belchertown, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Easthampton, Greenfield, Hamilton, Hanover, Holyoke, Hopkinton, Kingston, Lancaster, Lenox, Lexington, Lincoln, Lowell, Mashpee, Medford, Melrose, Montague, Natick, Newton, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield, Sudbury, Tyngsboro, Wenham, and Worcester.

The communities’ deadline for a piece of the $8 million will be on June 4; the grants will be awarded in late June.

The grants will help the communities “go further — saving energy costs for their residents, reducing the environmental impact of municipal operations, and validating the Commonwealth’s reputation as a national clean energy leader,” said Ian Bowles, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary.

Each community will also receive a Big Belly solar waste compactor to be delivered in time for the summer parks and beaches season.

• New build (not a renovation) Two units “side by side”
• Townhouse style, not one on top of the other
• Built to current code: foundation, electric, plumbing, etc.
• 1900+ sq ft living space, plenty of storage, central a/c
• Charm and character of those fabulous homes built in the 1920’s
• Most were between $500 – $700K, but the average price over ten years has been $594K.

What makes 46 Broadway Arlington MA special?

The floorplan, the finishes, the quality of craftsmanship. The layout is not your typical “railroad” front to back style where one large rectangle front to back makes up the living room, dining room then kitchen. This clever townhouse has an “L” shaped first floor layout, feeling very open. Sliders to the back deck off the dining room give great light and an outdoor escape. The gorgeous granite and stainless kitchen is laid out perfectly and with every convenience.  The gas fireplace in the Living Room has subtle scrollwork, the mouldings are perfectly plumbed around the room, and reflect the era of gracious 1920’s homes. Proportion and flow are essential, and this first floor has it all. As well as a bathroom and excellent closet storage.

Perfect for Entertaining

The second floor holds two substantial size bedrooms – the Master has wonderful closet space, so you can expand your wardrobe with abandon, have a hat and shoe collection, there’s room for all of it and more! The master bath is of course tastefully appointed with stone tile and soothing colors. There is an additional bath on the 2nd floor for the other bedroom.

On to the 3rd floor – what awaits but an expansive loft, lit up by the gorgeous skylights. You’ll also find a great nook for an office space and yet again more storage. What a place to hang out, you can forget all your cares in this hideaway space. The basement in this townhouse is unfinished, but what a basement!  It got NO water in the recent rains! High ceilings, perfectly clean and dry, THIS would be my gym and playroom and TV room combined, I would finish it off and have a total of FOUR living levels.

What is amazing is the price: It is available to you today for a mere $485,000. With 1984 sq ft living area on three finished levels, it is $244./sq ft- which is the lowest in town, and for this quality of home is a-ma-zing!

Location – Location – Location! East Arlington is hot for the urban dweller, looking to get a shot at a quality home in this price range, plus everything Arlington has to offer. Located close to Arlington center, Davis Square, 93, Route 2, it is on two bus lines and close to Alewife.  Contact me today if you want to explore this townhouse for yourself.

These Seminars are packed with information you need to buy your first home. Graduates often say they’re relieved to understand the process more clearly, and we find people who attend the seminars have a smoother experience buying their first home.

Register through email or by calling Bija at 781-645-0552. Cost is free, and seating is limited, so sign up today. Even if you are NOT trying to make the Tax Credit deadline (of signing a P&S by April 30 and closing by June 30), this is a great time to buy, while interest rates are still historically low.

Call or write today, and let’s get YOU into your Dream Home soon!

These circumstances may not line up again for a long time (if they do the country is in worse shape than we thought), so if for all the other ‘right reasons’ you are considering buying a home right now, don’t wait!

If you have any questions (either as a buyer or a seller) about the home buying process or the current tax credit, contact me today to discuss your situation. This may be the best time in history to buy a home. But you do need to have a signed Purchase and Sale contract by April 30, and close the sale by June 30, 2010.  Time is ticking, call me today, and let’s get started!

Buying your first home is no time to take chances, go it alone, or wing it. Here is your opportunity to learn the process of buying from First Time Home Buyer experts in Arlington. Taught by Bija Satterlee (ABR, Realtor) and Michael Tanionos (senior lender with Well Fargo Home Mortgage), these Seminars cover the basics of financing, interest rates, credit scores, and programs for buyers with varying circumstances.

The process of buying a home begins with a self assessment. Get in on an exercise designed to help you define your criteria. From there we go through a sample home purchase, from Offer to Closing. We have found that buyers who attend these Seminars have a much smoother home buying experience than those who “wing it”!

Seating is limited – RSVP today to bija@dreamhomearlington.com

If you miss this one, see schedule of upcoming Seminars here: http://www.dreamhomearlington.com/seminars.php

• When: Wednesday January 27
• Time: 7 – 8:30pm
• Where: Bowes GMAC Real Estate Office – 1010 Mass Ave, Arlington
• Cost: Free!

Packed with insider knowledge of home-buying, timely information about the local Arlington and Middlesex County real estate market, and financing guidance, this is a “how-to” persons dream come true. We’ll cover home-buying in a step by step process, from establishing your Arlington Dream Home criteria, through Financing and pre-approvals, to Open Houses, Offers, Inspections, and on to Closing Day.

Taught by Arlington’s finest First Time Home Buyer Specialists (Realtor and ABR Bija Satterlee from Bowes GMAC Real Estate) and Mike Tanionos (Senior Lender, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage), you will discover:

• How to get a “good buy” on your first house or condo in Arlington
• How to identify and find the house or condo of your dreams
• How to get the best Financing and interest rate for your Arlington MA home purchase
• How to get the advantages of having a dedicated Buyers Agent
• How to make your Offer stand out from other Buyers, and more!

We have already seen plenty of buyers scouring the limited inventory of homes for sale in Arlington and surrounding areas like Lexington, Medford, Bemont and Cambridge. NOW is a great time to become a savvy buyer. Register for the January 27 First Time Home Buyer Seminar now. And the best part? It’s free!

Read Testimonials of some of our Seminar graduates!

email bija@dreamhomearlington.com to register for the Seminar. Seating limited, Register Today!

First Time Home Buyers did especially well with the Stimulus Tax Credit of $8,000.  They were able to lock in interest rates at historic lows (below 5%), and sellers were motivated to sell, partly due to all the uncertainty, and fear prices would be dropping further.  The numbers show clearly that the market has stabilized for now in Arlington.

Want to know the cheapest and most expensive homes of 2009?

2009 Single Family homes (246 sales), the least expensive home: $252,000 (69 Sunnyside) with 74 days on market. The MOST expensive single family home sold in Arlington sold for $1,009,597. (2-A Colonial Drive). New Construction. Average Sale Price for Single Family Homes was $510,000.

2009 Condos (246 sales), the least expensive one sold for $102,000 (11 Old Colony Lane U3). The most expensive condo was 57 Winter Street, and sold for $678,000, also new construction. Average Sale Price for Condos was $350,000.

2009 Multi Families (37 sales), the least expensive one was 106 Paul Revere Road, a two unit (one bedroom each) house, selling for $295K. The most expensive multi family to sell in Arlington was 11-13 Pierce Street, selling for $700,000. Average Sale Price for Multi Family Homes was $519,000.

Sales accelerated in the last two months of the year, which was amazing! In 2008 November and December combined had 46 sales – typical for that time of year. This year there were 94 sales in the same time period. Spectacular numbers, for anyone counting!

See Recent Home Sales in Arlington MA here.

So what’s up with Arlington Real Estate in 2010?? With mortgage rates that are still historically low, homes priced affordably, and the home buyer tax credit, we should see another great year of activity and great deals for home buyers. According to projections from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), sales of existing homes are expected to increase by more than 10% next year. In addition, median home prices will move a little higher. Forecasts from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and from Fannie Mae are generally consistent with the outlook from the MBA.

If YOU have been considering “getting out of renting” then hopefully those pioneers of 2009 who have blazed the trail have shown it is a great time to buy real estate. Learn more about it at a First Time Home Buyer Seminar, or contact me directly to discuss your goals and questions. In the mean time, start dreaming up the details of your Dream Home!

If owning your own home is on your 2010 ‘to do list’ then here’s how to make sure it happens.

Even you are months away from writing an offer, there are significant things you can do right now to get your “house-buying ducks” in order. My past clients will all testify that these steps done early save you stress, money, and other problems!

• Getting pre-approved for a loan early in the process
• Chosing a Buyers Agent who understands you and will protect your interests as you buy your home
• Getting explicit about your Dream Home Criteria — (Fill Out the Dream Home Criteria Worksheet)
• Attending a First Time Home Buyer Seminar
• Finishing up “old business” that may be holding you back~ like selling a house, saving for down payment, improving credit score
• Learning the inventory ~ whether through MLS (Multiple Listing Service) or open houses or private appointments.

I can’t emphasize enough how much less stressful buying a home will be if you follow these preliminary steps! Read the first success story here of a couple who took the right steps from the beginning, and who now live in an adorable home they love.

As the new year approaches I wish you peace, prosperity and good health. And if your Dream Home is in your future, now is a great time to plan and prepare for it so you can spend NEXT HOLIDAY SEASON in your new home, whether in Arlington or a surrounding area!

Be safe, and let’s make 2010 your year!

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