Watertown, MA

Porcelain Patch & Glaze - Watertown MA Got some ugly colored tile in your house? A stained bathtub sorely in need of sprucing up? Or a battered file cabinet that's too shabby for your office? Time to give Porcelain Patch & Glaze of Watertown Massachusetts a call.

Porcelain Patch and Glaze offers electrostatic refinishing services that will transform appliances, fixtures, tile and even furniture.

I discovered Porcelain Patch when it was time to sell my condo. I lived in an early 1970s building. In the late 1960s and early '70s colored appliances and fixtures were all the rage. In my complex you either had the blue, the harvest gold, the avocado green, or the brown color scheme. Everything in your condo was the same dated hue - the sinks, the stove, the fridge, the tub - each and every piece.

Over time I had replaced most of the appliances and fixtures but I still had a gold stove hood and an unattractive tiled backsplash. Something needed to be done.

Porcelain Patch sent out a packet of information in advance of my appointment. Oh the possibilities! It would never have occurred to me that so many items could be refinished and recolored. My metal file cabinets and metal desk would have to wait but the metal bi-fold doors were added to the list for refinishing. And while I was playing it safe with a white color scheme for an immediate resale, one could dream of color choices for future projects - there are over 300 subtle shades and bold hues available to transform a boring appliance or an old cabinet.

The process involves acid etching, removing rust, filling holes, sanding, and finally priming and glazing. Work is typically done at your home or office.

The company has a long list of satisfied customers. The Gleason family opened the company in 1938, over seventy years ago. Today business is booming and depending on the time of year there may be several weeks wait for your project.

If you're ready to get your tub reglazed or your fridge made new - give the folks at Porcelain Patch a call at 617-924-9100. Their office is located at 140 Watertown Street, Watertown MA 02172.

The Village Condos - Watertown Townhouse Condominiums. The Village in Watertown MA is a large, beautifully landscaped townhome community. Over 300 condos in brick townhouse-style buildings are set on lushly landscaped streets lined with mature trees.

The Village Condominiums are in West Watertown just up the street from Waverley Square in Belmont where you can catch the bus - actually an electric trolley - to Cambridge or the commuter rail to Cambridge and Boston. By car, routes 2, 95 and 128 are close by.

The Village condos were built as apartments in 1940 and converted to condominiums in the early 1970s. The condos have the charm and character of the period and many have been updated and renovated over the years.

The condos typically have about 875 square feet on the first and second floor. Many of the Village condos are listed for sale with the basement, which many owners have finished, included in the measurements leading to living areas of approx. 1200 - 1400 sq. ft. Often the condos have pull-down steps to attic storage.

Features of the Village condos include:

• Hardwood floors
• Living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor
• Two bedrooms and a tiled bath on the second floor
• Laundry hookups in the basement
• Additional basement space that many owners have finished
• Some condos have central air conditioning
• Many units have an enclosed patio or deck
• Outdoor parking space

There is an outdoor pool and a club room with fireplace.

The complex has a high owner occupancy rate and condo fees that average under $300 per month.

Unfortunately pets are not allowed - not even cats - a fact which has more than once kept me from showing units at the Village to condo buyers who would otherwise be very happy there.

The Village Condominiums spread out over several blocks. Townhouses at the Village can be found on these streets:

• Belmont Street
• Duff Street
• Grant Avenue
• Lexington Street
• Pierce Road

Recent Sales of Townhouse Condos at The Village

Here's the sales data for townhouses sold at The Village in 2009 to date:

• Six Village townhouses sold for prices ranging from $260,000 to $296,000
• The average sales price was $276,167
• The median sales price was $276,500
• Average days on market was 39

Several condos at The Village are currently listed for sale:

SEARCH FOR CONDOS AT THE VILLAGE IN WATERTOWN

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Elizabeth Bolton is a real estate agent in Cambridge Mass at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage on Huron Avenue. Contact Liz at 617-504-1737 if you'd like more information about The Village Condos or other Watertown townhouse condominiums.

THE RIVERBANK LOFT at 290 PLEASANT STREET in WATERTOWN, MA

Overview

The Riverbank Lofts is a complex of 56 condominiums in Watertown. The Riverbank Lofts are located at 290 Pleasant Street in Watertown, MA. The condominiums were constructed in 2006 in a building originally built as an office building and then converted into condominiums. Every unit comes with 2 deed parking spaces.

Units & Pricing

The units are all 1 bedroom or studio sized and range in size from around 621 square feet to 1,333 square feet. The units on the first floor have patios, while the back side of the building overlooks The Charles River. The original units came with washer and dryer included in the units, but resale units will obviously have the choice of keeping the washer and dryer if so desired. All units have 1 bathroom.

The monthly condominium fee ranges from the low $200's per month to the high $300's per month depending on size of the unit. The condo fee includes: Heat, Master Insurance, Elevator, Snow Removal, Refuse Removal.

Sales History

The number of sales over the last three years in MLS transactions has ranged from 4 year-to-date in 2008 to 32 in 2006.

• 2006 - Average Sales Price: $333,475 (10 units sold) with an Average Market Time of 24 days
• 2007 - Average Sales Price: $332,966 (32 units sold) with an Average Market Time of 93 days
• 2008 - Average Sales Price: $351,125 (4 units sold) with an Average Market Time of 495 days

Currently there are 4 condominium for sale at The Riverbank Lofts with an average list price of $342,166.33 and there is 1 unit that is currently Under Agreement that was listed at $350,000. For more information on the current listings or to be notified of any new listings at The Riverbank Lofts please email me at mark@smarthomesboston.com or call me directly at 617.448.9481.

Area

The Riverbank Lofts are located along the Charles River Bike Path, which leads all the way into Boston. It also has great access to the Mass Pike, Route 20 and more. With close access to Watertown Square's shops and restaurants this is a great commuter location.

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