Cambridge, MA

HOW TO KNOW IF A GOOD AGENT IS A GOOD FIT

"I happily referred a couple of agents who came highly recommended and whom I thought would be a good fit for clients moving out-of-state who didn't want a previously bad home-buying experience repeat itself. In a follow up email they asked me how to know if he or she would be a good fit. Thus the following excerpt from an email:

"Some traits of a good buyer agent (some I'm sure will dictate a better fit than others):

• Honesty
• Respect
• Listening skills
• Organized
• More interested in helping you find the right home than racking up a sale
• Specific knowledge of the neighborhood (and sale history - e.g., median price over last year) of the area(s) you target
• Negotiating skills
• Experience
• Detail-oriented
• Follow-up
• Conscientious
• Takes your questions seriously and addresses concerns
• Accommodates to your schedule (and you to theirs)
• Not blinded by curb appeal - tells you the good, bad, ugly
• Runs comparables of homes under consideration
• Provides referrals to reliable attorneys, home inspectors, tradespeople, etc.
• Experience working with sellers

BUT:

• Make a list of pros and cons (another one!) of agents you speak to
• Would both of you feel comfortable working with that agent?
• Does the agent hold realtor designations? E.g., CBR, ABR and/or CRS designation - which means they've taken the time to be the best buyer's agent they can be
• Do they have the Realtor designation? Some good agents may not hold that designation (but it does mean they've taken ethics training).

ASK:

• Particulars of the transaction process in CA which are different from MA
• What does the buyer agency agreement entail
• How they usually work with buyers

"When I first meet, email or speak to a potential buyer, I want to get a sense of them to see if we'd be a good match:

• Why they are buying
• Their lifestyle - which goes a long way toward explaining what homes would be a good match and directs the rest of the search
• Have they been pre-approved? If not, I recommend reliable lenders before our first meeting.
• Amount and flexibility of down-payment
• Time frame
• If children are (or will be) in the picture (e.g., lead paint law, schools, etc.)
• Have they met with other agents
• How much do they want me to be involved in the transaction
• Knowledge of the local market
• Best way to communicate
• Plus the usual as to location, schedules, and anything they can think I should know to make it the purchase of their home a pleasant experience

"Personally, in the past, I shopped around for agents by talking with them at open houses (if they weren't too busy) mostly because I like to collect as much information as possible before I commit - but as we both know you can garner a lot from the web. I wouldn't recommend signing in at open houses until you secure an agent or everyone will be calling you - some aggressively. I suggest taking a listing sheet and/or business card instead to take quick notes on the agent.

"Name a time if you want to talk!"

Buying Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachussets

Purchasing a home for the first time can be a very stressful and complicated process. Enlisting the services of experienced real estate related professionals will provide you with the information and advice to make sound decisions. Buyers often interview mortgage loan officers, Realtors, attorneys, home inspectors, accountants and financial advisers during the process of purchasing a property. Information regarding the home buying and selling process, demographics, commuting, school and relocation information can be found by visiting

CAMBRIDGE MA REAL ESTATE

Financing

Most home buyers will obtain a mortgage to purchase their home and there are numerous first-time home buyer financing programs offered by state agencies, local banks and national lenders. A common source for mortgage funding is the FHA (Federal Housing Administration). The major benefits of their programs include low down payment options (can be gifted by a family member), flexible qualifying, assumable mortgages, and rehab financing.

In 2009, there are four major reasons to consider purchasing your first home:

1. First-time home buyer tax credit of $8000 (for qualified buyers).
2. Historically low interest rates.
3. Affordability - declining values in the past three years provide exceptional price offerings.
4. Tax benefits - current tax law favors owning a home over renting.

The Home Search

Consumers in Massachusetts have the option of hiring a real estate agent to represent them in "buyer agency" and this is disclosed in a "mandatory disclosure form" required by state law. The agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent the buyer's interests instead of the seller's. Interview two or three agents to determine their qualifications before signing an agency contract.

Your agent can assist you in searching for a property through the Cambridge MA MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and homes sold by their owners (FSBO). Most property for sale, including Cambridge MA foreclosed and bank owned homes, is listed in the MLS.

Home Inspection

Once you have found the property and successfully negotiated a purchase and sales agreement, you will probably contract for a home inspection. This will give you more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

1. Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems;
2. Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and
3. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes

Title and Closing

Title companies or attorneys will research the title to make sure both the lender and the buyer is protected and has "clear title" to the property. Prior to the actual closing, most buyers schedule a final walk-through with their agent to inspect the property. Once the closing is complete buyers can now occupy their new home.

Visit Virtual Homes real estate to visit cities and towns to obtain home buying information. Visit Rhode Island real estate, MA real estate and NY real estate for information about communities, homes and condominiums.

Cambridge Somerville MA Real Estate For Sale - 2 Bed Condos Walkable to Porter Square MBTA

Below are my choices for the top 2 bedroom condos currently for sale that are walking distance to the Porter Square T station on the MBTA's Red Line. Located on the borders of both Cambridge and Somerville, Porter Sq. is a vibrant area with lots of interesting shopping, dinning, bars and nightlife. Inhabited by a large student and professional population, Porter Square should be on the radar of every buyer looking to be near Harvard, MIT, Lesley, or Tufts as well as those who prefer an easy commute into Downtown Boston or Cambridge's bio-tech heavy Kendall Square and Technology Square. Prices in this area will run generally in the $450/sq.ft. area, but some of the best values can be found in the up-and-coming area of North Cambridge, much of which is close to the Porter Square T. North Cambridge also pushes you towards the Alewife T station, also on the Red Line - check out my blog post about Alewife T properties here. The properties below represent my favorites, but there are many more available with similar attributes. Let me help you find your ideal Porter Square property today - call Mike at 508-410-3993 or email mikesmahomes@gmail.com

Be sure to check out Team Laven's new blog all about properties near the T - www.walktombta.com
Real Estate For Sale in Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, Quincy, Malden, and more that's near the MBTA!


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Condos in Cambridge MA
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Cambridge MA
$269,900 ID# 70985526
63 Mount Vernon St U:7
Cambridge, MA 02140
Low-Rise GLA 770 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Porter Square MA
$349,000 ID# 70985285
5 Walden St U:3
Cambridge, MA:Porter Square 02140
Low-Rise GLA 686 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge MA
$485,000 ID# 70964523
4 Cambridge Terrace U:1
Cambridge, MA 02140
2/3 Family GLA 1,163 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Porter Square MA
$549,000 ID# 70970823
85 Richdale Ave U:5
Cambridge, MA:Porter Square 02140
Townhouse GLA 1,252 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Cambridge MA
$825,000 ID# 70983150
62 Upland Road U:1
Cambridge, MA 02140
2/3 Family GLA 1,980 Acres .00 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Porter Square MA
$865,000 ID# 70972407
1 Russell U:400
Cambridge, MA:Porter Square 02140
Hi-Rise GLA 1,668 Baths 2 Half Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Condos in Somerville MA
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Somerville: Spring Hill MA
$349,000 ID# 70973798
210 Summer Street U:1
Somerville, MA:Spring Hill 02143
Low-Rise GLA 912 Acres .15 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Somerville MA
$375,000 ID# 70992006
42 Cedar U:2
Somerville, MA 02143
2/3 Family GLA 845 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Somerville: Davis Square MA
$388,876 ID# 70949876
42 Craigie St U:2
Somerville, MA:Davis Square 02143
2/3 Family GLA 993 Acres .08 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Somerville MA
$468,500 ID# 70861851
59 Craigie St U:2
Somerville, MA 02143
2/3 Family GLA 1,050 Baths 2
Click here for more info
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Somerville MA
$499,000 ID# 70967089
161-163 Elm Street U:1-1A
Somerville, MA 02144
Detached, Other GLA 1,187 Baths 2 Half Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Somerville: Davis Square MA
$539,900 ID# 70990688
60 Burnside Ave U:1
Somerville, MA:Davis Square 02144
2/3 Family GLA 1,018 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Somerville MA
$598,876 ID# 70990668
46 Craigie St U:C
Somerville, MA 02143
Townhouse GLA 1,300 Baths 1 Half Baths 1
Click here for more info
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For help finding your perfect Porter Square home call
Mike at 508-410-3993 or email mikesmahomes@gmail.com

Cambridge MA Condos For Sale - Walkable to Harvard Square MBTA!

Below represent my picks for the most affordable, one bed condos that are walking distance form the Harvard Square MBTA station, on the Red Line T. These properties make ideal purchases for students of Harvard, Harvard Law, Harvard Business School, M.I.T., Lesley, Boston University, Boston College, and more! Harvard Square is also great for professionals who require an easy commute on the T, and within vicinity of the fantastic nightlife and restaurants of Harvard Square. Probably one of the top five most desirable places to live in all of Greater Boston, Harvard Square has been somewhat immune to the difficulties of the national real estate market and has kept its value decently strong. Every fall there is always a large turnover of students and the more land that Harvard University snaps up for themselves, the less residential private property available for the rest of us, which makes these properties hard to come by - and demand is always a wonderful thing when it comes time to resell. Take a look at my sample list below but give me a call at 508-410-3993 or email mikesmahomes@gmail.com if you would like me to help you find the perfect property of any variety in the Harvard Square area. -Mike Laven

Be sure to visit Team Laven's blog dedicated to properties near the T - www.walktombta.com
Homes for sale in Boston Cambridge Somerville Quincy Malden walkable to the MBTA!

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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$229,000 ID# 70996096
1 Dana St U:2
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Courtyard GLA 408 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge MA
$274,900 ID# 70856695
1172 Massachusetts Avenue U:10
Cambridge, MA 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 419 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$279,000 ID# 70960488
1137 Massachusetts Ave U:26
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 384 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$289,900 ID# 70926005
16 Chauncy St U:52
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 419 Acres .00 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Mid Cambridge MA
$319,000 ID# 70986041
10 Dana Street U:207
Cambridge, MA:Mid Cambridge 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 613 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$339,000 ID# 70995822
14 Concord Avenue U:316
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 626 Acres .00 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$359,900 ID# 70892017
16 Chauncy St U:36
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Mid-Rise GLA 612 Acres .00 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$369,000 ID# 70996290
1572 Massachusetts avenue U:54
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Mid-Rise, Courtyard GLA 606 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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Cambridge: Harvard Square MA
$525,000 ID# 70994648
1010 Memorial Drive U:2B
Cambridge, MA:Harvard Square 02138
Hi-Rise GLA 780 Baths 1
Click here for more info
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For help finding your dream home in the Harvard Square area
call Mike at 508-410-3993 or email mikesmahomes@gmail.com

Cambridge Massachusetts Condominium Market Report - Year to Date (10/30/2009)

Please visit Cambridge MA Market Update (YTD-September 30,2009) to view a report for the activity for thefirst three quarters of 2009. To view the market update for single family homes sold visit Cambridge MA Homes Sold.

There were 560 condos sold YTD in Cambridge, MA with an average sales price of $453,975. This reflects a decline of -16% 0f units sold and a drop of -4% for the selling prices. The selling range was a low of $172,500 and a high of $1,639,000. Over 50% of the condos sold were between $300,000 and $500,000.

Virtual Homes Real Estate provides search tools to asist you in learning about the community, listing and market conditions. Click on the following links for your choice of services.

Cambridge MA Real Estate - Community, relocation and school information with town demographics.

Cambridge MA Foreclosures - Obtain a list of foreclosed and bank owned real estate and short sales

Cambridge MA MLS Search - View all listings in the statewide MLS.

Cambridge MA Homes for Sale - Map Search - Search by location, neighborhood and commuting.

This report is based on activity reported from the MLSPin mls system and is not guaranteed to be accurate. It does not represent all of the listings that have sold during the specified time frame.