Assessing the Local Real Estate Market

So what do you think, is the real estate market on an upswing? According to a recent article appearing in The Boston Globe, many local real estate buyers are finding it pretty hard to find a decently-priced, quality home in a good location. And when they do, it either gets sold instantly or several buyers [...]

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Looking but Not Buying…Yet

Last year this time, the internet was awash with stories about bus tours of Chinese investors, looking to score big in the flailing American real estate market.
So what has come of all those bus tours? According to the New York TImes, nothing.
“So far at least, the Chinese have mostly been what the agents call Lookie [...]

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Italian Music and Art for the Homesick

Homesick Italian transplants may have difficulty finding palatable fresh mozzarella or tomato sauce without added sugar, but this month and next, there is no difficulty finding plenty of good Italian music and art around town.
If you’re in the mood for Italian art, visit the Italian consulate in Boston, where the exhibit “Italian Lessons” continues until January 18, [...]

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Is Buying in Dorchester A Good Investment?

Dorchester is Boston’s largest neighborhood. It also happens to be where the bargains are right now. For example, during the boom years, Dorchester triple-decker condo units routinely sold for more than $300,000. Today, the median condo price in Dorchester has dropped to just $110,000. Prices have crashed because more sub-prime loans were given out in this [...]

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East Boston Redux: Is East Boston Really the Next Big Thing?

We try to keep an open mind at Mondoboston, and because we’ve heard a lot about East Boston as the new up-and-coming real estate refuge, we decided to take a look for ourselves. Recently, we visited four open houses featuring both condos and single-family East Boston homes for $300,000 or less. Admittedly, our price point [...]

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Fenway Emerges from its Cocoon

It’s heartening to hear about proposed changes for the Fenway neighborhood. For years we’ve walked past the parking lots, gas stations, tire centers and fast-food restaurants and felt a loss….the loss of a lively, entertaining and convenient streetscape that actually adds something to the city. The stretch of Boylston Street in the Fenway, instead feels like [...]

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Longwood Towers on the Auction Block

Here’s good news for condo buyers: 40 units in the Longwood Towers, a 1920s condo complex in Brookline located near the Longwood Medical area, will be auctioned off on April 4.  Minimum bids start at $199,000 for studio apartments, $335,000 for two-bedrooms, and $860,000 for three-bedrooms. The Tudor-style building has a concierge, a doorman, and views of downtown Boston [...]

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Affordable City Condos — In Brookline for $200K!

So you want to live near the city in a pleasant urban environment, where you can find shops and restaurants  within easy walking distance. You don’t want to live miles from downtown or far from Boston’s universities and medical centers. You want the feel of the city, yet, you can’t afford the Back Bay or South End.
Where do [...]

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Back Bay’s Best Bargains

In the Back Bay, a parking space might go for $200K.
 So imagine our surprise at finding several condos in this neighborhood at parking-space prices.
 Admittedly, at this price range, a condo is usually tiny (like about 300 square feet or no larger than 30 square meters) but at least you’ve got a great convenient location. Back [...]

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Bargain Condos in the South End

The South End is known for great restaurants, a thriving artistic scene and cool shops and boutiques. What it is NOT known for is affordable housing. In this part of town, you can be hard-pressed to find anything decent for less than $500,000.
That’s why it was a bit of a shocker to find several condos [...]

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