Category Archives: Blog Posts
Great WGBH Video of the History of the South End
WGBH Video of the South End
If you live in the South End or live in Boston, you should watch this video. This was a documentary that was aired by WGBH in 1995. It gives great insight into how the South End used to be and what type of neighborhood it was. A few years ago, I walked through the building Allan Rohan Crite (interviewed) used to own. After he passed, It was on the market for sale and it was a total gut job and the place was in really bad shape. There were a few remnants of his work left in the old run down building, but at the time, I really didn’t have much appreciation for what I was walking through. Now the building is worth millions and has a plaque on it that recognizes the artists contribution to the community. I now imagine how many other buildings have such an amazing history and the stories that are not as public. What a great area.
Amazing Listing on Walnut Street in Beacon Hill
25 Walnut Street (Beacon Hill)
Furnished Rental
$8000 / Month
June 1st
The “Man Vault” 25 Walnut Street (Beacon Hill)
Furnished One of a kind Duplex just steps away from Boston Common. This is a large 2 bedroom with Office and brick vaulted media room. There is a formal dining area, large formal living room. Both bedrooms are large and the master has its own en-suite bath. Other features are 3 working fireplaces, storage closet, wine closet, private patio and private entrance. The furniture is as good as it gets. Pets Possible.
My New Favorite Room.. The “Man Vault” in Beacon Hill
This is a photo I took of a new listing I have coming on for rent (more details later). I am pretty much over the term “man cave” so I am calling this the “man vault”. I love it! It’s so gothically dark and awesome. I want it.
The “Man Vault” 25 Walnut Street (Beacon Hill)
More Details to Follow.
Is Block Avenue the Best New Real Estate Tool?
Blockavenue.com
It’s been a while since i have said “thats a good idea” when it comes to real estate related websites. Blockavenue.com was one of those new sites that I think has potential to play a large role in the online real estate experience. Block Avenue is a newly launched website based in Cambridge and it has the potential to provide buyers and renters with valuable neighborhood information
I wish I could come up with a more unique description other than it’s like a “Yelp for neighborhoods,” but that is the best way to describe it. Like Yelp, you can pick places, comment on it and rate it. Block Avenue is the same, but you pick a block or location and rank it from A-F and write a decription what you think about the block and the area. You can also comment on other reviews and agree or disagree with them as well. It also has restaurants and businesses that you can comment on (just like yelp and foursquare) and they actually syndicate those reviews in addition to the unique reviews on Block Avenue.
This is a great resource for people moving into a city for the first time and don’t know much about the neighborhoods. There are some pretty candid reviews on this site as well (which are usually the most helpful). As a real estate agent, legally, we can’t say whether something is safe or not. We get the question all the time and sometimes agents will just babble a canned response about why we can’t answer that question. Regardless or the presentation of why or why not, most buyers and renters are not satisfied with the answer. This is why I think this is a great tool for consumers looking at specific locations. Now a possible response can include referring consumers to this site to helpfully assist them in their inquiry. The site also indicates location of sex offenders and crimes committed so it has the potential to be a 1 stop shop for all things location based. It also has the potential to answer all the subjective questions we are not able to comment on in this business.
The site is still relatively new and is constantly updating its interface and adding new “block reviews,” so I am sure the site is going to be chock full of new information in months to come (especially when they launch the mobile application). Check the site out and I would be interested to see if you agree with me.
Start Posting!
You can check out my personal Block Ave Profile Here.
Block Reviews View
Block Grade View and Neighborhood Info
Here are a few other articles/reviews on the site.
Xconomy
Boston.com
Agent Caffeine
BostonInno
Boston Business Journal
Inman News
Just Sold… 2 Lyndeboro Place in Bay Village
Today my buyers closed on a small Single Family home tucked away in Bay Village. To be brutally honest, I never knew this location ever existed. Lyndeboro place (the road) is really just a few parking spaces that lead to a private 4 single family enclave. if you’ve driven by Charles Street South a million times, I bet you never even knew these homes were there.
I’m really excited for my clients. we were originally looking for condo’s and this was a really nice “condo alternative” and actually was a little less expensive than what they were originally looking for. The other nice thing about a little single family like this, is there isn’t any condo fee!
Here are the stats accoriding to the MLS listing:
1263sf $869,000
“Federal style Single Family located on a tiny brick way in one of Boston’s best kept secret neighborhoods, Bay Village. This home is an ideal alternative to condo living. Conveniently located, close to all the city has to offer and features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Newer kitchen with granite counter, stainless appliances, gas cooking, breakfast bar and a small seating area. Flexible floor plan and large enclosed deck on 3rd floor. 3 fireplaces, central air, gas cooking & parking for 1 car.”
It’s been a totally crazy buyers market out there and the Spring is going to be the same. If you are planning on purchasing this spring/summer, be aware, be prepared and be educated.
Video for Beacon Hill Business Association
Beacon Hill Video
Here is a decent video that shows off some of Beacon Hills greates features. It a video done by Nashua Video Tours and it is to promote the Beacon Hill Business Association According to their website, this is their description:
“Who We Are
The Beacon Hill Business Association (BHBA) is a not for profit organization of more than 150 businesses on Charles Street, Cambridge Street and along the side streets of historic Beacon Hill in the center of Boston. BHBA community activities include the Harvest Moon party, the Holiday Stroll, Bi-annual Cleanup Days, Taste of Beacon Hill, Sidewalk Sales, Window Decorating contests, support of Halloween festivities, networking events and crime watch activities.”
Beacon Hill is a great neighborhood and this video (although a little dated already)gives a good insight to the history and the community that so many people love.
Cinder Block Throwing Robot…Boston Dynamics
Reason #4034 why I like Boston. We have businesses that build robot dogs that throw cinder blocks. And yes, this frightens me. The business is actually in Waltham, but since they have Boston in their name, we can claim them as local.
Boston History Video…Boston Molasses Disaster
Here is a clip I found about Boston’s Molasses Disaster. Thought i’d put it up on my blog because it’s a pretty interesting story and a good clip.
Enjoy.
Getting Spring Fever….Legal Harborside Here I Come!!
Today I was reminded that this weekend is daylight savings. What does this mean for me? It means Spring fever….BAD! I can’t wait for longer days, warmer days, and the Seaport District. I am an absolute fan of the Seaport District and the development over there has been amazing. Like many Bostonians, I don’t step foot in this area for about 6 months of the year. It’s a location that I incorporate it with warmth, water and Spring/Summer. Here is a clip from Phantom Gourmet to get your Spring Fever going too.
Press Release For Air Rights Development over I-90
Here is the link to the press release by the DOT today. This is going to change this area drastically. I think it has the potential to be pretty amazing.
Quoted Below:
“MassDOT Designates Developer for Interstate 90 Air Rights Parcels 12 & 15
ADG Scotia Chosen to Develop Key Back Bay Parcels
BOSTON – Monday, March 4, 2013- Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey today announced that ADG Scotia II LLC has been designated as the developer of Air Rights Parcels 12 and 15, located above and along Interstate 90 at the intersection of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue in Boston’s Back Bay. ADG Scotia is a joint venture of two Boston-area developers – Samuels and Associates and Weiner Ventures.
The ADG Scotia proposal will cover two open air rights parcels in the Back Bay. On Parcel 15, a 400-foot high-rise hotel and residential building will be set back from Boylston Street, with a low-rise retail building along the street. On Parcel 12, a mid-rise residential building will be located on Boylston Street and a two-floor retail building will cross the Turnpike along Massachusetts Avenue. The $360-million project will create a total of 230 residential units, a 270-room hotel, and 50,000 square feet of retail space.
“We believe the ADG Scotia proposal provides the best overall value and long-term benefit to the City of Boston by transforming this critical Back Bay intersection along the Turnpike,” said Secretary Davey. “The proposal’s rent offer also provides the best financial benefits to the citizens of the Commonwealth. I want to thank the Boston Redevelopment Authority and an engaged Citizens Advisory Committee for their diligent work and assistance in making this important decision.”
The 99-year lease agreement with ADG Scotia covering Parcels 12 and 15 will provide to the Commonwealth a present value of $18.5 million in rent for the two parcels in the form of fixed payments early in the lease period combined with annual rent payments.
The criteria used in making the decision included: the proposed land use and project design; community benefits; community and City input; and the developer’s financial proposal, capacity, and experience.
The decision was made following a deliberate, thorough, and transparent process with significant involvement by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and a Citizens Advisory Committee, as well as members of the general public and Back Bay neighborhood. The process began in 2008 but was put on hold during the financial crisis and restarted in 2011.
The designation of ADG Scotia is now subject to negotiation and execution of development agreements and leases with MassDOT. ADG Scotia will pursue project permitting and design review.
For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.
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This is the official document sent out. PARCELS 12-15 – News Release – 2013-03-04
Here are the specs according to the story in The Boston Globe