The idea of owning your own home is a dream shared by many, but the thought of starting the process might make you feel very alone. Where do you even begin?? How do you really know you’ve found a home that checks all the boxes, but is also in line with your checkbook?

As the #1 real estate team in Arlington for more than 30 years, we’ve helped more home buyers and sellers than any other team around. We get you started on the path to homeownership and we stick with you from initial search to final signing.

We personalize the buying process for you, and customize a strategy that fits your style, your budget, your timing and everything in between.

Don’t be afraid to dream big when it comes to finding just the right home, but make sure you’ve got a skilled, local team to help you every step of the way!

 

Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks until spring, but the spring real estate market is heating up early! We have this fantastic move-in ready townhome at 11 Bow Street in Arlington to prove our point. But don't take our word for it, see what the seller has to say about this home:

Top 10 Reasons I love 11 Bow St

1. Great location!  Walking distance to bike path, restaurants, Ed Burns Arena/Skating Rink, Peirce Elementary, Middle school and High school to name a few!

2. Quiet living community with friendly neighbors.  There is a social event to get to know everyone in Village Heights each year!

3. Watching nighttime baseball games across the street under the lights in the summer.

4. Sitting on my patio reading a book and drinking my coffee.

5. Tons of natural sunlight to brighten up my day!

6. Responsive property management to assist when issues arise.

7. Low heating and electricity bills.

8. Snow is shoveled and removed up to the front door!

9. Walking my dog across the street so he can run around the field with all of his 4-legged friends. 

10. Beautiful flowers and trees surrounding the property that bloom in the springtime and summer months.

What's not to love?! Join us at the open house, Friday, 2/8, Saturday 2/9, and Sunday 2/10 from 11:30am - 1:00pm. For more information on this listing visit:

11 Bow Street, Arlington 

Tired of looking at 'fixer-upper'-type homes? Then you will love this move-in ready townhome in Arlington's Village Heights. You can settle right into this 2-level, 2+-bed, 1-bath oversized corner unit and skip the hassle of major updates! The kitchen is fully updated with S/S appliances, granite, beautiful maple cabinets w/ built-in wine storage, and opens to a bright & sunny dining area and spacious living room. Open the French doors and enjoy your morning coffee on your lovely private patio! Upstairs are 2 good-sized bedrooms, full bath and a third room that can be an additional bed, office, or playroom. There are hardwood floors throughout, newer roof, heating system, updated windows, and 2 deeded parking spots. Situated near the Minuteman Bikeway and Mass. Ave. public transportation, you are less than a mile to Arlington Heights, Peirce, Ottoson and the High School! This is a fantastic opportunity to live in the heart of Arlington and enjoy all the community has to offer!

The law office of Timothy J. Van Der Veen, Esq. will conduct a workshop for Arlington residents who are considering the transfer or sale of their property in the next 12 months. The workshop will be held at the Robbins Library and is geared towards owners who haven’t sold in at least 10 years.

The event will cover recent changes in the law and other trends affecting local real estate transactions in the past year.

A panel of industry experts including, Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team of BOWES Real Estate, Thea Simolari of Mortgage Network, and Walter Abbott of Abbott & Associates, CPA will cover topics such as:

• Will you owe capital gains tax if you sell?
• Selling or transferring a property held in trust or if an owner is deceased
• Flood insurance: Are you impacted by recent changes in the flood maps?
• Formula to calculate your net sale proceeds to within $1,000
• Importance of conducting a preliminary title review
• State sales tax and other forgotten closing costs
• Strategies for simultaneously selling and buying in a low inventory market
• Pros and cons of For Sale By Owner
• Pre-sale repair & improvement strategies (update or leave alone?)
• Can you buy before you sell? Bridge loans and other financing option in carrying 2 properties

The workshop will be held at the Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476 on Monday, February 25^th, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. The workshop is FREE for all Arlington residents. However, space is limited and registration is mandatory. We hope to see you there!

TO REGISTER (or for more information)

Please email: Christina@timvanderveenlaw.com or call 781-829-2003.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 18th

This is NOT a solicitation for legal services pursuant to Rule 7.3 of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct

The Frank W. Wunderlich House (c1895) is a Colonial Revival Craftsman optimizing the grandness and stature of homes built during the end of the 19th century. Located on an impressive corner lot in Jason Heights and steps to Menotomy Rocks Park, this prominent home has been lovingly maintained & updated by the current owners ensuring the original craftsmanship & integrity were not altered. The impressive foyer is gracious & inviting as you enter the home & from there you appreciate the original detail and scale of each room. The living room is spacious and bright with custom built-ins and glorious fireplace. The dining room is formal in size, yet comfortable. It is adjacent to the butler's pantry and the oversized kitchen, which is a perfect place to cook and entertain. The kitchen overlooks the magnificent rear yard & gardens. There is also a private den/sitting room for family time. There are so many wonderful details to see & rooms to explore that make this exquisite home a must see!

5 Lincoln Street, Arlington  (see the full listing)

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday 1/26 11:30am - 1:30pm, Sunday 1/27 11:30am - 1:30pm

Listed at: $1,495,000

 

Have you been thinking…

• My property taxes are too high and are going up
• My home is too big for me
• I need to know the value of my home

Selling your home is personal.

My team and I can explain the current real estate market, help you understand the value of your home, and guide you through the home selling process. 

Contact us when it’s right for you!

Sometimes the MLS listing information just doesn't convey the spirit of a home. There's more than just beds, baths and square footage - there are things you just wouldn't know unless you've lived there. Which is what this seller wants you to know - how special this home is and why any buyer would love it just as much as they have. 

Is 9 Sharon Street in Medford right for you? Here are 10 reasons why it might be: 

(OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, January 19th 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

1)  Location, location, location!  West Medford is very convenient to downtown by commuter rail and to the greater Boston area as a whole.  There is space, peace and quiet, but you're still very much in the middle of it all!

2)  The living room is the heart of our home, with so much space to fit all friends and family at the same time.  Coupled with the open kitchen and dining room, this house creates a unique way to entertain large groups quite easily.

3) Natural sunlight shines in through the Sherman Street side of the house all morning and afternoon.  My cacti and succulents love it too and thrive outside on the deck in the warm weather!

4) Dogs and children alike never get tired of the large backyard with the high privacy fence so they can run around and play safely, or just relax quietly in a hammock on the large deck which is also great for entertaining.  If you want to venture out, the neighborhood has a playground with tennis and basketball courts, and the Mystic Lakes around the corner provide a great 5.5 mile walking or running loop!  We love to look for the bald eagles perched on trees around the lake.

5) The backyard also provides great enjoyment for adults with a green thumb.  While the plants are dormant now, the spring and summer bring blooms to the roses, rhododendron, daylilies, yukkas, iris, hibiscus, hosta, lavender, chives, tall grasses, and so many more little wonders!

6)  The neighbors around all sides of 9 Sharon are so lovely and welcoming!  Need a jump start to your car, secure a package that was delivered, or someone to give an extra key to in case of an emergency?  This is that type of neighborhood!

7) The master suite - oh my!  The attention to detail in the oversized bathroom and the tranquility of the bedroom have created a special space to be able to retreat to and come back refreshed.  It only takes one shower in the bathroom to never want to leave!

8) Storage, storage, storage!  There is no shortage of storage in this house.

9)  Love your cars like we do?  The two-car attached garage is so helpful to keep your car in great shape, an excellent driveway for car washes, and it is easy to bring in groceries without stepping in the rain! 

10)  This house just feels special to us.  It is unique, in a wonderfully convenient location that has so many beautifully functional features that you don't expect until you walk through it.  We fell in love when we first saw it and we hope you feel the same way!

A lot can change over the course of 10 years - people were still using MySpace, selfies were not a thing and neither was binge watching on Netflix (how did people live??). But it is comforting to know that some things don't change, and Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team were selling houses and making real estate dreams come true just as they do today.

The Home Advantage Team has evolved into a team of nine and remains the most successful real estate team in Arlington for the last 30 years (luckily there's no #30yearchallenge - yet).

Here are Steve, Erika, Mitzi and Donna from 10 years ago and today, and like a fine wine, have only gotten better with time.

Challenge us to help you buy or sell your home in 2019!

Looking for a first-hand account of what it's like to work with us? See what some recent clients have been saying about buying and selling a home with Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team.

*excerpts from Steve’s video assessment given on 1/3. Click to view his full overview.

This side-by-side comparison of Arlington home sales from 2017 to 2018 sheds light on some expected (and not-so-expected) information.

While we are still experiencing a lack of inventory in the area, the market does seem to be stabilizing. It appears that home values have reached their ceiling and buyers are gaining some leverage – they are willing to wait a little longer and are more reluctant to engage in bidding wars.

The number of single-family home sales from 2017 to 2018 stayed consistent while the average single-family home price rose significantly by 12%.

The number of condo homes sold was also fairly steady rising from 234 sales to 245, with prices rising about 7%.

Multi-family home sales proved interesting – there are fewer available multi-family homes on the market because so many have been converted into condos. The number of multi-family homes went from 37 to 53 with the sale price rising from $902,000 to $1,004,000 - a noteworthy jump.

If you are thinking of selling in today’s market, it is important to be informed and plan ahead. We would be happy to provide additional information and insights into these market trends for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

info@yourhomeforsale.com

781-645-0505

 

You can imagine what it takes to fly an aircraft 18 inches apart going upwards of 700 miles an hour. Precision is essential, and achieving that level of expertise doesn’t happen overnight.

Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master of your field. Maybe a little more if you are a pilot for the Blue Angels, and it certainly there are no short cuts when it comes to being an expert in real estate.

There is no ‘fake it till you make it.’ Fake it and you will be found out. And in order to make it, you need more than just the word REALTOR® after your name.

Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team have been the number one team in Arlington for more than 30 years. And with that comes the ability to anticipate, plan, organize and successfully close more transactions than anyone else in town.

So what does precision teamwork look like in real estate?

It means:

• Your phone calls and emails are always promptly returned
• You are always up-to-date on the status of your transactions
• Every member of the team is operating in sync
• No balls are dropped
• Your confidence in us only goes up
• No question is ever ‘dumb’ (and every question gets answered)
• Negotiations skill that come from having been through it before
• Connections to only the best, vetted vendors, contractors, partners in town
• Knowing how to price and market a home effectively

If these look like important qualities to have in your real estate team then give us a call. With thousands of homes bought and sold and all the knowledge and expertise that come with that, you can rest easy when you put your home in our hands.