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. 

Steve takes a look back at some interesting trends in Arlington over the past few years, and gives his expert perspective on what this all could mean for you in 2019. The single-family, condo and multi-family numbers might surprise you!

Get beyond the usual year-end insights, and hear it from the expert of more than 30 years in this area. 

Take it away, Steve...

The annual family holiday update letter – as timeless and revered as fruitcake itself. Love it (or not) it is a staple of this time of year. Even though so many of our lives are transparent on social media these days, there’s something about a single update about what’s been happening in your life for the past 365 days.

Since The Home Advantage Team is like family, we thought we’d share some of our personal highlights from 2018 - two weddings, a couple of moves, a handful of trips, travels, laughter, and lots of hard work – and just like any family, we have a lot to be grateful for.

A note from Steve: “2018 was a wonderful year for me personally and professionally. Personally, Heidi and I enjoyed our 20th anniversary and we traveled to Switzerland to celebrate. As I have said for years; she’s made me a better person.  We also celebrated our niece, Kristen's wedding and the entire family has reason to celebrate as our nephew’s 6-month old son has completed chemotherapy and is doing fabulous. Professionally, for the 30th consecutive year my team and I are the # 1 real estate team in Arlington and the surrounding towns. Our commitment to our clients is unparalleled and our dedication to their success has been, and continues to be, our main goal.”

From our family to yours, best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year in 2019!

Steve rang in the New Year from his favorite spot in Miami.

Erika enjoyed the happiest place on earth (according to Mickey).

Annie believes that a Red Sox World Series win makes for a happy New Year indeed!

Tracy enjoyed visiting her daughter Mia at college and watching her play D1 tennis.

Mike closed a pretty big deal this fall.

Mitzi was a proud mother of the groom at Mike’s wedding.

Kristen applied her transaction skills to tie the knot this summer.

Donna gathered for an annual family Christmas celebration - even Santa is her cousin!

Carolyn made a big move back to the Greater Boston area.

As in, a year full of events. Part of what makes The Home Advantage Team exceptional is our commitment to serving both clients and the community. We make an effort to pay it forward by giving back. By ‘doing’ and donating. Earlier this month Steve McKenna & The Home Advantage Team contributed $10,000 to community organizations including $2,000 each to The Arlington Boys & Girls Club, Arlington EATS, The Arlington Food Pantry, and Arlington Fuel Assistance.

We also give back by giving our time and creating opportunities to bring clients together –whether it is to inform (like the Arlington Home Show) or just for fun (like a private viewing of the Grinch). It’s our way of providing that extra something special for you.

These are just some of the events organized and hosted by the team in 2018. We have more on the horizon for 2019 so be sure to check in with us or sign up to our website to be sure you get the latest updates! 

 

The Home Advantage Team Holiday Party, Monday, December 10th, The Tuscan Grill, Burlington

Santa Paws Came(Back) to Town! Sat., December 1st, Thorndike Field Dog Park East Arlington

Private Showing of The Grinch, Saturday, November 10th, AMC Movie Theater, Somerville

Tailgate Open House, Saturday, September 29th, (658 Summer Street, Arlington)

The Arlington Home Show, Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The Arlington Home Stroll, Sunday, January 28th, Common Ground, Arlington

We had a great time at Santa Paws 2018 at the Thorndike Field Dog Park and we hope you did too! The event raised almost $700 for the continuing maintenance of the park. We captured some of these adorable pooches and their people, as well as some of the funnier outtakes. For the full album jump over to our Facebook page. See you next year, at the dog park!

Santa Paws 2018

Santa Paws Outtakes

ALL BIDS DUE JANUARY 8, 2019. Attention all Investors! 1033 Mass Ave is a rare opportunity to acquire a 12 unit multifamily brick building consisting of 11 - 2 bedroom units and 1 -1 bedroom unit. The building was constructed in 1965 and is being offered for sale by the original owners. The units consist of living room, eating area, kitchen, full bath and bedroom(s). Apartments have been refreshed as tenants turn over. The building consists of 3 living levels. There is in-building coin operated laundry and parking for 12 cars. The property is located in Brattle Square between Arlington Center & Arlington Heights on the MBTA Bus Route. The property provides easy access to Cambridge and Boston via public transportation is located one block to the Minuteman Bicycle Path. Arlington is a vibrant community six miles northwest of Boston and approximately 4 miles to Harvard Square. Please contact the listing agent for marketing package and showing instructions.

See more on 1033 Mass. Ave., Arlington.