REALLY want Newton, but not sure we can afford it...other options? (Natick: rentals, house) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

MikePRU · 06-20-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsaycg

@ ogre - I've been looking at Natick per MikePu's recommendation and was pleasantly surprised at what our budget would afford us there. My husband does know the mall there in the area, but he wasn't sure how the school's performed. I'll have to research that a bit. The good thing with the mall there is that the taxes are SO much lower! was really happy to see that! I'll definitely check out Southborough as well...sounds like it has a lot to offer. I'll also check out belmont - haven't heard of it before. thanks!

You could have a VERY lovely house in Natick with the $800K budget you described earlier. The schools are not considered top tier when you compare them to some of the nearby towns like Wellesley, Weston, and Newton which have some of the best schools in the state but they're pretty solid and they're building a new high school in town.

Alternatively, I have a listing I'm putting on the market in a couple of days in Needham. It's on a cul-de-sac, was built in 1997, and has the 4 beds/2.5 baths you wanted for $799K. It's a rare find IMO.

VTLiving · 06-20-2012, 12:20 PM

MikePRU - tell me why this house hasnt been snatched up yet. Whats wrong with it? MLS #71385217 . It seems like something must be wrong if its still active and its $899k. I've been watching places in Needham and Newton just to get an idea and it seems like anyplace (new or old) that doesnt look like its on a main road and is under $1mill gets snatched up in a heartbeat.

MikePRU · 06-20-2012, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTLiving

MikePRU - tell me why this house hasnt been snatched up yet. Whats wrong with it? MLS #71385217 . It seems like something must be wrong if its still active and its $899k. I've been watching places in Needham and Newton just to get an idea and it seems like anyplace (new or old) that doesnt look like its on a main road and is under $1mill gets snatched up in a heartbeat.

Ahhh . . . this house is actually listed with my office. It's a nice house in great shape and very new for a house in Needham under $1M. Stainless steel and granite in the kitchen . . . everything today's buyer is looking for. It's at the end of a cul-de-sac and has a big yard too. Sounds good right? Here are the negatives:

-There's a giant radio tower that looms over the entire street. The tower is in Wellesley a ways away from the street but it's so tall that it's easily visible when looking at the house.

-There's a big graveyard at the top of the street on the opposite side of Cedar St.

I've shown the house to a number of my buyers who've asked about it. A few of them were bothered by the graveyard although most were not. More people by far find the radio tower more offensive.

However, I do believe we have accepted an offer to purchase this property. This is the second offer that's been accepted. The first one fell through after the inspection but the issues were fixed by the owner after the inspection.

brightdoglover · 06-20-2012, 10:57 PM

With that budget, OP could be thrilled with Belmont and its location and proximity to Cambridge/Boston and leafy old houses (although maybe not so big). Please, do check out Belmont.

VTLiving · 06-21-2012, 07:51 AM

Mike - Thanks, that makes sense. I figured there had to be something undesirable that you could see once you went to look at the house. Because online it looked great.

MikePRU · 06-21-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTLiving

Mike - Thanks, that makes sense. I figured there had to be something undesirable that you could see once you went to look at the house. Because online it looked great.

Personally, I'm a big proponent for not hiding a property's "warts." If you won't buy the house because of the radio tower, it makes no sense for me to hide it, have you show up, and my time is wasted plus the homeowner is kicked out of the house. There are certainly people who are willing to make that kind of compromise though. They want to live in a desirable town and they want a big, newer house. To be able to afford that, you have to overlook some things like giant radio towers. It's all factored into the price/value in the end. Personally, I would rather live in less of a house in the same price range than compromise in that way.

ogre · 06-21-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsaycg

@ ogre - I've been looking at Natick per MikePu's recommendation and was pleasantly surprised at what our budget would afford us there. My husband does know the mall there in the area, but he wasn't sure how the school's performed. I'll have to research that a bit. The good thing with the mall there is that the taxes are SO much lower! was really happy to see that! I'll definitely check out Southborough as well...sounds like it has a lot to offer. I'll also check out belmont - haven't heard of it before. thanks!

Based on your earlier descriptions of the kind of neighborhood you'd prefer, if you look seriously at Natick, you'll probably do best to focus on the Natick Center area. Other sections of Natick aren't as good a fit with what you're seeking.

MassVt · 06-21-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

With that budget, OP could be thrilled with Belmont and its location and proximity to Cambridge/Boston and leafy old houses (although maybe not so big). Please, do check out Belmont.

Yes, the OP should really check out Belmont; very nice neighborhoods and great schools, and closer to Cambridge/Boston than the city than Needham...

Newton is more affordable when renting rather than buying...

MovingOn! · 07-03-2012, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePRU

You could have a VERY lovely house in Natick with the $800K budget you described earlier. The schools are not considered top tier when you compare them to some of the nearby towns like Wellesley, Weston, and Newton which have some of the best schools in the state but they're pretty solid and they're building a new high school in town.

Alternatively, I have a listing I'm putting on the market in a couple of days in Needham. It's on a cul-de-sac, was built in 1997, and has the 4 beds/2.5 baths you wanted for $799K. It's a rare find IMO.

Agree with Mike here. Natick is an awesome town and offers the downtown desired. Plus the mall and the surrounding towns. Everything you need including the good schools. If only we could have afforded the house we want in Natick!

lindsaycg · 07-05-2012, 04:59 AM

Thanks again to everyone for all of your helpful suggestions! It's looking like we'll need to be out there quickly - as in by Sept - and I'm getting a bit worried about finding a good preschool for my 4 year old. We will be looking to rent for the 1st year just to get us out there and enable us to really live in / around these areas before buying. I'll definitely check out Belmont, Natick, and Needham based on all of your wonderful recommendations. If by chance anyone has experienced a preschool in any of those towns I would love to know your recommendations as well. I know down here in Westchester preschools book up early so I'm very nervous about finding one that still has room for our daughter.