What's up with Ash St. in Hampden? (low income, short sale)

[eav1221]

Ok, so the house I like is on Ash st...just up from Woodberry Kitchen. It seems like a nice street with old stone homes, has lots of character, and a working class feel. Am I wrong in my assumption that this is a good street? I put an offer on a house there, but it's pending. I really like the house and Hampden in general. It'd be my first house...I'm a 35 year old swf. not that that matters. but just as a fyi.

[KLynch10]

It's right near the two nicest new developments in Hampden which are Clipper Mill and Union Mill, so obviously it is an area with some nice stuff. I've never lived in Hampden, but I've always liked the way the neighborhood shows down that hill West of Falls, than the rest of the neighborhood. Pretty homes, with some landscaping in front, and less junk on the front porches.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

I think the poster who got you scared about Ash St was thinking about the way it was many years ago. It's a good location in my opinion.

[eav1221]

Thanks. I didn't see anything really negative myself. I really liked the houses and the feel of the street. The only thing was the proximity to I83 which I'm sure can't be too good for one's health living near a highway...but whatever. The chemicals they pump into our food isn't good for us either, so I'm accepting the proximity to 83. Didn't see much crime there, either. So all's a go.

[upinflamezzz]

No, it's not a good location. It's Ash Street. Close to Baldwin Street, which is the worst street in Hampden. If those two streets were on a Hampden Monopoly board Ash Street would be Mediterranean Avenue and Baldwin Street would be Baltic Avenue. If you're looking for a good area you need to move north of the Avenue (36th Street). Or you could move to Medfield or down by Tudor Arms. As long as it's not Ash Street. There's a reason there's a big hill leading down to it, because it's a sh*thole. Those property values will only go down!

[eav1221]

dang. I didn't see it. crime was non existent on the crime map too. the house is awesome. guess to each his own. Im wondering why you say it's a ****hole? is it trashy neighbors? crime? or just a lower income area?

[upinflamezzz]

It's a low income area. My father and his family grew up down there. The house that you're buying is being flipped for sure or already was to the person who couldn't pay the mortgage, hence the short sale. The guy who flipped it probably got it for next to nothing. I'm betting that everything is basic in the house. New, but basic. I know Baldwin and Ash Streets very well. Here's a list of houses that have sold in the last 3 years:

Transfer Date Account Identifier Street Location Sale Price Liber/Folio
01/14/2012 13 03 3518A 026 3626 ASH ST 56000 13988 / 0308
12/31/2011 13 03 3518C 050 3515 ASH ST 60000 13950 / 0252
10/15/2011 13 03 3518C 052 3519 ASH ST 7500 13800 / 0038
09/22/2011 13 03 3518B 047 3669 ASH ST 189000 13756 / 0272
09/27/2010 13 03 3518B 050 3683 ASH ST 0 12958 / 00086
09/27/2010 13 03 3518B 050 3683 ASH ST 0 04658 / 00245
08/23/2010 13 03 3518A 026 3626 ASH ST 144689 12876 / 00371
05/14/2010 13 03 3518B 038 3629 ASH ST 0 12626 / 00285
12/07/2009 13 03 3525B 001E 3441 ASH ST 215000 12237 / 00325
12/04/2009 13 03 3518C 047 3509 ASH ST 524991 12231 / 00053
11/16/2009 13 03 3518B 051 3685 ASH ST 159900 12184 / 00193
09/23/2009 13 03 3518C 044 3503 ASH ST 184000 12030 / 00305
09/10/2009 13 03 3518A 005 3426 ASH ST 54000 11998 / 00136
04/14/2009 13 03 3518A 039 3680 ASH ST 126900 11556 / 00024
03/24/2009 13 03 3518C 050 3515 ASH ST 70000 11491 / 00437

I suggested some nice areas to you. Medfield, North of 36th Street, or the 3700 block + of Keswick, Beech or Tudor Arms. When the real estate market was booming investors were flipping every thing regardless of the area. Even lower Keswick Rd. I flipped a house down there as well and now everyone has negative equity. You tell me the address and I'll tell you if it's decent or not. I'm guessing you're thinking of buying down by the Grey Goose and the Bottom. My friend used to own that bar then it became Flips, then folded. Why?, because it's not a desirable area. If you tell me how much you're looking to spend I'll look on realtor.com and give you some suggestions. I'm not a realtor and there's nothing in it for me besides helping someone out. Good luck.

[eav1221]

3677 Ash Street. Thanks for the info. The house is pretty cool inside. Has a huge back yard. new deck. etc. they are asking 124, so I offered 110K. that's about my price range. <130 definitely.

[upinflamezzz]

O.K. Remember, I'm here to give you my opinion. I thought it maybe that house. It's been on the market a long time. I was right it has been flipped. It sold in 2000 for a mere $19,650. Then someone bought it in 2008 for $190,000. I can't believe someone would pay that much for a house on Ash Street. I refuse to accept it. I'm sure the house is nice inside, but like I said, it's in the wrong area. Flippers have been trying to do the same thing with houses on Miles Avenue. Another trashy street. I would retract my offer right now if I were you. Here are the houses I would persue.

1407 Medfield Avenue. 129K 3 bedroom 1 bath. It's a quiet and nice neighborhood. I know this because I live here. Drive up and take a look. Less than a half a mile than the house on Ash. You'll notice the difference in the neighborhoods. You won't be thanking me on Halloween though when there's literally thousands of trick or treaters. This will not happen on Ash.

1406 Weldon Place South. 105.9K Again, in a fairly decent area. Medfield.
4403 Clydesdale Avenue. 130K. Really nice single family home street. Medfield Interior needs work.
1206 West 41st Street.

If you're thinking about Ash you might as well look at 1408 Dellwood for $69.9K You could spend that extra money fixing things you don't like.

Anyhow take your phone, activate the GPS and you can look at all these in 20 minutes. The first one on Medfield Ave is the one I would buy. Many, many, many single women up here. My neighbor is a teacher at Kennedy Kreiger. I see you are friends with MedfieldBum. He'll reassure you that these are good buys. I didn't really see any good buys in your price range in Hampden. Again these are the homes I would choose. Good luck!

[eav1221]

Thanks very much! I appreciate all the tips. I'll check them out.