What's the RE market in Waltham like? (Cambridge, Somerville: homes, buying)

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I saw that all the time in my home search. Lots of homes touting being part of a "good" school district. I wasn't aware that was considered steering though.

Yeah, in many ways I can see how negative statements would be more likely to be steering than positive ones (even if factually correct), but I have no idea how those laws work.

[LexWest]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Many successful professionals also strongly desire good schools for their kids. Look at all the threads on this forum that say "are the schools in [insert name of MA town here] good?" It never fails. Almost every post on here asking about living in the 'burbs brings up the subject of schools.

I should have added my response was more for singles and those without children or which have already raised children, such as in the Original Poster's case. Those not factoring kids would do well in Waltham. Not everyone will want to pay a premium for a school district they don't need.

[rethcir]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Not sure I get the hate on Chelsea, two of my lady friends live in the area of the Pollo Campero and have for several years and really like their condos, esp for what they paid. For a family with the schools, well that's different. It's definitely been gentrifying, albeit slowly. If I didn't need to get to Westborough it would be on my list.

The Most Dangerous Cities to Live in Massachusetts: Study - Marlborough, MA Patch

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Dm84

found this one in Sharon without looking too hard.

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Sharon/49-...7/home/8950411

The only thing I can find in this property description which is even remotely questionable is where it says "gather with the family." I try to avoid any mention of familial status which is a protected class under Fair Housing laws. However, in this instance I believe the word "family" is intended to imply extended family (ex. aunts, uncles, mom, cousins, dad, bro, sis, etc.) as opposed to immediate family which would not fall under the protected class.

Originally Posted by Dm84

This one is much more flagrant:

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Sharon/41-...7/home/8951049

I'm sure someone with more time can find many more.

There's a mention of "family" in this listing as well and like the other one I believe this is intended to refer to extended family and not immediate family. I try to avoid the word all together in my listings just in case.

Another thing that's a little questionable is the phrase "fabulous neighborhood" which is a purely subjective statement and should be avoided.

The statement about the school being "award winning" is a bit questionable. So long as the school has won awards then the agent is in the clear. However, if I were the listing agent I might specify the name of the award so as to avoid any gray area. For example, the first listing stated Sharon was ranked #3 best place to live in the US which alone would not be OK. However, citing the source of Money Magazine removes any gray area about the statement. An agent should never be the source but rather the source of the source.

Originally Posted by robr2

I guess I don't see how those write ups can be considered steering. They don't disparage anything and state only facts that can be implied as steering?

Statements don't have to be disparaging to be discriminatory. If I advertised a 1 bedroom condo as "the perfect size for a single person or a young couple!" that's a positive statement but is quite discriminatory. It discriminates against children by excluding them and it's age discrimination as I've stated a "young" couple. Exclusionary statements are quite discriminatory.

Originally Posted by LexWest

I should have added my response was more for singles and those without children or which have already raised children, such as in the Original Poster's case. Those not factoring kids would do well in Waltham. Not everyone will want to pay a premium for a school district they don't need.

Maybe, maybe not. Everyone wants something different. You can't make the generalization that simply because a person is single or doesn't have children living with them that they would prefer to live in a more urban environment. The OP does, but not everyone does. Other people are obsessed with resale value and will buy in the town with more sought after schools because of it even though it's not their preferred environment.

[LexWest]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Maybe, maybe not. Everyone wants something different. You can't make the generalization that simply because a person is single or doesn't have children living with them that they would prefer to live in a more urban environment. The OP does, but not everyone does. Other people are obsessed with resale value and will buy in the town with more sought after schools because of it even though it's not their preferred environment.

Which why I said, "not everyone." The thread emphasis was about schools as if everyone has the same desire/need and I was merely pointing out there are those who may not desire/need them. Does that mean others in that group may still consider schools? Of course, but clearly Waltham still has a demand of its own; or it would not be a consideration by the OP. Certainly communities with great school districts aren't the only places in demand in Greater Boston. (Woburn comes to mind as being most comparable to Waltham.) Yes, many people factor good schools, but not everyone looking to buy can afford to "choose," when the cost of living is already high. Hence why even average communities become more expensive.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by LexWest

Which why I said, "not everyone." The thread emphasis was about schools as if everyone has the same desire/need and I was merely pointing out there are those who may not desire/need them. Does that mean others in that group may still consider schools? Of course, but clearly Waltham still has a demand of its own; or it would not be a consideration by the OP. Certainly communities with great school districts aren't the only places in demand in Greater Boston. (Woburn comes to mind as being most comparable to Waltham.) Yes, many people factor good schools, but not everyone looking to buy can afford to "choose," when the cost of living is already high. Hence why even average communities become more expensive.

LexWest--I think you've summed it up. Schools are not the driving consideration for us (i.e. not willing to pay the premium), but equally, if we find an area we like for other reasons (convenience, amenities,...), just want to make sure we will be able to easily resell down the road.

Ironically have looked at a few houses in Woburn also, as part of our search.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by rethcir

The Most Dangerous Cities to Live in Massachusetts: Study - Marlborough, MA Patch

Doesn't mean much of anything. Chicago is supposedly a "dangerous" city too. I lived there and many of my friends live there and no one has had any issue whatsoever. Most "danger" is easy to avoid if you're not looking for trouble.

And quite frankly, "dangerous" for Massachusetts is pretty safe for most of the country, just like our bad schools are pretty darn good nationally.

[sal1181]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Yes, and at the same time I could point out numerous listings on MLS that violate those same laws by steering towards certain towns.

DM84 I have sold homes in Lawrence and I don't get into conversations regarding school systems and crime. Buyers these days know right off the bat if a town has good or bad schools. I have also seen many MLS listing with descriptions like sought after schools, best schools and etc and that is also wrong. Agents just need to stick with writing the description of the house and not mention schools, churches, what type of people live in the neighborhood and etc

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by timberline742

And quite frankly, "dangerous" for Massachusetts is pretty safe for most of the country, just like our bad schools are pretty darn good nationally.

I have family in the Atlanta area who live in Alpharetta/John's Creek - districts generally considered top tier in the state of GA. They relish in discussing often overlooked MA districts like Algonquin (Northborough) and absolutely crushed by the "golden" districts like Lex, Acton-Box, Dover-Sherb, etc.

[johngolf]

I was born and raised in Waltham. For a giggle, I recently went looking at home prices there. I was shocked. Over $450K for homes I would not live in. One had two bedrooms on the 1st floor and a half bath on that floor. It had another bedroom upstairs and a full bath. One has to walk upstairs to shower.

Mediocre town, mediocre schools, POS house, and an outrageous price.

I also lived in Andover and considering all things, Andover would be a much wiser buy over Waltham.