Thoughts on this house in Newton for sale

[timberline742]

Why wouldn't you just let the potential buyers worry about that? I think 99% of home buyers go through positive and negative lists when making choices.

Still weird.

[495neighbor]

Interior looks lovely and generally speaking priced right for Newton. Although I would consider location more part of Nonantum than Newtonville. Anything within a block or two of Washington Street (route 16) is heavily travelled. (I was in the area yesterday.)

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Why wouldn't you just let the potential buyers worry about that? I think 99% of home buyers go through positive and negative lists when making choices.

Still weird.

X 1000.

I think there would be much better/more effective/easier ways to gather info on a house. (Like finding a good realtor.)

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

not the listing agent or have any information on the house at all (I haven't even bothered to drive past).
trying to find negative and positive issues on the house so future home buyers can make informed decisions.

When I was looking for houses, these kinds of small critiques on houses can help a buyer understand things to look for in houses + locations. Its hard to trust a broker for this information, far too rosy (they just want the commission)

For example
negatives:
- how is this area in general. Negatives. Someone already mentioned its cut-through street
- Crafts/North is a busy intersection. this house is 2 houses away from the intersection. Noise or pollution issues
- the backyard has a large slope. Issues of water in the backyard?
- is a 1940 house 'generally' worse than a 1920's house as its about 1-2 years into the war. (materials quality, builders being drafted so less skilled labor)
- is not top-prime Newton location (eg waban, newton center), so is it overpriced?
- the construction of the orr block could cause traffic issues for the next 2 years


positives:
- can walk to elementary, middle and bike to Newton North
- if the Orr Block is built as suggested. It could be a 'nice and modern' and bustling downtown area less than 1 mile walk.
- Express bus only 1 block away, but only runs in rush hours. Has a high chance of being cancelled in the future due to low ridership and cutbacks
- if express doesn't work, your only option is to walk 15-20 mins to the Newtonville commuter rail or express stops in the village.

Ok, the MLS list is very long and we could do this all day. Unless you have some interest in currently purchasing real estate, I don't think we need random listings posted.

[bugelrex]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Ok, the MLS list is very long and we could do this all day. Unless you have some interest in currently purchasing real estate, I don't think we need random listings posted.

I really don't see the harm in sharing opinions on various houses, if no one is interested the thread will just die. Its not like I'm flooding the forum with MLS listings

And by the way, the only people I see 'objecting' to such 'house reviews' would be realtors, they hate the 'sharing of information'

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

I really don't see the harm in sharing opinions on various houses, if no one is interested the thread will just die. Its not like I'm flooding the forum with MLS listings

And by the way, the only people I see 'objecting' to such 'house reviews' would be realtors, they hate the 'sharing of information'

I don't see the point. It seems like it would clog up the forum. You can see discussions of particular homes over on the real estate section of C-D. I disagree that realtors "hate the 'sharing of information.'"

I'm not a realtor, nor am I connected in any way to the real estate industry.

And it's kind of annoying to answer a question under false pretenses. People like to help people. So when people come to this forum genuinely seeking information, people like trying to inform them. But this? Just picking a random house and discussing it? It seems totally pointless. I don't see how that would be of much help to anyone.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

I really don't see the harm in sharing opinions on various houses, if no one is interested the thread will just die. Its not like I'm flooding the forum with MLS listings

And by the way, the only people I see 'objecting' to such 'house reviews' would be realtors, they hate the 'sharing of information'

Well, I'm not a realtor. I'm actually in the market. I don't see the point. If I have an opinion on specific property or neighborhood, I'll ask. I have done so before and will do so again.

I assumed initially you were interested in purchasing this house. It doesn't make sense now that I know you aren't.

[CaseyB]

bugelrex, I think we all assumed you were serious and wanted advice. Most of the people here are helpful and enjoy sharing their opinions, but please don't take advantage of that by posting random RE listings for us to critique.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

. . . so newcomers don't have to rely on 'realtor-talk'

Originally Posted by bugelrex

Its hard to trust a broker for this information, far too rosy (they just want the commission)

Originally Posted by bugelrex

And by the way, the only people I see 'objecting' to such 'house reviews' would be realtors, they hate the 'sharing of information'

Ouch! A lot of anti-Realtor sentiment in your posts. Having dealt with many Newton based agents over the years, I can certainly understand the origins of your attitude. There are some real doozies in that town.

Regardless, not all real estate agents are the same nor are they created equal. There's no need or cause to paint with such a broad brush.

Originally Posted by bugelrex

trying to find negative and positive issues on the house so future home buyers can make informed decisions.

So . . . you started this thread to discuss a house in hopes that some potential buyer may come across it? I agree with everyone else. I thought you started this thread to ask for yourself and I'm puzzled by your motives.

[bugelrex]

The motive was simply this:

In Newton in particular, there are maybe 10-15 'bargain' listings where the price/condition look favorable. At initial glance, this looks like such a listing. It would be interesting to discuss what potential negatives/positive issues for these kinds of listings, ie future home buyers can get better idea of things to look for (instead of only relying on finding a 'good' realtors)

however, it looks like this is the wrong forum and best suited to Zillow or redfin forums...