2022 Real Estate Observations (Billerica, Chelmsford, Needham: co-ops, assessment, gardening)

[thinkingotherthings]

Originally Posted by robr2

It would probably be $2.5+ half a mile away in Cambridge or Belmont. It's like this in Burlington - who would've thought 9 house would be on the market for $1.4 here:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...ice-1400000-na

Can't afford Winchester or Lexington? Come on over.

Those Burlington houses are all massive new constructions though -- the Watertown house is nice, but humble compared to those. And I always thought Burlington had a reputation for being more family-friendly and having better schools than Watertown (although school rankings were actually about the same this past year). But I guess the location premium of Watertown is worth more, despite the rise of work-from-home? I know Watertown has developed quite a bit, but I thought it still had that rough-around-the-edges perception. Nor did I think of Watertown as having the "cool" vibe that Somerville has acquired, where prices have also shot up. Personally I like Watertown, I just didn't realize the general perception of it had improved that much.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Tax bill for what???

I'm under the impression that common areas such as the property are taxed separately. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by thinkingotherthings

Those Burlington houses are all massive new constructions though -- the Watertown house is nice, but humble compared to those. And I always thought Burlington had a reputation for being more family-friendly and having better schools than Watertown (although school rankings were actually about the same this past year). But I guess the location premium of Watertown is worth more, despite the rise of work-from-home? I know Watertown has developed quite a bit, but I thought it still had that rough-around-the-edges perception. Nor did I think of Watertown as having the "cool" vibe that Somerville has acquired, where prices have also shot up. Personally I like Watertown, I just didn't realize the general perception of it had improved that much.

The impression I'm getting of Watertown now is that it's becoming Somerville for families. They want that small city vibe with easy access to Boston but with more family options. With all the life science going up there, it' like a little Kendall Square.

[Buitenzorg]

The neighborhood in Watertown that house is located is very nice: handsome older homes, on a hill, spacious yards, and easy to get to Cambridge. It looks like other such good neighborhoods in Belmont, Newton or Cambridge, but costs less. Very possible a new owner in that neighborhood would have kids in private school or plan to.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by robr2

The impression I'm getting of Watertown now is that it's becoming Somerville for families. They want that small city vibe with easy access to Boston but with more family options. With all the life science going up there, it' like a little Kendall Square.

Arsenal Yards was the best thing to happen to Watertown in decades. It's really revitalized the place. If they could only bring back the A branch of the Green line it would really take off.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by robr2

I'm under the impression that common areas such as the property are taxed separately. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Everywhere I've seen each owner owns a share of the common areas that is part of their individual assessment. It's possible that exceptions exist, that I'm unaware of.

[bricka]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

There was something like 9 homes recently sold for over 1mil in Billerica too. Insane.

i think the only thing holding billerica back at this point is housing stock. it's a lot of capes and splits that are difficult to expand, so in order for the housing stock to upgrade it needs to be a full tear down in many cases.

[gf2020]

Originally Posted by robr2

I'm under the impression that common areas such as the property are taxed separately. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

You are wrong, I'm letting you know.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Everywhere I've seen each owner owns a share of the common areas that is part of their individual assessment. It's possible that exceptions exist, that I'm unaware of.

Unusual in Massachusetts but I think coops have the corporation pay the property tax. You just own a share in the corporation and the share allows you to lease a unit.

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by bricka

i think the only thing holding billerica back at this point is housing stock. it's a lot of capes and splits that are difficult to expand, so in order for the housing stock to upgrade it needs to be a full tear down in many cases.

No, it’s simply too conservative for all the Starbucks-guzzling, Sweetgreen-chomping, Cornel West-reading, trust fund-spending Braydens and Kayleighs.