44 Snow Hill Condos Sold Out

August 1, 2007 By

It was somewhat of a long time coming, including a change in listing brokerages, and some price reductions, but the 5-unit new luxury redevelopment at 44 Snow Hill in the North End is now sold out.

We’ve featured 44 Snow Hill several times as one of the best, and most reasonably priced, North End condo developments due to its craftsmanship and attention to detail. The majority of the units sold for over 98% of (the reduced) asking price, and some came with a full year of pre-paid condo fees.

Residents have moved in, and can now enjoy the 90 second (we timed it) walk to the Waterfront. For further details and/or questions on sales at 44 Snow Hill, feel free to contact us, or leave a comment on the blog.

Filed Under: North End Condos Tagged With: ,

Free Concert Tonight – The Joshua Tree

July 31, 2007 By

Tonight, come by Christopher Columbus Park (right next to Long Wharf and the North End) for a special ONEin3 Boston event.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events, in conjunction with ONEin3 Boston, present an outdoor concert that can’t be missed: The Joshua Tree, a U2 tribute band and great entertainers in their own right, perform live in concert Tonight at Christopher Columbus Park on Boston’s beautiful waterfront.

Stop by after work to hear all your favorites while you enjoy the spectacular weather.

Date: Tonight, Tuesday, July 31
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Christopher Columbus Park, Atlantic Ave
Cost: Free

Filed Under: Boston

City of Boston's Real Estate Tax Classification

July 31, 2007 By

If you own property in the City of Boston (or are thinking about owning), either Residential or Commercial, you will be interested in the following tax related information. The Boston Municipal Research Bureau, an independent organization that studies the City of Boston’s finances, recently issued the Boston Real Estate Tax Classification System and Structure Report. In a nutshell it calls for legislation honoring the Classification Compromise of 2004.

Residential tax values (the amount of funds coming into the city) increased from 2006 to 2007 due to new construction, primarily new Boston condominium developments, however, residential tax rates decreased slightly over the same period.

Filed Under: Boston

Boston Condo Sales Increasing – Still Scared to Buy?

July 30, 2007 By

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) recently release the 2007 2nd Quarter housing numbers for the state. It is interesting to see that condo sales in the Greater Boston area are increasing / appreciating on all levels (number sold, average price, median price).

Per the MAR Report, here is a look at 2nd Quarter 2006 numbers versus 2007 (2006 / 2007)

  • Average Sales Price: $405,619 / $443,654
  • Median Sales Price: $345,000 / $359,900
  • Number of Condos Sold: 2,981 / 3,247

Stock market highs and lows, mortgage industry issues, and everything else that is on people’s minds lately don’t seem to impact a steady (and respectable) 4% increase in median selling price, and a 9% increase in average sales price in Boston.

Median prices did fall on Cape Cod, and in the Northeast, Southeast, South Shore, and the West, but Statewide, median selling prices were up 2.7%. Many reports that have come out lately are discussing Massachusetts housing statistics, rather than the city of Boston itself, note the difference when looking at statistics.

Filed Under: Boston Condo Statistics

Trinity Place Penthouse – $15 Million

July 30, 2007 By

Read all blog posts regarding Trinity Place by clicking on the Trinity Place tag above, or by using the search box in the upper right.

It’s now been over 100 days, and it does not appear as though there is a suitor for the most expensive condo to ever hit the market in Boston. Trinity Place, a 100-unit condo development dating back to 1999 construction created 2 penthouse units on its 18th floor, and through the foresight of a single individual, they have since been combined into what is now the highest priced listing to ever hit the Boston condo scene.

A 1,400 square foot gallery connects units 1801 and 1802, which together boast 8,500 square feet, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces, and 4 valet-parking spaces. Is it really a “condo”, well, that’s for you to decide. Don’t forget the $10,000 per month HOA fee.

Back in March 2000, the present owner had the foresight to purchase both of the penthouse units, 1801 and 1802, for $3.95 and $3.75 million respectively. Should the seller obtain a sales price anywhere near the asking price of $15 million, a handsome profit will be pocketed.

For more information, please contact us.

Trinity Place Penthouse

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: ,

Trolley House South Boston Condos

July 29, 2007 By

In late 2006, the Utile designed and Niskanen developed Trolley House had its 24 units swept off the market, with them never to be seen available again. With pricing in between $400,000 and $600,000, the Trolley House condos offered the square footage and amenities to draw residents outside of downtown to what is quickly becoming one of the chic places to call home.

Sounds good, but can you buy into this development at any time in the near future? Well, a unit (Trolley House Unit 5 Details) has recently become available, a 1,331 square foot unit being offered at $549,000. This particular unit was purchased almost one year ago to the day for $480,500. Based on current offering price, the owner is looking for approximately a 14% appreciation on the property, perhaps a bit steep given the respectable single-digit appreciation values that downtown markets have been seeing over the past year.

But it’s worth a look for yourself, there is an open house on this particular unit later today, Sunday, July 29, 2007 from 1-3pm at the Trolley House (335 West Second Street in South Boston). If you do attend, tell the showing agent that Boston Condo Guy sent you, and drop a comment here on this post to let everyone know your thoughts on the unit and the development. If you would like to make an offer on the unit, please contact us for Buyer Agent representation.

Trolley House Condos

Filed Under: South Boston Condos

Installing a New Central Air Conditioner

July 29, 2007 By

Are you considering the install of a new central air conditioner in your Boston condo? You can save energy and money – and stay cool- by buying an energy-efficient model.

Today’s most efficient air conditioners use between 30 and 50 percent less energy that models from 30 years ago to generate the same amount of cooling. Even if your air conditioner is only ten years old, replacing it may save you up to 40 percent in energy costs.

Consider these factors when shopping for a new central air conditioner.

Proper Sizing – Match the right unit to cool your home efficiently. A unit that’s too large will not adequately remove humidity, and one that is too small won’t cool enough on those oppressively hot days.

Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – This measure indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Look for a model with a high SEER (much like you should look for a window air conditioner with a high ER). Many older systems have a SEER of 6 or lower. Residential central air conditioners made since January 2006 must have a SEER of 13 or higher.

Unit location, insulation, duct installation, and other factors also affect air conditioning efficiency. An experienced contractor can recommend a system that’s best for your Boston condo.

Filed Under: Boston Condos

Penny Savings Bank Opens to Residents

July 26, 2007 By

July has been a hot month for the new 23-unit boutique luxury condo development at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Union Park Street, Penny Savings Bank. The new condo development now boasts 6 of its 23 units as sold, and two residents have moved into the circa 1917 former bank and started calling it home.

The lobby is in the process of being finished off, and units are receiving their final touches, but the building is open to residents, and a good mix of floor plans are still available, with prices ranging from the mid $600’s to north of $1 million. The two commercial units on the ground floor of the development, along the Washington Street side, have been leased out to Citibank and the October 2007 planned French Asian eatery, Banq Restaurant.

Several units in the development have private terraces, and all residents will enjoy the common roof deck, offering stellar city views. Units at Penny Savings Bank are stacked with Viking appliances throughout the kitchen, contain washer and dryer hookups only, and will offer relatively low HOA fees, ranging from $300 – $500 per month – the HOA will be managed by Boston’s Urban Property Management.

Parking spaces are available for sale in the garage directly below the building. A single space will run you $65,000, and a tandem sleeve will run you $95,000. Having a parking space would offer you the possibility to build a storage unit, should it be up to city code.

If you are interested in calling one of the landmark properties of Boston home, please contact us for more information – we have access to Penny Savings Bank, as well as every single existing condo and new condo development for sale in the city of Boston.

In the exclusive picture below, notice that the former Silver Line bus kiosk has been removed from the front sidewalk.

Penny Savings Bank

Filed Under: South End Condos Tagged With: ,

Banq Restaurant to Open at Penny Savings Bank

July 26, 2007 By

As you may know, the 23-unit luxury condo development, Penny Savings Bank, in the South End recently opened to residents. In addition to the residential units that fill the former bank, two commercial spaces exist along Washington Street. One of those commercial spaces will be filled by Citibank (you cannot have a condo development called Penny Savings Bank without a bank involved, can you?). The second of the commercial spaces will be occupied by the Banq Restaurant, offering French cuisine with an Asian flare.

The Banq Restaurant will occupy approximately 6,600 square feet on the ground floor of the Penny Savings Bank development at Washington Street and Union Park Street at 1375 Washington Street (click for Google Map) in the South End.

Banq officially opened in February 2008.  Reservations can be made by calling 617.451.0077.  Their hours of operation are Monday – Saturday from 5:30pm to 1am, and Sunday from 5:30pm to 11pm.

Filed Under: Boston Restaurants Tagged With:

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

July 24, 2007 By

Curious as to how far your dollar will go on the exclusive Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston? We looked at the most expensive home in Boston that sold over the past week, and not surprisingly, it was on Beacon Hill.

34.5 Beacon Street Unit 17 sold for $3,800,000 after being on the market for only 44 days (granted, it was temporarily pulled off the market during the slow month of January). This high-end luxury Beacon Hill condo features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, and sits on the 8th floor.

The private roof deck provides stunning city views, however, the $3,600 per month HOA fee for just over 3,000 square feet of living space is on the high side (valet parking, elevator, etc. is included). Beacon Hill is no stranger to high-end developments for discerning buyers, take the newly renovated Claflin Building for example.

For photos of 34.5 Beacon Street Unit 17, with a price tag of $3.8 million, see the below:

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

Luxury Beacon Hill Condos

Filed Under: Beacon Hill Condos Tagged With: , , ,
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