Cambridge & Somerville Real Estate Blog

A useful tool is the online assessor’s database for properties in the city of Cambridge. Click on this link and when the page comes up, type in the street number and/or street name and you will the information on any Cambridge property of interest! If you are considering buying or selling in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937.  I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a… more

A residential real estate investment property in Cambridge is much more likely to be a sound investment if the following are true: The property is in close proximity to a Red Line station at Harvard or Central or Porter Squares. There are two or more bedrooms. The kitchen and bath(s) have been updated in last five years. The residence is in excellent condition and the association of which it is a part is well-run and healthy. If you are… more

If you are looking in different markets, then there may be an advantage to dealing with different brokers who specialize in each of those areas. I often refer buyers to agents in other markets to assist them with their search in those other areas. However, within a specific market like Cambridge & Somerville, what you want is a broker who understands the market, the home-buying process, and your needs. If you find one broker that… more

The following appeared in the Boston Globe Magazine special real estate issue on March 14, 2010. 4 Home Inspection Myths As the president of National Home Inspection Service in Newton, Christopher Monahon has conducted some 18,000 home inspections over 30 years. The most common misconception buyers have about the process, he says, is that once the inspection is done, sellers will “pony up the money or fix all the things in the report, including… more

In today’s Boston Globe Sunday Magazine is an article on the mortgage appraiser’s visit to see the subject property. Most offers in Cambridge and Somerville are contingent upon the buyer securing a loan from the bank for a certain percentage of the purchase price, often 80%. For example, consider a Cambridge condo that is under accepted offer for $500,000. The buyer’s downpayment is 20% or $100,000. This means that the loan amount is 80% or $400,000…. more

A few more days in Florida before returning to Cambridge. I am in Orlando this weekend. While my daughter enjoys a day at Disney World with her auntie, I am off to watch Tiger Woods play in the Palmer Invitational. Tiger stands 5 shots back as he takes the tee in next hour. Sometimes, buyers feel they are five shots behind in their search. Is the preapproval letter up-to-date? Have you and your broker reviewed… more