10. 303 Broadway Unit 1R. A one-bedroom condo set back from the street with its own private entrance?!? How cool is that! Functions more like a single family. I served as the listing broker at Hammond Real Estate for this renovated 1-bedroom residence. Other highlights here include intelligent floor plan, in-unit laundry hook-ups, high ceilings, central air. SOLD for $328,000.

Private entrance for 1-br at 303 Broadway 1R.

9. 2 Union Terrace Unit 2B. To be or not 2B? Incredible one-bedroom on second floor with private entrance on first floor and roof deck up above. And there is also parking for one car and central air. Purchased by one of my buyer clients. SOLD for $342,000.

8. 22 Bradbury Unit A. A 1-br outside of Harvard Square in the Riverview association. This unit in the smaller building on Bradbury Street. Exceptional 2007 renovation. SOLD for $390,000. A Hammond Real Estate listing.

7. 141 Elm. New construction contemporary townhouse on four levels designed by Campbell Ellsworth. Listed as a 3-br residence but functions as a 2-br plus study. Three full baths. Nice private outdoor space. One of four units in the association in two buildings. Partially covered parking for one car. Right behind Oleana Restaurant. SOLD for $630,000.

Deck off master bedroom at 141 Elm

6. 11 Wright #3. Top floor 2-br, 2-bath condo close to Harvard Square with GARAGE PARKING plus one additional off-street parking space. Sky high ceilings here another added bonus. A Hammond Real Estate listing. SOLD for $646,300.

5. 57 Regent #4. A loft-style 2-br, 2-bath condo with its own private entrance and off-street parking for two cars. Close to the commuter rail line in Porter Square. I served as the listing agent at Hammond Real Estate for this offering, which SOLD for $658,000.

Private entrance for loft-style residence at 57 Regent #4.

4. 988 Memorial Drive Unit 403. Renovated 1,242 square foot 2-br, 2-bath unit with views of the Charles River. A Hammond Real Estate listing. This residence features in-unit side-by-side laundry, a rarity in this building. SOLD for $715,000.

3. 28 Clinton. I served as the listing broker at Hammond Real Estaet for this offering. A picture-perfect Victorian townhome on four levels with the look and feel of a single family. Multiple offers and SOLD for $935,250 (over the asking price of $929,000).

Handsome front facade of 28 Clinton in Mid Cambridge.

2. 11 Avon. New construction end unit townhouse with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and garage parking with direct access to the residence. A Hammond Real Estate listing. A highlight here is the expansive private back yard. SOLD for $1,295,000. A Guy Asaph project – one of three in the association.

Expansive back yard at 11 Avon.

1. 128 Oxford. WOW! What a space. A Hammond Real Estate listing. One of the most dramatic residences I have ever seen in Cambridge. A carpentry shop (1908) was comprehensively renovated by S&H to incorporate luxury and comfort into a superb loft-style layout. Fantastic spaces, unusually high ceilings with skylights. Set back from street. A hidden gem. SOLD for $1,700,000.

Dramatic open plan main living area at 128 Oxford.

Are you looking to buy or sell in Cambridge? I am a Harvard graduate, Cambridge resident, and top real estate broker in the area since 1999. To gain access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge and Somerville, MA log in as as new visitor at CharlesCherney.com.

The Cambridge and Somerville Real Estate Blog.

28 Clinton in Mid Cambridge. I listed and sold this condo in 2011 for $935,250. The list price was $929,000.

It is interesting to reflect on the MLS condo sales figures in Cambridge, Massachusetts for 2011 compared to 2010, and to take stock of where we are at in 2012.

Click on 2011 Cambridge, MA condo sales for an overview of 2011.

Click on 2010 Cambridge, MA condo sales for an overview of 2010.

Let’s see what observations can be made about the sales in 2011 compared to 2010.

Observations regarding Cambridge, MA condo sales in 2011 vs. 2010:
- Total sales volume in 2011 was $355,475,682 – up $28,767,172 or 8% from 2010.
- Total number of sales in 2011 was 713, up 51 condos or 7% from 2010.
- Average days on market in 2011 was 82, exactly the same as in 2010.
- Average sale price in 2011 was  $498,563, up 6.5% from an average sale price of $493,517 in 2010.
- Yield on the original list price was 95% in 2011, compared to 96% in 2010.
- Yield on the last asking price was 97% in 2011, exactly the same as in 2010.

Overall, one can conclude that the condo in Cambridge, MA in 2011 was very stable and slightly improved over 2010.

Let’s now look at the market by price range:

Price range                2011 sales      2010 sales     Differential
0 to $499,999               483                    447                   +36 more condos in 2011
$500 to $999,999        203                    189                   +14 more condos in 2011
$1.0 and up                     27                    26                     +1 more condos in 2011

These numbers paint a picture of a healthy condo market in Cambridge at the end of 2011.

It will be interesting to see how the Cambridge, MA condo market plays out in 2012. See on market snapshot for Cambridge, MA condos today compared to one year ago today. There were 171 condos for sale in Cambridge, MA on January 23, 2011. Today, on January 23, 2012, there are 92 condos for sale in Cambridge, MA. There are now 53 condos for sale below $500,000 compared to 106 condos a year ago below $500,000. Between $500,000 and $1.0, there are 22 fewer condos for sale today compared to a year ago. North of a million, there are 4 fewer condos for sale today than a year ago.

What impact will reduced inventory have on Cambridge condo prices in 2012? If demand remains on par with last year and inventory does not catch up with last year’s supply, one would expect prices to rise. The reduced inventory levels are surprising, especially when one considers that we are having a mild winter and hence weather is not a likely explanation for why there are fewer listings today compared to a year ago today. Indeed, a year ago today, we were still under siege with the snow. If anything, one would have expected fewer listings a year ago today. Go figure.

I would be happy to share with you additional thoughts and insights about the market and be of assistance to you with buying or selling. If you are considering buying or selling real estate in Cambridge or Somerville, 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 top broker in Cambridge & Somerville since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge and Somerville, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

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1-3-5-7 and 2-4-6-8 Newport Road and 1783 Mass. Ave make up the Newport Road Condo Association, located close to the heart of Porter Square. The association is made up of four-story yellow brick buildings (with addresses at 1-3-5-7 & 2-4-6-8 Newport Road and 1775 & 1783 Mass. Ave.) It is reported that the association consists of 83 units.

Newport Road in Porter Square, Cambridge, MA.

Recently SOLD  in June 2010 is a unit at 7 Newport Road for $501,000.  It is reported that this unit features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and 1,104 sq ft. Highlights include a fireplace and an open plan modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

If you are considering buying or selling on Newport Road or elsewhere 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 top broker in the city since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

Stay current with what is happening in Cambridge real estate by following Charles Cherney on Twitter.

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I had a dental appointment recently at Restorative Dental Group of Cambridge at 181 Concord Avenue. Lo and behold, when I came out of the dental office I discovered that there was an open house going on upstairs in the same building! I decided to check things out.

According to the open house host I chatted with, there are twelve residential units on the second and third floors of this three-story mixed-use building, with the dental group occupying the entire first floor.

For sure, a buyer could live in these units in as-is condition as the plain-jane and rather predictable equations they are. However, as I looked out the living room window from the top floor unit onto Concord Avenue at the front facade of Didrik’s, I found myself fantasizing about what these units would be like as renovated residences designed with panache and style. How much fun would it be for these twelve units to be showpieces for twelve designers? And what if – to underline the imagined interesting and compelling contemporary condos found inside – the building itself received a new skin? Wishing it were so! Cambridge deserves a few more modern renovations. That being said, the seller reports that some exterior enhancements are in the works and that condo buyers can renovate units here.

If you are interested in learning more about 195 Concord Avenue, 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 top broker in the city since 1999. I would be delighted to serve you as a buyer’s agent.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as a new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

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85 Richdale Avenue – The Tracey Place Condos – is a 9-unit building with an elevator outside of Porter Square. In 2009 there were three unit sales reported at 85 Richdale Avenue in MLS – for $550,000, 555,000, and $560,000. In 2010, one unit SOLD for $549,000.

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 top broker in the city since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

Stay current with what is happening in Cambridge real estate by following Charles Cherney on Twitter.

The Cambridge Real Estate Blog.