I was very excited to learn that my client Kathleen Hornby is running for State Representative of the 27th Middlesex District (representing a good chunk of Somerville) and wanted to take the opportunity to introduce her -- I hope you'll enjoy our Q&A! LGC: So Kathleen, I know you have a long history of public service -- how did you get started on that path? KH: My first involvement in community service was through my parish, and then I became engaged in political activism through my high school's GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). I studied government in college and learned more about the wa ..read more

COMING SOON! View full photo gallery, 3D tour and interactive floorplan here View digital brochure here Download PDF floorplan: Curb appeal & more in prime West Medford location! Among this charming home’s notable features are beautiful hardwood flooring on both levels, renovated kitchen and baths, THREE bonus rooms (two on first floor and one upstairs) for home office(s), workout room or playspace, and a great entertaining deck overlooking the fenced backyard with gorgeous perennial beds. Storage galore between the attic, basement and outdoor shed. The driveway accommodates two cars ..read more

NEW 2-FAMILY LISTING! View photo gallery and floorplan here Browse digital brochure Download floorplan: Ideal opportunity for investors or owners looking for multi-generational housing or a rental unit to subsidize the mortgage! This large 2-family home is situated in popular East Medford, on a residential side street abutting Morrison Park and conveniently located near the shops and conveniences of Salem Street, with easy access to Medford Square, The Fells, Route 93, several bus routes as well as both the Commuter Rail and Orange Line at Malden Center. Both units are well-maintai ..read more

NEW LISTING! View photo gallery, floor plan & 3D tour here Browse digital brochure here Download floorplan: Charming Radcliffe-neighborhood studio in a circa-1920 Harlow building -- the perfect pied-a-terre, primary residence or investment unit. This lovely home features a large main room that easily accommodates separate living and sleeping spaces (could be divided by adding a wall), a 2016-renovated kitchen and just-renovated bath, plus several closets. The wall of windows overlook grassy area at the rear of the building, giving the feel of a tranquil oasis. Other desirable features inc ..read more

COMING SOON! View full photo gallery, 3D tour and interactive floorplan here View digital brochure here Download PDF floorplan: Mid-Cambridge carriage house with yard & parking This lovely attached single-family, fully-renovated in 1980, is move-in ready yet customizable to your needs and taste. Main level offers an open-layout w/ high ceilings, updated kitchen, wood burning stove and direct access to a private fenced yard w/ flowering trees, raised perennial bed, recent bluestone patio and storage shed. Second floor features a primary bedroom w/ large deck overlooking yard, ample closet ..read more

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about how my husband and I came to buy our future home. It is a charming Mid-Cambridge condo in a fantastic location, gets gorgeous light, and has great bones. It also currently looks like old Swiss cheese -- full of holes and covered in dust. This is the classic it-has-to-get-worse-before-it-can-get-better stage. I've been here before and I can see past it, but it's definitely not my favorite part of the renovation process. Beyond the mess, we're dealing with a lot of glitches, delays and monkeywrenches, which doesn't bode well for us being able to move in by t ..read more

NEW LISTING! Housed in an 1860 Mansard set back from the street on a large corner lot, this spectacular 3-bed condo will take your breath away! Fully-renovated in 2016 by Cut Nail Rebuilders, the design retains key elements of the Victorian era while providing all new systems and a layout for modern living. The elegant architecture offers soaring ceilings, ornate mouldings, French doors, and rich honey-colored wood floors. Renovation added a gorgeous chef’s kitchen with great built-in storage, counter seating and sunny dining bay, beautifully tiled bathrooms, in-unit laundry room, large close ..read more

Here's the problem with working in real estate: you fall in love with a lot of houses. Or at least I do. And it always bums me out when a great one comes on the market that I don't have a buyer for. Especially when it's a bit of an ugly duckling looking for someone to turn it into a swan. And especially when that little duckling just languishes on the market because would-be buyers can't see its potential or don't want the hassle of a renovation. Sigh. But it happens, and I generally just write it off as a missed opportunity for someone. So back before the holidays when I walked into the open ..read more

It's hard to make sense of the current market. REALLY hard. I keep reading things in the news about home sale prices going down, more price reductions than ever, etc., etc. And in some cases when these statements are made on a national or even state-wide level, the data may actually bear out in a statistically significant way. But when I look at what's happening in Cambridge and Somerville it's nearly impossible to make any sweeping statements. For example, if we look at the 697 condos that have listed in Cambridge YTD, 153 of these -- 22% -- have had some sort of price adjustment. And if tha ..read more

I assume by now that most of you have at least passing knowledge of the current law suits over commissions in the real estate industry, but in case not, I'll attempt to sum it up for you here. Basically, the way homes are sold in the United States is that sellers sign a contract with a listing broker, agreeing to pay a certain fee if/when their home is sold. Despite the claims of collusion and price fixing that are floating around out there, these fees vary -- in our market, 5% is the most common, though it can go as high as 6% and as low as 3% (on the low end, it's pretty rare, but some disco ..read more