The 'burbs

• 3 Lynn Rd, Natick - $493 (Sold for $490)
  First perfect house we've seen. Not too large, not too small. Ranch-style. Entry opens into a small foyer room w/ coat closet, then open living/dining/kitchen with tall ceilings and multiple skylights. Living room on right---roomy with fireplace. Dining rear left---not large, but at least as large as our dining room with sliding door to synthetic porch. Kitchen is appx 13x11 with lots of counter space and cabinets. One counter extends into living/dining area, provides about as much class-friendly counter space as one Ikea counter. Could easily place an Ikea counter between kitchen/dining to achieve plenty of counter space for HK. Nice hardwood floors throughout the area. Only two exits from kitchen (dining & garage). Rear porch is synthetic; not large, but enough for grill + small table. Screen needs replacing (dog/cat damage). Good size yard, slightly rear sloping. Adjacent lot behind is empty and unlikely to ever be developed; owned by nearby condo development, no road access. Lots of trees. Three bedrooms with normal ceilings (8.5 feet?). MBR is sufficient---in-suite bath, small walk-in closet. Other bedrooms are on the small side, but good closet space. Nice Andersen windows. Finished basement w/ open spacious kitchen (no stove) & family room area. Also finished downstairs are a full bath and bedroom. Perfect space for visitors. Only drawback are the lowish ceilings (~7', 6-6.5' for main beam) and tile floors throughout basement. House did get flooding in the basement before sump pumps were installed. Roomy 2 car garage (good space around cars) w/ automatic garage openers. 3 steps up to door to kitchen or 10 steps down to basement. Under agreement before the first open house. One drawback is that it may be one of the nicer houses in the neighborhood---lots of houses valued < $400k.
• 27 Rutledge Rd, Natick - $620 (Sold for $560)
  4 bed colonial with tons of space. Very large kitchen/dining which was an addition ~20 yrs ago; kitchen needs updating---cheap counters, stove on island with minimal ventilation, older double oven. Refinished hardwood floors; a bit squeaky, but not bad. Full bath on first floor. Somewhat awkward layout. Large family room to left of foyer, living w/ fireplace to right. Two stairwells, one in front, one in back. Kitchen/dining is rear right. 1st floor laundry between dining & living rooms. Partially finished basement w/ exits to small one car garage and driveway. Felt a bit cheaply finished. 2nd floor has 3 bedrooms, office & bath connected in 'U' to 2 stairwells; bath at one end. Heat piping in closets. Finished attic 3rd floor bedroom. All hardwood floors. Windows are semi-modern (double-pane). A bit noisy, not that far from 27/Main St. and only the 2nd house from Main. A bit too close to the newly built middle school just up the street. HK students might not be able to park on Rutledge. Tons of space, but just didn't feel right.
• 14 Avery St, Needham - $580 (Sold for $545)
  Many steps to front door. Small older porch. Foyer area w/ coat closet. Large living room w/ bay window. Good size dining room w/ bay window. Kitchen felt a bit tight---3 exits and intruding fireplace, only doorway to dining room. 3/4 bathroom & mud room off kitchen. Entrance from driveway/garage into mud room. 3 bedrooms upstairs w/ full bath. Finished attic. Kitchen kills it. Rest of house wasn't particularly attractive.
• 114 Gay St, Needham - $695 (Pending Sale for $695)
  Nice multi-level in quiet neighborhood. Large enough kitchen. Full connection to dining room. Needs updating: counter, gas. Exit to enclosed porch in rear. 1 car garage faces rear. Nice living room w/ fireplace. Go down half-level to "den", half-bath and laundry, down another half-level to large linoleum floor room which might just serve as a nice storage area. Up half-level has 3 of the 4 bedrooms. Nice MBR suite w/ double closet. 2nd bedroom is good size. 3rd is a bit small. Tons of closet space. Up half-level to large 4th bedroom. Perfect teen bedroom. 3rd bedroom serves nicely as an office. Felt comfortable going up/down stairs---not a hassle. Main living areas feel comfortable to go between. Pretty nice house, but pricey.
• 62 Mountain Rd, Burlington - $564
  New colonial on largish lot, set back from road. Stream through back yard. Lots of trees. Somewhat long driveway. Not much usable yard b/c of elevation changes. Premium large eat-in kitchen w/ 5 gas burner stove, plenty of room w/ connected eating area. Adjacent pantry. Nice hardwood floors. Large living room with good windows and gas fireplace. Additional room in front could serve as formal dining room or office. Door from garage to kitchen. Four bedrooms up. Large MBR w/ in-suite bath w/ shower and jacuzzi. Large walk-in closet. Good size 2nd bed, medium 3rd and large 4th bed w/ some sloping ceilings, a bit separate (down the hall) from other beds. Large basement (full minus garage) with high ceilings and walk-out to back yard. Rear wood deck. Fancy (instant?) water heater. Overall very nice house. Some white noise from 95/3, didn't seem like much of a distraction. A bit remote. Not much of a "neighborhood" feel; road started to get busy beginning at Burlington St. Awesome house, maybe a bit large for us. Feels like Chester Springs house, except flat driveway, less grass to mow.