Putting Green

• 92 College Ave, Arlington - $570 (Sold for $537)
  Only house we've heard of with a backyard putting green. Also includes a swimming pool and (broken) hot tub. The lot is severely sloped. There is yard, but it is largely taken up by the pool, tub and green. The kitchen is Helen's dream: 22x28 w/ a large granite counter, gas stove, double oven and space for two fridges. The living room is not quite as large, but still roomy with hardwood floors and a fireplace. The master bedroom is reasonably large (10x16), has its own bath, but limited closet space. The other two bedrooms are decent size (appx. 10x12) with good closet space. The basement is finished, but a bit funny. One section is raised (step up) and there is a distinct office which could alternatively be used as a large closet. The systems are accessed via a tiny door off the raised section. There is space to stand up, but it is cramped. There is a 2-car garage. The "front" entrance is on the side and feels haphazard; in particular, water was dripping from the roof, making the steps extra slippery. A killer is the road and driveway. The road is very steep; entering the driveway requires a 120-degree turn. The driveway is somewhat steep and there is minimal room to turn around. Backing-out would be no fun for Helen.

Christmas Open Houses

• 77 Page Rd, Newton - $630 (Sold for $548)
  Large Victorian (2082 sf) on quiet, one-way street close to Watertown St/Rt. 16. Flat lot w/ driveway. This section of Rt. 16 looked largely residential and fairly quiet. Certainly would be some noise with windows opened, but *much* quieter than what we currently have. Renovated, spacious kitchen (11x12+), large dining & living rooms, half bath and foyer on first floor. Separate alcove for fridge. Could easily fit ikea furniture; no issues for HK. Old windows throughout, need replacing. Nice wood deck in rear accessible from kitchen. Kitchen is updated with new counters, cabinets, appliances, floor. House feels old, but in generally good condition. Central A/C w/ system in basement for 1st & 2nd floors, separate A/C for 3rd floor; 2 heating zones. 2nd floor has four real bedrooms all with closets; 4th bedroom would serve as a nice study. 3rd floor is converted attic w/ large bedroom, den and full bath; would work well either for older kids or guests. Basement is cluttered with systems, some pipes below head-height. Stairway to basement is a bit tight.
• 2 Kings Ct, Arlington - $499 (Sold for $492)
  Well-maintained Garrison on quiet, sloping street. Street is somewhat steep, driveway slopes somewhat, will be an issue in winter if road is not plowed properly. 1st floor has kitchen, dining & living rooms. Kitchen is a bit dated, but in excellent condition; stove is electric. Kitchen has sliding door to back porch, is EIK w/ sufficient room for HK. Exterior is wood shingles, will require maintenance. 10+ stone steps to front entrance, would be slippery in snow/rain, though entrance via garage/basement is relatively easy. Largish dining and living rooms; fireplace in living. Hardwood floors throughout. 2nd floor has master suite with tons of closets, own bathroom plus powder/changing room. Two other bedrooms: one large (11x13?), one small (8x10?). Lots of closet space, including linen closet. Drop-down stairs to attic (did not see). Space in basement to create a guest sleeping area, but nothing else---not much room after stairs, W/D, oil tank, heater. Hot water is from oil-fired heater. Basement is very clean. Oil tank is against rear wall (left). Heater is tucked in right corner behind garage. W/D are on left wall. Stairs are off kitchen and are steps from door to garage. Looks to be in excellent condition. Living room is large enough to include office. Would be tight with 2 kids and guests unless basement is finished. Though, kids could be in same bedroom for many years.

Two Belmont Homes

• 26 Jeanette Ave, Belmont - $600 (Sold for $520)
  Extensively updated small colonial. Completely renovated kitchen w/ cabinets to ceiling, granite counter, gas stove, new appliances, bay window over sink, French doors to mahogany deck. Replacement windows throughout (good condition). Living/dining form one large 24x11 room. Master bedroom has wall-length closet. 3rd bedroom is small, made smaller by built-in floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Three-season front porches are older (sloping). Hard-wood floors through 1st & 2nd floors in good condition (except stairs are a bit squeaky). Both bathrooms are nicely updated, in great condition. Third floor is converted attic, carpeted, nicely done, probably hot in summer. Small, flat yard w/ fence on 2 sides, about 6 steps from porch to yard. Small stone patio connecting stairs/driveway/yard. Foundation, basement in good condition. Less than one block to residential playground. Quiet street. Neighborhood includes many two-families.
• 70 School St, Belmont - $585 (Sold for $516)
  Two-family on small lot (minimal land). Two 2-bedroom units with part of attic converted into two additional bedrooms for upstairs unit. Only saw upstairs unit. Ancient kitchen with next to zero counter space. Pantry off kitchen adds additional storage, but brings kitchen entrances up to four limiting wall space. Floors are squeaky, need refinishing. Old bathrooms---need updating. Upstairs unit has replacement windows, downstairs & basement windows are older. Wood porches (front & side, up & down) in passable condition. Exterior is wood shingles, some parts need painting. Stone foundation. Bedroom layout is a bit awkward (separated by stairwells).

Natick + a Wellesley Cape

• 27 Ranger Road, Natick - $500 (Sold for $480)
  Split-entrance, modern (1974) house in excellent condition. Modern kitchen w/ new appliances, gas stove, window over sink, exhaust to outside. Open dining/living area w/ vaulted ceiling, skylights, fireplace, large bay window in living. Carpet floors. Four reasonably-sized bedrooms w/ good closet space, MBR suite. 2+ car garage w/ 2-step access to lower level. Lower level is open family room w/ wet bar, half bath and laundry room. Older 2-level mahogany deck in good condition. One step from lower level to yard. Newer windows, utilities. Appx. 1/2 mile walk to West Natick station. No tree shade. Water issues in lower portion of back yard. Possible drainage issues (water was being collected in trash cans).
• 28 Fox Hill Drive, Natick - $550 (Sold for $480)
  Similar layout to 27 Ranger, but not updated since the 70s. Wood paneling, older windows. Pool in back yard, poorly maintained lot, needs landscaping. Rear addition possibly poorly done (squeaky floors, window from bathroom to addition room). W/D on main floor. Needs tons of cosmetic work: probably $20k+ to make livable. Carpet everywhere. A/C, baseboard heat.
• 13 Whittier Rd Ext, Natick - $580 (Listed at $509)
  Very nice house on a weird lot. Large, open kitchen/dining/living area w/ nice hardwood floors throughout first floor. Electric stove w/ exhaust. W/D on 1st floor. Built 2002. 2+ car garage w/ driveway space for 4 more. Finished basement w/ one bedroom. A/C was making a clicking noise like a running dryer. Side exit to concrete patio w/ tiny, shaded yard defined by cinder-block wall w/ drainage pipes. Looks like water drains from other yards to here. Minimal front yard. Front entrance probably not used except for guests. MBR tub was dingy. No stairs from garage to basement.
• 19 Wethersfield Rd, Natick - $595 (Sold for $544)
  "Party" house. Open, spacious dining/kitchen/family rooms w/ double-door opening to covered patio and manicured yard w/ pool and hot tub. Living room/entry way also connected. Excellent for teaching classes. Not so nice for 2 kids + guests. Completely rehab'd 1951 house. Very nice MBR suite, lots of closets. Two other small-ish bedrooms. Large laundry/mud/hobby room. Entrance to living room. Could use another bedroom. Flat lot. Minimal shade.
• 1 Countryside Rd, Natick - $660 (Sold for $515)
  Agent-owner. Cosmetically renovated. Nice hardwood floors throughout. Four large bedrooms. Not the best 1st floor layout. Front entrance leads to family room. Step up to kitchen/dining/living rooms. Large portion of kitchen counter not usable for class b/c of step. Huge lot. No gas. Outside vent for stove.
• 6 Countryside Rd, Natick - $600 (Sold for $550)
  Driveway needs repair. Needs serious updating. Older windows. Floors need refinishing. Older-style layout. Walk-though bathroom to main 1st floor bedroom. Decent size kitchen (12x12), but needs serious updating. Huge, oddly-shaped lot. Lots of space, but need to spend big $$$ to modernize.
• 10 Harvard St, Natick - $480 (Sold for $462.5)
  6 room, 1900s Colonial in decent shape. Older windows. Sloping floors. Grilles for forced air still in place, but heat is hot water baseboard/gas. Electric stove but gas in house. Nice deck (though needs stripping/refinishing) and back yard. Yard is on the small side. Granite counter. Floors in good, but not great shape.
• 400 School St, Wellesley - $745 (Sold for $738)
  Quaint expanded cape off Rt. 9. Rt. 9 very easy to hear from yard. 1-2 beds down, 2 beds up. Nicely renovated kitchen, but constrained, might be difficult for classes. Nice, flat back yard w/ shade. Floor plan somewhat closed. Finished basement, but low ceilings. Step down from kitchen to extension living room. Tight stairwell. Not very practical (even ignoring the price!).

Auburndale and Nonantum

• 36 Grove St, Newton - $580 (Sold for $579)
  Ranch on somewhat busy street near the Pike. Large, central living room. Small eat-in-kitchen. 3 bedrooms, 2 adjacent bathrooms (why?). Older windows. Nice, wood deck. Older roof. Nice unfinished basement. Owned by a bachelor. Need some TLC, expanded kitchen. 1 car garage w/ short driveway. Nice back yard w/ morning/evening shade.
• 529 Crafts St, Newton - $640 (Sold for $614)
  4 car parking, side entrance on Harding St. Basement entrance or steps to deck outside kitchen & living rooms. Basement finished w/ full bath, lowish ceilings. Could be in-law suite. Renovated kitchen w/ gas, granite. Spacious dining and living rooms w/ sun room off living. Coat closet in foyer. Most windows are new/replacement. Hardwood floors throughout. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms + study. Master bedroom is huge. Central A/C. Nice front yard w/ shrubs to protect from Crafts street. Rear concrete patio. Step down to small yard.

Arlington + Chinese Belmont

• 118 Hemlock St, Arlington - $455 (Sold for $445)
  Cape with full rear dormer, no front dormers; renovated, but smallish kitchen---expansion possibility into dining room; bad 1st floor layout; 2 family/living rooms; might convert from living room to dining w/ kitchen expansion; 2nd living room has step down, was expanded (largish); master bedroom okay size, no front window, sloping ceiling; 2nd bedroom fine; 3rd bedroom small w/sloping ceiling; finished basement w/ full in-law suite; nice smallish front yard with a large tree; small back yard with levels, raised shed, large rock in the ground.
• 20 Joyce Rd, Arlington - $599 (Sold for ?)
  Nice entrance (2 steps), gas stove, similar layout to Jason St (stair on right side, next to garage: living/dining/kitchen form a loop to the left); 2nd living room addition to right of kitchen; kitchen a bit cramped; addition work a bit sketchy; huge master bedroom suite w/ large, nicely done bathroom; noticed a broken, rusty window in MBR; 2nd & 3rd bedrooms reasonable size; tiny 4th/office; synthetic porch; somewhat sloping back yard, but not bad.
• 297 Cross St, Belmont - $649 (Listed at $628)
  Colonial with large living room, office/playroom to left, half bath (w/ emergency? shower) where coat closet should be, dining + kitchen to left; spacious kitchen w/ good appliances, directly connected to dining room (no doorway); basement ceiling a bit low; heater is ancient; 4 bedrooms up; renovated bathroom w/ whirlpool tub, but tub felt out-of-place; some odd things: window frames cutting into walls, banister cutting into the wall, driveway crosses back yard to garage on rear of house; driveway kills back yard; good shade in back yard; busy street
• 63 Coolidge St, Arlington - $549 (Listed at $549)
  "Spiritual" house; about 20 steps to the front door; on a hill; nice views from upstairs bedroom; weird attic/"office" w/ entrance through upstairs bathroom; no south trees; no 1st floor bath
• 477 Appleton St, Arlington - $449 (Sold for $430)
  Cute little colonial; many steps to front door, but has basement entrance w/o steps; 78 bus route on Appleton to Harvard; good size living room; okay kitchen/dining; would need to remove part of a wall to make it workable for classes; nice finished basement room for visitors; only full bath upstairs; smallish rear yard, but just enough w/ nice patio area; just big enough for a family of 4, but barely an extra space for storage/expansion/etc.
• 201 Appleton St, Arlingto - $499 (Sold for $477)
  "Estate sale". Cape w/ two front dormers, full rear 2nd floor expansion. Cosmetically awful, some water damage on right side. New windows. Kitchen needs a full rehab and wall removed between kitchen/dining. One bedroom on first floor w/ full bath. Two large bedrooms upstairs. Large garage, largish lot (.18 acre). Basement only partially finished, was used for "whoopie parties".

West Newton and Jason Heights

• 97 Linwood Ave, Newton - $525 (Sold for $500)
  2 Family, 1st floor owners unit. Large kitchen w/ gas, but needs updating. Odd layout: 2nd bedroom off kitchen (separate from bathroom), living room access via dining room. Rear door exits to driveway. Nice covered patio across driveway. 1st floor A/C. 2nd floor has sloping ceilings throughout, very outdated kitchen. Ceilings aren't terrible, but make it feel small. Full, finishable basement. 2 driveways.
• 120 Crescent St, Newton - $560 (Sold for $529)
  Old colonial (1900) w/ side stair. Showing its age a bit. Kitchen was nicely renovated ~10 years ago, is in great shape for teaching. Synthetic rear porch. Large brick driveway area in rear (space for 9 cars). Driveway could use repair. Limited shade---a few trees. Three bedrooms on 2nd floor. Large bonus room w/ nice bath and large closet on 3rd floor. Older roof, older floors except kitchen, older windows. Some water in basement. Near commuter rail.
• 192 Jason St, Arlington - $650 (Sold for $620)
  Great condition colonial. Spacious kitchen/dining area. Kitchen needs updating (cheap counters, sink; dark cabinets; no gas; no vent), but updating should be relatively cheap/easy. Replacement windows. Large living room. Floors in excellent condition. Four good size bedrooms upstairs, open stairway area. Two full baths up, one half bath down off kitchen. 1 car garage, finished basement w/ separate play/guest area and laundry/storage. Deck off kitchen for grilling. Shaded, fairly level back yard below basement. Not easy to access back yard. Nice neighborhood. Very close to Menotomy Rocks Park entrance.