Belmont Foreclosures

Geographical Information

Only a few miles from downtown Boston, this suburb of the city is bordered by the cities of Cambridge to the east, Waltham to the west, Arlington to the north, and Watertown to the south. Route 2 forms its northern boundary, and Route 60 also winds through the city. The are can also be reached via the Fitchburg Line by way of the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority, which has a stop near downtown in the Waverley neighborhood. In addition to its numerous residential streets and civic amenities, this region also has a number of green spaces, including Lone Tree Hill, Pequossette Park, the Town Field, and a portion of the Beaver Brook North Reservation. Claypit Pond and Little Pond are the largest bodies of water in the community.

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Short Sales

Several properties that are listed as short sales in Belmont date from the early 19th century, and as a result boast expansive rooms, gorgeous period details, and proximity to the center of town. Depending on the specific property, the average price per square foot for a sale of this type is $400, although in some cases this can rise to as much as $500 per square foot. Because the area is so close to Boston, property here is very valuable, and auctions are often competitive.

These houses tend to have beautifully maintained landscaping, with tall manicured hedges providing a kind of living fence to the street. A brick pathway, which is sometimes made of stone, meanders up to the front porch, which frequently wraps all the way around the first floor. In some homes, this front porch transforms into a portico which can function as an informal carport. A pair of columns made from wood frames the door itself, which is often inset with stained glass panels. The door swings open into a foyer space, replete with hooks for hanging heavy coats and hats. A stairway often leads directly up from the front door, and rooms open up on either side. In renovations, the kitchen and dining space often have no official walls dividing them, although small half-walls may flank the sides of the original space.

The kitchen is decorated in a white decor, with elegant cabinets hovering above beautiful marble countertops. The dining space is demarcated with a chandelier that hangs from the ceiling. In the older homes, the ceiling directly around the lighting fixture may have several ripples or other decorative accoutrements to distinguish the fixture.

The great room has a massive fireplace, often with a hearth that extends out significantly into the living room. Built-in bookshelves flank the fireplace, and create a sense of solidity and serenity. Vintage hardwood floors with exceptionally wide planks are featured throughout the house. The upper storeys generally have a fleet of skylights in the central living space that exists upstairs, as well as a door that provides access to the balcony on the upper level.

Bank Owned Properties

Spaciousness is the defining factor in the real estate in this area. Bank owned homes typically are showcases of enormous central living rooms, rambling kitchens and airy master bedrooms. Prices start at $500 a square foot, but may be as much as $600 a square foot depending on the specific property and its relative location to the town’s train station.

The bathrooms in these properties are demonstrations of how luxurious the accommodations can be. Specially accented tile lines the walls, the shower stall is outfitted with floor to ceiling glass panes. The shower ceiling is exceptionally tall, and creates an atrium feeling. A recessed light is often included in this configuration, although not all bathrooms have them. The sink is ringed with marble, although some sinks have a contemporary remodel, and feature an elevated bowl that sits on top of the marble countertop. Yet other bathrooms incorporate not only the shower stall, but an enormous bathtub with jets that provide a form of massage for the occupants who are lucky enough to bathe in them. These bathtubs are often set apart from the shower stall under a window, and have a significant amount of counter space surrounding them.

The second story has a deck that is partially enclosed. A long line of windows that slide fully open makes this a perfect space for an outdoor party in the springtime, as well as an observation deck during the winter. A detached two car garage is often located at the rear of the lot, which has on average a quarter of an acre or more of available land. Sweeping bay windows provide excellent views from the living room and an impetus for the creative arrangement of furniture in the bedrooms upstairs.

The kitchens tend to be designed in an U-shape, with one counter having a significant lip that provides room for seating on the other side. Stainless steel vents, a skylight, and an enormous oven with dual compartments for different baking temperatures are the standard compliment of appliances. In terms of a decor scheme, most of these appliances have a silver or stainless steel finish, although an all-white decor scheme is not out of the question.

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