Leather District Foreclosures

Foreclosures in Boston's Leather District present exciting opportunities for home buyers and investors alike. If you'd like to buy a foreclosed property in this trendy neighborhood, do yourself a favor and team up with Boston City Properties. Our huge database of Boston real estate listings includes listings for foreclosures in the Leather District. They're updated constantly to ensure you always have the latest and best information.

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How to Buy Foreclosures in the Leather District

People often assume that buying foreclosures is more trouble than it's worth. As long as you have access to accurate, timely information, however, the going won't be so bad. It's also helpful to familiarize yourself with a few important points about the foreclosure buying process before plunging into it.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for and buying Leather District foreclosures:

• Accurate Information is Crucial - Unlike other types of properties, foreclosures aren't often marketed too effectively. This makes it difficult to find accurate information. Fortunately, Boston City Properties has you covered with our convenient real estate listings.
• Inspections are a Must - Before buying any property, you should have an inspection performed. This is especially important when buying a foreclosed home because the sale is likely to be as is.
• Pre-Approvals can Help - Once you've used Boston City Properties' listings to find Leather District foreclosures, you'll want to go check them out. Unless you're paying with cash, however, get a pre-approval from your lender first. This will save you a lot of time and ensure that you are taken seriously.

Locate Leather District Foreclosures with Boston City Properties

In addition to foreclosed properties, Boston City Properties can assist you in locating Leather District short sales and bank-owned properties. Our huge database includes all of the information you could possibly need. As an added bonus, our team of real estate professionals is here to assist you further in your search. Contact Boston City Properties right now to get started.

Overview

Bounded by Essex Street to the north, Lincoln Street to the west, Kneeland Street to the south and Atlantic Avenue to the east, this neighborhood is located south of downtown Boston and north of the Seaport District. Primarily designed to be an industrial district, it is filled with three to four story brick buildings built between 1880 and 1920 that have a number of beautiful retrofitted and renovated living spaces on the upper floors. The high density and relative desirability of this area make bank owned sales more common than short sales, although savvy investors can usually find an auction to suit their specific needs. When these properties do arise, the average price per square foot is $750, with some properties fetching as much as $1,900 a square foot.

Bank Owned Properties

The beauty of this neighborhood can’t be overstated, which is why many properties that do come up for sale via a bank tend to boast immaculate views, finishes, and appliances. The kitchens here are typically richly appointed, with marble or granite countertops, oak cabinets, and gleaming hardwood floors. Relatively new stainless steel appliances are common, although some units have been remodeled to match a particular color or decor scheme, such as an all-white kitchen with matching appliances. Because the vast majority of buildings in this area were built before 1920, many of the units showcase the original materials of the building as a kind of added decor feature. Exposed brick walls and timber beams are common, as are large bay windows on corner units.

The bathrooms often feature fairly innovative and appealing design choices, including high ceilings with showers that feature floor to ceiling glass doors and an atrium-like set-up. In some cases, the bathrooms are designed to showcase skylights which flood the interior with natural light; in other instances, the shower is exchanged for a bathtub, which is mounted so that it takes center stage in the room. These stand-alone bathtubs are usually considerably larger than their equivalents in shower/tub set-ups, and often have substantial rims on which to place various objects, from candles to special soaps.

Single family homes are exceedingly rare in this area, although occasionally one does come to market via a bank sale. The lots for houses of this type in this part of the city are usually negligible; the houses typically are built to the perimeter of their lot, and favor a vertical orientation. In some cases, an old tree or series of hedges will come with the structure, but it is phenomenally rare that the house will possess what could be termed a traditional “back yard.” However, some of the single family homes have built custom additions that feature rooftop gardens or patios. These rooftop areas are usually accessed through a small staircase or door leading from the upper floor of the house, and feature an open area bounded by concrete with a rail along the perimeter. In some cases, the house may add a large balcony which is technically not at the top of the house, but rather extends outward from one of the upper floors, creating a beautiful space for relaxation and enjoyment of the surrounding views.

Short Sales

In this area, lenders sometimes agree to sell their properties at a considerable discount in order to quickly conclude the transaction for legal purposes. This sales motivation can result in some incredible finds, including properties that are on the third, fourth, or even fifth floors of a vintage brick and masonry building with stunning views of downtown. These properties generally feature rectilinear floor plates that are surrounded by large, often arched windows. While supporting columns may be scattered throughout the unit, typically these columns can be modified, or walls added or removed to suit the particular tenant needs. In some cases, the exceptionally high ceilings within these older buildings inspires the addition of a loft or other elevated room, which subsequently can create a vantage point within the unit to view the rest of the layout.

Some of the properties may have older plumbing, although the vast majority have been retrofitted with new fixtures to meet new building codes. Depending on how the interiors have been arranged, the unit may feature a relatively open kitchen that leads to an informal dining and living area. These units often have hardwood floors, although in some suites carpeting has been added. The higher ceilings occasionally give way to creative design additions such as a skylight or an elaborate series of carved panels or murals. Many of the units boast the additions of several generations of tenants, many of which have left behind beautiful improvements and architectural details from that particular period.

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