Manchester by the Sea, MA Real Estate
Single-Family Houses for Sale
Manchester by the Sea is one of the more iconic locations in Massachusetts that's become fairly popular in the past few years as a place to live. This town is situated on the shores of Cape Ann, and as a result, has a unique shoreline and expansive views that really make the town one of the premier locations in the Boston area.
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Currently, this town has more than a few viable property options for anyone that's looking to purchase a single-family house. When it comes to recent sales of private housing in this area, there's been a series of ups and downs, but currently, there's been a spike in new home purchases in this small Massachusetts town.
The area is also unique due to the fact that many of the homes have origins that go back as far as the 1700s. As a result, there's a real sense of history happening in this coastal town, and just about everyone that lives in the area is well-versed in the origins of many of the homes here.
Most single-family homes in the area have at least three bedrooms and two baths, and of course, with more beds and bathrooms, the price of each home will increase. Typically, this means that there'll be ample space for a large family in most properties, and some of these homes also include basements that can be converted into additional space. When it comes to the bathrooms, most of the properties include at least two full-sized bathrooms, but there are a few with a single bathroom and a three-bedroom configuration.
Many of these properties also have baseboard heating, which is advantageous for the colder Massachusetts winters that are somewhat augmented by the proximity to the Cape. Typically, the heat is provided via a boiler that's positioned in the basement, but some of the homes that are for sale in the area have traditional fireplace heating, which can provide some truly entertaining nights by the fire.
When it comes to home price, for a single-family home in this coastal town, the median price is currently about $2,032,500, which amounts to about $456 per square foot of property. As with the sizing, it's easily possible to find homes in this area that fall well below this median value; in fact, there are currently homes in the area that go for as low as $649,000, which many individuals looking for property for sale might find reasonable. For these types of homes, it's not impossible to find a price-per-square-foot around $342 or so.
When it comes to features that enhance the experience of owning a single-bedroom household in this area, many homes have little draws that sweeten the deal. For example, it's not uncommon to find homes in this coastal town that have open floor plans, beachside positioning, and vaulted ceilings. Additionally, many of the homes also have nice aesthetic concessions like French doors, bay windows, and expansive lawns on the property.
Condos / Townhouses for Sale
Condominiums are becoming increasingly popular in cities throughout the country, and these housing options provide a permanent residence that has the benefit of typically costing significantly less than a full-sized home. This is particularly advantageous when a prospective homebuyer is considering a new property in a place like Manchester by the Sea because this area has some relatively premium homes for sale that will typically cost in the millions.
For example, based on some recent data, a condominium might cost more than 15,000 less than a similarly equipped single-family home and that price differential stays roughly the same for some luxury condos. Additionally, a condo has a lower monthly expense than a home, especially since homeowner's association dues for a condo can cover many of the expenses associated with a condo for less. Additionally, with a condo or a townhouse, management handles maintenance like painting and repairs, so it's much easier on the owner.
In addition to this, a condo or townhouse also has a tendency to have attached amenities that really add a lot of luxury to the ownership experience. An example of this would be the fact that many condominiums and townhouses have fully-equipped kitchens that come complete with appliances, access to things like on-property hot tubs and Jacuzzis, and optimal placement for the best vistas and shopping opportunities.
In this town, there are definitely a few condo opportunities to consider that will grant quick access to the beautiful Cape Ann, shopping, and school opportunities. At the moment, there are three available condo or townhouse opportunities; in this section, the available home options will be highlighted so that prospective tenants can more easily understand the ownership potential in this area of Massachusetts.
Townhouse Opportunities
At the moment, when it comes to townhouse opportunities, this coastal Massachusetts town has a single option that provides 1,724 square feet of space. With a cost of 575,000 for this four-bedroom, single-family townhouse, effectively any prospective tenant would be paying about $334 per square foot of space, which is more than reasonable for an area like this that has so many in-demand properties. This amounts to a mortgage that would be around the $2,000 mark, which is also fairly impressive.
Once again, one of the primary reasons for purchasing a condo or townhouse over a traditional single-bedroom home is the amenities. This type of real estate is usually packed with incentives, and this townhouse property is a good example of that. This townhouse comes with a fireplace, a top floor that has three bedrooms and a full bathroom, and close proximity to Singing Beach.
There's even a spacious basement that can be used by an owner for a myriad of purposes. Overall, this is an excellent condominium that's housed in a duplex-style building and is positioned directly in a very centralized and in-demand area of town.
Condominium Opportunities
Insofar as standard condominium opportunities in this town, currently there are two that could be of interest to a potential tenant. Also in close proximity to the famous Singing Beach, these condos have a 375,000 sale price, and with a floor plan with a square footage of 718, the property has a price per square foot of $522. As a result, an owner would only spend about $1,496 per month in mortgage in a condominium like this in this coastal Massachusetts community. The condo has a one bedroom, one bathroom setup and also includes a relatively expansive unfinished basement for storage.
One of the chief amenities that many potential owners will find useful is the proximity this condo has to the local waterway; in fact, from this location, a tenant can literally boat directly from their backyards. The property has a fairly luxurious make-up; there are brick walls in some areas, wood beams throughout the condo, and wood flooring. Since this is a condo, tenants will consider it a benefit that the property comes with some appliances like a washer/dryer combo and dishwasher unit.
Apartments
For those that are looking to rent, this beautiful cape-side town in Massachusetts has a lot going for it; there are many rental properties that are easily affordable and there are even luxury units to select for a prospective renter that wants a premium experience. Not only are there one-bedroom apartments available for rent in the area, but there are two-bedroom and three-bedroom options to select from as well.
Renting an apartment can be very advantageous for someone living in this coastal Massachusetts area; residents will have access to the beautiful beaches, comfortable small-town scenes, and won't have to spend much per month. Additionally, with an apartment in this area, residents won't have to pay to maintain the property and will have a staff nearby that can resolve any issues that crop up. Apartments also have some amenities like included furnishings, accessorized appliances, and some even include conveniences like washer/dryers and dishwashers.
Rents in this area of the state are somewhat inexpensive compared to some of the surrounding areas of Massachusetts. To rent a single-bedroom apartment that's relatively near to the water, a prospective tenant can expect to pay anywhere from $1,200 to $1,400 per month, and some of these apartments include utilities, which brings the value of these units higher.
When it comes to two-bedroom units, the pricing in this coastal town is also on the relatively cheaper side of things. Typically, in the area, most people will be able to find two bedroom apartments in the range of $1,275 to $2,500 per month. Of course, spacing will vary in these two-bedroom units, but this level of pricing is very reasonable, especially if rent is being split between two adults.
Three-bedroom options can have a similar cost range breakdown as two-bedroom options. The top end, of course, will vary based on the amenities and luxury of each apartment unit, but it's possible to find three-bedroom options for as low as $2,000 to $2,500 per month. These apartment options can have spacious floor plans, and typically, an option that provides a three-bedroom configuration will provide at least one and a half bathroom, and many of these types of apartments in this town will have two full baths for residents.
The rental market in this town is very active, and there's a healthy demand for the apartments in the area due to the picturesque nature of the town. Also, locations like the always-popular Singing Beach and Cape Ann make this an excellent town to rent in. To provide an impression of the types of properties that have rental options, here are a few examples of what one could find in this part of Massachusetts.
One-Bedroom Example
For those looking for a single bedroom for an individual or a couple, this town has a few options that are competitive. Currently, there is a single unit that has a rent of $1,300 that has a single bedroom and bath. Pets like cats and large dogs are allowed and this opportunity is a landlord-owned and occupied property. This specific property has hardwood flooring, which is common in this area due to the age of the homes in this historic town.
Two-Bedroom Example
Two-bedroom examples in this town can vary in price, arrangement, and size. One of the two-bedrooms that are available has a 1,100 square footage and has a $2,500 monthly rental rate. This sets it on the upper end of the pricing scale of the area, but for multiple people, this apartment is very affordable. This specific property has the hardwood floors that are somewhat common in this town and it also includes laundry washing facilities in-unit. This is also a property that has high ceilings and a fairly centralized location in town.
Three-Bedroom Example
The town also has a very affordable three-bedroom option as well. For about $2500, a prospective tenant can rent a three bedroom apartment that has 1,500 square feet to work with, central air, furnished stainless steel appliances, and a large master bath. This property has two bathrooms and in-unit laundry options as well.
The Advantages of Renting or Owning Property in Town
For those looking to live in this coastal area of Massachusetts, it's a great place to live based on convenience, locale, pristine views, and family-friendliness. Owning or renting property in town is also filled with plenty of options; the available houses are very reasonably-priced, especially considering the possibilities of living in this town, and there are usually some very beautiful homes available for ownership; some of which date back to the 19th century and before. Many of these homes have hardwood flooring, cozy atmospheres, decks, and comfy features like fireplaces and bay windows.
Renting is also very attractive in the area. Rental properties can be traditionally apartment complexes with one- and two-bedroom options, and there are also rooms and floors for rent in the single-family homes that are peppered throughout town. In any situation, rentals in this coastal town off of Cape Ann are very reasonably spaced; one could easily find a place to rent in the area that has more than 700 square feet to work with.
Mortgages in this area are also on the very reasonable side of things. A person seeking to own a house or condo might expect to spend anywhere from $1500 to $4000 per month. Condominium mortgage prices can be even cheaper than this; it's certainly possible to find a condo or townhouse in the area for as low as $1400 per month. Finally, rentals in the area are perhaps the most cost-effective way to live; rental properties can dip well into the $1200 range when it comes to monthly rent.
The town is situated on the shores of Cape Ann, which means that there are plenty of on-water activities to take part of in town for residents and their guests. Around the area, there is kayaking, jet skiing, and boating opportunities abound, and for those that don't necessarily want to do something on the water, there are plenty of trails and walking opportunities for the explorers as well. In fact, the town has a walkability score that is always in the high 60s, which means that it rests in an area of the state that is very pedestrian-friendly.
As mentioned, this area of the state is very family-friendly, and the fact that the schools in the area are also very well-ranked is a major plus for families looking to move into the city. Some of the top-rated schools in the area are the Manchester Essex Regional High School, the Manchester Memorial Elementary School, and the Tara Montessori School.
One of the best features of this community is how accessible major metropolitan areas like Boston are from the town. For example, reaching Boston only takes about 31 minutes by car from town, which means that professionals that work in Boston can quickly commute home to a seaside community that's safe and has more than a few beautiful vistas to enjoy on the weekends. Additionally, the town also has its own MBTA stops that make mass transit simple and easy.
Manchester by the Sea Condo Developments
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