Shirley, MA Real Estate Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Shirley is a town located in Middlesex County in Massachusetts. It is about 50 miles west-northwest of the capital city of the state, Boston. It is known for being a well-preserved area in New England and is home to the state prison, the Massachusetts Correctional Institution. When it comes to real estate properties, this town does not have a lot of inventory, which has its advantages to the buyers – and even the sellers.

Due to the lack of options even for single-family homes that are up for sale, buyers will be glad to know that the properties in this town are very inexpensive. You will be surprised that even a three-bedroom home does not go beyond $500,000. In fact, if you know where to look, you will find a few choices that are around $300,000.

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Are You Planning to Buy a Single-Family Home in This Town?

Living in this area comes with a great price – and that is just because the single-family homes had an average listing price of $368,522 when this year opened. This amount is much smaller and more affordable than many of the neighboring towns and cities. The highest list price for a single-family property is around $529,900.

About 18 homes were listed for sale from January to February this year. Most are around Harvard Road, Squannacook Road, Devarney Court, Horse Pound Road, and Morse Circle. The prices vary depending on several factors, including the exact location of the property, the amenities, the type of home, and others. Most of the single-family houses that are up for sale have at least two beds and one bath.

If you would like to know how much you would be paying for a single-family home, you may want to look at the measurement of the property. The average price for every square foot in this area is $167, which makes the homes here quite affordable. According to other sources, the median sales price in the recent months is $370,750. If you plan to rent instead of purchasing a new home, the median rent per month is around $2,500, which is higher than other neighboring places.

In this case, it is much better to buy a home, especially if you intend to stay in this area for a long time. Nevertheless, one great thing about renting houses in this town is that there are many choices available. It may even be more accessible to look for a rental than a property that is up for purchase. Perhaps one of the reasons why there is not a lot of inventory in the area is that people, especially the investors, are buying the houses because of their attractive prices.

Therefore, if you spot a house for sale in this town, it may be a wise choice to grab it immediately because it is one of the best offers you can get.

According to the market trends, this town indicates that there will be a steady increase in homes sales. Part of the reason is the convenient location, and of course, it is hard to deny that the prices are giving more opportunities for the sellers to make a sale these days. The trends show that there has been an increase of almost 30% in home sales over the past year with $77,750. Last year, the average price per square foot was $153. This year, it went up to $167 as mentioned earlier.

One-bedroom homes in this town have not changed in home sales and prices. However, two-bedroom properties saw a decline of more than 50%. From October to December 2017, the median sales price was $137,950, which went down to $111,900 when 2018 opened. Nevertheless, there is nothing for the sellers to be upset about, especially those with at least three bedroom homes to offer because there is an increase of at least 10% in such properties. Last year, the median sales price was just $287,500, but this year, it became $383,500.

Four bedroom homes are now up in sales prices with $419,900 on average, which is a 1.8% increase compared to last year’s $318,500. Although one-bedroom properties remain unchanged and two-bedroom homes went down in prices drastically the trend is still positive all in all. The assets show almost 27% increase in sales with $370,750 in total compared to last year’s $285,425.

On the other hand, if you are planning to rent a home in the area, you can find properties that are around $1,200. However, the best time to look for a rental is from March to April and especially May when the rents go down to less than $1,000. July and August are typically the months when the prices start rising again.

The average rent price in this town is $2,187, which may be higher than many parts of the United States. However, the Boston Metro has more expensive homes for rent where the average is $2,411. Therefore, if you are planning to rent, it makes sense to choose this town over Boston Metro if you want to save.

The median home value in this town is approximately $316,300, which means that it has gone up to more than nine percent over the past year. This trend is predicted to continue within the next year, and the town will see at least a three percent increase during that time.

According to statistics, a little more than 57 homes are foreclosed for every 10,000 properties in the area. Foreclosures impact the overall values of homes in a given area. The number of foreclosures in this town is higher than the whole US, which is just 1.6.

Can You Still Find Condos in This Town?

Just like single-family homes, the inventory of condos is scarce. In fact, there were only two listings for condo units in the area from January to February this year. The average listing price is $179,475, and the average list price is $189,950.

Although the list may not be as extensive as the other towns, you should not be worried, if this is the place where you want to live. More and more condos are turning up to provide a space for those who would like to purchase a unit in the area. What is significant about living here is that the condo buildings and communities are in a quiet environment. However, you will not run out of things to do, even at night. In fact, the town becomes alive in the evening where there are bars and clubs where you can have a drink with your friends.

Of course, there are also places where you can seek some peace of mind and relaxation. This town offers everything you can ever hope for, which is why many condo dwellers do not leave. Plus, the condos come with great amenities that help them get comfortable throughout their stay. Kitchens have upgraded appliances, and it is quite common to find island kitchens in condos.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, microwave, and gas ranges are just some of the appliances that the condo owners will get to use once they move in. These appliances are readily available, and many of them are new or at least in an excellent condition. Laundry is not a problem either because most of the units will provide a washer and a dryer in the condos themselves. You do not have to go anywhere to have your clothes washed.

Parking is also not an issue because most of the properties supply either off-site parking or a garage where the occupants can easily park their vehicles. In some condos, the residents can have two parking spaces in the garage on site. One other thing that is quite advantageous about the condos in this town is that most of them accept pets. If you are a dog or cat owner, it would be helpful for you if you have your pet living with you. Most condos welcome pets but make sure that you know about the restrictions, which are mostly minimal.

Other features of condos and townhomes in this town include air conditioning, fireplaces in the living room, and balconies or patio. Some units have their private balconies, while others have shared ones. Most of the units are also cable ready or at least have a high-speed Internet connection using wireless connectivity.

Carpeting is also a great feature, which is common in bedrooms so that anyone who is sleeping in the rooms will not be disturbed by another person’s footsteps. These features are some of the basics that you will find in many of the condos or townhomes.

However, there are some properties with unique features, such as those that have an ideal height that will provide you with spectacular views from your balcony. There are also condo communities with a yard and those that have been newly renovated to offer more of the needs and desires of the residents. For those who are renting, some of the utilities may be included in the monthly rental fee.

Should You Choose an Apartment for Sale in This Town?

Apartments are a great alternative to condos or townhomes in the area because they are more affordable than them. Although they may not be as stylish as the condominiums, you will still find numerous designs and floor plans that may be suitable to your taste.

The apartments in this town are known for providing excellent service to the residents. Thanks to the onsite staff, the occupants are well-taken care of, especially if they have problems with their units. They can call the property manager or the front desk to have something repaired or checked no matter what time it is. They can also leave their unit to the staff, so that when they return everything is fixed.

This type of property almost has the same features as condos, except that the latter is typically more luxurious. Apartment units frequently have the same look, but the owner may be able to make some changes if he or she wants. This way, the place where they live will look slightly different than the other apartments.

If the appearance is not a big deal for you, this type of property may be what you are looking for, mainly if you want something like a condo but a little more affordable. You can have exceptional amenities and services, too, such as emergency maintenance, extra storage and private balconies for some units, and even a fireplace (which would depend on the apartment building, of course).

An example of an apartment in this town is Birchwood Hills, which has a total of 68 units, which have been constructed in three villages. The property is majestic as it is nestled in more than 120 acres of land with unbeatable scenery. Additionally, it stands on more than 250 acres of conservation land, and the nearby areas are a great place for you to enjoy walking trails, watching the sunset, and having picnics with your friends or family.

This property offers a spacious two-bedroom apartment where they are all finished with some of the appliances that you will need. Most of the units have fireplaces, and the residents can have up to two car spaces in the garage. Each resident is given access to a full basement where some of them have sliding doors and windows. Meanwhile, all the apartment units in this building are air-conditioned and use gas heat for efficiency.

Aside from all these features, this particular property also has laundry connections with a gas dryer. Wall-to-wall carpeting for the bedrooms and fully-applianced kitchens are among the top qualities of this apartment building. It is also conveniently located in town so you can access Route 2 and 495 in just minutes by car or by train.

You will find many apartments with the mentioned features and amenities. With the low inventory of condos, an apartment is one sure way of guaranteeing a living space in this town.

What Else Should You Know about the Properties in This Area?

Although real estate in this town may not be as overflowing as the other nearby areas, Shirley does have a lot to offer. You need to know what you want and what you are looking for to figure out where you should look. Single-family homes are still the most abundant, and you have several choices. Some houses are quaint with just one bedroom and one bath, while others can be a huge mansion with at least seven rooms and five and a half bathrooms.

If you cannot find what you want, the good news is that this town has a handful of construction processes going on. Some developers are also eyeing lots and lands in the area to provide more housing options, not only for the millennials but for everyone.

Many of the homes and residential buildings here are spacious, especially the kitchens and the living room. The bedrooms and the bathrooms always seem to have something extra to provide to the occupants. Whether or not you are looking for a home with a walk-in closet or a kitchen with granite countertops, you will see where you want to live in the housing selections found in this town.

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