South End Foreclosures

If you're in the market for a foreclosure in Boston's South End neighborhood, do yourself a favor and team up with Boston City Properties. We offer free access to our vast database of Boston real estate listings, where you'll find listings for South End foreclosures. With accurate, timely information at your disposal, your search for the perfect property will unfold a lot more smoothly. We can also connect you with skilled real estate professionals who can provide additional assistance.

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How to Buy a Foreclosure in the South End

Chances are you're mostly interested in buying a South End foreclosure because you'd like to save money. There are some awesome deals to be had, but it's crucial to perform your due diligence. One way to do that is by signing up with Boston City Properties.

A few more tips to keep in mind when buying South End foreclosures include:

• Pay for an Inspection - Your foreclosure is almost certainly going to be sold as is, so always pay to have a professional inspection performed. In addition to potentially uncovering deal-breaking problems, an inspection will give you a clear understanding of the work that needs to be done to make the home move-in ready.
• Take a Look - Buying a foreclosure sight unseen is a recipe for disaster. Always take a close look yourself before committing to anything.
• Get Pre-Qualified - As soon as you find a South End foreclosure that works for you, you'll want to make an offer. Get pre-qualified by your lender ahead of time so you can act quickly when the time comes.

Check Out South End Foreclosures with Boston City Properties

Regardless of what you have in mind for a South End foreclosure, Boston City Properties can arm you with the information you need to make an informed decision. We can also help you locate South End short sales and bank-owned properties too. When the time comes, get in touch to be connected with experienced foreclosure experts in the South End. We look forward to assisting you, so contact us today.

Overview

Bounded by South Boston on the east, Bay Village and the Back Bay to the North, and Lower Roxbury to the south, this neighborhood of Boston is known not only for its excellent location, but also the high number of beautifully preserved Victorian-era homes. These homes, known as “bowfronts,” usually are five stories in height and made of red brick. Many bank owned properties and short sales occur with units such as these, although in some cases newer apartment buildings also come to the market. The average purchase price for this type of sale in this neighborhood is $390 per square foot.

Bank Owned Properties

Most of the bowfront homes were built around 1890, and display exquisite craftsmanship in terms of both materials and masonry. The units are designed so that a basement level sits slightly below grade. Each dwelling is accessed by a concrete staircase with a cast iron railing that leads to a set of wooden doors. These doors often retain the original design of the period, with a pane of glass inset into the upper section of the door. A lighting fixture often hangs in the arched granite doorway of the entrance, providing illumination for the mailboxes and entry panel that is usually mounted on the side of the doorway.

One inside, the interiors are roomy and often offer a glimpse of the rear exit from the front door via a long access hallway, creating a lovely sightline. The parlor or principal living room is usually located at the front of the unit, and has a traditional fireplace on one side. Many of the units have been remodeled so that additional Victorian interior walls, such as the one that would have typically separated the kitchen from the main living space, is removed. This creates a more open floor plan, and allows the kitchen to become a more active part of the home, as well as an opportunity to display beautiful materials. Within the principal living room, the curvature of the bowfront is wide enough to make it easy to place a small settee or table or other furniture grouping within that area.

Short Sales

Extensive renovations have usually been performed within the bowfront homes that come to market in this manner. This is especially evident in the kitchen, which tends to be a display of state of the art stainless steel appliances. Exquisite materials are used for the countertops, including quartz, granite, and marble. In some cases, inventive lighting has been mounted underneath the cabinets, creating an ambient glow. The ceiling often features recessed lighting and several lighting fixtures. These fixtures may have a pronounced “antique” filament within an oversized bulb, mimicking the first types of electrically powered fixtures, although this is more for aesthetic display.

The bedrooms frequently retain the original wood wall paneling. In some cases, this paneling has been inventively repurposed into cabinet storage with small brass knobs. The interiors here receive ample amounts of light from the large windows that overlook the street. The bathrooms tend to be compact but eloquently outfitted, with vanity mirror lighting and a shower stall that is outfitted with tile. The showers sometimes have a bathtub at their base, providing tenants with the option of either standing up or sitting down in order to bathe.

Most of these units have a dedicated laundry room space, although in some renovations a linen closet or storage pantry has been converted into a space for a vertical washer/dryer unit. The former laundry room can then be converted into a separate bedroom or studio space that overlooks the rear of the property. In most cases, the bow houses are built overlooking an alley or small green space. A rear balcony or deck is common, although the size of this deck varies depending on the proximity of other developments. Usually, these balconies have a cast iron railing.

Most of these renovated units have restored hardwood floors, although on occasion carpeting has been installed in the bedrooms. The bathrooms tend to use tile flooring, although sometimes slate is substituted instead. Modern amenities such as heated floors and specialized hook-ups for various technological devices are usually included in these renovated homes.

Those units built after 2000 tend to have far more stories and also have shared common areas for exercising, having coffee, or simply enjoying a rooftop garden. These larger complexes usually also have a LEED certification, and depending on the floor on which the dwelling is located, absolutely incomparable views of the surrounding city. The facades of these buildings are usually a combination of red brick, concrete, and granite, although they rarely feature bay windows or other extruded features, with the exception of small balconies at the rear of the property. In some buildings, no balconies are provided, although room is made at the top of the building for large seasonal gatherings.

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