Westminster, MA Real Estate
Single-Family Houses for Sale
Westminster is a small town that is located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Even though the town has less than 8,000 residents, this is an area of the state that is growing. In fact, families that are looking for a single-family home in the area are likely to find some older homes as well as some newly constructed ones to choose from. For potential residents who want to find a reasonably priced home that is relatively close to Boston, the market in the area is great because most homes are between $200,000 and $300,000.
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Since this is New England, there are quite a few houses that have a bit of history in them as well; however, all of the homes in the area that are on the market have been recently renovated so that new residents can have more modern décor in the home. Kitchens will often be designed with a spacious layout that includes a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. In addition, many kitchens in single-family homes in the area open up into a formal dining space or a family room. Since this area tends to be quite cold in the winter, homes will often have a fireplace or a wood stove that can be used as a heat source to keep the family warm.
In this area, two-story homes are common, which means that there will most likely be a bathroom on both floors. One of them may be a half bath, but this will still add convenience to the living situation when the other one is occupied. The second floor is typically reserved for the private living space; the bedrooms will be spacious enough for a full bedroom suite, and many of these homes will have large walk-in closets as well.
Hardwood floors are also common in this area of the state, but if a potential resident prefers carpeting on the floors, that is an option that is also available. Lighting in these homes vary quite a bit from pendant lighting to recessed lighting, but most of the homes in this area have large windows, which is great for allowing natural light to enter the space.
Some homes have attics that provide extra storage space, but one of the features that make a single-family home so appealing is a finished basement that can be used as a den or a place where the family can enjoy games or movies together. In addition, many of these homes have a one- or a two-car garage that is ideal for additional storage as well as a place to keep the vehicles.
One thing to note about homes in this town is that there are positioned on large lots. This means that residents of the community will have the space to build a deck or a patio if one does not already exist. This space can be used for grilling or simply sunbathing in the backyard. In addition, there will also be plenty of space for a pool, so residents can swim at their leisure.
Condos and Townhouses for Sale
Another great option for potential residents to consider is purchasing a townhouse or a condo in the area. The median for this type of home in this town is about $222,000, and purchasing one of these homes gives residents a similar experience to living in a single-family home, but there will be amenities included that are unique to this type of living. In addition, this type of living means that the building will be shared with another family or sometimes more, so residents will be able to become close with their neighbors.
One of the main reasons that condo owners choose to live in a condo instead of a single-family home is that maintenance and work that will need to be done on the home will not need to be completed by the owner. That means that snow will be removed from the paths and the driveways on the property so that it does not freeze and become a hazard to residents. The lawn and the shrubbery will be maintained, and other outdoor amenities will be cared for as well.
Many condos have a swimming pool or a spa area that can be used by residents. There will typically be chairs to relax and sunbathe on, a grassy area to enjoy, and some condo properties even have an area where residents can enjoy cooking out when the weather permits. Many condos have a playground where kids can have a bit of fun, and if the condo allows dogs on the premise, there is a good chance that there will be paths to walk a dog or a park where they can run without a leash.
There are also quite a few shared spaces inside that a condo owner can enjoy. First, there will likely be a fitness room where there will be free weights and cardio equipment that are available to residents and their guests. Many condos in the area also have a community space or a playhouse that is great for watching a movie with the neighbors, enjoying a game with some friends, or sitting down with other members of the community to enjoy a meal and some conversation.
These living options are all about convenience, so residents will also typically have a washer and a dryer inside the home so that it is more convenient to do laundry. There will also be a laundry room on premise, so if the in-unit washer or dryer is not working, residents have other options.
In addition, heat, hot water, cooling, garbage disposal, and some other utilities may be included in the homeowner's association fee that may be required for this type of property. Not all properties require residents to pay this fee, but the ones that do can require it on a monthly basis, quarterly, or yearly. This fee covers the costs of maintaining the building, and it is often well worth paying $200 to $300 to have all of these amenities included with your purchase.
Apartments for Sale or Rent
Apartments are another great option in the area, and potential residents will be able to find apartments that they can purchase as well as ones that are available for rent. Apartment living can be very similar to condo or townhouse living simply because the close-knit community that comes with living in the same building as other residents. In addition, if an apartment is purchased, the price point will typically be a little lower than a condo.
Apartments also make great short-term living options that can be rented while searching for real estate options in the area or for families that are simply passing through and only plan to stay in the area for a few years. Most apartment leases are either one or two years, so a family can sign a lease that fits their needs and the time frame that they need to be in the community.
Apartments also have a lot of perks and amenities, so living in one could be a great option for a busy individual who does not have time for things like pruning the plants and gardening or cleaning up the pathways and the parking area after it snows. This is often done by the management, which means that residents can enjoy having an up kept shared living space that required no work on their part. Many apartment complexes in this area also have a pool, a grilling station, and a patio where residents can enjoy some sunbathing.
Some buildings also have outdoor sports spaces like a tennis court or a basketball court where residents can enjoy a game with others. Inside, there is likely going to be a fitness center with both cardio machines and weights that residents can use. This room will not be as large as a gym, but since it is only for residents to use, the space will be more than adequate.
There will also be other shared spaces inside of the building that tenants can use. Depending on the location, some apartments have a community room where residents can sit, talk, and enjoy playing some games, while others have more of a clubhouse that includes a kitchen, plenty of seating, and a place to watch movies together. Typically, these spaces will have Wi-Fi as well, so residents will have access to the internet while they are getting to know their neighbors.
Parking spaces will also be provided to residents of an apartment in this area, and though the spots may not be assigned specifically to each tenant, there will be an area for residents to park so that they are not required to park on the street. In addition, there are often a lot of utilities included with apartment rental, so to save a bit of money, look for things like included heat, hot water cooling, and garbage disposal. Some apartments may even have included electric, internet, and cable.
Another perk of living in an apartment is that laundry can be done on premise. Typically, there is a shared laundry room, but some apartments even have a full-size washer and dryer in each individual unit.
Benefits of Investing in Real Estate in the Community
This is a community that is relatively close to Boston, so residents will be able to experience city life with ease while living in more of a suburban area. Traveling to Boston by car will only take a little more than an hour, and Route 2, which runs straight through the center of town, leads right to the city. There are also other highways in town that provide a way to other nearby cities like Worcester.
For residents that prefer taking public transportation, there is not a train station in the town, but there is one right outside of the eastern side of town. This is the Wachusett Station, and it is located on the Fitchburg Line of the MTBA Commuter Rail. This train will provide direct access to Boston's North Station, so commuting is simple. There are also a few Montachusett Regional Transit Authority buses that provide transportation in the area.
In this town, there is more than enough to keep a resident busy. Westminster Country Club is a great place for families, and the Woods of Westminster Golf Course is also located in town; both of these locations can provide hours of enjoyment. There are a number of parks and playgrounds in the area for families with children, and on the eastern border of the town, there is a Great Wolf's Lodge, which is an indoor water park that can be enjoyed at any time of year. This is a great option for families with children, especially since it allows families to enjoy a summer-like day in the middle of a snowstorm.
For families that enjoy hiking together, there are plenty of places to explore in the area. The Massachusetts Mid-State Trail is a great family-friendly hike, and Wachusett Mountain provides several trails that are great for more advanced hikers. There is also a ski area at Wachusett Mountain, so residents can have some winter enjoyment as well at this location. In addition, there are two state forests that are located within the town lines; both Westminster State Forest and Leominster State Forest provide a great nature experience that the entire family can enjoy.
When it comes to schools in the area, there are a few options that parents can choose from. For elementary aged students, there are two different options. The first is Briggs Elementary School, which is designed for students to attend through fifth grade. The second option is to send students to Meetinghouse School for kindergarten and first grade, and then send them to Westminster Elementary School from second grade until fifth. At that point, all students will graduate to Overlook Middle School through the eighth grade, and their high school years will be completed at Oakmont Regional High School.
The public schools in the area have been given a B+ rating on Niche.com, but families that prefer a private school for the education of their children will have Wachusett Hills Christian School as an option until their students graduate from the eighth grade.
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