Orient Heights, Massachusetts, Real Estate Overview

Along with Jeffries Point and Maverick Square, Orient Heights is one of the most popular communities in East Boston. It's also refreshingly affordable. This commuter-friendly neighborhood has two distinct sections. Lower Orient Heights is closer to Boston and includes the streets south of Orient Heights Square and below the intersection of Bennington and Saratoga streets. Upper Orient Heights includes neighborhoods north of Boardman Street and around Orient Avenue as well as areas that are bordered by Revere and Winthrop. Apartments, condos and single-family homes are available throughout the neighborhood. In the lower section of town, Victorian row houses and bow-front homes are more prevalent. Northerly neighborhoods tend to have a higher concentration of single-family homes with larger lots.

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Apartments and Rentals in Orient Heights

Rental costs in Orient Heights are on par with the East Boston average, which is approximately $1,900 per month. Smaller units start between $1,600 and $1,800 per month. High-end units are renting in the $2,500 range. The neighborhood also has a small number of larger properties and single-family homes that are renting for about $3,000 per month. The majority of rentals are located in historic multi-family homes that have been renovated and revitalized with high-end finishes. If you're interested in modern amenities and the quality of a newly renovated property, there are a number of suitable options on Saratoga Street and Brandywyne Drive.

Condos and Single-Family Homes

The median price for condos, townhouses and single-family homes in Orient Heights is about $300,000. Properties are available at many price points and in many styles. There are charming cottages, larger two-story homes and roomy condos in taller multi-family dwellings. Since Orient Heights has experienced periods of strong growth for more than a century, buyers can choose from historic homes, mid-century buildings and even a few new constructions that have luxury features. Orient Heights has many fully renovated housing options that have gorgeous hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, premium counters and other top-quality features.

Because prices are lower than the Boston average, Orient Heights is a popular choice for first-time buyers. Home listings in Orient Heights range from $200,000 to $400,000. Condos tend to be more affordable, and single-family homes are slightly more expensive. The average cost for a condo in this neighborhood is $300,000, and some units are available for less than $200,000. The average cost for a single-family home is $330 per square foot or about $360,000.

Real Estate Services for Buyers and Renters

Orient Heights is a great location for everyone from students to professionals. If you're ready to see what this popular neighborhood is all about, call our office to speak to an agent who specializes in East Boston properties. You can also use our online system to request listings that fit your personal requirements. Whether you're relocating to Boston or are ready to move to this affordable inner suburb, we can help. Our agents are happy to schedule showings and help you compare properties in upper and lower sections of Orient Heights and the scenic Harbor View neighborhood.

Like Maverick Square and Jeffries Point, Orient Heights is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in East Boston. Unlike other neighborhoods, this commuter destination is also fairly affordable. The neighborhood is divided into two main sections. Upper Orient Heights is the section of the neighborhood around Orient Avenue and north of Boardman Street. It also includes the areas that border Winthrop and Revere.

Meanwhile, Lower Orient Heights includes the streets south of Orient Heights Square. It contains the section below the intersection of Saratoga and Bennington Street. In addition, this section of the neighborhood is known for being a bit closer to Boston.

No matter where you choose to live, you will discover a range of condos, apartments and single-family homes in the area. In the northern side of town, you will discover single-family homes with fairly large lots. On the other side of town, bow-front homes and Victorian row houses are readily available. Rental costs tend to be fairly similar to the rest of East Boston. Homes on larger lots or stand-alone homes tend to rent for more. A number of the multi-family homes are in historic buildings that have been renovated to include more modern finishes. For luxurious, modern units, check out the area around Brandywyne Drive and Saratoga Street.

Since the area has lower prices than the rest of Boston, Orient Heights is a popular choice for first time buyers. Some homes sell for as low as $200,000. Meanwhile, condos are fairly cheap compared to the rest of the city. Over the last century, the neighborhood has enjoyed a strong period of growth, so there are a number of mid-century buildings and historic properties in the neighborhood. New constructions offer luxurious features. In the newer properties, residents can find amenities like stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and luxurious counters. The area includes tall, multi-family dwellings as well as charming cottages.

Real Estate Market

This historic neighborhood follows the Belle Isle Inlet within East Boston. It is the site of the Constitution Beach Park. Within the neighborhood, residents can find historic architectures and affordable rental prices. Many of the homes are placed along winding, narrow streets.

Rentals in the area fetched an average of $1,338 for a studio. A one-bedroom unit received an average price of $1,865, and a two-bedroom apartment fetched $2,162 on the market. Meanwhile, a three bedroom unit achieved a price of $2,656. In the last year, the entire East Boston area has seen rent increase by 13.9 percent.

In East Boston, the median home sale has dropped by $30,000 or 7 percent. The average price per square foot increased from $436 to $460 per square foot. Three-bedroom homes increased 32.5 percent to reach a median price of $552,500. Meanwhile, one-bedroom and two-bedroom saw their median prices fall. Currently, all properties in East Boston receive a median price of $425,000.

Because of the slight decline in prices, this is an ideal time to invest in the marketplace. Because of its proximity to public transportation options and downtown Boston, Orient Heights will continue to be a desirable residential neighborhood. Residents can find their dream home at a good deal for now and use it as an investment for the future.

Orient Heights is generally the most affordable area of East Boston. The average price per square foot is just $351. The average price ranges from as low as $254 to about $458 per square foot. When the price per square foot is considered, this neighborhood's most expensive homes are often more affordable than standard properties in Eagle Hill or Jeffries Point.

In Orient Heights, the median price is $588,061. This is a higher price than 85.2 percent of the country and 66.4 percent of Massachusetts. However, rent is lower than 65.1 percent of neighborhoods in the state. This coastal, urban neighborhood is densely populated.

Most of the housing stock consists of small apartment buildings and high-rise apartments. Within these buildings, residents can find studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments. The residential properties are occupied by a blend of renters and owners. Because of the history of the neighborhood, a number of the residences were built before 1939 or even earlier. There are also a number of properties built between 1970 and 1999.

Within Orient Heights, the real estate vacancy rate is at 4.7 percent. This means that the vacancy rate is lower than 77.6 percent of neighborhoods in the United States. The neighborhood enjoys a demand that is higher than the average American neighborhood, which indicates that prices could rise even higher in the future. Another option is for new constructions to fill some of the extra demand for residential properties.

Around the waterfront area, this neighborhood can feel fairly industrial. As residents leave the waterfront, they will find more residential properties. The housing stock includes Victorian homes that have been transformed into apartments. There are triple-deckers, duplexes and similar residential options. The real estate rentals tend to consist of two-unit, three-unit of four-unit apartment buildings. Part of this trend may be due to restrictions on larger projects. If a development has more than 10 units, then a portion of the units has to be designated as affordable housing. To avoid this problem, many small developers in Boston stick to smaller rental properties.

An estimated 64.6 percent of the real estate was constructed before 1939. The winding streets are lined with older residences, Colonial architecture and Victorian-era properties. While there are modern buildings as well, this historic neighborhood includes a fairly high percentage of older properties.

Real Estate Developments in the Neighborhood

In 1941, this public housing development was originally created. Spanning 15 acres, it encompasses 331 units. In 2016, the project received approval for a complete overhaul. The new development will include 415 residents. A total of 373 of the units will be for public housing and 42 will be for market rate housing. These units will range from one-bedroom to five-bedrooms apartments. Designed by ICON Architecture, the project is engineered by Nitsch Engineering. Once the overhaul is complete, there will be a new green space with a plaza and play area for the public. In addition, the new development will have a management office, 318 parking spaces, a community center and 388 bicycle parking spaces.

Currently, the first phase of the project is underway. The original redevelopment plans were proposed in 2008, but it took years to bring the project to life. The current phase will involve demolishing 90 units and decommissioning a boiler plant. Next, 120 new units will be constructed. These will be in four townhouse-style buildings that each will contain 10 units. The townhouse-style units will take up 40 of the first 120 units. The other 80 will be in a mid-rise building.

The company that just constructed a series of high-profile developments in Chelsea, Quincy Center and Revere. In 2017, they announced that they plan on creating 300 units within Orient Height. The two-building complex will be constructed at the spot of a 3.25-acre parking lot that is currently on the spot near the McClellan Highway. This new project will utilize the affordable price of land in the area. Once completed, residents can enjoy having easy access to the MBTA's Blue Line.

Another recent addition to the real estate market was at the Residences at 16 Boardman Street. The The Residences at 16 Boardman Street is currently under construction. When it is finished, the building will include three stories and 19 condominiums. Two of these units will be designated as affordable. This project will be located close to the MBTA's Orient Heights Blue Line station. In total, the low-rise complex is expected to cost about $6.2 million.

The Residences at 16 Boardman will be located on a 12,784-square-foot lot. It was designed by Neshamkin French Architects and will probably have a tiered design. The finished building will include an exterior deck and a meeting room. On the lower level, residents will find a parking garage with space for 27 cars. Considering the difficulty finding parking in the neighborhood, this garage will be an extremely desirable amenity for tenants.

With the redevelopment at 16 Boardman Street and the new public housing project, the neighborhood is getting remade in a more modern vision. The new changes will help remove the eyesore of the old housing project. Plus, the redevelopment will ensure that residents still have affordable housing options.

Recent Sales

This hot neighborhood has enjoyed a strong real estate market over recent years. A number of different sales of condos, townhouses, single-family homes and multi-family properties have taken place within the last few months.

One recent sale was at 910 Saratoga Street #12. This condominium is built as a part of a townhouse. It boasts of two bedrooms, wood floors and extra storage space. This property included a parking space with the condo and in-unit laundry. It sold for $297,102.

Meanwhile, the property at 87 Byron Street recently sold for $557,000. Spanning a total of 1,140 square feet, this home sits on a 3,570-square-foot lot. It includes 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. The renovated property includes many of its original features like wide, pine flooring and high ceilings. Outfitted with landscaping and a large patio, this home offers views of the Boston skyline from the private backyard. In addition, it includes extra space for converting the basement or the attic.

For townhouses in the area, residents can find options like the unit at 910 Saratoga Street #7. This townhouse includes three bedrooms and 1,386 square feet of space. Boasting of two bathrooms, the property sits on three different levels. From the private deck, residents can enjoy partial views of the ocean. The first floor includes an open-concept kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and extra storage. The second floor features two bedrooms and a full bathroom. Meanwhile, the top floor includes the master bedroom, a bathroom and the outdoor deck. Outfitted with its own parking space, this townhouse sold for $499,000.

Investors can also find options like the eight-unit building at 6-8 Ford Street. This property includes 16 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. The free-standing building has eight parking spots for off-street parking. Plus, the rental rates were currently below the current market value. While it needed a few repairs, the property still fetched a price of $1,600,000.

Another investor opportunity recently sold at 25 Chaucer Street. Spanning three units, the property had eight bedrooms in total. The large property devoted each floor to a single rental unit. Spanning a total of 3,798 square feet, 25 Chaucer Street is placed on a 3,500-square-foot lot. It ended up selling for an affordable $850,000.

Mid-range options are also available within the area. The property at 49 Barnes Avenue includes three bedrooms and 2,376 square feet. The Colonial building boasts of hardwood floors, charming detailing and an exquisite fireplace. Filled with natural light, the house includes two closets in the master bedroom and a bonus room on the third level. Meanwhile, the finished lower level boasts of a family room, a kitchenette, a fireplace and two bonus rooms. On the exterior of the property, residents will discover a garage, a wrap-around screen porch and a large backyard. Once this home was put on the marketplace, it ended up selling for a price of $645,000.

For a condominium option, residents can check out properties like 56 Byron Street Unit 2. This condominium includes two bedrooms and one bathroom. Encompassing a total of 1,329 square feet, the condo sits on the top floor. It includes a gas fireplace in the living room for entertainment. Designed with a loft-like ambiance, the condo boasts of granite counters, stainless steel appliances and high-end cabinets in the kitchens. The bathroom is designed in marble with a beautiful glass enclosure for the shower. Meanwhile, a sun room toward the rear of the condo can be used as a guest room or an office. An extra room in the basement accompanies the condo as an extra storage space option. When this luxury condo hit the marketplace, it ended up fetching a price of $490,000.

Whether you want a luxury condo or a multi-family investment, we can help. Our experts in the Orient Heights area can help you find the best possible property.

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