Smooth Sailing for Natick Real Estate in 2012. Results were driven by higher end sales.

Below are the percentage changes in NATICK single family sales for the year end 2012 as compared to 2011.

SALES Units………….. flat

Dollar Volume……….+ 9.9%

Median Price…………+6.8%

The real story behind the numbers for 2012 is that Natick had a big comeback in the sale of higher end homes, homes sold at $700,000 or greater.  The number of homes sales over $700,000 increased 51.3% in 2012 as compared to 2011!

Are you as optimistic for the Natick real estate market in 2013 as I am?

John Prescott, Vice President

Century 21 Commonwealth

508-523-9252

Natick High School 2012 SAT Scores – Mark Milestone

Take a bow Natick!

The 2012 SAT scores have just been released and Natick students exceeded state averages in the latest results!

The 284 Natick students who took the SATs this year achieved scores of 535 in critical reading, 563 in math, and 531 in writing.

The statewide average is 506 for reading, 523 for math, and 500 for writing.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a prepared statement that Massachusetts public high school students have made a 12-point gain in math over the past decade, and that overall student participation in the test has increased.

                                                                          – Boston.com

While the 2012 average score fell in reading from 2011, this year’s scores contributed to a fine showing by greater Boston’s west suburban schools.

Wellesley, Weston, and Needham also marked incredibly strong performances, with these communities achieving top spots in scores for the entire state.  Wellesley led Massachusetts’ students performance “with a combined average score of 1881, according to data released Tuesday by the College Board, which administers the SATs. Acton-Boxborough Regional had the second highest overall score at 1876.”

Complete information for all Massachusetts towns can be found at: 2012 SAT Scores Massachusetts

Natick High School 2012 SAT scores exceed state averages – Natick – Your Town – Boston.com.

Needham Real Estate: Tear Downs Make Way For New Construction

New construction and the associated tear down of older and smaller homes is alive and well in Needham.

For the eight month period from 1/1/2011 to 8/31/2011 twenty nine new construction single family homes were sold in Needham with an average sale price of $1,312,956. The 29 homes represented 14.3% of the total number of homes sold.

For the same eight month period in 2012 the number of new construction single family home sales increased by 20.7% to 35 homes. The total number of homes also increased proportionally so that new construction represented 14.8% of sales.

The average sale price of new construction homes and the corresponding per square foot price remained stable in Needham for this period.

Fast forward 30 years and at this rate, Needham may not have any smaller/older homes left to tear down.

What do you think about this trend?

John Prescott, Vice President

508-523-9252

Century 21 Commonwealth

Top Spots To Live in Boston 2012 – By Street

Residence, Wellesley, Massachusetts (Photo credit: Cornell University Library)

Think you know the most charming street in your town?

Do you live on the “Wisteria Lane” of the western suburbs?

Or do you think the appeal of Wellesley’s Cliff Road or Weston’s Boston Post Road ranks right up there with Otis Street in Newton?

Or is it time to foresake the old favorites and find the newest and best new construction on the valuable streets and roadways of our own special communities?

A street where everybody knows your name perhaps?

Or a stately boulevard such as Fair Oaks Park in Needham?

Well the Boston Globe has just released their take on this age-old dilemma, and you may be surprised by their findings…

Top spots to live 2012 – The Boston Globe.

Related articles

• Top spots to live 2012 (boston.com)
• If You Can Tear It Down, Buyers Will Rebuild It (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)

US Home-Buying Season Finally Signaling Recovery

Panorama of Boston (USA).. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

US home-buying season is finally signaling a recovery.   In many parts of the country, including thriving areas of Boston, Dallas and Seattle, confidence is rising along with prices…

US home-buying season finally signaling a recovery.

Related articles

• In Lucky Housing Markets, Bidding Wars Are Back (businessweek.com)
• South Natick Real Estate Update « BostonKayakGuy John Prescott…Wellesley Natick Needham & Metrowest Real Estate
• Where to Find Unique Eats in Boston (apartmentguide.com)

Natick Real Estate.. Springing to Life?

The mild winter historically should bring an early spring market to the Metrowest area.  So far January has proven to be much slower than last year for single family sales in Natick.  The good news is that pending sales in Natick are on track to make sales in Natick for February about equal to February of last year.

What do you think?  Only time will tell for sure.     

Below are the percentage changes for single family homes in Natick for the month of January 2011 verses 2010:

Sales Units………………………………………………….   – 41.6%

$ Volume……………………………………………………   – 31.9%

Median Price……………………………………………….  + 20.9%

Average days on market………………………………..   – 30.3%

Winning Season for Natick Real Estate 2011

Low inventrory and steady demand for single family homes made for a good year in Natick.

The sale of single family homes in NATICK for the year 2011 demonstrated strength and resilience as compared to much of the Nation.  Both unit sales and dollar volume for 2011 increased as compared to the previous year. In addition, inventory levels stayed low and ended the year substantially lower than the previous year.

The chart below shows the percentage change for single family homes in Natick for the calender years 2011 compared to 2010:

SALES Units…………………………………………… + 12.2%

$ Volume………………………………………………… + 11.1%

Median Price…………………………………………… + 2.8%

Inventory in Units.………………………………….  – 17.9%

Inventory in Dollars.………………………………. – 25.5%

John Prescott, Vice President

Century 21 Commonwealth

Ten time CENTURION Award Recipient

508-523-9252

Natick’s Star Realtor John Prescott interviewed by Host Chris Devin on Talk Radio 1120AM, Sunday 2:00

Top Realtor John Prescott Guests On 'Money Matters' Sept. 4

Want to learn more about all that Natick has to offer?

Looking for advice on buying, selling, or financing your home?

Tune in on Sunday, September 4, 2011, to 1120AM Radio as host Chris Devin interviews local Realtor, JOHN PRESCOTT, Vice President at Century 21 Commonwealth.  JOHN can be reached at  508-523-9252.