NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Mediterranean designed 13 room residence. 5 bedrooms. 5.5
bathrooms. 7970 sq. ft. On a 20,123 sq. ft. lot. ...$2,998,000BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Newly constructed contemporary residence. 5 bedrooms. 4.5
bathrooms. 5,911 sq. ft. On a 16,556 sq. ft. lot. ...$3,200,000BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Rarely available. 72,710 sq. ft. of land available in the Estate
area of Chestnut Hill. ...$6,500,000BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Estate area. Striking 11 room residence. 5 bedrooms. 3.5 bath-
rooms. 26,000+ sq. ft. of landscaped grounds. ...$3,300,000BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Renovated and expanded 13 room residence. 4 bedrooms.
5.5 bathrooms. High-end finishes. ...$3,850,000BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Landmark, restored Queen Anne residence. Lush grounds.
Museum-quality craftsmanship. 9 fireplaces.... $4,200,000826 BOYLSTON STREET • CHESTNUT HILL
OFFICE: (617) 731-46441631 BEACON STREET • WABAN
OFFICE: (617) 332-8700BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Renovated Chateauesque-style 14 room townhouse. 7 bedrooms.
7 full and 2 half bathrooms. Over 4,700 sq. ft. ...$2,999,000NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Creatively renovated 12 room Colonial-style house. 5 bed-
rooms. 4.5 bathrooms. Architectural details. ...$2,799,999BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
Striking 17 room residence. 7 bedrooms. 7,761 sq. ft. Set on 1.75
acres on a private way in the Estate area. ...$7,750,000Follow Us on Social MediaSERVING THE GREATER BOSTON AREA
©2019 Hammond Residential Real Estate. All Rights
Reserved. Hammond Residential Real Estate supports the
principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Oppor-
tunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. HammondRE.comSpecial Advertising FeatureSpecial Advertising Section
Rosemary McCready, a Boston-based luxu-
ry property specialist at Coldwell Banker New
England, reports that Massachusetts’ low unemploy-
ment numbers — 2.9% compared to 3.7% nation-
ally, according to the Executive Office of Labor and
Workforce Development’s August report — are large-
y attributable to the growth of higher-paying jobs in
several sectors. Biotech, computers, financial ser-
vices and the pharmaceutical industry drive much
of the growth, she says; so do Massachusetts’ many
world-class higher education options.
“Massachusetts is a real innovation center,”
McCready reports. “The towns of Weston and
Wellesley are my territories; Weston’s median home
price is $1.45 million — the highest median in the
state. The Harvard Square neighborhood of West
Cambridge — one ZIP code — has a similar median,
about the same as Nantucket.”
NEWCOMERS FAVOR BOUTIQUE BUILDINGS
Most buyers are looking for open-plan interiors in
urnkey condition, McCready says, which means thatmonumental, customized mansions may not recap-
ure their original owners’ investment.
“My hottest listing today is 9 Wynnewood Road inWellesley,” she says, “It epitomizes what buyers are
ooking for. The 7,400-square-foot home with four
floors of beautifully finished space was built six years
ago. It’s located in a lively, walkable community with
a great town center, a train that takes you right into
Boston, and high-quality public and private schools.
The home is listed at $3.395 million.”
Developer Belinda Negron, principal of Boston-
basedUrbaness,saysshespecializesintwo-tosix-unit
luxury boutique buildings in urban neighborhoods in
Boston, Brookline and Cambridge. She remarks that
buyers who want an urban experience but don’t like
high-rise living have limited options.
“My units will give you a sense of home, but with
amenities like underground parking and direct el-
evator,” she says. “I consider how natural light enters
a building, and where you might put your furniture
and TV. I incorporate design ideas you might not
have thought of, so my homes have a pretty good re-
sale value because the property has a timelessness to
it, even in an urban environment.”
She adds that “these boutique buildings attract a
lot of people coming back to the city after their kids
are grown.”TRANSITIONAL ARCHITECTURE GAINS FAVOR
Brokers agree that “aging in place” is also impor-
tant to buyers. Many want a first-floor room with
attached bath that might start out as a den but will
become the master suite. Direct-access parking — a
garage that opens into the house — is important as
well. And outdoor space is essential.
Chris Utano, owner of Pine Cone Construction in
Newton, Massachusetts, says he’s building five single
residences and two townhouses in South Newton,
ranging from from 3,800 to 5,300 square feet, and
priced from $2 million to $3.2 million. He says he’s
accommodating consumer demand for more “tran-
sitional” architecture. Key amenities tend to centeraround wellness and convenience for the family.
“We’re one of the few builders that install elevator
in our homes,” he says. “People really appreciate tha
amenity as they age. We also use the Control4 Hom
Automation System, which can automate lighting
video, audio, climate control and security, with WiF
capability, ranging from kitchen appliances to showe
fixtures. We build smarter for sustainability. We’r
trying to create more tranquility by bringing togeth
er outdoor and indoor living, with more views an
access points.”
“Prices are holding up in the suburbs closest t
Boston, such as Newton, Brookline and Chestnut Hil
High-end real estate is selling in popular areas wit
close proximity to good schools and town centers
says Natasha Roberts, agent at Hammond Real Estate
“Traditional-style homes are still very popular, alon
with new homes that combine traditional feature
and contemporary designs.”
The trends in new home construction, Robert
says, include higher ceilings, open layouts, oversize
windows and expansive outdoor areas that becom
an extension of the indoors.
“Popular features include en suite bathrooms fo
each bedroom, smart home technology and chargin
stations for electric cars,” she adds.
The village of Chestnut Hill has developed tw
areas along Route 9: The Street at Chestnut Hill an
Chestnut Hill Square. Both are well-retailed, includ
ing dining, a movie theatre and play areas for chi
dren. The developments have boosted home prices i
the entire area.T
he greater Boston area — the city and its surrounding communities — continues to draw buyers at all price points. In suburban areas,
at the high end,buyers have become a little more demanding of the features they require,which sometimes means that a luxury home
will spend time on the market if not priced to take its drawbacks into account.
New England Properties
Boston Area
Promises Jobs,
Great Homes
71 Redwood Road
in South Newton,
Massachusetts
provides an
example of the
clean, crisp lines
favored by today’s
homebuilders.
by Joseph Dobrian