Hot and Fresh from The Blog: New & CHEAP (CHEAP) in the North
Remember the days before Redfin, when looking at real estate involved searching Craig’s List Real Estate and cursing listers who didn’t post pictures? And before that, the pulp print “Free Real Estate Guide,” which sat in every subway station and in every Subway restaurant? Progress….
158 Park Street in Beverly is just what it looks like: a bachelor pad, super convenient to the local watering holes and restaurants. For $119,900, you probably won’t see anything better — it seems well-apportioned, and near the Beverly Depot. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a bachelor pad; it could be the garret of an auburn-tressed radical feminist poet, too — and there she might pen such words as to shake the murderous patriarchy to its knees!
Are you an 80′s brat who dreamed of living in a loft? 24 Norman Street #301 is 672 sq. ft. for $82,500 is worth a look. Bank owned, and as-is, so be wary and be prepared for some runaround — bank repo reps are as helpful as agents. Bank owned or not, there’s no excuse for not posting interior pics! Still, if it’s under-marketed, it could be an even bigger bargain for the patient hunter.
20 Conant is another bank-owned property with potential. In this market, I’d low-ball like crazy on any substandard, bank-owned property. It says “total rehab,” but I see signs that someone already started on this 1850s beauty. It’s impossible to get water views this close to Boston for under $190k any other way. Offer $120k, then see what happens. Banks have HUGE inventories of foreclosures right now, and I bet most of them are wishing they’d found another way to deal with their ailing customers before reaching this point. Offer $110k. And let me know what happens!
Once again, if the utilities are turned off, you don’t know what you’re getting — even a pro can only guess. So, in this market, bargain like the plumbing, heating and wiring need to be gutted, if you can’t test them. And remember that they kicked an owner out of the property — you don’t have to feel bad for playing hardball in negotiations with a big, irresponsible corporation. But also have a plan B for move-in day, in case all that stuff needs to be fixed.
Open Houses in Beverly (and everywhere) Are Now Searchable! Yeah!
