topic Re: Best Value for 500k in Boston

Best Value for 500k

Jessenhaus — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:53:23 GMT

Starting to explore other options. What do you think is the best town/value for a 500k budget considering commute to boston, good schools, great community. There seem to be tons of options at that price point all within an hr. commute to town.

Re: Best Value for 500k

davidpollack — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:52:01 GMT

Places like Chelmsford, Boxford, Topsfield, Andover, and Middlton have great school systems but tax and home values are a lot more. North Andover, Haverhill, and Methuen are locations that have average rated school systems, but you will get a lot more for your money especially with a $500k budget even though the median list price in methuen is close to $240k. If you search for any town/city in the search homes tab on the Redfin website you can click on "stats and trends" on the left side. Under stats and trends you can get current market trends, price reduction meter, median sold price, school ratings, and more.

Hope That helps :)

Re: Best Value for 500k

Jessenhaus — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:12:41 GMT

Thanks - it does. I recently went to check out hopkinton, holliston, and southborough as well. Seem to have a higher median price, but still within my range. Too many options so I think I'll start limiting to metro west and south of the city.

Re: Best Value for 500k

RK100 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:02:44 GMT

Metrowest offers a lot of value for money. Southborough is probably the best, but yes expensive accordingly. Westborough, which is right next door is cheaper, has great schools is close to highways, offers a train station in town for access to downtown and has nice grocery stores and restaurants. Northborough and Shrewsbury also worth checking out.

Re: Best Value for 500k

01581 — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:37:14 GMT

if you are going to check out hopkinton and southborough, don't forget westborough. great schools and close to 495 and the pike.

Re: Best Value for 500k

drr — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:10:40 GMT

Would consider Littleton and Acton as well - they have the benefit of offering a commuter rail option into both Cambridge and Boston.

Re: Best Value for 500k

Jessenhaus — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:50:55 GMT

Thanks for the advice everyone. It seems the inventory is starting to pick up and the bidding getting pretty competitive. I'm sure it will level out a bit come May/June.

Re: Best Value for 500k

davidpollack — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:35:57 GMT

Hey Guys,

Redfin wrote a blog about the recent shortages in inventory and all the bidding wars going on in the country- http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2012/03/inventory_shortage_move_along_nothing_to_see_here.html

More of this is happening closer to the city, but it does happen in the suburbs as well.

- David

Re: Best Value for 500k

Somerville_buye — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:37:56 GMT

Hi. I'm a reporter for the Boston Globe.

I'm interested in interviewing people currently in the market to buy a home or refinance, so I'd love to hear from you (or other people in Greater Boston.)

My e-mail address is twallack@globe.com

Phone is 617-929-2069

Todd Wallack

Business Reporter

Boston Globe

Re: Best Value for 500k

-_- — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:38:03 GMT

Have you considered Watertown? Much closer to Boston, some great family-friendly neighborhoods...