Jamaica Plain Real Estate - What You Get for the Money

As we all are well aware, the Jamaica Plain real estate market has exploded over the past 10 years.  Though the appreciation has certainly slowed down in the past couple years, unless you are monitoring the JP market like a real estate agent, its tough to know exactly where the market is at.  When starting their search, many of the buyers I have been working with lately are so unsure of what they get for the money, its tough for them to know where they should start looking.  Hopefully this helps other people.  Below I put together 3 Jamaica Plain condo examples.  All of these have sold within the past month, each at a different price point  - $200k, $300k, and $400k.  

804 Centre Street #307 - $203k - Sold 5/2/2011

2 bed, 1 bath, 795 Sq Feet, Condo fee = $315 and includes heat & hot water.  

This 2 bedroom condo is actually a good value considering the location.  Its within very close proximity to all the shops of Centre and South Street, as well as the Arboretum and Pond.  It includes parking and a deck.  The negatives on this one would be the wall to wall carpet, un-renovated kitchen and bath, and the building is one of those older sterile brick buildings that have as much charm as a hospital.  

33 Boylston Street #2 - $295k  -  Sold 5/11/2011

2 bed, 1 bath, 1018 Sq Feet, Condo Fee $150 and includes hot water.

I think this property was one of the best deals to hit Jamaica Plain in a while.  It is a beautiful Victorian located in Central Jamaica Plain, about half way between Canary Square and the original City Feed.  This place is charm central!  Lovely hard wood floors, stained glass, original medallions, pocket doors, pantry, separate living and dining rooms, and a deck off of the kitchen.  Though it is not newly renovated, it has some cool rare features, specifically the classic cast-iron wood-burning oven.  

45 Montebello Road - $367k - Sold 5/6/2011

3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1339 Sq Feet, Condo Fee $175

This is a new construction townhouse with parking and 2 decks.  It has 3 floors; 1st floor is the living/dining room with a a modern granite/stainless kitchen and a half bath.  2nd floor has 2 good-sized bedrooms and a full bathroom.  The third floor is a giant master bedroom with en-suite bath and a private deck.  It also had a great un-finished basement that can easily be finished for a play-room, media room, etc.  

Hopefully that gives people some perspective.  Though our money doesn't stretch as far as it used to in JP, there are still good deals to be had.

Joshua Muncey is a Realtor in Jamaica Plain.