The Boston Globe reports that the wonderfully tiny, 251 sq foot house along side Route 9 in Upper Falls is for sale for $449,500.
I’ve been intrigued by this house since I moved to Upper Falls and I actually wrote this piece about it in 2011 for the Newton Patch.
Oddest detail: According to the Globe the three on-site parking spaces on the property outside the house are more total square feet than the house itself.
The lot is 2452 sq ft, which allows an FAR of 0.46 or a 1128 sq ft new house. I’d be interested to see what happens if this house is sold to a developer (which I hope doesn’t happen).
My favorite rumor I’ve heard from a few people is that the ground level house is a small part of a much bigger house that’s mostly underground. Its a good story … but not true
That pricetag is insane. It’s a cool little house, but for the size and being right off Rte 9 it seems nuts to ask for that much. But maybe they’ll get it – I’m curious to see what it actually sells for…
@MMQC – Yes, as the Boston Globe put it ” That’s $1,792 for each of the 251 square feet”
Any takers on a bet as to whether Sean puts his money where his mouth and keyboard are, and moves in there?
Jerry, I wonder if I could sell my 1200 sq foot home for a cool $2 mil then! Lol!
It is a little house that my family has often wondered what the interior looks like. 🙂 I can’t wait to find out the price tag. And that sleeping loft! One wrong step and watch out!
Except for Route 9 noise, it looks like a fantastic place for a single person.
@MP, doubt Sean will move there, too small for a family. But will he go down to one car and slap solar panels on his roof?
By the way, we will need a new roof soon. Good time for solar?
There’s an open house Sat and Sun 11AM – 1 PM for anyone who woke up this morning, looked around and said “this house of mine is just too damn big”
This house is referred by developers as a “lottery ticket”
Buy cheap as current zoning doesn’t allow rebuild and hope (lobby) the local government will change zoning to allow new build with increased height restrictions (aka multiple units)
More accurately this is a case of a broker overpricing to get attention. Which succeeded beyond his or her wildest dreams. Folks love stories about tiny houses or even parking spaces selling for insane prices.
It will sell for a few hundred thousand, tops, absent a land need for a neighbor or some other value. If it wasn’t on top of route 9 it would sell for more, but the combo of busy street and the obvious drawbacks of the house make the current price silly to say the least. Just my opinion of course.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it went for asking or close to asking price. If the house could be replaced or renovated to up to 1100 sq ft., it’s value would increase significantly. A developer may not want this house, but I could imagine someone wanting it if expansion possibilities are possible. Of course, if it goes for above the asking price, then we know prices are crazy(though not surprising)…
That house is in the Upper Falls Historic District. I doubt a new owner could tear it down.
Im thinking like a young well paid kind of shy tech/finance person might buy it who doesn’t want roomates to deal with or a connected condo. If they can stay in it 5 years they would have some equity to move up to a slightly bigger very small house.
Unless its in move in condition its hard sell to a non developer.
A kitchen/bathroom remodel cost is still going to be outrageous $$ (given good trades person shortages)… doesnt matter if the house is small…
Not even sure if the zoning rehaul allows a new build on a 2452sqft lot.
“That house is in the Upper Falls Historic District. I doubt a new owner could tear it down.”
Hasn’t it been that they tear them down and ask for forgiveness?
@Gary Miller – Yes, it is indeed (just barely) in the Historic District. The house behind it isn’t. Here’s the map.
Hard disagree on the notion that it’s hard to sell to a non-developer if not in move in condition. The house across the street from me had a barely functional kitchen and hadn’t been updated in decades and sold to a non-developer in a couple of weeks (in Upper Falls). The market is bananas right now and there are plenty of buyers with the money for a gut reno who aren’t developers.
Marylee,
There is a model in other cities where they allow developers (special permit ) build luxury units anywhere BUT in exchange they must build an entire building of 100% affordable units in more affordable parts of the city..
This might scale better in terms of $
This used to be a small gas station which had a marginal business because the Upper Falls Mobile Station was and still is just around the corner on Chestnut Street. Both stations sold hunting rifles and ammunition on the side as did several other stores including Tomlinson’s Hardware in West Newton Square. Nobody thought much about it in those days.
Wonder if there are still any underground gas tanks. A landscaper may be interested in the property to park their trucks, plows, etc. Where was the old Tomliinson’s hardware located?
The Boston Globe reports that Newton’s smallest house has an accepted offer for at or above the $449K asking price. Its a contingent offer and they hope to sign a Purchase and Sale agreement next week.
These are some crazy times in the real estate world.
Is the offer contingent on the lot growing?
That’s insane. Kudos to the broker. Brilliant if true.
They re-listed this property for $389,900. It is a new listing rather than a price reduction to the original listing,
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/ma/newton/1295-boylston-st-1295/pid_44026371/?utm_campaign=EMAIL-Alert-JustListed&utm_source=coldwellbankerhomes.com-emailalert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=listing