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Tour of Melrose, Massachusetts

Bob reviews how suburban real estate values have skyrocketed in the last couple of years and talks about Melrose, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb and the site of this new project. Bob points out that proximity to the city results in dense settlement but the town has preserved lots of open land and has a great school system. Part of the town's appeal is due to beautiful antique homes mixed with houses built around the turn of the century. Bob talks with Linda O'Koniewski of RE/MAX Heritage, a local real estate broker, about the home where the work is being done. O'Koniewski was raised near the home, which was built in 1921. She sold the home to the current owners, Ricardo and Sarah Monzon. The home has fine woodworking and craftsmanship on the inside that Bob says points to its being a builder house rather than an architect-designed home. O'Koniewski says that space in the area is limited so it makes sense to use existing space wisely. O'Koniewski believes renovating the basement is an ideal project for expanding this house.

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Chapters from this episode

Fixing the Home's Gutter System Now Playing

Fixing the Home's Gutter System

Removing Junk and Debris Now Playing

Removing Junk and Debris

Removing Unwanted Junk and Debris Now Playing

Removing Unwanted Junk and Debris

Tour of Melrose, Massachusetts Now Playing

Tour of Melrose, Massachusetts

Installing Systems to Keep Water Out of the Basement Now Playing

Installing Systems to Keep Water Out of the Basement

Reviewing Backyard, Retaining Wall, and Moisture Issues Now Playing

Reviewing Backyard, Retaining Wall, and Moisture Issues

Clip Transcript For:

Tour of Melrose, Massachusetts

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Suburban real estate values outside of cities like New York Boston San Francisco have skyrocketed in value in the last few years that's nothing new but we're in Melrose. A community that's been a suburb for over a century since the railroad came out here and connected it to downtown Boston. Boston is only seven miles away so that makes it very desirable but it is a dense neighborhood and that's alleviated somewhat by the fact we have a state reservation lots of open land -- of other reasons why it's an attractive communities got great school systems. And I suppose one of the things that makes it attractive too is the housing stock there're lots of beautiful antique houses mixed in with turn of the century houses. -- and asking has grown up in this area she's also been -- real estate broker for a couple of decades let's talk with her about this one. Hi -- Nice to meet you know you grew up in this neighborhood right."

" I did an idyllic childhood right here reckon that is sixties. I guess I'm that don't. What was it like. -- in the sixty's this is a day of your polyester dance -- you know Dustin Hoffman had just announced in the graduate it was time for polyester and plastic. And -- were nine kids between -- good close friends all born in the -- so good -- your house was just down the street -- did you play in this place all -- this is where we had our science experiments on the porch with all those grasshopper experiments the lady -- the -- in the basement the bobbing for -- tell us about the house though -- from -- 1921 veggie -- one beautiful Dan -- some nice -- inside -- to sell this to Ricardo and Sarah just a few years ago right and I really sold them my childhood as well -- It's out there has been appreciation in the last few years right this is a great appreciation MIT softening in the market an adjustment but at the same time. They've had great equity in this house."

" Right and the interior of the house is finely detailed is probably a builder's house I don't think it was architect designed bet there's a very nice touches in there."

" Yet there's this couple sister houses in the neighborhood that have that same nice natural woodwork the pretty columns and details that you'll find here."

" But it does make sense due to didn't make improvements to oust even though."

" A lot doesn't really allow for expansion well being seven miles north of Boston is not a lot of -- here and it makes a lot of sense to use that built space wisely. And that'll basement where we had our ping pong tournaments. Is gonna really lend itself to -- a great project for the month sounds great it's a good idea thanks you're welcome UK."

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