217 Harvard St, Cambridge MA 02139

Sales history and public records
Prior sales are residential arms-length transactions. We receive regular updates from our data providers, but public record data may contain inaccuracies. Please contact your local assessor, tax, or recorder office to correct this information.

Neighborhoods
Neighborhood definitions are provided by a third-party who compiles the data from community resources, municipalities, and real estate professionals.

Views
"Views" represents the number of times that the property has been viewed on Trulia.

Pre-Foreclosure (Notice of Default or Lis Pendens)
The foreclosure process begins when a borrower/owner defaults on loan payments and the lender files a public default notice, called a Notice of Default or Lis Pendens. Buying a property in pre-foreclosure involves approaching the borrower/owner and offering to buy the property outright.

Auction (Notice of Trustee Sale or Notice of Foreclosure Sale)
If the loan is not reinstated by the end of the pre-foreclosure period, potential buyers can bid on the property at a public auction. Buyers often are required to pay in cash at the auction and may not have much time to research the title and condition of the property beforehand; however, a public auction often offers some of the best bargains and avoids the unpredictability of dealing directly with the borrower/owner.

Bank-owned (Real Estate Owned)
If the lender takes ownership of the property, either through an agreement with the owner during pre-foreclosure or at the public auction, the lender will usually want to re-sell the property to recover the unpaid loan amount. The lender will then typically clear the title and perform needed maintenance and repair; however, the potential bargain for these REO homes is typically less than a pre-foreclosure or auction property.

Home price comparisons are relative to similar homes on Trulia (a close match to the home you're looking at based on how close it is, property type, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms).

Home buyers should note that property value estimates are affected by many factors and should only be used as a guide.

Factors affecting home values include things like:

• the style and condition of the building
• if there have been recent renovations or interior upgrades
• whether the home has an established garden
• whether the home has a garage or street parking
• proximity to parks, cafés, and restaurants
• whether the home has architectural interest

For further advice when evaluating a home, contact a local real estate professional.

A similar home is a close match to the home you're looking at based on property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property age, and of course how close it is. Comparing similar homes (either for sale or sold) with the home you're looking at can help you establish a context for the listing price. Simply put, it's price comparison for houses!