What housing styles are typical of Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge is densely populated and has a large mix of older multi-family homes and condos/apartments, some of which are new construction. Single families are much less common, so are often in high demand.  

Who is looking to buy in Cambridge?

The buyer pool in Cambridge is a diverse mix, with a heavy dose of academics/researchers and young professionals working in tech/biotech – which makes sense given Cambridge’s proximity to MIT, Harvard and other research institutions. Younger buyers are often first-time home buyers upgrading from their past rentals. Many buyers are also families looking for good schools, proximity to Boston/Cambridge, and the overall Cambridge lifestyle.

What does effective staging look like in Cambridge?   

Since a lot of the housing stock in Cambridge is quite compact, it’s important for staging to maximize functionality and show off the potential of tighter layouts. I would say it’s just as important for staging to showcase the aspirational Cambridge lifestyle and its values. Since buyers tend to value education, travel, diverse cultures, and thoughtful design – staging needs to reflect these desires. Often this translates into high quality furnishings that project a warm and lived in atmosphere – sterile, flashy, or entirely minimalist, neutral design is less desirable. These Cambridge “values” also translate into staging that prioritizes “work from home” setups with plenty of space for books. It also means having art pieces that are unique, varied, and reflective of the global tastes of the typical Cambridge buyer.

At Baan Home, we specialize in creating these warm, lived in spaces that Cambridge buyers love. We love creating cozy office nooks with plenty of space for study and learning. We also love using our custom made, unique art pieces to create beautiful spaces that not only lead to gorgeous photography – but to impressed buyers once they walk in the door. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from agents that buyers will often comment “whoever lives here has amazing style!” They are often so excited and inspired by the look of the home that they are more motivated to put in an offer. For us, it’s great feedback – because we know that we created a space that created a feeling of joy – and not just an acknowledgement that there is staging in place.