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10 Boston Fixer-Uppers on the Market

Including in Back Bay, JP, Dorchester, and Beacon Hill

By Tom Acitelli
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By Tom Acitelli
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'Tis no secret that Boston hosts a hefty share of properties ripe for repairing and that such urban dreams come true are in high demand. For a relatively low price, one can buy a property and expend elbow grease (and checkbooks) fitting it out just so. Here are 10 such homes up for grabs right now in Boston as part of Renovation Week!

They run the gamut from antiquated gems that need just a little polish to shells that basically require a complete redo for serious habitation. And, true to form in our uber-expensive town, they include an $8,000,000 townhouse and a 2-BR asking well over $1,000,000.

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7 Mount Vernon Street

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The 7,500-square-foot Greek Revival is in need of some TLC: It is former commercial space for the Unitarian Universalist Association, which sold it and its neighbor at No. 6 Mount Vernon in March 2014. A buyer would need to lay down $8,000,000 for the privilege of filling out the shell that is No. 7. One important caveat: The current developer has committed to finishing all exterior work, including new windows and shutters.

7 Mt Vernon Pl, Boston, MA 02108

184 Commonwealth Avenue, #61

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A buyer would be paying for location re: this 1,021-square-foot 2-BR, 2-BA in central Back Bay. It's the first time the spread has been on the market since 1995, when it traded for $286,000. Unit 61 is asking $1,200,000 this go-round.

184 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

137 O Street

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This exceedingly narrow 2-BR, 2-BA runs to 1,260 square feet and is "steps" away from the beach, according to its listing. Still, that same listing shows only the single-family's exterior. Roll up your sleeves. But first: $469,000.

137 O St, Boston, MA 02127

73 Coleman Street

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This 4-BR, 3-BA, 1,790-square-foot Dorchester townhouse is currently being leased for $1,850 a month. It's also up for sale for $319,000, with the assurance that "this unit certainly can rent for more after minor upgrades."

73 Coleman St, Dorchester, MA 02125

6 Wendover Street

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The roof is 15 years old, but the heat and hot water are new! This 3-BR, 1-BA in Dorchester runs to 1,576 square feet; and is asking $239,900.

6 Wendover St, Dorchester, MA 02125

32 Charter Street, #1

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This 1,098-square-foot, first-floor unit in the North End comes with a 592-square-foot basement. Both spaces could use some work. The basement is unfinished, for one thing. But! Per the listing: "This is an incredibly strong rental and has the bones, location, and size to be a million-dollar-plus unit for an owner occupant." Price to try? $749,900.

32 Charter St, Boston, MA 02113

1588 Centre Street

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This entire 2,182-square-foot single-family in the Roslindale-West Roxbury borderlands could use some TLC, but the walk-up attic apparently holds the most potential. It could be a main bedroom suite or an artist's studio, according to the listing. The going price for the whole 5-BR, 3-BA shebang is $599,000.

1588 Centre St, Roslindale, MA 02131

6 Parkwood Terrace

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This 5-BR, 2-BA, 2,199-square-foot house in Jamaica Plain needs a lighter touch than most. The exterior especially demands repairs, but the interior just looks a little worse for wear. The single-family, which has not traded since 1993, wants $$689,000.

6 Parkwood Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

250 Seaver Street

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The 8,855-square-foot Colonial Revival in Roxbury dates from the early 1910s. Within its immensity are at least 10 bedrooms and an in-law apartment. The house has clearly seen better days, so its new $769,000 price tag is but the first financial hurdle for any buyer.

250 Seaver St, Dorchester, MA 02121

145 Stoughton Street

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This 4,270-square-foot property is being used as a 12-room lodging house, but the potential here is seemingly endless: condos, a small hotel, apartments, a single-family home, etc. The going rate right now? $750,000.

145 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125
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7 Mount Vernon Street

7 Mt Vernon Pl, Boston, MA 02108

The 7,500-square-foot Greek Revival is in need of some TLC: It is former commercial space for the Unitarian Universalist Association, which sold it and its neighbor at No. 6 Mount Vernon in March 2014. A buyer would need to lay down $8,000,000 for the privilege of filling out the shell that is No. 7. One important caveat: The current developer has committed to finishing all exterior work, including new windows and shutters.

7 Mt Vernon Pl, Boston, MA 02108

184 Commonwealth Avenue, #61

184 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

A buyer would be paying for location re: this 1,021-square-foot 2-BR, 2-BA in central Back Bay. It's the first time the spread has been on the market since 1995, when it traded for $286,000. Unit 61 is asking $1,200,000 this go-round.

184 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

137 O Street

137 O St, Boston, MA 02127

This exceedingly narrow 2-BR, 2-BA runs to 1,260 square feet and is "steps" away from the beach, according to its listing. Still, that same listing shows only the single-family's exterior. Roll up your sleeves. But first: $469,000.

137 O St, Boston, MA 02127

73 Coleman Street

73 Coleman St, Dorchester, MA 02125

This 4-BR, 3-BA, 1,790-square-foot Dorchester townhouse is currently being leased for $1,850 a month. It's also up for sale for $319,000, with the assurance that "this unit certainly can rent for more after minor upgrades."

73 Coleman St, Dorchester, MA 02125

6 Wendover Street

6 Wendover St, Dorchester, MA 02125

The roof is 15 years old, but the heat and hot water are new! This 3-BR, 1-BA in Dorchester runs to 1,576 square feet; and is asking $239,900.

6 Wendover St, Dorchester, MA 02125

32 Charter Street, #1

32 Charter St, Boston, MA 02113

This 1,098-square-foot, first-floor unit in the North End comes with a 592-square-foot basement. Both spaces could use some work. The basement is unfinished, for one thing. But! Per the listing: "This is an incredibly strong rental and has the bones, location, and size to be a million-dollar-plus unit for an owner occupant." Price to try? $749,900.

32 Charter St, Boston, MA 02113

1588 Centre Street

1588 Centre St, Roslindale, MA 02131

This entire 2,182-square-foot single-family in the Roslindale-West Roxbury borderlands could use some TLC, but the walk-up attic apparently holds the most potential. It could be a main bedroom suite or an artist's studio, according to the listing. The going price for the whole 5-BR, 3-BA shebang is $599,000.

1588 Centre St, Roslindale, MA 02131

6 Parkwood Terrace

6 Parkwood Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

This 5-BR, 2-BA, 2,199-square-foot house in Jamaica Plain needs a lighter touch than most. The exterior especially demands repairs, but the interior just looks a little worse for wear. The single-family, which has not traded since 1993, wants $$689,000.

6 Parkwood Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

250 Seaver Street

250 Seaver St, Dorchester, MA 02121

The 8,855-square-foot Colonial Revival in Roxbury dates from the early 1910s. Within its immensity are at least 10 bedrooms and an in-law apartment. The house has clearly seen better days, so its new $769,000 price tag is but the first financial hurdle for any buyer.

250 Seaver St, Dorchester, MA 02121

145 Stoughton Street

145 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125

This 4,270-square-foot property is being used as a 12-room lodging house, but the potential here is seemingly endless: condos, a small hotel, apartments, a single-family home, etc. The going rate right now? $750,000.

145 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125