Opinion
Columnists, guest columns, op-eds and editorials published in Banker & Tradesman and its special sections.
Guest Columns and Op-Eds
From high officials to lone operators, read a diverse cross section of perspectives on the issues facing the Massachusetts real estate and banking industries today.
Pitches for op-eds and special section guest columns should be directed to managing editor James Sanna at jsanna@thewarrengroup.com.
High Interest Rates Aren’t Going Away Any Time Soon
And if inflation starts to heat back up, it’s plausible – though at the moment unlikely – that the Fed will consider ratcheting up rates another 25 basis points.
How Buyer’s Agents Can Cut Through the Confusion on Commission Rules
Are you struggling with exactly how to answer your homebuyer clients’ commission questions? The trick is: Keep it simple and explain your value.
CRE Enters the Digital Transformation Age
On the whole, the real estate industry has not kept pace with the advances made in other industries. That’s quickly going to change. Are you prepared?
After Leading Back-to-the-City Movement, Many Millennials Moved to Suburbs
Our research suggests recent suburbanization may have been motivated by the lack of affordable and right-sized housing in urban areas, factors that outweighed cities’ desirable amenities.
Empowering Women in Construction Through Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Investing more in pre-apprenticeship programs and working with builders and contractors to hire more tradeswomen can help us meet the state’s requirements for workforce participation diversity.
What Type of Transportation System Do We Want?
Transportation is one of the cornerstones of our economy and without safe, reliable and affordable public transit service, our economic growth will be threatened.
Participatory Budgeting Puts the Money Where People’s Mouths Are
Participatory budgeting is putting money where the community’s mouths are. It is an investment, particularly in working-class communities of color across our city, which too often see a lack of investment and deterioration of neighborhoods.
Small Developers Are Key to Building More Homes, But They Need Help
Empowering more small, local developers can create the multifamily housing we need, build local wealth and close equity gaps in the process.
Open Permits Open the Door for Legal Complications in a Sale
What many project developers consider a minor component of the transaction can significantly alter the dynamics of buying or selling commercial properties.
Ruling Could Threaten Linkage Fees in Massachusetts
This month’s unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of a California homeowner may have implications for inclusionary development and linkage regulations here in Massachusetts. California’s El Dorado County is nestled between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Much of...
Why Developers Should Think About Retail Early
The economic implications of a thriving ground floor experience extend well beyond the first lease year. Here’s how to create neighborhood magnets with major gravitational pull.
Looming Homelessness Crisis Demands Supportive Housing Ramp-Up
There’s a proven solution to end chronic homelessness. It’s cost effective, good for business and it’s the humane thing to do. It’s called supportive housing.
Editorial Cartoon
Cartoonist Peter Paul Payack lampoons and reflects on the people, trends and ideas in the Massachusetts real estate and banking industries.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: AI Takes an Old Form
As banks experiment with new uses for AI, it’s showing up in some surprisingly old-fashioned ways in familiar places.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Barriers to Building
Local officials are getting creative with efforts to prevent development of new housing within their borders. Just answer these riddles, solve this Rubik’s cube, then…
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Looking Worse for Wear
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is fresh from Super Tuesday and rethinking her life choices.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: Milton, Check Your Mailbox
Attorney General Andrea Campbell is paying a visit to Boston’s southern neighbor with a special delivery.
Editorials
Editorials are the opinions of this newspaper alone, and do not reflect its reporters or columnists.
More Tolls Are in Our Future – and That’s a Good Thing
Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt found herself in an unfortunate political firestorm last week thanks to her willingness to say the truth: We should give a hard look at adding tolls to other highways in Massachusetts.
MCCA Made the Right Call
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has a chance to make a dent in several problems problem by rethinking what it does with its 6.5 acres of empty D Street and E Street lots.
Turn on the Taps at Ex-Bases
Money for a sewer and water connection isn’t headline news – unless it means unlocking 6,000 long-anticipated housing units near a commuter rail station.
Scott Van Voorhis
Commercial Interests
Columnist Scott Van Voorhis analyzes the commercial real estate market, state politics, housing and more with the perspective of a journalist with 40 years’ experience covering businesses in Massachusetts.
To Get Transfer Taxes Passed, Try Compromising
It likely feels like “Groundhog Day” for the coalition seeking a transfer tax on higher-end sales after running into a brick wall in the House of Representatives.
Boston Building Permits Tick Up In 2024
The numbers for the state’s capital and economic engine, while still far from robust, are also improving. Still, it’s worth asking why the housing numbers in Boston are stuck at very low levels.
A Tale of Two Casinos
Why did Wynn’s seeming long shot bet on an Everett casino pay off big-time while MGM’s grand hopes to turn Springfield into a casino resort mecca ingloriously fizzled?
Housing Slump Deserves a Deeper Look
With all due respect a bunch of academics, however distinguished, need to hear from developers in the trenches to get to the bottom of why Boston’s suffering a plunge in housing starts.
Lew Sichelman
The Housing Scene
Syndicated residential real estate columnist Lew Sichelman has been covering real estate for more than 50 years. He is a regular contributor to numerous shelter magazines and housing and housing-finance industry publications.
Sellers: Follow the Golden Rule
The manner in which sellers leave their homes for the next owners says a lot about their character. But considerate sellers exist, and they get rewarded by the housing market.
Spotting Design Flaws
No newly constructed house is perfect. That’s why builders employ customer service teams to go back after customers move in and rectify whatever issues have popped up.
Rejected for a Home Loan? Don’t Give Up Yet
Nothing is more devastating to homebuyers than to search for months and finally find the place they want, only to be rejected by their chosen lender. But it happens to 1 in 10 applicants.
Insurance Is the Wild Card for Some Buyers
When it comes to buying a house, the elephant in the room is not the price. It’s not the mortgage rates. It’s not even the property tax. It’s the insurance.