Commercial Interests
A Banker & Tradesman Blog
Can Trump Make Housing Great Again?
Wouldn’t it be better to see our mad emperor channel some of his maniacal energy into the idea of tackling an increasingly dire housing crisis?
The Boston Luxury Condo Market’s Big Cooldown
Hot it is not. In fact, stone cold might be a more apt descriptor of downtown Boston’s once sizzling multimillion-dollar luxury condominium scene.
In Housing Fights, It’s Healey Vs. the Homeowner-Voters
Gov. Maura Healey’s “State Land for Homes” push is putting her and the public good on a collision course with a vocal minority that’s used to calling the shots.
Rent Control Will Kneecap Our Best Tool to Lower Housing Costs
From the Twin Cities in Minnesota, to the metropolises of Europe, Asia and Africa, rent control has devastated new apartment construction, studies and experience show.
Mayor Wu Missing Her Chance to Put Tax Issue to Bed
She has a chance to look magnanimous in an increasingly heated tax dispute between City Hall and office tower owners. Instead, she’s digging in.
What This Month’s Boston Tax Fight Is Really About
Is this truly a serious effort by the Wu administration to overcome stiff opposition and get its controversial plan over a big legislative hurdle?
Industry’s $30M Anti-Rent Control Campaign Won’t Be Enough
Ads and harsh warnings won’t be enough to convince voters to turn away from rent control. Industry and sympathetic politicians will need to show voters a better world, first.
Five Real Estate Turkeys for 2025
It’s that time of year again, when we recognize the dumb ideas, political cowardice and dodo development plans that add a little extra spice to life in Massachusetts.
Voters Face a Choice: Build Our Future, or Blow It Up?
Voters are boiling over with frustration as costs escalate in almost every segment of their lives. Will they go for rent control, or new construction as the solution to housing costs?
What Comes Next After MBTA Communities?
We all agree Massachusetts needs more housing. To get there, do we need a shinier, more tempting carrot, a bigger stick or something in between?
Why Is America a Nation of ‘No’?
America has become NIMBY Nation, and Massachusetts, where even plans for a two-bit apartment building will draw warnings of environmental doom, is its spiritual heartland.
It’s Round Two in the Boston Real Estate Tax Battle
The latest idea from a city pol to head off spending cuts: pile more taxes on the backs of apartment owners. But even a mayoral ally worries it’s a bad idea.
Debate Over Healey Housing Numbers Misses the Mark
Instead of arguing over how many homes we’re building, we should measure success by how much we can bring down home-sale prices and rents.
Court Case Could Help End Shady Tax Foreclosure Practices
For years, cities and towns across the nation seized homes and properties for back taxes and then sold them off for hundreds of thousands of dollars, pocketing the gains.
The Home-Price Crisis Came for Western Mass., and It Isn’t Leaving
A steady stream of remote workers fled Boston for rural New England during the pandemic. It’s helped the Pioneer Valley become one of the nation’s hottest housing markets.
Healey’s Housing Production Stats Don’t Always Add Up
Gov. Maura Healey claims we’re already almost halfway to hitting our 2035 housing goal. Is it real progress, or just happy talk from a governor facing reelection?
Who’s Worried? Not Tom O’Brien
The HYM Investment Group chief faces down a tough financing environment and a threat from a prominent politician to force an eminent domain sale of the Suffolk Downs development site.
Mass. Should Build New Cities, Too
Boston, Worcester and Springfield may be the Bay State’s three largest cities, but if Congressman Jake Aucincloss has his way, they may get competition.
Kraft Deserves Praise for a Serious Campaign
Say what you want about Josh Kraft – and there’s certainly a lot to say. But he pushed Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on issues where the city’s failing.
Green Groups, Major Source of Jobs Square Off in Westfield
Massachusetts is at a high risk of recession and may already be in the early stages of a contraction. Is this really the time for green virtue-signaling?
This Week’s Newspaper
