Cambridge Gets Tepid Ideas to Fix Housing Problems
City mandates ordering developers to build below-market units have failed abysmally. A new, city-commissioned report seems poised to excuse the practice.
Permissive Zoning Isn’t Enough When the Permit Process Says ‘Maybe’
A project doesn’t have to be denied to become infeasible. Sometimes “maybe” is enough. Massachusetts’ laws allow that to happen far too often.
Why We Still Need MBTA Shutdowns – and More Repair Dollars
Intrusive federal safety oversight of the MBTA ended late last month. But we can’t end our pressure for continued progress at the agency.
Your Home Isn’t Selling. What to Do?
Cutting your asking price is the last thing you want to do – and it’s also the last thing you should do. There are numerous other options to try first.
The SJC’s Latest MBTA Communities Decision Is Bigger Than You Think
The decision gives the Legislature the green light to pursue additional commonsense land use reforms that will help create more homes.
Does Boston Want to Keep Small Landlords from Converting to Condos?
A new push to extend Boston’s tough restrictions on converting apartments into condos would force small landlords to navigate a thicket of red tape.
How to Defuse Home-Sale Deal Killers
About 95 percent of all deals have issues that can prevent them from closing, but 90 percent of the time, these deals will close if you do the right things.
Incentives Are the New Normal in Homebuying
They’ve become so ubiquitous that homebuilders have had to become ever more creative to set themselves apart from the competition.
Why Did the State’s Top Tax Official Ignore Boston’s Tax Mess?
What’s up with state Commissioner of Revenue Geoffrey Snyder? Why won’t he look into Boston’s admission that it hiked taxes on 150 struggling commercial buildings?
Why Real Estate Has to Be Part of Biotech’s Comeback
Lab lease terms are a real hurdle to getting the biotech industry back into growth mode. Here’s why you should rethink yours.
The Housing Crisis is Urgent and Statewide. The Solutions Should be Too
The Legislature has until January to act, but every month of delay means more families priced out and more slow-walking of the homes the state needs.
How to Keep Gateway Cities Growing
Between inflation, the high cost of borrowing and an immigration crackdown, growth in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities is slowing. Three ideas can turn things around.
2026 Is an Inflection Year for Greater Boston’s Lab Market
Greater Boston’s life science real estate market is beginning to show clearer signs of an inflection point after several years of supply growth, declining rents and subdued tenant demand.
Investor Lending Made Easy
For years, small-time investors could gain the same kind of favorable financing available to buyers who planned to live in their homes. Lately, they’re opting for different types of funding.
SJC Upholds Ruling in Jiminy Peak Injury Case
A recent state Supreme Judicial Court case tested how liable general contractors are for workplace injuries suffered by subcontractors’ employees.
Want More ‘Gentle Density?’ Process Matters as Much as Zoning
You can pass all the zoning reforms you want, but they won’t make a dent in the housing crisis. Local officials still have too many ways to delay or stop projects.
In Some Markets, Existing Homes Compete with New-Builds
If you’re selling your house, you’re not only competing with other sellers. You’re also competing with homebuilders and their buyer incentives and now-comparable prices.
Moving Development Applications Online Is Tougher Than You Think
In the age of AI, one would think that every municipality in Massachusetts would make it easy to find permitting information online, and then file an application electronically.
Corps of Engineers’ Flood Plan Is a Lifesaver for Boston
The risks associated with rising sea levels and stronger storms are increasing each year. A proposed plan would head that off, and open access to federal help to pay for it.
Proposed Federal CRA Changes Would Harm Affordable Housing Production
A new proposal from federal bank regulators would undermine Congress’ big expansion of low-income housing tax credits. This shouldn’t stand.
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