Opinion
Inside Cambridge’s Multifamily Ordinance
The city’s upzoning is expected to unlock new opportunities for housing production, and sets a strong precedent for other communities to follow. Here’s what other towns and cities need to know.
Need Listings? Look for Homes that Were Taken Off the Market
Would-be sellers who have taken their houses off the market should be ready for an all-out blitz this spring from agents looking to relist their places
Kraft Hits the Mark with Critique of Wu’s Housing Policies
The mayor’s defense of her housing policies ignores the experience of other cities. They dramatically hiked affordability requirements, only to see housing production collapse.
The Perfect Time for a Smart, State-Focused Transportation Plan
Regardless of what happens in Washington, one thing is certain: Massachusetts must take action to take control of our transportation future.
The MBTA Needs a Long-Term Vision – Or We’ll Pay the Price
Greater Boston is a region of big ideas. The MBTA, however, isn’t thinking big enough, and its leaders need the CRE industry’s help to expand their horizons.
What Real Estate Agents Shouldn’t Do
Collectively, real estate agents don’t always have the greatest reputation, even if it’s undeserved in many cases. But some agents really cross the line. Here’s a listing of some of the biggest red flags.
Is Housing a Vulnerability for Wu? She Seems to Think So
With Boston’s mayor being challenged on her housing record, she seems to be trying to burnish her credentials by taking credit for homes permitted under her predecessors.
‘We’ll See’ Is the 2025 Watchword for Mass. Mortgage Lenders
The word of the year is uncertainty. And while interest rates are always a major factor in the market, this year interest rates for mortgage loans are only part of a much larger story.
Demand for Accessible Luxury Homes Remained Robust in 2024
The luxury real estate market in Massachusetts has shown remarkable resilience and strength as we begin 2025, even as the broader national market faces challenges.
Campaign Cash Alone Won’t Be Enough in Future Housing Fights
The big loss in Needham wasn’t due to a lack of campaign spending, nor the fault of a pro-housing group founded by Gov. Maura Healey. Politics have fundamentally changed
Beacon Hill Should Be Bargain-Hunting on Infrastructure Right Now
Amid a big drop-off in private-sector construction, a relatively booming public sector beckons for contractors seeking to stay afloat.
Full Speed Ahead? Where the MBTA Communities Law Stands
While the dust has settled following the SJC’s decision earlier this month, the MBTA Communities law remains a politically sensitive topic and the threat of municipal lawsuits hasn’t gone away.
More Homes Come with HOA Dues
Nearly two-thirds of all single-family houses started in 2023 were within HOA-governed properties. And fees those associations collect are rising.
A Gateway to Clean Energy on Cape Cod
Although the resort town of Barnstable fits the demographic requirements of a gateway municipality, it lacked the typical industrial history and immigrant cultures – until offshore wind projects started taking root offshore.
Price It Right from the Start: Three Strategies to Avoid Costly Listing Pitfalls
Due to persistent high interest rates and lack of inventory, buyers are still sitting on the sidelines. As a result, it’s more important than ever to price your listings correctly right from the start.
Everett Sets a Standard for Housing Production
With persistent and overlapping issues of supply and affordability, it isn’t news to anyone that housing shortages are one of the key challenges facing cities and towns nationwide.
Healey’s Pro-Housing Nonprofit Seems to Rack Up Few Wins
The nonprofit Gov. Maura Healey formed to help fund pro-housing fights appears to be doing just enough to anger some local voters but only delivering modest financial support for its cause.
Finding Money to Rebuild After Disasters
Hurricanes, fires, floods: If you’re struck by one of these disasters, you’re going to need money. The good news is that there are numerous financial resources available.
We Make a Direct Impact on Gateway Cities
The time has also come to think beyond these established metrics of success and ask another question: Can the real estate industry do more, more directly, for these communities?
Don’t Build ‘Freedom Cities’ in the Desert. Build on Post Offices
President-elect Donald Trump wants to open up federal land, possibly in the West, to housing construction. But there’s lots of underutilized land right here in Massachusetts.
This Week’s Newspaper
