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.
Wall Street Investors Return to Boston Bidding Pool
Institutional investors returned to bidder pools for apartment complexes on the market in Greater Boston during 2024, resulting in more competitive sales processes and driving up prices.
‘Affordable Housing’ Has a Special Meaning in Mass.
Before joining the chorus of promoters of “affordable housing,” one might want to consider the meaning of that term, and its consequences.
Declining New Construction Has Driven Boston Apartment Pricing Higher
Greater Boston leaders should aim to make sure we have a real-time vacancy rate of at least 6 percent if they want to drive down rents. Lower affordability requirements can help.
Mass. Can Strengthen Section 8 to Expand Housing Access
Local housing authority policies are making a vital housing affordability tool far less effective than it should be, and hurt housing providers in the process.
The Counterintuitive Math that Unlocks New Possibilities
At first glance, the idea that two, plus two, equals five seems ridiculous. But sometimes, math isn’t just about numbers – it’s about people.
Massachusetts’ Transportation System Is at Risk in 2025
The coming months will determine whether we continue transforming to meet our goals for transit, climate emissions and economic growth, or if we’ll stall out.
In Search for Mass. Housing Fixes, It’s Land, Ho!
Many believe that solving our own housing crisis is out of our control because we have no land to build on, but that is not so. What is lacking is broad political will.
2024 Could Be the Year Boston’s Office Rebound Started
But recovery could still be a decade away: North of 40 million square feet of office space is vacant, and the rise of AI means future office demand is still uncertain.
An Affordable Housing Solution Hiding in Plain Sight
Community Land Trusts are finding traction in red and blue states alike, as a fiscally prudent strategy for making public resources do more, go further and last longer.
Building Code Creates Negative Housing Feedback Loop in Springfield
Decades of low housing demand have obscured a fundamental truth about Western Massachusetts: Public policy is contributing significantly to home blight and abandonment.
Trumpeted or Trumped: What About Banks’ Commitments to Underserved Communities?
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, financial institutions announced new or renewed big commitments to underserved communities. Will they stick by those pledges despite changing political winds?
Apartment Rent Increases Set to Continue in 2025
Given the ongoing lack of new supply in both the urban and suburban markets of Boston and continued growth in demand, we expect rents to grow at 3.5 percent next year.
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.
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.
State Needs New MBTA Communities Strategy
The debacle in Needham last week should be a wake-up call for the Healey administration, which needs to reconsider its whole approach.
Why It Matters that Mass. Is Missing Out on the Data Center Boom
Despite being home to research powerhouse, Massachusetts is nowhere to be found on the top 15 markets across the country for data centers. That’s hurting our ability to access this new source of blue-collar jobs.
Could North-South Rail Link Help Build More Housing?
It could be just the ticket to stop the MBTA in its tracks as it forges ahead with one of the most outrageous government boondoggles in recent years.
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.
Should Sellers Sign Long-Duration Listing Agreements?
The Department of Justice has warned buyers not to sign contracts binding them to the agent showing them houses. And maybe they shouldn’t. But what about sellers?
Flood Insurance Is Getting More Affordable
The National Flood Insurance Program is working on allowing policyholders to pay their premiums on a monthly basis. Previously, premiums could only be paid annually.
A Homebuyer’s Glossary of Key Terms to Know
Real estate has its differences – like the difference between spec houses and custom-built homes, or between a pending sale and a completed one.
One Mortgage Banker’s Plan to Fix the Housing Crisis
To Mark Milam, a mortgage banker and loan originator in Atlanta, many current proposals are like “swallowing an aspirin next year for a headache you have now.”