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.
Don’t Mess with the Market – Please!
The negative effect that tariffs had on the spring market should come as no surprise. But hopefully that uncertainty has passed and the luxury market will be on the upswing.
Why Agent Education Matters in a Rapidly Changing Industry
Over the last 18 months, the rules of residential real estate have changed dramatically for Massachusetts agents. Brokerages and agents must invest in training – now.
Urban Trees Vs. Cool Roofs: What’s Best for Beating the Heat?
Urban trees are a popular defense against rising temperatures, but are expensive. Coating rooftops with reflective paint or using light-colored materials can help.
How New Projects Are Responding to Climate Concerns in Boston
Like other waterfront cities, Boston faces existential risk from climate change – not just rising sea levels, but also sudden rainstorms and extreme temperatures.
Buildings Play a Key Role in Massachusetts’ Energy Future
If we want to maintain momentum on climate goals, we must be strategic in how and when building performance is integrated into the construction process.
SJC Limits Landlords’ Use of Security Deposits
When one of its tenants vacated her apartment without using professional cleaning services, a landlord deducted $115 from her security deposit. It could face a class-action lawsuit.
Massachusetts Urban Conservancy Targets Unbuildable Land
If you’ve ever written a check to have grass mowed and said to yourself, “No one ever uses that grass,” we have an idea for you.
How to Talk to Building Owners About Embodied Carbon
Recent municipal regulations mean designers face an urgent need to translate these rules’ implications for building owners and developers.
Three Small Housing Reforms with Outsized Potential in Mass.
Potentially transformative ideas often face entrenched and widespread resistance How about looking for seemingly minor ideas that could unlock extra housing production?
Maine Leads the Way on Housing Reform in New England
Massachusetts could learn some lessons from Maine’s housing reform approach, particularly from a new law that removes barriers to housing while preserving some local control.
Why Fair Housing Matters So Much to Me
My street shows how the market, and a lack of new housing, accomplished what no upstanding Massachusetts politician would have openly condoned: legalized segregation in the suburbs.
Another Rent Control Ballot Initiative Rears Its Ugly Head
We’ll need industry-wide coordination to fight a proposed ballot question that aims to repeal Massachusetts’ ban on rent control. With your help, we’ll stop it again.
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.
Don’t Bet on Filling Those Lab Buildings Any Time Soon
The Bay State’s life sciences sector now faces the prospect of a potential retrenchment amid slashing cuts to research funding and drops in venture capital funding.
State’s Top Taxman Dismisses Tower Tax Retaliation Claims
State Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said he can’t “substantiate” claims that Boston raised taxes on tower owners who challenged their valuations. A lawsuit could be next.
The Next Step in Housing Reform Isn’t Coming from the Governor
The next big thing in housing affordability isn’t coming from Gov. Maura Healey or a leading legislator. Instead, a housing scholar is taking matters into his own hands.
Who’s Got an ‘Abundance’ Agenda in Massachusetts?
Some top Democrats on Beacon Hill say they’re big fans of the book roiling the party’s intellectual circles with its critique of why blue states build too little housing.
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.
Scam Artists Flogging Real Estate Get-Rich Schemes
Buyer beware: Recent Federal Trade Commission actions show that scam artists are still out there, trying to separate you from your money.
Good Buyers Look Beyond Home Staging
House hunters who visit homes that look like they belong in Architectural Digest need to take a closer look. Those places have been staged to hide their flaws.
Review Your Homeowners Insurance Yearly
The beginning of hurricane season should serve as a reminder to homeowners in affected areas to make sure their homeowners insurance is up to date.
Protection Against Condo Special Assessments
Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of condominium apartments are languishing on the market these days, and not just because of high interest rates and high prices.