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.
The Fair Share Amendment Will Help Mass. Keep I-90 Project on Track
This is a real setback for this once-in-a-generation opportunity. But it’s far from the final chapter – and we still have hundreds of millions of dollars to work with.
A ‘Business as Usual’ Attitude is Holding Massachusetts Back
While Massachusetts prepares to debate a small fraction of proposed housing reforms, states across the country are already implementing many of those same ideas.
Policy, Plus Action, Equals More Housing, More Quickly
At CHAPA’s new Housing Policy Action Center, we want to help support ideas through implementation, and make sure reforms are backed with on-the-ground experience and solid coalitions.
With Ordinance, Boston Targets Climate Change
For a planet with over 8 billion people, BERDO cannot provide meaningful climate change mitigation by itself, but one has to start somewhere.
Why So Many Luxury Rentals? It’s Boston’s High-Cost Environment
Our region’s sustained demand is fueled by affluent renters, a reasonably robust economy and limited inventory, with even fewer new developments on the horizon.
Let’s Give Assisted Living Legal Clarity in Massachusetts
It’s vital Massachusetts builds more assisted living residences to help aging Bay Staters, but the legal framework around them has become ambiguous – and that’s hurting development.
Wellesley Project Was Reinvented to Gain Support
Plans for a 90-unit 40B complex gave way to a 35-unit condominium development after developers’ discussions with neighbors and town officials.
Healey’s Executive Order on PLAs Is Good Governing and Good Business
For public entities large and small, from towns to major state divisions, PLAs provide the predictability, safety and equity to large-scale construction projects.
Taming Accelerating Housing Costs
Producing multifamily housing in the commonwealth continues to be a challenge. One of the obstacles to building the new housing we so desperately need has been a sharp increase in the cost of construction.
Level the Playing Field: Gateway Cities Need Permitting Reforms
Massachusetts’ 26 Gateway Cities are home to more than a quarter of our state’s population and represent some of our most promising opportunities for economic revitalization, yet they consistently struggle to compete with suburban and greenfield locations when it comes to attracting projects that could help transform their economies.
Crash Risks Are Not Necessarily Worsened by Development
Certainly, any safety concern should be taken seriously and addressed promptly, but it’s also easy for the public to overestimate the negative effects (and underestimate the potential positive effects) of new development on road safety.
Be the Change You Want to See
In today’s competitive Massachusetts banking environment, differentiating an institution in a crowded marketplace isn’t just about offering the best rates or services – it’s also about local presence and hands-on community involvement.
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.
Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Plans Face a Reckoning
The wheels are coming off our current plans to transition to a clean energy future. It’s time for a debate on how we balance the speed of transition with making Massachusetts affordable.
Sale Price Growth Slows Nationwide, While MA Continues to Climb
Just call it a tale of two real estate markets. Nationally, home prices have begun to level off and even decline in some markets – but here in Massachusetts, we continue to set new records, both statewide and in the perpetually overheated Greater Boston market.
Pioneer Institute Says Massachusetts’ Economy is Declining
It’s a wake-up call for elected leaders to move beyond incremental steps and pursue a bold, unified strategy – one that taps our world-class universities, research centers and talent to restore Massachusetts’ edge in innovation and opportunity.
Distressed Sales Show Boston’s Budget Problem Isn’t Going Away
A new report says, based on recent office sales and “weak” property tax collections, Boston’s property tax crunch could be getting worse.
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.
40-Year Listing Firm Run Out of Business
Remember the company that was offering homeowners a few thousand dollars in exchange for the right to list their homes any time in the next 40 years?
It’s Not All Bad for Buyers
Now might not be the best time to buy a house. But if you are a member of the must-buy group, fear not: the inventory of houses for sale hasn’t been this large since 2019.
Low-Fee Brokers Look Increasingly Appealing
Selling your house doesn’t need to cost as much as most agents charge. How does 1 percent of the selling price grab you? Or a flat fee of around $500?
Celebs Help Sell Houses, Loans
A spokesperson doesn’t necessarily need to be super famous, but they should at least be recognizable.