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.
Laying the Groundwork for a Biotech Rebound
Despite the spring’s bad headlines, this summer ended with a pile of venture capital deals and two more Bay State biotech IPOs. It’s time for Beacon Hill to do its part to keep that momentum going.
Allston’s Western Ave. Poised to be Next Hub for Life Sciences
We believe the projects most likely to succeed are those situated in dynamic ecosystems that already exist and can help foster innovation and collaboration.
Breaking Through the Noise on Office-to-Residential Conversions
Converting an office space to housing has big benefits, but can be even more expensive than building housing from scratch. Political and business leaders must come together to find feasible solutions.
New Factors Give Occupiers Even Stronger Hand in Lab Market
The life sciences and lab market across the Boston metro area has been in a state of flux for some time, but a new factors have added extra pressure on landlords and owners.
Banks Can Win by Leading the Low-Carbon Transition. Here’s How
The global transition to a low-carbon economy is not just about managing risk – it’s a massive commercial opportunity for banks.
Mass. Doesn’t Need a Hammer to Get More Housing Production
What if we could solve the affordable housing problem of Massachusetts towns with a few strokes of a (free) lawyer’s pen? A pro-business legal group has a new idea and an offer that Bay State local governments cannot refuse.
How Inclusive CRE Ownership Can Empower Boston Communities
It can give long-time Black residents an equity stake in the vibrancy, safety and prosperity of their neighborhoods. A new guide I and my fellow scholars and developers wrote shows how to do it..
Project Labor Agreements Help Raise Housing Costs. Why Are They Prioritized?
A recent BU study revealed an alarming increase in the number of residents fleeing Massachusetts thanks to housing costs. But lawmakers are overlooking a key way to fix that.
End Parking Minimums and Legalize Single-Stair Buildings: Ideas for the Next Wave of Housing Reforms
It’s sad that middle-class Bay Staters weren’t paying attention to unaffordability as it swamped the working poor, then the working class. But it’s still coming for their own children despite recent legislative wins.
Reclaim Boston’s Brand with Big Changes to Historic Area
Revolutionary Spaces is taking a fresh look at how we tell stories about Boston’s past. Local executives have a chance to be part of building a bridge to a more inclusive telling of American history.
Why Massachusetts’ Version of ‘Chevron Deference’ Will Survive
The U.S. Supreme Court ended its 2023-2024 term by upending a bedrock of federal agencies’ regulations. And it means state regulators here will likely take on a more important role.
CFA’s Solutions to Agent Commission Question Won’t Help Buyers or Sellers
Lew Sichelman’s Aug. 25 column gave too much credit to ideas that would, in fact, harm first-time buyers and which fly in the face of what experience says will work.
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.
Boston Faces a Bigger Office – and Budget – Crisis Than You Think
Gone unnoticed amid all the heated debate are signs that the underlying problem – the decline in office building values – may be even more serious than first thought.
The Worst of Boston’s Tax Problems May Be Yet to Come
The good news is that Boston’s 2025 tax revenue crisis may not be as bad as some have feared. The bad news is office values may have further to fall.
State Leaders Celebrate Without a Victory
If political happy talk could be converted into housing units, the cost of a home wouldn’t be nearing $1 million in Greater Boston. But it’s a reality our state and local pols seem incapable of grasping.
Muted Reaction to Wu’s $100M Housing Fund, Return of Top Planner
Developers and real estate executives weren’t tapping furiously at their keyboards and burning up my phone line in praise of the mayor’s announcement of a $100 million “Housing Acceleration Fund.”
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.
Cash Buyers Can Get Their Money Back
Cash is king when it comes to buying a house. Always has been, and always will be. And these days, individual cash buyers – as opposed to cash-laden investors – have an even better shot of scoring the house of their dreams.
A Homeowner’s Playbook for the Day After Disaster
These days, disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes are more powerful than ever. It’s increasingly likely your home will be hit one way or another.
States Are Taking the Fight to Squatters
Some states are taking long-overdue legislative steps to deal with squatters: people who take over others’ properties without their consent, sometimes dumping the owner’s stuff and trashing their homes.
How Homeowners Can Save on Rising Insurance Premiums
Homeowners may be able to find some relief from rising property taxes and insurance premiums – without doing much work in the process.