Prospects Shaky for Cape, Berkshires Real Estate Transfer Fee
Representatives of “seasonal communities” on Cape Cod, the Islands and the Berkshires face steep hurdles to get financing they say is needed for new workforce housing.
Aiming for ‘Bold’ Moves on Beacon Hill
State Sen. Julian Cyr has only chaired the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing since March, but says he’s “been living the housing crisis” for much of his life.
Real Estate Transfer Tax Pitched as Missing Link for Housing
The battle for a local-option real estate transfer tax has risen from the dead, with municipal leaders asking Beacon Hill to help them raise money for affordable housing.
Senate Amendments Reflect Last Hopes for Transfer Tax
After the idea of allowing local option real estate transfer taxes statewide was excluded from the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s housing bill, four senators have filed nine proposals to revive the measure during Senate debate Thursday on a $5.1 billion bond bill.
Real Estate Groups, Chambers of Commerce Urge Senate to Skip Transfer Taxes
The top banking and real estate groups in Massachusetts have teamed up with a pair of business groups to plead with state senators to pass on proposed new real estate transfer taxes.
On Wealthy Martha’s Vineyard, Costly Housing Forces Workers Out, Threatens Public Safety
There are plenty of jobs, but restaurants and stores often can’t find enough staff because workers can’t afford to live there. Officials worry public safety is being compromised because they can’t retain or lure correctional officers or 911 dispatchers.
Senate Plans To Tackle Housing Bill Next Week
Senate President Karen Spilka indicated Monday that the Senate will take up its version of a major housing policy and borrowing bill next week, but she declined to give any indication whether her chamber will include in its bill the local-option transfer tax that Gov. Maura Healey proposed but was left out of the bill passed by the House.
Transfer Taxes Not Ready for Prime Time
The latest proposal to let municipalities establish new, local-option sales taxes on real estate sales continues to be a bad idea. State legislators should strip the measure from Gov. Maura Healey’s housing bill until its problems can be remedied.
Transfer Tax Would Make Small Dent in Housing Needs
A proposed tax on high-value real estate transactions to pay for affordable housing would add an estimated 3,210 affordable homes in Massachusetts over five years, according to the governor’s administration – a drop in the bucket of the state’s 200,000 housing unit shortage.
To Get Transfer Taxes Passed, Try Compromising
It likely feels like “Groundhog Day” for the coalition seeking a transfer tax on higher-end sales after running into a brick wall in the House of Representatives.
Mariano Sees ‘Not So Many Benefits’ from Transfer Tax
After saying he was open to considering a local-option tax on high-value property sales to fund affordable housing, House Speaker Ron Mariano said he doesn’t know if the policy is a solution to the state’s housing woes.
Long-Stalled 6K-Unit Development, Transfer Taxes Get Boost from Mariano
House Speaker Ron Mariano on Thursday voiced an openness to considering a local-option real estate transfer tax to boost the affordable housing supply and indicated he would use water and sewer infrastructure to unlock a long-stalled development site.
New Year, New Housing Policy Choices on Beacon Hill
Gov. Maura Healey’s housing bill boldly proposes a huge increase in affordable housing spending and equally needed policy reforms. But one provision, a transfer tax, would set Massachusetts back.
Transfer Taxes Won’t Increase Competitiveness in the Commonwealth
Instead of focusing on reforms that will boost our economy, the Healey-Driscoll administration is pursuing a policy that will further damage the state’s competitiveness: a new tax on home and building sales.
Will Transfer Tax Be Healey’s Million-Dollar Whiff?
Million-dollar home sales just aren’t what they used to be in Greater Boston. And that’s a major problem for Gov. Maura Healey as she forges ahead with her proposal for a local-option tax on expensive home sales.
In Boston, Top NAR Economist Predicts Inventory Recovery in 2024
Aspiring homebuyers struggling to land a new home – let alone their dream home – and real estate agents and brokers hurting for clients could start to get some relief next year, according to a top housing economist.
Healey: ‘We Have to Go Really Big’ with $4B Housing Bill
The plan is designed to generate 40,000 new units statewide, and would legalize accessory dwelling units in single-family zones and state aid for conversions of underutilized office buildings and malls into housing.
Wu Claims Some in City’s CRE Sector Back Transfer Tax
Despite vociferous opposition to the idea from trade groups, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told a Beacon Hill committee Wednesday that many in the real estate community actually support her proposed transfer tax on property sales over $2 million.
The Bill for Climate Change Is Coming Due. How Will We Pay for It?
From severe storms to nuisance flooding, Boston is facing accelerating costs from climate change. But fortunately, there are several ideas on Beacon Hill that would help pay for infrastructure to protect us.
Third Way Needed for Affordable Housing Money
New taxes on real estate sales were a hot topic on Beacon Hill last week, but unfortunately, both sides have it wrong, to one degree or another.
