Yearly Archives: 2013

Massachusetts Home Sales Down in November as Prices Continued to Move Up

WALTHAM, Mass. - December 30, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that November home sales declined compared to last year as prices still continued to go up. The condominium market experienced similar results. The lack of inventory of homes for sale impacted closed sales results

2014 Qualified Allocation Plan for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has scheduled a public hearing to solicit comments on the 2014 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. on January 3, 2014 in second floor conference room 2B, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114. At the hearing, interested members of the public will be afforded the opportunity to present data, views or arguments orally relative to the proposed 2014 plan for allocating the low income housing tax credit in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Ocwen to Provide $2.1 Billion in Relief to Homeowners in State-Federal Settlement Over Loan...

BOSTON - December 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The nation’s fourth largest mortgage servicer has agreed to provide Massachusetts homeowners with an estimated $80 million in principal reduction and cash payments to homeowners as part of a national settlement to resolve claims of loan servicing misconduct and unlawful foreclosures, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today.

Average Family to Pay $63 Less in Property Taxes Next Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Boston today announced the property tax rates for Fiscal 2014. The Fiscal 2014 tax rate for residential property is $12.58 per thousand dollars of valuation. The rate for business properties is $31.18 per thousand. Last fiscal year’s rates for residential and business properties were $13.14 and $31.96, respectively. The City’s total assessed value for Fiscal 2014 is $99.8 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent from last year.

“Shelter for all Genders” Report Released

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), is pleased to announce the release of “Shelter for All Genders: Best Practices for Homeless Shelters, Services and Programs in Massachusetts in Serving Transgender Adults and Gender Non-Conforming Guests.” This guide provides recommendations to agencies working with transgender and gender nonconforming persons in emergency and transitional shelters or services throughout the Commonwealth.

Funding Announced to Modernize and Preserve the State’s Public Housing Stock

BOSTON - December 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Friday, December 13, 2013 – The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced a new initiative, the High Leverage Asset Preservation Program (HILAPP), that will support the comprehensive modernization and preservation of the state’s public housing stock. The Program will provide competitively bid grants to local housing authorities that are able to secure matching funds from local and or other non-DHCD sources

MassHousing Closes $16.1 Million Loan for the Acquisition and Rehabilitation of River Place Towers...

BOSTON - December 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- December 10, 2013 – MassHousing announced today that it has closed a $16.1 million construction and permanent loan for the acquisition and renovation of the 448-unit River Place Towers in Lowell.

GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES WORCESTER HOUSING COURT CLERK-MAGISTRATE NOMINATION

BOSTON - December 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Deval Patrick today announced the nomination of experienced attorney Nickolas W. Moudios as Clerk-Magistrate of the Housing Court, Worcester Division.

Former Massachusetts Attorney Convicted of Mortgage Fraud

BOSTON WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Pennsylvania man, formerly an attorney practicing in Boston, was convicted of mortgage fraud. Charles R. Sammon, 37, of West Pittston, Penn., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 13 counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, all in connection with the mortgage fraud scheme that occurred in 2006 and 2007

MassHousing Closes $6 Million Loan for the Development of the Dalrymple School Apartments in...

BOSTON - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced today that it has closed a $6 million construction bridge loan for the renovation and conversion of the former Dalrympe School in Winthrop into 27 affordable apartments for senior citizens

JPMorgan to Pay $13 Billion in Federal-State Deal Over Mortgage Backed Securities

BOSTON - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- JPMorgan Chase and Co. will pay $13 billion in a joint federal-state settlement over the practices of its mortgage-backed security activities, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today. This is the fifth settlement resulting from AG Coakley’s ongoing investigation into the role of Wall Street investment banks in funding, purchasing and securitizing unfair residential mortgage loans

MassHousing Honors 93 Property Management Companies for Their Commitment to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

BOSTON - November 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing recently recognized the efforts of 93 property management companies that make a concerted effort to do business with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).

MassHousing Awards $517,500 for Affordable Sober Housing

BOSTON - November 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing has awarded $517,500 to support sober housing programs in Cambridge, Fall River, Springfield, South Boston, Tisbury and Worcester.

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD RELEASES NEW MARKET-RATE HOUSING STUDY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Domenic J. Sarno today announced the results of a market rate housing study commissioned for Springfield, indicating a strong potential for new downtown market-rate housing

Governor Patrick Announces Over $73 Million to Build or Preserve 1,145 Housing Units Across...

CAMBRIDGE - November 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thursday, November 14, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced over $73 million in affordable housing resources and tax credits for projects in 17 communities across the state, building on the Patrick Administration’s commitment to improving housing infrastructure to support growth and opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. During the announcement, Governor Patrick signed H.3492, “An Act Financing the Production and Preservation of Housing for the Low and Moderate Income Residents.”

Recent

AG Healey Secures $2 Million in Restitution for 20,000 Massachusetts Homeowners...

One of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers will pay $2 million in restitution to resolve allegations that it violated state law and committed unfair and deceptive practices by charging Massachusetts homeowners for unnecessary fees and overpriced force-placed insurance policies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today