Massachusetts RealEstateRama

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that single-family home sales in May were down over five percent compared to the same time last year. The median price of single family homes was also down for the first time in eight months. New listings added to the market were up almost eight percent over last year. Condominium closed sales and median prices were both up.

Today, in a continued effort to stabilize New England’s electricity rates while meeting the Commonwealth’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) goals, the Baker-Polito Administration filed legislation to diversify the state’s energy portfolio through the procurement of cost-effective, hydropower generation. This legislation will not only increase the reliability of New England’s electricity system, but will provide Massachusetts’ ratepayers with a clean, cost-competitive alternative to coal and oil generation

With solar installation expected to double in the next two years, the White House today announced a series of new initiatives and investments to expand solar power to low and middle-income areas. There are now more than 20,000 megawatts of installed solar capacity in the United States, with more than 60 percent of it installed in just the past two years. In 2007, the United States installed 224 megawatts of solar domestically. In 2014, it was more than 30 times that amount: 7,000 megawatts

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that as of the end of June, the City has reached $1.65 billion in housing starts for calendar year 2015. This pace is 138 percent higher than the $692 million in housing starts at the same time last year.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro, the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) and the Dorchester community to cut the ribbon on the Quincy Heights housing development. Through the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant, the City, working alongside community partners, re-developed and transformed Quincy Heights, formerly known as the Woodledge/Morrant Bay housing development, into affordable 129 units.

The Boston Housing Authority hereby announces a Public Hearing regarding proposed changes to the BHA Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan on Tuesday August 11, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Amory Street Housing Development, 125 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA

Did you know that the Town of Scituate’s population increases from 18,000 to 30,000 residents during the summer months? This expansion in population translates into increased water usage and demands upon our water distribution system. The Fourth of July observance is when this typically peaks. This year, along with high temperatures and the repairs currently being made to the system, brown water is anticipated over the July 4th weekend observance and at other times during the summer.

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman William Keating today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded more than $12.5 million in infrastructure improvement grants to municipal airports in New Bedford, Plymouth, and Hyannis, Massachusetts

A former executive of the Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) and a former public housing inspector were sentenced today for their roles in rigging the inspection process of federally funded housing units.

Six Massachusetts Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provided over $186 million in community benefits for residents of Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2014 according to reports published by Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it will award the City of Beverly with a $714,600 grant for critical infrastructure improvements at the Beverly Municipal Airport. Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, along with Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill lauded the Department for investing in the local airport.

Today the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting developers to submit revitalization proposals for the Amory Street elderly/disabled public housing development in Jamaica Plain.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced $96,000 in grants to 12 community-based organizations through the Mayor's Office of New Bostonians (MONB) Mini-Grants Program to support their immigrant integration and empowerment efforts in the City of Boston.

It will be a busy day for the volunteer leaders of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) as they will be appearing today before two separate hearings at the Massachusetts State House. The outcome of these proposed bills could both negatively impact home values in two separate ways.

MassHousing's financing includes a $3.7 million permanent loan and $1 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), which MassHousing manages on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Island Creek Village North is being developed by Beacon Communities LLC of Boston and will be built adjacent to the existing 58-unit Island Creek Village East and the 48-unit Island Creek Village West that were financed by MassHousing in 1982