Massachusetts RealEstateRama

WALTHAM, Mass. – October 22, 2013 – The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that both sales and prices closed up with double digit increases in September compared to the same time last year. The condominium market also maintained its upward momentum.

Springfield, MA - October 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced the beginning of the implementation of the City of Springfield’s updated ordinance requiring the registration of vacant and foreclosing properties to protect and preserve public safety, security, and the quiet enjoyment of occupants, abutters, and neighborhoods.

BOSTON - October 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Martha Coakley issued the following statement in response to new regulations filed by the state’s Division of Banks that prevent lenders from foreclosing on a property if an application for a loan modification is in process

BOSTON - October 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to assist homeowners facing significant flood insurance increases due to FEMA’s updated and expanded flood zone maps, Attorney General Martha Coakley and House Speaker Robert DeLeo have filed legislation today to cap the amount of flood insurance mortgage lenders may require of homeowners

BOSTON - October 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A group of businesses that advertised themselves as non-profit foreclosure prevention organizations was sued for allegedly soliciting and spending more than $350,000 in illegal advance fees from distressed homeowners, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today

BROCKTON - October 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A year after touring an abandoned property that was being renovated through her Abandoned Housing Initiative (AHI), Attorney General Martha Coakley returned to meet the home’s new owner and tour another property that has since been rehabbed. Through the AHI program, almost 50 homes have now been renovated in Brockton, with property values of those homes rising an average 20 percent for a total increase of $1.2 million.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Boston Public Library continues its series of roundtable discussions to update library users and interested residents on the Johnson Building Improvement Project. The first phase of construction, which involves the second floor of the 700 Boylston Street building, will begin in December of this year. Highlights of the second floor work include a new children’s library and teen room.

BOSTON - October 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing is sponsoring a free Homebuyer Fair, this Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dartmouth Mall.

BOSTON - September 30, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing is partnering with the Buy Cities program and six MassHousing-approved lenders to promote affordable homeownership opportunities in New Bedford and Fall River.

REVERE - September 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Governor Deval Patrick today toured Revere with local officials to discuss the importance of partnering with cities and towns to grow jobs and create economic opportunity. Through strategic investments in housing and economic development projects, Revere has become an attractive, emerging place for residents and families to live, work and play

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - September 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Springfield, Massachusetts and Eastman Chemical Company today dedicated the Congressman Richard E. Neal Indian Orchard Community Park. Located at 1708 Page Boulevard, the park has always been an important green space to the citizens of Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - September 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Springfield, Massachusetts and Eastman Chemical Company today dedicated the Congressman Richard E. Neal Indian Orchard Community Park. Located at 1708 Page Boulevard, the park has always been an important green space to the citizens of Springfield

Boston, MA - September 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Standing with members of the Leadership Council on Homelessness, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today released a detailed plan to house Boston’s homeless individuals and offer them the support they need to succeed. “Bringing Boston Home,” the City’s new plan, is the result of a four-year process during which members of the Leadership Council met regularly to discuss challenges still facing the homeless community, and set forth measurable outcomes to be achieved by the close of the three-year plan

BOSTON - September 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced today that Equitable Cooperative Bank is now an approved lender of MassHousing's family of affordable, fixed-rate, home loan products for low- and moderate-income homebuyers. Based in Lynn, the bank also has a branch in Nahant. Equitable Cooperative Bank also offers lending services in Essex and Middlesex Counties via the Internet and its loan officers will also originate loans at borrowers' homes or at a location of their choice.

FALL RIVER - September 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- An unlicensed home improvement contractor has been sentenced to serve one year in jail in connection with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from multiple homeowners, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office announced today. He was also ordered to pay more than $132,000 in restitution to the victims