Yearly Archives: 2009

Massachusetts Single-Family Home Sales Down in March as Prices Up Slightly from February

First quarter sales down for single-family and condos while multi-family sales increase over 50%. WALTHAM, MA - April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that single-family home sales were down 4.7 percent in March compared to the same time last year, while condominium sales were down 19.8 percent. Median prices were up from February for both single-family homes and condos. However, the year-over-year median price for a single-family home was down 19 percent and condominiums prices were down 14.9 percent compared to March 2008.

East Cambridge Savings Bank is a MassHousing Approved Lender

BOSTON, MA - April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — MassHousing announced today that East Cambridge Savings Bank is now an approved lender of MassHousing’s MassAdvantage™ family of affordable home loan products to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

Governor Patrick Announces Free Homebuyer Fairs and Open Houses to Promote Affordable Homeownership Opportunities...

BOSTON, MA - April 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced today that the latest series of free “Opportunity Knocks’’ regional homebuyer fairs and open houses to promote affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts will held on Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9, at 10 shopping malls across Massachusetts.

Boston Hosts Second Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino, together with the Boston Home Center, today hosted hundreds of residents at the City's second Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Workshop in an effort to connect some of Boston's most vulnerable homeowners with their mortgage servicer to see if they can avoid foreclosure. Today's event, held at Madison Park High School in Roxbury, drew seven servicers, eight non-profit housing organizations, and more than 200 homeowners.

Massachusetts REALTORS Proclaim Congressman Barney Frank its First ‘Distinguished Champion of Housing Opportunities’

WALTHAM, MA - April 01, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) announced today that it has named Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, its first “Distinguished Champion of Housing Opportunities.” Chairman Frank received the proclamation from the Association for his tireless work and support for legislation and regulations to ensure a robust and sustainable housing market. MAR made the presentation to the Chairman at the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Congressional Luncheon on Friday, March 27, 2009 in Acushnet, Mass

Mayor Menino, Former Vice President Al Gore Announce Climate Action Leadership Committee

March 31, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino, joined by Former Vice President Al Gore, this afternoon named the Boston Climate Action Leadership Committee, a 21 member group representing a broad spectrum of the community charged with charting Boston’s collective response to climate change. The Mayor also announced that $6.5 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded to implement Renew Boston, an innovative public-private partnership that will boost energy efficiency and alternative energy services for Boston residents and businesses.

HUD and EPA Enforcement Action Leads to $2.25 Million Settlement from Real Estate Companies

Boston, MA - March 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — A large, Boston-based real estate corporation, The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB), and nearly two dozen associated property owners have agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty and spend more than $2 million in lead paint abatement work at residential properties to settle an enforcement action brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Massachusetts Home Sales Down Again in February

WALTHAM, MA, - March 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that single-family home sales were down 11.4 percent in February compared to the same time last year, while condominium sales were down 16.4 percent. The median price for a single-family home was $252,500 and the median price for a condominium in February was $213,250.

Boston Announces $4M in Available Funds to Support Redevelopment of Foreclosed Properties

Mayor Says Neighborhood Stabilization Program Resources Designed to Expedite the Restoration of Valuable Housing Stock March 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced the availability of more than $4 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of foreclosed and abandoned properties by non-profit and for profit developers, the latest milestone in Boston’s efforts to stabilize those neighborhoods that have been disproportionately affected by foreclosures.

Tiger Home Inspection Promoting the Use of REALTORS in Radio Public Service Campaign

PSAs to run on Boston-area radio stations 105.7 WROR-FM and 102.5 WKLB-FM over 40 weeks in 2009

RHA Fair Housing Seminar

March 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — If you have not taken a Massachusetts specific Fair Housing course then you do not understand how fair housing laws apply in the Commonwealth. While federal fair housing laws establish minimum standards, states are empowered to expand upon those standards.

Mayor Menino Announces Boston’s New Leading the Way III Housing Strategy

Executive Summary Details Focus on Workforce Housing; Continued Foreclosure Reclamation; Homelessness Reduction, Rental Housing Preservation

Housing Market Hits a Triple for First-Time Homebuyers

Affordable prices, low mortgage rates and $8000 tax credit create unique opportunity

GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES STATE TO RECEIVE $4.5 MILLION FROM MACARTHUR FOUNDATION TO PRESERVE AFFORDABLE...

Investment expected to leverage $150 million to keep 9,000 homes affordable in Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts Electric Company Files Large-Scale Solar Energy Plan

February 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) announced February 12 that it has submitted a solar energy plan to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. The plan would implement large-scale solar installations that could begin generating power by 2010.

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