Yearly Archives: 2015

Massachusetts REALTORS® were on Beacon Hill today to testify on behalf of H.226 An Act regulating secondary metals dealings. While the foreclosure crisis has passed and the market is healthy, the problem of copper theft from vacant and occupied homes continues to be a problem that hurts neighborhoods their home values.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Compact of Mayors, fortifying Boston's commitment to climate action and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. The Compact unites cities with a common goal to drive climate action, building on Boston's continued commitment through its existing Climate Action Plan.

Last week, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with concerns about the adequacy of a proposed reliability standard for keeping the electric grid safe from solar storms when they hit Earth (referred to as geomagnetic disturbances, or GMD), which have the potential to cause widespread blackouts and serious damage to the grid.

Governor Charlie Baker and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay announced awards for the 2015 competition to fund affordable rental housing development, renovation, and preservation in the Commonwealth. The funding advances the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to ensuring access to quality, affordable housing.

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) hosted the second of a series of meetings with his 2015 Congressional Youth Cabinet at the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in Westborough. The event included a presentation about, and tour of, the new Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife net zero field office and a roundtable discussion on the effects of climate change and the possibilities presented by renewable energy sources

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that very strong buyer activity in August pushed pending home sales up over 40 percent from the same month last year. REALTORS® showed growing confidence in the market again in August as the REALTOR® Market Confidence Index was up over 20 percent from August 2014. This month’s “Hot Topic” question finds that “boomerang buyers” are not as active in Massachusetts

Two former Roxse Homes employees were arrested today on charges that they conspired to rent apartments at the housing development in Roxbury to individuals who were not qualified for those apartments, in exchange for cash bribes

The popularity of prefab housing is gaining fast traction among today’s savvy and environmentally aware consumers. Referred to as “modular construction” by the industry, modular house construction is an inherently “green” process. It uses fewer materials and produces less waste because the process relies on computer aided design and precise equipment.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward J. Markey, Congressman Bill Keating (MA-9) and Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA-4) today announced that Steppingstone Incorporated, a substance abuse treatment center in Fall River, will receive $400,000 in federal grants. The funding will support Project Reentering Offenders Achieving Recovery (ROAR), a collaborative effort between Steppingstone Inc. and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office to provide treatment and training for male offenders with a history of substance abuse

The Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), under the leadership of Chair Governor Dannel P. Malloy (CT) and Vice-chair Governor Charlie Baker (MA) took action on three fronts issuing letters regarding the opioid epidemic, national surface transportation legislation, and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Families living at the 125-unit Lincoln Woods Apartments in Lincoln will see the extension of affordability and significant property improvements with the closing of $15.6 million in MassHousing financing

Daniel J. Flynn, III, 52, of Milton, was arrested and charged in U.S. District in Boston with wire fraud. According to the criminal complaint, Flynn defrauded investors of millions in a real estate investment scheme that began in at least 2007.

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that ongoing buyer activity in the spring pushed single-family home sales up in July over 19 percent compared to the same time last year. This is the biggest year-over-year increase since September 2013. The median price of single family homes was also up for the 11 time in the last 13 months. New listings added to the market were up almost seven percent over last year. Both condominium closed sales and median prices were up.

American Realty Advisors announced the sale of an office complex comprising 294,663 square feet located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The property, which was sold to a strategic buyer for an undisclosed amount, consists of three buildings that are situated in one of the Boston metro’s premier suburban markets, according to Scott Darling, President of American Realty Advisors

Thursday, August 20, 2015 - Following up on his commitment to end veterans homelessness by the end of 2015, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that 367 homeless veterans have been housed since his Administration launched the program in July 2014