Archives

MASSHOUSING LAUNCHES NEW INVESTOR RELATIONS SITE IN ADVANCE OF UPCOMING BOND SALE

BondLink, the municipal market’s premier provider of investor outreach solutions, today announced the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing) has launched an investor relations website, MassHousingBonds.com

The Number of Massachusetts Homes Put Under Agreement Went Up in July

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that the number of single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement in the month of July experienced double-digit percent increases over the same time last year. The median price for pending home sales remained above the $400,000 for the third straight month. July's Hot Topic' question found that the vast majority of Realtors® reported that their clients are concerned about finding a home to buy after they sell.
USDOJ

Real Estate Broker Sentenced for Role in Sweeping Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy

A Methuen real estate broker was sentenced today in connection with a sweeping conspiracy to defraud banks and mortgage companies by engaging in sham “short” sales of residential properties in Merrimack Valley.

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash Celebrates Affordable Rental Housing Award for Springfield’s...

One of 19 awards from Baker-Polito Administration, totaling $57 million in affordable rental housing awards and $33 million allocation in tax credits to support creation and preservation of nearly 1,500 housing units

Northfield Broker Named 2018 Recipient of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors® Private Property Rights Award

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) today announced that Corinne Fitzgerald of Northfield, Broker/Owner of Fitzgerald Real Estate in Greenfield, has been named the 2018 recipient of the MAR Private Property Rights Award. Fitzgerald received the award at the Association’s annual Realtor® Day on Beacon Hill event that took place at the Massachusetts State House on June 7, 2018.

FISCAL 2019 REAL ESTATE and PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS

FY 2019 first quarter Real Estate and Personal property tax bills will be due on Wednesday, August 1st, 2018. Bills were mailed to all property owners on June 30th, and include both the August payment stub and the November stub (due on November 1, 2018).

Boston Gang Member Sentenced for Distributing Drugs in and Around Public Housing Development

A Heath Street gang member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing drugs in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain. Javonte Robinson, a/k/a “Biggie,” and “Big Dog,” 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young

Leominster Realtor® Installed as Treasurer of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors®

Kurt Thompson, Templeton resident and Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty - North Central in Leominster, was installed on December 7, 2017 as Treasurer of the 24,000-member Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) for 2018. The event took place at Hotel 1620 in Plymouth, Mass. and included the installation of the MAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Thompson’s term officially begins on January 1, 2018.

Lenox Broker Installed as 2018 President-Elect of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors®

Anne Meczywor, broker/associate at Roberts & Associates Realty Inc. in Lenox, was installed on December 7, 2017 as President-Elect of the 24,000-member Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) for 2018.  The event took place at Hotel 1620 in Plymouth, Mass. and included the installation of the MAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Meczywor’s term officially begins on January 1, 2018.

Medway’s Paul Yorkis to Serve on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Association of...

Paul Yorkis, President of Patriot Real Estate, Inc., will serve as Immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) in 2018. As the Immediate Past President of the Association, Yorkis will serve in an advisory capacity to the MAR president, act as an association spokesperson, and assist in the administration of the affairs of MAR between meetings of the MAR Board of Directors. 

Second Phase of Major Renovation of the E. Henry Twiggs Estates in Springfield will...

MassHousing has provided $10.8 million in financing to the nonprofit developer Home City Development, Inc, to advance the second phase of the substantial rehabilitation of the 136-unit E. Henry Twiggs Estates in Springfield. The project will complete major renovations of 61 scattered-site apartments for low-income families in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Housing Choice Initiative

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a comprehensive new initiative to substantially increase housing production across the Commonwealth. The Administration’s Housing Choice Initiative creates a new system of incentives and rewards for municipalities that deliver sustainable housing growth; creates a new technical assistance toolbox, to empower cities and towns to plan for new housing production; and proposes legislative changes, through An Act to Promote Housing Choices, to deliver smart, effective zoning at the local level.

Pending Home Sales Jump in November as Prices Rise Again

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that single-family pending home sales rose over 12 percent this month from November of last year, with prices rising over four percent. Pending condominium sales were also up, rising more than two percent over last year, while prices increased slightly.

Senators to Tax Budget Conferees: Remove Harmful Renewable Energy Provisions, Protect Clean Energy Blue-Collar...

As Republicans on the congressional tax scam conference committee try to finalize their partisan plan this week, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are demanding removal of renewable energy provisions from the final conference report that would devastate clean energy deployment and job growth.

Mayor Sarno Recommends Fiscal Year 2018 Property Tax Rates to Springfield City Council

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today his preliminary recommendation for Fiscal Year 2018 property tax rates. This will now be sent to the Springfield City Council for consideration at a meeting scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. The recommended rates are $ 19.69 for residential and $39.25 for commercial, industrial, and personal property (CIP) (per $1,000 valuation).

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