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The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that 2016 closed out in December with single-family home sales essentially at the same pace as last year. Eleven of the 12 months of the year saw an increase in home sales over 2015. Median prices were also up for 10 straight months as home values reached new highs. Condominium sales were down in December, after a year of mostly increases. Overall, 2016 was a positive year for home sales in Massachusetts as both year-end single-family and condominium sales and median prices were up over 2015.

Under new leadership, 2016 was a year of multiple successes for MassHousing. The state’s affordable housing bank had its best lending total in its history; received three bond rating upgrades from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s; and created the first-in-the-nation statewide loan program to spur the new production of housing that is more affordable to middleincome renters.

Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) is pleased to announce the addition of six new members to its Board of Directors

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that holiday cheer wasn’t the only thing in abundance in December as both the number of homes put under agreement and prices were up in the final month of the year. This was also true for condominiums put under agreement. This trend was mirrored in the year-end totals for 2016 compared to 2015. Realtors’® confidence in the market was positive again in December as their confidence in prices was down slightly.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that buyers didn’t let the presidential election season keep them from buying homes this past fall as closed home sales were up nearly 20 percent in November compared to the same time in 2015. Both sales and median prices for single-family homes reached their highest levels for November since 2004. Inventory continued its downward trend dropping to its lowest level since January 2004. Median prices and sales both rose for condominiums this month.

Residents living at the 120-unit Berkshire Peak Apartments in Pittsfield will see the extension of affordability in perpetuity and moderate property improvements as a result of $10 million in MassHousing financing.

Realtor® clients showing some concern with interest rates increasing  WALTHAM, Mass. – December, 14, 2016 – The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that...

Existing-home sales are forecast to muster only a small gain in 2017 because of incre the charitable affiliate of the Boston Bar Association – announced today that it will provide $380,000 in grants to eight community organizations that work to provide legal services to those in need. The funding – which was distributed to the BBF from the Massachusetts Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) – stems from Bank of America’s (BOA) 2014 settlement for the bank’s involvement in residential mortgage-backed securities and other unlawful conduct that contributed to the housing/financial crisis

Rita Coffey, Carver resident and associate broker at CENTURY 21 Tullish & Clancy in Weymouth, was installed on December 5, 2016 as president-elect of the 24,000-member Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) for 2017.  The event took place at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, Mass. and included the installation of the MAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Coffey’s term officially begins on January 1, 2017

Annie Blatz, broker-manager at Kinlin Grover Real Estate in Brewster, will serve as Immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) in 2017

Anne Meczywor, broker/associate at Roberts & Associates Realty Inc. in Lenox, was installed on December 5, 2016 as the Secretary-Treasurer of the 24,000-member Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) for 2017. The event took place at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, Mass. and included the installation of the MAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today sent the Jim Brooks Stabilization Act, a proposed home rule petition, to the City Council for its consideration. Once approved by the City Council and enacted by the State legislature, this law would help protect residential tenants and former homeowners living in their homes post-foreclosure against arbitrary, unreasonable, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions, and help ensure that tenants and former homeowners are aware of their rights under state law.

Informa Exhibitions, USGBC and the Boston Society of Architects/AIA announced that Greenbuild and ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX) will be co-located for 2017. The events will take place the week of Nov. 6–10 and both will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), creating one of the largest events for the building community in North America.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® Charitable Foundation recently announced the 2016 recipients of its spring Housing and Homeless Assistance Grants.  The following four charities were nominated by local Realtor® Associations and selected to receive a share of $5,500 in grants based on their initiatives to provide affordable housing, shelter and other emergency care services within Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that the number of homes put under agreement in October were up 15 percent from last year. Condominium pending sales were also up almost nine percent as prices for both property types continue to go up. The strong market was reflected in high Realtor® Market Confidence Index, while the Price Confidence Index remained essentially the same over last year