Living Local

Why are rental prices going up?

Not enough new construction and the tight market for homebuyers have exacerbated an existing housing shortage. But there is more to it than that. There is a concentration of ownership into large businesses that own and manage a growing percentage of America’s rental housing market. Unfortunately, building more housing may make the problem worse for

By |2022-10-27T13:53:21-04:00November 2nd, 2022|Categories: Living Local|Tags: , , |

Covid-19 and Real Estate

On March 10, I was sent the National Association of Realtor’s® statement about Covid-19, the coronavirus that has infected people around the world. Risks: For Sellers: Realtors® are encouraged to discuss the risks of holding open houses, or having appointments where buyers come to your house. … Speak openly and honestly with your seller about

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals have their place as a way to make money in real estate. Like any other new business model, it functions like the Wild West. Some people make a fortune. Some of those people do a good business. Some use the loosened regulation as a way to rent poor-quality spaces and avoid taxes. When

By |2021-11-01T16:02:34-04:00January 23rd, 2019|Categories: Living Local, Legal questions|Tags: , , |

Affordable Housing and Your Vote

Affordable housing is the issue in this year’s Somerville municipal election. Please vote on November 7 for candidates you think we can work with to make headway on housing. Know what your candidate intends to do about it. Every Alderman and the Mayor must be held accountable in 2018 to make affordable housing a possibility

By |2021-11-01T16:31:00-04:00November 1st, 2017|Categories: Living Local|Tags: , |

Home Rule Petitions for Affordable Housing

Boston and Somerville have both sent home rule petitions to the State Legislature that have been written to assist tenants in properties that are being sold for development. Boston’s involves increasing the amount of notice that tenants get, if their leases are not going to be renewed. It requires landlord sellers to report their sales,

By |2021-11-01T16:31:41-04:00October 25th, 2017|Categories: Living Local, Legal questions|Tags: , , , |

Snow shoveling — who is required to do it?

Winter. Yes, the days are short now. Soon we'll see (and be shoveling) snow. Will we see white stuff like last year, or the year before? I get asked questions about snow removal, as a real estate agent. Since they are legal questions, I depend on Attorney Richard Vetstein for accurate legal answers to general

Shower me with warmth . . . .

Ron Rothenberg 4Buyers Real Estate I’ve had a new energy-saving device for over a year, and I love it, and it has more than paid for itself a few times over, and it only cost me  $20.00 at the Mass Save store website. It’s an Evolve showerhead, and it saves energy and  solves the problem

Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2015

There is a lot to be said about Thanksgiving. However you look at it, the gratitude part will do you some good. Then, you are encouraged to spend your money on Black Friday, the shop-‘til-you-drop event in many retail areas. Since 2005, there is also Cyber Monday when on-line outlets post discounts to draw more