The Federal Housing Finance Agency, regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is initiating changes in lending rules that would allow more potential buyers to qualify for home mortgages, especially in high-demand markets like Massachusetts. These changes should enhance buyers’ ability to participate in the housing recovery. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not…
Massachusetts Attorney General Sues Federal Agencies In Commonwealth of Massachusetts v Federal Housing Finance Agency et al., a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in which she accused mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of violating a state law meant to prevent Massachusetts residents from losing their homes to…
Over-regulation Drives Up Housing Costs Real estate attorneys and other professionals in Massachusetts agree that housing in the Commonwealth is not affordable to most people. Massachusetts does not produce enough new housing units to make the market rate housing affordable to the average worker. Zoning isn’t the sole source of the problem, but…
A property owner seeking to build in a historic area will need the assistance of an experienced Massachusetts real estate attorney. Some of the procedures available to landowners whose plans are blocked by local restrictions are non-judicial in nature, but they may be even more complex than the court process. The Appeals Court in…
Major storms Katrina and Sandy have made catastrophic hurricane damage in the United States a reality, and there are significant lessons that need to be applied to protect our shorelines in the future. There are specific vulnerabilities the city of Boston will face in the event of sea level rise, and there…
Closing a real estate transaction can be a difficult process. One or more of the parties may change their minds or try to sabotage the deal for various reasons. Trying to negotiate, even with a formerly trusted business associate or partner, may become an agonizing fiasco. In such a situation,…
If you purchase or rent out residential property in Massachusetts where young children live or may live, you need to be aware of the requirements of the Massachusetts Lead Law, 105 CMR 460.00, and in particular CMR 460.100, Duty of Owner(s) of Residential Premises. Lead poisoning is a hazard to…
If you own beachfront property in Massachusetts, or are considering purchasing such property, it might save some surprises if you consult a Massachusetts real estate attorney regarding your rights and the rights of others to access your private beach. Over the years, Massachusetts courts have only slightly increased the scope…
When you are looking at homes for sale, you consider factors like the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the asking price, and the location. A nearby church or school may seem like an enhancement, but in fact it calls for investigation and a consultation with a real estate…
A prospective purchaser of property may discover that there is an easement giving a non-owner, whether a person, company, or public entity, the right to use a portion of the property. An easement is usually a passageway between two properties, possibly for a driveway when one property does not have direct access…