We sincerely appreciate the recognition, and credit it to the quality content that our staff and contributors are focused on publishing on a daily basis!

We are currently seeking authors in all areas of real estate, including commercial, residential, lending, real estate law, and ancillary real estate services. For more information on becoming a regular contributor to the Boston Real Estate Observer, contact us using the link at the top of this page.

As 2010 played out, the Boston Real Estate Observer continued in its efforts to be one of the top Boston real estate news sources.  Our quest to continue expanding coverage was made possible with the addition of multiple new regular contributors, bringing our total list of authors to 11 – learn more about becoming a contributor.

As we did in 2009 and 2010, we plan to implement  innovative new ideas in 2011 to continue bringing readers robust and comprehensive coverage of the Boston real estate market.  Here are the top 10 most read articles from 2010 (some of which were actually written well before 2010):

1. Craigslist, Rental Properties and Listing Scams
2. Best Places to Live 2010: Massachusetts Real Estate
3. Overall Boston Property Taxes Up in 2010
4. The Clarendon Brings Unique Living to Back Bay
5. Condo Kitchen and Bath Remodel Options
6. Channel Center Seaport District Lofts Open Houses
7. Understanding the HUD-1 Settlement Statement
8. Disputing a Low Home Appraisal
9. Boston Apartment Rental Scam Exposed
10. W Hotel Boston Foreclosure

We appreciate your readership and look forward to a prosperous 2011, Happy New Year!

This is the vision of Matthew Martinez.  After witnessing first-hand how families on Section 8 vouchers found themselves in a cycle of poverty that could not be broken, Martinez, a Boston-area property owner, decided to do something about it.

He created a scholarship that supports single parents on Section 8 vouchers who are determined to obtain a college degree so they may improve their earning capacity and their family’s long-term economic stability.

The scholarship is the result of a partnership between Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, The University of Massachusetts Boston, and Beacon Hill Property Group, owned and operated by Martinez.

Applicants must meet certain criteria, including being a member of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.  Once awarded, the scholar will work with an Advisor from MBHP to establish goals, responsibilities, timelines and a specific plan of action.

Unfortunately, the number of applicants far exceed the capital currently raised for this initiative. Private donations are being sought to meet the overwhelming demand for this groundbreaking scholarship opportunity. The Boston Celtics will award 4 of the President’s seats (a value of $2,000) to the individual or organization that donates the most to this endeavor.

If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Martinez at 617-448-5550 or matt@beaconhillpg.com.  Or, simply mail your donation to:
University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd Boston, MA 02125-3393 Attn: Kelly A. McLaughlin, Coordinator for Merit-Based Scholarships
For: The Boston Scholarship

For more information, see The Boston Scholarship (PDF).

Using her background in the mortgage business, as well Boston neighborhood expertise developed by residing in the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South End, and South Boston, Vivian is a Boston real estate agent that provides Buyers and Sellers with useful, current and timely information that will support their needs and objectives, providing clients solutions from a financial perspective in a way that will help them avoid potential financial pitfalls – so timely in today’s economy.

The Boston Real Estate Observer continues to partner with thought leaders and experts, such as Vivian, in various real estate related fields who serve as regular contributors to the publication in an effort to bring readers a comprehensive content portfolio. For more information on becoming a regular contributor to the Boston Real Estate Observer, contact us using the link at the top of this page.

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is now consistently crowded with families taking advantage of the many fountains that can bring a cool relief to those taking in the Waterfront.  If screaming children having the time of their lives is not in the cards for you, and you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated, try the Colonnade Boston Roof Top Pool (admission required).

And for those dreamers out there, if you were the proud owner of 74 Beacon Street, a stunning Beacon Hill home, you’d be able to enjoy your Boston infinity pool in the private comfort of your roofdeck deck overlooking the Public Garden perhaps the quintessential Boston pool of them all.

“I am with the US Census Department and I need to conduct interviews at 321 West Second Street. Specifically at units 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 16. Can you please contact me with either a time I could gain access to the building to complete these interviews, phone numbers where I could contact these residents or if you could please confirm if these units were not occupied on April 1st that would be most appreciated.

Nathan Clifford”

The census is slated to add more than 1.4 million new jobs to the federal payroll, making it the largest peacetime government jobs program ever, according to the Census Bureau. Some 140,000 people were hired in 2009, while the bulk of these temporary workers are being brought out board during 2010, an effort that provides a timely boost for what appears to be a positively trending US economy.

The program will only apply to approved appliances, so please consult the list below to make sure that your purchase will be eligible. To participate in the program you must:

1. Make a reservation at www.masssave.com
2. Purchase a qualifying appliance (see refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers, and clothes-washers)
3. Submit your completed rebate form with a copy of a current electric bill, sales receipt, and delivery documentation confirming replacement of old appliance.

Please note that the online reservation portal will not be open until Earth Day, April 22nd, but it is a limited program so be sure to sign up as soon as possible! If you plan on purchasing more than one appliance, multiple reservations are required, but you can use the same rebate form to claim all appliances.

Unfortunately, not all manufactures and models of Energy Star appliances are covered in the exchange program, but there is still help out there. NStar, Western Mass Electric, Unitil, Caple Light and National Grid are all offering up to $50 in mail in rebates on Energy Star qualified Refrigerators and Freezers. To obtain this rebate please go to www.myenergystar.com and print the main in rebate.

With these two fantastic programs and the estimated hundreds of dollars you can save per year with Energy Star appliances over older traditional models, now is the time to step up and make the move to more efficient appliances.

On the whole, assessed values have remained either stable or decreased slightly in many neighborhoods, but with the approximate 12% increase in the tax rate, many homeowners will face larger property tax bills during fiscal year 2010.

Residents who maintain their Boston home as a primary residence will continue to qualify for a residential exemption.  The fiscal year 2010 residential exemption subtracts $125,090 from a property’s assessed value, saving qualified homeowners $1,486.07 on their tax bill.

For an example of how to calculate taxes for your condo, as well as a historical look at tax rates in Boston, visit our newly updated Boston property taxes article.

With a special interest and expertise in green building and condo developments in the environmentally friendly space, Quinn is considered a “utility agent”, and does a little bit of everything, most recently taking over the property management division of the Boston Brokerage Group.  Quinn also has experience in Financial Services and real estate syndication.

The Boston Real Estate Observer continues to identify thought leaders and experts, such as Quinn, in various real estate related fields who serve as regular contributors to the publication in an effort to bring readers a comprehensive content portfolio. For more information on becoming a regular contributor to the Boston Real Estate Observer, contact us using the link at the top of this page.

1. Boston Parking Spaces – our downtown Boston parking spots page continues to be a top destination for those who want to buy and/or sell a parking spot in Boston.
2. The 1850 New South End Condo Development – along the southern border of the South End, a new loft-style condo development called the 1850 launched, we were one of the first to bring you exclusive photos and a comprehensive overview of the property.  The project then became one of a small handful of properties in downtown Boston that have been brought to the auction block over the past several years.
3. 441 Stuart Street: What Happened? – Brecht Palombo provided in depth coverage of the foreclosure auction of a Back Bay building at 441 Stuart Street.
4. Nouvelle at Natick Condo Auction – General Growth Properties placed a bet on creating a luxury condo living experience at the Natick Collection mall that backfired on them.  After declaring bankruptcy, the firm proceeded to try and sell off its position in the faltering condo development via an auction.
5. The Clarendon Brings Unique Living to Back Bay – closings began at the ultra-luxury Clarendon Back Bay in December 2009, the building represents the only true high-rise living accommodations in the Back Bay.
6. Disputing a Low Home Appraisal – with lending regulations changing in 2009, along with the underlying requirements around appraisals, this pointer to an informative article on how to dispute a low home appraisal was especially popular this year.
7. Boston Property Taxes – many Bostonians saw a decrease in both their tax rate as well as assessed home value in 2009, which equates to a lower tax bill.  The residential exemption has decreased in value, perhaps an effort by the City to maintain their tax base.
8. Nothing Standard About Standard Purchase and Sale Agreement – in addition to breaking news, the Boston Real Estate Observer features a swath of informative articles covering real estate basics, our article about the standard P&S agreement has gained significant popularity.
9. Boston W Hotel and Condos – we’ve brought you coverage of the Boston W since project inception, providing some of the most exclusive photos and news about the development as it moved through construction to the hotel opening earlier this year and its most recent condo closings in December 2009.
10. FP3 Seaport District Condos Slow to Sell – while the latest Seaport District condo development, FP3, began with an extremely slow sales velocity, it has picked up steam during 2009, with currently 35 units in the building recorded as sold (per LINK).

We look forward to another exciting year in Boston real estate, and a whole new set of top 10 articles in 2010.  Happy New Year!