Your weekly news & updates

U.S. Homeownership & Rental Vacancy Rates for Q2 2025  The U.S. government is reporting that the national vacancy rates for Q2 2025 were 7% for rental housing and 1.1% for homeowner housing. The national homeownership rate for Q2 2025 was 65%. Click here to read more.

Pending Home Sales Down 2.8% Year-Over-Year in June  The National Association of Realtors is reporting that pending home sales dropped 0.8% in June, 2025 and down 2.8% year over year. Click here to read more.

Frustrated Sellers are Delisting Properties & Putting them on the Rental Market  CNBC’s Diana Olick says it’s getting harder to sell a home, as rising supply, high mortgage rates and waning consumer confidence conspire to keep potential buyers on the sidelines. Click here to read more.

GDP Down 3% Up Q2 2025

According to their “advance” estimate, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is reporting that America’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3% in Q2 2024. Click here to read more.

ADP National Employment Report – July 2025  According to the ADP National Employment Report for July, 2025, private sector employment increased by 104k jobs and annual pay was up 4.4% year-over-year. Click here to read more.

S&P CoreLogic Case ... Read More…

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🏗️ Massachusetts Construction Code Cheat Sheet (2023–2025)

For Contractors & Clients

✅ 1. 10th Edition Building Code – Adopted 2023

• Based on 2021 International Building Codes (I-Codes)
• Replaces 9th Edition (based on 2015 I-Codes)
• Key Changes:
• Updated structural design standards (wind, snow loads, seismic zones)
• Stricter energy efficiency requirements (insulation, windows, envelope)
• Improved resiliency for flood- and storm-prone areas

 

🌱 2. New Stretch Energy Code & “Opt-In” Specialized Code

• Available for towns opting into net-zero goals
• What it means:
• All-electric readiness required in most new buildings
• Tighter blower door testing standards
• Increased insulation R-values and mechanical efficiency
• Applies to:
• New homes >4,000 sq ft
• Multi-family, commercial, mixed-use buildings

 

🔌 3. Electrification & Fossil Fuel Bans (Pilot Program)

• State-authorized 10-town pilot for fossil fuel bans
• Towns like Brookline, Cambridge, Newton may require:
• No gas/oil hookups in new construction
• Electric HVAC, hot water, cooking only
• Building must support heat pumps & electric appliances

 

🔥 4. Fire Code & Life Safety Enhancements

• Referencing updated NFPA 1 & 101
• What’s new:
• Sprinklers now required in more residential and mixed-use types
• Enhanced emergency egress signage & lighting
• Stricter fire alarm system upgrades ... Read More…

This Fixture switches Light Frequency with a switch in the fixture Itself!

This gives you some idea of what to expect from different Light Frequency in Kelvin.

These Bulbs change Frequency by a Switch!

These Bulbs change Frequency by Dimming!

 

... Read More…

Banging Pipes?

1. They checked the pitch, to see that the Condensed Steam, water, could Drain back to the Boiler. 

2. Then replaced a Radiator Steam Vent.

3. However It appeared the supply valve

3. However It appeared the supply valve had been leaking , WATER...

FROM SUPPLY STEAM???

4. Checked the Boiler guage glass, which should've been at half way but it seemed to be full, tough for the Boiler to generate steam, when FULL!!! 

 5. Additionally there was evidence that the Main Supply Vent had leaked.

6. More evidence the valve had been leaking for some time.

7. So, Shut off the Auto Feed, Drain down the boiler to 1/2 and fire it up. (mark the water level for future reference)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Read More…

 

One Question Can Help You Declutter Like a Pro Many people discover that decluttering and removing unnecessary items from the home can lead to a happier, healthier life. But we might also struggle with deciding what to keep and what to let go of. Even if you know it's time to simplify, you might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. The simple solution? Ask yourself: "If I had to move to another country next week, would I bring this with me?" This straightforward question can help you identify the things you truly need as opposed to items that just occupy space. It can quickly clarify what is essential and useful, and what can be discarded or donated. Consider using the FARFI acronym to ensure clear judgment while going through your belongings: F – Frequency: "How often do I use this?" A – Acquisition cost: "How expensive or difficult was it to obtain?" R – Recency: "When did I last use this?" F – Functionality: "What purpose does it serve?" I – Intention: "Do I have a logical reason for keeping it?" Decluttering may seem daunting, but you don't need to tackle it all at once. Try dedicating 20 minutes per day for 30 days to one room at a time. Alternatively, involve your family in a monthly decluttering session. Donating items to those in need or supporting a charity can also ease the process by making it more worthwhile. Create a Donation Station for items you no longer require. Redirect ... Read More…

 As you may know, in the Real Estate Investing business, You've got to Buy Low ("DEALS") and Sell High (the closer to Perfect you Fix-up the Property, the better you're able to enter the Retail Market (MLS) of highest sale prices).

You can Buy Distressed Property or find a Distressed Owner. Then Fix-up the Property and Sell or Rent it.

To be Successful you've got to keep finding these "DEALS" otherwise it's like you're treading water. OK to tread in a Lake but this business is more like a River so Treading ends you down river, breaking even or losing money.

One way to fill your "Pipeline" with Deals is with the Marketing Magic from National Expert Kathy, who'll Teach us How YOU can be Successful with that "PIPELINE" of opportunities! Tuesday, January 28, 6:30-9pm & Saturday, February 1, 10:00-3pm2025.

Another way for finding DEALS is Tony Youngs Hidden Market techniques. Tony shared page 1 of his Goals on his Thursday (1/2/25) evening webinar, below. Like to join us for Tony's Thursday webinar? Mike@MassRealEstate.net and I'll see if I can get Tony for an invitation for YOU.

  GOALS FOR 2025 (print and paste on your Refrigerator beside your Vision Board)

Financial:

Health Goals:

Spritual Goals:

FINANCIAL:

I will make $250,000 this year

I will do this by working the Hidden Market System

I will plot a course of 8 foreclosure properties and find 30 hidden market leads by following that course.

I will wholesale the properties I find to other i ... Read More…

1. Layout Your Area ("Farm") to Invest In

2. Find the "Traffic" in that Area

3. Friends and Influences

4. Make an Offer

5. Qualify a Borrower

6. "Comps"

7. Counter Offers

8. Rehabbing and Estimating

9. To "Flip" or not to "Flip"

10. The Dirtiest  11 Letter Word - Landlording

11. Networking

12. Vision

13. Do it All Again!

... Read More…

 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/emTO0jTjBDU

So I decided NOT to take my evening walk down the beach:-0

 

 This is what the larger Coyote tore through, Ouch!

  

 Still photo just before the video.

... Read More…

 Next 12 months Topics?

Contractors

1. 1. Specific construction services:

• Home remodeling
• 3X
• Landscaping, Ground water, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Paint, Paper?, Basement, Heating/Cooling, Electrical, Charging Station, Solar interconnect
• Home renovation
• Siding repair
• New home construction
• Roofing
• Metal roofing
• Vinyl siding
• Stone veneer

1. 2. Construction-related phrases:

• How to build a house
• Types of houses
• Home construction loans

1. 3. Construction-related phrases:

• How to build a house
• Types of houses
• Home construction loans

1. 4. Job-related:

• Construction jobs
• Construction apprenticeships
• Construction careers

Real Estate Investors

 

1. 1. Investment strategies:

• Buy and hold
• Fix and flip
• BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat)
• House hacking
• Wholesaling
• Real estate syndication

1. 2. Property types:

• Single-family homes
• Multi-family properties
• Commercial real estate
• Vacation rentals
• Short-term rentals

1. 3. Financial terms:

• Cash flow
• Cap rate
• ROI (Return on Investment)
• NOI (Net Operating Income)
• Cash-on-cash return
• Leverage
• 1031 exchange

1. 3. Market analysis:

• Real estate market trends
• Rental market analysis
• Comparative market analysis (CMA)
• Appreciation potential
• Neighborhood analysis

1. 4. Financing:

• Investment property loans
• Hard money lenders
• Private money lenders
• FHA loans
• VA loans
• Owner financing

1. 5. Property management:

   ... Read More…