From the Wall Street Journal:
Home resales surged 10.1% in October – hitting the highest pace since February of 2007 — fueled by buyers rushing to tap the federal tax credit. It helped that home prices and mortgage rates remain low, possibly making the monthly mortgage payment more affordable than renting in some areas.
That has eaten [...]

The following is an excerpt from Scott Van Voorhis’s article in the Banker & Tradesman:
The last thing downtown Boston needs is another ugly hole in the ground.
So it’s not surprising then that the Harvard Club, one of the city’s top civic institutions, and the Eliot Hotel, a thriving boutique, are teaming up to stop [...]

Acidgalore likes looking at Back Bay condo ads:
……….Another lovely one, that you don’t want to miss on: A $2,150,000 condo, comes with a, – OMG, are you sitting down?- a Mini Cooper! Actually, it comes with a “MINI COOPER!!!” How exciting indeed! I can afford $2mil on a condo and you think the Mini Cooper [...]

The FHA, which now controls an incredible 30 percent of the mortgage market, is looking to raise fees and possibly down payment requirements.
This is big. The FHA needs cash. Its reserves are dangerously low. But it’s also a critical part of a still fragile housing market.
P.S. Hedge funds are contributing to the FHA’s woes. They [...]

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c

Boston resident Jen Burger took a photo of a live model at lingerie boutique Agent Provocateur’s storefront on Newbury Street yesterday. The model also shot pictures of passersby who looked in the window.
View the Boston Herald: Lingerie model at Agent Provocateur
Warning: The Boston Herald video may not be appropriate for children.

Now that’s a bold title for a blog post, wouldn’t you say. Just the facts:
8/20/08 – 11/20/08
Number of Boston South End condo sales – 147
Avg. South End condo sales price – $625,000.00
Med. South End condo sales price – $535,000.00
Days on the market – 619
8/20/09 – 11/20/09
Number of Boston South End condo sales – 145
Avg. South [...]

What some call the “commercial dead zone” of Back Bay, the portion of Boylston Street between Arlington and Berkley Street. Some signs of life.

Comparing Boston condo sales for the month of October in 2007, 2008 & 2009.
October 2007
Number of Boston condos sold: 389
Avg. $ Boston condo sales price: $504,015
Median $ Boston condo sales price: $374,750
Avg. $/SF Boston condo sales price: $510
Avg. Days on the market: 98
October 2008
Number of Boston condo sales: [...]

Storefront changes are planned for two corners of the Massachusetts Transportation Building.

At the corner of Stuart Street and Charles Street South, the former Bennigan’s restaurant space, a new restaurant will be opening as early as late February, accrording to an article in the Boston Courant. The restaurant named Vapiano’s will serve salad, pizza, and pasta.
On [...]