GA Blog: State issues

9.29.09 Revised Transportation Plan Disappointing

A recent opinion piece appeared in the September 26th issue of the Salem News. It was a piece talking about how the new regional Boston transportation plan. Here is a summary of their position:

North Shore residents are feeling like they have not been treated fairly.  In a draft study by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, they plan to eliminate key improvements in the North Shore transportation plan.  They recommend dropping Blue Line extension to Lynn, widening Route 128 between Peabody and Beverly, and improvements to the route 1 and 114 corridors.

North Shore residents argue that they are paying more than their fair share through bridge and tunnel tolls and by use of transponders. and that without these changes implemented, the highways will be increasingly crowed and congested  Greater support from our region’s political leaders to ensure the economic viability of our community.

Read the entire article here.  What do you all think?  If you have a strong opinion on the subject,let your state representation or senator know.

7.20.09 $8,000 Tax Credit for Downpayment and Closing Costs

1. Homebuyers who are using a MassHousing loan to purchase their first home apply for the loan program through their lender
2. The loan is used to cover closing costs or as part of the downpayment
3. In 2010, the homebuyer claims the $8,000 tax credit on their 2009 federal tax return
4. The homebuyer then repays the MassHousing tax credit loan
   

6.8.09 REALTOR® Day on Beacon Hill

Just a reminder that tomorrow (June 9th) is REALTOR® Day on Beacon Hill, where REALTORS® from across Massachusetts visit with their state legislators and bring a unified voice on real estate and housing issues to Beacon Hill.  This year, there are 6 issues on the table for discussion.

A.  Bills that REALTORS® Support
1.   S.121 - An Act Clarifying the Requirements for Licensing as a Real Estate Broker or Salesperson (Real Estate Licensing/Pre-Licensure)
2.    H.2218 - The Community Leadership, Neighborhood-Revitalization and Urban-Violence Protection Act of 2009 (Abandoned Property Registry/Copper Pipe Theft Prevention)
3.    H.3474, S.768 - An Act Relative to the Disposal of Municipally Owned Vacant Property or “SCOPE”, Selling City Owned Property Efficiently (“SCOPE”)
4.    S.173 - An Act Ensuring the Privacy of Certain Data (Data Security Law Clarification)

B.  Bills that REALTORS® Oppose
1.    S.1316; S.D.632 - Real Estate Transfer Taxes
2.    H.2940, H.3486 - Home Rental Tax

You can click here to read full details on these issues and on REALTOR® Day on Beacon Hill

5.21.09 Realtors® against Home Rental Tax

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® recently testified on Beacon Hill against a proposed budget bill that would have created a new hotel/motel tax on short term single family home rentals.  NSAR also submitted written testimony arguing that (1) it would require registration and fees on property owners that were never intended for seasonal or second homeowners; (2) seasonal rental owners are not set up to meet the extensive accounting requirements for room occupancy taxes; and (3) this new tax would substantially discourage the purchase of second homes and short term rental properties, especially for those who need the income to support the expenses of the property.

5.18.09 Copper Pipe Theft in Haverhill as Copper Prices Rise Again

Copper pipe theft from vacant properties became a serious problem in 2008.  This story from the Eagle Tribune reports that copper pipe thefts are increasing, as a dip in copper prices over the winter has ended and prices for copper are on the rise.  The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® addressed this problem by meeting with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley last fall to seek legislative solutions to prevent copper pipe theft.  This Eagle Tribune article reports examples of the problem; and here is a summary of the Attorney General’s legislation, which is strongly supported by REALTORS®.

Abandoned Property Registry/Copper Pipe Theft Prevention: H.2218 - The Community Leadership, Neighborhood-Revitalization and Urban-Violence Protection Act of 2009

Vacant houses are an increasing concern in many communities of the Commonwealth. Many fall into disrepair, attract crime, and create safety issues in neighborhoods down with them. Further, metal piping and other fixtures are stolen from the structure, thus making its title unmarketable for mortgage loan qualification purposes. And the problem is becoming widespread, hurting home values in neighborhoods in which thefts occur. 

H.2218 seeks to halt and reverse this problem with a 2-prong approach:

1.  State Abandoned Housing Registry. The primary difficulty in ensuring that vacant properties are kept in decent condition lies in the difficulty in locating their owners, who are responsible for keeping their property up to Code and preventing it from becoming a public nuisance. In response to the growing foreclosure/vacancy problem, some cities have enacted local ordinances requiring the registration of vacant properties. However, there is no state law with a single, unified Registry.

H.2218 creates a 2-year pilot program establishing a state-wide vacant and foreclosed property registry housed within the Attorney General’s Office that will require all property owners, including lenders, trustees and service companies, to register and properly maintain vacant and foreclosed properties.

2.  Licensing Scrap/Junk Dealers. Vacant houses are easy prey for copper thieves. When the piping - including gas lines - is ripped out of a house, it loses significant value, and banks are unable to grant conventional mortgage loans for such a property. What makes the copper theft problem difficult to cure is the fact that the thieves rapidly liquidate their booty through scrap/junk dealers who, under the current statutory framework, are not required to keep such records as would help law enforcement to shut down this criminal enterprise. H.2218 seeks to create a state-wide “Second Hand Metal Registry.” This registry will assist in revitalizing our neighborhoods by providing law enforcement with sufficiently detailed transaction information to keep scrap metal thieves out of business and out of houses, helping to ensure that vacant properties will be sold and re-occupied sooner than later.

Status of Bill: Before the Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security.
Action Needed: Strongly urge your legislators to vote “YES” if this bill comes up for a vote.

3.30.09 New Smoke Detector Regulations

REALTORS® and home-owners should be aware of the new Smoke Detector regulations beginning next year.  After January 10, 2010, the only smoke detectors allowed within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower) will be photoelectric smoke detectors, as opposed to ionization smoke detectors.

Research has shown that though ionization smoke detectors are a little faster to set off an alert, photoelectric detectors are better able to differentiate between smoke and steam, therefore more accurate near bathrooms and kitchens.

The new regulation (527 CMR 32.00 et seq) does not change the locations where smoke detectors are required; rather it mirrors existing provisions in the state building code which prohibits the installation of ionization smoke detectors in new construction. For additional information, ask your local fire department contact.