This week there were a lot of interesting stories that you may have missed out on. One of the last family-run urban grocers in Massachusetts is closing down, there is the potential we may be seeing a casino soon, its a good thing for us not to travel miles away just to play slots in adjoining cities and many Hurricane Sandy victims will save thousands on deductibles. We even have some real estate drama going on in France, resulting in many mansions in Paris going up for sale. If that doesn’t catch your attention than maybe a celebrity purchase in Beverly Hills will, or The Amityville ‘horror house’ begging for a buyer. Get your quick real estate news fix here and check back next week for another Boston real estate roundup. This week’s Boston best value rentals and Boston real estate Smart Buys are up as well, so take a peak!
Boston Real Estate News
W.B. Mason seeks tax freeze for its Brockton headquarters
“Office-supply giant W.B. Mason has requested a tax-incentive deal for its Brockton headquarters, its home for more than 100 years.”
Johnnie’s Foodmaster is closing all of its 10 stores, liquidator says
“Last month, Chelsea-based Johnnie’s Foodmaster, one of the last family-run urban grocers in Massachusetts, said it was closing six supermarkets in November and selling the leases to Whole Foods Market Inc.”
Emerging Kendall Square getting noticed by developers
“Cambridge’s Kendall Square is attracting developers who see the potential of the neighborhood as more than $1 billion of construction of office, R&D and apartments are in the pipeline.”
Milford builder still eyes state casino license
“A Milford developer says he hasn’t folded his hand and is still planning to challenge Suffolk Downs for the Boston area’s sole casino license, but officials at the East Boston racetrack say they’re still the odds-on favorite as they’re developing a string of paying by mobile slot sites to expand their reach into gambling niches in the community.”
Real estate community raises nearly $3M for United Way
“More than 1,200 Boston area real estate leaders attended the 19th Annual United Way Real Estate & Building Industry Leadership Breakfast at the Westin Waterfront Hotel on Thursday, celebrating the collective philanthropic commitment of the real estate & building industry to benefit one of United Way’s key focus areas – preventing family homelessness”
Veolia Energy inks deal at new address in Financial District
“Veolia Energy North America, a developer of efficient energy solutions, has signed a 27,440-square-foot lease at 53 State Street in Boston.”
National Real Estate News
Housing market rebound fails to recharge economy
“The U.S. housing market is on the mend, but the so-called “missing piston” of the world’s biggest economy doesn’t have enough power to get the broader recovery firing on all cylinders any time soon.”
Homeowners could save thousands on deductibles after Sandy
“The fact that Hurricane Sandy was downgraded to a “Post-Tropical Cyclone” before it made landfall on the East Coast will save homeowners potentially thousands of dollars in home insurance deductibles.”
Skeletons in the closet? Amityville ‘horror house’ back on market
“The owners of The Amityville Horror house – an iconic piece of scary movie history – have put it back on the market with a dropped asking price of $955,000, insisting it is because they are getting divorced and not because it is haunted.”
The Maroon 5 lead singer buys $4.83 Million Home in Beverly Hills
“According to the L.A. Times, The Voice coach has bought a 3.6-acre home, listed for $4.83 million, with six bedrooms and seven bathroom. The 1940s ranch-style home, located inside a gated community called Wallingford Estates, includes a swimming pool and tennis court.”
France’s ‘rich tax’ means Paris mansions for sale
“Real estate agents say that the number of multimillion-dollar real-estate listings in Paris has jumped more than 25 percent over last year – due in part to the threat of the new income tax. More than 400 new listings have come onto the luxury real-estate market over the past six months, they say.”
