Housing Headlines

WORCESTER --- A lingering symptom of the foreclosure crisis are so-called 'zombie' properties, which means homes that have been abandoned for years. Worcester Telegram reporter Alli Knothe takes a look at this problem, given that 33 percent of the homes in foreclosure in Worcester County are abandoned, according to RealtyTrac.

MILTON --- A bill has been filed with the legislature authorizing the town of Milton to aqcuire some land next to some land it owns and then convey both pieces to Carrick Realty, which has been seeking a 40B permit from the town to develop an abutting parcel known as the Hendries site into a mixed-use development.

NORWOOD --- Despite getting town meeting approval for a 40R permit to build 48 units, the owners of the Regal Press revealed at a recent planning board meeting that they would build only 40 units. The planning board reacted favorably to the change but did not vote at its July 14 meeting, continuing the matter to its next meeting on Aug. 25.

BOSTON --- The Globe is reporting that more and more homebuyers are leaning toward condos these days, with statwide sales up nine percent in the first five months of 2014 while sinlge-family home sales have declined by four percent. Prices for condos have risen 13 percent while single-family home prices have gone up six percent. This has resulted in a narrowing price gap - $320,000 for a median-priced condo and $340,000 for a house.

VINEYARD HAVEN --- With questions raning from the number of units to the building's box-like look to the lack of green space, the Martha's Vineyard Commission spent 90 minutes questioning housing trust officials about their plans to replace a distressed home next to the Stop & Shop with a $1.2 million six-unit affordable apartment building that would include three handicapped units.

MIDDLEBORO --- The town's zoning board of appeals has granted local developer John Barges a two-year extension on his Ch. 40B comprehensive permit that proposes to build 234 condoiminiums on a 35-acre site near Rt. 495.