Education

Good Intentions. Real Consequences. A Lesson Massachusetts Has Already Lived. Whenever housing costs rise, rent control is often presented as a quick fix. The idea sounds reasonable: limit rent increases to protect tenants from sudden spikes. But housing policy is rarely simple—and Massachusetts has already tested rent control, studied it extensively, and reversed course. As […]

🏠 Tenant Rights: What Landlords Can’t Charge For In Massachusetts, landlords cannot deduct from a tenant’s security deposit for reasonable wear and tear. This is protected under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B. ✅ What Is Considered “Reasonable Wear and Tear”? These are normal signs of everyday living: 🎨 Faded paint 🧼 Minor carpet wear 🖼️ […]

🏡 Case Study: Housing Affordability in Lexington, MA (2025) Lexington, Massachusetts continues to be one of the most competitive housing markets in the state. In June 2025, the median home sale price reached $2.1 million, marking a 29.2% increase year-over-year. This sharp rise reflects strong demand and limited inventory, making it a seller’s market. 1. https://www.redfin.com/city/36128/MA/Lexington/housing-market 📊 Key Stats: Median Price per […]

What does Housing Affordability Mean? It refers to the relationship between household income and housing costs—essentially, whether people can reasonably afford to buy or rent a home without compromising their ability to pay for other essentials like food, healthcare, and transportation. Factors Affecting Affordability: Local wages and employment opportunities, Home prices and rental rates, Availability […]