Michael Seward
@michaelseward.bsky.social
I’m a real estate broker serving the Pioneer Valley of western, MA.
“Contracts rose in the Northeast, Midwest, the South and the West.
Mortgage rates have edged lower since the Federal Reserve resumed interest rate cuts in September, though it is unclear if rates will fall much further in the months ahead…”
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Mortgage rates have edged lower since the Federal Reserve resumed interest rate cuts in September, though it is unclear if rates will fall much further in the months ahead…”
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
US pending home sales surge to highest in nearly 3 years in November, NAR says
Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly shot to the highest in nearly three years in November, as improving affordability conditions drew in buyers, the National Association of ...
www.reuters.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
“Contracts rose in the Northeast, Midwest, the South and the West.
Mortgage rates have edged lower since the Federal Reserve resumed interest rate cuts in September, though it is unclear if rates will fall much further in the months ahead…”
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Mortgage rates have edged lower since the Federal Reserve resumed interest rate cuts in September, though it is unclear if rates will fall much further in the months ahead…”
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
“‘There have been cases of homeowners who had stopped receiving statements, received tax documents saying their second mortgage was cancelled, or had the loans removed from their credit reports’ who later learned the loans were still active.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/17/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/17/b...
Warren seeks answers on ‘zombie’ second mortgages - The Boston Globe
Warren’s request cited recent stories that documented instances of homeowners getting blindsided by huge bills on long-forgotten second mortgages.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
“‘There have been cases of homeowners who had stopped receiving statements, received tax documents saying their second mortgage was cancelled, or had the loans removed from their credit reports’ who later learned the loans were still active.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/17/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/17/b...
Various letters for editor about the housing shortage.
#housingshortage
#Massachusetts
#homes
#realestate
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o... heg aee
#housingshortage
#Massachusetts
#homes
#realestate
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o... heg aee
Opinion | No Quick Fix for Our Housing Crisis
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Various letters for editor about the housing shortage.
#housingshortage
#Massachusetts
#homes
#realestate
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o... heg aee
#housingshortage
#Massachusetts
#homes
#realestate
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o... heg aee
“SNearly 37 percent of those polled say inflation and the cost of living is their greatest economic concern. One-quarter of voters in the poll listed health care costs as their top worry, with #housing affordability (at 17 percent)…
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/m...
1 in 3 voters say they’ve considered leaving Massachusetts — even if they want to stay. ‘Just outrageously expensive.’ - The Boston Globe
One-third of Massachusetts voters said they’ve considered leaving the state, according to a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll of 500 voters.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
“SNearly 37 percent of those polled say inflation and the cost of living is their greatest economic concern. One-quarter of voters in the poll listed health care costs as their top worry, with #housing affordability (at 17 percent)…
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/m...
Lawyers for the developer argue that the inclusionary zoning requirement is misapplied, because it doesn’t make the affordable housing shortage worse.
#Massachusetts
#housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/b...
#Massachusetts
#housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/b...
New lawsuit challenges Cambridge inclusionary zoning ordinance - The Boston Globe
The suit challenges an ordinance that requires any property owner seeking a building permit for a project of 10 units or more to permanently set aside 20 percent of the square footage for affordable h...
www.bostonglobe.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Lawyers for the developer argue that the inclusionary zoning requirement is misapplied, because it doesn’t make the affordable housing shortage worse.
#Massachusetts
#housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/b...
#Massachusetts
#housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/03/b...
Minor issues cause big permitting delays in #Massachusetts.
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/b...
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/b...
‘Too many obstacles’: Despite statewide legalization, backyard homes haven’t boomed in Mass. - The Boston Globe
Despite a new law that aims to ease construction of accessory dwelling units in Massachusetts, relatively few are being built so far.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Minor issues cause big permitting delays in #Massachusetts.
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/b...
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/b...
“Close to 85,000 U.S. sellers took their homes off the market in September, up 28% from September 2024 and the highest level for that month in eight years, according to Redfin.”
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#homes
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#homes
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Sellers are taking their homes off the market at the fastest pace in nearly a decade
Home sellers are taking their homes off the market at a fast clip, because they are sitting for more than 60 days and prices are weakening.
www.cnbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
“Close to 85,000 U.S. sellers took their homes off the market in September, up 28% from September 2024 and the highest level for that month in eight years, according to Redfin.”
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#homes
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#homes
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
“Apartments and homes are scarce across the Pioneer Valley, demand is high, and the Trump administration is walking away from its responsibility to enforce fair housing rules, state officials told a Springfield audience Monday.”
housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
www.masslive.com/business/202...
housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
www.masslive.com/business/202...
Officials: Limited housing supply, Trump make it hard to fight housing discrimination in Valley
A study of housing supply released in August showed that minorities are more likely to rent and likely to live in segregated circumstances.
www.masslive.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“Apartments and homes are scarce across the Pioneer Valley, demand is high, and the Trump administration is walking away from its responsibility to enforce fair housing rules, state officials told a Springfield audience Monday.”
housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
www.masslive.com/business/202...
housingshortage
#AffordableHousing
www.masslive.com/business/202...
“In 2025, America built fewer homes per 100,000 people than it did in 2005, 1995, 1985 or 1975.”
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#massachusetts
#homes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#massachusetts
#homes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | America’s Housing Crisis, in One Chart
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“In 2025, America built fewer homes per 100,000 people than it did in 2005, 1995, 1985 or 1975.”
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#massachusetts
#homes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
#housingshortage
#housingaffordability
#realestate
#massachusetts
#homes
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
“The law is called the ‘builder’s remedy,’ and it was designed to break the political logjams that have made California one of the most difficult places in the country to build.The law works by nullifying local zoning rules when cities fail to plan for enough housing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
The Housing Strategy That Has California NIMBYs in a Corner
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“The law is called the ‘builder’s remedy,’ and it was designed to break the political logjams that have made California one of the most difficult places in the country to build.The law works by nullifying local zoning rules when cities fail to plan for enough housing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
“The ballot question would pit tenant groups, labor unions, and other advocates against the state’s powerful real estate industry, which has already said it is willing to spend millions to defeat it.”
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#realestate
#housing
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/b...
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#realestate
#housing
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/b...
Rent control backers say they’re on track to go before voters next year - The Boston Globe
The campaign said it has collected more than 124,000 signatures over the last few months, well over the number required to be submitted to state elections officials next month.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
“The ballot question would pit tenant groups, labor unions, and other advocates against the state’s powerful real estate industry, which has already said it is willing to spend millions to defeat it.”
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#realestate
#housing
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/b...
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#realestate
#housing
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/18/b...
“Those born between 1965 and 1980 are now the “sandwich generation.” They’re in a hinge position…some of those are using that buying power to transition into age-friendly housing and configure family units into multigenerational living arrangements.”
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
Kids and grandparents live under one roof as the ‘sandwich generation’ cares for both
As the last era to gain a foothold in the housing market, some Gen Xers are creating multigenerational living arrangements.
www.boston.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
“Those born between 1965 and 1980 are now the “sandwich generation.” They’re in a hinge position…some of those are using that buying power to transition into age-friendly housing and configure family units into multigenerational living arrangements.”
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
A 50 year mortgage dramatically increases the interest on the loan by hundreds if thousands of dollars, while slowing the rate of equity earned over time.
#realestate
#housingaffordability
#homes
fortune.com/2025/11/12/h...
#realestate
#housingaffordability
#homes
fortune.com/2025/11/12/h...
Trump's 50-year mortgage would save you about $119 a month while doubling the interest you pay over the long run, UBS estimates | Fortune
Is an extra $119 per month worth another 20 years of borrowing?
fortune.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A 50 year mortgage dramatically increases the interest on the loan by hundreds if thousands of dollars, while slowing the rate of equity earned over time.
#realestate
#housingaffordability
#homes
fortune.com/2025/11/12/h...
#realestate
#housingaffordability
#homes
fortune.com/2025/11/12/h...
“In 1991, the typical first-time buyer was able to purchase a home by the time they were 28 years old. That number gradually climbed to 33 in 2020, then shot up to 36 in 2022 and 38 in 2024.”
#realestate
#AffordableHousing
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/r...
#realestate
#AffordableHousing
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/r...
First-Time Home Buyers Are Older Than Ever
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“In 1991, the typical first-time buyer was able to purchase a home by the time they were 28 years old. That number gradually climbed to 33 in 2020, then shot up to 36 in 2022 and 38 in 2024.”
#realestate
#AffordableHousing
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/r...
#realestate
#AffordableHousing
#housingcrisis
#housingshortage
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/r...
“Bessent said that, although the overall U.S. economy remains solid, high mortgage rates still hinder the real estate market. Housing, he said, is effectively in a recession that is hitting low-end consumers the hardest because they have debts, not assets.”
www.reuters.com/business/bes...
www.reuters.com/business/bes...
Bessent says high US interest rates may have caused housing recession
Parts of the U.S. economy, particularly housing, may already be in recession because of high interest rates, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday, repeating his call for the Federal Reserve to accelerate rate cuts.
www.reuters.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“Bessent said that, although the overall U.S. economy remains solid, high mortgage rates still hinder the real estate market. Housing, he said, is effectively in a recession that is hitting low-end consumers the hardest because they have debts, not assets.”
www.reuters.com/business/bes...
www.reuters.com/business/bes...
“‘When someone with legal status gets picked up, we don’t know when they’re going to be released, and they’re in the middle of buying a home.’”
#realestate
#massachusettsrealestate
#FairHousing
#Massachusetts
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
#realestate
#massachusettsrealestate
#FairHousing
#Massachusetts
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
‘Stripped of this American dream’: Boston-area ICE raids are deterring immigrant home buyers
Real estate professionals are providing guidance to help protect their properties in case ICE intervenes in the lives of their clients.
www.boston.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
“‘When someone with legal status gets picked up, we don’t know when they’re going to be released, and they’re in the middle of buying a home.’”
#realestate
#massachusettsrealestate
#FairHousing
#Massachusetts
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
#realestate
#massachusettsrealestate
#FairHousing
#Massachusetts
www.boston.com/real-estate/...
“While the recent home address data gives the impression the state is picking up the pace of construction, a more recent drop in permits suggests a slowdown in the near future.”
#RealEstate
#Massachusetts
#massachusettsrealestate
#pioneervalley
#homes
#housingshortage
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
#RealEstate
#Massachusetts
#massachusettsrealestate
#pioneervalley
#homes
#housingshortage
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
A new report has good news and bad news for Massachusetts' housing goals
A report released Tuesday by the think tank Boston Indicators looked at recent home address and permitting data in Massachusetts. While the state has put a decent dent in its housing shortage in recen...
www.wbur.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“While the recent home address data gives the impression the state is picking up the pace of construction, a more recent drop in permits suggests a slowdown in the near future.”
#RealEstate
#Massachusetts
#massachusettsrealestate
#pioneervalley
#homes
#housingshortage
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
#RealEstate
#Massachusetts
#massachusettsrealestate
#pioneervalley
#homes
#housingshortage
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
💥As of today, October 15, 2025, a home inspection waivers are prohibited in Massachusetts, which will also include new disclosures. Learn more in the video. Call Michael Seward Real Estate at 413-531-7129 to buy or sell a home in the Pioneer Valley, today.💥
#pioneervalley
#massachusetts
#realestate
#pioneervalley
#massachusetts
#realestate
October 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
💥As of today, October 15, 2025, a home inspection waivers are prohibited in Massachusetts, which will also include new disclosures. Learn more in the video. Call Michael Seward Real Estate at 413-531-7129 to buy or sell a home in the Pioneer Valley, today.💥
#pioneervalley
#massachusetts
#realestate
#pioneervalley
#massachusetts
#realestate
“It’s important to have science-based septic system regulations that truly protect the environment, but they should not be used as a tool to block housing development.”
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#RealEstate
#Homes
#HousingShortage
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/o...
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#RealEstate
#Homes
#HousingShortage
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/o...
We don’t need 100 different septic system rules - The Boston Globe
Statewide regulations should be updated then used by all towns.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
“It’s important to have science-based septic system regulations that truly protect the environment, but they should not be used as a tool to block housing development.”
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#RealEstate
#Homes
#HousingShortage
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/o...
#Massachusetts
#PioneerValley
#RealEstate
#Homes
#HousingShortage
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/o...
“Portland is one of hundreds of municipalities — mostly concentrated in a handful of states — with rent control, which is banned in more than 30 states, including Massachusetts.”
#realestate
#homes
#RentControl
#massachusettsrealestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/05/m...
#realestate
#homes
#RentControl
#massachusettsrealestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/05/m...
What could rent control look like in Providence? Portland, Maine, offers clues. - The Boston Globe
Portland has a complicated rent control system that has ratcheted up tensions between landlords and tenants.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:48 PM
“Portland is one of hundreds of municipalities — mostly concentrated in a handful of states — with rent control, which is banned in more than 30 states, including Massachusetts.”
#realestate
#homes
#RentControl
#massachusettsrealestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/05/m...
#realestate
#homes
#RentControl
#massachusettsrealestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/05/m...
“The alleged embezzlement forced some customers to cut their sale prices to cover the missing funds and caused others to bounce checks, prosecutors said.”
#massachusettsrealestate
#Realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/02/m...
#massachusettsrealestate
#Realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/02/m...
South Shore real estate broker charged with diverting $11.6 million from clients, colleagues to finance ‘luxury lifestyle’ - The Boston Globe
He allegedly withdrew $88,850 from casino ATMs last year, prosecutors said.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“The alleged embezzlement forced some customers to cut their sale prices to cover the missing funds and caused others to bounce checks, prosecutors said.”
#massachusettsrealestate
#Realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/02/m...
#massachusettsrealestate
#Realestate
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/02/m...
“The average rate on a standard, 30-year fixed mortgage has drifted down in recent weeks to 6.26%, the lowest level in nearly a year. But the figure isn’t expected to veer far from the 6% to 7% range it has been stuck in.”
#homebuyingtips
#realestate
#homes
#mortgages
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
#homebuyingtips
#realestate
#homes
#mortgages
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
Why Lower Fed Rates Won’t Instantly Lower Your Borrowing Costs
Interest rates on mortgages are expected to climb by the end of the year despite the cuts.
www.wsj.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
“The average rate on a standard, 30-year fixed mortgage has drifted down in recent weeks to 6.26%, the lowest level in nearly a year. But the figure isn’t expected to veer far from the 6% to 7% range it has been stuck in.”
#homebuyingtips
#realestate
#homes
#mortgages
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
#homebuyingtips
#realestate
#homes
#mortgages
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
Open House, Saturday, 1-3pm, 206 Prospect St., Northampton, MA.
#northampton #northamtonma #homesforsale #pioneervalley #realestate
#northampton #northamtonma #homesforsale #pioneervalley #realestate
September 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Open House, Saturday, 1-3pm, 206 Prospect St., Northampton, MA.
#northampton #northamtonma #homesforsale #pioneervalley #realestate
#northampton #northamtonma #homesforsale #pioneervalley #realestate
“Interviews and internal documents show that signature civil rights protections in housing are being dismissed as ideologically driven and D.E.I. in disguise.”
#FairHousing
#AffordableHousing
#HousingDiscrimination
#HUD
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
#FairHousing
#AffordableHousing
#HousingDiscrimination
#HUD
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
Trump Appointees Roll Back Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:26 AM
“Interviews and internal documents show that signature civil rights protections in housing are being dismissed as ideologically driven and D.E.I. in disguise.”
#FairHousing
#AffordableHousing
#HousingDiscrimination
#HUD
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
#FairHousing
#AffordableHousing
#HousingDiscrimination
#HUD
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
The print edition of my letter to The Boston Globe. These media companies need to be dismantled. They own too many local tv stations. Nexstar and Sinclair should be investigated for collusion, as their simultaneous demands reek of it. #kimmel #jimmykimmel #media #latenighttv #tvnews
September 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The print edition of my letter to The Boston Globe. These media companies need to be dismantled. They own too many local tv stations. Nexstar and Sinclair should be investigated for collusion, as their simultaneous demands reek of it. #kimmel #jimmykimmel #media #latenighttv #tvnews