News: Finance

From the mayor’s office to the World Cup: A dynamic season at RE&FA

Boston, MA RE&FA’s spring and summer programming continued to highlight the trends and issues shaping the commercial real estate industry.

In May, RE&FA hosted Data Centers in the Current CRE Landscape at The Retreat at 225 Franklin St. The program drew strong engagement and fostered thoughtful discussion around one of commercial real estate’s fastest-growing and most impactful sectors. The panel was moderated by Mark McComiskey, partner at AVAIO Digital, and featured Alex Hofstetter, real estate structured finance relationship manager at U.S. Bank, and Lynda Gallagher, executive director at Cushman & Wakefield.

RE&FA began a busy June by welcoming mayor Michelle Wu of the city of Boston to its Corporate Sponsor Luncheon. Nutter chair and RE&FA past president Paul Ayoub led an engaging conversation with Mayor Wu on the future of Boston’s commercial real estate industry, addressing opportunities and challenges facing the city and its business community.

On June 16, RE&FA members gathered at Cisco Brewers Seaport for the World Cup Watch Party. The evening provided an opportunity for networking and camaraderie over food and drinks while attendees watched FIFA World Cup action at Boston Stadium.

Closing out the month, RE&FA hosted Senior Housing & the Aging Population on June 23 at Holland & Knight’s offices at 12 St. James Ave. The expert panel explored how growing demand for senior housing is reshaping the commercial real estate landscape, examining investment trends, development strategies, and the future outlook for this rapidly expanding sector. The discussion was moderated by Caroline Clapp, CFA, senior principal of research & analysis at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), and featured Jim Coughlin, CEO of Northbridge Financial Corp.; Steven Dowe, senior managing director at Webster Bank; and Jay Wagner, senior managing director at JLL.

RE&FA Upcoming Events & Programs:

Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament
Monday, July 27, 2026 | Dedham Country and Polo Club; 124 Country Club Rd, Dedham, MA

RE&FA 38th Annual Gala
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | OmniBoston Hotel at the Seaport

Learn more and register online at www.refa.org,
under the Events section of the website.

To learn more about RE&FA, including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow RE&FA’s LinkedIn, X, and Instagram @REFABoston.

MORE FROM Finance

The real estate developer’s dilemma: Growing older, taxes, investors and the exit strategy conundrum - by Dwight Kay

Over the last three to four decades, many successful real estate developers, sponsors, syndicators and operators have built substantial portfolios of commercial real estate using high-net-worth investor capital. Through careful acquisitions, development expertise, market appreciation and operational oversight, these sponsors have amassed portfolios worth tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars.
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Are appraisers on the same page as the assessor? - by Richard Seman

Are appraisers on the same page as the assessor? - by Richard Seman

The purpose of this article is to address problematic or confusing issues which may help assessors and appraisers to better understand how to value real estate for tax assessment purposes.
The focus on price per s/f compared to the  comparable sales used in the appraisal report - by Dennis Chanski

The focus on price per s/f compared to the comparable sales used in the appraisal report - by Dennis Chanski

Over the past several weeks, I have completed appraisal assignments for private clients. Interestingly, after submitting these appraisals, I received several phone calls – not to question the value, content, or any incorrect information, but rather to discuss the price per s/f compared to the comparable sales used in the report.
Massachusetts real estate transfers  over $1 million face new tax rules as of November 1st - by Daniel Meyer

Massachusetts real estate transfers over $1 million face new tax rules as of November 1st - by Daniel Meyer

Attention to owners of real estate in the Commonwealth (and the title companies and other professionals who advise them), the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (the “DOR”) recently adopted a new “millionaire’s tax” via 830 CMR 62B.2.4
Reverse exchanges and the challenges of a competitive real estate market - by Michele Fitzpatrick

Reverse exchanges and the challenges of a competitive real estate market - by Michele Fitzpatrick

Our current, highly competitive real estate market poses specific challenges for investors who are considering taking advantage of a tax-deferred 1031 exchange. In this market, investors will have no problem selling their current property if priced properly, but they may find it difficult to find a suitable replacement property