Richard Vetstein is a nationally recognized real estate attorney, frequently quoted in the media. He was recently named one of Inman News’ 100 Most Influential in Real Estate. Mr. Vetstein is the founder of the Vetstein Law Group and TitleHub Closing Services LLC. The former outside claims counsel for a national title company, he has an active real estate litigation practice. He blogs at massrealestatelawblog.com
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Top 10 Real Estate Internet Resources
I thought it would be a good idea to list my Top 10 favorite websites, blogs and other internet sites for real estate. These include law blogs, local and national real estate sites, and even marketing blogs. Feel free to bookmark this post!
1. HousingWire
This is one of the best national sites for staying up to date on current real estate economic data, mortgage trends, Fed policy, and regulations.
2. Wall Street Journal Developments
You can’t go wrong with the Wall Street Journal, right? Some of the best real estate reporters and commentators contribute to this site. A must read on your Google Reader list.
This is the main portal into the vast majority of the Massachusetts Registries of Deeds. From here you can look up the deeds, mortgages and liens on virtually any property in the state. If you need a guide to searching the online registry of deeds and a full listing of every registry, read this post.
4. Charles Gate Realty’s Boston Real Estate Blog
I really love this frequently updated blog by the team of tech savvy agents at Charles Gate Realty. It’s also a great resource for rentals which is often ignored in the blogosphere.
5. Agent Genius
An online real estate magazine with a robust editorial staff, covering a wide range of topics, including tech and social media, business news, and also good op-ed pieces.
6. (tie)
Maintained by well-known mortgage banker, Brian Cavanaugh of RMS Mortgage, this is one of the best mortgage lending blogs out there, frequently updated with current news on the mortgage market.
The Massachusetts Mortgage Blog
Written by the extremely knowledgeable David Gaffin of Greenpark Mortgage.
7. Boston.com Real Estate Now Blog
This is Boston.com’s popular real estate blog managed by buyer’s agent, Rona Fishman, and reporter/writer Scott Van Voorhis. The blog has a very active group of trolls commenters who frequently stir up lively debate. Disclaimer: I contribute a weekly post to this blog.
8. Massachusetts Land Use Monitor
The very experienced group of attorneys at the venerable real estate firm of Rackemann, Sawyer are one of the few large firms who blog, and thankfully they do, because they have a wealth of knowledge and information to share. The blog is managed by Donald Pinto, who’s one of the best real estate attorneys in the Commonwealth and a really good guy.
Real estate agent bloggers and wanna-be’s, pay close attention. This is how you blog. This is a great and frequently updated blog all about “the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont.” Written by Elizabeth Bolton, Realtor.
10. Inman Next Agent
Must read for keeping up with the latest in real estate technology, marketing, and social media. Contributors includes the well-known social media evangelists, Chris Smith and Katie Lance.
Honorable Mentions
Another standout blog from the Cambridge-Somerville area. Realtor Lara Gordon is a smart, witty writer who keeps her blog frequently updated with urban gems such as the worst places for bike crashes (Harvard Square, of course!), the Somerville Foodie Crawl, and her own photos of the new Charlestown-Cambridge footbridge (I wish more agents did this).
Formerly a global marketing guru at ESPN, Realtor Gabrielle Daniels is the epitome of sass and sharp real estate writing. OMG, you must read her post, Translating Real Estate Ads: 101. Some Descriptions Will Have You ROFL.
Our sole entry west of I-495, Lesley Lambert has been blogging and tweeting forever, mixing posts about the Berkshire County lifestyle with a peek into her personal “Dancing Queen” passion.
This is a nationally syndicated blog with a local feel. Recent posts include the opening of Southie’s Gate of Heaven Gym, a new Mexican joint in Brookline and new fixer-upper in Inman Square.
Well, that’s my list. Feel free to add your favorite sites to the comments, and we can expand this list!
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Richard D. Vetstein, Esq. is a Massachusetts real estate attorney who is passionate about staying up to date on real estate issues, nationally, regionally and locally.
