Massachusetts' new law eliminates renter-paid broker fees except when the tenant specifically hires a broker. Why it matters: Renting in a high-cost city is hard enough without tacking another month's worth of rent to pay a broker they didn't contract before starting...
Whether you’re paying or receiving them, child support payments in Massachusetts are rarely a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Life changes, and when it does, those changes can significantly shift what you owe—or what you receive. Many parents are surprised to learn...
There is a new home inspection rule that takes effect this fall in Massachusetts. Buyers and sellers in the commonwealth need to know this. You can no longer make a deal on a new property and omit the home inspection. This legislation, part of the Affordable Homes Act...
Starting July 1, 2025, Massachusetts service members, their spouses and Veterans covered under VA life insurance programs will see lower monthly premiums, reinforcing VA’s commitment to making life insurance more affordable. Discounts for active duty, Guard and...
Massachusetts consumers who have gone all in on the cryptocurrency craze received some potentially good news in late June, courtesy of Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte. In an order signed Pulte directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop a plan to...
The state’s education board voted to pass new regulations around the use of controversial “time-out rooms” in schools. A unanimous vote was made to better distinguish between a time-out, which is voluntary and permitted under state law, rather than a confinement or...
Massachusetts families should be aware that a new car seat law will take effect on June 30. According to the website What to Expect, new car seat regulations are set to take effect soon in Massachusetts, as safety standards are regularly updated. Here's what the...
A nonbank mortgage lender with offices in 5 states will pay a $1.5 million fine and be banned from residential mortgage lending for 5 years as a result of discriminatory lending practices. Illinois-based Draper and Kramer Mortgage will pay the fine to settle claims by...
Like nearly everything else, the costs for having a dog or cat in Massachusetts have been rising fast. The average yearly cost for having a dog is $3,343 and $1,963 for cats in 2025, up from $3,113 and $1,788, respectively, in 2024, according to Rover, an app where...
Raising a child is no bargain, but a new study finds Massachusetts parents are spending more than anyone else in the country. Consumer Affairs recently examined the cost of parenthood across the country. They found that the yearly cost of raising a child in...