Chris Lovett continues his exploration of the shark-infested triple-decker/condo market in Dorchester:

... A review of more than 200 conversions over the last two years in Boston - mostly in Dorchester and Roxbury - shows more than 100 foreclosure filings against owners who bought more than one unit, sometimes in the same building. Names that appear as unit buyers with mortgage trouble sometimes turn up later as investors converting more units, or as people with power of attorney to represent other buyers.

Earlier:
Triple-decker condo flipping still going on in Dorchester.

Federal stats show inflation in greater Boston running at 6.3%, higher than in other large metropolitan areas. Blame housing and heating-oil prices, Associated Press reports. Only bright note? Food prices increased at a slower rate here. Lobster, anyone?

Meanwhile, our rich get richer (not that being rich is a bed of roses, mind you), while our poor get poorer.

Chris Lovett examines some interesting real-estate deals of late.

They're down (well, they are up in a few places).

Sharpest one-month year-to-year drop in Massachusetts home prices since 1990.

This chart (detailed here), would probably be good news for home buyers, if only they could get new mortgages - or sell their current homes.

Outside of the Red Line corridor, the prices of Dorchester housing units - especially multi-family properties - are crashing, the Dorchester Reporter reports. The mortgage crisis may not be the only reason:

... A less examined reason for the sinking market could be a decrease in fraud brought about by increased media and governmental focus on the sub-prime lending crisis. Several properties previously detailed in the Reporter appear to have been sold under curious circumstances. ...

Apparently, you might want to bring a tape measure when you check out Brookline condos (scroll down the page a bit).

The Boston Condo Guy reports:

... We talk with a growing number of Europeans each week who are interested in buying Boston investment property, or a Boston vacation home in one of America’s most historic cities. Europeans recognize that downtown Boston real estate will always hold its value, and the best time to "get in" is when their currency allows them to do so at a discount.