Mar 22, 2026
Vladimir Benoit, of Somerville, Mass., grew up playing at the neighbourhood YMCA. He’s now its CEO, and not much has changed.
The building is more than 120 years old, and a plan is in the works to erect a new one — but there’s a problem, reports CBS (1). One family in the neighborhood has refused several offers to sell their home, even for $2.5 million, a full million above its assessed value.
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Thanks to the homeowner’s intransigence, the private house on the corner will remain as it is, and the new Y will be built around it.
The new development will include two buildings, one with approximately 60 units of affordable housing, and the other the new community center. According to the Boston Globe’s reporting, if not for the complication of the home in the middle of the development, up to 120 units would have been possible.
This story highlights the tension between the push for expansion and development in American cities, and the rights of individual property owners.
When preferences trump plans
Angela Terzides, daughter of the homeowners who refused to sell, told the Boston Globe she sees both sides of the argument.
“It’s wonderful what the YMCA is trying to do for the community. But put yourself in my position. What would you do if this was happening to your own parents?”
Her parents, who immigrated from Greece in the 1970s, raised their four children in the home and have planted a lush garden around it. They cite stability, privacy, and peace as more important to them than a large payout on their property.
“Their preference remains to continue living in the home they have cared for and cherished for more than four decades,” Terzides said.
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A crumbling building
Benoit told the Boston Globe that even back in 1967, a structural engineer said the Y building was in such bad shape that it should just be torn down.
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“Since then, all we’ve done is continue to put Band-Aids into the building,” he said.
The teardown and rebuild of the Y facilities will enable a number of improvements. Right now, the old facilities are not only in a bad state of repair, they aren’t adequate for the community’s needs. The pool is in such high demand, and so small, that the Y’s own swim team practices offsite. The basketball court is also cramped. Residents of the affordable housing units have to share a bathroom and kitchenette.
It’s not “a place anyone feels proud of,” Benoit told the Globe (2).
While these improvements are necessary for the Y and the community it serves, many people might question whether the owners of the home that it will surround — and others nearby — will find their property values decreasing.
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Research suggests the exact opposite may be true (3). A 2022 study conducted in Virginia found that building more affordable housing created a very small, but statistically significant, increase in property values around the project. Homeowners also value living near high-quality public amenities — meaning home values all around the new Somerville YMCA may increase as a result of the new build.
Can a homeowner be forced out?
While it’s possible for the government to acquire a property through eminent domain, or the act of taking a property from the owner for public use, the law in the U.S. demands that the owner be justly compensated.
The justice department explains that eminent domain has been traditionally used to facilitate public works, including improving transportation, water supply and other government projects. Today, it is mostly used in environmental and conservation work, though in recent years the government has been acquiring land along the United States-Mexico border for immigrant enforcement (4).
For a project like this one, homeowners cannot be forced out, which is why the YMCA has decided to finally move forward without the Terzides’ land.
However, the noise of construction, dust and debris from demolition, and the shadow of a large, six-storey building may eventually interfere with the enjoyment of their home.
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Should you stay or should you go?
The decision to sell your home is deeply personal. If you have an emotional connection to your home and are intending to age in place, the idea of selling — no matter the price — may not seem worth it. For others, there are many benefits to selling to a developer.
However, there are a few risks involved in this kind of sale, and real estate professionals warn sellers to do their homework — maybe even more than if you were selling your home the traditional way. Things to watch out for include:
Lowball offers
Some developers may be counting on the fact that you won’t know the market value of your home. Be sure to do your research on any offer you’re given.
Settlement time
Developers have an extensive process to go through to get local approvals for their projects, so there will be a waiting period of at least months before the deal is closed. They may also ask for additional time at any point, but you do not have to agree to this, and it can be an opportunity to renegotiate.
Earnest money deposits
Though this amount is limited in some states, making sure you get the maximum earnest money deposit from the developer will make it harder for them to bail on the sale. Earnest money is the deposit by the buyer to show they are serious (earnest) about the sale (5).
Collective efforts
Developers often want to buy a full block or parcel of land. Getting together with your neighbors can help your sale, as you can pool information and resources, and negotiate as a united front.
Get it in writing
You can explore a sale opportunity without anything binding until you sign a contract.
Speak to an expert
Working with a real estate attorney can help you to fully understand the investor offer and be sure you’re getting a fair price for your home.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
CBS News (1); The Boston Globe (2); Urban Institute (3); U.S. Department of Justice (4); Trey Wilson, San Antonio Real Estate Lawyer (5)
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Rebecca Payne has more than a decade of experience editing and producing both local and national daily newspapers. She's worked on the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Metro, Canada's National Observer, the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.
