Comprehensive Real Estate Services
Office of Real Estate Management
The Office of Real Estate Management (OREM) is the department within the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) responsible for all acquisition & disposition of real property for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Telecommunications Program
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the Division of Capital Asset Management, provides an ongoing program which makes selected sites available for lease for communications infrastructure. These sites may provide excellent opportunities to improve the reliability of telecommunications networks across the state. Real Estate Sale & Lease RFPs
RFPs provided through the Office of Real Estate Management to purchase or lease Commonwealth Property.
MAssets - Reports on Real Property Owned and Leased by the Commonwealth
The MAssets (Massachusetts Assets) Unit records, maps and reports on the acquisitions and dispositions of all Commonwealth Real Property. The state owns approximately 13,400 parcels of land in nearly all of the 351 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. This totals over 649,800 acres and nearly 80 million gross square feet of buildings and other improvements. Appraisal Valuation Services
The Office of Real Estate Management working in conjunction with competitively procured professional, and independent appraisal firms, provides land and property valuation services to client agencies, municipalities and private sector buyers involved in the acquisition, transfer, sale, or lease of surplus state-owned property. Deliverables range from limited "opinions of value" to comprehensive analysis of the current and future economic viability of the region and municipality as it relates to current and future land values.
Environmental Acquisitions
Under 301 CMR 51, The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) has the responsibility to review and approve the acquisition of real property interests by the Commonwealth for the purposes of conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources and open space. DCAM's review process includes the assessment of such documents as certifications of title, appraisals, and copies of encumbrances and defects, surveys, documents evidencing compliance with the M.G.L. Chapter 7 process, disclosure statements and any additional documents or attachments submitted to this agency.
Land Use Planning Services/Community Planning Process
Complex real estate transactions often require the retention of certified land use planning professionals to determine likely benefits and investigate potential impacts on local communities as it relates to the proposed redevelopment of state-owned assets. The Division of Capital Asset Management Office of Real Estate Management solicits and coordinates the activities of land use planning professionals, with corresponding community input, as a precursor to any public solicitation of proposals for the redevelopment of state-owned property.
Legislative Land Bills
Legislative authorization is often necessary in order for the Division of Capital Asset Management Office of Real Estate Management to convey state-owned surplus property to municipalities, non-profit entities, and occasionally private citizens. OREM assists these individuals and organizations in drafting legislation for the purpose of conveying said property for a myriad of public, private and socially conscious uses and is often called upon by the Legislature and Governor to give advice with respect to pending real estate bills.
Licensing
When there is no legislative authority to allow an entity to use state-owned real estate, OREM administers license agreements, which grant the right of entry and use of a particular property subject to certain terms and conditions. A license agreement does not convey an interest in real estate but allows the use of property for up to one year. DCAM uses several types of licenses (i.e., state to state agency agreement, state to private party agreement, state and private environmental agreements). Each license requires Licensees to provide proof of insurance consistent with the type of license issued.
New Courthouse Construction Activities
Office of Real Estate Management staff are actively involved in the Commonwealth's ambitious statewide courthouse building initiative. Staff assist other offices of the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) in the planning, appraisal, and ultimate acquisition of property essential to the eventual construction of these proposed facilities.
Real Estate Acquisition
The Division of Capital Asset Management Office of Real Estate Management manages, negotiates and acquires private land on behalf of state agencies in accordance with the M.G.L. Chapter 7 process. Once proposals have been tendered, the due diligence process begins. This requires OREM and the DCAM Office of General Counsel to contract with private vendors to perform appraisals, environmental assessments, title exams, and surveys in order to deliver marketable title to the Commonwealth. OREM professionals perform all of the negotiations around the purchase price and terms of the closings.
Real Estate Disposition
The Division of Capital Asset Managment Real Estate Management staff are responsible for the disposition of a wide range of surplus state-owned property across the Commonwealth. This includes the fee sale of property and structures, the granting of easements across or under state-owned property, and the negotiation of long-term leases to use state-owned property and structures. The majority of this activity involves land under the care and control of the Massachusetts Highway Department. However, it also encompasses legislatively directed real estate activity related to property under the care and control of a variety of Executive Agencies.
Redevelopment Planning
The Division of Capital Asset Management Office of Real Estate Management staff will work with the Programming staff within the Office of Planning, Development and Construction to plan for the redevelopment of large state facilities that may continue to have a state presence after disposing of a portion of the facility.