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12 Worcester Business Journal | November 2, 2026 | wbjournal.com wanted. Some multifamily buildings sold to investors have undergone full renovations, while work at others has proceeded slowly. Still, Haims re- mains in contact with several buyers, fielding questions and recommending contractors years aer the sales. Bubble brewing? Now semi-retired, Haims has reduced his holdings but remains involved with South Village and two properties outside Elm Park: God- dard House and Homestead Hall in Worcester. Hampton bought the senior-living facilities in a $5-million sale-and- leaseback deal in 2024, and Haims said he has made substantial capital improvements while the operator continues leasing them, he said. His semi-retirement has le him less certain about Worcester real es- tate's daily pulse, but not less watchful. He sees three-deckers approaching or reaching prices he once consid- ered implausible, fueled in part by investors pushed west from Greater Boston. His concern is not simply the price. Buyers who stretch to acquire build- ings without reserving money for major improvements may raise rents without modernizing apartments, he said. He is also watching what he sees as an increase in foreclosure activity, worried that distressed, poorly main- tained properties could again destabi- lize neighborhoods. "I'm a little concerned that there's somewhat of a bubble," Haims said. Elm Park, at least, offers him evidence of another outcome. Rather than treating the Becker properties as disconnected assets, he said, he tried to preserve them as parts of a neigh- borhood, one property at a time. "My heart and my intent is still to stay committed to that community, because it took a lot to keep it where it is, and you know it could have gone south very easily if the properties were all chopped up and sold to the highest bidder," he said. Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, and primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries. W SAVE THE DATE DECEMBER 16, 2026 3:00 - 6:00PM | Hogan Campus Center College of the Holy Cross, Worcester CHAMPIONS OF Health Care CHAMPIONS OF A W A R D S & F O R U M Join us as we celebrate WBJ's 2026 Champions of Health Care and discuss a healthier, more equitable, and innovative future for healthcare! Stay tuned - 2026 honorees will be announced in WBJ's November 30th edition wbjournal.com/event/healthcare/ Presenting Sponsor: Corporate Sponsor: continued from page 11 PHOTO | EDD COTE