Real Estate

Sales of new single-family homes across the United States in July fell more than 2 percent over June, although they were up 12.3 percent from July of last year, the government said Monday.

Move over, Cambridge. If recent expansions and arrivals are any indication, Framingham might be a new mecca for technology companies. Susan Herzberg, CEO of Boston Heart Diagnostics, said town policies on permitting have changed during her four years with the company, a span in which the company has negotiated a few different leases. Coupled with Framingham's natural attributes, she thinks the more business-friendly approach makes the town a true destination for tech firms.

New construction starts in July across the United States climbed 6 percent compared over last year, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $588.8 billion, according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial.

Bay State Investment Fund LLC of Worcester has purchased the former Salty Dog building at 1 Kelley Sq. for $1 million, the company said.

July home sales in Worcester dropped at a slightly lower rate than the rest of the Bay State, although the median price was slightly higher, according to Re/Max of New England.

Real Deals highlights recent commercial property transactions in Central Massachusetts. Commercial real estate firms that want to submit information on transactions can send it to editorial@wbjournal.com or fax it to 508-755-8860.

An abandoned factory building in Worcester will be converted into 94 apartments as a result of $17 million in loans to the developer, the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency announced Friday.

Taxes, energy policy and health care costs will be among the top issues the next governor and Legislature will have to address to make Massachusetts more competitive, according to an official from a statewide business association.

Waltham-based Vantage Builders Inc. said it has begun construction of a Sikh temple on Flanders Road in Westborough, which will become the principal place of worship for the New England Sikh community.

The Central Massachusetts and Montachusett regional planning commissions are spearheading a “Buy Local” initiative to boost the sale of the area's agricultural and food products, the Central Massachusetts commission announced Monday.