With a court appointed receiver about to sell a valuable piece of Attleboro Redevelopment Authority-owned real estate to pay off a jury award, the city council voted Tuesday night to spend $355,500 to resolve four lawsuits that have dragged on for years and tied up the cash-strapped ARA legally and financially.

Councilors, who voted 9-1 in favor of the action, said the decision was agonizing, but is the right one for the future of the city and the ARA.

This is such a unique time in the real estate market – moreso than I’ve seen in my 25 years selling here in Shrewsbury. It’s not merely the fact that prices have adjusted to levels we haven’t seen in years, but moreover that mortgage rates have followed suit, to the point where fixed rates in the low 4% range are possible. For the first time Buyers, it’s easy to see why it’s such a great marketplace to be out buying in, yet in many cases it’s even better for those who currently own a property in town.