• Notes from the Legal Hotline: September 2021

    August 30, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q: May a landlord use COVID vaccination status in screening prospective tenants? A: While vaccination status itself is not a protected class, the reason an individual is unvaccinated may be because of a protected characteristic...
    Read More

  • Supreme Court Ends CDC Eviction Moratorium

    August 27, 2021

    - By Jonathan Schreiber

    On August 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion lifting the CDC moratorium that had recently been extended to October 3rd. The Supreme Court reasoned that the CDC lacked authority to issue the moratorium...
    Read More

  • Eviction Moratorium Extension Update

    August 10, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    On August 3rd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the federal eviction moratorium until October 3rd. The extension included one significant change -- the moratorium now applies...
    Read More

  • Be Wary of Wire Fraud

    August 6, 2021

    - By Catherine Taylor

    Wire fraud has been a disruptor in real estate transactions for several years, and with an increasing number of transactions occurring largely in cyberspace, REALTORS® should be taking steps to protect their offices and clients from becoming victims of wire fraud. The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® continues to hear new reports of wire fraud. REALTORS® should counsel their clients of the risks of wire fraud and…
    Read More

  • Notes from the Legal Hotline: August 2021

    August 2, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q: How should a REALTOR® handle a seller who wants to meet the prospective buyers before accepting an offer? A: As a real estate professional, it is the job of the REALTOR® to educate their clients on the home selling process and assist the seller in achieving the most favorable…
    Read More

  • Why & How to Unplug from Social Media this Summer

    July 9, 2021

    - By Teah Hopper

    I realize the irony of a social media consultant and coaching talking about unplugging from social media, but disconnecting is something that I’m very passionate about. (And if I can do it – you can and should to!) While I love social media, I’m a real advocate for using it…
    Read More

  • MAR Advocates to Protect Homebuyers from Discrimination

    July 8, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    On July 1st, the Land Court announced approval of Standing Order 2-21, a new rule that makes it easier to remove discriminatory restrictive covenants from real estate deeds starting October 1st. MAR advocated in support of the standing order, providing comments to the Court explaining REALTORS® commitment to removing discrimination from the homebuying process and…
    Read More

  • Notes from the Legal Hotline: July 2021

    July 1, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q. I have an Exclusive Right to Sell but another Broker just listed the property in the MLS. What do I do? A: An Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement is a bilateral contract between the seller of the property and the listing broker. One party may not unilaterally change…
    Read More

  • Federal Eviction Moratorium Extension

    June 25, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    On June 24, the CDC announced it is extending the eviction moratorium through July 31, from its previous expiration date of June 30. The CDC order states that it intends this to be the final extension of the eviction moratorium. On the same day, the White House released a fact sheet on…
    Read More

  • Emergency Rental Assistance Payments to Tenants

    June 24, 2021

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Beginning June 28, 2021, Massachusetts will begin permitting emergency rental assistance payments directly to tenants. This change is required by federal law, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Massachusetts has installed several safeguards beyond federal requirements to protect landlords and assure proper use of these funds. Most notably,…
    Read More