• How to Spot a Scam

    September 9, 2020

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    There is no doubt that this year we have all experienced many firsts. With everything going on since the rise and continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s a lot to be aware of. One thing that may not necessarily be top of mind is looking out for scams. Many of…
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  • Keeping Yourself And Your Business Safe

    September 9, 2020

    - By Paul Yorkis

    It is important to look at REALTOR® safety from many perspectives. Unfortunately, we know that REALTORS® have been harmed or even murdered while showing a property or doing an open house so your physical safety should always be paramount. There are other aspects of personal and business safety that also…
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  • Staying Safe From Liability During the Pandemic

    September 9, 2020

    - By Stephen M. Perry

    Real estate brokers have always known that the services they provide are “essential,” but it was gratifying that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts agreed with this assessment when most other businesses were shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. A frequent question among businesses that are now reopening, as well as those…
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  • Message from the CEO – September/October

    September 9, 2020

    - By Theresa Hatton

    Safety First! This issue of Bay State REALTOR® is focused on the safety of our members. At first thought, you might think of safety in terms of a physical attack. Real estate is in this very active real estate market, being safe is especially important due to Covid-19. With such…
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  • President’s Message: Safety First

    September 9, 2020

    - By Kurt Thompson

    This edition of the magazine gives us the opportunity to focus on an issue in our industry that doesn’t get nearly enough attention – safety. When thinking about what safety looks like in the real estate industry, there is a lot to consider. There is our physical safety, digital safety,…
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  • Real Social – How to Stay Safe Online

    September 9, 2020

    - By Teah Hopper

    Everyone should take online safety seriously, but REALTORS® must be especially cautious on the Internet. The nature of the real estate industry means that your location is often public, and you likely have a wider audience than many of your friends and followers. Social media is an incredible tool for…
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  • Stigmatized Properties – Disclosure of Certain Stigmas

    September 9, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    REALTORS® are required by Massachusetts law (Chapter 93A) to disclose known physical defects to prospective buyers. This obligation clearly applies to defects such as a leaky roof or a faulty foundation. Often, there are questions about whether REALTORS® need to also disclose things that may have a psychological impact on…
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  • Are You Ready to Take on the C2EX Challenge?

    August 11, 2020

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    By now you’ve likely heard of NAR’s Commitment to Excellence or C2EX program, but have you heard of the C2EX challenge? The challenge is a contest among state associations to become the association with the most C2EX participants. You might be asking, what’s in it for me as a member?…
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  • Notes From the Legal Hotline: August 2020

    July 31, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q. Is a landlord required to accept a rental application from someone who receives Section 8? A. Massachusetts landlords may not deny housing based on an...
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  • 1031 Exchange Update – Summer 2020

    July 29, 2020

    - By Lynne Bagby, CES®

    The 1031 exchange market has been like a roller coaster this past spring and summer, plummeting down in April and roaring back up starting in June. In the greater Boston area and throughout the other New England states, we have seen a decline in inventory and an increase in sales…
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