-
Read More
Notes From the Legal Hotline: June 2023
June 1, 2023
Q: What changes were recently made to the Sanitary Code? A: Following several delays, amendments to the Sanitary Code became effective on May 12, 2023. The tracked changes version of the new Code may be viewed here. While many of these changes are relatively minor in scope, REALTORS® working in the rental sphere will want to take particular note of the following amendments: Landlords will need to provide 48-hours’ notice… -
Read More
MAR Shares a Vision for Housing in Massachusetts
May 31, 2023
On May 30th, Theresa Hatton, CEO of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® shared a comprehensive vision for a better state of housing in the Commonwealth. Here is a summary of her remarks: REALTORS® drive housing and communities. The current housing market presents incredible challenges with inventory at all-time lows and prices at all-time highs. Housing production via zoning relief is the key to solving our housing crisis. Without zoning relief,… -
Read More
Cyber Crimes are a Real (Estate) Problem: Protect your Clients and Escrow Accounts from Fraud
May 5, 2023
As a real estate practitioner or brokerage owner, you must know what your weak points are. Business email compromise (BEC) is one of the biggest threats to small businesses and the real estate market offers a flashy target for scammers. The lease and sale of properties come with the transfer of large funds and endless correspondence. Couple that reality with the fact that most real estate firms are small businesses… -
Read More
House FY24 Budget Update
May 4, 2023
Earlier we posted about the Governor’s FY2024 budget proposal. Next up in the budget process is the House, which spent the month of April drafting and refining its proposal, which it passed on April 26th. The House budget (H.3900) totaled $56.2 billion, around $700 million higher than the Governor’s proposal and about 7% higher than the FY2023 budget. Some key housing notes: Continued investment in housing assistance – As we… -
Read More
Key Pandemic Homeowner Assistance Program Ending
May 4, 2023
The Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund (Mass HAF) will be winding down in coming months. The program was created by a $10 billion allocation to states in the American Rescue Plan Act. It provided Massachusetts with $179 million to help homeowners facing foreclosure due to COVID-19 impacts. The program has been highly successful paying out over $87 million on behalf of homeowners and helping to stop or pause over 171 foreclosure… -
Read More
Advocacy in Court
May 4, 2023
In addition to legislative lobbying, MAR advocates through the judicial process, often through so-called amicus briefs in which we provide the court with industry-specific information. MAR filed amicus briefs in two recent cases: Protecting buyer agency – In Biping Huang vs. Jin Ma, real estate broker Biping Huang alleged that her former clients breached an oral exclusive buyer’s agency agreement by purchasing a home with another agent. The appeals court… -
Read More
Developments in Local Advocacy
May 4, 2023
MAR frequently partners with local associations on important local and regional issues. Two that have risen to the fore in Q1 are: Proposed regulatory changes to Title V – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) proposed new regulations to reduce nitrogen loads in areas of the Cape and South Shore. They create two pathways whereby towns can either make a commitment to addressing this issue at the municipal level… -
Read More
Training Advocacy Leaders
May 4, 2023
MAR held two important trainings in the first quarter: REALTOR® Party Training In January, we invited local leaders to MAR HQ to learn more about REALTOR® Party and its many offerings. Attendees heard from Kristy Hairston, learned more about tenets of REALTOR® Party and its many offerings through interactive activities, and got access to a panel of top housing advocates for an insiders preview of the new legislative session. State… -
Read More
Supplemental Budget Includes Several MAR Priorities
May 4, 2023
Lawmakers enacted a supplemental budget on March 30th with both funding and policy provisions that benefit real estate. Notable funding pieces includes: $1 million to assist municipalities in community development and housing production many have spent decades blocking. $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund to incentivize cities and towns to adopt smart growth zoning policies. $9.3 million for broadband repairs and improvements to assure everyone has online… -
Read More
Governor Healey’s First Budget Makes Housing a Priority
May 4, 2023
Governor Healey’s first budget and accompanied tax relief proposal indicate support for housing. While her budget overall was a 6% increase over FY23 funding levels, several housing assistance line items saw larger increases, averaging a 13% increase. Many of these line items saw significant funding increases during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely from federal funding. The state has stepped up to maintain them above pre-pandemic numbers. The Legislature…
