• COVID-19 Updates

    May 12, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused massive disruptions to the real estate industry. MAR has been working diligently throughout the crisis to ensure our members have the latest information and the resources they need to successfully navigate through these uncertain times. MAR has been advocating on behalf of REALTORS® and…
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  • Don’t Fall for Phishy Stories

    May 12, 2020

    - By Michael Krone, Esq.

    When “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran, one of the most accomplished businesswomen in the country, revealed that her business almost lost $388,000 to an email scam, it became obvious that even the most business-savvy amongst us are at risk. With over 85% of all cybercrime throughout the world coming through…
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  • Legal REALTOR® – Enforceability of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreements

    May 12, 2020

    - By Stephen M. Perry

     In today’s tight employment market, competition is intense for highly skilled professionals. Real estate brokerage firms seeking to grow, actively recruit licensed agents at other firms. In turn, many businesses that have invested time and money hiring and training agents and supporting their growth have tried to protect themselves by…
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  • Investments in Opportunity Zones

    May 12, 2020

    - By Zach Ryan

    The Opportunity Zone Program, created by the U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, is meant to provide incentives for investment in low-income communities. An Opportunity Zone is a designated area, in which individuals can gain favorable tax treatment on their capital gains by investing those funds through a…
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  • Lead-Based Paint in Homes

    May 12, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and although the federal government banned the use of lead-based paint in homes more than forty years ago, lead poisoning is still a significant issue in Massachusetts real estate. A recent Massachusetts settlement in a lead poisoning case highlights…
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  • Driving Homelessness Away

    May 12, 2020

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    If you see a new license plate around Medway that says, ‘Welcome Home’ you will see that the proud owner of that car is President of Patriot Real Estate, Paul Yorkis. What you won’t see are the blood sweat and tears it took to bring that vanity plate to life.…
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  • Message From the CEO – Stay Unified

    May 12, 2020

    - By Theresa Hatton

    For those of you who haven’t met me yet, my name is Theresa Hatton I am the CEO/EVP here at the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®.  I began my role as MAR’s 7th full-time association executive on June 3, 2019. I will be taking over this column as a bi-monthly ‘Message From…
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  • Real Social – Legal Social Media Risks for REALTORS®

    May 12, 2020

    - By Teah Hopper

    Social media is a revolutionary, life-changing tool with so many benefits. In just a few years it has completely changed the way that we communicate, interact, keep in touch with old friends and connect with new ones. Social media is great in business and in real estate. It provides easy…
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  • Notes From the MAR Legal Hotline: May 2020

    May 4, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt real estate transactions and has raised many questions from our members. These are just a few of the many questions we know you have. MAR is here to help you navigate through these uncertain times with the latest information and updates. Please watch…
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  • The REALTOR® Advocate: April/May

    April 30, 2020

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    The second month of the current COVID-19 state of emergency brought several significant advocacy victories. We are proud of the role we played in the following (see below for more details): Many Realtors® are eligible for unemployment benefits. The new COVID-19 housing law includes significant protections for homeowners including mortgage forbearance and a foreclosure moratorium. The Legislature passed the remote notarization…
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