• Tech Trends to Expect in 2020

    October 8, 2019

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    I still remember waiting for my parents to hang up the phone so I could hop onto the internet and see that AOL homepage (let’s not forget the awful noise that came along with it). Considering where we are today, we’ve come a long way since the days of AIM…
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  • The REALTOR® Advocate: July/August

    October 8, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Welcome to the first edition of The REALTOR® Advocate!  We’re excited to provide you with this new monthly resource containing updates on MAR advocacy. Before reading further, we hope you’ll check out our First and Second Quarter Updates for a primer on our 2019 advocacy efforts thus far. Now that you’re up…
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  • Enhance Your Career With a GRI Designation

    October 2, 2019

    - By Lauren Antone

    With social media, online reviews, real estate websites, and technology, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate yourself as a REALTOR®. In today’s competitive market, clients want a savvy agent; so how do you show your expertise? The Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation (or “GRI”) has a lot of value to…
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  • The REALTOR® Advocate September/October – AE Edition

    September 30, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    For much of September, the Legislature focused on education funding reform, leaving us to wait-and-see what will happen on our issues in the coming months.  We continue to predict that the Senate will put forth their climate resiliency proposal this fall, especially in the wake of climate protests in late September.  We continue to support GreenWorks, a climate resiliency…
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  • Notes from the MAR Legal Hotline: October 2019

    September 30, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q.  I’ve listed a house that is rumored to be haunted – does this need to be disclosed to prospective buyers? A. Disclosure in this situation is only required if asked. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93, Section 114 specifically states “[t]he fact or suspicion that real property may be or is…
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  • 5 Communication Tips to Help Strengthen Relationships with Clients

    September 26, 2019

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    Communicating is something we all do throughout our day and yet few of us have actually perfected the art. Here five ways we can start working on improving our skills. 1. Be authentic Humans best connect with natural conversation. Share experiences and stories with your clients, show them you too,…
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  • From the Bench: Rent Escrow Payments During the Pendency of an Eviction Action

    September 18, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    The Question Whether a judge has authority to issue orders for rent escrow payments during the pendency of a summary process eviction action, and, if so, the circumstances under which it is appropriate to exercise that authority. The Case In the case of Davis v. Comerford, SJC-12712, (Mass. Sept. 16,…
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  • Members Take: Commitment to Excellence

    September 16, 2019

    - By Sabrina Lapointe

    The C2EX program isn’t your typical class or course, it’s an endorsement available to REALTORS® who want to distinguish themselves in all areas of real estate. You know the industry is always changing. What are YOU doing to keep up and adapt to the evolving industry? If you’re unsure how…
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  • Notes from the MAR Legal Hotline

    September 13, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Q. What, if anything, do I have to disclose to prospective buyers about conditions that are outside the four corners of the property? A. There is no bright-line rule that limits an agent’s disclosure obligations under Chapter 93A to the geographic boundaries of the property. We received guidance on this issue from…
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  • Removing ‘Rose-Colored Glasses’ When Evaluating Cash Flow Pro Forma in Commercial Real Estate Investment

    September 11, 2019

    - By Justine Snyder

    The commercial inventory status and changing requirements of the modern investor’s portfolio demands that the Commercial REALTOR® have the skills to perform more sophisticated due diligence of future gains and a thorough analysis of the deal. Currently, in Massachusetts, there is a glut of inventory and available commercial space, very…
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