• 2019 Government Affairs First Quarter Update

    April 25, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    The first quarter of 2019 provided an exciting start to the year. We kicked-off a new legislative session, unveiled our legislative priorities, and continued to advocate for our members on a broad array of issues. We’re looking forward to bringing our members’ voice to Beacon Hill and beyond on important…
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  • Q&A: New Short-Term Rental Laws in Massachusetts

    April 16, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Massachusetts recently adopted a new law taxing and regulating the short-term rental market. The following information should help REALTORS® navigate the short-term rental market under these new laws and regulations. What does this new law require? The new law expands the state’s hotel and motel tax to include the short-term…
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  • First Circuit Invalidates Foreclosure for Non-Compliance in Pre-Foreclosure Cure Notice

    March 28, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    You may have heard the buzz about a recent case with major implications for home foreclosures. The case, Thompson v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, was decided on February 8, 2019, by the First Circuit Court of Appeals and requires banks to strictly comply with mortgage language when seeking a foreclosure…
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  • The Legislative Cycle

    March 1, 2019

    - By Justin Davidson

    2019 marks the start of a new two-year legislative session in Massachusetts, the 191st in our state’s history, and MAR is excited to advocate on your behalf. In this session, we’ll continue our support of innovative policies to increase housing production, support housing affordability, and help you do your jobs. …
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  • From the President

    March 1, 2019

    - By Anne Meczywor

    The cover feature in this edition of Bay State REALTOR® Magazine is all about REALTORS® giving back to their communities. And I know that REALTORS® like you don’t generally consider your volunteer efforts to be worthy of note. We view it as a welcome responsibility of being part of a…
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  • From the Bench: The Importance of Proper Licensing and Agency Disclosure for Real Estate LLCs

    March 1, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    In 2014, the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen (the Board) initiated proceedings against real estate licensee Michael Thomann. The Board alleged that Thomann had bought and sold real estate on behalf of clients through an unlicensed limited liability company (LLC), in violation of two sections of…
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  • Rental Real Estate and the 20 Percent Qualified Business Income Deduction

    March 1, 2019

    - By Chris Bird

    The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) provides a new deduction the likes of which I have never seen. The Qualified Business Income Deduction (pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 199A) provides a 20 percent deduction of profits from any trade or business. The purpose of this article…
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  • REALTORS® in the House (and Senate, City Council, and Planning Board…)

    March 1, 2019

    - By Bridget McCrea

    These Massachusetts REALTORS® divide their time between their real estate businesses and their civic duties as either elected or appointed government officials. Here’s how (and why) they do it. If there’s one thing that Peter Davies has learned by serving as both a full-time real estate agent and an appointed…
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  • A Clear Path to Closing

    March 1, 2019

    - By Betsy Boggia

    A 2018 survey revealed that 42 percent of home buyers found the mortgage process “stressful” and 32 percent described it as “complicated.” As lenders, we work every day to try and drive those numbers down, but we could use the agents help. When it comes to having a successful home…
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  • Notes from the MAR Legal Hotline

    March 1, 2019

    - By The MAR Legal Team

    Can a buyer agent place a “sold” sign on the lawn of my listing? What obligations do I have regarding the disclosure of a defect? The MAR legal team answers your questions. Q. Is a landlord required to screen prospective tenants? A. No, Landlords have no affirmative duty requiring them to…
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