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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… -
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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… -
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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… -
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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… -
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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… -
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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… -
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Forms Updates April 2023
May 2, 2023
The MAR Forms Content Advisory Committee kicked off 2023 with some important updates to the MassForms™ library. Be sure to confirm you are using the latest versions.* Concrete Foundation Advisory & Disclosure As the issue of pyrrhotite-impacted concrete continues to grow throughout the Western and Central regions of Massachusetts, the needs of MAR’s members and their clients necessitated separating this form into two forms, one aimed at buyers and the… -
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Notes From the Legal Hotline: May 2023
May 1, 2023
Q: What legal remedies does a landlord have when a tenant terminates their lease early? A: A lease is a legally enforceable contract between the landlord and tenant and a breach of a lease contract will have ramifications on the breaching party. A landlord cannot force a tenant to remain in the leased property, but a tenant who terminates a lease early may remain responsible for rental payments until a… -
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Advertising Basics & Social Media Pitfalls – How to Avoid Running Afoul of Massachusetts Law and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics
April 28, 2023
Welcome Spring – and hopefully a few more listings! Low inventory has been a challenging obstacle in today’s market and, in some cases, has led to questionable advertising practices as more agents compete for fewer listings. As we embark on a new season of many sales, please keep the following basic advertising rules and regulations in mind: LICENSE LAW: 254 CMR 3.00 First and foremost, advertisements must comply with all… -
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Statement of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, REALTOR® Association of Central Massachusetts, and REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley in Support of S.495, an act relative to Crumbling Concrete Foundations
April 18, 2023
On behalf of the more than 27,000 licensed member professionals of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR), including locally impacted associations, the REALTOR® Association of Central Massachusetts and the REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley, we hereby express our support for S.495, An Act relative to crumbling concrete foundations. REALTORS® are concerned that Massachusetts is just now beginning to see signs of a much larger problem with grave consequences for homeowners.…
