Commercial Article

May 12, 2020

- By Paul Yorkis

The officers and board of directors of the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance of Massachusetts (RCAMA) are actively working with MLS PIN to explore how to enhance the commercial aspects of MLS PIN which will also enhance MLS PIN listings in the REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) platform.

This exploration, if implemented, will greatly assist RCAMA member clients by providing their listing information to the nationwide commercial REALTOR® community.

Enhancing the information provided to MLS PIN subscribers and the nationwide RPR commercial users will provide our clients with a service that is only available to REALTORS®.   This RED R (note to editor: can we print RED R in red ink?) benefit will provide a significant benefit to our clients.

We will continue to keep you informed as we continue to work in partnership with MLS PIN to provide our members with the best possible service.

RCAMA has two representatives of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) Forms Content Advisory Committee.   In the coming months, the committee will be reviewing additional forms that may be included in the Zipforms MAR platform enhancing the resources for commercial practitioners.  The forms being reviewed both by the committee and MAR counsel include a sample letter of intent, a non-disclosure agreement, and a confidentiality agreement.

Our responsibility to our clients, buyers, and sellers is to provide the best possible and most accurate representation.

I practice what I call defensive real estate.  When in doubt, I check.  When I check, I get answers in writing.  I frequent many town halls verifying information that may be provided by an owner, board of assessors, or other approval agency.  At times I have even visited a registry of deeds website and on occasion sought face to face assistance from registry of deeds personal.  I have found almost every town hall staff member very helpful in answering my questions.

I have also called the MAR legal hotline.  If you are a broker/owner or designated REALTOR® you can call the legal hotline directly.  If you are an agent in an office, the designated REALTOR® in your office needs to make the call.

Commercial real estate is receiving increased emphasis from the National Association of REALTORS® and from MAR.  Those practicing commercial real estate have a great opportunity to learn and enhance their career.

I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities RCAMA is presenting.  I encourage you to visit the RCAMA website: http://realtorscommercialalliancema.org.