Search results for “pending”:

Right to Farm Communities

Below is a list of Berkshire towns that have adopted the Right to Farm bylaws that require a home seller to inform a home buyer that the community allows farming (Not the actual property!! That’s a different set of laws).  The disclosure is intended to alert residents that farming activities may create noises, smells and dust (and slow traffic) but those are not legal nuisances.  The tricky part is that each town bylaw is different… Yay, independent government! We reached out to many towns and received their information on acceptance of our sample form and where and how to send it.  The city/towns of Lanesboro, Hinsdale, North Adams and Pittsfield do not require a written disclosure notification to be filed.   Town Mailing/Email list in PDF format and the Right to Farm Standard form

 

Sample Disclosure Form:   (pdf format)
Note: Some towns may not accept this generic form – you must contact the city / town to inquire about the proper form for disclosure notification, if required at all. This form is simply to assist you for the towns that don’t have a form and allow you to draft your own.

In the meantime, here is sample disclosure language:

“It is the policy of this community to conserve, protect and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food, and other agricultural products, and also for its natural and ecological value. This disclosure notification is to inform buyers or occupants that the property they are about to acquire or occupy lies within a town where farming activities occur.

… Read on

2014 & 2022 President Mark McIlquham

Mark McIlquham
2022 President Berkshire County Board of REALTORS®, Inc.

Realty Street, Co-Owner
484 W Housatonic St, Dalton, MA 01226
(413) 684-4000

Mark was elected by Berkshire County real estate brokers to serve as the 2010 President of the Multiple Listing Service corporation, elected to serve as President of the Board of REALTORS in 2014 and has fulfilled roles in local and state leadership since.  He was honored with the coveted 2011 REALTOR of they YEAR award for his service to the industry and returned to the Board of Directors in 2022.  He was subsequently elected the 2022 President. 

Over the course of many years, Mark worked tirelessly on the REALTOR issues and behind the scenes, was involved on critical committees that were charged with strengthening the association at all levels. His leadership includes service on the Realtor Board of Directors, as well as Contract & Forms, Finance, Investment, Personnel, and Professional Standards Committees.

Mark has held his real estate salesman’s license since 1989, and obtained his certified buyers representative (CBR) certification and his broker’s license in August 2003. Mark is a full time Realtor who has been a consistent top sales producer in Berkshire County for the past 12 years. He specializes in residential, commercial real estate, relocation services and investment properties.

Mark McIlquham is co-owner of Realty Street and has lived in Berkshire County for over thirty-seven years. He attended local elementary and high schools, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, (formerly Southeastern Massachusetts University) in 1990 with a bachelors degree in marketing.… Read on

MA Continuing Education FAQ

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers requires twelve hours of continuing education credits (CEU) every 2 years to maintain an active license. There is no exam for CEU courses. The new curriculum consists of many two-hour modules. Materials provided as part of the curriculum should only be used for study purposes and should not be disseminated to the general public. Nothing in this curriculum supersedes any state or federal laws or regulations. Classes must be offered by a Massachusetts Certified School, by a Massachusetts Licensed Instructor (along with a specialist, if applicable) in a certified school location approved by the Board of Registration, or online with certification. If you do not take the required courses, you may renew your license as inactive so that you can easily reactive the license and/or accept referral fees.  You may not practice real estate sale or lease with an inactive license.

Continuing Education FAQ

 What courses are offered for license renewal?

The Board offers a wide array of programs for your license renewal, updated and amended from time to time: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/real-estate-continuing-education-course-listings

Are brokers and salespersons required to complete continuing education?

Chapter 369 of the Acts of 1996 establishes twelve hours of continuing education in different subjects that are contained in a curriculum developed by the licensing board. The twelve hour requirement is for each license term (a license is good for two years). However, the Board does not begin verifying compliance with the continuing education requirement until January 1, 1999. At that time it will use the license renewal application to obtain verification from brokers and salespersons showing completion of continuing education.… Read on

Pathways to Professionalism

Pathways to Professionalism
[free, full color marketing brochure]

While the Code of Ethics establishes enforceable, ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®, the following list of courtesies is a voluntary commitment. For real estate professionals, it’s the little things count the most when making a good impression on clients and business associations.

I. Respect for the Public

  1. Always follow the “Golden Rule” – Do undo others, as you would have done to you.
  2. When working with clients or customers, take care not to abandon them by taking frequent or in-depth cell phone calls.
  3. Respond promptly to all inquiries and requests for information. Have backup coverage to assist when you are unavailable.
  4. Communicate with all parties in a timely fashion.
  5. Enter listed property first to ensure that unexpected situations (such as pets) are handled appropriately.
  6. Never criticize a property in front of the owner.
  7. It is far better to say “I don’t know, but will find out” than to make statements that you will have to correct later.
  8. Always source your statements if your knowledge is a result of another’s comments or representations.
  9. Present a professional appearance at all times; dress appropriately and have a clean car.
  10. Communicate clearly; don’t use jargon not readily understood by the general public.
  11. Be aware of and respect cultural differences. Make an effort to understand diversity issues.
  12. Show courtesy and respect to the public.
  13. Be aware of and meet all deadlines.
  14. Promise only what you can deliver and keep your promises.
  15. Explain all contracts, forms and disclosures clearly and encourage clients to ask questions on any item that is not completely understood.
… Read on

Monthly Market Summary Report

Most Recent Report: 1stQuarterMarketWatch2015

2014 YearEnd Market Watch

2014 Jan-May Sales Interim Report (PDF)

Sales Update June 2014

2013

2012

2011:

 

 

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