Please select from the following to pick the membership level or service you’re interested in learning more about…
Realtor Membership
REALTOR® Membership – Application form for any person applying for membership in the Berkshire County Board of REALTORS for the first time, or reinstating for a time period of greater than one (1) year. This application will activate MLS access, provided the office you join is affiliated with the MLS.
- REALTOR® Application (.pdf)
- Change of Office Notification (.pdf)
- Agent Drop Notification (.pdf)
MLS Membership
MLS Participation is open to any broker who holds REALTOR membership in a local, state association and national association of REALTORS. The brokerage must be engaged in appraisal or real estate business in our MLS jurisdiction or contiguous area identified in our MLS and make offers of compensation on a blanket basis to other brokers of the service. If a broker joins (participates) all licensed sales agent, appraiser or broker affiliated with their office become MLS users. Only the broker-Participant has voting rights in the MLS and is billed all fees for services of their firm. Users may access the MLS under their broker’s supervision, but do not hold voting rights and do not pay for services directly.
Brokers who seek Multiple Listing Service access but do not currently hold REALTOR membership in any board must apply for both REALTOR and MLS membership. This application process has been combined to streamline the process. Pro-rated fees and the process are included in this document.
Brokers who already hold membership in the REALTOR organization can apply for MLS access by completing the following application. Please note that if REALTOR membership is held in Berkshire County, a copy of your Brokers license is all that is required for documentation with this application. If you hold membership elsewhere, please include a ‘Letter of Good Standing” from the Board where you hold REALTOR® membership. A $500 application fee is due and a monthly per agent charge of $30 per licensed real estate agent and/or licensed appraiser in your office is charged.
- MLS Only Application process & fees for Membership (.pdf)
- MLS Only Agent Addition form (.pdf)
- Fee Waived Agents, If Applicable (.pdf)
Appraiser Options
1) Full Membership – This level provides the most benefits of membership, with REALTOR membership in the Berkshire, Massachusetts and National Associations of REALTORS with all of the benefits and rights included. We honor your REALTOR membership elsewhere and could provide full, unrestricted, MLS access.
2) Appraiser Affiliate Membership – You also may consider joining the Berkshire Board of REALTORS as an affiliate member. This membership would not grant membership benefits, but rather marketing options. You could also have limited access to the MLS.
3) 1 Week Appraisal Access: For occasional appraisals in Berkshire County, we provide 1 week unlimited MLs access for $100. Should you decide in a calendar year to convert from 1 week access to either of the above membership types, we would retroactively apply any weekly access fees paid towards the MLS application fee.
Here is an Appraiser Application with all of the options shown above.
Unlicensed Administrative MLS Access
The Berkshire MLS offers access to the MLS by transaction or business professionals who work on behalf of our members. There are two types of Admin Access, one that serves the entire brokerage, and one that works in a personal assistant capability for one or more agents in the same firm. Please call or e-mail the Board Office for more information, 413.442.8049.
Please note these are for unlicensed support staff. Anyone licensed and hanging their license with the broker is subject to the bylaws of the Board of REALTORS and cannot access MLS without seeking membership or paying non-member fees. Please see the REALTOR section above.
Affiliate Membership
Affiliate Members shall be real estate owners and other individuals or firms who, while not engaged in the real estate profession have interest requiring information concerning real estate, and are in sympathy with the objectives of the Board. View a list of current affiliate members. Interested in joining the Berkshire Board of Realtors but need more information about the benefits? Please call or e-mail the Board Office for more information, 413.442.8049.
- Affiliate Application for firms (.pdf)
Volunteer to Serve
Each year, there are several positions open for new and emerging leadership and we hope that you will consider getting involved in the Board, or nominating someone you think would serve your interests well. It can be a fun, informative and rewarding experience!
- Submit our Volunteer Submission Form! Click to read job descriptions.
Filing a Complaint
Dispute Resolution System Forms & Brochures:
Buyers or sellers who want to resolve differences among themselves or with a REALTOR can take advantage of the Berkshire County Board of REALTORS® endorsed dispute resolution system. This process is administered through our partner, The Berkshire Regional Housing Authority in Pittsfield, MA. The system aids in the settlement of differences between sellers and buyers, and between consumers and real estate practitioners, through mediation rather than costly and time-consuming litigation. The housing authority sets their own fees for this process.
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Mediation:
Mediation is our preferred method of dispute resolution. All local REALTOR® associations must, as a benefit of membership, offer the ability to mediate contractual disputes and resolve claims of unethical conduct. Mediation involves the skillful intervention of a third-party professional to help resolve disputes that arise between two or more parties. We have trained volunteers who administer this mediation meeting and seek to bring all parties together in finding a swift and equitable solution. We offer this service at no cost.
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Code of Ethics:
REALTORS® have voluntarily agreed to abide by a Code of Ethics, for professionalism and protection of the public. They are subject to disciplinary action and sanctions if they violate the duties imposed by the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a detailed document that spells out the professional responsibilities of every REALTOR® and is the best assurance that the real estate agent you are working with is a professional of utmost care and concern. We offer this service at no cost.
Code Of Ethics Forms & Brochures |
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View the Code of Ethics
in other Languages
Arbitration of Business Disputes:
REALTORS® have voluntarily agreed to abide by a Code of Ethics, for professionalism and protection of the public. They are subject to disciplinary action and sanctions if they violate the duties imposed by the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a detailed document that spells out the professional responsibilities of every REALTOR® and is the best assurance that the real estate agent you are working with is a professional of utmost care and concern. The filing fee for the arbitration of a contractual dispute is $150 if you first attempt mediation and $500 if you do not. Please note that if you are the prevailing party, this filing fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the hearing process.
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Filing a Complaint
