In the final hours of formal sessions last year, lawmakers included a provision in the Affordable Homes Act that mandates a buyers’ right to a home inspection. MAR actively opposed this language, and thousands of members submitted emails to the Governor requesting that she veto it.

This is an unprecedented shift away from a market-driven economy where consumers have the freedom of contract. Since the language was adopted, MAR has met with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities multiple times regarding the statute and the regulations they are drafting.

These regulations, as currently drafted, present significant changes that will fundamentally alter the real estate market and practice for our members. MAR staff and Government Affairs Committee members have worked tirelessly to draft formal public comments that highlight the areas of concern in the proposed regulations and share our recommendations to ensure the adopted regulations are fair and implementable.

The current draft of the regulations will affect home sales and transfers starting July 15, 2025, though MAR and our coalition partners are strongly urging that the implementation date be pushed back to October 15, 2025. Regardless, MAR will be updating our forms as soon as the regulations are formalized and will begin providing educational opportunities to members as soon as possible.

MAR will keep us up to date on these regulations and the Berkshire Contract and Forms Committee will proceed accoridngly.