A couple of things about smoke and CO inspections… first, they last for 60 days, so please DO NOT WAIT until the last week before closing to rush for this certificate.  Typically you should know several weeks before closing that the transaction will take place, and that is the time to schedule the inspection.  It …

On September 28, 2017, NAR reported on homeowner ramifications of the proposed tax code reform.  Did you know, currently in Massachusetts, 69.5% of homeowners have a mortgage, and 934,900 claimed the Mortgage Interest Deduction, subtracting and average of $9,200 from taxable income and saving $2,300 on average per taxpayer.  Overall, Massachusetts Homeowners savings from the …

So now everyone is uploading the lead paint form, it’s become apparent that not everyone is filling out the form correctly.  Yikes!  Fines for failure to complete this form correctly can be severe, so I know you want to do the right thing.The seller must initial OR check mark the correct boxes and circle the …

There’s still time to act!  The Board of Directors approved matching funds up to $5000 for any donation made by a Berkshire REALTOR to the National Association of REALTORS REALTOR Relief Foundation (vice-chaired by our own, Debbie Dwyer).  100% of monies donated through this foundation and distributed to individuals and families in need due to …

It’s important to use the terms REALTOR, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE, and REALTORS correctly and within the rules outlined by the National Association of REALTORS Membership Marks Manual Read this Top 5 Things You Need to Know about the REALTOR Trademarks article and then take this quick quiz to test your knowledge.  It’s always best to be in …

The current MVP program offer is valid between September 16th and September 26th. Your action:  Register for one of NAR’s REALTOR Safety Program Rewards Your reward:  The Little Red Book: Safety Rules to Live By for REALTORS download, plus a chance to win a Guard Llama Personal Protection Kit. ACT NOW

When you have your clients name and account number on any document (like a check) you have to heavily safeguard that document according to the Massachusetts Written Information Security Act (WISP).  Here’s a hint – sending a copy without blacking out the account number (redacting) to and from unsecured or encrypted email is a violation …

Learn about the possible legal risks when you use social media to communicate about your real estate business.

Data entry…accuracy…timing…photos, it’s all so important for the best marketing of your client’s property.  But, don’t forget the details!  Believe it or not, Linda has had a busy week here in the Board Office tracking down signatures on Exclusive Right to Sell contracts.  That’s right!  No signatures…sometimes the seller hasn’t signed, sometimes the broker hasn’t …

Just a reminder that it is so important that the Lead Paint form uploaded to your listing is completed CORRECTLY.  And that means the seller needs to strictly follow the instructions on the form.. where it says check, they must check, not X or initial.  Where it says initial, they must do that.  If you …