• Public Health Fact Sheet – Asbestos:  Asbestos is used in a variety of products because of its physical properties, which make it resistant to heat, fire, and many caustic chemicals. Asbestos has been used extensively as fireproofing, an insulating agent, and for decorative purposes, among many other uses.

• Public Health Fact Sheet – Lead Paint:  Under Massachusetts and federal law, owners and real estate agents must comply with Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification requirements when a prospective buyer or tenant with an option to buy is about to purchase a home built before 1978.

• Public Health Fact Sheet – Radon:  Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is produced in the ground through the normal decay of uranium and radium. As it decays, radon produces new radioactive elements called radon daughters or decay products. Radon and radon daughters cannot be detected by human senses because they are colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

• Public Health Fact Sheet – Title 5: Inspections are necessary to ensure the proper operation, upgrade and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems. The Code, therefore, requires system inspections to be done in certain circumstances. Most inspections will occur as a result of property transfers when facilities are sold, divided or combined. In order to provide further guidance to the regulated community, this document is intended to clarify the regulatory intent of the Department.

• Public Health Fact Sheet – UFFI: Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) is a home insulation made of urea formaldehyde resin and a foaming agent, blown or pumped into the walls and ceiling.

These reports compare previous periods and create a trend line for all zip codes. Produced Annually.

• 2012 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM, and Financing
• 2011 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2010 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2009- Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2008- Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2007 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2006 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2005 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2004 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2003 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2002 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2001 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
• 2000 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing

The reports found in this section are in PDF format and will require Acrobat Reader to view. This software can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com, free of charge.

Online Continuing Education for Massachusetts Real Estate License Renewal, FREE and Discounted Options Available

We are pleased to offer new, CE programs online at NO COST to Berkshire REALTOR® Members. To access these programs, and to view discounted designation and professional development programs, please click on the graphic above, or go to the Realtor Learning Library via this link. Hundreds of courses are available with excellent learning opportunities. Courses of study include the ABR Designation programs, new agent training, business planning, coaching clinic, and self-development. For more detailed information on How to Access Free Online CE from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS, click here.

Foreclosure Series of Webinars, FREE

The Berkshire County Board of REALTORS is proud to offer a 6 video foreclosure series of 1 hour webinars for your assistance. These videos were designed to help you navigate the short sale and foreclosure process, as well as alert you to potential pitfalls and opportunities in this difficult market.

Podcasts and Webinars

As issues arise, all levels of the REALTOR® Association post updated information via podcasts, webinars and videos for your use. These videos are highlighted in various areas of the website, under the issues to which they pertain, but we’ve also compiled a page featuring all videos in one place. Please visit our podcast & webinar page for one-click viewing of all of these relevant videos.

FlexMLS Tutorials

There are many video-based Step-by-Step Tutorials for the FlexMLS system. The tutorials can be accessed when you log-into the system at www.FlexMLS.com

Our mission is simple … to make your business life easier and more productive. That’s the whole shebang!  Equally as quick with a laugh as with professional, top-notch services, we pride ourselves on being your best business resource in the real estate industry. The rest of what we do ‘behind the scenes’ is geared to making your professional association relevant today and tomorrow. If you need anything, please call Sandy, Sue or Linda – we are happy to help!

Sandra J. Carroll, Chief Executive Officer

Sandy Carroll is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of REALTORS® and the Multiple Listing Service and has been with the organization since 1995. Her aim is to create an environment where Berkshire REALTORS can thrive and excel in their profession, in an ethical and professional manner.

Since joining the association, she has served in many capacities on the state and national level. In the area of association management, past service includes two terms as Chair of the Massachusetts Association Executives Committee, two terms as Chair of the New England Association Executives Conference was one of only 20 Association Executives nationwide to hold at seat on the National’s Association Executives Committee. Sandy was awarded the Omega Tau Rho Medallion of Service in 2009.

Sandy was chosen as a speaker for the joint US / Canada Association Executives Institute in Vancouver, where she spoke on the topic ‘How to Survive and Thrive’ before her peers in North America. At the state level, Sandy Carroll served on the Agency Implementation Committees, Technology Committee, Issues Grass-roots Work Group, Electronic Forms Workgroup, Professional Standards Committee, Online Education PAG and was the Association Executive Liaison serving on the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Executive Committee.… Read on

The REALTOR® name, logo and collective marks indicate an individual of the real estate profession who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics.

The preferred method of member compliance is:

• All Capital letters, with registered symbol:

REALTOR®
REALTORS®

• The following use is permitted (but only when the use of the ® is not possible)

REALTOR
REALTORS

• Also permitted, but not preferred:

Realtor®
Realtors®

• Never use the marks of part of them to create new terms;

Never – RealtorRental, REALTOuR

• Never use descriptive phrases to modify the marks:

Never – Main Street’s most qualified REALTOR®, #1 REALTOR®

• Proper use on business cards and such, for individual members

ABC Realty

John Jones, REALTOR®

• Proper use for member firms, if the REALTOR® term is used in firm name:

Preferred use: ABC Realty Inc., REALTORS®
Accepted use: ABC Inc., REALTORS®

• All firm names must be separated by proper punctuation

Never – ABC REALTORS®

Appendix II to Part Ten
Suggested Factors for Consideration by a Hearing Panel in Arbitration

• Procuring Cause
• Factors for Consideration by Arbitration Hearing Panels
• Conderation of the Entire Course of Events
• Sample Fact Situation Analysis

A key element in the practice of real estate is the contract. Experienced practitioners quickly become conversant with the elements of contract formation. Inquiry, invitation, offer, counteroffer, contingency, waiver, acceptance, rejection, execution, breach, rescission, reformation, and other words of art become integral parts of the broker’s vocabulary.

Given the significant degree to which Article 3’s mandate for cooperation—coupled with everyday practicality, feasibility, and expediency—make cooperative transactions facts of life, it quickly becomes apparent that in virtually every real estate transaction there are actually several contracts which come into play. Setting aside ancillary but still important contracts for things such as mortgages, appraisals, inspections, title insurance, etc., in a typical residential transaction (and the same will be true in many commercial transactions as well) there are at least three (and often four) contracts involved, and each, while established independently of the others, soon appears to be inextricably intertwined with the others.

• First, there is the listing contract between the seller and the listing broker. This contract creates the relationship between these parties, establishes the duties of each and the terms under which the listing broker will be deemed to have earned a commission, and frequently will authorize the listing broker to cooperate with or compensate (or both) cooperating brokers who may be subagents, buyer agents, or acting in some other capacity.

Policies & Regulations

The MLS succeeds in maintaining order in the Berkshire real estate marketplace through our adoption and enforcement of policies.

Our polices always seek to protect your right to earn a living, be treated fairly, while upholding the code of ethics and ensuring consumer’s right.

Any REALTOR® of this or any other association without further qualification except as otherwise stipulated in the MLS Bylaws, shall be eligible to participate in the multiple listing service upon agreeing in writing to conform to the rules and regulations thereof and to pay the costs incidental thereto.

MLS Policies

MLS Rules and Regulations