Since Massachusetts Real Estate Agency has changed significantly, we will be keeping the information you need for legal implementation of agency regulations at your fingertips. In addition to the most recent news and information on Agency in Massachusetts, you can also find links to the Massachusetts Agency and Non-Agency disclosure form  and information on the types of agency relationships now defined by law.

Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Disclosure | Consumer Guide To Representation

Types of Representation in Massachusetts

Other Agency News:

Here is a link to the full 2024 Quarter 1 Market Watch report for the Berkshires.

In the first quarter of 2024, the volume of real estate sales rose to over $137 million dollars including residential, condo, multifamily, land and commercial sales.  The number of transactions rose by 2%, or an increase of 6 sales when compared to last year.  Notably, the sales of single-family residential homes, condos and multifamily units improved in the first quarter of 2024 when compared to last year, but land and commercial sales fell.  Overall 1^st quarter sales are more consistent with pre-pandemic rates.  A lack of available inventory remains a significant issue in the residential home market, especially in workforce housing price ranges.  This is reflected in a slightly improved but still considerably lower historic inventory level. (pg 6)

Overall Real Estate Sales by Region

• 2023 was a tough year for home buyers finding a property within their range and being able to afford and qualify for a mortgage while rates moved up and leveled during the year.
• 2024 starts with a slight but comfortable overall rebound.  Noting that the lack of home inventory remains a challenge, as does high building costs, interest rates and inflation pressure, sales are still impacted by market dynamics.

The Board and MLS succeed 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 consumers are protected by the law. Friendly reminders about these policies are based on phone calls to the Board Office, information obtained from the National Association and general reminders of issues frequently on the MAR Legal Hotline.  Below are our governing documents.

Board of Realtors Governing Documents

• BCBR Bylaws – describes the structure of the board and member obligations.
• Code of Ethics – highlights the ethics, mediation and complaint process.
• Arbitration Guidelines– information about the process of commission disputes

MLS Governing Documents

• MLS Bylaws– describes the structure and governance of the MLS
• MLS Policies – listing input details – how to avoid fines!
• MLS Rules and Regulations – in depth rules about MLS services
• MLS Data Use – rights and restrictions in using MLS data (not your own data!)

Board Policies

• Committee Guidelines – chairperson’s reference to help guide a committee
• Internet Policies
• Pathways to Professionalism

• Trademark Policies
• State Political SPC Program Policies
• Association Record Retention and Access
• Sample Brokerage Record Retention Policy

• All Membership Forms

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The REALTOR Promise: As REALTORS® we Pledge…

• To strive to be honorable and to abide by the Golden Rule;
• To strive to serve well my community, and through it, my country;
• To abide by the REALTORS’® Code of Ethics and to strive to conform my conduct to its aspirational ideals;
• To act honestly in all real estate dealings;
• To protect the individual right of real estate ownership and to widen the opportunity to enjoy it;
• To seek better to represent my clients by building my knowledge and competence.

Fair Housing Declaration. As REALTORS®, We Agree:

• To provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin of any prospective client, customer, or the residents of any community
• To keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients’ and customers’ opportunities and my business.
• To develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded; expanding my clients’ and customers’ opportunities to see, buy or lease property.
• To inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information.
• To document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®.
• To refuse to tolerate noncompliance.
• To learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences.
• To take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.