January 2, 2025

Happy New Year! E-News has a new look. We hope you enjoy great content in a fresh new format!

WELCOME JEFF HARRIS, 2025 PRESIDENT OF MAR: 

A REALTOR® since 2004, Jeff is affiliated with family-owned Harris Real Estate in Farmington. Jeff is a past President of the Kennebec Valley Board of REALTORS®, serves on numerous REALTOR® committees at the local, state, and national levels, was honored as KVBR’s REALTOR of the Year in 2021, and is a MARPAC major investor and Trustee. Welcome Jeff! 

Meet Jeff!

Thanks also to these Maine Association of REALTOR® officers for 2025:

-Judy Oberg, President Elect (Oberg Insurance and Real Estate, Bridgton)

-Raylene Estabrook,

First Vice President

(Signature Homes Real Estate Group, Scarborough)

-Eric Flynn, Treasurer (Excellence Realty, Portland)

THANK YOU, PAUL!

Thank you to 2024 MAR President Paul McKee for his dedicated and steady leadership during a year of impactful change to our industry. Well done, Paul! 

WITH MUCH GRATITUDE:

Thank you to 2024 Maine Listings President Pete Harrington and 2024 Maine Association of REALTORS® Foundation Chair Ashlee Simpson Black for their guidance and commitment to our organization.

Hundreds of volunteers served on Boards of Directors and committees at the state level during 2024 and hundreds more served their local REALTOR® boards with dedication. Thank you all!

MAINE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE:

In July 2023, the State of Maine Legislature passed a budget that included the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one. Beginning in 2026, eligible workers in the private and public sector will have 12 weeks of paid time-off available to them for family or medical reasons including illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a child.

Starting with the first payroll with a pay date in January 2025, any employer with at least one Maine-based employee has obligations under Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law.

Employers should take immediate actions to prepare by following the steps on this one-pager

Self-employed persons can be eligible for Maine PFML. Check out the FAQ’s at this link for program details

Stay up to date by signing up for the PFML Get Notified List and learn more in the Maine DOL FAQ, employer resources, recorded demonstrations, and step by step guides on the Maine DOL website.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (BOI) REPORTING

U.S. APPEALS COURT REINSTATES THE NATIONWIDE INJUNCTION

REPORTING IS VOLUNTARY AGAIN:

-On January 1, 2021: the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) was enacted by U.S. Congress including significant reforms to anti-money laundering laws. The CTA established beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirement for corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities formed or registered to do business in the United States with an initial reporting deadline of December 31, 2024.

-On December 3, 2024: the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the federal government from enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

-On December 23, 2024: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted the U.S. government's request to lift the temporary nationwide injunction halting the Corporate Transparency Act, and implementation and enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Rule. This court action reinstated the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOI) Rule.

-On December 26:  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated the nationwide injunction halting further implementation and enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) which prevents FinCEN from enforcing the BOI Reporting Rule. 

·       In light of this recent federal court order, reporting companies are not currently required to file beneficial ownership information with FinCEN and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force. However, reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit beneficial ownership information reports.

For information on filing requirements, please visit FinCen’s website and/or contact your legal and financial advisors. 

LUNCH AND LEARN -JANUARY 8th

Join us on Wednesday, January 8th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. as we host Angie Javier of realtor.com with a program to Elevate Your Value Proposition for More Buyer-Seller Connections. Grab some lunch and join us via Zoom to learn more. No-cost registration link is below!

NEW TECH?

As a Maine Association of REALTORS® membership benefit, REALTOR® members have access to the Maine Tech Helpline for questions about software, hardware, technology networking, and your digital devices (not MLS or zipForms – see below).

For Tech Helpline telephone assistance: 1-877-562-3157 OR Chat assistance

Read the latest Tech Helpline blog

As a reminder:

• For MLS or DocuSign assistance, contact Maine Listings at (207) 780-1366 or help@mainelistings.com.

• For zipForm Plus access assistance, contact MAR at (207) 622-7501 or zipLogix at (866) 279-9653 

NEED NEW PRODUCTS OR PROCESSES? 

Make sure to check out the NAR REALTOR® Benefits Program Partners to see if you could be saving money because of your REALTOR® membership

Build your retirement future! Check out this member benefit from NAR, self-directed retirement plans for REALTORS®: NAR Self-Directed Retirement Plans for REALTORS | IRAR Trust Company (iraresources.com)

HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLLMENT AT COVERME.GOV:

The Made for Maine Health Coverage Act, passed by the Maine Legislature in 2020, authorized the creation of a State-run health care insurance marketplace where individuals and families can shop for health insurance. Maine’s Marketplace, called CoverME.gov is now open. All plans sold through CoverME.gov provide comprehensive coverage and Essential Health Benefits. 

The Open Enrollment Period closes on January 15, 2025. You can use https://CoverME.gov to:

• Shop for and compare health insurance plans that provide quality comprehensive coverage.
• Apply for financial assistance to lower health insurance costs.
• Find a certified expert to guide you through the shopping and enrollment process and answer your questions at no cost to you. Learn more here...

2025 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Defined in paragraph 23 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (and Addenda): "days in this Agreement, including all addenda made a part hereof, shall mean business days defined as excluding Saturdays, Sundays and any observed Maine State/Federal holidays". The Maine State Holiday list is inclusive of all federal holidays. As always, the best approach to any confusing holiday is to communicate both with your client and the agent for the other side to be sure you have all counted the same way and have the same expectations.

Here’s the holiday schedule for 2025

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