NAR SETTLEMENT:

OPEN HOUSE GUIDANCE:

One of the most frequently asked questions to MAR’s Legal Helpline has been at what point must an unrepresented buyer enter into a written agreement when they attend an open house. Recently, the National Association of REALTORS® provided clarifying guidance on the topic and MAR has adjusted our guidance accordingly. You can find MAR’s updated Buyer Agreement FAQs on the REALTOR® Access Only section of the MAR website (password: codeofethics)

Also, please review the NAR guidance (written and video) which is linked after Q12 in the Buyer’s Agreement FAQ’s document referenced above. 

NAR REALTOR® RELIEF FOUNDATION – HELENE:

When disasters strike…REALTORS® respond…Donate now to the REALTOR® Relief Foundation by texting HeleneRelief24 to 71777 or by going to REALTOR Relief Fund. 100% of all funds collected are used for disaster relief causes (no administrative fees) and until October 11, all donations will supplement assistance for Helene-related damage. 

NEW SCAM – BE WARY!

A Maine real estate agency reports that a REALTOR® received a “Priority Mail” special delivery at their home. The mailing included a check for $1,800 from a real estate related company (condominium association). Upon further investigation, the letter was mailed from Los Angeles and the check is issued by an entity in Arizona and Florida. The agency tracked down the persons who are listed on the check and determined that their names are being used fraudulently in an attempt to gain access to banking account information of the depositor. Be cautious. Do not deposit or cash unsolicited checks that you or your agency is not expecting to receive.

FRAUDULENT SELLER SCAMS

RED FLAGS INFOGRAPHIC:

Review this infographic and share it with your colleagues. This week’s fraudulent sellers were targeting a property in Boothbay.

For prospective sellers who are not physically located near you/the property, ask them to Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime with you for a first meeting – and ask them to show their identification on the screen. While scammers may also have fraudulent identification, they are likely to be unwilling to show their face on a screen. You can use a phrase like, “it’s our office protocol for new customers and clients”. If they’re unwilling, likely a red flag. It is not enough to receive identification via email since scammers are using fake passports and/or drivers licenses.

For potential sellers who are nearby, always schedule first meetings with customers/clients in the office, verify their identity (take a photo of their driver’s license), and introduce them to a colleague. 

CONVENTION IS SOLD OUT – THANK YOU!

NO NAME CHANGES OR ON-SITE REGISTRATION:

For those who are attending, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Samoset!

All who have registered for the full convention received a confirmation email from Bonnie with “Confirmation” within the subject line and your credit card was charged for the registration fee weeks ago. We are past the deadline to make a name change on a Convention Registration, including the banquet. There are no on-site Convention registrations (and no refunds). Rarely does a registrant not attend, and the event, including the banquet, is at capacity and sold-out. 



CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you and congratulations to our 2024 local Board/Council REALTORS® of the Year who will be celebrated during the convention.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS!

The support of these industry partners is most appreciated!

Gold ($2,500 level):

-realtor.com

-Red Door Title

Silver ($2,000 level)

-Camden National Bank

-CMG Home Loans

-Gateway Title of Maine

-Great East Title

-Treworgy & Baldacci

Bronze ($1,500)

-First National Bank

ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST SITE IS OPEN:  

Registered Maine voters may now request an absentee ballot for the November 5 General Election at your local town office or at maine.gov site



IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING:

The window to vote absentee at your municipal clerk's office will open on October 7. You don't need to complete an application for an absentee ballot if you vote in person at the clerk's office.

NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE? 

There is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at your town office or city hall.