NAR SETTLEMENT APPROVED:

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri granted final approval of NAR’s settlement in the Sitzer/Burnett case on November 26. Read the overview here

Court’s formal written order



• Visit facts.realtor for settlement FAQ’s, 17 different Consumer Guides (with more added weekly), and other member resources. 

TODAY! REAL ESTATE FORECAST SUMMIT:

TODAY, December 12, from 1:00 – 2:15 p.m., NAR will hold a no-cost virtual economic and real estate summit that will provide a year-end review of 2024 and outlook on the real estate market and the economy for the year ahead.

Register Below (no cost)

A recording of the event will be made available to REALTORS® as a value-added resource. Registered attendees will receive an email with the link to the recording when available. 

UNACCOMPANIED ACCESS TO PROPERTIES:

We have heard an increase in the number of complaints regarding unaccompanied access to properties, so here is a reminder that it is absolutely prohibited to give access to non-licensees to visit or view a property on their own – even vacant properties. This includes but is not limited to buyers, potential buyers, contractors, inspectors, and appraisers. To do so is a violation of the Code of Ethics (subject to sanctions and fines), and Maine Real Estate Commission laws and rules (subject to sanctions and fines, including suspension or revocation of real estate license). It is never ok and there is no excuse which is good enough to undertake this behavior.

SAVE THESE 2025 DATES!

Mark your calendars now – more registration information later:

-February 11th: Meet & Greet the Maine Legislature 4:30-6:30pm(Augusta)

-April 17: REALTOR® Rally (Augusta)

-October 7-9: MAR Convention (Portland)

LUNCH AND LEARN: Elevate Your Value Proposition - JANUARY 8:

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 is below.  

ZIPFORM RENEWAL FOR 2025:  

The annual Lone Wolf zipForms renewal process will begin on December 16. Upon logging into zipForms, when prompted, review and agree to the License Agreement and click Continue. After completing this process once, your account will be ready for 2025 if your membership dues are paid. The 2025 MAR Forms will automatically load into your library in mid-January. Watch MAR E-NEWS in January for the exact date for the 2025 forms.

FRAUDULENT SELLER SCAMS:

Recent fraudulent/imposter sellers were targeting properties in York and Denmark: 

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.

Check out this resource

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. 

LAST CALL FOR NO-COST ABR COURSE:

Time is running out! Through December 31, the National Association of REALTORS® is offering REALTOR® members no-cost access to the two-day Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) designation’s core course (a $295 savings) to help REALTORS® communicate their value to buyers in this changing real estate landscape. The ABR® core course can be accessed in live virtual (December 18-19) or self-paced virtual format (no Maine continuing education credit is offered). More info and to register

Take the ABR core course alone, or to continue on and earn the ABR designation, you’ll need to complete an additional elective course (at your expense) and have completed at least 5 buyer-side transactions. More details about ABR here: How to Earn Your ABR® | ABR®

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (BOI) REPORTING:

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) was enacted by U.S. Congress on January 1, 2021 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). This means the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as part of the Treasury Department, cannot currently enforce the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule enacted pursuant to the CTA. The lawsuit asserted that the CTA is outside of Congress' power to regulate under the Commerce Clause and is therefore unconstitutional. 

Litigation continues and it is possible the federal government will appeal the preliminary injunction. NAR recommends that members consult legal counsel for legal advice regarding compliance and the implications of the preliminary injunction on their businesses. As of this writing, FinCEN's BOI Reporting entity remains open and is accepting BOI Reports voluntarily, despite the preliminary injunction prohibiting FinCEN from implementing or enforcing the CTA and BOI Reporting Rule.

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 is November 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025, but the deadline is December 15, 2024 if you need coverage to begin January 1. 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 at coverme.gov

2025 REALTOR® DUES – ALL ARE DUE IN DECEMBER:

Your 2025 REALTOR® dues are due in December (Greater Portland Board, MidCoast Board, and Kennebec Valley were due on December 1) and local board late fees may be assessed beginning in early-December – some as early as December 2. You pay your dues through your local REALTOR® boards’ Member Portal (links in right margin or below if viewing on a cellphone).

Designated Brokers: Remember...dues must be paid for anyone licensed in a REALTOR® office as of January 1, 2025. If an agent plans to make their license status inactive or his/her license expires any time on/after January 1 and they do not plan to renew, you must inform the Maine Real Estate Commission in writing that the agent’s license is no longer affiliated with your company by December 31, 2024 or you, as DB, will be responsible for that agent's payment. 

THANK YOU for your membership!

Learn more about your MAR membership benefits

HOLIDAY SCHEDULES:

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 2024

Here’s the holiday schedule for 2025