3rd Quarter | 2024 Edition

President’s Message

Peter Ruffini, September 2024

RAPV 2025 Sponsorship Package is Now Available!

Sponsors are an integral part of the REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley's ability to make a difference in our community whether it's for professionalism, advocacy, charitable fundraisers or education.

At RAPV, we take pride in connecting businesses across the Pioneer Valley into a robust and influential network through advocacy and leadership. By investing in our programs, you gain access to a multitude of opportunities to forge new customer relationships, connect with fellow association members, and enhance your overall lead generation and sales strategies.

Any questions can be directed to Laura Herring or call (413) 785-1328 ext. 5.

Click to View 2025 Sponsorship Package

If the Realtor Had Only Known - Solar Panels | September 17

Join our panel of experts as we discuss Solar Panels - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! It's free and available to RAPV members only.

Panelists:

--Marty Grudgen, Martin Appraisal Company

--Captain Richard Martin, Springfield Fire Marshal

--Lieutenant Sean McLaughlin, Springfield Public Education Programs

--Rana Morton, Goosehead Insurance

--Attorney Brian Rucki, Bacon & Wilson, P.C.

--Dave Sherwood, Sherwood Inspections

--Michele Welch, VP Mortgage Loan Officer, Westfield Bank

--Attorney Donn Wexler, Bacon & Wilson, P.C.

2024 Excellence Awards Applications

Introducing the Excellence Awards (replacing the President's Awards). You can now qualify for one OR both awards...participation and/or production!

Click Here to Download the 2024 Excellence and Rising Star Participation Award Application

Click Here to Download the 2024 Excellence and Rising Star Production Award Application

NAR Settlement: New Resources

The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024.

NAR has released new resources as a part of NAR's ongoing campaign to help our members navigate the practice changes. These guides are available for download on MAR's website and facts.realtor.

Written Buyer Agreements: Defines what they are, why consumers will be asked to sign them, and how they help create clarity and transparency at the start of a relationship between a buyer and their real estate professional.
Open Houses and Written Agreements: Defines key terms under the settlement in consumer-friendly language and helps to explain when agents are required to enter into written agreements with buyers and when they are not.
REALTORS'^® Duty to Put Client Interests Above Their Own: Explains what it means for a REALTOR^® to act in their client's best interest and describes how the practice changes combat unlawful steering practices.

Visit NAR's facts.realtor for the latest updates on the settlement and practice changes and for additional resources to assist with implementation of the settlement terms.

Making a Down Payment on a Home

Sponsored

Buying a home can be challenging—especially if it’s your first time. That’s why Westfield Bank is proud to be a partner of MassHousing, the independent agency that is a leading provider of affordable mortgage financing for first-time homebuyers across Massachusetts, including the Pioneer Valley.

New Inspection Regulations are Coming

By The MAR Legal Team

On August 6th, the Governor signed the Affordable Homes Act into law. This law includes a provision that requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create regulations mandating a right to conduct an inspection. The Act itself does not mandate this right.

Buyer's Agent Fee Compensation

Submitted by the Affiliate/REALTOR® Committee

The recent announcement and results of the NAR lawsuit concerning the Buyer’s Agent Fee and who can pay it created a lot of concern across the country about how this could be integrated into the negotiation process and what limitations might be faced. The mortgage agencies had strict rules on seller concession limits that did not leave much room to work in seller-paid fees beyond what a seller may be willing to contribute towards closing costs.

MAR Legal Hotline Q&A - September 2024

Q: The Listing Broker is offering compensation to the Buyer Broker, does the Buyer memorialize that compensation offer in their Contract to Purchase, paragraph 2?

Q: If a consumer calls me directly to see the property I have listed for the Seller, do I need an agreement with that potential buyer?

Q: Can the landlord charge a non-refundable deposit to a tenant to “hold” the housing? How about a small percentage fee to cover damage and any future work of the real estate broker?

Check out the September 2024 Notes from the Legal Hotline for answers.