Scheduling the Massachusetts real estate exam with PSI

As of March 4th, 2019 PSI and the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons have changed the way you register for the test. The Board was having issues with people not being honest or making mistakes about their criminal history. After you passed your exam and paid for your license the Board would then run a CRIMINAL OFFENDER RECORD INFORMATION (CORI) check. We have been told that they have had to pull to many licenses because the CORI check came back positive for criminal activity.

In order to prevent this mistakes from happening. The Board now requires that everyone fill out an application and mail in all supporting documents with the payment for the test to PSI.

For all of our students that took the class with us in the last two years. If your PSI booklet has not yet expired. You still qualify to take the test. You just need to download the correct application either the Salesperson or Broker Application depending on which exam you are trying to take.

If you have already filled out and completed the 3 good moral character references, the CORI form, Broker work experience certificate or the Bond for Broker Students. Do not worry. You can send those forms in with your application. Remove them from your old PSI Candidate Bulletin neatly.

Application Checklist:

Salesperson Exam Application:

Application is legible, complete, and signed
Current Picture is attached
Correct Fee is attached (Money Order or Cashier’s Check) or Credit Card information included (no cash)
Appropriate Education is documented and signed
Endorsements (3 Character References)
CORI acknowledgment form is completed and attached

Broker Exam Application:

Application is legible, complete, and signed
Current MA license number and issue date is indicated (Brokers Only)
Current Picture is attached
Correct Fee is attached (Money Order or Cashier’s Check) or Credit Card information
Appropriate Education is documented and signed
Appropriate work experience is documented and signed (Brokers Only)
Endorsements
$5000 Surety Bond (Brokers only)
CORI acknowledgment form is completed and attached

Complete and forward the application to:
PSI Examination Services
ATTN: Examination Registration MA RE
3210 E Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89121

Email: Sandra Nadal snadal@psionline.com

Fax no. is 702-932-2666

Why Did I Not Receive My Massachusetts Real Estate License Renewal Paperwork?

The last few weeks we’ve been receiving many phone calls from agents asking us, “How do I renew my license?” , “When do I renew my license?” and “When does the Board send out the renewal paperwork?”. The first question that we ask is “When is your birthday?”. The Board of Real Estate Brokers and Sales Persons will mail out the renewal forms 2 months before your birthday. If they have not yet received the forms, we always ask if they have moved. The Board does not check to see if your mailing address has changed. It is our responsibility as Real Estate agents in Massachusetts to update our mailing address with the board.

1. If you have moved since your last license renewal or passing the Salesperson or Broker test. Click here to download the pdf form that you need to fill out to change your address with the Board.

2. If it’s time for you to renew your license and you have not yet received your renewal paperwork. You’ll need to call the Board (617) 727 – 2373 to check the address they have for you. You will also need to ask them to send out another renewal form.

3. If you plan on paying online. You will need to create an account on the Board’s website. In order to do that you will need the Record ID/license number that is found on the license renewal paperwork. If you do not have the paperwork you will need to call the Board (617) 727 – 2373.

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Reactivate Inactive Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson or Broker License

Your real estate license in Massachusetts can fall into 3 categories.

Active:
- You have to completed 12 hours of continuing education that we as real estate agents need to complete every 2 years.
- You have paid your license renewal fee
  - $103 for Salesperson’s License
  - $142 for Broker’s License
Inactive:
- You have not completed your 12 hours of continuing education
- You have paid for your license renewal fee
Expired:
- You have not completed your 12 hours of continuing education
- You did not pay your license renewal fee

It is very easy to reactive an Inactive real estate license. To reactive your Massachusetts Salesperson or Broker license. You just need to complete 12 hours of continuing education and fill out License Reactivation Form.

To reactive your real estate license it will take about 4 to 6 weeks once the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons has received all your paperwork.

Reinstate Expired Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson or Broker License

Your real estate license in Massachusetts can fall into 3 categories.

Active:
- You have to completed 12 hours of continuing education that we as real estate agents need to complete every 2 years.
- You have paid your license renewal fee
  - $103 for Salesperson’s License
  - $142 for Broker’s License
Inactive:
- You have not completed your 12 hours of continuing education
- You have paid for your license renewal fee
Expired:
- You have not completed your 12 hours of continuing education
- You did not pay your license renewal fee

When your license falls in the Active category you can receive referral fees for the referrals that you pass other Brokerages. You can receive referrals fees even if your real estate license in not associated with a brokerage. However, to receive a commission for helping a Buyer, Seller, Landlord or Tenant. Your real estate license must be associated with a Brokerage.

It is very easy to reactive an In-Active real estate license. To reactive your Massachusetts Salesperson or Broker license. You just need to complete 12 hours of continuing education and fill out License Reactivation Form.

If your Massachusetts Salesperson or Broker license falls in the Expired category. If it expired more than 2 years you will need to fill out the Request for Reinstatement Application. You will also need to complete 12 hours of continuing education.

To reactive or reinstate your real estate license it will take about 4 to 6 weeks once the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons has received all your paperwork.

Live Webinar Salesperson and Broker Classes

The end of last year the state made it possible for us to teach the 40 hour Salesperson and Broker prelicense classes as live webinar. How exciting is that. You can take the class any where that you have high speed internet access with your computer.

As soon as we found out that we could teach the class online. We were jumping for joy. So many students were already asking us about taking the classes online.

We decided to teach our webinar salesperson prelicense students at the same time that we are teaching our live weekend classes on Sat and Sun from 8am to 6pm. We are also going to be teaching the broker prelicense class as a webinar class on Wednesday from 8am to 6pm.

To take the live webinar you will need to have:

A PC or Mac computer
High speed internet
Headphones with a microphone
Webcam

To complete the class we will need to see you and be able to interact with you for the entire class. Our schedule of classes can be found on our website.

Help put a smile on a child’s face

On a very cold January Tim and I packed up our things and moved out the Western Mass so that I could attend UMass. We didn’t realize how that move was going to change our lives. You never know where the road is going to take you or who is going to come across your path. Over the last 16 years we have been very fortunate to meet and help so many amazing individuals. Both as real estate Brokers and instructors.

One of Liz’s very first clients his name is Robert Charland. He’s a single Dad in Springfield. He’s made it his life mission to give back to the youth of Greater Springfield. He has been a girl scout troop leader, softball coach, mentor, teacher and he donates his time when and where ever he can.

A few years ago he started to collect used bike and repair them on his own time. He’s been able to donate 68 bikes to children in the local area. He recently started a non-profit organization Pedal Through Youth. He unfortunately also found out that he has a terminal illness. His goal for the time that he has left is to create this program and have it continue after he is gone.

We would like to ask that if you have an old bike you’d like to donate you can drop it off at Lyndale Garage at 87 Warehouse Street in Springfield. If you don’t have a bike to donate or you live out of the area. He has a gofundme page,“Pedal Thru Youth Startup”. All amount are welcome the funds are used to help Bob purchase necessary parts for repairs.

Interview on channel 22 news:

http://wwlp.com/2017/04/13/terminally-ill-springfield-man-is-giving-back-to-his-community/

Calling to schedule your Massachusetts Real Estate exam with PSI

As of April 1, 2016, PSI Services LLC is the new test vendor for the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Board). To schedule your exam for PSI Exams you can reach PSI by calling them at (800)733-9267. The call center is open Mon through Fri 7:30 am to 10:00 pm and Sat and Sun 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

You will need to be ready to pay for the exam the day that you make the reservations. The cost for the exam is:

Salesperson: $85
Broker: $106

Remember if you need to reschedule your exam you will need to call them 48 hours or 2 days before your test date. For example if your test date is on Wednesday. You will need to give them a call to reschedule by Sunday.

The day of the test you will need to bring with you:

Two forms of ID:
- Acceptable Forms of ID:
  - PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION (with photo)
    
    Choose One
    
    Government issued driver’s
    
    U.S. Department of State Driver’s License
    
    U.S. Learner’s Permit (plastic card only with photo and signature)
    
    National/State/Country Identification Card
    
    US Government Issued Passport or Passport Card
    
    US Government Issued Military Identification Card
    
    U.S. Government Issued Military Identification Card for spouses and dependents
    
    US Government Issued Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent Resident Visa)
    
    NOTE: ID must contain candidate’s photo, be valid
    
    and unexpired.
- SECONDARY IDENTIFICATION
  
  Choose One
  
  Credit/Debit Card (must be signed)
  
  Social Security Card
  
  Any form of ID on the Primary list
  
  *NOTE: Student ID and employment ID are NOT acceptable forms of identification.
Your Real Estate Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin with the 3 Candidate Endorsements and the CORI form filled out and notarized. Remember they cannot be related to you to, live with you or be another student from class.
Your payment for your real estate license. Remember they do not except cash. You can pay with either a credit card or check.
- Salesperson License: $103 to $150 plus $11 processing fee
- Broker License: $142 to $200 plus $11 processing fee

Mandatory Massachusetts Real Estate Agency Disclosure Form Changes

As of Jan 24, 2017 the Board of Registration for Real Estate Brokers and Salesperson has updated the Massachusetts Mandatory Real Estate Licensee – Consumer Relationship Disclosure. The form has a new look and feel. The board hopes that this new form will help clarify the role of the real estate agents and brokerages in a real estate transaction for the consumer.

The back of the form still lists the 5 types of agency available in Massachusetts. The front of the form has been redesigned to help make it easier for the consumer to understand the role of the agents and brokerages. The form is still NOT A CONTRACT. To clarify that matter the phrase has been added to the top of the form in bold capital letters and underlined.

They have also changed the section explaining designated agency and non-designated agency (Single Agency). If your office is a Single Agency office, the new form requires that you check off if the agents in your office are going to be representing the consumer as Buyer or Seller agents. If your office is a Designated Agency office, the new form requires that you make the consumer aware that you will be responsible for the consumer and that another agent in your office will be responsible for their Buyer or Seller.

The new form does not remove the requirement to receive permission for being a Designated or Dual agent from the Buyer and Seller. You must still receive permission either in advance with a listing agreement or in a buyer agency agreement or later using the designated agency consent form or dual agency consent form.

At the bottom of the form you will still have to sign and print your name showing that you have gone over the form with the consumer. You will still have to write down your license number. You will also have to indicate if your license is Broker or Salesperson license.

The consumer will still sign and print their name and date the form. They still have the right to decline from signing the form. In that case, you still will just check the box at the bottom of the page next to “Check here if the consumer declines to sign this notice.”

Mandatory Real Estate Agency Diclosure Massachusetts

MASSACHUSETTS MANDATORY REAL ESTATE LICENSEE – CONSUMER RELATIONSHIP DISCLOSURE (click to open)

Online Continuing Education Holiday Coupon

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Time is a gift we all wish we could receive. There just never seems to be enough time to do everything we need to do. Especially around the holidays. Even though you may be running around crazy trying to do all your shopping, decorate your home, drive the kids here or there, show buyers properties and sign listing contracts. You still need to find some time to complete your continuing education, so you can renew your license. Taking your continuing education on the go is so much easier. We thought we would spread a little cheer by offering a coupon for our 12 hours of online continuing education. Happy Holiday and best wishes for an amazing 2018.

Check the Date on a Smoke Alarm

As real estate agents it’s our responsibility to make sure the property that our clients are selling is going to pass the Smoke Alarm Inspection. So, don’t forget to check the alarms to make sure you have the right ones near the kitchen and bathroom. Remember any smoke alarms that are within in 20 feet of the kitchen or bathroom with a bath tub or shower must be photoelectric smoke alarms. The alarms are not over 10 years old. Many students ask us where do we find the date the smoke alarm was manufactured.

Click on the image below to download the flyer.