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)

 

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.

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Melt Away Your Clients Fears

 

Real Estate agents are so dedicated to their clients.  No matter what the weather predication is.   We’re out there going from one appointment to the next.  I remember at one of my showing a few years ago, when we had 15 feet of snow everywhere.  My clients and I had to almost swim through the snow to reach the front door.  The property was bank owned and no one had come by to shovel the walk way.  Lucky enough it was the last home on our tour.  It all worked out because they fell in love with the inside.  It’s always a great feeling when you see your clients become really excited about a property.  They wanted to talk a little bit more about the property and write up an offer.  The inside of the house was as cold as an ice-box, so I decided to take them to a local coffee shop to warm up and relax before writing up the offer.  I always remember how relaxed my clients became while sitting in the corner couch of the cafe.  Not only did the cup of hot chocolate and latte help regain the feeling in our hands and feet.  The warmth also helped melt away all their concerns and fears about putting the offer. With the cold weather on our heals I thought I would share a few spots that you might like to take your clients.

 

Boston:

South Shore:

Worcester:

Pioneer Valley: