Residential Housing Sale Analysis
These reports compare previous periods and create a trend line for all zip codes. Produced Annually.
- 2012 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM, and Financing
- 2011 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2010 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2009- Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2008- Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2007 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2006 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2005 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2004 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2003 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2002 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2001 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
- 2000 – Full Year Sales of Residential by Price Class, DOM and Financing
The reports found in this section are in PDF format and will require Acrobat Reader to view. This software can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com, free of charge. |
Tips for Managing Risk and Reputation
Online Courses
We are pleased to offer new, CE programs online at NO COST to Berkshire REALTOR® Members. To access these programs, and to view discounted designation and professional development programs, please click on the graphic above, or go to the Realtor Learning Library via this link. Hundreds of courses are available with excellent learning opportunities. Courses of study include the ABR Designation programs, new agent training, business planning, coaching clinic, and self-development. For more detailed information on How to Access Free Online CE from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS, click here.
Foreclosure Series of Webinars, FREE
The Berkshire County Board of REALTORS is proud to offer a 6 video foreclosure series of 1 hour webinars for your assistance. These videos were designed to help you navigate the short sale and foreclosure process, as well as alert you to potential pitfalls and opportunities in this difficult market.
As issues arise, all levels of the REALTOR® Association post updated information via podcasts, webinars and videos for your use. These videos are highlighted in various areas of the website, under the issues to which they pertain, but we’ve also compiled a page featuring all videos in one place. Please visit our podcast & webinar page for one-click viewing of all of these relevant videos.
… Read onThere are many video-based Step-by-Step Tutorials for the FlexMLS system. The tutorials can be accessed when you log-into the system at www.FlexMLS.com
Course Descriptions
Approved Twelve Hour Continuing Education Subject Matter Curriculum Introduction Courses are designated as follows:
The first two digits of the course number represents the course number sequence on the list of Board approved courses. The last two digits represents the year the Board approved the course. For example, the course number RE28RC12: Foreclosures states the following: a real estate course, the 28th real estate course approved by the Board, offers both Residential and Commercial topics and approved by the Board in 2012. For example, RE78R13: Short Sales states the following: a real estate course, the 78th real estate course approved by the Board, offers Residential topics and approved by the Board in 2013. |
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RE01R06: Seller Agency
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RE02R06: Buyer Agency
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RE03RC08: Real Estate Laws and Regulations for Owners and Managers
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RE04RC12: M.G.L. c. 93A, Consumer Protection & Business Regulation
Revised on September 25, 2013 – no change to course number
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RE05RC12: Contract Law
Updated Course as of February 14, 2012
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RE07R13: Closing and Settlement
Updated Course as of September 24, 2013
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RE08RC12: Massachusetts Real Estate License Law and Regulations
Updated Course as of March 9, 2012 -
RE09R07: Residential Rental – Landlord/Tenant Issues
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RE10RC07: General Real Estate Laws, Regulations and Practices
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RE11RC07: Antitrust
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RE12R07: Condominiums, Cooperatives and Timeshares
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RE14R07: Architecture
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RE15R07: Selling Historical Homes
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RE16RC13: Zoning & Building Codes
Updated Course as of August 7, 2013
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RE18RC07: Property Assessments, Valuation and Taxation
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RE19RC12: Fair Housing
New Course as of March 1, 2012
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RE20R13: Lead Paint – Residential Sales and Rentals
Updated Course as of June 13, 2013
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RE21RC01: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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RE22RC13: Title V
Updated Course as of February 26, 2013
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RE23RC12: The Wetlands Protection Act
Updated Course as of October 19, 2012
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RE24RC08: Brownfield
Expired Course as of August 31, 2013.
Professional Staff
Our mission is simple … to make your business life easier and more productive. That’s the whole shebang! Equally as quick with a laugh as with professional, top-notch services, we pride ourselves on being your best business resource in the real estate industry. The rest of what we do ‘behind the scenes’ is geared to making your professional association relevant today and tomorrow. If you need anything, please call Sandy, Sue or Linda – we are happy to help!
Sandra J. Carroll, Chief Executive Officer
Sandy Carroll is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of REALTORS® and the Multiple Listing Service and has been with the organization since 1995. Her aim is to create an environment where Berkshire REALTORS can thrive and excel in their profession, in an ethical and professional manner.
Since joining the association, she has served in many capacities on the state and national level. In the area of association management, past service includes two terms as Chair of the Massachusetts Association Executives Committee, two terms as Chair of the New England Association Executives Conference was one of only 20 Association Executives nationwide to hold at seat on the National’s Association Executives Committee. Sandy was awarded the Omega Tau Rho Medallion of Service in 2009.
Sandy was chosen as a speaker for the joint US / Canada Association Executives Institute in Vancouver, where she spoke on the topic ‘How to Survive and Thrive’ before her peers in North America. At the state level, Sandy Carroll served on the Agency Implementation Committees, Technology Committee, Issues Grass-roots Work Group, Electronic Forms Workgroup, Professional Standards Committee, Online Education PAG and was the Association Executive Liaison serving on the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Executive Committee.… Read on
Educational Courses (CE & Non-CE)
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[bib category_slug=’continuing-education‘ num=10]… Read on
Trademark Policies
The REALTOR® name, logo and collective marks indicate an individual of the real estate profession who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics.
The preferred method of member compliance is:
• All Capital letters, with registered symbol:
REALTOR®
REALTORS®
• The following use is permitted (but only when the use of the ® is not possible)
REALTOR
REALTORS
• Also permitted, but not preferred:
Realtor®
Realtors®
• Never use the marks of part of them to create new terms;
Never – RealtorRental, REALTOuR
• Never use descriptive phrases to modify the marks:
Never – Main Street’s most qualified REALTOR®, #1 REALTOR®
• Proper use on business cards and such, for individual members
ABC Realty
John Jones, REALTOR®
• Proper use for member firms, if the REALTOR® term is used in firm name:
Preferred use: ABC Realty Inc., REALTORS®
Accepted use: ABC Inc., REALTORS®
• All firm names must be separated by proper punctuation
Never – ABC REALTORS®
Pathways to Professionalism
Pathways to Professionalism
[free, full color marketing brochure]
While the Code of Ethics establishes enforceable, ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®, the following list of courtesies is a voluntary commitment. For real estate professionals, it’s the little things count the most when making a good impression on clients and business associations.
I. Respect for the Public
- Always follow the “Golden Rule” – Do undo others, as you would have done to you.
- When working with clients or customers, take care not to abandon them by taking frequent or in-depth cell phone calls.
- Respond promptly to all inquiries and requests for information. Have backup coverage to assist when you are unavailable.
- Communicate with all parties in a timely fashion.
- Enter listed property first to ensure that unexpected situations (such as pets) are handled appropriately.
- Never criticize a property in front of the owner.
- It is far better to say “I don’t know, but will find out” than to make statements that you will have to correct later.
- Always source your statements if your knowledge is a result of another’s comments or representations.
- Present a professional appearance at all times; dress appropriately and have a clean car.
- Communicate clearly; don’t use jargon not readily understood by the general public.
- Be aware of and respect cultural differences. Make an effort to understand diversity issues.
- Show courtesy and respect to the public.
- Be aware of and meet all deadlines.
- Promise only what you can deliver and keep your promises.
- Explain all contracts, forms and disclosures clearly and encourage clients to ask questions on any item that is not completely understood.
REALTOR® Arbitration
Appendix II to Part Ten
Suggested Factors for Consideration by a Hearing Panel in Arbitration
- Procuring Cause
- Factors for Consideration by Arbitration Hearing Panels
- Conderation of the Entire Course of Events
- Sample Fact Situation Analysis
A key element in the practice of real estate is the contract. Experienced practitioners quickly become conversant with the elements of contract formation. Inquiry, invitation, offer, counteroffer, contingency, waiver, acceptance, rejection, execution, breach, rescission, reformation, and other words of art become integral parts of the broker’s vocabulary.
Check out a Hearing Panel’s Procuring Cause Worksheet that help them ask the right questions, obtain all information at the hearing needed to make a fully informed decision and guidelines for establishing procuring cause. |
Given the significant degree to which Article 3’s mandate for cooperation—coupled with everyday practicality, feasibility, and expediency—make cooperative transactions facts of life, it quickly becomes apparent that in virtually every real estate transaction there are actually several contracts which come into play. Setting aside ancillary but still important contracts for things such as mortgages, appraisals, inspections, title insurance, etc., in a typical residential transaction (and the same will be true in many commercial transactions as well) there are at least three (and often four) contracts involved, and each, while established independently of the others, soon appears to be inextricably intertwined with the others.
- First, there is the listing contract between the seller and the listing broker. This contract creates the relationship between these parties, establishes the duties of each and the terms under which the listing broker will be deemed to have earned a commission, and frequently will authorize the listing broker to cooperate with or compensate (or both) cooperating brokers who may be subagents, buyer agents, or acting in some other capacity.
Board Job Descriptions
Board Job Descriptions
Policies & Regulations- MLS
Policies & Regulations
The MLS succeeds in maintaining order in the Berkshire real estate marketplace through our adoption and enforcement of policies.
Our polices always seek to protect your right to earn a living, be treated fairly, while upholding the code of ethics and ensuring consumer’s right.
Any REALTOR® of this or any other association without further qualification except as otherwise stipulated in the MLS Bylaws, shall be eligible to participate in the multiple listing service upon agreeing in writing to conform to the rules and regulations thereof and to pay the costs incidental thereto.
For brokerages who are Incorporated or LLCs
Notes from the MAR Legal Hotline: January 2014
Data Security Heats Up: Are You Ready?
December 2013: Notes from the MAR Legal Hotline
Bylaw Amendment to Protect Members from Harrassment
Membership Report as of November 4, 2013
Quick Question Learning: Lead Paint
Agency Laws & Regulations
Since Massachusetts Real Estate Agency has changed significantly, we will be keeping the information you need for legal implementation of agency regulations at your fingertips. In addition to the most recent news and information on Agency in Massachusetts, you can also find links to the Massachusetts Agency and Non-Agency disclosure form and information on the types of agency relationships now defined by law.
Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Disclosure | Consumer Guide To Representation
Types of Representation in Massachusetts
Other Agency News:
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