Realtors

Median Home and Condominium Prices Rise as Inventory Drops

August 31, 2016

Image © Bonnie Kittle In June 2016, 17,711 homes were on the market in Massachusetts, the lowest inventory recorded since 2004. The number of listings dropped 28 percent in relation to June 2015, says the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR). With a limited number of available properties, the median price on a single family home rose by 3.5% from […]

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Massachusetts Short Sales: Five Tips For Buyer’s Agents To Ensure Short Sale Approval

November 12, 2011

A Buyer’s Agent Can Take Proactive Steps To Ensure Short Sale Approval. Five Things Buyer’s Agents Must Do On All Massachusetts Short Sales.

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Massachusetts Short Sales: Five Tips For Listing Agents To Ensure Short Sale Approval

September 17, 2011

According to a recent report by California based RealtyTrac, distressed properties accounted for one third of all US housing sales in the second quarter of 2011. The glut of inventory is only going to increase as lenders slowly bounce back from the robosigning crisis and foreclosure filings begin to pick up around the country. A […]

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FTC MARS Exemption:Good Or Bad For Short Sale Agents?

July 28, 2011

FTC Issues Stay On Enforcement Of Certain MARS Provisions The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a statement that it would no longer enforce several provisions of the widely scrutinized Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule. The MARS Rule required all real estate agents working on short sales to make certain disclosures to homeowners as […]

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How To Qualify For A Massachusetts Short Sale: The Involuntary Hardship

June 4, 2011

As someone who exclusively negotiates Massachusetts short sales, I receive about three to five new short sale referrals every week from local real estate agents or distressed homeowners. While it may come as a surprise, I actually reject quite a few of these short sale requests. The most common reason I refuse to submit a […]

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How To Keep Buyers Committed To A Massachusetts Short Sale Transaction Without A Signed Purchase And Sale Contract

May 12, 2011

During this past week alone , I have received ten new short sale requests.  As a Massachusetts short sale negotiator, my services are generally not required until the buyer and seller execute an Offer to Purchase. Once the offer is signed,  the buyer’s agent inevitably calls me to request the seller attorney contact information so […]

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MARS DISCLOSURES

April 13, 2011

Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) now requires all companies that offer mortgage assistance relief services (MARS) to make three types of disclosures to short sale consumers. The rule, which went into effect March 31, 2011, also bans the collection of up-front fees. While the advance fee ban was clearly intended […]

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Short Sale Tax Consequences: Understanding The Qualified Principal Residence Exemption

March 24, 2011

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Short Sale Tax Consequences

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National Association of Realtors: LIFE ON MARS

March 11, 2011

Realtors Must Comply With The Disclosure Requirements Of The MARS Rule If They Negotiate Short Sales Or Advertise short Sale Experience.

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Are Realtors Subject To The FTC MARS Ruling?

February 25, 2011

As a real estate professional that exclusively handles Massachusetts Short Sales,  I continue to receive numerous inquiries about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Act (MARS) that went into effect January 1, 2011. I work with real estate agents on a daily basis and depend on them for a large portion of […]

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