RECENT BLOG POSTS
What is a "toxic seller", a "toxic buyer" or a "toxic agent"? I was listening to the radio today as they went through the words of the decade.  Like in 2000 it was "chad"; in 2001 "911"; in 2002 "WMD - weapons of Mass Destruction"; and so on.  I can't remember some of the other words of the decad...
01/08/2010
Internet Lead Conversion in the Year 2010 Oh no, not another post about these companies that sell leads to unsuspecting and unknowing agents who will do almost anything other than picking up a phone themselves to promote their business. Now what I'm about to say comes from experience and research...
01/06/2010
We've heard over and over again "Now is the time to buy", but recently a new client came in to talk about listing their home for sale in the spring.  I asked "why wait until the Spring?" and this started the conversation.  If we are telling our clients that the rate of the market decline (now for...
12/29/2009
As temperatures continue to plummet all across New England and as we prepare for the winter cold throughout the nation, now is the time for homeowners to get their  driveways, stairs and walkways ready for the winter season. Not only can snow and ice can cause damage to a home when it is left on ...
12/29/2009
I recently read a blog from a fellow Active Rainer, gloating about how many people came to her website during the year.  Absolute rubbish, I say.  Click through rates and paying (or reasoning) about technology dollars spent per click, are the wrong criteria to gauge success in my opinion.  The au...
12/28/2009
Take out all the references to Lakeland and replace it with the name of a buyer anywhere in the USA, and this blog post is very informative.   MartinHomebuyers that finance their newly purchased Lakeland real estate will be signing a new version of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement beginning January...
12/23/2009
Last week, I wrote about proposed changes to the MA smoke detector legislation that were being discussed by legislators.  Well, the only change that was made was the implementation date.  All other requirements under the new regulations will apply commencing April 5, 2010. 527 CMR 32.00 addresses...
12/22/2009
Note:  There is no such thing as a "standard commission."  The commission charged by a listing agent may only be established as part of the overall negotiation to obtain the listing and may be based on several factors, including costs to market the property.  Similarly, the commission offered to ...
12/16/2009
Late last year, Massachusetts state regulators approved changes to the rules governing the installation of smoke detectors in single family homes and certain multifamily residential buildings.  Although ongoing discussions with groups likely to be affected by the new rules over practical concerns...
12/16/2009
This is a very nice summary of some of the changes in lending guidelines over the past few years.  While our government continues to support home ownership by keeping FHA and VA loan downpayments well below other countries, I ask myself - are we not hurting ourselves?  Shouldn't home ownership be...
12/11/2009
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Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.

Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective
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