November 14, 2007

GBREB Testifies for Efficient Wetlands Protection
At a hearing last month, Patricia Baumer, director of government affairs for the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and Steve Ryan, general counsel for the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, testified before the Massachusetts Legislatures Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in support of H. 778.

The goal of the bill - which seeks to provide for "More Efficient Wetland Protection by Avoiding Unnecessary Duplication in Local Wetlands Ordinances and Bylaws" – is to remove unnecessary impediments to housing production in the Bay State.  The legislation resulted from recommendations of the Barriers to Housing Commission created by former Bay State Governor Paul Cellucci.

The legislation authorizes Conservation Commissions to administer and enforce a locally adopted wetlands ordinance or bylaw only if more stringent than the State Wetlands Protection Act; and only if the local ordinance or bylaw has been reviewed and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The proposed legislation sets up a DEP review and approval process to ensure that local wetlands ordinances or bylaws are scientifically-based restrictions.  Furthermore, the ordinances or bylaws must be designed to protect unique local resources, rather than impose provisions that merely duplicate the provisions of the State Wetlands Protection Act.  Finally, the ordinances or bylaws must not be designed solely for the purpose of charging local wetlands fees that are in addition to fees charged pursuant to the State Wetlands Protection Act.

According to a 2006 study, 131 out of 187 cities and towns in Greater Boston have wetland bylaws stricter than state standards.  This research suggests that such regulation, when not scientifically necessary, can impede growth and reduce affordability of housing.

GBREB/MAR Show Support for Uniform Title V Code
At an October 15 hearing, Patricia Baumer, director of government affairs for the GBREB and Steve Ryan, general counsel of MAR, testified before the Massachusetts Legislatures Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in support of S. 556.

The legislation - An Act to Ensure Uniformity in the Regulation of Sanitary Sewage Treatment and Disposal – represents the first step in removing unnecessary barriers to housing production with regard to Title V.

The MAR and GBREB support a uniform code for Title V septic regulations in all communities to provide consistency with other statewide housing regulations including plumbing and building codes.  This consistency will help ensure that enforcement of the regulations among communities is based on science and not arbitrary guidelines.

Cities and towns would only be able to adopt stricter septic controls if scientifically proven to be a necessity.  A 2006 study of Harvard University's Rappaport Institute for the GBREB and the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research shows that 109 of 187 cities and towns in Greater Boston have septic regulations that go beyond Title V. 

Uniformity would ensure that communities do not use Title V as a growth control tool hence allowing Title V regulations to protect the environmental health of residents.  Like the Wetlands Protection legislation, the Title V legislation also came from recommendations by the Barriers to Housing Commission created by former Bay State Governor Paul Cellucci.

New Advertising Discounts on the Menu for GBAR's Breakfast Program
You've probably noticed that more and more people around the Bay State are reading alternative publications such as free newspapers and weekly magazines. What you may not have noticed is that many of these publications have created special real estate sections to attract first-time home buyers.

Are you interested in reaching this new market?  We hope so because we’ve arranged to have representatives from three major publications unveil new and exciting advertising opportunities at our “Breakfast with Benefits" event. Boston Now, Metro and the Weekly Dig will be announcing the new discounts especially for GBAR members on December 7 at the Natick Courtyard Marriott from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  Cost to attend the event is free (garage parking is available).  To register, contact GBAR Communications Coordinator Christina Meehan at 617-399-7840 or via e-mail at cmeehan@gbreb.com by November 30.  A faxable registration flyer is also available by clicking here.

NAR Offers e-PRO® Course Discount, 2-month Extension
In recognition of November as NAR Designation Awareness Month, REALTORS® are invited to take advantage of a $25 discount offer on the e-PRO® certification program if you enroll in the course by Nov. 30. Registrants meeting the deadline can also take up to eight months to complete the session, providing an additional two months beyond regular completion requirements. The e-PRO® certification provides REALTORS® with tools to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of real estate using technology. Join the more than 50,000 real estate professionals who have already registered for the only technology and Internet certification course recognized nationwide and offered by NAR. Online registration is required to receive the discounted rate of $334.

Bigger and Younger Homes Becoming a Trend
The median size of homes purchased this year has grown to 1,840 square feet, up from 1,730 in 2004, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2007 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences.

The median number of bedrooms, however, dropped with buyers instead finding extra space in living rooms, kitchens and family rooms.  The age of homes purchased also dropped from 15 to 12 years old with the typical home being 1,840 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths.

For buyers who purchased a home without a desired feature or room, they were willing to pay extra for central air conditioning (typically $1800), two or more full bathrooms (typically $2,040) and hardwood floors (typically $1,900). Buyers were also willing to pay most for waterfront property, typically an extra $4,760. To read the highlights of the report click here.

How's Your Market Confidence?  Tell NAR and Win!
Channel your market expertise into something bigger than yourself. Participate in the REALTORS® Confidence Index – a new market tool that gets better as more REALTORS® chime in. Be a part of it to help give an accurate indication of market expectations. It's easy. NAR will send you an e-mail once a month with five brief questions about your market expectations as well as the results of the latest survey. And, just to sweeten the deal a bit, each time you participate in the monthly survey you'll be entered in a drawing to win a $50 American Express Gift Cheque. It could be the easiest money you’ll make all year – and for a good cause, too!

Join GBAR in Welcoming Its Newest Affiliate Members
GBAR would like to welcome its newest affiliate members who have joined the association in the past several months. Affiliate Membership is open to qualified individuals whose firms and businesses offer goods and services used by real estate professionals and/or their clients and customers. For more information on their companies, click the company name to be directed to the member’s website.

 

Join GBAR for its Night at the Celtics
 Baseball season in Boston has come to a glorious end, but now it's time to switch your socks for your shamrocks as the Celtics take center stage. And this year GBAR is taking
you to the heart of the action. Join us on February 27 for our first-ever "Night at the Celtics" as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game which is already sold out to the public! Cost to attend this event is $75, which will get you a great seat in Loge Section 18 and access to our two-hour pre-game event in Banners Restaurant sponsored by Landy Insurance and First American Title Insurance Company.  Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is a limit of two tickets per person. To register call Christina Meehan at 617-399-7840.  See you there – go Celtics!

Don't Miss These Upcoming CE Programs

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Lead Law

11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Commercial Basics

2:45 – 4:45 p.m. – Commercial Leasing

Cost: $45 single class/$105 all day

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – New Construction

11:15 a.m.  – 1:15 p.m. – Title 5

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Condos, Co-Ops and Time Shares

Cost:  $45 single class/$105 all day

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Residential Mortgage Loan Market & Credit Today

11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Foreclosures

2:45 – 4:45 p.m. – Buyer Agency

Cost:  $45 single class/$105 all day

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