REBA: Assure that members have the best resources - by Susan LaRose

Susan LaRosa, WFG National Title Insurance Company

As the 2016 president of the Real Estate Board Association (REBA)for Massachusetts, I would like to share some new initiatives that our officers and board are working on to broaden the reach of our association and enhance membership experience. The practice of real estate is complex, and as a bar, we need to remain diligent in our efforts to stay informed and provide competent representation to our clients.

Many of you are already familiar with REBA, and are aware of the numerous committees that exist. In response to member interest, we are launching a new practice concentration committee, which was spearheaded by board clerk Diane Rubin, the residential landlord/tenant committee. The financial crisis and resulting upsurge in mortgage foreclosures has brought major changes in decisional law relating not only to real estate foreclosures, but in post-foreclosure occupancy issues. At our Spring Conference, Jordana Greenman and Emil Ward offered us insights into this fast-changing area of the law. Ward, together with Ken Krems, will co-chair this new committee. We expect that REBA will become the bar association home for all who practice residential landlord/tenant law. To join this new committee, which will host its initial meeting in September, contact any member of the REBA staff at admin@reba.net or telephone (617) 854-7555.

We have also realized, although some of us with a bit of reluctance, that we must embrace the social media revolution. Earlier this spring our board voted to bring social media platforms to REBA, including active LinkedIn and Facebook pages and an active blog covering all real estate practice areas. To oversee our social media activities, we have established the strategic communications committee. Kim Bielan and Julie Barry will lead this new operational committee.

Our blog and our new social media platforms will thrive only if our members participate and offer opinions and comment. Sharing information and opinions is crucial to our industry, and I invite everyone to participate in the enhanced social media presence.

Before the end of this year, we will launch a new website, long overdue, with expanded user-friendly features. As a state with no continuing legal education requirements, REBA, like NELTA, strives to provide our members with access to information that is so crucial to our practice. Toward this objective, we have also equipped our new office at 295 Devonshire St., Boston with the technology to allow us to offer off-site access to meetings and seminars. Rather than having to take significant time out of a busy day to attend a meeting, members are able to participate remotely. Eventually it is our goal to have a library of meetings, seminars and educational segments available on the website.

With CFPB regulations effecting all aspects of the real estate world, associations like NELTA and REBA are more important than ever before. Keeping members informed of evolving requirements and expectations is a task that must be shared among our associations. Working together, we can assure that our members have the best resources available to navigate the complexities of our industry.

Susan LaRose is the 2016 president of the Real Estate Board Association for Massachusetts, and New England underwriting counsel at WFG National Title Insurance Company, Lynnfield Mass.