March 9, 2007

 

Our current education schedule is now available. To register for classes online click here or simply visit our webpage at www.scaor.com. Click on "Members" then "Class/Event Registration" for a complete list of classes. This is a great opportunity for resident licensees to get their credits early.

Non-resident licensees must complete 15 credit hours of continuing education no later than April 30, 2007. Delaware currently accepts elective continuing education credits approved by the Maryland Commission exclusive of any course relating specifically to Maryland laws.

 
 
 

The REALTOR^® Community Service Committee will once again offer the grant program to assist the needy of Sussex County. The grant guidelines and application forms are available at www.scaor.com. If you know of an organization that supports programs that assists needy children of Sussex County, please ask them to visit our website for details. Applications must be submitted by April 20^th.

 

DAR will be offering GRI 501: Professional Development next Thursday, March 15 & Friday, March 16 at the DAR Association Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. This module will cover topics such as the NAR Code of Ethics, Arbitration & Mediation, Diversity, Fair Housing Enforcement, and identifying potential environmental hazards. This course also provides 15 CE credits.

Click here to register and start earning your GRI!

 

The tip this week urges Participants and Subscribers to follow the rules that exist for the benefit of all members, as well as consumers. We frequently hear, "it is my obligation to my seller" as a reason to not follow our established rules. A recent example is "re-listing"- the subscriber removes an active listing from the MLS and then re-lists the same property with a new listing date. Yes, we see why you may want to do this, but this is not an acceptable practice and compromises MLS data and content. During a recent NAR meeting, we were reminded about "re-listing" and we why should not permit this practice in our MLS. Ethics, professionalism, and integrity can't be bought and sold on the MLS. Please ensure that while you are marketing, you are not on the market.

 

The Office of State Planning Coordination web sites, including the Livable Delaware web site and the Delaware Geographic Data Committee web site, have moved to a newer, faster, and more stable internet web server.

As a result, the basic internet address of these sites has changed from www.state.de.us/planning to stateplanning.delaware.gov.

An automatic "redirect" page has been posted to www.state.de.us/planning. This will seamlessly send visitors to the new home of the state planning web site. You could sit through this redirect every time you visit the site, but it's probably a better idea to update your bookmarks.

Aside from the advantages of a more stable and robust web server, the move brings the State Planning web sites into alignment with the State's new delaware.gov web site address standard.

 

Workers' Compensation law changed in Delaware; however, we are of the opinion that change does not impact our REALTORS^®. Keep in mind that we are not attorneys and are not offering legal advice.

We refer you to Title 19. Chapter 23 includes Section 2311 and the new language for "Contractors, subcontractors, independent contractors, and lessees of motor vehicles transporting passengers for hire as employers." However, if you read Section 2316: "Licensed real estate salespersons and licensed associate real estate brokers who are independent contractors" you will note: "this chapter shall not apply to licensed real estate salespersons or licensed associate real estate brokers who are affiliated with a licensed real estate broker under a written contract pursuant to which they are renumerated on a commission only basis and are designated as independent contractors and who qualify as independent contractors for federal tax purposes, expect that a licensed real estate broker with whom they have such contracts shall have the right to elect to carry insurance to insure the payment of workers' compensation to them or their dependents for part or all of the period of affiliation."

This is clearly an area of confusion and we will keep you informed of any news or interpretations as they occur.

 

Congratulations to William Mann for receiving his ABR designation. William is an agent with Century 21 Mann & Sons in Rehoboth Beach. The Accredited Buyer Representative designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENTS Council (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS^® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.

 

Article 7

In a transaction, REALTORS^® shall not accept compensation from more than one party, even if permitted by law, without disclosure to all parties and the informed consent of the REALTORS^® client or clients.

 

New Legislation will take effect that changes the definition of Daylight Savings Time. The United States, in accordance with the United States Energy Policy Act of 2005 will extend DST by two months. Starting in 2007, clocks are set forward one hour on the Second Sunday in March (March 11) and are set back one hour on the first Sunday in November (Nov. 4).

 

 

 

We now have 46 SentriLock Offices and the list is growing. A SentriLock office is one that has a SentriLock lockbox on all eligible listings.

Take a moment to view and thank these brokerages for their accomplishment.

SentriSecure Brokerages as of 3.8.07

The following report shows the offices that have combination lockboxes on some listings. As combination boxes are eliminated, these offices will be added to the SentriLock Offices list.

Brokerages with Combo Boxes as of 3.8.07

 

As per your request, the next time you update your SentriCard, you will notice that the renewal period has been extended from 3 to 5 days. Counting the day you renew your card, the SentriCard will now expire at midnight on the 5^th day.

 
SENTRILOCK Q & A

Daylight Savings Time

Your lockbox system observes Daylight Savings Time when determining access time restrictions to showing properties. Lockbox owners accessing their own listings are not affected by showing time restrictions.

Find out more in the new SentriLock Q & A Section >>

 

 

March 12 - March 15 Delaware News & Meetings Posted

We are in the midst of a legislative session and that means a flurry of activity is affecting Sussex County! SCAOR members are encouraged to attend important meetings that impact our market and property owners.

Details here >>

 

DREC'S Rules on Advertising

As I am riding around showing property, I am still surprised at the number of signs that are in violation of the Delaware Real Estate Commission's rules on advertising.

Visit the Rookie Corner for DREC's Rules and Regulations on Advertising.

 

Each week we will be covering a portion of the "MLS Rules and Regulations." To be on the SAFE SIDE, please review the rules each week to eliminate errors in the system which could lead to MLS violations and fines. These rules and regulations have been submitted and reviewed by NAR and are in full compliance with National Association policy.

How it Works

Alleged violations of the MLS Rules and Regulations must be made in writing and accompanied by a completed MLS Violation report and may be initiated by:

1. MLS Participants and/or subscriber (as defined in the MLS Rules and Regulations);
2. Licensed and unlicensed administrative and clerical staff affiliated with the MLS Participant;
3. Staff of SCAOR or of boards/associations of REALTORS^® that purchase services from SCAOR;
4. Members of the public.

In order for a Participant to be fined, a completed MLS Violation Report and a copy of any substantiating documents must accompany the Violation report. Anonymous faxes will not constitute a formal complaint. These forms may be mailed, faxed or delivered to the SCAOR office. The staff will keep all correspondence confidential. MLS staff will check the database to confirm the violation. If a violation occurs, it will fall into one of the following categories:

1. Minor violations;
2. Failure to correct a listing within 48 hours of a Listing Complaint Notification;
3. Serious Violations;
4. Prohibited activities;
5. Unauthorized dissemination of system access password;
6. Continued failure to correct a listing after a Listing Complaint Notification; Or
7. Failure to pay a fine;
8. Violations for Section 16 (IDX) of the MLS rules and regulations.

 

© Copyright 2007 Sussex County Association of REALTORS^®
23407 Park Ave., Georgetown, DE 19947, USA
Phone (302) 855-2300  ~  Fax (302) 855-2319  ~  info@scaor.com  ~  www.scaor.com