March 30, 2007

~ ~ ~  Have A Happy Easter Holiday  ~ ~ ~ The SCAOR Office Will Be Closed Next Friday April 6

 

The Annual DREC education event has been scheduled for April 12, 2007, at the Del Tech Terry Campus in Dover. Featured speakers for the event will be Frank Serio and Andy Taylor. The Director of Investigations will also give a short presentation. Seating is limited and you need to ensure you or your designee has a seat for the important update. See attached registration form.

 

To view the current education schedule and 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.
Mandatory credits for non-resident salesperson licensees include:

• salesperson core course,
• legislative update, and
• 9 elective credits.

Non-resident Brokers must complete the six-hour Broker's Core Course and 9 elective credits. Delaware currently accepts elective continuing education credits approved by the Maryland Commission exclusive of any course relating specifically to Maryland laws. Class fees for REALTOR^® members (member of another Board or MLS only member) are $40. Anyone with an inactive status or not a current member of any Board will be charged $45 per class.

 

Seats are still available for the Financial Roundtable class being offered on April 12 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. This course is being taught by two of our long-standing Affiliates, Liz Connors, of Wells Fargo, Seaford and Mike Wessels, of First Horizon, Salisbury. Sign up today for this informative class covering such topics as: conventional financing, FHA financing, VA financing, Delaware Bond and guaranteed rural housing.

 

It's that time again. Please take the time to nominate a special REALTOR^® who is deserving of this impressive award. Many outstanding REALTORS^® can be found in our Association who exemplify professionalism and meet the ROTY criteria. The points system is based on REALTOR^® involvement in the local and state association, REALTOR^® spirit, business accomplishments, civic activity, NAR activity and significant contributions.  See attached nomination form!

Mark your calendar. . . This year's event will take place at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club on June 5 at 12 noon.

 

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Bruce McCabe, husband of Sue McCabe of Crowley Associates Realty in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Sue has been a REALTOR^® of the beach for 36 years. A memorial service will be held this Sunday, April 1, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Melson's Funeral Home, West Avenue, Ocean View.

 

Affiliate Sponsors Needed

SCAOR is sponsoring a bus trip to the Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo in Washington, DC on Wednesday, May 16. This is a great opportunity to network with our REALTOR^® members. For more information see attached flier or call the SCAOR office at 302-855-2300.

 

Sign up today by calling 1-888-8-Blood-8; make sure to mention SCAOR when signing up for this life saving event!

Answers to Common Excuses

• "I'm afraid to donate."
  Almost everyone is nervous the first time he/she donates blood. Donating can become a regular part of your life once you overcome the initial fear.

• "I'll feel weak, and I need all the blood I have."
  Less than a pint of blood is taken when you donate. The average adult body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. The body manufactures new blood constantly, so the blood volume (liquid portion) will be replaced within a few hours. Most donors go about their usual activities after donating.

• "I don't have time."
  Donating blood takes about an hour, and the needle is in your arm only about five minutes. It's the least time-consuming of all volunteer work. Your one donation can help save the lives of several people. That's not bad for 1 hour of your time!

• "Nobody I know needs blood."
  It is everyone's responsibility to help the sick. Someday YOUR life may depend on blood donated by your fellow citizens. Help others now, and they'll help you when you need it.

 

As of April 15^th two dedicated rental agents will be retiring from Long and Foster in Rehoboth Beach.

Alma Ashley has been in the rental business for 40 years. She was originally from Colorado where she and her husband trained horses. At one time she was also involved with the rodeo. After her sister moved to Delaware and joined Crowley Associates, she convinced Alma to move to Delaware where she began her career in rentals. Alma's late husband, Gene, was a rental manager for Jack Lingo REALTORS^®. Alma recently bought a 17 acre horse farm near her daughter in North Carolina and plans to move in the near future.

Penny Carlisle was born and raised a Sussex Countian and has been in rentals for 34 years. She was a sales agent with Anderson Stokes in her early years and later decided to become a rental agent. Her current plans for retirement include sitting on her deck with a good book and thinking about what she would like to do next.

The Rental Affairs Committee would like to thank both ladies for their devotion and many years of service to the business. If you would like to congratulate them on their successful careers, please call Long & Foster at 227-3821.

 

How Do I Open a Hard-to-Release Shackle?

We have had a couple reports from agents indicating they were unable to release the shackle on a lockbox assigned to a property. If you experience a lockbox where the shackle does not release, please perform the following steps . . .

Find out how in the new SentriLock Q & A section >>

 
SENTRILOCK INVENTORY

Take a moment to review your SentriLock inventory. Now that most of the boxes have been placed on your eligible listings, you are able to determine if you have excess boxes on hand. Excess boxes will need to be returned to the board office so that firms in need of additional boxes can be accommodated.

If you have excess SentriLock boxes, please call TracyLee at 302-855-2300.

 
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SENTRISECURE OFFICES!

Our SentriSecure Brokerages as of 3.29.07 >>

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 3.29.07 >>

 

DAR will be moving to their new office in a few weeks. If you are interested in purchasing office furniture, please call the DAR office at 1-800-305-4445. See attached list of items available.

 

The Affiliate Committee is interested in scheduling a trip to visit the King Tut exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in September (date based on ticket availability). The price of tickets is $24 per person. If you are interested in signing up for this event please email Barbara at barbara@scaor.com. We need to place our order asap as tickets are limited. For more information call Barbara at 855-2300.

 

 

 

DAR will present three Good Neighbor Awards at the DAR Annual Convention in September. One winner will be selected from each county. A cash contribution will be awarded to the charity of the winner's choice. REALTORS^® may nominate themselves or may be nominated by another DAR member, a state or local association, or the community organization they serve. See attached nomination form. Completed forms must be submitted no later than April 26, 2007.

 

We would like for our members to be "Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise"; therefore, we have created 3 presentations with local professionals to address some local concerns. "How and when will I afford to retire?" ; "Tax Tips for REALTORS^®", and "Eating Healthy, on the Run."

• Wealthy or Just Want to Retire Someday?
  The first session, Planning Now for Your Retirement is Thursday, April 18 from 5-6 p.m. at SCAOR. The presenter is James W. Gamuciello, CFM. This is an informational and educational presentation focusing on REALTOR^® needs.

• Get Wise with Tax Tips for REALTORS^®
  The second session is Wednesday, May 30 from 5-6 p.m. at SCAOR. The presenter is Rick Tull, CPA. He will focus on helping you organize as well as provide tips on deductions and business related issues.

• Commit to Healthy, When Eating on the Run
  The third session, Commit to Healthy, will share some nutrition information you can sink your teeth in and help you avoid eating junk on the run. Dr. Ann Henderson will provide practical as well as healthy alternatives to your fast food habit. The date has not been set for this session.

You may attend one, two or all three of the sessions. These programs are offered as a benefit to you, our SCAOR members free of charge. Sign up is required to reserve the limited seating; please call the SCAOR office at 302-855-2300. No shows will be charged a $15 no show fee.

 

The event will be held May 14 - May 19. You can go for the "big" day on Wednesday, May 16 to tour the Trade Expo, visit the NAR building, and have a special visit to the US Senate.

Your REALTOR^® Political Action Committee (RPAC) donation of $50 or more will save your seat on the bus. Leave the driving to us and get the scoop from inside the beltway! Did we mention that donors' names are entered in a "grand prize" drawing to be announced during SCAOR's member meeting?

Agenda is now online at REALTOR.org.

 

This week Congress debated three issues -- Natural Disaster Insurance, Subprime Lending and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Reform -- with enormous implications for the real estate industry. NAR has been actively involved in the debate on each of these issues to protect the interests of our members. Three articles from Congressional Quarterly Today are attached that summarize the hearings and will give you insights on what is happening in Washington that you may want to share with others in your office and in our real estate industry. Read More >>

Planning News In Delaware
April 4 - May 3 Delaware News & Meetings Posted

 

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.

 

Article 9

Standard of Practice 9-2
When assisting or enabling a client or customer in establishing a contractual relationship (e.g. listing and representation agreements, purchase agreements, leases, etc.) electronically, REALTORS^® shall make reasonable efforts to explain the nature and disclose the specific terms of the contractual relationship being established prior to it being agreed to by a contracting party. (Adopted 1/07)

 

Agent Bonus!   I Don't Think So!

How often do you see $$$$ Agent Bonus advertised? Are you aware you cannot pay a bonus to an agent? Also remember disclosure rules on bonuses. There is a right way to do both!

Learn how in the Rookie Corner.

 
 

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.

FAILURE TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS (a-m)

The correction must be made within 48 hours of the notification and verification. If the correction cannot be made by the Participant, they must call the SCAOR office to correct. The minimum fine for these violations is $25. After the third fine within the calendar year (January 1 - December 31), subsequent fines will increase to $100 per incident. The fines are per office Participant, not per office agent.

 

© 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