April 13, 2007

 

Attention Brokers - SCAOR will be holding a Broker's meeting next Tuesday, April 17 at the Millsboro Fire Hall from 9 - 11 a.m. Please RSVP to SCAOR at 302-855-2300 or register online. A buffet breakfast will be served by Doyle's Restaurant.

 

To register for classes online 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.

 

SCAOR has added two mandatory courses for non-resident sales agents. Real Estate Concepts is being offered on April 23 from 9 a.m. - 12 with Vincent White followed by Legislative Update, 1 - 4 p.m. presented by Joe Conaway. Please register online.

 

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.

 
 

As the nation celebrates April as Fair Housing Month, the National Association of REALTORS^® and its 1.3 million members reaffirm their commitment to America's policy of fair housing and pledge to continue their work toward eliminating housing discrimination.

This year marks the 39^th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status and national origin. By participating in Fair Housing Month, NAR aims to advance equal access to housing and remind Americans that fair housing is not an option: It's the law.

"NAR is an outspoken advocate for fair housing, not only during Fair Housing Month but also throughout the entire year," said Pat Vredevoogd Combs, NAR president, from Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt. "REALTORS^® are committed to build strong communities and play a vital role in ensuring equal housing opportunities for all."

NAR supports equal opportunity in housing by providing courses, programs and awards aimed at meeting the nation's fair housing commitment. NAR has armed REALTORS^® with the tools and resources necessary to serve culturally diverse home buyers, such as NAR's nine-year-old program, "At Home with Diversity." The course educates REALTORS^® about being sensitive to and aggressive in meeting the homeownership needs of a diverse society.

To further remove barriers to minority homeownership and focus public attention on this vital issue, NAR and a group of minority real estate organizations introduced the HOPE (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone) Awards in 2001. These awards recognize outstanding projects and programs that increase minority homeownership, revitalize communities and expand affordable housing opportunities.

In February 2007, NAR contributed $1 million toward construction of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall. Dr. King was a strong advocate for fair housing legislation, and NAR supports his vision of giving all Americans the opportunity to achieve the dream of homeownership.

REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration

I agree to: Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of any prospective client, customer, or of the residents of any community. Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients' and customers' opportunities and my business. Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded; expanding my client's and customer's opportunities to see, buy, or lease property. Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information. Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®. Refuse to tolerate non-compliance. Learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences. Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration.

 

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.

 

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.

 
SAVE A LIFE -- GIVE BLOOD
Blood Drive Coming to the SCAOR office on May 1

A Blood Drive will take place at the SCAOR Office on May 1 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.. Sign up today by calling 1-888-8-Blood-8 — Be sure to mention SCAOR when signing up for this life saving event! ! If you would prefer to register online, simply click on the following link www.delmarvablood.org.

 

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?

The host of MSNBC's "Hardball With Chris Matthews" and NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show" presents his insider's views during the 2007 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Expo in Washington, D.C. Matthews will appear before the Legislative and Political Forum on May 15, 7:30-9 a.m., in the Marriott Wardman Park. Hear what makes Chris Matthews' shows lively and thought-provoking as he draws on his experience as a broadcast journalist, a newspaper bureau chief, a presidential speechwriter, and a best-selling author. For more information, the full agenda is online or contact: Gerry Allen, 202-383-1109.

 

Tighter lending criteria and fallout from the subprime loan debacle will lead to a healthier housing market with greater assurance that owners can handle mortgage adjustments, according to NAR. But higher loan standards will slow the housing recovery, NAR reports. David Lereah, NAR's chief economist, says the changes are necessary for the long-term health of the housing market. "Tighter lending standards will dampen home sales a bit, but by less than a couple of percentage points from initial projections," Lereah says. "We still forecast 2007 to be the fourth highest year on record for existing-home sales, and housing remains a great long-term investment." For more, click here.

 

At two congressional hearings Wednesday, NAR called on the Senate to enact a comprehensive natural disaster plan that addresses insurance availability and affordability in both property and casualty insurance markets. NAR said the plan should recognize that property owners, private insurance markets, and all levels of government must work together to address the problem of available and affordable property insurance, especially in disaster prone areas. In testimony submitted to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, NAR pledged to work with Congress to craft a national natural disaster plan that would include accessible and affordable insurance, improved preparedness, and thorough planning for recovery efforts. For more info, click here.

 

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 Wednesday, 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. All three seminars will be held at the SCAOR office.

 

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 next Friday, April 20^th.

 

We have 55 SentriSecure Brokerages as of April 11!
List of offices here >>

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 4.11.07 >>

ASSIGNING A LOCKBOX USING THE F2 FUNCTION

The most accurate way to assign a lockbox to a property is by using the F2 function. By doing this, you will ensure the most accurate Internet tracking of showing activity.

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

 

April 14 - May 15 Delaware News & Meetings Posted

Agenda Posted for April PLUS Meeting
An agenda has been posted for the April 25 meeting of state agency planners to review land use change proposals and comprehensive planning documents as part of the Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS). The meeting will allow for state input to local governments, who make the final land-use decisions. The meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. on in the first floor conference room of the Haslet Armory, on William Penn Street, in Dover.

Read More >>

 

Article 10

Standard of Practice 10-2
When not involved in the sale or lease of a residence, REALTORS^® may provide demographic information related to a property, transaction or professional assignment to a party if such demographic information is (a) deemed by the REALTOR^® to be needed to assist with or complete, in a manner consistent with Article 10, a real estate transaction or professional assignment and (b) is obtained or derived from a recognized, reliable, independent, and impartial source. The source of such information and any additions, deletions, modifications, interpretations, or other changes shall be disclosed in reasonable detail. (Renumbered 1/06)

Standard of Practice 10-3
REALTORS^® shall not print, display or circulate any statement or advertisement with respect to selling or renting of a property that indicates any preference, limitations or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (Adopted 1/94, Renumbered 1/05 and 1/06)

Standard of Practice 10-4
As used in Article 10 "real estate employment practices" relates to employees and independent contractors providing real estate-related services and the administrative and clerical staff directly supporting those individuals. (Adopted 1/00, Renumbered 1/05)

 

Are You Working With a REALTOR^®?

The other day I received a call from a REALTOR^® who was annoyed with one of my clients. It seems that my client visited an Open House this REALTOR^® was holding, and spent an hour talking about the house. Although I had tried to educate my client about visiting properties without me, human nature being what it is, when they saw an Open House sign, they thought they would just drop in "for a minute". After a thorough discussion about the house, my clients said, "Oh, by the way, we're clients of Agent X under a Buyer Agency Agreement."

WHAT Do You Do?
Read Full Article >>

 
 

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.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES &
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS - $1,000

1. A participant will not provide MLS information to non-member participants for the use in business, marketing or for-profit activities.

2. When a Participant other than the listing broker places a "For Sale" sign on a property.

3. When a Participant other than the listing broker places a "Sold" sign on a property prior to closing without the listing broker's authorization.

4. The SCAOR office must be notified immediately if any waiver has a change of status that would cause the person to be included in the MLS dues formula for an office. Waiver user I.D.'s and passwords are assigned to a specific person. When an employee is replaced, a new waiver form must be completed and the old person taken out of the system and the new person put in the system. The waiver I.D. and password are not transferable.

5. MLS exempted listings. If the seller refused to permit the listing to be disseminated by the Service, such listing must be filed with the Association office and include a copy of the signed listing agreement and an "office exclusive" form signed by the seller.

First Offense	$1,000
Second Offense	$1,500
Third Offense	Revocation of ID and password access

 

© 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