You are Invited . . . to the Awards Luncheon & Celebration of Excellence at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club beginning at 12 noon ~ Tuesday, June 5  Our distinguished ROTY nominees this year are:  Rick Allamong, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Steve Alexander, Seacoast Realty Judy Dean, Long & Foster Kevin Jefferson, Home Team Realty Trina Joyner, Home Team Realty Bill Lucks, Commercial Sales Group Judy Rhodes, Callaway, Farnell & Moore SCAOR President, Rob Harman, will present two special achievement awards, the President's Award of Recognition and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The President's Award is only given if there is an individual or individuals involved in SCAOR who have gone above and beyond their board or committee duties. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has contributed to the REALTOR® community as a whole. We will also recognize a Sussex County REALTOR® for her efforts in community and charitable service in helping to make her community a better place for all citizens. Nominees for the Sussex County Good Neighbor Award are Suzanne Landon, Jack Lingo Realtors and Mary Ann Slinkman, Realty Executives. Guests and Family Welcome — Buy Your Tickets Now! All are invited to join us in celebrating the excellence and dedication put forth by each of our nominees. See attached registration form - or register online! Attention Affiliates — Sponsorships are available for the ROTY luncheon. This is a great opportunity to network with our REALTOR® members and help celebrate our award winners and nominees. For more information please see the attached letter or call the SCAOR office at 302-855-2300.

Tickets are now on sale for the Affiliate bus trip to New York City on December 12^th. This year we have purchased orchestra seats for the Broadway show "Wicked." Ticket price is $135, which also includes your transportation, breakfast snacks, a goodie bag, and beverages. The bus will leave from the SCAOR office in Georgetown at 6:30 a.m. and departs New York immediately following the show. See see attached flier for complete details.

Guests and family welcome. Reserve your tickets here!

Access the book online immediately!

At home or at work, downloading the book all at once or by sections,
getting your book has never been this convenient!

Click here to purchase your copy and access the PDF link now!

Nick Varrato recently received the “2006 Businessman of the Year” award from the Business Advisory Council in recognition of his outstanding support of the Republican Party. He also received the “Volunteer Hall of Fame” award for 12 years of dedicated volunteer service to CHEER. Nick has been very instrumental in raising money for CHEER. Congratulations Nick, job well done!!

Get Wise with Tax Tips for REALTORS^®
SCAOR is offering the second in its "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise" series of free seminars on 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. Please RSVP here to guarantee seating.

Wells Fargo & Co. is offering a free seminar Thursday, June 14, 2007, to learn about the fantastic changes to the FHA programs. Seminar is scheduled for 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the SCAOR office. Pizza and soda will be provided. Please RSVP no later than June 11 to Sue Evans at 302-226-4071 or Betty Krug at 302-226-4072.

The Maryland Association of REALTORS^® is offering the GRI 200 series June 4, 7, 11, 14 and 18 at the Holiday Inn Express in Gransonville, Maryland. The full series cost is $375; individual modules are $90 each. For more information call 410-758-4866 or email bayarea@mris.com.

 
AMERICA'S GLOBAL REPUTATION: A BAD REP OR A BAD RAP?

A REALTOR^®'s reputation is important. You know the saying. . . “one unhappy customer will tell 7 people and those 7 people will tell 7 people...,” and so forth. A statistic certainty? No, but the point is that a tarnished reputation can be hard to polish up. Two recent polls suggest that a growing number of Americans are concerned about the reputation of the U.S.

When Gallup asked Americans how they think the United States rates in the eyes of the world, 72% said either "somewhat unfavorably" (44%) or "very unfavorably" (28%). Similar results were found from a survey commissioned by Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA), an organization working to improve the standing of America in the world. BDA found that 76% are concerned about America's global reputation and 74% believe the U.S. is viewed negatively by people in other countries. The up side is that both surveys suggest some optimism. In the Gallup poll, the number who think America's reputation will improve in 10 years is double that of those who think it will worsen.

The DBA survey shows that six in ten think it is "more important for Americans to reach out and build new bridges to people from other countries and cultures," as opposed to three in ten who say Americans must "build fences around our country to keep out illegal immigrants, terrorists and foreigners in general." The DBA survey also identifies changes that respondents believe would positively impact the world's negative view of the U.S.-- important perhaps for the future of a global real estate market. Read the DBA press release on survey findings. Want to turn the tables? Gallup also has data on American's view of other countries.

Article 12
REALTORS^® shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public. REALTORS^® shall also ensure that their professional status (e.g., broker, appraiser, property manager, etc.) or status as REALTORS^® is clearly identifiable in any such advertising. (Amended 1/93)

Standard of Practice 12-1
REALTORS^® may use the term "free" and similar terms in their advertising and in other representations provided that all terms governing availability of the offered product or service are clearly disclosed at the same time. (Amended 1/97)

Standard of Practice 12-2
REALTORS^® may represent their services as "free" or without cost even if they expect to receive compensation from a source other than their client provided that the potential for the REALTORS^® to obtain a benefit from a third party is clearly disclosed at the same time. (Amended 1/97)

Standard of Practice 12-3
The offering of premiums, prizes, merchandise discounts or other inducements to list, sell, purchase, or lease is not, in itself, unethical even if receipt of the benefit is contingent on listing, selling, purchasing, or leasing through the REALTORS^® making the offer. However, REALTORS^® must exercise care and candor in any such advertising or other public or private representation so that any party interested in receiving or otherwise benefiting from the REALTOR^®'s offer will have clear, thorough, advance understanding of all the terms and conditions of the offer. The offering of any inducement to business is subject to the limitations and restrictions of state law and the ethical obligations established by any applicable Standard of Practice. (Amended 1/95)

SentriLock Availability
Our lockbox usage has exceeded a board record! In this period of rising gas prices we recognize that the lockbox system is a financially important tool.

So that we have enough available boxes for our increasing property inventory, we ask that you consider removing the lockbox from properties when they go under contract. By doing this, it will ensure that your office has an inventory of boxes to meet the need of new listings.

SentriLock Inventory
Take a moment to review your SentriLock inventory. If you have excess boxes, please let the board know. These boxes may be needed for distribution to firms that have a short supply. If you have excess SentriLock boxes, please call TracyLee at 302-855-2300.

Congratulations to our SentriSecure Offices!
SentriSecure Brokerages as of 5.17.07 >>

Brokerages with Combo Boxes as of 5.17.07 >>

May 21^st - June 18^th Delaware News & Meetings Posted

WHAT'S A SHORT SALE?

With the sluggish real estate market we are experiencing, I have now heard of several properties that are being sold on “short sales”.

Never heard of it?  Then read on >>

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.

VIOLATION OF SECTION 16 -- $500

Section 16.3 - Display:   Display of listing information pursuant to IDX is subject to the following rules:

Section 16.3.5 - Non-principal brokers and sales licensees affiliated with IDX Participants may display information available through IDX on their own Web sites subject to their Participant's consent and control and the requirements of state law and/or regulation.

Section 16.3.6 - All listings displayed pursuant to IDX shall show the MLS as the source of the information.

Section 16.3.7 - Participants (and affiliated licensees, if applicable) must refresh all downloads and refresh all data at least once every seven days.

Section 16.3.8 - All listings displayed pursuant to IDX shall identify the listing firm.

Licensed MLS Users During the course of the MLS Committee Meetings, the Committee has made the decision to charge LICENSED clerical users for the MLS service. There has been some confusion over what this exactly means, so let's clarify! If you are a RENTAL Agent, and you will not be receiving referral fees or commissions, you may be waived from MLS fees. However, if you are in a clerical position, and have received your license, in addition to paying National, State, and Local dues, you are now obligated to also pay MLS fees. If, as a clerical user, you do not want to be responsible for these fees, your options are to place your license on inactive status (with the state) or ask your broker or agent to pay your fees for you. The MLS Rules and Regulations are in the process of being reviewed and revised. Keep an eye out for the old edition to be replaced soon!