December 21, 2007

We wish you and your family a peaceful, joy-filled holiday!

 

VOTE ON JANUARY 10 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Be sure to sign up and attend the meeting at CHEER in Georgetown on Thursday, January 10th. This is your chance to cast your vote, AND eat a free breakfast! Building Expansion By-Law Revisions Partnership With CAR Sign Up Here >>

 

The Subject Matter Experts Committee was one that was appointed by the Delaware Real Estate Commission to re-write the Pre-License exam and the Broker's Exam. The exam now reflects the new changes in the Agency statute. The Committee met for two solid days (9 to 5-6 both days) and reviewed all the old questions, and then had to write brand new questions for the test.

 

REALTOR^® Susan DiSciullo passed away after a long illness on December 18, 2007. Sue was an employee with the Long & Foster Resort Rental Division for 17+ years. She was completely dedicated to her job; one could always count on her. There are things that come to mind when we think of her. She loved animals, shopping, her home and garden. She was a genuine and good-hearted friend who will be missed by Long & Foster, their clients, customers and vendors, and many others.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Tunnell Cancer Center Rt 24 Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971	- or -	Bethany Town Cats PO Box 911 Bethany Beach, DE 19930

 

THESCAORSTORE.COM PRESENTS... OUR JANUARY - APRIL 2008 CLASS SCHEDULE! January and February classes are now online! The full March and April schedule will also be available next week. Don't miss out - Register Today! ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE SCAOR OFFICE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Registration will not be taken over the phone. No credits will be issued to late arrivals. Please notify SCAOR of any disabilities requiring special accommodations.

 

The SCAOR Education Committee has voted to increase the price of education classes by $5.00 beginning with January and February classes. This means that Primary members will pay $40.00 per class; Secondary members, $45; and non-members, $50.00. Then prices will increase another $5.00 in March. So sign up early for the January and February classes, and SAVE!

 

Committee chairs are diligently reviewing committee membership applications. While we appreciate your interest and willingness to serve, committees are limited as to size, experience and time already served. If you are selected to serve on a committee, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Thank you to our many members for wanting to serve in 2008!

 

After many years of preparation, the Building Committee and SCAOR are proud to present the proposed new building construction plans.

Q: What is the discussion about the proposed new building for SCAOR?
A:   Our present office was built in 1998 when we had not quite 800 members and 2 employees. Today, we have 1400+ members and 4 employees. We hold many education courses and have maxed out our facilities. Our choices for classes and events off site are limited, costly, and inconvenient.

Q: When did we decide to move forward with a building project?
A:   In 2003 a Building Committee examined possibilities to address our need which included: a new location and or remodeling our existing building. In 2005, the Board elected to move forward with a remodeling. As we told our members in 2006, we needed a change in zoning, traffic studies, etc. We have been sharing the news, the views (elevations) and the progress for quite a while. Earlier this year, we reduced the classroom ( new addition) size and reconfigured the existing space. This saved "paving" costs and improved daily operation efficiency.

Q: What is the scope of the project?
A:   The proposed Building project has two parts:

• Remodel the existing administrative area.
• Construct a high tech room for education, meetings, and events.

The goal is state of the art technology. We will strive to adequately represent the real estate community and not be extravagant.

Q: What is the projected cost of the project?
A:   Take a breath... this is considered a commercial building with many associated commercial costs. We are seeking approval for up to $850,000 for the project. This includes new roofing, siding, sidewalks, for the existing building as well as the new construction. And of course, all of the permits...site planning, etc that quickly add up.

Q: What will it look like?
A:   Here are two architectural drawings to give you a view:

• Proposed Building Elevation
• Blueprints of Proposed Building Floor Plan

As we previously mentioned, the proposed building project has been a topic and agenda item for a few years. We have added to the SCAOR reserves to accommodate the building project.

As REALTORS^®, we are investing in our future and sending a message to the public with this proposed project. The "Voice for Real Estate" in Sussex County will send a strong message that it is business as usual for Sussex County REALTORS^®.

 
 

Access the book online immediately!

At home or at work, downloading the book all at once or by sections,
in a streamlined PDF printable / viewable format, getting your book is now so convenient!

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

 

 

Offering Your Personal Guarantee

When you're pursuing a listing, do you offer the Sellers your Resume and Marketing Plan? I hope so. But if you want to stand out from the rest of the crowd... how would you like to offer your own personal guarantee of service?

Click Here to Learn More >>

 
 

Now that I'm concluding my year as chairperson of the Rental Affairs Committee, I wanted to relate some thoughts about the work completed during this past year. As always, it is a team effort and each meeting brought increased shared information as well as insights into the rental community. Past meetings have been a mix of discussions on important technology advances as well as industry trends that help the entire rental community reach and maintain important goals. Rental REALTORS® have a unique perspective and dual relationships with Southern Delaware's tourism and sales communities. We are that special breed that seamlessly coordinates so many efforts and as a result, contributes to the health of our vibrant area. If your office rents properties in Southern Delaware, please make sure you have representation on this important committee. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or comments. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the busy committee members that bring so much important information and enthusiasm to each and every meeting. See you in 2008! Harold Marmon at 302-227-5000 or haroldmarmon@aol.com.

 
 

Below is the Hearing Panel's decision from the case interpretation presented in last week's At A Glance.

Case #2-3: Obligation to Disclose Defects
(Revised Case #9-9 May, 1988.
Transferred to Article 2 November, 1994.)

At the hearing before a Hearing Panel of the Professional Standards Committee of REALTOR^® B's Board, during which all of these facts were brought out, the panel found that REALTOR^® B had acted in good faith in accepting Seller A's description of the property. While Article 2 prohibits concealment of pertinent facts, exaggeration, and misrepresentation, REALTOR^® B had faithfully represented to Buyer C information given to him by Seller A. There were no obvious reasons to suspect that hardwood floors were not present throughout as Seller A had advised. REALTOR^® B was found not in violation of Article 2.

 
 

 
Listing of December 27, 2007 through January 29, 2008
Delaware News & Meetings

 

 

 

As SentriLock lockboxes come off of listings, please make sure they have been flashed. What is flashing? It's a 30 second download that upgrades each lockbox to ensure the batteries do not drain prematurely. Follow these simple steps to maintain your batteries:

1. Insert your SentriLock keycard and leave it in the lockbox
2. Enter your PIN
3. Hit Enter
4. Press Function
5. Press Function again
6. Enter 37265
7. Press Function
8. Press Enter

You will see a steady card light, which will then begin to flash. Within about 30 seconds, all the lights will flash through a cycle. There is no beep. Voila! You are done and flashed. Now remove your keycard.

We strongly suggest you mark the back barcode of each lockbox that has been flashed with a red dot/mark. It does not cause a problem if a lockbox gets flashed more than once.

 

Did you know there was a listing of answers and instructions for Frequently Asked Lockbox Questions?   Find them here at the SentriLock Q&A Archive >>

 
Congratulations to our SentriSecure Offices!

SentriSecure Brokerages as of 12.20.07 >>

Brokerages with Combo Boxes as of 12.20.07 >>

 

Please remember -- The SCAOR office is closed this Monday, Christmas Eve, December 24 through the day after Christmas, December 26. Merry Christmas!

© 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