MLS dues will be due July 1 Budget ahead in this economy, and be prepared! Bills will be sent in mid-May. Don't get caught off guard.
		MLS Tip - Read before you call! MLS changes are posted on the InnoVia bulletin board. Save yourself and SCAOR staff time, and read the bulletin board BEFORE calling about improvements made to the MLS entry format, etc.

When:	Next Thursday, April 30, 2009
Time:	8:30 A.M.
Where:	SCAOR 23407 Park Ave Georgetown, DE 19947
Who:	You the Broker
Please RSVP online at scaorstore.com or email / fax attached flyer.

 

ALL ABOARD FOR MIDYEAR TRADE EXPO Wednesday, May 13
Access 100 Exhibitors at the Midyear Trade Expo. You can shop, compare, and bargain for the best price on the newest real estate products and services -- all under one roof on May 13. The expo is FREE to REALTOR® members and the bus trip is an affordable $15.	7:30 am Bus departs SCAOR office ~ 10 am Arrival at Expo 2 pm Meeting with Senators and Representative on Capitol Hill 4:15 pm Bus departs D.C. (no planned dinner stops en route) ~ 6:30 pm Bus returns to SCAOR Register online here >>

> > TICKET SALES JUST OPENED > >
Only $150 early bird pricing through June 30
or sell out, whichever comes first.

This includes bus trip to New York City, snacks, and orchestra seats.

Order now - Limited tickets are available for this much sought after show.

Remember, courts have determined that a violation may be proven even if there was no intent to discriminate, as long as there is evidence of a discriminatory effect. Plus, you never know when your fair housing practices are being tested; testers from government or private groups can pose as home seekers, and their evidence is fully admissible in court.

Click Here for 8 Common Sense Tips in Avoiding Legal Violations >>

We extend our sympathy and our prayers to Dee Cross upon the passing of her husband, Leon Cross, this Tuesday. Leon was born and raised in Bridgeville, served in the USAF Strategic Air Command, and was married to Dee for nearly 40 years.

A memorial service is being held at 2 p.m. today at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel at 202 Laws St. in Bridgeville. Interment in Bridgeville Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 200 W. Market St., Laurel, Del. 19956; or the American Heart Association, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover, Del. 19901.

 
 

$8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit 10 Money-Earning Facts
	The 2008 $7,500 repayable credit is increased to $8,000 and the repayment feature is eliminated for 2009 purchasers. To be eligible, there is an income restriction of no more than $75,000 for single head of household. Married couples who file a joint return may have income of no more than $150,000.
	Only first-time buyers are eligible; that is, if he/she has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.
	Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. Thus, a qualified purchaser would determine all income items and exemptions and make all calculations required to determine his/her total tax due. Then, the tax credits are applied to reduce that computed total tax bill.
	If the purchaser's tax liability is less than the credit, the IRS would send the purchaser a check for the balance.
	For an informative list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
	For the IRS First-Time Homebuyer Credit form, click here.
	For IRS filing guidance, click here.
	Sign up here (or follow link from REALTOR.org home page) for NAR's April 28th Webinar on the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. You'll learn how the tax credit works and how you can build a marketing program around the incentive to reach prospective buyers.
	The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Has Programs to Supplement the $8,000 Tax Credit: DSHA has a first-time homebuyer program where they provide first mortgage financing at below-market interest rates to low-and moderate-income Delaware homebuyers. They have a second mortgage assistance loan program which may provide down payment and closing cost assistance up to $10,000. For more information on DSHA programs, click here.
	You might also be asked about the latest on restructuring or refinancing mortgages. For information on President Obama's Make Home Affordable Program and the Treasury Department's Guidance, click here.

Tuesday, May 12, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
at the SCAOR Office

• Websites
• Database Management
  (choosing a database and managing your prospects)
• Social Networking
  (Facebook, Linked In, My Space)
• Blogs - How to Get Started
• Wikis - Managing Info Online
• Open Source Alternatives
  (free programs similar to Outlook, Word & Excel)

Presented by Frank Payton and Steve Robison of Fine Line IT Consulting, a web design
and IT consulting firm located in Lewes.

Sponsored by the Rookie Committee. Not just for rookies anymore!

Click here to RSVP >>

Click here for flyer >>

 
 

Fair Housing Advertising Guidelines Checklist According to the federal fair housing laws, advertising for sale or rental of property may not intentionally or unintentionally state a preference for any person or an intention to exclude any person because of the person's race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Click here to see what the Fair Housing Act prohibits >>

AN EVENING OF INDULGENCE
Next Thursday, April 30^th ~ 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pamper yourself and your friends at the Women's Council of REALTORS^® Evening of Indulgence. Light snacks and wine will be served. A variety of fashionable, delicious, and other fun items for sale will be set up in each room of the Breakwater Community Model Home in Lewes.

Cost is only $20 - Please register online >>

 

GREEN DESIGNATION Be recognized as pro Green . . . while not spending much green

Sussex County Association of REALTORS® presents the 3 day Green Designation course. Earn this valuable NAR designation and watch your earnings increase. REALTORS® are traveling from near and far to attend the Green Designation at SCAOR. Did you know that the 3 day course offered by SCAOR is advertised on NAR's website? Our pricing is so good, REALTORS® from NY, MD, VA, DC and elsewhere have already registered to attend, and stay in the area for the entire 3 days! Don't miss out on this excellent NEW designation from NAR, that's available right in your own backyard. Spaces are going FAST. Sign up now to attend and earn your designation. Class dates: May 27, 28 and 29 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily 1 hour lunch break (must attend all 3 days in full to receive designation) Pay only $90 for the entire course, less than NAR charges at the midyear convention. This course also counts as an Elective course for the ABR Designation and 2 credits towards the RSPS Certification. Earn 9 CE for re-licensing plus learn the following: Green buildings concepts, principles and practices Marketing to the green consumer Potential cost savings of green features The significance of LEED, Energy Star, and other rating systems Regulatory issues, zoning and building codes as they relate to sustainability Support with referrals, marketing tools and consumer awareness campaigns Advising clients seeking qualified "green" professionals Sustainable communities and land planning Green living: housekeeping, energy efficiency and air quality Greening your business practices

Register to earn YOUR Green Designation here >>

Date:	THURSDAY, MAY 7
Time:	9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location:	Association Office 23407 Park Avenue Georgetown, DE 19947
Instructor:	Bruce Plummer
CEUs:	Approved by DREC for 6 Hours CE Mandatory for Brokers Elective for Agents
Click here to register >>

 

2009 CE SCHEDULE The BEST is offered at SCAOR! While the market is warming up, now is the BEST time to work ahead on your CE credits. Mandatory agent classes are held back to back on May 4, instructed by SCAOR EVP Ruth Briggs King and Educator of the Year 2008 Shirley Kalvinsky. Learn from the best, and be ready to focus solely on your customers the rest of the year. Broker Core is instructed by Bruce Plummer on May 7. DATE TIME CLASS Earn back-to-back 6 Required CE on May 4! Monday, May 4 9 am - noon Legislative Update 3 CE hours - approved DREC mandatory course (Legislative Update) 1 pm - 4 pm Real Estate Concepts 3 CE hours - approved DREC mandatory course (Agent Core) Wednesday, May 6 1 pm - 4 pm Contract Writing 3 CE hours - approved by DREC Thursday, May 7 9 am - 4 pm Broker's Core Approved by DREC for 6 Hours CE mandatory for Brokers Elective for Agents

Please read the REALTOR^® Code of Ethics Article 13. How do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled in last week's Case Study? Below is the Hearing Panel's decision.

Case #13-1: Preparation of Instrument Unrelated to Real Estate Transaction

Full Listing of April 25, 2009 through May 28, 2009
Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>

Legislative Action Day - REGISTER TODAY !
Please RSVP today to join us at the General Assembly in our state capitol next Wednesday. Nearly 100 REALTOR^® voices from across Delaware will enjoy a lunch meeting with key members of the General Assembly, a legislative briefing by Senate and House Leadership, and visits to our legislators' offices at Legislative Hall. Afterwards, enjoy a reception for DAR members and our legislators at the DAR office.

FREE! — Register at www.delawarerealtor.com.

 

M A Y
4	Legislative Update - Legislative Update 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Real Estate Concepts - Agent Core 3 CE course	1 pm - 4 pm
6	Contract Writing - 3 CE course	1 pm - 4 pm
7	Broker's Core - 6 CE Mandatory for Brokers, Elective for Agents	9 am - 4 pm
11-16	NAR Midyear Meetings and Trade Show in Washington, DC FREE to all REALTORS®! Schedule and registration now online.
13	Midyear EXPO and Capitol Hill Visit	2 pm
	Sign up for the Bus Ride	7:30 am - 6:30 pm
19-20	GRI 201: Financial Fundamentals - Designation Class at DAR	8 am - 5 pm
20	Rental Affairs Meeting	8 am
21	Board of Directors	9 am
	Government Affairs Meeting	3 pm
22	NAR Good Neighbor Award Applications Due	6 pm
25	Memorial Day - SCAOR and DAR Offices Closed
26	NAR 2010 Committee Recommendation Due
27-29	Green Designation - Earn your Green Designation at SCAOR!	9 am - 4 pm
J U N E
9	Awards Luncheon at SCAOR - "Save the date"	11:30 am
18	MLS Orientation	5 pm - 8 pm
23-24	GRI 501: Professional Development - Designation Class at DAR	8 am - 5 pm
J U L Y
1	MLS Annual Renewal Deadline